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I don't know what to say about this, but I thought all chocolate lovers should know about this. http://edibleanus.com
Friday, May 31, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
OLORD, the world has so much chocolate! I came across this cool-sounding brand at the Andheri Landmark and had to see if the product was half as exotic as the brand name. So Hawaiian Host is a.. duh... Hawaiian brand, whose origins were laid by Mamoru Takitani of Japanese origin. Subsequently joined by his wife, Aiko, the couple began to created chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, which became a rage in Maui. The chocolates were sold locally for a while before the company, Hawaiian Host was founded in 1965.
Today, the brand has grown to market over 250 kinds of chocolates and candies to over 23 countries the world over. It has factories in Honolulu and Los Angeles, as also a distribution facility in Tokyo. Packing over 15 million boxes per year, Hawaiian Host is easily the world's largest manufacturer of macadamia nut-based chocolates.
This particular box weighing 113 g contains 21 units of hand-wrapped chocolates. Each chocolate has a pair of whole roasted macadamia nuts covered in milk chocolate. The nuts are quite crunchy and taste very much like whole hazelnuts in chocolates. Frankly, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two nuts if someone didn't label them for me.
However, the chocolate is creamy and melts beautifully in the mouth creating a lovely contrast with the crunch of the nut. The taste is quite lovely, but the chocolate pieces, as you can see, are nothing to look at. They have neither the perfection of machine-made bars, nor the finesse of hand-crafted chocolate. They just look like chocolate has been poured over the and left to dry, which is probably the case. The overall packaging is nice, but it might hurt a little to fork out INR 450 for a box of not-so-great chocolates.
Monday, May 27, 2013
My chocolate obsession first led me to different flavours, then different brands, and now it slowly drags me into dark, chocolaty, technical depths. The more I read labels and the back of packs of exotic chocolates, the more I felt I knew nothing. I realised soon after I started this blog that if I were to make any serious headway as a chocolate reviewer, I would have to learn about the finer points of chocolate. I started looking for books on chocolate, but apart from chocolate recipe books there is precious little - at least in India. I turned to Google for books that would help me understand chocolate's bean to bar journey, and it threw me this book among its many results. Albeit a slightly expensive foreign publication, The Great Book of Chocolate by David Lebovitz seemed the perfect place for my initiation.
I picked this book largely because of the author credentials. David Lebovitz has extensive 'chocolate experience', having worked for 12 long years at the pastry department of Chez Panisse, has trained from Ecole Lenôtre in Paris and attended Callebaut College, a chocolate school in Belgium. And this offered me just the tiniest glimpse of the author's knowledge of chocolate. As I read page after page, I took away not just lessons in chocolate, but also his enduring passion for chocolate.
The book opens with a brief introduction, followed by a chapter called 'Chocolate Explained', which is the most useful one for a new student of chocolate. In this chapter, he explains how and where cacao is grown, what the types are, how it is processed, a historical view of chocolate and even traces the origin of his own romance with chocolate. The next chapter 'Sustainability of Cacao' addresses important environmental issues pertaining to cacao farming, especially in the rain forests of Africa, and briefly, the subject of organic chocolates. The next chapter, 'A Chocolate Primer' will be very handy for bakers and cooks dealing in chocolate, but is rather technical for a 'general' student of chocolate. That said, I will always turn to the helpful definitions provided of the types and compounds of chocolate whenever I am trying to decode information on the back of a chocolate pack. The chapter that follows is titled 'Chocolate and Wellness' and puts together the scientific findings about and the proven benefits of chocolate that the media writes about so often.
The following two chapters, 'Buying Chocolate' and 'Chocolate in Paris' are largely accounts of the author's own chocolate adventures, where he writes about the world's most famous and exciting shops he has bought chocolates from, offering tips on how to buy them along the way. There is also a seven-day diary entry of the author's experience of working at a famous chocolate workshop. While rich in information, reading this section can get boring for a 'general' reader, especially if there is little prospect of actually visiting the mentioned places. But yes, should I have the opportunity to go on a chocolate pilgrimage, I shall be holding this book close.
Finally, there is the big fat section on recipes. While it was of no import to me, it can be an excellent resource for people who don't just like to eat their chocolate but make it too.
