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In the American old west, mountebanks would travel from town to town selling fake cures for every known ailment. When they were eventually chased out of town they'd simply move to another in search of suckers eager to buy their counterfeit spirits, unguents and ointments. With Europe suffering from a bad case of climate change fever, some energy insecurity sniffles and increasingly regular bouts of high energy-price dizziness, a new generation of green mountebanks has emerged.
The ailments themselves are real enough. Europe is almost entirely dependent on foreign sources of fossil energy – 60 per cent of our gas is imported, along with 70 per cent of our oil, and from unstable or undemocratic regions and countries to boot. EU member states are afraid that energy can be used as a political weapon, as happened when Russia shut off gas flowing to Ukraine in January 2006. Public pressure is forcing the Commission to at least look as though it is doing something about climate change, and energy prices are at near-record levels.
However, the quack remedy we're being prescribed by our own green mountebanks is a robust vaccinating jab of nuclear energy, along with a wee dose of energy liberalisation laxative.
The return of nuclear power
In early October, the Commission encouraged member states to make greater use of nuclear energy in order to improve the Union's energy security and as one path to reducing carbon emissions. 'Member states cannot avoid the question of nuclear energy,' Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso told a Madrid energy conference. Gordon Brown's government recently obliged, endorsing a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK.
Baroso's voice was not a lone one. Energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs told El Pais, the Spanish newspaper, that the EU should try to generate 30 per cent of its electricity from nuclear sources, and the competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, in a curiously honest spell of anti-competitive favouritism, told the same Madrid conference that she was personally 'completely in favour of nuclear power.'
In response, the Green group in the European Parliament sent an open letter to president Barroso calling for the competences of commissioner Kroes in the area of nuclear energy to be withdrawn – demanding essentially that she not be allowed to work in this area any more. 'Imagine if commissioner Kroes were to state she was "completely in favour" of Linux, following the competition case with Microsoft,' says the Greens' energy spokesperson, MEP Claude Turmes.
'The idea that nuclear energy will solve our energy security problems is false,' argues Turmes. Nuclear energy will exacerbate European energy insecurity, not ameliorate it. 'Although most of our gas and oil is imported, some 99 per cent of our uranium is imported, and because of the enormous dangers of uranium mining, there will never be any uranium mines opened up in Europe.'
Yet despite the Greens' energetic fight against this nuclear revival, Turmes isn't optimistic. 'There simply aren't enough campaigns across Europe taking place. NGOs and civil society thought they had won on the issue of nuclear energy and stopped campaigning, underestimating the lobbying of the nuclear industry and its ability to use the climate debate to make a come-back.'
The deregulation
Curiously, however, while the Greens can see this ersatz nuclear remedy for the sop to the nuclear industry that it is, they are much more willing to swallow the energy deregulation lozenge.
Energy deregulation was first sold to the American people in the mid-1970s, for almost identical reasons to those the Commission uses to argue for similar proposals today. Following the oil shocks of 1973, the US government hoped to prevent high prices in the future by easing reliance on foreign energy sources and encouraging the development of domestic alternative fuels for generating electricity, requiring that utilities buy power from independent power producers and others employing renewable energy sources.
A series of federal deregulatory actions over the following years culminated in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, a product essentially of the heavy lobbying work of Enron, under which utilities were ordered to allow independent power producers equal access to the transmission grid. After more of Enron's lobbying in the mid-1990s, dozens of states adopted a deregulatory approach.
Advocates at the time, as they do today in Europe, argued that deregulation would prevent the large utilities from using their control of the transmission networks to arrest the entry of competing companies producing energy at lower prices. Instead, the product of deregulation was a gross concentration of the energy firms, profiteering, much higher prices, network decline, and regular black-outs.
The separation of power plants from the wires that transmitted the energy they produced had a catastrophic impact on network reliability, ultimately playing a direct role in the massive multi-state black-out of August 2003. This is because reliable planning and operation of energy supply requires full co-ordination between generation and transmission. The separation of these two roles makes co-ordination not only more difficult, but, in the most extreme cases, can make the two roles non-complementary or even competing. The interests of the energy producer selling energy to the highest bidder far away can override what was previously an obligation to transmit and distribute energy to local users, undeserving individual citizens and putting enormous strain on a network not designed for such long-distance activity.
Power plants also regularly now engage in what is termed 'capacity withholding', where an energy producer intentionally cuts off production temporarily in order to raise prices for power from other power plants they own. And rather than profits providing incentives to build new or alternative generation, these profits have instead been invested in bidding wars for existing power plants, which are then 'flipped' for a higher price, as if the plant were some celebrity's Malibu llama and alpaca ranch.
By 2000, some 24 states has passed deregulation legislation, but only six years later, following the repeated black-outs, price hikes and the California energy crisis of 2000-1, eight states repealed or delayed these laws, and California has begun to order its utilities re-acquire power plants. Where deregulation is still on the books, consumers face average annual price hikes of over 5 per cent and, across America, alternative energy production remains a negligible proportion of the market.
Having been chased out of town in many parts of the US, the green energy mountebanks have trotted into Europe. Energy liberalisation in Europe has been underway for about ten years now, at a cost of some 250,000 jobs, but the Commission feels that the process has not gone far enough.
Europe's energy giants
European energy liberalisation and privatisation has allowed a few giants – in particular France's EDF and Germany's RWE and Eon – to gobble up much of the market throughout the Union. Ostensibly set in play to increase competition, liberalisation has actually replaced democratically controlled public monopolies with unaccountable regional oligopolies whose profits are larger than some member states' entire GDP.
Last September, the Commission released a new energy package proposing a series of directives and regulations that, as with similar legislation in the US, would see the energy companies split off power plants from the wires or pipelines that transmit electricity or gas. Identical to the arguments used by the American proponents of deregulation in the 1970s and 1990s, this 'unbundling' of production from transmission, believes the Commission, will 'generate more investment in clean, sustainable technologies and renewable energy', reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 'stimulate fair energy prices and savings.' It will do this by forcing the energy companies to widen access to the transmission grid to more market entrants and alternative energy producers.
The Commission's original plan was to order complete ownership separation of suppliers from transmitters, but under pressure from the French and German governments, acting on behalf of their native energy giants, the Commission has backed off slightly, and offered an opt-out clause. Under this alternative plan, the energy company is allowed to retain ownership of the transmission network, but these network assets must be managed by an independent system operator (ISO). In order to ensure the ISO truly acts independently of the parent company, new regulation and monitoring is to be put in place.
The Commission would like to see the democratic accountability of the national energy regulatory authorities removed as well. They are to become 'legally distinct and functionally independent from government, neither seeking nor taking instruction from government'. Much like the independent central banks. The Commission also proposes the creation of a new super-agency to co-ordinate the activities of all the national regulators and ensure effective competition. This agency too should not have any democratic accountability, with the Commission explicitly arguing that it should model itself on the system of European Central Banks.
'This compromise, done to appease the energy lobby in France and Germany, doesn't make much sense,' argues Sahra Wagenknecht, co-ordinator for the European United Left/Nordic Green Left on the Committee on Economic and Monetary affairs. 'Instead of creating additional bureaucracy by establishing extra regulatory agencies, it would make more sense to take the whole energy distribution network back into public hands.'
Meanwhile, the symbol of the Greens, remember, is the sturdy sunflower, not the shrinking violet. They think the Commission should have stuck to its strictly-unbundling Smith & Wessons.
'Only full and unequivocal unbundling of energy production from distribution will guarantee true market liberalisation,' argues Claude Turmes. 'It is unfortunate that [the Commission] has given in to pressure from the French and German governments and failed to insist on full unbundling.'
Why public energy matters
Public service campaigners argue that all the arguments the Commission mounts in favour of further energy deregulation, from the prospect of lower prices to new investment in renewables are, quite literally, a pipe dream.
'In Germany, deregulation of the energy market has led to a number of mergers and acquisitions. This rapid concentration has contributed to a steep rise in energy prices,' notes Wagenknecht. 'The German statistical office has calculated that in the last five years, energy prices have risen 31 per cent, and now the big energy companies, Eon, Vattenfall and RWE have just announced further price increases that will force an average German household of four people to pay an additional 100-200 euros more for energy and electricity this year.'
To buttress its case that unbundling produces lower prices, the Commission regularly cites the experience of the UK, and the alleged success of price reductions of 50 per cent in its gas market. Yet, as Steve Thomas, of the Public Services International Research Unit at the University of Greenwich, points out in a report published last July, these reductions were actually a result of the fire-sale of British Gas. When it was privatised, the company was sold for much less than its asset value, permitting sizeable price drops for consumers. These price reductions are thus only temporary, as the pre-privatisation assets will have to be replaced at their full cost eventually. And when they do, real price rises will return, and likely wipe out any savings from the recent period. In any case, British Gas was privatised as a fully integrated company, and nearly 85 per cent of the price reductions occurred before it was broken up in 2000.
Thomas is also worried that the transmission networks will now see an instability of ownership, handicapping the ability to engage in the long-term planning necessary for network reliability. Worse still, Thomas is concerned that, like the power plants in the US that are constantly being 'flipped', European networks will be 'sweated' by their new owners, possibly by private equity firms or hedge funds, and then rapidly sold on before any problems in the network begin to show.
Furthermore, research from Thomas's colleagues, David Hall and Antony Froggatt, has shown that where new investment has taken place, energy companies don't actually use very much of their own capital, preferrring overwhelmingly to use local finance or that of the World Bank. The public sector, of course, can borrow from these sources too, but at much lower borrowing costs.
Private energy companies spend millions on advertising, creating what economists call 'gratuitous differentiation', marketing something in superficial ways to create a false distinction in the product. Public energy monopolies, on the other hand, do not need to engage in advertising. They're the only game in town. What do they need to advertise for? Instead, the public service provider can simply be legislated to develop awareness raising campaigns about reducing energy consumption and ways in which households can be more energy efficient.
Similarly, advocates of liberalisation hope that incentives will create new markets for renewable energy production. They believe this will happen, but they can't know for sure. Maybe it won't work out. Whereas, so long as the public votes in a government committed to renewables, publicly owned energy providers can simply be ordered to develop them – to whatever percentage of energy production is so stated in the legislation.
Lastly, and perhaps the simplest argument of all, no private company wants to sell less of its product, whereas for a public service, producing less of its product is a cost saving. And aren't we all supposed to be using less energy?
Green deregulation?
With all the problems created by energy deregulation, why would the Greens support it? When they've been strong elsewhere in defence of public education, public healthcare and other public infrastucture and services, what makes energy different?
'Greens do want public infrastructure in public hands,' says Turmes, 'and we're in favour of the renationalisation that happened in Denmark. However, we're not sure if every wind and gas turbine should be run by the government.
'France's monopoly system and other state monopoly systems have provided bad results. This isn't democratic control of the energy utility, but rather a massive public company that co-opts energy ministries. We can either have a democratically controlled monopoly, which we would prefer, or a well-regulated market system.
A half-deregulated energy market is the worst of all worlds, where the French and German energy oligarchs have their fingers in every pie, swallowing up whole most of Eastern Europe's energy companies, concentrating electricity and gas and other utilities such as water distribution and waste management. They have even branched out into chemicals and telecommunications.
But the Greens do not see any prospect for returning to the days of democratically controlled public energy providers. 'At the moment, there is no political majority for the re-nationalisation of the whole system,' concludes Turmes, 'so we want to see strict regulation and real unbundling instead.'
And yet, there is at least some hope. Both Denmark and the Netherlands have recently taken their transmission networks back into public hands. 'All energy corporations need to be transferred into public hands,' says Wagenknecht. 'Energy supply should be a human right: everyone, regardless of her income, should be provided with enough energy as is necessary to live a decent life.' Her own party in Germany, the Left Party, as well as Attac, are campaigning against their own big energy corporations while opposing greater unbundling and pushing for just such renationalisation. Although even here, she recognises that they are very far off from a joint campaign across Europe.
Maybe it's not too late for the Greens though. They do currently support energy deregulation, but they are stong campaigners against biofuels now – in a marked shift from the position set out in their November 2006 'Vision Scenario' strategy document, in which biofuels played a significant role (as did railway liberalisation and emissions trading).
It's not quite high noon for the principles of public-service energy provision yet, but if the likes of the Wagenknecht and Attac don't rustle up a few more anti-deregulation desperadoes and energy-activist gunslingers, then all that is left of public power really will be the cliche of a tumbleweed rolling by while the wind whistles a sweet but sad tune of how it once was.
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Anti-racist movements in France are challenging both the state and the traditional left, writes Selma Oumari
Materially, the UK is not a nation – with fewer common experiences than ever before, from schools and policing to borders and governance – argue Medb MacDaibheid and Brian Christopher
Today's welfare system is notoriously punitive, but in the 1980s it provided the basis of future Olympic success, argues Peter Goulding
The recent wave of local election victories in France demonstrates the potential of municipalism, argues Xavi Ferrer, Elena Arrontes and the Collective for Global Municipalism
The bonfires of Belfast have a raw relevance. Pádraig Ó Meiscill reflects on an annual controversy.
Connor Beaton reviews Daniel Finn's account of the politics and personalities which drove the IRA


