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The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead288
Fully illustrated and exhaustively comprehensive, this book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege, and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain.
Top 10 Lessons for Surviving a Zombie Attack
1. Organize before they rise!
2. They feel no fear, why should you?
3. Use your head: cut off theirs.
4. Blades don't need reloading.
5. Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
6. Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
7. Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
8. Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
9. No place is safe, only safer.
10. The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on.
Don't be carefree and foolish with your most precious asset—life. This book is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now without your even knowing it. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life.
Product Details
|Random House Publishing Group
|Publication date:
|Sales rank:
|Product dimensions:
|5.56(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.73(d)
|1090L (what's this?)
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Chapter 1
He comes from the grave, his body a home of worms and filth. No life in his eyes, no warmth of his skin, no beating of his breast. His soul, as empty and dark as the night sky. He laughs at the blade, spits at the arrow, for they will not harm his flesh. For eternity, he will walk the earth, smelling the sweet blood of the living, feasting upon the bones of the damned. Beware, for he is the living dead.
-Obscure Hindu text, circa 1000 B.C.E.
ZOM-BIE: n. also ZOM-BIES pl. 1. An animated corpse that feeds on living human flesh. 2. A voodoo spell that raises the dead. 3. A Voodoo snake god. 4. One who moves or acts in a daze "like a zombie." [a word of West African origin]
What is a zombie? How are they created? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their needs, their desires? Why are they hostile to humanity? Before discussing any survival techniques, you must first learn what you are trying to survive.
We must begin by separating fact from fiction. The walking dead are neither a work of "black magic" nor any other supernatural force. Their origin stems from a virus known as Solanum, a Latin word used by Jan Vanderhaven, who first "discovered" the disease.
Solanum works by traveling through the bloodstream, from the initial point of entry to the brain. Through means not yet fully understood, the virus uses the cells of the frontal lobe for replication, destroying them in the process. During this period, all bodily functions cease. By stopping the heart, the infected subject is rendered "dead." The brain, however, remains alive but dormant, while the virus mutates its cells into a completely new organ. The most critical trait of this new organ is its independence from oxygen. By removing the need for this all-important resource, the undead brain can utilize, but is in no way dependent upon, the complex support mechanism of the human body. Once mutation is complete, this new organ reanimates the body into a form that bears little resemblance (physiologically speaking) to the original corpse. Some bodily functions remain constant, others operate in a modified capacity, and the remainder shut down completely. This new organism is a zombie, a member of the living dead.
1. Source
Unfortunately, extensive research has yet to find an isolated example of Solanum in nature. Water, air, and soil in all ecosystems, from all parts of the world, have turned up negative, as have their accompanying flora and fauna. At the time of this writing, the search continues.
2. Symptoms
The timetable below outlines the process of an infected human (give or take several hours, depending on the individual).
Hour 1: Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).
Hour 5: Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.
Hour 8: Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.
Hour 11: Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.
Hour 16: Coma.
Hour 20: Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.
Hour 23: Reanimation.
3. Transference
Solanum is 100 percent communicable and 100 percent fatal. Fortunately for the human race, the virus is neither waterborne nor airborne. Humans have never been known to contract the virus from elements in nature. Infection can occur only through direct fluidic contact. A zombie bite, although by far the most recognizable means of transference, is by no means the only one. Humans have been infected by brushing their open wounds against those of a zombie or by being splattered by its remains after an explosion. Ingestion of infected flesh (provided the person has no open mouth sores) results in not infection but, rather, permanent death. Infected flesh has proven to be highly toxic.
No information-historical, experimental, or otherwise-has surfaced regarding the results of sexual relations with an undead specimen, but as previously noted, the nature of Solanum suggests a high danger of infection. Warning against such an act would be useless, as the only people deranged enough to try would be unconcerned for their own safety. Many have argued that, given the congealed nature of undead bodily fluids, the chances of infection from a non-bite contact should be low. However, it must be remembered that even one organism is enough to begin the cycle.
4. Cross-Species Infection
Solanum is fatal to all living creatures, regardless of size, species, or ecosystem. Reanimation, however, takes place only in humans. Studies have shown that Solanum infecting a non-human brain will die within hours of the death of its host, making the carcass safe to handle. Infected animals expire before the virus can replicate throughout their bodies. Infection from insect bites such as from mosquitoes can also be discounted. Experiments have proven that all parasitic insects can sense and will reject an infected host 100 percent of the time.
5. Treatment
Once a human is infected, little can be done to save him or her. Because Solanum is a virus and not a bacteria, antibiotics have no effect. Immunization, the only way to combat a virus, is equally useless, as even the most minute dosage will lead to a full-blown infection. Genetic research is under way. Goals range from stronger human antibodies to resistant cell structure to a counter-virus designed to identify and destroy Solanum. This and other, more radical treatments are still in the earliest stages, with no foreseeable success in the near future. Battlefield experiences have led to the immediate severing of the infected limb (provided this is the location of the bite), but such treatments are dubious at best, with less than a 10 percent success rate. Chances are, the infected human was doomed from the moment the virus entered his or her system. Should the infected human choose suicide, he should remember that the brain must be eliminated first. Cases have been recorded in which recently infected subjects, deceased by means other than the virus, will nonetheless reanimate. Such cases usually occur when the subject expires after the fifth hour of infection. Regardless, any person killed after being bitten or otherwise infected by the undead should be immediately disposed of. (See "Disposal, page 19.")
6. Reanimating the Already Deceased
It has been suggested that fresh human corpses could reanimate if Solanum were introduced after their death. This is a fallacy. Zombies ignore necrotic flesh and therefore could not transfer the virus. Experiments conducted during and after World War II (See "Recorded Attacks," pages 216ff) have proven that injecting Solanum into a cadaver would be futile because a stagnant bloodstream could not transport the virus to the brain. Injection directly into a dead brain would be equally useless, as the expired cells could not respond to the virus. Solanum does not create life-it alters it.
1. Physical Abilities
Too often, the undead have been said to possess superhuman powers: unusual strength, lightning speed, telepathy, etc. Stories range from zombies flying through the air to their scaling vertical surfaces like spiders. While these traits might make for fascinating drama, the individual ghoul is far from a magical, omnipotent demon. Never forget that the body of the undead is, for all practical purposes, human. What changes do occur are in the way this new, reanimated body is used by the now-infected brain. There is no way a zombie could fly unless the human it used to be could fly. The same goes for projecting force fields, teleportation, moving through solid objects, transforming into a wolf, breathing fire, or a variety of other mystical talents attributed to the walking dead. Imagine the human body as a tool kit. The somnambulist brain has those tools, and only those tools, at its disposal. It cannot create new ones out of thin air. But it can, as you will see, use these tools in unconventional combinations, or push their durability beyond normal human limits.
A. Sight
The eyes of a zombie are no different than those of a normal human. While still capable (given their rate of decomposition) of transmitting visual signals to the brain, how the brain interprets these signals is another matter. Studies are inconclusive regarding the undead's visual abilities. They can spot prey at distances comparable to a human, but whether they can distinguish a human from one of their own is still up for debate. One theory suggests that the movements made by humans, which are quicker and smoother than those of the undead, is what causes them to stand out to the zombie eye. Experiments have been done in which humans have attempted to confuse approaching ghouls by mimicking their motions and adopting a shambling, awkward limp. To date, none of these attempts have succeeded. It has been suggested that zombies possess night vision, a fact that explains their skill at nocturnal hunting. This theory has been debunked by the fact that all zombies are expert night feeders, even those without eyes.
B. Sound
There is no question that zombies have excellent hearing. Not only can they detect sound-they can determine its direction. The basic range appears to be the same as that for humans. Experiments with extreme high and low frequencies have yielded negative results. Tests have also shown that zombies are attracted by any sounds, not just those made by living creatures. It has been recorded that ghouls will notice sounds ignored by living humans. The most likely, if unproven, explanation is that zombies depend on all their senses equally. Humans are sight-oriented from birth, depending on other senses only if the primary one is lost. Perhaps this is not a handicap shared by the walking dead. If so, it would explain their ability to hunt, fight, and feed in total darkness.
C. Smell
Unlike with sound, the undead have a more acute sense of smell. In both combat situations and laboratory tests, they have been able to distinguish the smell of living prey above all others. In many cases, and given ideal wind conditions, zombies have been known to smell fresh corpses from a distance of more than a mile. Again, this does not mean that ghouls have a greater sense of smell than humans, simply that they rely on it more. It is not known exactly what particular secretion signals the presence of prey: sweat, pheromones, blood, etc. In the past, people seeking to move undetected through infested areas have attempted to "mask" their human scent with perfumes, deodorants, or other strong-smelling chemicals. None were successful. Experiments are now under way to synthesize the smells of living creatures as a decoy or even repellent to the walking dead. A successful product is still years away.
D. Taste
Little is known about the altered taste buds of the walking dead. Zombies do have the ability to tell human flesh apart from that of animals, and they prefer the former. Ghouls also have a remarkable ability to reject carrion in favor of freshly killed meat. A human body that has been dead longer than twelve to eighteen hours will be rejected as food. The same goes for cadavers that have been embalmed or otherwise preserved. Whether this has anything to do with "taste" is not yet certain. It may have to do with smell or, perhaps, another instinct that has not been discovered. As to exactly why human flesh is preferable, science has yet to find an answer to this confounding, frustrating, terrifying question.
E. Touch
Zombies have, literally, no physical sensations. All nerve receptors throughout the body remain dead after reanimation. This is truly their greatest and most terrifying advantage over the living. We, as humans, have the ability to experience physical pain as a signal of bodily damage. Our brain classifies such sensations, matches them to the experience that instigated them, and then files the information away for use as a warning against future harm. It is this gift of physiology and instinct that has allowed us to survive as a species. It is why we value virtues such as courage, which inspires people to perform actions despite warnings of danger. The inability to recognize and avoid pain is what makes the walking dead so formidable. Wounds will not be noticed and, therefore, will not deter an attack. Even if a zombie's body is severely damaged, it will continue to attack until nothing remains.
F. Sixth Sense
Historical research, coupled with laboratory and field observation, have shown that the walking dead have been known to attack even when all their sensory organs have been damaged or completely decomposed. Does this mean that zombies possess a sixth sense? Perhaps. Living humans use less than 5 percent of their brain capacity. It is possible that the virus can stimulate another sensory ability that has been forgotten by evolution. This theory is one of the most hotly debated in the war against the undead. So far, no scientific evidence has been found to support either side.
G. Healing
Despite legends and ancient folklore, undead physiology has been proven to possess no powers of regeneration. Cells that are damaged stay damaged. Any wounds, no matter what their size and nature, will remain for the duration of that body's reanimation. A variety of medical treatments have been attempted to stimulate the healing process in captured ghouls. None were successful. This inability to self-repair, something that we as living beings take for granted, is a severe disadvantage to the undead. For example, every time we physically exert ourselves, we tear our muscles. With time, these muscles rebuild to a stronger state than before. A ghoul's muscle mass will remain damaged, reducing its effectiveness every time it is used.
H. Decomposition
The average zombie "life span"-how long it is able to function before completely rotting away-is estimated at three to five years. As fantastic as this sounds-a human corpse able to ward off the natural effects of decay-its cause is rooted in basic biology. When a human body dies, its flesh is immediately set upon by billions of microscopic organisms. These organisms were always present, in the external environment and within the body itself. In life, the immune system stood as a barrier between these organisms and their target. In death, that barrier is removed. The organisms begin multiplying geometrically as they proceed to eat and, thereby, break down the corpse on a cellular level. The smell and discoloration associated with any decaying meat are the biological process of these microbes at work. When you order an "aged" steak, you are ordering a piece of meat that has begun to rot, its formerly toughened flesh softened by microorganisms breaking down its sturdy fiber. Within a short time, that steak, like a human corpse, will dissolve to nothing, leaving behind only material too hard or unnutritious for any microbe, such as bone, teeth, nails, and hair. This is the normal cycle of life, nature's way of recycling nutrients back into the food chain. To halt this process, and preserve dead tissue, it is necessary to place it in an environment unsuitable for bacteria, such as in extreme low or high temperatures, in toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, or, in this case, to saturate it with Solanum.