Ten Speed Press
Price: Approx. INR 940
Friday, May 24, 2013
While I believe that Indians don't care much about chocolate, the mushrooming chocolate cafes in the country seem to suggest otherwise. One example is the wildly popular chocolate cafe chain, The Chocolate Room, which is originally Australian, and just seven years old! Thanks to its franchise model, the cafes are now found all over the world, notably India. India has over 50 such cafes in India, with around eight in Mumbai itself. The master franchisee for India is Ahmedabad-based Vikas Punjabi, and the Mumbai, Ghatkopar cafe is owned by Kapil Aggarwal. Interestingly though, it was The Chocolate Room, Ghatkopar's social media handler, Sundeep Dawale, who invited me for a review. Needless to say, I was thrilled!
I reached this cozy little cafe, located wonderfully on a busy circle in Ghatkopar, making it impossible to miss. It's a snug little arrangement with just three tables, and gets pretty crowded in the evenings when people walk in for their desserts post dinner, but I don't think anyone's complaining because their stuff is so fantastic.
Upon entering, the product counter seduces you in upfront with sinful-looking chocolate cakes and pastries lined up, while a product-display shelf called 'The Chocolate Shop' entices you with other offerings to your left. Odds and ends like chocolate gift boxes, warming mugs, fondue pots, cuddle cups and chocolate bouquets are there for customers to buy.
I also noticed this quaint little chocolate Taj Mahal on the counter, which is apparently a popular gift of choice for young people (in love). The half kg 'monument' costs something like INR 600 and I thought it was very cute!
I was greeted by Sundeep, who told me how he became part of The Chocolate Room story. He was a regular customer at the cafe, and eventually his passion for chocolate and acquaintance with Kapil got him involved with the cafe's social media activities. It was with his guidance that I began the difficult task of choosing from their vast and reasonably-priced menu. As you can see here, they have a huge selection of hot chocolates, teas, pastries, shakes, frappes, waffles, sundaes and coffees.
I, of course, went into my 'Charlie in the Chocolate Factory' mode and wanted to order everything. I think I covered a big base because I sampled a Choco-rum shot, a Chilli-infused Hot Chocolate, a Lindt Dark Chocolate Shake, an M&M's Milk Chocolate Shake, a Chocolate Avalanche, a Hazelnut Praline and Chocolate Tarts. And for those wondering, this shameless list had less to do with my gluttony and more with Kapil Aggarwal's generous hospitality. Here is what I thought of all I sampled:
The Choco-Rum Shot:Very sweet and very intense, the Choco-Rum shot is a drink of molten dark chocolate spiked with a rum flavour. Served in shot glasses, this is a drink for those who can handle strong flavours. I wish the rum were real, though. :)
Chilli-infused Hot Chocolate: Because hot chocolate has disappointed me in most places, I was keen to see how The Chocolate Room fares with it. I picked the chilli-infused hot chocolate to see if they could balance this tricky spice while keeping the taste of chocolate intact. The drink arrived in a cuddle cup and pretty much won me over after I took the first sip. While the chocolate was not very rich, the amount of chilli was just right. I can imagine how wonderful this warming beverage be on a winter evening.
Lindt Dark Chocolate Shake: Shakes at The Chocolate Room are pretty popular, and I therefore tried not one but two of them. I ordered a Lindt Dark Chocolate Shake first, which arrived in a tall glass, garnished with a piece of a Lindt bar. The shake was thick with whipped cream, milk, chocolate sauce and crushed Lindt chocolate. While the taste was great, I did not enjoy the graininess that came from the crushed chocolate and overall, the texture was a little too overwhelming for me.
M&M Chocolate Shake: Because one must also do justice to milk chocolate, we ordered the M&M's Chocolate Shake. Similarly blended as the Lindt Shake, this has milk, cream, chocolate sauce, crushed M&Ms, topped with whipped cream and M&Ms. This one was much sweeter, and seemed somewhat smoother than the Lindt shake. A fan of dark chocolate as I am, I found this the better of the two.