text:
Lydia Raygoza "Lydia's Tours" is a small family business.
In 2008 we started our dream of operating a tour company. It has been wonderful to share happy moments with you.
On Lydia's Tours you will find a personal and loving atmosphere with hosts that truly care, the best guides in the country, great music, new friends and mucho fun.
It has been a pleasure for us to serve you and share our joy with you, exploring the most beautiful places in our Mexico.
Lydia or Josephina - 333-846-4751

subset: commoncrawl


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UV9292 – Measurement Models
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Course content
UV9292 is taught alongside the master's level course MAE4110 Measurement Models. The contents of the course, schedule and reading list are the same as for MAE4110.
Please see the course page for MAE4110 for a detailed description of the course contents and learning outcomes.
It is strongly recommended that the students in UV9292 attend all lectures, seminars and labs, and that they complete the lab exercises.
There is a limited number of seats due to joint teaching with the master's level version of the course.
PhD candidates at the Faculty of Educational Sciences will be given priority, but it is also possible for others to apply for the course.
The deadline for registration is February 6, 2019.
Candidates admitted to a PhD-program at the Faculty of Educational Sciences (UV) can apply in StudentWeb.
Other applicants can apply by filling out this electronic form.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Basic knowledge of R is required.
Organizer: CEMO (Centre for Educational Measurement at University of Oslo)
Coordinator/Responsible: Denise Reis Costa
Teaching: Joint teaching with the master level version of the course, MAE4110.
Schedule: Available on the semester page from 22 November 2018.
Literature: Available on the semester page from 22 November 2018.
To obtain 1 credit, 80 % attendance in the course is required. To obtain 3 credits, 80 % attendance and a successfully completed paper is required.
A more specific description of the paper and a submission deadline will be given in class.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.


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I recently heard from two former clients that they have not been successful in finding new therapists since I moved. They've tried new therapists, of course, but they have found that what "qualifies" the trauma therapists they've met is the fact that they've treated trauma. But doing something over and over again doesn't mean I do it well, it just means that I'm an expert in how I'm doing it. I can practice hitting tennis balls everyday for years, but if I've been practicing hitting them wrong, then I'm no tennis master; I'm just really good at hitting tennis balls badly. No, only perfect practice makes perfect. Experience plus training plus good supervision is what can produce a good trauma therapist.
An article recently came out that outlined the challenges in getting that training and supervision for the treatment of child-abuse related complex PTSD. It was a quantitative review of all randomized control trials of treatment for women with child-abuse related PTSD. There isn't much. In the last 40 years, there are only 24 randomized-control trials where over half of the participants experienced child-abuse as the traumatic event and had PTSD symptoms. Only 7 studies were completely composed of participants who had child-abuse related PTSD. Of those, only 4 studies only had participants with complex-PTSD symptoms.
Complex PTSD is not the same as PTSD
One reason for the dearth of research is that complex trauma isn't a diagnosis in the DSM, which means that research for it is particularly difficult to fund.
The symptoms of complex trauma—difficulty with emotion regulation, dissociation, maladaptive coping such as self-harm, substance dependence and disordered eating, imply that a 3 session prep on coping prior to exposure therapy, usually considered the gold standard for PTSD treatment, may not be sufficient to establish safety and sufficient emotion regulation for trauma processing. The article confirms that exposure therapy is not as effective for complex trauma as affect management therapy.
Study Participants: Healthier Than You!
In the 7 studies which evaluated effective treatments for people with child-abuse related PTSD, many participants with complex-PTSD features were excluded from participation, including women with:
- organic brain disorder
- psychotic disorder (excluded from 6 studies)
- substance abuse or dependence (excluded from all 7)
- one study only excluded individuals if the substance abuse interfered with treatment compliance
- suicidality (excluded from 5 studies)
- One excluded suicidality only if it required referral to a hospital
- The two studies with populations diagnosed with Complex PTSD did not exclude suicidalit
- dissociative disorders (excluded from 4 studies)
- eating disorders (excluded from 2 studies)
- bipolar disorders (excluded from 3 studies)
- borderline personality disorder (excluded from 2 studies)
- Another study included personality disorders, but then excluded severe borderline personality disorder
- ongoing abuse (excluded from 2 studies)
Basically, we need research that includes clients that look like clients that show up in therapy. Clinicians who treat complex trauma aren't "excluding" clients because they're suicidal or using substances or have borderline personality traits, and most complex trauma clients have at least a couple of these behaviors. Yet we're supposed to rely on empirical research to guide our treatment. How can we when it's so limited and trial participants don't look anything like our clients?