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Welcome to Shooting Sports
"Throughout the Boy Scouts of America from Cub Scouting to Venturing and Sea Scouting, all program divisions use responsible outdoor activities to promote character development and values-based leadership training. Shooting sports have the ability to attract and retain youth in the movement. Millions of young people participate in one or more of the sports annually—archery, rifle shooting, shotgun activities, etc.—guided by adult volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to provide quality programs in a safe and effective way.
Key to safe and effective unit activities is informed, trained, and conscientious unit leadership. Various activities can present some degree of risk; those risks can be mitigated by training and commitment of BSA volunteer leaders. When activities are properly conducted under the appropriate guidelines, they can be safe,fun filled, exciting, and rewarding." – from the 2015 Shooting Sports Manual
Shooting Sports activities that can be offered by the Council or Unit leaders include:
[one-half-first]Archery fun shoot
Archery Merit Badge
Rifle fun shoot
Rifle Merit Badge[/one-half-first][one-half]
Shotgun fun shoot
Shotgun Merit Badge
Pistol shoot. Ranger qualification program.
Muzzleloader shoot. Ranger qualification program.[/one-half]
Catalina Council would like to thank The NRA foundation!
The NRA Foundation awarded the Catalina Council $2,700 dollars to help us expand our shooting program including:
1) Chalkballs targets for our LaPorte target machine
2) Equipment to we can use to offer the Airsoft Experience to our scouts
3) A left handed Savage .22 LR rifle.
Thank you NRA Foundation for supporting our Shooting Sports Program.
[tabby title="Training, Requirements, Qualifications"]
Requirements, Qualifications & Training
NRA Instructor Courses
NRA Instructor Training Courses help you develop the additional knowledge, skills and techniques needed to organize and teach courses in the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.
The Catalina Council Shooting Sports Committee offers several training opportunities a year.
BB Gun Range Master Training:
This training will qualify adult leaders to run Cub Scout BB gun events at Council level events and check-out the BB Gun equipment from the Quartermaster. It will also qualify Boy Scout and Venture Scout adult leaders and Scouts +14 years, to run the new Unit level BSA Airgun Experience program and qualify those leaders to check out the Airsoft equipment.
The Council has this equipment available.
It is to your advantage to read the relevant sections of the BSA Shooting Sports Manual as it applies to the activities you are involved in before the class.
Be Preparred: bring water, lunch, eye protection, weather appropriate clothing and have read the appropriate sections of the BSA Shooting Sports Manual.
One youth / participating adult are welcome to attend. We need the feedback from them and will use them as our students throughout the class.
For more information contact Bill Perkins email@example.com
Please be watching for the next opportunity to register for the BB Gun Range Master Training,
Winchester Qualification Marksmanship program.
Qualification Pins are available. Each pin is $2.
BB gun qualification, page 20
Muzzleloading qualification, page 33
Pistol qualification, page 4
Rimfire rifle qualification program, prone position, page 18
Shotgun qualification, page 30
Rifle Shooting
Unless a rifle is handled incorrectly or recklessly, it is not dangerous. A rifle, like any other precision instrument, is manufactured to perform a specific task and can do so at no risk to the user or others. By earning this badge, Scouts can develop their shooting skills while learning safe practices.
Shotgun Shooting
A shotgun is a precision instrument, designed to shoot a shot charge in a specific pattern to cover a designated area at a certain distance. Unlike a rifle, the bore of the shotgun is not rifled, so the shot emerging from the muzzle is not spinning.
National Shooting Sports Manual
Manual Link
The Shooting Sports Task Force in 2011 completed production on the new Boy Scouts of America National Shooting Sports Manual, No. 30931 (SKU 430029), for Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. Reference material for all levels was put into one publication. All councils should make this available to their shooting sports committees, camp leadership, and unit leaders. The manual will help provide a safe environment for youth participating in shooting sports activities.
*please note the Archery & Rifle requirements differ.
Please confirm you are reading the correct information
for the requirements you need.
[tabby title="Planning"]
Planning List
This list is intended to help Scout leaders organize a shooting event for their Scout Unit.
This is a general guideline and may not be all inclusive.
To offer a shooting event for your unit, you will need the following:
NRA Instructor
Reserve equipment (rifles & ammunition)
Range reservation, procedure varies depending on the Shooting Range
Pima Pistol Club
SouthEast Regional Park
Tucson Mountain Park
Tucson Rifle Club
Certificate of insurance issued by Council
Medical A&B on day of the event for each youth and adult participating Health Form
[tabby title="Resources"]
Resources for BSA Qualified Leaders
Firearms Quartermaster – Bill Perkins
(8) Savage MK II .22 rifles
(5) Remington 11-87 20 gauge shotguns
(5) Ruger MK II .22 LR handguns
Firearm support equipment
Click HERE to reserve any of the following equipment:
(8) Carpets for shooting mats
(8) Hearing protection, earmuffs
(20) Eye protection glasses
A17 targets for BSA Rifle Merit Badge
.22LR ammunition
20 Gauge shotgun ammuntion
BB Guns Quartermaster Bill Perkins
(8) Daisy 845 Avanti rifles
(20) Eye protection
5-meter targets for BB gun
BB's (Cub Scouts)
Pellets (Webelos & Boy Scouts)
Archery equipment Quartermaster –
(8) Genesis compound bows
(8) PSE Razorback bows
Archery support Equipment
Finger releases
Paper targets
[tabby title="Scholastic Pistol Program"]
Scholastic Pistol Program explodes
Gun industry's helping hand triggers a surge in college shooting teams
Article about the SPP from Downrange TV
[tabby title="Shooting Sports Day Registration"]
More to some soon
Thank you to the NRA Foundation for Supporting NEW programs with the Boy Scouts of America.
LaPorte Archery
Sporting arrows are not only new to archery in Scouting, but also to the archery world in general. Similar to clay target shooting, sporting arrows are centered around automatic target launchers that throw 10-inch diameter foam targets into the air. And once the targets take flight? It's on. For more information on this NEW program click HERE
Airsoft Experience:
The Boy Scouts of America, in cooperation with the National Rifle Association, is proud to present the Multi-Gun Airsoft Experience Operations Guide, a fun recreational program for new and intermediate shooters. For more information on this NEW program. click HERE