Chocolate Avalanche:As the name explains, the Chocolate Avalance is a decadent dessert and one of the most popular things on their menu. With chocolate mousse pudding, chocolate-walnut brownie, Dutch Truffle pastry, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, chocolate shavings and chocolate sticks going in it, it is a chocolate lover's dream come true. Extremely rich, this dessert is best had on special occasions and with special people. I give it a 4.5/5 rating.
Hazelnut Praline: I was nearly dead from chocolate overdose by the time I sampled the aforementioned things, but Kapil insisted I try the Hazelnut Praline. I gave in to their only chocolate-cream based dessert and lost myself in the rich hazelnut textures and flavours. While I found it a wee bit hard, the taste more then made up for it.
Chocolate tarts: I must have died and gone to chocolate heaven by then, when Kapil suggested I try the tarts too. I said I would collapse if I ate anymore chocolate, so he said he'd pack some for me to take home. I did and tried them this morning with a palate that had had ten hours of rest. And I was blown away all over again by The Chocolate Room experience.
|Kapil Aggarwal and Sundeep Dawale|
The only way to sum it all up is GO TO THE CHOCOLATE ROOM, GHATKOPAR NOW!
PS: I was given a bar of chocolate and a box of truffles and pralines too, but those will be reviewed in another post very soon.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Paton's new postcard and Royals collection
The Australian chocolate company launched their new Postcard and Royals collections at the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition in Singapore this month. The new postcard packs focus especially on the Asia Pacific region - the brand's biggest market, and have 21 pieces of chocolate instead of 15 to offer consumers more value for money.
For the Royals collection, Paton’s has come up with a new gift box of toffee-dipped, chocolate-covered macadamias based on the preferences of customers and retailers in key markets. The new gift box designs include more gold colouring with wider colour bands and images of the chocolates – offered in milk, white or dark flavours – have been increased in size for better on shelf visibility. The back of the box features a potted history of the family-owned company, as per moodiereport.com.
Snappers by The Milk Shake Factory
The Milk Shake Factory by Edward Marc Chocolatier announced the launch of this new chocolate innovation, called Snappers, in Costco stores in mid-April 2013. Snappers are described as a crunchy, salty and sweet snack.
“Made with crisp pretzels, creamy caramel and rich milk chocolate, Snappers are a gourmet treat everyone will love, both young and old,” the maker was quoted saying.
Ghirardelli Toffee Crunch and Mint Cookie
American brand, Ghirardelli, has launched two new filled chocolate flavors -- Mint Cookie and Toffee Crunch -- to join their existing lineup of Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel, Milk Chocolate with Caramel, Dark Chocolate with Raspberry and Dark Chocolate and Caramel. The mint Cookie can be described as a decadent refreshing mint chocolate filling blended with crunchy cookies surrounded by slow-melting milk chocolate, while the Toffee Crunch is a slow-melting milk chocolate with a filling blended with crunchy toffee bits.
Cadbury Crunchums cereal bites
What can I say about Nutella that the world does not already know? The chocolate spread comes from the house of Ferrero and was first made in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, a patisserie maker and one of the original founders of the company. To compensate for the cocoa shortage during the second World War, Ferrero started experimenting with chocolate products with additions like nuts. He used roasted hazelnuts and substituted cocoa butter with hydrogenated vegetable fat (palm oil) and eventually gave us the chocolate spread Nutella as we know it today. It was introduced in the market in 1964. Since then it has become insanely popular; so much so that people actually celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5.
Because the main ingredients of Nutella are sugar and palm oil (followed by hazelnuts, cocoa solids and skimmed milk), it is a rather unhealthy product to have at the breakfast table. Sample this bit of info from Wikipedia: Nutella contains 67% saturated fat and processed sugar by weight. A two-tablespoon (37 gram) serving of Nutella contains 200 calories, 11 grams of fat, 3.5 of which are saturated and 21 grams of sugar. To put that into perspective, a typical chocolate and nut candy bar has 250 to 300 calories and 12 to 16 grams of fat.
That said, I continue to buy my jars of Nutella pretty regularly like a million others, although I'm not a fan. Before I started this blog, I hadn't paid it much heed to it. It was only when I tried the Pillsbury Choco Spread for the blog did points of comparison start cropping up between it and Nutella. Apart from its taste, it is Nutella spreadability that makes it such a popular product. See how wonderfully it glides over a slice of bread or any other carb things you want to load up with chocolate!