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Now Use Google Voice With Your Existing Phone Number
One of the sticking points with the otherwise highly convenient Google Voice service has been that you had a choose a new number to use with the service. If you had an existing number that everyone already knew and wanted to switch over, you were pretty much out of luck.
Luckily that changes today, with tonight's Google announcement that you can now use Google Voice with an existing phone number. Also notably, you can now add Google voicemail service to any of the mobile numbers linked to your account. Think of it a bit like Gmail for voicemail.
Now when you first sign up for Google Voice you can choose between using your own number or choosing a new Google number. You still get many of Google Voice's features when using your own number, including the Google voicemail feature you can now add to linked phones.
Unfortunately it's not a full number port, and you won't get all of the Google Voice features when using your own number — at least not yet. But especially if you have an older phone that doesn't already have a nice visual voicemail interface, the Google voicemail feature alone might be reason enough to switch. The company also says it plans to roll out a full service compatible with your existing number, including other great features of Voice like conference calling, call screening, and listening into calls before deciding to pick up.
Check out the video about how Google voicemail works below. And if you're still hunting for an invite to Google Voice, you can ask a friend for one.
Do you use Google Voice? If not, will you consider using the service now that you can keep your existing number? Let us know in the comments.


text: Hello. I had a wreck on my Harley Road King (Miss Piggy) in late Oct. from a pickup hitting me broadside. Left leg below the knee was mangled...broken in 3 places...shin bones came through skin, broke a rib and dislocated rt. shoulder-tore all rotator cuff tendons. I was flown in a chopper to the hospital. The pic of me below shows metal frame screwed into leg bones a week before major surgery installed plates and screws in leg spending 36 days in hospital and live-in rehab. Now...late January I'm still in wheelchair and crutches and not allowed to walk on leg for another month or two. Really sucks. A real mess. Basic ins. won't cover repairing Miss Piggy and I have no money to fix her either. To sell her as is would be a real loss. Plus medical bills are drifting in now. I'm very independent and just hate to ask anyone for help, plus I've been on SS Disability and I just squeeze by every month on a very small income amount. Majority of damage is front part of bike. I'll do the repairs myself whenever I can walk on two legs again. I can't even explain how much I would appreciate if some of you guys could donate parts that I need to get Miss Piggy back on the road. The List>>>> *front forks...upper and lower + triple tree. *2 front rotors *front fender + chrome tip and skirt *front headlight lens retainer/cover *auxiliary lights bracket +1 aux light with blinker *highway crash bar *front footboards...both sides *fuel gauge *saddlebag rear frame guard rail-rt. side Thank you so very much! Wasn't it John Wayne that said?......"If ya fall off yer horse.....You just get back up and ride it again."


text:
If you're planning to visit a new city, there are some things you can do to have an amazing and deep experience rather than just ticking off the touristy spots.
Have a look at this list:
- Stay with locals via couchsurfing or Airbnb. They might have some great tips on where to go (and how), what to see and where to eat – off the beaten path.
- If you don't speak the local language, make sure you learn the basics, at least 'hello', 'yes', 'no' and 'help'. Try Duolingo for free lessons.
- Do your research and find out in general what you'd like to do and see (and which areas to avoid), e.g. using a Lonely Planet, on TripAdvisor or Wikitravel.
- Don't get too hooked up on the touristy things. See a few "main" things, then ditch your travel guide and just wander around… You'll be amazed at the random adventures you'll have! If distances are too far, try public transport or hire a bicycle (TripGo's your friend).
- Make sure you pack a backpack with a few essentials when you head out (e.g. umbrella, hat, sunscreen, bandaids, sunglasses, the address of where you're staying, some cash)
- Go out to a local market, cafe or pub and talk to staff or a friendly stranger about the city, find out what they like about it and why and get some recommendations.
- Get a taste of the local cuisine, maybe even do a cooking course if time & budget permit.
- Take photos to visually document your experiences.
- Also keep a diary. Really, take a few minutes every evening and write down how your day was and add anything you'd like to remember. That way you can look back in a few years and recreate how you were feeling much better than just through photos.
- Keep smiling and enjoy getting to know the city!
And if you're not traveling anytime soon – try these tips at home and get to know your city from a whole new angle.
Do you have any tips for traveling off the beaten path? Share them in the comments below!
Image credits
Title picture: "Photographer Tourist Snapshot Taking Photos" by SplitShire
Golden Gate Bridge: "Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco California" by Unsplash


text:
Investigators seek cause of chemical blasts in Louisiana
State and federal investigators in Louisiana are working to uncover what caused fatal blasts at two different chemical plants in the span of two days.
The second explosion took place Friday night at the CF Industries plant in Donaldsonville, a small town along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
As of Saturday afternoon, one person had died in the blast and seven others were injured.
On Thursday, an explosion at the Williams Olefins plant in Geismar killed two people and wounded dozens of others. The two facilities are a few miles apart in a region dense with refineries and petrochemical plants, a corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that's been called "Cancer Alley" and "Bhopal on the bayou," a reference to the 1984 industrial disaster in Bhopal, India.
The Donaldson incident happened while nitrogen was being offloaded to the plant from an 18-wheeler to a vessel used to distribute the nitrogen to different parts of the plant.
"That vessel is highly pressurized. For whatever reason, that vessel failed" causing the explosion, Trooper Jared Sandifer, a spokesman for the Louisiana State Police, told the Los Angeles Times.
Damage was contained within the plant and had no effect on surrounding areas, Sandifer said Saturday.
CF Industries Holdings Inc., which runs the plant, specializes in the production of nitrogen and phosphorus, two major components of fertilizer.
Lou Frey, vice president and general manager of the Donaldsonville plant's nitrogen complex, said in a statement that his company was working with investigators to determine what went wrong to cause the explosion.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as state agencies, will look into the incident.
"Our focus is on our No. 1 priority — the health and safety of our employees and the community," Frey said. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our employees."
Friday's deadly blast wasn't the first at the company's Donaldsonville plant. The Associated Press reported that three workers were killed and nine injured by an explosion and fire at the facility in May 2000.
Later that year, OSHA imposed a fine of nearly $150,000 against CF Industries, AP said. OSHA cited the company for 14 alleged safety and health violations, 12 of which were described by the agency as serious. The company didn't contest the citations and agreed to pay the penalties.
The back-to-back explosions this week have given some environmental advocates ammunition to criticize what they say is a relaxed attitude by regulatory agencies toward chemical plants.
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an environmental defense group, cited a New Orleans Times-Picayune report stating that a pipe at Williams Olefins was leaking propylene, a highly flammable chemical, earlier this year. On Thursday Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said the plant had been in the process of making propylene when the explosion occurred.
"Their current pipes are rusty and leaking, now they are exploding, yet they are given permits to expand," Anne Rolfes of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade said in a statement released over the weekend.
"These companies locate in Louisiana because they don't have to invest in maintenance. Our state agencies and politicians look the other way while these companies take the money and run. Ordinary people, especially workers, pay the price."
Representatives of the state's Department of Environmental Quality were not immediately available for comment Saturday.
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text:
Police have arrested Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye and he is now being held at the Central Police Station in Kampala.
By Vision Reporter
(UPDATE) - Police have arrested Forum for Democratic Change leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye and is now being held at the Central Police Station in Kampala.
Besigye was arrested Monday in downtown Kampala in his attempt to address vendors at Kiseka market.
The arrest of the FDC politician comes in the wake of a move by Police to block some members of the opposition from holding planned rallies around Kampala.
As Besigye planned to hold a rally at the Constitutional Square, Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago intended to tour the New Taxi Park.
Last week, Kampala Capital City Authority emptied the New Taxi Park to allow for major repairs.
The two political leaders who command a huge following have since been arrested.
What is known is that the FDC president is now being held at Central Police Station in the office of DPC Kampala, James Ruhweza.
Our reporter at the police station says there is still calm around the area and the neighbouring Constitutional Square.
Police had Monday morning deployed heavily at Besigye's home in Kasangati in Wakiso district in a move to block him from traveling to town to hold his planned rally.
But he managed to elude the security officials to a then undisclosed location until his arrest by police at the city market about an hour later.
FDC's Besigye arrested at Kiseka market


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on October 22, 2018
The $20 million guaranteed MILLIONS Online is online poker's biggest-ever single tournament and it's being held at partypoker. Whoever finishes in the top four places will become a millionaire, with the eventual champion banking an incredible $2.5 million!
Learn more about MILLIONS Online, including how to qualify for it and the amazing promotions linked to it, by clicking the link below: https://poker.partypoker.com/en/millions-online 18+. Play responsibly. begambleaware.org
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Online Jobs For Print Escapees: Finance, Entertainment
This should come as no surprise to anyone who's been on the internet lately, but if you're thinking of leaving your print journalism job for the Web, better enjoy writing about celebrity scandals or stock prices.
Out of Business Insider's list of 25 old-media stars who jumped to new media in the last few years, only a handful of hard news reporters are still covering news in their new gigs.
This isn't to say that hard news print writers are jumping online and churning out features about duvet thread counts and Tiger Woods and Justin Bieber or whatever, but rather, that few hard news writers have made the jump, period. Simply put, there's more of a market for entertainment and lifestyle writers (10 out of BI's 25) and business/finance reporters (5 out of BI's 25) online than for other types of reporting.
Still, with Yahoo! news beefing up its reporting staff by a dozen, and with projects like the Bay Citizen hiring more journalists, the market for online news isn't dead yet.
photo: Drewski Mac