subset: commoncrawl


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In the first study to look at how all five of our senses—hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch—decline as we age, researchers at the University of Chicago have turned up some surprising new facts. What's more, the study authors suggest that if you have one or two sensory impairments, such as hearing loss, vision loss, or both, you're more likely to have other—often unrecognized—sensory deficits.
The researchers sifted through data from about 3,000 participants in the NORC (National Opinion Research Center) survey of older Americans—ages 57 to 85—looking for evidence of decline in any of the five senses. They found that 94 percent of the group had at least one sensory deficit. Thirty-eight percent had deficits in two senses, and 28 percent— more than one in four people—were experiencing difficulties with three, four, or all five senses.
Can one loss beget another?
Most of us over 50 acknowledge that our vision and hearing aren't as sharp as they once were. But other senses often experience an even sharper decline, the study suggests. The researchers found that 74 percent of the participants had significantly lost some of their sense of taste. Two-thirds of the participants scored below normal on tests of touch. The sense of smell, which is linked to taste, also declined in about a quarter of people.
Perhaps the most intriguing finding from the new research, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in February 2016, is that sensory losses tend to cluster together in individuals. "What that tells us is that there seems to be a shared underlying process at work," says William Dale, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and section chief of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine, one of the authors of the new study. Exactly what that process is remains speculative.
"It may be the result of an overall decline in the sensory nervous system, which relays information to the brain from all five senses," says Dale. "But there may also be environmental factors." Case in point: The research found that people living in areas with higher levels of pollution were at greater risk of global sensory impairment.
Other key findings included:
- Men were more likely than women to show signs of global sensory loss—except for corrected vision, in which women fared worse.
- Overall, black and Hispanic participants had more sensory dysfunction than white subjects, with one exception, hearing loss, which was similar in all participants regardless of race or ethnicity.
- Hispanic subjects scored better than black and white participants when it came to retaining a sense of taste.
- As could be expected, sensory loss was heightened in older participants—but it was even higher than anticipated, with 94 percent having at least one impairment.
Previous research has shown that sensory decline is associated with poorer health and lower life expectancy. There's a strong link between loss of sense of smell, for example, and the development of dementia. In a 2014 study published in PLOS ONE, University of Chicago researchers found that a declining sense of smell could effectively predict people who are likely to die over the next five years.
Some sensory loss is expected with age, of course, but it's important to be alert to trouble and tell your doctor about any changes in your senses so any impairment can be managed or corrected. Your doctor can also rule out any underlying condition, such as diabetes, that may be causing the change. Medications can cause some sensory loss, too, so the fix may be as simple as changing a prescription.
A closer look at the five senses
The sensory system is made up of a vast array of detectors—in the skin and internal organs, the eyes, the ears, the taste buds, and the olfactory center of the nose—that receive information from the world around us and send signals to the brain. With age, all five senses begin to change. Here's a snapshot of how and why:
1. Vision. The researchers found that 80.3 percent of participants had good vision, 13.6 percent had fair vision, and 6.1 percent were rated poor. (Vision corrected with glasses was consider "good.")
Aging affects the eyes in many ways. By the time we turn 60, our pupils—the opening that controls the amount of light coming into our eyes—have decreased to about one-third the size they were at age 20. The lens that covers the eye may also become slightly cloudy and stiffer, making it hard to focus.
The most common age-related eye problem, presbyopia (farsightedness), occurs when eye muscles aren't strong enough to adjust a stiffening lens to allow us to focus up close, such as when reading small print. Other age-related vision problems include macular degeneration (vision loss in the center of the retina) and glaucoma (a rise in fluid pressure inside the eye).
2. Hearing. About 18 percent of the participants in the study had only fair or poor hearing. Age-related hearing loss, called presbycusis, usually affects the ability to hear high-frequency sounds. Unfortunately, those frequencies are important to understanding speech—especially consonant sounds like "t" and "d"—so that people with hearing loss often struggle to understand conversations.
Another common hearing problem in older adults is tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Additionally, structures in the inner ear, made up of fluid and small hairs, stimulate the auditory nerve, signaling the brain about our position and balance. With age, the sense of balance can also decline, increasing the risk of falls and accidents.
3. Touch. Less than a third of participants were rated as having a normal sense of touch; the rest were either fair or poor. The sense of touch depends on exquisitely sensitive receptors not only in our skin but also in muscles, tendons, joints, and even internal organs. These receptors convey information to the brain about everything from the position of our legs and arms to whether something is hot, cold, rough, or smooth. Health conditions, such as [diabetes] [https://www.healthafter50.com/diabetes/article/what-is-diabetes] or impaired blood flow to nerve endings, and deficiencies in nutrients, such as vitamin B12, can diminish one's sense of touch.
4. and 5. Smell and taste. The senses of smell and taste work together. If a cold impairs your sense of smell, for example, you may temporarily lose some sense of taste. More than two-thirds of the participants scored only fair or poor on both senses.
A sense of smell and taste may decline for a variety of different reasons. With age, the number of our taste buds declines and those that remain shrink. A sense of taste can also decline when saliva production diminishes. The loss of mucus in the nasal passages, which normally traps odor molecules in the nose long enough for nerve cells to detect them, may be one reason the sense of smell falters. Another may be a loss of nerve endings in the nose.
Whatever the cause, a loss of smell and taste can be hazardous to your health. Being unable to notice when food has spoiled can increase the risk of food poisoning, for example. Loss of taste can compromise your appetite, which can lead to malnutrition and unwanted weight loss. Paradoxically, it can also pose the opposite danger: To compensate for a lack of taste, some people eat richer and richer foods, which can lead to becoming overweight or obese.
Being alert to signs of impairment in the five senses may be important for another crucial reason. "We're beginning to suspect that a loss of sensory input may affect the brain itself, raising the risk of cognitive problems down the road," Dale says. "A healthy brain may depend on keeping all those sensory connections as strong as possible."
For more about sensory impairment, see How to Cope When You Can't Hear.


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Our Adult Deluxe Muscle Chest Dark Knight Batman Costume comes complete with Muscle Chest Jumpsuit with attached Boot Tops, Headpiece, Cape & Belt. Outfit includes:
Adult Riddler Grand Heritage Costume [887210]
Adult Robin Arkham Costume [884822]
Adult Batman Arkham Costume [884820]
Adult Deluxe Robin Muscle Chest Costume [888078]
4 Reviews
Dadadadadadadadadadada!! Batman!!!!!!!!
This costume is awesome and attracted lots of attention! Thank you fancy dress ball - great price and excellent quality.
Reviewed by Derek from Bradford on 22 December 2015
I'm Batman!!!
Apart from the belt being a bit "pump" and the neck not being big enough to fasten up, this was a great buy, and went down a storm at NYE party.
Reviewed by Robert from Twickenham on 18 January 2013
Excellent Buy
A really well designed costume, good features and a comfortable fit. Excellent Delivery Service, delivered ahead of expectations.
Reviewed by David from Bathgate on 12 November 2012
Much appreciated
We bought for my son's 18th as he's always been a huge batman fan. Sizing is generous as he's 6'2" and fairly broad chested and this still has room to spare. The "muscle chest" feature is fun and the boot covers aspect gets over the problem of what to wear on your feet when in costume. A great costume which I'm sure will see many outings over his years at Uni!!
Reviewed by Sue from Purley on 30 April 2011