Nutella is smooth, creamy, sweet and everything one can possibly want in comfort food. It is both very chocolaty and hazelnutty and makes it impossible for you to stop digging in that spoon and eating it straight off the jar - the gym be damned! Yes I do that even though I claim not to like it too much. Basically, there is no hope for those who actually do and will probably polish off this 180 g jar much sooner than I will.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A while ago, I saw a Twitter friend (@BziB) talking about a new chocolate goodies' shop that her sister Michelle had opened. My curiosity was immediately piqued and I congratulated her on the opening. The sweetheart that @BziB is, she offered to send some samples across and I was thrilled that I would be one of the first people to be writing about it. And there it was, waiting on my desk this morning, a beautiful li'l batch made by the lovely Michelle!
A Sophia’s (HAFT) alumna, Michelle has worked in one of the most prestigious hotel kitchens in the country at the Taj Group of Hotels. She specializes in pastry and confectionery, and has continued to make and bake passionately even after she left the Taj. For a while, she has whipped up treats for friends and family, but she dreams of owning a café eventually. The little Chocolate Shop is the first step in that direction. She believes that because pastries and chocolates are indulgences, they should always be made only from the best, healthiest ingredients.
The little Chocolate shop was started on the first of May, 2013 and operates out of a kitchen in Goregaon. And it was from there that a beautiful pack of four goodies and a small pack of savouries was sent to me. I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into them! The pack consisted of a wholewheat chocolate brownie with walnut toppings, a gooey chocolate almond brownie, a butter caramel chocolate tart and a mini Banoffee pie, accompanied by a small pack of Garlic Herb crackers.
I started with the Garlic Herb crackers first, and found them crisp and subtly flavoured, just the way I like them. I think I detected some cheese in it too, but I could totally be imagining it. The herbs used in savouries like these are all home-grown by Michelle, who believes in delivering only the healthiest possible treats to her customers.
Then came the Mini Banoffee pie, which I thought was a splendid idea. These bite-sized goodies are perfect for weight-watching, sweet-toothed people like me. Imagine all that yummy, chocolate-sprinkled banana-cream-toffee goodness in your mouth at once! What's not to like, right? :)
I tried the butter-caramel chocolate tart next. The crusts of both the tarts were beautifully crumbly, and in my book, that's what makes for a perfect tart. The tart crust was filled with butter-caramel sauce, with a layer of chocolate on top. As I bit into it, my mouth was filled with the sauce, causing the most beautiful explosion of flavours with the sweet of caramel and the slight salt of butter. It was easily my favourite of the four things.
I tried the brownies next, starting with the gooey chocolate-almond variety. Perhaps because it was a day-old, the brownie had hardened a little. Tasty as they were, I did not find them 'gooey'. But I can imagine it going superbly well on a Sizzling Brownie platter with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce!
Lastly, I tried the Wholewheat Chocolate Brownie, topped with chopped walnuts. Considering there are few, if any, 'healthy' dessert options, this kind of brownie should resonate with the health-conscious. It had a dense, cakey consistency and was not excessively sweet. The chopped nuts added more character, making it quite a mouthful. Again, a little on the hard side, but I know many people like their brownies like that. A perfect choice, I repeat, for weight-watching dessert lovers.
Apart from these, Michelle makes lovely things like Baby Meringues, Dairy Free Pavlovas, Mango Tarts, Marzipan Cupcakes, and Rainbow Cookies among other things. You can check out their menu here.
Currently, The little Chocolate Shop takes only custom orders, but they will open a cafe shortly. They currently deliver to locations between Bandra and Malad (other locations on request) in Mumbai. You can address your enquiries to Karina Varma on email@example.com and can check out their FB page too for latest updates on all good chocolat-y things.
Monday, May 20, 2013
I think I had taken no notice of this product for so many years because the packaging resembles a 5 Star , and I make no secret of my dislike for the latter. Not that Cadbury Crunchie is available everywhere as it has to be imported from the UK. But the product has been around from as far back as 1929, when it was produced by J. S. Fry & Sons. Fry merged with Cadbury eventually and Crunchie became a Cadbury product. Crunchie has been a popular chocolate abroad and several limited edition flavours like orange, lemonade and champagne have been introduced over the years.