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Over the years, Safer Internet Day (SID) has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in over 170 countries worldwide.
From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.
Safer Internet Centres and Committees
Insafe is a European network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs). Every national Centre implements awareness and educational campaigns, runs a helpline, and works closely with youth to ensure an evidence-based, multi-stakeholder approach to creating a better internet.
However, Safer Internet Day is also celebrated outside Europe. In 2009, the concept of Safer Internet Day Committees was introduced, to strengthen the bonds with countries outside the network and invest in a harmonised promotion of the campaign across the world. More than 100 global SID Committees (and those working towards SID Committee status) now work closely with the Safer Internet Day Coordination Team, which is based at the heart of the European Union in Brussels. If there is not yet a SID Committee in your country, but you would be interested in forming one, please get in touch.
Supporting SID
This website provides a global online community platform where countries and international organisations can showcase events and actions conducted locally, nationally and internationally for Safer Internet Day.
Within these pages you will find a wealth of multilingual resources empowering young people, their teachers and their families to make the best possible use of online technology. It is a space where leaders in the internet safety community can communicate with the public and exchange ideas, knowledge and experience with each other.
If you would like to support SID, please contact us at email@example.com and we'll aim to get back to you as soon as we can.
Download resources
Find campaign assets for the Safer Internet Day 2020 campaign below.
Safer Internet Day 2021 key campaign messages:
Supporting Safer Internet Day banners (undated):
- Supporting SID banner (jpeg)
- Supporting SID banner (pdf)
Download the guidelines for use of the Safer Internet Day logo and related campaign assets (updated September 2020) (pdf)
* We kindly request that you do not amend the official SID mascot/logo in any way. If you have any questions regarding use of the SID mascot/logo, please contact us.


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Purple Unicorn Chalkboard T-Shirt Kit
Chalk it up with the unique surface on this T-shirt that allows you to customize the unicorn chalkboard! Once the chalk marker ink dries, the design stays on until you are ready to erase. A special unicorn stencil is also included to provide a bit of magical inspiration. Here's the best part: The chalkboard can be wiped clean with water and the unicorn decorated over and over again.
Product Details
o Kit includes: 100% cotton T-shirt, unicorn stencil, 3 chalk markers (blue, green & pink), erasing cloth
o Color your own unicorn T-shirt with bright, water-based chalk markers
o Design stays on until chalkboard is wiped clean with a damp cloth
o Available in Ladies Sizes S, M, L & XL
o Machine washable
Order Separately
Additional markers, stencils and individual T-shirts (for both kids and adults) can be ordered separately
Purple Unicorn Short Sleeve T-Shirt Kit w/ 3 Markers (Ladies)
Machine wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Use only non-chlorine bleach. Do not iron on decoration. For best results, wipe chalkboard surface clean after use with a damp cloth and launder within a week.


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Product Description
BCAA+B6 contains amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine in 2:1:1 ratio. Besides, it is spiced up with Vitamin B6 that contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism as well as to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Like all BioTech USA products, BCAA+B6 consists safe and carefully selected
As a dietary supplement, take 4 BCAA+B6 tablets daily. For best results, take 2 tablets 30 minutes before training and 2 more tablets immediately after
BCAA Complex (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine), bulking agents (microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose), anti-caking agents (magnesium stearate, stearic acid), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6).


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City Art worked with the designer Cami Hutchinson contracted by Kevin Bell of the Robinson McFadden Law Firm in Columbia, SC...read more
In the case of this building, City Art worked with the Designer Roddy Harris contracted by the builder Holder Properties of Atlanta GA. City Art provided many original photographic images...read more
Palmetto Parkridge a Richland Palmetto Health facility on Lake Murray Blvd. was done by City Art Gallery in 2003. A committee from the Health Organization worked with us to choose paintings and photography to be placed on the three completed floors of the building... read more
Human Resource Dynamics and Riley Communications, a human resources consulting firm and a marketing firm, respectively, share office space. To add a creative, bright element that combined both businesses' sensibilities and their shared desire for more color in their surroundings, they turned to City Art and found several options of artwork sizes, price ranges and media... read more


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Arizona's cloudless skies and more than 300 days of sunshine – ideal for stargazing, testing and flying – have attracted to the state such aerospace & defense industry giants as Raytheon, Honeywell, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and more.
Lower taxes, less burdensome government regulations, a competitive incentives package, and exceptional aerospace and engineering programs at the university level have led to Arizona's top-10 rankings in Department of Defense contracts as well as in A&D manufacturing, aerospace exports and aerospace jobs.
Download our A&D industry overview.
Aerospace & Defense Growth
A 2015 study by the International Trade Administration, WorldTradeStatistics.com revealed that Arizona's aerospace & defense total exports rose by more than 21.8% from 2011 to 2014, reaching a $3.47 billion total. The increase was primarily due to a near $400 million increase in aircraft, engines and parts exports.
According to a 2012 Deloitte study, Arizona ranks fourth nationwide in aerospace industry payroll and fourth in aerospace revenue at $14.99 billion. More than 1,200 Arizona-based companies make this state America's third-largest supply chain contributor for aerospace & defense.
Arizona is home to
More than 1200 Aerospace and defense companies
First in the nation
for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness
4th largest employment
In aerospace and defense manufacturing with 32,546 workers
Top 10 largest employment
in aviation and aerospace services
Employment & Education
TechAmerica's 2014 Cyberstates Report ranks Arizona fourth nationwide for jobs in the space and defense systems manufacturing industry, employing more than 8,300 people. A 2012 report by Brooking Metropolitan Policy noted that Tucson ranks fourth in the nation for the total percentage of manufacturing workforce dedicated to high-tech work, with more than 51% of it related to aerospace & defense.
Four major research institutions in Arizona have been provided the NASA Space Grant: Arizona State University, Embry Riddle University (home of the nation's highest-ranked aerospace engineering program among non-doctoral program schools, according to U.S. News & World Report), Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.
- Located west of Phoenix in central Arizona, Luke Air Force Base is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, the largest fighter wing in the world and the only active-duty Air Force F-16 training wing, and also operates as the sole pilot training center for the F-35A Lightning II.
- Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona is the largest unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training facility in the world. The $10,000,000 facility contains 25,000 square feet of space and 10 simulators.
- The Yuma Proving Ground in western Arizona is the second-largest military installation in the world, spread over 838,000 acres, roughly the size of Rhode Island.
- Within the state, there are 15 industry and trade associations for aerospace & defense.
#2 largest employment
in space and defense systems manufacturing
#2 largest employment
in guided missile systems manufacturing
#4 largest employment
in aviation and aerospace manufacturing
#6 largest employment
in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) occupations


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This gallery contains 11 photos.
A fifer led us down the hill at Mount Vernon to George Washington's Tomb, where we sang the National Anthem and paid our respects to our nation's first President and First Lady. It was a moving experience, part of a … Continue reading
The Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence sing the National Anthem at George Washington's Tomb in Mount Vernon, Va., accompanied by a fifer who played in the U.S. Army Old Guard at Arlington and at the White … Continue reading
This gallery contains 11 photos.


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The Madison School District property tax levy would increase by 4.2 percent under the district's final budget proposal.
That's up from a 2 percent increase contained in the district's preliminary budget approved in June.
The final 2014-15 district budget, which must be adopted by the School Board by Nov. 1, also includes a slight bump in the salary increase district staff were expecting this school year.
If approved, teachers will see a 1 percent raise in their base pay for the 2014-15 school year, a slight increase from the 0.75 percent increase the preliminary district budget included when it was adopted by the School Board in June. The salary increase is in addition to increases staff receive based on their level of education, training and years spent teaching, which brings the total increase to about 2.4 percent, according to assistant superintendent for business services Michael Barry.
Madison spends more than $15k annually per student, about double the national average. Yet, the District has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
A comparable Middleton home's property taxes are 16% less than Madison.