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What is it about The Marriage of Figaro? Its timeless themes (class relations, lust, friendship and a healthy dose of adultery) are entrenched in plot points that can only be understood in an 18th-century context, which limits the possibility of updates and adaptations. (How would one explain the droit du seigneur custom if it were set in present-day Brooklyn?) Though Figaro shows its age—its story outdated and almost cringe-worthy if you think too hard about it—it does so in such a pleasing and innocent way that adaptations are not necessary to fill seats, appeal to millennials or make the show "accessible."
This timelessness so often referred to in popular, humanistic operas like Figaro can work both for and against the piece. Period is often set in costume and set design, the most malleable aspects of theatre. Classic works are often subjected to comically inappropriate updates, trite traditionalism, or (perhaps the trickiest of all) some mash-up of the two. The aim of such experiments is generally to increase the audience's identification with the characters while maintaining a gestalt, but the result is generally awkward, and sometimes utterly incoherent and distracting.
Seattle Opera's Figaro gets it right. (Though perhaps it may be more appropriate to say that New Zealand Opera's Figaro got it right; the production was brought stateside by Seattle Opera's new General Director Aidan Lang.) This interpretation nods to its 18th-century conception through traditional costume silhouettes, all waistcoats and hoop skirts–and then promptly urges you to look closer, noticing the all-denim color palette and the all-too-recognizable shoes. (Cherubino wears Chucks, while the ladies favor Toms espadrilles.) The fabulously innovative set design mimics the costumes' swirl of period and modern; the Almaviva palace's white walls, warm woods, and clean lines reminds one more of a modern-day Danish inspiration board than the florid Baroque backdrop so often created to accompany a Mozart score.
The set's clean aesthetic is only the start. The cross-sectioned palace, with its moving walls and floors, quickly emerges to be just as much a storyteller as the recitative, making the characters' eavesdropping and trickery all too obvious. In the creation of its various rooms, it also lends a subtle gloss to the class relations of Mozart's work. The Countess's chamber extends across the entire stage, with a gorgeous modern circular window and ceiling-high latticed doors; Figaro and Susanna's room-to-be, on the other hand, is walled off claustrophobically on either side and can barely accommodate their bare bedframe, let alone the paces that Figaro counts in their opening duet ("Cinque, dieci, venti").
Figaro's hilarious labyrinth of a plot demands singers whose stage presence and acting chops are just as big as their vocal prowess, and Seattle Opera's cast largely did not disappoint. Chinese bass-baritone Shenyang delivered a lovely basso buffo as Figaro, his rich controlled sound balanced with carefully meted energy and tenderly caressed consonants. His enthusiastic acting could be interpreted as over-the-top, but I thought it was perfectly appropriate to the role. Morgan Smith's Count Almaviva was deliciously sleazy and cheekily physical, and though his performance in the first act seemed vocally unenergetic, his resonance and verve grew in expectation of the Act II bedroom finale. Bernardo Bobro embodied the emotional exhaustion of a Countess scorned with a lovely first aria ("Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro"), somehow maintaining a certain sort of vibrancy throughout the show despite being the most stereotypically pathetic character.
Nuccia Focile's Susanna paled in comparison to her on-stage counterparts. Her sound, though objectively lovely, holds a little more weight than is ideal for this role. Mozart's soprano peasant and servant characters (the Zerlinas of the world) demand more buoyant agility and brightness than Focile could deliver, and her patter song tended more nasal than was appropriate for the sprightly passages. Though Focile's energy generally matched Susanna's wit and mischievousness, she failed to deliver the same kind of attitude where it really counted. "Sull'aria," the lovely pastoral letter-writing duet between Susanna and the Countess, works best with a shot of Susanna's conniving nature to counteract the otherwise pleasant but unremarkable melody. Her lackluster delivery was explained, if not excused, once I learned that her original role in this particular Figaro was actually as the Countess, which accounted for her smooth, almost noble interpretation.
Finally, the lovestruck (or, more aptly, hormone-struck) Cherubino was played perfectly by mezzo Karin Mushegain; her gregarious physical acting and beautifully understated voice melded together into one of the most enjoyable trouser roles I've ever seen. Her interpretation, though easy to write off as simply superficially hilarious, was particularly impressive because of the detailed directorial choices. For instance, in her diegetic song for the Countess and Susanna ("Voi che sapete che cosa è amor"), an increase in vibrato and a rounded, more proper tone transformed the melody into an ad hoc performance, one immediately commended by the Countess.
The campiness of Figaro can swerve into soap opera territory quite easily, and in the best way. I had forgotten about the Maury moment where Figaro discovers the true nature of his parentage, and in this production this only partly necessary plot point adds something refreshing, extrinsic to the libretto itself. That is, Seattle Opera'sFigaro has a commendably diverse cast (commendable insomuch as such diversity on the opera stage has been a long time coming) and when a white Marcellina (former Seattle Opera Young Artist Margaret Gawrysiak) and a black Dr. Bartolo (Seattle Opera favorite Arthur Woodley) claim their Chinese son and no one bats an eye, it may not be revolutionary but it is happily consistent with the opera's humanism.
As for the pacing, this production positively speeds through its three-and-a-half-hour run-time, starting with the overture, performed at break-neck tempo (just a notch below uncontrolled), but without crowding the dirty-details plot and mesmerizing, calm moments of reflective aria. I am always struck by Mozart's ability to build and layer ensemble numbers, like the fabulous Act II bedroom finale, built on a foundation of trickery and reveals and vengeance. The staging, done by Lang himself in his Seattle Opera directorial debut, is particularly sensitive to musical detail, and the costuming added another layer to this visually stunning collection of characters onstage. To the left, the Count and his uppity cohorts are swearing revenge in a sea of dark, shimmering denim; on the right, the Countess and the indignant couple-to-be Figaro and Susanna gain our sympathies with softer fabrics and pale-washed hues.
Seattle Opera delivered a solidly entertaining production, though on opening night, there were still several loose ends that felt only partially deliberated. The chorus has a small role in Figaro–really just the wedding and its preceding scene–and despite Lang's attempts at including them more, creating comical vignettes between scenes and alongside arias, few of them played to the extent that his vision demanded. (Servants violently chopping vegetables as Marcellina and Bartolo schemed was absolutely perfect; servants scrubbing the walls during the Count's moody rumination was nonsensical and distracting.) Though Seattle Opera's imaginative staging made the dragging Act IV garden scene more compelling than usual, the directorial creativity got out of hand in trying to make the wedding's dance steps more entertaining. I would have preferred a classic contredanse to a stamping-bull-and-toreador routine—though, I admit, the testosterone-fueled spectacle of it was quite appropriate.
Conductor Gary Thor Wedow has perfected the art of directing an inconspicuous orchestra, rivaling a film score in his ability to enhance emotions without anyone recognizing it. Philip A. Kelsey's fortepiano continuo was particularly lovely, adding an air of quiet domesticity to the recitatives and less dramatic moments.
In all, Lang's Figaro is infused with spirit, raunchiness and quality performances. This show always strikes me as the Mozartian mirror to a Downton Abbey binge, fueled by the need for salacious but classy entertainment and escapism from the banalities of one's own life. This production will give you distraction through comedy, but it will also give you art.
The Marriage of Figaro plays at Seattle Opera through January 30. Get your tickets and see the schedule here.


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August 2020
Innovative Medical Therapies wants to brighten your eyes and renew your skin!
August signifies the end of summer. But Innovative Medical Therapies has ways to help you enjoy every last minute of it! The weather is hot but you can still enjoy time by the pool with limited makeup, and feed your family fun and light recipes with fresh ingredients. Read more here.
March 2019
Tax Season Luck
Make your own luck at IMT! Plump those lips and smooth those lines during Filler Frenzy running March 13 – April 17. Learn more below and save this number – 309-347-2714! We have an appointment waiting just for you! Read more here.
February 2019
Date Night Ready For Valentines Day
Valentine's Day is around the corner and IMT is ready to help you look your best for your next special night out. Check out the Valentine's Day Specials below! Read more here.
January 2019
New Year, New You!
We hope you had amazing Christmas and New Years celebrations. Doc and I enjoyed time with our family and gave thanks for you and your families as we celebrated. In the process of reflecting on 2018 and looking forward to 2019, IMT has a few tools to help you obtain your goals. The opportunities are detailed below and we look forward to seeing you soon! Read more here.
November 2018
The Lasers are Coming to Washington!
You asked and it's becoming a reality. The Lasers are coming to Washington with a Grand Opening Gala on November 30th and you're invited! Pekin clients, we've got you covered too! There's a lot in store for the remainder of 2018 and its kicking off with Veterans Day next week. Read more here.
September 2018
As summer draws to an end, it's exciting to look to all that the fall has in store. We love the transition between seasons and are privileged to get to celebrate them with you!
This September, we're helping you correct that skin damage from the summer sun with the specials. Read more here.
August 2018
Back to School and Recover from Summer Fun!
The temperatures are rising and summer is nearing its end. To recover from the summer fun and get ready for back to school, we have a few promos for you! Read more here.
August 2018
Happy Fourth of July!
We love it when July rolls around and we get to collectively celebrate our freedoms in this country.
In anticipation for the Fourth of July, we also have a few specials to share with you today! Read more here.
January 2018
10 Healthy Habits For January
Is living a healthier lifestyle your top New Year's Resolution? Many people have dedicated this New Year to eating right and exercising regularly to keep their bodies and minds in tip-top condition.
So, without further ado, here are 10 healthy habits for you to start now and continue throughout this new year. Read more here.
December 2017
Start Your Resolution Now!
Are you already thinking about your New Year's Resolution?
If weight loss is your resolution, start the year ahead of the game. Research options, make plans, set goals and decide now to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. Read more here.
November 2017
8 Tips To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
The holiday season is challenging for everyone! Staying on track with healthy eating choices can seem like an impossible task, especially during this time of year. But, excess pounds don't just disappear once January rolls around … and you don't want to start the new year with having to lose weight, do you?
Well, you don't have to! Follow these eight tips to keep your weight down while enjoying tasty holiday treats this season: Read more here.
October 2017
Prevention & Detection
It can be easy to forget or not make time for something.
But you can't ignore breast cancer. Excluding cancers of the skin, it's the most common cancer among women. No woman is immune from the possibility of getting it. Read more here.


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Harbor Ridge Yacht & Country Club is a Private, 36 hole golf facility located in Palm City, Florida. The facility has two 18-hole golf courses. They are The River Ridge Course and The Golden Marsh Course.
The River Ridge Course is hilly, while the Golden Marsh Course is flat. There is water that frequently comes into play on both courses. Both courses have open and scenic fairways. The River Ridge Course is the more challenging of the two courses.
The River Ridge Golf course at Harbor Ridge opened for play in 1989. The course was designed by Pete Dye and his youngest son, P.B. Dye.
Gold tees: par-72, 6,668 yards, 73.5 / 150
Blue tees: par-72, 6,230 yards, 71.0 / 139
White tees: par-72, 5,609 yards, 68.7 / 127
Red tees: par-72, 5,051 yards, 70.2 / 134
Green tees: par-72, 4,316 yards, 66.3 / 114
$126 (cart not included), played on Tuesday, March 2010 at noon
First Class in all ways
Latest Golf Course Reviews


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There are tons of resources that will help you succeed in Network Marketing, matter of fact, that's the entire purpose of this Podcast. However, in today's Podcast I want to share 7 Ways To Guarantee Failure In Network Marketing. If you're not guilty of some of them, most likely someone in your team is!
Ratings And Reviews Are Appreciated :)