Crunchie is basically a milk chocolate bar with a honeycomb toffee centre. A honeycomb toffee, also called sponge toffee or cinder toffee is a sugary toffee, which is light, rigid and has sponge-like texture. For those who want to know more about the toffee-making process, head here.
Needless to say, the toffee is the most important component of this chocolate and it offers the most wonderful texture. I prefer the hard, crunchy toffee many times more than the sticky, soft caramel so many people seem to prefer.
However, the end taste is rather sweet, with the milk chocolate and the honeycomb toffee coming together. Since I am not a fan of overly sweet chocolates, Crunchy is not something I would buy often. But for lovers of sweet confections, a 50 g pack for INR 50 might be a good treat.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
From what I could gauge from the translation of the brand's website, La Confiteria Delaviuda is a Spanish brand, that was established in 1927 in Toledo, Spain, by Dr. Manuel Lopez and his wife, Maria Rojas. While confection-making was Lopez' family tradition, he didn't live long enough to carry on. After his death in 1939, the business fell upon his widow's hands. Maria, along with her children, determinedly carried the business forward and came to be known as the 'sweet widow' for her quality confections.
Today, the brand sells a variety of chocolates and obviously sells in many parts of the world, landed as it has in a supermarket shelf in Mumbai.
After my tryst with sugar-free dark chocolate, this sugar-free milk chocolate was the perfect find. I wanted to see how milk chocolate would compare with dark chocolate sans the sugar. I was disappointed. The sugar-free Milk - Lait La Confiteria Delaviuda chocolate has a very strong aftertaste of the artificial sweetener, Maltitol. Although Maltitiol, a sugar alcohol, is a popular sugar substitute of its sweetness and low calorific content, it leaves an unpleasant taste behind, at least as far as this European chocolate is concerned.
That apart, I love the package design with a fail-safe solid colour combination of blue and red with white - like the UK or US flags. The bar is plain looking, without any branding. The bar isn't splotchy looking like it is in the picture - that's just fridge-frost. Also, a 100 g bar costs INR 195 - too steep unless you're a diabetic chocoholic. All in all, a product you'd like to give a miss.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The best thing about running this blog is that everyday I go to bed knowing that there will be more chocolate tomorrow! THERE ARE SO MANY BRANDS AND VARIETIES OUT THERE! Every time a friend returns from a trip abroad or I from the supermarket, there is something new to be eaten, enjoyed and written about. Oh, the world is a sweet, sweet place.
This sweet offering, for instance, has come all the way from Ireland. Butlers was founded in 1932 by an Irishwoman Marion Butler, who initially called it Chez Nous. The small company was based in Dublin and was bought over by Seamus Sorensen in 1959; the Sorensen family still owns this brand. The Butlers brand was born in 1984. Today, the brand's luxurious chocolates are sold in over 35 countries globally, and it is best known for its cafe chain format.
Among its many varieties, is this milk chocolate with an intriguing ingredient - honeycomb! Honey in food, yes. But honeycomb!? I was most curious about how it would taste. The honeycomb (10%), along with rice crispies (5%), has been added to this chocolate for crispness. The result is a wonderfully crunchy bar of chocolate with a hint of honey. But crunch and smoothness apart, the bar is pretty regular.
A consumer won't know what honeycomb tastes like from this bar. I was also disappointed with the excessively sweet milk chocolate. Overly sweet milk chocolates are my biggest problem with Indian milk chocolates as well.
Milk chocolate lovers will quite like this product, but I see no reason why anyone should pick this up over a regular Cadbury Crackle, especially when a 100 g bar costs almost INR 220.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Another fine example of the Beglian chocolate legend is the brand Godiva that makes some of the world's most luxurious chocolates. Originally a Belgian company founded by Joseph Draps in 1926, it was bought over first by the American Campbell Soup Company in 1972 and then by the Turkish Yıldız Holding in 2008. Godiva is currently owned by Yıldız Holding - Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturer. Godiva is known the world over for its gourmet chocolates, especially their gold ballotins.