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If you didn't make it out to the Mesa Strong Beer Festival at the Mesa Amphitheater this weekend, shame on you. You missed out on a chance to meet some new friends, get embarrassingly drunk with some old ones and, lest we forget to mention the most important aspect, drink some delicious beer!
Participants may have been armed with palette-cleansing pretzel necklaces and only the tiniest of plastic cups, but make no mistake: the brews poured all day long.
Brew Review was out in full force with a crack team (read: drunken New Times comrades) to try as many beers as possible. While we won't be giving them the full review treatment this time around, consider these brews on the hit list for upcoming articles. For now, here are our first hand impressions of these beers taken from the illegible notes we scrawled into our notebooks as the day wore on.
Brewery: Oak Creek Brewery Brew: King Crimson Impression: King Crimson is a hefty beer with notes of plums. It's as spicy as it is smooth, like a fine cigar.
Brewery: Barrio Brewing Co. Brew: N.C.A.A.L.E. (NC Double Ale) Impression: NC Double Ale's flavor was a bit watered-down. What flavor was present tasted of citrus with a double shot of hops.
Brewery: Pizza Port Solana Beach Brew: Lou P. Lin Double I.P.A. Impression: With distinct pear and pineapple notes, this brew kept us coming back. The back end of each sip ended sour. Delicious.
Brewery: Stone Brewing Brew: 11th Anniversary Brown Ale Impression: Powerful and delicious. Stone Brewing really knocked this one out of the park with a dark and spicy finish.
Brewery: Old World Brewery Brew: Belgian White Ale Impression: Participant Robin Zenno told us this brew was "the bomb." We agree.
Brewery: Stone Brewing Brew: Old Guardian Impression: This brew is aged for two years in bourbon barrels. It was a force to be reckoned with in the mouth, but ultimately won us over; something no other bourbon beer has been able to do.
Brewery: Lost Abbey Brewing Brew: Serpent Stout Impression: When we walked up, the very large man serving this stuff told all the ladies in line it was "serpent love." Even though we're a bunch of dudes, he agreed to serve it to us as long as didn't mind him checkin' out the ladies while he did so. Despite our gender, we liked serpent "love" stout for having an almost chocolate flavor and high alcohol content.
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Brewery: Dog Fish Head Brewing Brew: Stout Impression: Easily one of the better beers at the Festival. It was full-flavored but not heavy, dark but not bitter. This was damn near a perfect brew.
So there you have it. Sure, we tried other brews, but even we can't decipher what remains on these brew splattered pages.
If you missed out this weekend, make you way to Tempe Beach Park next weekend for the Great Arizona Beer Festival. We'll be there tiny glasses in hand.
Happy drinking.


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Is The Era Of Free Social Media Marketing Over?
Facebook and Instagram have made recent algorithm changes that shut out organic content from businesses and prioritize paid content. These kinds of changes are likely to continue as Facebook and Instagram develop new paid ad offerings. Only five years ago, a business could open a free social media account, build groups and develop connections for…Read More


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It's Electric(ians)!August 27, 2019 It's safe to say that nearly every building uses an electrical control system. Think about your daily activities. How many could you do if suddenly there was no power? Probably not many, or at least not many as efficiently and effectively. Electrical systems power the lights, appliances, charge our phones, and even sometimes charge our cars. The important job of installing and maintaining the systems that power our lives falls to electricians.
When new buildings are being constructed, electricians install the electrical wiring. This requires the reading and understanding of blue prints and technical diagrams. They use many different types of hand and power tools to run and protect wiring. To maintain equipment and systems, electricians must identify problems and repair broken equipment. The equipment may be difficult to reach, so crouching or standing for long periods of time may be required. Maintenance work may include fixing or replacing parts, light fixtures, control systems, motors, and other various types of electrical equipment.
Electricians work indoors and outdoors. They travel to many different worksites, including businesses, homes, factories, and construction sites. They can work alone or in collaboration with others. If employed at a larger company, electricians are more likely to work as part of a crew. Experienced electricians may also be in charge of directing helpers and apprentices.
Earn While You Learn
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to become an electrician. Typically, an electrician learns on the job while in an apprenticeship program. The typical program is around four to five years. Each year of the program allows the apprentice to experience around 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training, in addition to classroom instruction. While in the classroom, apprentices learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety practices. In Oregon, apprentices usually start at about 40 percent of the journey electrician rate. Once the apprenticeship program is completed and the worker is properly licensed, electricians are considered to be journey workers.
In 2016, Oregon had 479 electrical trade apprenticeship completers. More detailed information about electrical trade apprenticeships can found on the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries' Apprenticeships and Training Division's website. Community Colleges around the state also offer electrician apprenticeship programs, including Blue Mountain Community College, Lane Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Rogue Community College, and Tillamook Bay Community College.
Electricians earn significantly higher wages than the average occupation in Oregon. The median (50th percentile) hourly wage for electricians in Oregon was $34.71 per hour in 2019. This was higher than the median hourly wage across all occupations in Oregon, which is $19.46. Median wages varied across the state, but not by much. Northwest Oregon had the highest median wage at $37.77. Eastern Oregon (Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa counties) had the lowest median hourly wage at $28.06. Northwest Oregon's median hourly wage across all occupations is $27.77 and in Eastern Oregon it is $16.68.
Job Outlook Is Fully Charged
Employment for electricians in 2017 (8,879) was much larger than the statewide average for all occupations. The total number of job openings is projected to be much larger than most occupations in Oregon through 2027. In 2027, there are projected to be 9,432 electricians in Oregon. However, this occupation is expected to grow at a much slower rate than the statewide average growth rate for all occupations through 2027. The expected growth rate for all occupations in Oregon from 2017 to 2027 is 12.0 percent, while electrician jobs are expected to grow 6.2 percent over this same time period. Although the growth rate is slower (i.e. new positions being created) there are expected to be a large number of replacement openings for electricians from 2017 to 2027. Annually, there are projected to by almost 1,000 openings for electricians due to retirements or electricians changing to other occupations. This creates many opportunities for those seeking employment as an electrician.
The Portland Tri-County area (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties) employed the largest number of electricians in 2017, with 4,511. The Mid-Valley area (Marion, Polk, Yamhill, and Linn counties) employed the second highest number of electricians, although it was a distant second at 1,541 workers. The East Cascades area (Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler counties) is expected to have the fastest growth rate, with electrician employment projected to increase 21.3 percent from 2017 to 2027.
Electrician Licensing in Oregon
Electricians and electrician apprentices must be licensed in Oregon in order to work. There are many different types of apprentice licenses and electrician licenses, but for the sake of brevity, I'll only outline the requirements for the apprentice and full license for general journeyman electricians. A full list of electrician licenses can be found on the occupational profile for electricians on QualityInfo.org.
The electrician general journeyman apprentice leads to the general journeyman electrician license. Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 17 years of age to apply, and 18 to begin the program. Applicants must provide proof of high school diploma or the equivalent general education development (GED) certificate. They must also have completed at least one year of high school algebra or the equivalent post-high school algebra course with the passing grade of C, or provide the equivalent math placement test results.
Apprentices are expected to pay the cost of tuition and the cost of books. This amount varies per committee. In some cases, these costs are paid by the employer or reimbursed to the apprentice by the apprenticeship committee. Many programs require that apprentices have a basic tool kit and appropriate work clothes and safety equipment such as gloves or goggles. Reliable transportation is important. A small number of apprenticeship programs charge a non-refundable application fee up to $25. The duration of the apprenticeship is 8,000 hours, approximately four years.
Once the apprenticeship is complete, you must be licensed as a general journeyman electrician. In order to receive the license, you must pass an exam that consists of 52 questions, lasts about three hours, and is open book. The license fee is $100 and must be renewed every three years, with 24 hours of continuing education required.
As electricians keep the lights on in all sorts of buildings, there will be plenty of opportunities in this critical trade. Some will result from growth in the size of Oregon's economy and population and many workers will also be needed to replace today's electricians as they retire. Opportunities will continue to exist in every area of the state, and in sectors from construction to manufacturing.


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Article content
A representative for David Beckham and his wife Victoria has denied the couple is planning to adopt a child.
The soccer ace and his singer-turned-fashion designer wife already have a brood of four after daughter Harper, who was born last July, added a girl to their three boys; Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.
Reports published in an Australian magazine suggested the couple was desperate to add another tot to the family, and were considering giving an orphan a home.
But a spokesperson for the Beckhams has refuted the claims, telling Britain's Daily Mirror, "David and Victoria have huge respect for people that choose to adopt but this is untrue. They continue to focus on raising their own four children."
tap here to see other videos from our team.