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For three decades, New York City has been successful with recruiting and retaining Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers through a unique program known as the Success Via Apprenticeship (SVA) Program. The SVA program, originally called the Substitute Vocational Assistant Program, was established in 1984 as a collaborative project of the New York City Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) which is the teachers' union, and the City University of New York (CUNY). The program was designed to prepare highly motivated graduates of CTE high schools to become CTE teachers.
Program Components
The SVA program is composed of three components:
- Teaching Internship
- Industrial Work Experience
- Post-Secondary Academic Study
In the teaching internship component of the program, participants spend five months, referred to as a term, in a CTE high school. While in the school, the SVA is assigned to a mentor teacher under whom the intern learns about unit and lesson planning, lesson presentation, classroom management, and school dynamics. Right from the first year, the intern is given ample opportunity to plan and teach lessons under the guidance and supervision of the mentor. Each intern is required to teach for one full semester under supervision during the third or fourth year to fulfill the student teaching requirement for State certification.
Career and technical education subject teachers seeking the initial teaching certificate in New York State must have a minimum of three years of full-time work experience. In order to meet this requirement through the work experience component of the SVA, participants are placed with employers in business and industry in work environments that match each participant's career or trade area. Over the years, program administrators have developed a network of employers in business, industry, and government agencies as job sites for placement of participants. These include automotive service shops, electrical contractors, electronics and computer service companies, hospitals, and museums, among many others. Each participant completes a set of internships, at various worksites, in year length time periods. The work experience is supervised by on-the job trainers and closely monitored by a program administrator who makes regular visits to the job site to evaluate the participants' progress.
In the post-secondary academic study also known as the college component; participants are enrolled in teacher education courses at New York City College of Technology. Each participant is required to complete 44 credits of coursework during the five years in the program (a total of 62 credits is required for State certification). The curriculum consists of courses in liberal arts and sciences, professional courses in career and technical education, and student teaching.
Program Uniqueness
Program administrator involvement and regular meetings are among the unique aspects of the program. Program administrators handle the recruitment, interviews, placement, and supervision of participants in school and job sites. They conduct regular school site and job site visits and evaluations of all participants. In addition, program partners, administrators and participants meet during mandatory meetings. Administrators deliver reports on various components of the program including school sites, work sites, etc. The college representative also reports on general college and academic matters affecting participants. At each meeting, a selected group of participants make presentations on topics of interest to them. The required dress code for all participants is business attire.
Elements of Program Success
The SVA program has been very successful in recruiting, preparing, and retaining young CTE teachers in the New York City public high school system. This success is attributable to four key factors, namely; compensation, contractual commitment, administrator involvement, and high performance expectations. The high schools from which participant's graduate play a crucial role in identifying students who have the interest and potential to succeed as CTE educators. By working with the schools, SVA program administrators not only know subject areas where there are potential shortages, they are also able to project need and identify potential replacements. While enrolled in the program, participants are paid 90% of the contractual salary rate for a starting teacher (currently $45, 000 per year). The salary rate is very competitive and, in some cases, far exceeds what a recent college graduate earns in certain jobs and, certainly, the annual salary of a high school graduate. As employees of New York City Department of Education, program participants are also eligible for many of the benefits that a certified teacher is entitled to under the teachers' union contract, including pension, health, dental and optical insurance, as well as annual leave benefits. Successful program completion also means a higher salary step at initial full-time employment as a certified teacher.
The SVA program also pays participants' college tuition and fees for course work leading to the New York State initial teaching certificate. Many participants take advantage of this educational opportunity and complete the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. Ed.) degree within the five years of participating in the SVA program. In return for all the benefits of participating in the SVA program, each participant is required to sign a letter of commitment to work for five years as a CTE teacher in New York City public schools. If a participant who successfully completes the program but fails to meet the contractual obligation to work in New York City, the Department of Education has the recourse to seek reimbursement of all tuition and fees paid on behalf of the participant.
The SVA program has very high standards of performance and conduct in all three components. Participants must receive excellent evaluations by school site mentors, college supervisors, and work site supervisors to maintain their status in and successfully complete the program. In the college component, for example, participants are held to the same academic standards as other degree-seeking students of the teacher preparation program. They must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in college courses or risk being dismissed from the program. Participants who receive poor evaluations in any of the three components of the program are brought before a personnel committee which handles all disciplinary problems and is comprised of program administrators and representatives of the teachers' union. If a participant is found to be not meeting program standards of performance or conduct, he or she is placed on probation and given an opportunity to improve within one academic semester. If there is no improvement after one semester, the participant is dismissed from the program. Regarding evaluation of the overall program, the most recent data indicates that the program has been highly successful.


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At a professional development meeting for faculty members on Tuesday, Joanne was the leading voice when she and a few of her international classmates, mostly from China, shared their hopes for the year ahead as try to assimilate into the American and Saint Viator culture.
In all, there are more than 85 international students attending Saint Viator this school year, making it the largest group since the school instituted its Rev. Mark R. Francis, CSV, International Program. Launched in 2012, it was designed to provide a supportive environment that helps students develop cultural understanding necessary to succeed in school.
"I wanted to come to America because I knew I'd have a better chance to learn and experience more," Joanne said, echoing the sentiments of her classmates.
Alice Wang '18, a native of China, hopes to attend medical school and she said Saint Viator could help her get there, while senior Andy Wang said he wanted more opportunities and more choices in colleges, which Saint Viator could provide.
"I came here because I wanted to experience another culture and see other parts of the world," said Krystal Zheng '18. "And here, I found more activities to become involved with."
In fact, Krystal plays piano in the music ministry ensemble, but her classmates also described playing in the band, participating in lacrosse, competing on the math team and playing piano in the jazz band.
Still, they shared that they sometimes struggle with the language barrier and are too shy to ask the teacher for help. They also voiced concerns about making friends with American students.
"I think it's important for American students to learn our culture, too," said Yiran Liu '19. "If they knew more about our culture, maybe they would talk to us more."
Mrs. Rose Ruffatto directs Saint Viator's international program, with the assistance of Mrs. Stephanie Spiewak. At the faculty meeting, they urged club moderators to reach out to international students and invite them to participate.
"Our growing international program offers all of our students a chance to embrace cultural differences and create lifetime friendships," Mrs. Ruffatto says. "As we get to know our international students better, we realize that learning about differences in our cultures doesn't really make us different, it just makes us better."


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I get grief about this every time I write on the subject, but I also know that many military folks find this confusing or frustrating. The next military payday is this Friday, 13 May 2011. Some people, such as Navy Federal Active Duty Checking Account holders, may find their military pay deposited as early as tonight or tomorrow night. (Or they might not - don't panic!) Please know that the next military payday is not until Wednesday, 1 June 2011 - 19 days from this Friday AND over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Please plan your spending so that they money stretches until your next payday!
Long Pay Period Warning
© Copyright 2020 Military.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams
Don't miss out on this decadent Chocolate Pudding. With only 6 ingredients, you can have chocolate dessert any tiime you want.
How to Make It
Step 1
Mix cornstarch and sugar in a medium saucepan. Slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup milk, whisking until smooth, then whisk in remaining 2 cups milk. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and whisk until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 2
Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, butter and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
Step 3
Divide pudding into 8 parfait glasses. Serve warm, or press plastic wrap onto surface of each pudding and chill.


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Affilier Acheté
And the people have spoken!
Here are how the Serge Lutens Pourpre Maure with MAC Rebel poll results stacked up:
And the winner, by a price point difference of $5 per gram vs $32.30 per gram is…
Color B! MAC Rebel!
My bank account and I thank you for your guidance. 😉 (Although I would be lying if I said there wasn't a big part of me that still wants it. :p )
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my full disclosure policy.
Related Posts
6 comments on "Poll results: Serge Lutens Pourpre Maure vs MAC Rebel"
I seriously was not expecting that. I really thought B was the Serge Lutens! I am happy to stand corrected 🙂
Thanks for your comment on my blog! This lipstick is very beautiful 🙂
Somehow I'm not surprised. If you still find yourself lusting after the other lipstick just remember, the price of one of those will buy you five MAC lipsticks (or 10 drugstore lipsticks, for that matter).


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Colour INDUSTRIAL BLUE
Boardshorts, Jeans, Pants and Shorts
Universal XXS XS S M L XL XXL XXXL XXXXL Waist (inches) 26 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 38 40 42 Waist (cm) 66 71 74 76 79 81 84 87 92 97 101 107 Inner Leg Length (cm) 81 81 82 83 84 84 84 85 87 88 88 89
These size charts are designed as a general guide and are not specific to each product on site. In most cases, the simplest rule is to stick with the size you normally buy, and be sure to look for specific sizing information listed in the product details. We also offer free returns*, so it's never a problem to return something that doesn't fit!
Some of our brands convert sizing a little differently to our generic size guide, so make sure you scroll down the list to check if a product has a unique size conversion.# A BC D EF G H IJ K LM N OP Q RS T UV W X Y ZNo brand size guides found. Please try a different search or letter group.
Buy now, pay later with
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Getty Images, Cindy Ord / Stringer
Mark your calendars, JoBros fans. December 3rd just became the most important date of the year. The Jonas Brothers will host an interactive virtual concert, during which fans will run the show. You can even win the chance to meet the Jonas Brothers in a one-on-one video chat before the concert starts—that is, if you've got the artistic chops.
"We always say this but we truly have the best fans and we've been looking out for opportunities to get them creatively involved," the Jonas Brothers told Billboard on October 12th. So, Nick, Joe, and Kevin teamed up with Lenovo to bring a virtual concert to the masses, and it includes an opportunity to show off your creative skills.
Concertgoers will be able to vote on the setlist in real-time via the comments section as well as pick and choose from a variety of different camera angles from which to watch the show. Ahead of the concert, fans can also submit artwork that may be chosen to be turned into posters, concert visuals, and/or limited-edition merchandise.
"The Lenovo partnership is a way for us to work with them on a new level, as they will have direct input into an upcoming immersive experience—from helping design merchandise to curating our setlist," the JoBros told Billboard.
Artwork can be submitted through the Lenovo Yoga Creators Contest that runs from now until November 6th. Winners of the contest will be notified on November 12th and will receive a merchandise gift pack, a Best Buy gift card, and the chance to meet Nick, Joe, and Kevin before the show.
Oh, and your artwork will be seen by everyone and anyone who watches the live December 3rd concert. No big deal.
More information about how to watch the concert come December will be released in the coming weeks. For now, all you creative types should start brainstorming graphics and designs that will win the hearts of the Jonas Brothers.