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Top Tips for Aspiring Drupal Developers
So, you've decided to join the Drupal community and want to know what are some development tips you should know beforehand? You are in the right place. Firstly, I'd like to welcome you to the most awesome development community out there.
Starting out with Drupal can be a bit daunting, after all, it is quite a bit more complex than other popular CMSs, but it's also a lot more rewarding, powering all kinds of websites out there.
So, let's go through what are some things you should be familiar with, to get started on your Drupal journey.
While you could create a Drupal site without any prior programming languages knowledge, to make anything more than a simple website would most probably require delving into Drupal's back-end. For that purpose, it helps to know beforehand what technologies Drupal is using and what you'll be dealing with. To keep this section simple, Drupal utilizes the following:
- PHP 7 (Symfony Framework)
- HTML5, CSS3 (Sass) and Javascript (jQuery and recently React)
Getting familiar with core PHP as well as Symfony framework plus front-end skills should get you in a pretty good position for Drupal development.
Front-end frameworks
This point ties into the point above. Read about frameworks, what they are, as well as how they are used. Frameworks are also going to become a lot more important for Drupal, due to the emergence of headless or decoupled Drupal (a concept that allows integration of various front-end technologies such as React, Angular etc. with Drupal's back-end). This further enforces the importance of familiarity with JavaScript since all of these front-end technologies are built on it.
Twig Templating Engine
Drupal 8's move to the Symfony framework has resulted in the Twig templating engine being used throughout. Learning Twig templating is an absolute must for any aspiring Drupal developer. The great thing about Twig templating is that it is easy to learn and use.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Developing on Drupal will require quite a lot of time spent on Command Line Interfaces, in fact, it's so essential that Drupal has its own CLIs, named Drush and Console. Also with tools like a Composer, you can make it a lot easier for your Drupal development efforts by learning it to get a grip with CLI.
Ah debugging. This is an essential skill for any developer. While Drupal has a great built-in error reporting tool, there will be many scenarios where it won't be able to catch on to problems, and that's where your debugging skills will come in handy. Any Drupal developer worth his salt should be a good debugger. At AGILEDROP we use XDebug.
How Drupal works
Learning how Drupal works is a crucial step in your Drupal development journey. Learning the ins and outs of the CMS keeps a clear picture in your head and provides a good high-level view of what goes on behind the scenes of a Drupal site. The official Drupal site has a great in-depth section on its working.
Themes are a basic component of Drupal. They give Drupal site's their looks and turns them from boring and bland sites to pretty and visually appealing sites. Learning how Drupal handles themes and how they are implemented should be a part of every Drupal developer's arsenal.
Version control
Version control is a form of keeping revisions for your code. This is a skill that every developer should have, regardless of the technologies they work on. Version control also acts as a gateway to collaboration with other devs and the Drupal community. As in many other open-source communities, Drupal developers mostly use Git.
Contribute to the community
Speaking of Community, Drupal is a CMS that thrives on it. Being an open-source software the community is what keeps it thriving. Drupal's community is widely known as being one of the greatest of all open-source software. Contributing to the community doesn't only help Drupal to grow, it also helps you to know great people while simultaneously increasing your Drupal development knowledge!
Are you starting a Drupal site and coming across hurdles? Our extensive experience with Drupal here at Agiledrop can be of great use to you! Feel free to contact us.
Cover photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash


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UHTCO Corporation
Bahnzeile 5
2130 Mistelbach
Phone: +43 2572 261526
Fax: +43 2572 5272
We would like to introduce our company, UHTCO Corporation, a Canadian company of Peruvian origins dedicated to the design, development and manufacturing of unique high quality products from the Amazon and the Andes of Peru. The company´s headquarters are located in Canada but operates throughout the world with offices located in the United States, Austria and Peru.
UHTCO Corporation started its operations back in 2003 becoming in a short period of time a leader in the industry due to the uniqueness of its products, quality and extraordinary results. Today, its products are used by some of the most reputable companies around the world and some of their own lines of products are available in more than 3000 points of sale worldwide.
The company specializes in product development and formulations, manufacturing unique raw materials, food ingredients and finished products for the food and supplement industry. Its exclusive production processes without heat and free from any additives, make their products simply the best!
UHTCO Corporation offers you products from these product groups:
- Grocery products Cooking and baking (2200)
- Grocery products Snacks and sweets (1479)
- Grocery products Drinks (1469)
- Other grocery products (1901)
- Manufacturer (3523)
- Wholesaler (1009)
- Importer/exporter (1456)
- Service providers (428)
- Supplier for the organic wholesale trade (678)
- Supplier for the organic retailers (596)
- Supplier for the health stores (407)
- Supplier for the independent retail trade (444)
- Supplier for the food wholesale trade (not exclusivley organic) (508)


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Hero Fighter
|This is an outdated page that references or contains outdated information.
This page should be edited to include more recent information.
|Hero Fighter
|Basic Information
|Video Game
|Marti Wong
|Beat 'em up
|Keyboard, Mouse
|Main Credits
|Marti Wong
|Awards | Changelog | Cheats | Codes
Codex | Compatibility | Covers | Credits | DLC | Help
Localization | Manifest | Modding | Patches | Ratings
Reviews | Screenshots | Soundtrack
Videos | Walkthrough
GOG | In-Game | Origin | PlayStation Trophies | Retro
Steam | Xbox Live
Hero Fighter (HF) is a beat-em up game created by Marti Wong, who was one of the designers of Little Fighter 2. The game is made using flash and is still being actively developed and refined by its creator. The game supports up to three human players on one computer, though those with v.0.2.0 (or higher) are able to access a Network Game mode, in which players can challenge other players through the internet.
Game play[edit | edit source]
The game features a single player mode in which players fight with or against computer operated or human controlled fighters. Unlike Little Fighter 2, Hero Fighter has a riding system in which players can jump on to horses to increase their speed with lessened manoeuvrability. While fighting on horseback, some actions differ from when the player is on the ground. Additionally, even when a fighter is knocked down, it is still possible to deal damage to the fighter, which is in contrast to Little Fighter 2. Furthermore, fighters are able to jump on inanimate objects in the game, such as boulders and the trunks of trees.
Similar to Little Fighter 2, fighters have both Hit Points and Mana Points. There is also another statistic called Energy Points. These points are depleted when performing certain physical abilities, such as running, jumping and flipping. Energy Points are regained whenever a fighter is not performing an action that requires the points. Energy Points do not decrease when fighting on horseback.
In the version of Hero Fighter 2.0 (HF v.2.0), A new network mode is activated. Through this the players can compete other players across the world via internet.
In the latest version of Hero Fighter (HF v.2.2), A new army mode is enabled, in which players can form up to 100 men to support him in a battle against his rival.
Characters[edit | edit source]
Hero Fighter currently features a cast of five different characters, each with their own attacks, advantages and disadvantages. The developer is planning to continually add characters in future releases, along with other content and refinements. These characters are:
- Lucas: An all rounded fighter with special attacks on close range. He is just like a cavalry knight if he gets a horse. He has an upper cut attack that inflict area of effect damage, a wind blade which can hurt enemies at range and a heavy sword blow to do maximum damage on one enemy.
- Shawn: Shawn is a archer who inflicts maximum damage at range but is very poor in close range. He is like a cavalry archer if he gets a horse. Shawn has the ability to shoot arrows so that he can penetrate his enemies at range. He also has an arrow rain attack which make arrows fall from the sky and can cause are of effect damage. He also has a special arrow called phoenix shot. It does damage to whatever it hits and till now there is no move that can counter this shot but Lucas upper cut.
- Drew: Drew is a boxer who is very good in close combat. His attacks are terrifying and can cause serious injury. He is very similar to Davis and Mark in LF2. He has many punch based attacks and a body attack similar to that of Mark.
- Jenny: Introduced in version 0.1.4, Jenny is a spear or lance wielding female fighter who is good in defensive attacks. The is like a Cavalry lancer if she gets a horse and hence can do serious damage against the fighters on foot. Jenny has a whirl wind defense attack, a super spear attack and an air blade attack similar to that of Lucas and can hit enemies at range.
- Gordon: Introduced in version 0.1.5, Gordon is an battle axe wielding fighter. His special attacks are powerful with a fair range, but require large amounts of Mana Points.
Black Screen[edit | edit source]
People have been complaining about a black screen popping up while booting the game. This black screen would prevent further loading of the game. Thus preventing the player from even getting to the menu screen. Reports say this error occurred with the browser version and downloadable version of the game. This usually requires a Flash Player Update.
Note: The latest Firefox does not have this problem.


text: 'Fifty Shades of Grey': Religious Organization Asks Theaters to Reject "Epitome of Elevating Abuse" 7:17 AM PST 2/9/2015 by Ashley Lee FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME YOUTUBE "A more apt title for the movie would be 'Fifty Shades of Evil,' " says American Family Association president Tim Wildmon. The American Family Association isn't pleased with the upcoming release of Fifty Shades of Grey this weekend and is calling for theaters to reject the title. The organization, which aims to promote media integrity and protect families by fostering fundamentalist Christian values, says the movie is "creating controversy for its graphic sexual nature, promotion of BDSM and scenes that degrade women," as it "borders on pornography and glamorizes abuse." "Nothing in Fifty Shades of Grey builds up society, respects or empowers women or demonstrates healthy relationships," said AFA president Tim Wildmon. "Rather, the film glorifies abusive relationships and glamorizes abusive tendencies such as stalking, bondage sex, intimidation and isolation. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control's standards of emotional abuse and sexual violence include nearly every one of the interactions between the two main characters. Both movie theaters and moviegoers can stand up to this kind of disgusting content that's touted as 'entertainment' and choose not to show or pay to see the film." The AFA is the latest organization to protest the big-screen adaptation of the EL James book — an 100-minute film of which one-fifth is composed of sex scenes. The organization aligns with the recently popular social media movement #50DollarsNot50Shades, which is urging moviegoers to boycott the film and use the money they would spend on tickets, popcorn and drinks ($50) to support a domestic violence shelter or agency. "The irony is not lost that the film's main character is named Christian, while this film presents anything but a 'Christian' view of intimacy," Wildmon continued. "The idea that anyone would think this film is in any way appropriate demonstrates an incredibly unhealthy view of relationships and sexuality. A more apt title for the movie would be Fifty Shades of Evil. Without question, this film will have a corrosive effect on cultural views of what normative sexuality ought to be. "Healthy relationships seek to safeguard the emotional and physical well-being of another. This film promotes inflicting emotional, physical and psychological harm on another for the sole purpose of self-serving sexual gratification. It is the epitome of elevating abuse, and we call on all theaters to reject promoting such abuse on their screens." FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME YOUTUBE Ashley Lee email@example.com cashleelee


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Seul les braves
Seul les braves (Only the brave) is our tribute to the glorious circuit of Spa-Francorchamp, set in Belgium's Ardennes forest. With its long straights, hills, sweeping curves and famously unpredictable weather, Spa is a fast, spectacular and challenging circuit – a firm favourite with drivers and spectators alike.
Three colour screen-print onto dark grey 100% cotton t-shirt.
You can also buy Seul les braves as a short-sleeve shirt here


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TOP (Transgenic Operative Products) srl is a leading company specialized in the generation of reporter mice. These are transgenic animals that produce genetically encoded biomarkers to be detected through in vivo imaging (biophotonic, PET or NMR). In addition TOP srl can provide reporter cells or DNA constructs for reporter systems.
Although mainly focused on drug discovery and development, TOP transgenic products are well suited also for applications in toxicology and in the development of nutraceuticals or functional food. Thanks to the non-invasive nature of the method, it is possible to gather very informative data with repTOP™* models, e.g. about the physiological effects of complex alimentary mixtures, toxic effects in unexpected body districts, efficacy of drug candidates. In the meantime ethical standards of animal research are improved, because the investigator needs far fewer mice than with conventional methods, and the stress applied to the animals is strongly reduced.
The company originated as a spin-off from the University of Milan, capitalizing on the experience of two internationally renowned researchers, Adriana Maggi and Paolo Ciana, in the field of biotechnology. Since 2007, TOP srl has been backed by the NEXT fund, the first public-private closed-ended venture capital fund in Italy, managed by Finlombarda Gestioni SGR.
TOP srl is based at the Lodi Technological Park, 15 km south of Milan in Lombardy, Italy. This region has embraced biotechnology as the driver of future economic development.
*repTOP is a registered trademark of TOP(Transgenic Operative Products) srl.


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Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972
Fall is a busy time for farmers, and not only for the crop harvest. Livestock producers will be applying billions of gallons or pounds of stored manure to fertilize next year's crop.
Just as it is important to plant and harvest crops correctly, manure application also requires proper techniques to get the most value from fertilizer and avoid polluting waters with runoff. Details are available on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Feedlot nutrient and manure management webpage.
Years ago, at small, diversified farms, farmers used small tractors and wagons to spread solid manure after harvest. Today, the bulk of livestock manure — much in liquid form — comes from large operations.
MPCA feedlot program officials encourage livestock farmers and manure applicators to check their equipment, review manure application rates, and be aware of nearby sensitive land and water features.
As with all aspects of farming, weather is a major factor — not only for land-applying manure, but also for open manure-storage basins. With the recent history of above-average rainfall, livestock producers using basins are encouraged to keep an eye on levels and prevent overflows.
The MPCA advises listening to the weather forecast and avoid applications just prior to predicted rain. Reduce application rates if field and weather conditions are not ideal.
Farmers who apply manure during winter should review their manure management plan now to determine which fields are the most suitable to receive winter applications. If frozen soil prevents incorporating manure, a 300-foot setback from sensitive features is required. Fields for winter application should be level, distant from sensitive features, and have crop residue. Avoid spreading when furrows contain ice or snow.
Avoid spreading manure during March and February when snowmelt or rain runoff can occur while the ground is still frozen. Wisconsin Discovery Farm's field scale research has determined that manure applied during March and February has highest chance of runoff.
The following practices will help lead to a successful fall manure application season:
- Check equipment for broken hoses, loose connections, leaking valves and gaskets.
- Avoid damage to manure storage areas; agitate and pump only at designated areas.
- Observe sensitive features in fields and any within 300 feet of field borders. Those requiring a setback include: Lakes, rivers, intermittent and perennial streams, sinkholes, drainage ditches with side inlets or without berms, and open tile inlets. All manure applications within 300 feet of a sensitive feature must be incorporated within 24 hours and before rainfall.
- Review manure application rates. Follow University of Minnesota-Extension Service agronomic recommendations for calculating manure rates and nutrient needs. Guidelines are available on the U of M Extension Service website.
- Wait to apply manure on coarse-textured soils until soil temperature drops below 50 degrees. Using a nitrogen inhibitor can reduce nitrogen losses on early applications.
Be prepared for mishaps. If a spill or equipment failure should occur:
- Be sure all personnel are safe.
- Stop the spill: Close a valve, drive a vehicle onto a drag line hose, or turn off a pump.
- Use tillage to slow spill movement toward sensitive features in fields, build dirt berms, or use hay, straw or corn stalk bales to absorb the spill.
- Plug culverts and open tile intakes.
- Call for help, such as a septic tank pump truck to recover the spill.
- Review your emergency response plan. A planning sheet can be found on the Feedlot permit information forms webpage.
- For all spills, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 800-627-3529.


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Latin America's biggest cruise convention came to Chile in May, attracting industry specialists, cruise company executives, and tour operators from around the continent.
Rapid growth in Chile's economy and tourism industry played a part in Valparaíso's selection for the convention, and Chile's Economy Minister Félix de Vicente was in attendance to mark the occasion.
«Cruising is important for the economic development of our country,» de Vicente told the convention.
A wide range of issues were on the itinerary, including cabotage, operating costs, infrastructure, excursions, service and quality, and the emerging expedition cruise sector.
«After the first two Seatrade Latin America events focused on Brazil and Argentina, it's really exciting to have the opportunity to look at the prospects for Pacific Coast cruise tourism and Chile's role in that,» Seatrade's Chairman Chris Hayman said at the conference.
«We had tremendous support from the government of Chile and other interests. It's obvious that Chile really wants to engage in cruise tourism and has made the commitment to prepare for its growth," Hayman added.
While Valparaíso is Chile's busiest port town, the southern port of Puerto Montt receives cruises from all over the world at its international terminal, with infrastructure allowing for the entrance of up to three cruise ships at a time. The port also has a ferry terminal with links to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Chacabuco and Chiloé.
The latest addition to Chile's cruise calendar comes from Seabourn. The luxury cruise company recently announced plans for a new expedition on Chilean waters that promises to both pamper and educate its guests. The Seabourn Quest Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition will take voyagers to some of the most stunning coastal regions in southern Chile and beyond, while a team of eleven lecturers and three photography coaches will impart knowledge from across an impressive breadth of fields. Read more from This is Chile about this expedition here.


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Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA)
The ENDIA study is investigating the environmental factors that influence the development of type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible people from before birth throughout early childhood.
The Environmental Determinant of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study is researching the causes of type 1 diabetes so that we can find ways to prevent it.
In Australia, type 1 diabetes in children is twice as common as it was 20 years ago. Because our genes don't change over such a short period of time, this suggests our environment has changed, making at-risk children more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. Research has identified a number of environmental factors that may play a role in triggering the development of T1D, such as viruses, breastfeeding vs formula feeding, and changes in the gut bacteria, however we still don't understand how these factors interact with each other and with a person's genes to influence the development of type 1 diabetes.
The ENDIA study will follow pregnant women whose unborn baby will have an immediate relative with T1D. This could be the mother, the father, or a sibling. The babies and their mothers will be followed throughout pregnancy and the early years of life, and environmental factors such as food exposures, body composition, the timing and frequency of viral illnesses and the types of bacteria living in the gut, mouth and skin will be measured. If we can understand exactly what in the environment is harmful or protective, we can develop strategies to prevent T1D.
So, if you are a mum-to-be with type 1 diabetes, a dad-to-be with type 1 diabetes or have an older child with type 1 diabetes, then your family may be eligible to participate.
To find out how you can participate in this study, contact Dr Megan Penno at firstname.lastname@example.com or visit the ENDIA webpage.
ENDIA is funded thanks to grants from the Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Australian Government-funded ARC Special Research Initiative, led by JDRF Australia. Read the media release.
Find out more about other new CRN initiatives.
Connect with JDRF Australia
The overall aim of the ENDIA study is to identify environmental factors, and gene-environment interactions, that contribute to and protect against the development of islet autoimmunity and progression to T1D in children genetically at-risk of T1D. 1,400 infants with a first-degree relative with T1D will be prospectively followed from early pregnancy into childhood to investigate relationships between prenatal and postnatal environmental factors, the genome/epigenome and the development of islet autoimmunity and subsequent T1D. ENDIA will evaluate the microbiome, metabolome-lipidome, nutrition, bodyweight/composition, insulin resistance, innate and adaptive immune function and viral infections. A systems biology approach will integrate multi-omics analyses to explore hypotheses and mechanisms underlying the development of islet autoimmunity. The unifying hypothesis is that gene-environment interactions during prenatal and postnatal development drive the development of islet autoimmunity and T1D in children at-risk for T1D. The specific hypotheses are:
- The maternal microbiome during pregnancy and lactation differs in composition, diversity and functional products between mothers whose offspring do and do not develop islet autoimmunity and T1D.
- The microbiome differs in composition, diversity and functional products in children who do and do not develop islet autoimmunity and T1D during the first three years of life.
- Accelerated weight gain during pregnancy, and accelerated weight gain and insulin resistance during the first three years of life, is associated with an increased risk of islet autoimmunity.
- Viral infection during pregnancy and first three years of life modifies the risk of islet autoimmunity and T1D.
- A range of environmental factors acting though the microbiome/metabolome induce epigenetic modifications and consequent changes in gene expression that alter the risk for development of T1D.
1,400 pregnant women with T1D, or where the unborn child has a first-degree relative with T1D, will be recruited during the pregnancy and their children followed during the first three years of life to determine the relationship between environmental exposures, the genome/epigenome and the development of islet autoimmunity. Investigation will be during pregnancy (1– 3 points in the first, second, and third trimesters depending on the time of recruitment) and 3-monthly after birth for two years, then 6-monthly thereafter.
- Prospective samples will be collected for analysis of the microbiome from the gut (represented by stool), oral cavity, nares, skin and vagina during pregnancy and from breast milk during lactation(including colostrum) and 3-monthly in early childhood.
- Nutritional status and intake will be documented prospectively during pregnancy (from the first trimester) and lactation.
- Weight gain and physical activity (using validated tools [11]) will be measured prospectively during pregnancy.
- Nutritional status and intake in childhood will be documented by daily diary until weaning and then by multi-pass 24-h food recalls until 24 months, and from two years by the Australian Toddler Eating Survey.
- Fasting blood samples will be collected in childhood to measure insulin resistance.
Professor Jennifer Couper
The Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network, The Leona M and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust Fund, JDRF, NHMRC
The study is being conducted in Australia at:
- South Australia: The University of Adelaide Robinson Research Institute, The Women's and Children's Hospital
- Victoria: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Deakin University
- New South Wales: The University of NSW, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The Royal Hospital for Women, The St George Hospital
- Queensland: Mater Health Services – Brisbane, The University of Queensland
- Western Australia: Princess Margaret Hospital, The Telethon Kids Institute, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
Persistent islet autoimmunity defined as persistent elevation of > 1 islet autoantibodies on consecutive testing, including the most recent.
Secondary Endpoints
Development of type 1 diabetes
Inclusion Criteria
- Unborn child has a first-degree relative with T1D.
- Mother in first, second or third trimester of pregnancy or child less than six months of age
Caregiver has inadequate communication in English to provide informed consent.
Anticipated Outcomes
It is anticipated that by the end of 2017, 36 children will test positive for islet autoantibodies, and by the end of 2021, up to 126 children will test positive. For a given exposure, there is a 90% power to detect a 5% difference in risk of islet autoimmunity.
Start/End Date
2013- 2019
Image: Dr Dorota Pawlak PhD, Director of the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network