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Jill Kelly is an intelligent high school student who knows exactly what she wants in life. Unfortunately, her vision does not fall in line with what her father wants. He wants her to go to medical school; she wants to become a professional singer....
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M-1 53: "Battle in the Celestial Empire" in Beijing will launch the promotion's long-term deal of annual events in the country. Undefeated Marcin Tybura puts his Heavyweight Championship on the line for the second time, against undefeated Dennis Smoldarev in the main event. Tybura's record of all finishes by both submissions and strikes has placed him high up on the ladder of international heavyweights. Smoldarev, at just 24-years old, has seen a very similar record with only two of his fights having done to decision. This is definitely a title-worthy match.
From China, several fighters make their first M-1 appearance, the first of whom is no stranger to international MMA, former Legend FC Bantamweight Champion Yao HongGang. He will face young striking prodigy Nikita Chistyakov out of the same gym as the Heavyweight title challenger. This one will be experience versus youth and likely grappler versus striker combined into one.
For the other two Chinese fighters, RUFF stand out Amu Rijirigala will take on unbeaten Sergey Morozov, and UFC TUF China competitor will face Movsar Evloev in his pro debut.
Also on the card, China's well-known Muslim Salikhov joins M-1 to face Victor Sckoteski, and Sergei Kharitonov is back in action against Kenny Garner.
November 25, 2014
Wukesong Arena
Beijing, China
Broadcast live at http://m1global.tv/m1c53/
Heavyweight Championship
Dennis Smoldarev vs. Marcin Tybura
Damian Grabowski vs. Konstantin Gluhov
Pavel Vitruk vs. Rafael Miranda
Nikita Chistyakov vs. Honggang Yao
Muslim Salikhov vs. Victor Sckoteski
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Kenny Garner
Sergey Morozov vs. Rijirigala Amu
Jianwei He vs. Movsar Evloev


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The No1 WiFi Hotspot solution in the UK
Hotels are seeing the ever-more importance of having a solid and secure WiFi solution at their venue. Customers are expecting fast secure WiFi as much as they are a TV and a bed in their room as standard and are staying loyal to those that have this. Initially driven by the business customer the trend has now shifted towards every staying customer as the smartphone and tablet trend continues.
Shopping Centres
Shopping Centres and large department stores are seeing an increase in demand for public WiFi due to the massive explosion in smartphones and tablets. Smart consumers want to compare prices, download vouchers and use social media to improve their shopping experience. While shopping centre owners gain valuable retail analytics and an opportunity to sell valuable advertising space.
City Centres
Public WiFi is the number one request from busy shoppers wanting to enhance their shopping experience. Offering a WiFi service in your public area will increase your footfall considerably as data hungry consumers get online to compare prices and download vouchers. Providing a smartphone APP is also one of the best ways to engage shoppers and alter buying decisions.
Sports Stadiums
Offering high speed WiFi in sports venues is now essential to engage with today's fans. So ensuring that you have the right solution that can handle a high-density environment is crucial to delivering those service. Also by providing your own Venue APP you will be able to offer additional benefits such as ticket purchases, venue maps and in-play betting.
Conference Centres
Conference Centre owners are confronted with the difficult task of providing reliable WiFi access to thousands of visitors across a large venue. Gone are the days when a few access points would "cover" the venue, and usage is low. Todays conference centers are a high-density WiFi environments requiring only the best WiFi solutions.
Caravan Parks
Offer the best WiFi hotpsot solution at your caravan / holiday park and be rewarded with more repeat customers! Use our "Hotspot Social" package and get Facebook "likes" for every person that uses your hotspot! Promoting your holiday park to thousands if facebook users! This alone will bring you lots of new customers and many happy repeat visitors.
Pubs and Clubs
Offering Free WiFi access in your pubs and clubs is the easiest way to not only attract people to your venue, but to keep them there purchasing more. Our "Free Social" hotpsot solution is perfect for Pub and Club owners to cash in on social marketing and see an explosion in visitors! Don't miss out on using social media to attract and keep visitors!


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FxMed are proud to exclusively partner with SIBOtest.nz (owned by Sharon Erdrich). SIBOtest.nz are the only specialist SIBO testing service in NZ and the only lab to offer the convenience of an at home test kit. The SIBO breath test is now also available through us making it easier for you to access.
The SIBO test is a simple, non-invasive breath test that is used to diagnose SIBO. Knowing the type and level of gases produced aids targeted treatment and forms a base line for follow up comparison.
How does the SIBO test work?
- A restricted diet is required for 24 hours in preparation.
- Following a collection of a baseline breath sample, either a lactulose (or glucose) test substrate is consumed.
- The bacteria may ferment the lingering substrate and produce hydrogen and/or methane. These gases are absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled through the breath.
- Breath samples are collected every 15-20 minutes (depending on the substrate used) for up to 3 hours and analysed for the amount of Hydrogen, Methane and CO2 produced.
- This test can be done at home and samples sent to SIBOTest.nz for analysis.
What is SIBO?
Normally, bacteria are found in the trillions in the large intestine, where they perform various functions for the human body. SIBO is defined as an increase in the number of bacteria, and/or changes in the types of bacteria present in the small intestine. In most patients, SIBO is not caused by a single type of bacteria, but an overgrowth of the bacteria that should normally be found in the colon.
Prevalence estimates are based on a percentage of the population with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This is 11-14% of the population globally and 17% in New Zealand. It is the most common gastrointestinal diagnosis in primary care although it is thought that up to 50% of people with symptoms of IBS do not consult their GP. Studies also show that over 50% of patients diagnosed with IBS actually have SIBO.
Common symptoms of SIBO
- Postprandial bloating/abdominal distension with associated discomfort
- Gas and belching
- Food Intolerances
- Constipation (generally associated with methanogenic bacteria)
- Diarrhoea (generally associated with hydrogenic bacteria)
- Immune activation (e.g. food sensitivities)
- Nutrient deficiencies i.e. vitamin B12 & Iron
- Weight loss / weight gain
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Fibromyalgia
SIBO Effects
SIBO has been shown to negatively affect both the structure and function of the small bowel. It may significantly interfere with digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, primarily by damaging the cells lining the small bowel (the mucosa).
Bacterial endotoxins and Lipopolysaccarides (LPS) can have wide ranging effects systemically. Additionally, this damage to the small bowel mucosa can lead to impaired gut permeability which is known to have a number of potential complications including immune reactions that cause food allergies or sensitivities, generalized inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
There are two main types of bacteria present in SIBO:
- Methanogenic bacteria – associated with constipation and biliary dyskinesia
- Hydrogenic bacteria – often associated with loose stool
Please note: This is an American instructional video however, the process of doing the test is the same as the NZ SIBOtest. Not all tests that are shown are available and the paperwork will be different, however, your practitioner will be able to answer any queries you may have.


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RCIR writes to home nation FAs urging action on settlement clubs
The following letter has been sent to home nation FAs' chairmen and also to David Gill, a UEFA representative on the FIFA Council. Amidst the chaos around publication of the Sexwale report we urge that the FIFA Congress acts on the Palestinian motion that has been tabled.
Action at the 67th FIFA Congress on 10-11 May 2017
On the 19th April 2017 the Palestine Action for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) sent you a letter outlining the problems that the Palestinian FA faces in fighting for its rights.
Our letter asks you to offer your support on behalf of English footballers and fans to the Palestinian FA during the debate on Agenda Item 14.3:
"Request for official recognition of the Palestinian Football Association's entitlements to all of its rights as described in the FIFA Statutes (proposed by the Palestinian Football Association)"
Prime amongst these rights is the right to determine whether or not a foreign club can play on its territory (Statute 72.2). Not only do Israeli settlement clubs play on stolen Palestinian land – in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank – they also participate in Israeli leagues without the agreement of the Palestinian FA. This means that both the clubs and the Israeli FA are directly flouting FIFA's statutes.
The Israel Palestine Monitoring Committee, chaired by Mr Tokyo Sexwale, is due to present its recommendations on the settlement club issue, and other issues, to the 67th Congress. His (leaked) draft report apparently recommends that the Israeli FA be suspended from FIFA if it does not comply. However, the published agenda reveals there is no item to permit discussion of Sexwale's report and to decide on action by FIFA. This suggests that the only way forward is through Agenda Item 14.3.
The Palestinian FA's President has previously suggested that FIFA follow the "Crimean" precedent whereby the settlement clubs would set up their own league and not play in any Israeli league, thereby allowing the clubs to continue playing football while freeing the Israeli FA from contravening FIFA Statutes. This seems a practical solution and we commend it to you. If FIFA cannot resolve the matter then the Palestinian FA has said that it will apply to the Court of Arbitration in Sport for a solution.
Further information is given on our website: www.rcir.org.uk
Yours sincerely,


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In the clip, obtained by TMZ, Paris explains that her dad didn't like former nanny Grace Rwaramba very much and he told them, "She was sneaky. She wasn't an honest person, and she lied a lot." At the same time MJ supposedly kept her employed because he felt bad for her.
Then Paris says, "This is gonna freak you out... one time, I think it was when me and my brother (Prince) were really, really, really young, before Blanket was born – you are going to get creeped out, no joke – when we would stay in a hotel, she would call the hotel and say she was his wife."
Jackson continued, "She was obsessed with him… they would let her in and he (Michael) would wake up and she would be in his bed. That's what he told us and it is kinda creepy."
[Credit: FameFlyNet]
It appears the deposition was filmed March 21, 2013, more than a month before the daughter of Michael and Debbie Rowe allegedly tried to commit suicide by cutting herself with a meat cleaver and downing an excessive amount of Motrin.
Wild Video! Paris Jackson Claims Nanny Would Sneak Into Michael's Bed
Paris Jackson's nanny tried to sneak into her dad Michael Jackson's bed at least once, according to the 15-year-old's deposition in the wrongful death suit against AEG. Watch the video!


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Event Applications
Whether you're planning a private function, concert, festival or sporting carnival, The Barossa Council has a wide range of venues, parks and reserves to suit your needs.
Events at community facilities are managed in accordance with Council's Event Management Policy.
Use of Council facilities is subject to conditions, please ensure you are familiar with them: Event Conditions
To hire any Council facility please download and complete an event application form: Event Application Form
For information to assist with making your event more accessible to those with a disability, please refer to the following information sheet:
Depending on the infrastructure, entertainment and attractions planned for your event you may require specific permits and licences. Permits ensure public safety and amenity in public spaces and assist in the responsible management of our facilities, please refer to the table below for further information and timeframes.
Required Notification Periods:
Event Application Form
To help us support your event Council requires a minimum of 8 weeks notice.
Road Closures (Council Road)
Where events impact our Roads and Road Reserves, Council requires a minimum of 3 months notice.
Sale of Food & Amenities
If you are to sell, serve or offer food at your event, Application forms are to be submitted to Council at least 14 days prior to your event.
Council requires a minimum of 4 weeks' notice
Where alcohol is to be sold, supplied or consumed at your event, Applications are to be submitted at least 14 days prior to your event
Please note - Your Event Application will not be considered finalised until Council approval has been met.
In some instances, Event Organisers may be eligible for an Event Application - Fee Discount, please complete the following form and submit with your event application. Application for Fee Reduction.
For more information on facilities and availability, please contact our Customer Support Team on 8563 8444.


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Your numerology cycles June 1–15
Calculate Your Key Number
To find out what this month has in store for you, calculate your key number by adding the day and month of your birth. Continue adding until you arrive at a single digit. For example, if your birthday is October 14, your personal number is determined as follows: 10 + 14 = 24. Then 2 + 4 = 6, and you have the key number (6) that you will keep for life.
Recently, during a conversation with a client, I was reminded that some people confuse the Key Number with their Life Path Number. Your Life Path Number consists of the month, day and year of your birth added together and reduced to one number—except in the case of Master Numbers 11 and 22.
Your Key Number is arrived at by adding the month and day of your birth only, as noted above. This number is the key to your personal cycle month.
Key Number 1
Take inventory.
Make a clear space in your life. Under this cycle energy it's time to let go of what you have outgrown or what is just not working.
It's even a good idea to take a clear-eyed view of all your relationships and decide which are feeding your movement forward and which are not.
This is a time for tying up the loose ends in order to make space for new beginnings next month.
It takes a degree of ruthlessness to clear the decks to make a space for a new future. Some feeling of loss may accompany letting go of experiences and relationships.
No matter how hard it appears on the surface, it will probably be easier to be clear and rational now than it has been for a long time. Be brave.
Key Number 2
A time for new beginnings.
This cycle month's energy is a time to expand ideas and plant seeds for the future. Anything of a meaningful nature that you begin now will have a significant effect on the next few months, so plant good seeds carefully in all aspects of your life.
You may feel more energetic than you have for a long time. In this cycle energy, optimism is more likely to be present than it has been for the last few months.
Take advantage of new situations as they appear. If there are remnants of old ideas hanging around, do your best to dismiss them and allow yourself the luxury of looking forward with optimism. You may want to expand or make some changes in projects which you already have begun. Fresh energy is essential.
Don't be afraid to work hard on new ideas. Building a strong foundation in many aspects of life including relationship is important for their long-term life.
Key Number 3
Keep a low profile.
While last month was all about letting your light shine brightly, this month it's probably better to hide it under a bushel. It doesn't mean you should be inactive, but working behind the scenes and keeping your head down while cooperating and supporting others is a better strategy for success in this cycle energy.
Also, this works for your benefit, since under the influence of this cycle energy, you are bound to be more sensitive and less combative than at other times. Walk away from conflict. You are bound to be the loser if you start an argument or disagreement of any kind.
You will be more content if you use this energy for quiet waiting. Things may slow down a little, but if you are patient they will work out well in the end.
Key Number 4
Express enthusiasm.
In this cycle month, you should make time to have some fun. It's also a time to expand and develop opportunities, especially those related to creativity and imagination. If you can keep responsibilities to a minimum, you can make time to enjoy yourself and appreciate the optimism which can come with this cycle energy.
While last month was a time to hide your light, this is a time to polish it to attract new friends and new ideas. This cycle energy is also a time to cultivate social life: the energy of this cycle lends itself to travel, adventure and even romantic interludes.
Key Number 5


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- Powerful Sticky Gel Pad: large sticky gel suction pad allows to securely attach to windshield, dashboard or smooth flat surfaces and it is easily removable. It can be restored to super suction by rinsing it with water and allowing it to air dry.
- Easy to Install and use: Updated one-touch mounting system make you easily releases the device with a single press on the back. If you want to adjust position, simply lift up the suction pad and place it down somewhere else.
- Perfect viewing angle:Fully adjustable with 360 degree rotation for quick portrait and landscape views. You can have any angle you like, whenever you like
- Two-step Locking Lever : Provides additional mounting support for multiple surfaces. Ensure your mount can be used on different surfaces firmly.
- Wide applicability: 2in – 3.9in locking range can hold any small and large phone(Such us:iPhone 6plus, Galaxy S6, Htc M8 and so on.)
1: Easy one touch mounting system locks and releases the device with just a push of a finger
2:Super sticky gel pad sticks securely to most surfaces (including textured surfaces),yet it shill easily removable.
3:Redesigned bottom foot ensures access to all your devie ports.New telescopic arm adds 2 inches to allow for closer device viewing
4:Two step locking lever provides additional mounting support for multiple surfaces
5:Fully adjuston able with 360 degree rotaton for quick portrait and landscape views
6:Wide Arm Lock: 2in – 3.9in locking range can hold any small and large phone
Phone models included:
iPhone 4/5/5C/5S/6/6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S5/S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Note 1/2/3/4, HTC One, HTC DNA, HTC EVO, Motorola Droid Razr Maxx, Google Nexus 4/5, Nokia Lumia 920/1020, and more
Package include:
1 x car phone holder
Worry-free Warranty
At Patiszon, we believe in our products. We support 12-month warranty and provide friendly, easy-to-reach support.


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Doctors and health professionals are regularly paying hundreds of pounds for their teenage sons to receive a vaccination against cancer that girls already receive for free on the NHS, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has been told. Is boys' health being put at risk?
'It was a done deal…I told my daughter 'You can have a cancer or you can have a vaccine,' she says. 'I mean, why wouldn't you?'.


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Set across six connected houses set in the urban heart of Iceland's capital city, Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center joins a neighborhood rich with history, color and life.
Set in central Reykjavik, the stylish Hilton Reykjavik Nordica hotel is one of the city's most popular destinations for tourists, business travelers and locals alike. Offering 251 contemporary guestrooms and suites with complimentary Wi-Fi, an enticing fusion restaurant, a full-service spa, a health club, and a sauna. You will surely enjoy your stay at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica as you experience everything Reykjavik has to offer.
Experience luxurious service and amenities at Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place. Enjoy sophistication at the hotel in Brussels offering 221 elegant guestrooms and suites near Grand Place and Brussels Central Station. Retreat to your restful accommodations, where you'll enjoy views of the city and thoughtful amenities.
For a limited time, enjoy a reduced deposit of $99 per person (regularly $200) and a 30-day refund guarantee on guided journeys with Luxury Gold*.
From its orcas to its glacial icefields, experience the great outdoors of Canada in truly all-inclusive luxury.
Experience exploration in its purest form aboard the Scenic Eclipse, charting a course from the fjord-laced coast of northern Norway to the historic port of Murmansk, Russia, to remote Arctic archipelagos including Franz Josef Land.
Tropical, verdant and buzzing with wildlife, the jungles and islands of Panama and Colombia are breathtaking.
Whether you're on land or sea, this is a life-changing experience. Be swept away by Banff National Park's beauty and stand before the glacial Lake Louise. Discover the astonishing majesty of the Rocky Mountains as you undertake one of the world's great rail journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer before visiting Vancouver.
Travel in the footsteps of artists and kings Few things in life inspire complete awe. Weaving through the intricate islets of World Heritage-listed Halong Bay is one of them. Begin your travels in bustling Hanoi. A place that manages to leap forward while still maintaining a deep connection to the past; discover secret places that…
Celebrate the cultural, geographical and social diversity of Vietnam and Cambodia including a five night Mekong cruise on board the luxurious Scenic Spirit.