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Russia Today
June 4, 2010
It's one of the world's most powerful yet secretative organisations, accused by its critics of trying to create a new world order. But a gathering of the Bilderberg club in one of Spain's most exclusive resorts is attracting unwanted attention.
This article was posted: Friday, June 4, 2010 at 4:19 am


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Browse Therapist Directory
- Let Us Help You Find the Right Therapist!
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The benefits of hiring a life coach therapist is that they are also able to attract clients who might normally shy away from therapists or counselors. Depending on the specialty of the patient?s own particular counselor, there are a slew of different benefits the client can take advantage of, including: smooth transitions through rocky stages in life, the ability to re-examine their own life and goals so they can plan accordingly, achieving a sense of balance that has been vacant or missing, strong guidance in making difficult decisions, tips on prioritizing, improving relationships with friends, coworkers and loved one, and most of all- simplifying their lives for a greater enjoyment and less stress with an increased sense of control and better aptitude for time management. Hiring a Life Coach therapist will give a client the tools necessary in taking steps to a better life.
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Spinner Templates
About This Primary Resource
Simply print your preferred design, laminate and use in conjunction with a split pin and a paper clip to create a fully functional spinner (instructions included in the pdf).
The download includes black and white versions as well as blank versions without any numbers.
You may also be interested in our dice templates.


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This is the new full band album from the Skel-crow himself Michale Graves. "When World's Collide" is the sequel to Michale's bestselling project "Lost Skeleton Returns" originally released in 2013. The new album combines influences from Punk, Horror Punk and Monster Rock classics. The album features 11 new songs – each title inspired by a classic horror/sci-fi film that defines the genre. Also included on the CD is the sequel to "Crying on Saturday Night" titled "Dying on Sunday Morning". Also available signed by Michale here.
Out of stock


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The government released new fuel economy labels today in an effort to increase awareness about how much car shoppers spend on fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency says in a press release that the new labels "will help consumers take advantage of the increased efficiency standards achieved under the Obama Administration that will save families money at the pump starting this year. The new labels, which are the most dramatic overhaul to fuel economy labels since the program began more than 30 years ago, will provide more comprehensive fuel efficiency information, including estimated annual fuel costs, savings, as well as information on each vehicle's environmental impact."
While the new labels are more informative, the EPA considered assigning letter grades ranging from "A+" through "D" for vehicle fuel efficiency, but decided against it. The Detroit News reports, "The decision — announced this morning by the administration — is a win for automakers that have lobbied against the letter grades, worried that it would have deterred customers from buying larger vehicles that got poor grades."
According to a new Consumer Reports survey, many shoppers think that fuel efficiency is more important than ever. "The tough economy and high gas prices are driving consumers to prioritize fuel economy with their next car purchase," states Consumer Reports. "And to save at the pump, they are willing to compromise on purchase price, amenities, and size—but not safety." The survey says that 58 percent of new car shoppers were willing to pay more for a fuel-efficient car.
But will the new EPA stickers help consumers who're on the lookout for a fuel-efficient vehicle? Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood thinks so. "These new stickers really tell people quickly, how much they're going to save," LaHood said this morning on the Today Show. The new stickers will be on vehicles starting in the 2013 model year.
Shopping for a new car? Check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars. Then, look for a great deal on a new car by checking out this month's best car deals. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter.


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Explore Living Well
There are three things in our lives that are essential and important to everything. They are health, relationships and prosperity. You may not agree with the words I've chosen but when we look closer at the areas themselves, you may find that you agree these things are important to you.
Please join our Explore Living Well Mailing List
In this website we will explore living well by focusing on each of these areas and helping ourselves to identify what we want most and create steps to achieve these things.
. I define health and mental and physical wellness. Depending on your genetics, age, eating and exercising habits you may need little work in this area or this area may be of primary focus in your life. I'm coped with mental health my who life and and have various pages to help us cope with
. And at this time of year it is so easy to feel depressed. Here are some
Tips on Surviving The Holidays
And Pain - Let's get rid of that.
There are so many ways to begin
Good Nutrition, Diet & Exercise
Learning skills to cope when we are depressed
Talking to your friends and building supportive networks online and in person
Alternative healing: acupuncture, massage and energy healing
Using the
Law of Attraction
. At Explore-Living-Well, we define relationships as the relationship you have with yourself as well as those you have with family, friends, business associates, co-workers and everyone else you meet or associate with in life.
. When speaking of prosperity most people think money. And I agree, money is an essential part of prosperity. With money we provide food, shelter, clothing and the other essentials of life. We also purchase things that we enjoy that enhance our quality of life. Inside prosperity, I would also include work and career goals. These areas of our life are often very personal and can mean far more than money to us.
. Spirit is a word that have various meanings and connotations. People often relate it to Religion or God. And while I agree that spirit is related to both of those. I would also add to it creativity and the desire for personal growth and self-expression.
This is the area of life where we have longing but are not sure exactly what that longing applies to.
This is where we search for meaning and the answers to the big questions of "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?"
Copyright © 2008-2010
Tanya Marten


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Reviews of Point-and-Shoot Cameras: Which One is Right for You?
Deciding which point-and-shoot camera fits your needs the best can be a difficult decision. There are many great cameras available for you to choose from. These reviews will provide you with the necessary information to make your decision a little easier.


text: I've been thinking about and trying to find info on print washing. It's amazingly hard to get straight info/answers on this subject. I've always used a "white tub washer"; it spins the prints (up to 11x14) around, water comes in the top and drains out the bottom. For my 16x20 prints I've been using a hastily made tray and hose contraption. I follow the paper manufacturers recommendations as far as time goes, and leave the water running the entire time. I use a hypo clear bath with FB paper. I haven't seen any problems with my prints (11x14 and smaller, I just started doing 16x20) yet. The oldest are about 6 years, and show no problems that I can see. First off, I guess I should be testing my prints. I know that there is some sort of chem that tests if the prints are clear of fixer, but I don't know what it's called, and so I can't find it on supply websites. Does anyone know what this is called or a brand name? I would like to conserve as much water as possible. I have read that removing fixer from the prints is more about leeching and soaking than moving water. Anyone have any info/experience/opinions on this? The name "David Vestal" keeps popping up as an expert on this topic, but I can't seem to find his website. It's just people talking about what he said. I'd like to get it from the horse's mouth. Any one have any info on this guy? I want to build a better print washer for my 16x20 prints (unless it turns out that soaking is sufficient). Anybody made or seen plans for a big DIY printwasher?