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National self-regulatory body overseeing all investment dealers and trading activity. Sets high standards and oversight regarding proficiency, business and financial conduct of the dealer firm and its employees.
Created by the investment industry to ensure client assets are protected within defined limits if an investment dealer that is a member becomes insolvent. Most investors will have two accounts, a general and a retirement account and each is eligible for $1 Million of coverage.
Richardson GMP has purchased additional securities protection, with certain underwriters at Lloyd's of London, to complement the existing insurance provided through the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). That means that as one of our clients, your combined general and combined retirement accounts each have coverage up to $2 million. This extra coverage* is yet one more indication of how committed we are to enhancing the safety of your assets.
At Richardson GMP, we aspire to achieve the highest standards of integrity, transparency and best practices in managing the wealth of our clients. There has never been a time in the financial industry where wealth management firms must work more diligently to earn clients' trust. Countries such as Great Britain, Australia and the U.S. are proactively pursuing fiduciary standards of care. Richardson GMP has taken a leadership position in Canada in this regard, and signaled to the industry its commitment in setting standards and best practices for the firm while providing clients with a true strategic partner and fiduciary.
The word 'fiduciary' comes from the Latin word 'fiducia' meaning 'trust'. It refers to a person (or a business such as a bank or an Investment Advisory firm) who has the power and obligation to act for another under circumstances that require total trust, good faith and honesty.
Characteristically, the fiduciary has greater knowledge and expertise about the matters being handled. A fiduciary is held to the highest standards of conduct and trust. They must avoid self-dealing or situations in which the potential benefit to the fiduciary is in conflict with what is best for the person who placed trust in them.
This esteemed annual certification program ensures that Richardson GMP's Portfolio Management Account platform for those advisors who have complete control over investment decisions for their clients and the firm's Separately Managed Account platform conform to the global fiduciary standards of excellence. Richardson GMP is the first Canadian firm to achieve designation for our Separately Managed and Portfolio Management Account platforms.
By undertaking a voluntary certification by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) as Richardson GMP has done, and having an ongoing, independent, third-party, rigorous assessment process to audit our practices, clients can feel confident that the trust they are placing in our firm is warranted.
Read more...


text: Apply to host a Burts Bees Baby Bee House Party on Saturday, April 26, 2014. 500 host spots are available. If your application is accepted, you'll receive an exclusive party pack to host the event. If selected and confirmed as a host, your exclusive Party Pack will contain: Baby Bee products, Baby Bee Cream-to-Powder samples, Baby Bee Sweet Memories Gift, Baby Bee coupons, Baby Bee tote bags and more!


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Better SRM with Central Digital Data Hub
Windmöller & Hölscher Puts New Procurement Strategies into Action
The high-tech mechanical engineer company, Windmöller & Hölscher offers its customers flexible packaging solutions. To produce the small batches which consist of up to 60 units, the company needs around 1,000 new parts each month. For the Procurement team, this adds up to 16,000 RFQs per year. Manual tasks and the use of different stand-alone software solutions had been hindering the progress of more efficient procurement strategies.
The solution to this problem is a central data and information pool. Decisions in supplier management are now made based on sound information, duplicates are eliminated and processes ranging from supplier registration to supplier evaluation and phasing out suppliers are completed using a modern SRM platform.
Read the Windmöller & Hölscher success story and discover:
- How suppliers are proactively included in the procurement process
- How complaints are documented and processed automatically
- How digital RFQ processes reduce the workload for Procurement


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Tricoci University of Beauty Culture's Cosmetology Program will prepare you for a wide variety of careers, which may include:
Tricoci University provides the most current, technically precise and versatile education available to help you on your way to becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Upon completion of our courses located in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, including those in and near Chicago, students can have a secure foundation in all aspects of cosmetology.
We offer the most advanced educational materials, equipment and facilities to cultivate an engaging learning experience and prepare you for your career. TUBC delivers most of its curriculum on an Apple iPad as part of your new student kit; yours to keep. Your education is also supported through the use of videos, demonstrations, guest artists, visual/practical presentations, lectures and hands-on experience. We monitor your education through practical and written examinations, making sure that you are well versed and prepared for the state board examinations so you can seek a cosmetology license and career opportunities.
Classroom instruction covering general theory and practical application.
Primarily hands-on instruction addressing all aspects of coloring and other chemical applications.
Primarily hands-on instruction that teaches the core "Tricoci Cuts" and a broad variety of styling techniques.
Sanitation and Interpersonal Relations
"Base" coverage of esthetics theory, application, technique and trends.
"Base" coverage of nail technology theory, application, technique and trends.
For more information on the tuition and kit cost for the Esthetics Program, please go to Consumer Information or check out our online tuition calculator (developed by the U.S. Department of Education), which then uses historical financial aid information to help estimate the net price you might pay for our any of our programs at each campus.
For more information on our campuses or their location and facilities, please click on the campus link below.
For more information on our campuses start dates or their location and facilities, please click on the campus link below.


text: Arctic Yearbook 2014 523 and developed a new system of "holistic governmental planning for large sea areas". The Ministry of Environment invited the natural science research institutes and directorates responsible for managing natural resources onshore and offshore to take part in this development. In the process, 150 natural science researchers at 27 different research institutes and directorates used 500 million Norwegian crowns (100 million US dollars) in research and the development of a natural science-based management system of sea areas and large-scale ecosystems. This new policy was presented to the Norwegian parliament in 2005 and accepted as a new offshore policy (Ministry of Environment, White Paper nr.12, 2005-2006). The new management system is based on governing all human use of natural resources and the conservation of all parts of the ecosystem structure and functions (Knol, 2010). The decision in the Parliament related to research and planning and required revision periods of 5 years. Only the government and parliament have the opportunity to make decisions regarding the governance of all human activities at sea. The decision-making is institutionalized at the level of national Government and the decision uses only natural scientific knowledge as it is presented to them to make political decisions governing all human usage of the ocean. In March 2011 the Norwegian government finally announced its decision under its new revised management plan for the Barents Sea (Ministry of Environment, White Paper, nr. 10, 2010-2011). The national policy closed the sea area outside the Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands to petroleum activities and the area within 50 km of the ice-front, defined as the limit of 40% ice-cover in wintertime over the latest 10 years. As a political compensation, the Parliament opened, in 2013, 40 000 km2 of new coastal areas for petroleum activity in the Barents Sea along the border with Russia. These new concession blocks for petroleum activity are situated 35 km off the coast of Norway in the Barents Sea and south of 74 degrees north parallel. The political compromise within the government opened new areas for petroleum activity in the Barents Sea. The new conservative government of Erna Solberg supported in 2013 this policy of closing new areas in the Norwegian Sea, the Barents Sea and Costal zone of Norway for oil drilling for four years (Governmental declaration, Sundvolden, 2013-2017). Political Government and Social Experiences The analytical question is: is government based ecosystem management planning the institutional framework for solving the conflicting interests between conservation and oil drilling in the Barents Sea? This briefing report has presented a case study of national decision-making related to the development of large-scale ecosystem management in the Barents Sea. The issue concerned is the making of political decisions within government regarding conserving maritime biodiversity for the future and developing oil drilling and petroleum exploitation in the Polar Ocean. The national decision is based on national state implementation of different international agreements on the conservation of the Arctic Ocean and maritime biodiversity at the UN. The process of national implementation has produced national conflicts between petroleum stakeholders on the one hand and stakeholders of fishery and maritime conservation on the other. Politically, it is impossible to obtain a decision within the Norwegian government to secure the permanent conservation of key areas of the ecosystem. The key areas are the most important sea areas for the fisheries and for tourism in Norway, the Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and the ice-front of the Barents Sea. The national experiment with ecosystem-based management has one outcome. The marine ecosystem based management is centralized at the Oil Drilling & Ecosystem Management Planning of the Barents Sea


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In my church planting efforts in Oshawa, Ontario, I've been confronted these last couple months with a mistake I made. A mistake that feels like it has the potential to derail our whole mission, if I were to allow it to fester. What, exactly, that mistake was is relevant, but not completely necessary for the rest of the story, so I'll leave out the details for now. But, essentially, I began our time with my new Core Team casting a vision that success for our church isn't about "butts and bucks" but about how we are faithful in listening for God's voice and following where He calls. Our success wasn't going to be measured by growing to a Sunday morning congregation of 2,000 people – or maybe even 200 for that matter. Rather, our success was to be measured by our faithfulness in living into the abundant Life we know in Christ and trusting God to draw others into His body. And then, without realizing it, I fell into the trap of measuring success by numerical growth.
I've spent many hours in the middle of the night pouring over this mistake, wondering how I had gotten there and how to get us out. And I spent many of those mid-night hours in prayer, asking God to show me how to set us back on the right trajectory as a new baby church again. What, exactly, is success for our new church?
And this is what I heard: We are God's people, and our job is to listen to God's voice and follow where He calls. And, ultimately, each of us are called to embody hope.
Our calling as God's people is to embody hope. To embody His kingdom. To share the abundant Life we know in Christ with all those with whom we come into contact, and to do so in a way that invites them into that Life with us.
We are a people who embody hope. So what is this hope that we embody?
Often, when we speak of hope in our everyday conversation, it's used as a sort of wish. "I hope the Leafs win the Stanley Cup," we might say. Or, "I hope my preschooler doesn't catch this cold going around." Or, "I hope this cake I'm baking turns out alright." It's something we wish would happen. It's a looking forward to an end result that may or may not turn out.
But when we talk of our hope in Christ – when we talk about Biblical hope – it's not a wish. Our hope in Christ is what we know to be true. We know that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. We place our hope in that truth. Our hope is in our shared future, that Jesus Christ will come again to make all things new and set all things right. That He will, as it says in the Jesus Storybook Bible, "make all the sad things come untrue." So, if this is our hope, success is embodying that hope in all the places we live, work, study, and play. Success is living in such a way that displays that hope now – in ways that seek to make all things new, by living in peace, justice, love, grace, and mercy with one another.
If our hope is that one day, God will wipe away every tear – how are we wiping tears now?
If our hope is that one day there will be no sickness and no death – how are we bringing healing and life to those around us now?
So, for our church, the main question is not how we can grow in number. It's not about getting more people in our worship services so that we can have a bigger budget and do bigger things. Rather, the main question for us moving forward is how do we embody hope in Oshawa? How do we add value to our neighbours; how do we make Oshawa better? How do we live in a way that showcases God making all things new?