I was given these two tins of Godiva pearls - milk and dark chocolate - by a friend a few days ago and I was really keen to see what the Godiva reputation was all about. The nifty looking tins are of the flip open type and contain 43 g of pearls - 80 to 100 pearls maybe. They're perfect to slip into purses and other such and generally show off to people. I LOVE THOSE TINS!
Glazed on top, the chocolates melt in one's mouth rather quickly and taste quite good. Notice how I don't say 'great', because they.. um.. aren't. Yes, the chocolates are smooth and appropriately sweet, but they don't make for a memorable taste experience. It may also have to do with eating smaller quantities - one or two pearls at a time - that don't offer enough gustatory information. Incidentally, the pack also lacks information on cocoa quantities and such. The point is, Godiva's milk and dark chocolate pearls are underwhelming.
What is not underwhelming is the price; quite the opposite actually. One teensy, albeit adorable, tin costs almost INR 400, from what I gauged from the Internet! But I'm not writing Godiva off yet. I shall leave my judging for another day when I get hold of a gold ballotin for which the brand is so famous. But I'm certainly never buying or gifting any more Godiva pearls.


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The program is designed for lovers of nature and genuine contact with local community. During the week of your stay at the tourist farm Pri Andrejevih, located in the bear area, you will become part of their everyday life and learn about various natural phenomena that have shaped the Karst landscape. At the tourist farm Pri Andrejevih, tourists quickly become friends. The family impresses them with tasty, traditional home made food, which is hard to forget.
The program includes all the most important tourist attractions in the surroundings and brings understanding of the life of bears in their natural habitat. Your visit will therefore include a number of elements of a responsible tourist visit with special attention to the protection, preservation and understanding of the natural environment while offering visitors a genuine contact with local traditions. You will take home with you both knowledge and experience, and above all, new friendships.
What do you need: camera, hiking boots, hiking backpack, waterproof sportswear.
Highlights: UNESCO Škocjan Caves, Lipica, traditional home made food, Lake Cerknica with the museum, Rakov Škocjan, Park of Military History Park, Pivka intermittent lakes, Tourist farm Pri Andrejevih, the brown bear.
Bear and/or environmentally friendly practices:
- Visit of Sedmak who is protecting sheep with the help of livestock guarding dogs
- Beekeeping Šalamun: presentation of beekeeping activities and honey tasting
- Tourist farm Pri Andrejevih: accommodation and food
- Duration: 7 days
- Physical difficulty: low to medium
- Suitable for families with children, couples, individuals, small groups
- The possibility of meeting: bears, wolves, lynxes, forest, meadows and water birds of the Lake Cerknica, butterflies and other insects, jackals
- Season: April to October
- Location: Postojna with surroundings
- Minimum group size: 2
- Maximum group size: 8
Day 1: Meet the Andrej family and the environment in which they live
We will meet at the tourist farm Pri Andrejevih where you will quickly feel at home. All members of the family make sure that the guests quickly integrate into their everyday life. On the farm you will be greeted by the guide who will present you the entire program and then take you to visit the nearby Pivka intermittent lakes. Seventeen scenic lakes of different sizes and persistency attract lovers of nature with their mystery and unpredictability. Here we can find a diversity of plant and animal species that have already disappeared elsewhere or are at risk. Researchers have counted 182 species of plants, 210 species of beetles, 106 species of butterflies and 127 species of birds; this is also the habitat of large carnivores such as bears, wolves and lynxes. We will visit the Ecomuseum where the guide will present you the framework of the destination you are visiting and the associated fauna and flora.
Day 2: Explore the farm and meet the bear
After the breakfast, the Andrej family will take you on an hour-long tour of the farm and present you their life on the farm – their daily work and where and how they produce 80% of all the food that you will consume at their farm. This will be followed by a trip to Lipica Stud Farm, home of the world famous Lipizzan horses. You will learn the entire history of the stud farm, from its establishment to nowadays. We will visit the historic centre with the oldest barn Velbanco, take a walk through the stables and visit the interactive museum – Lipikum – where we will learn about different stages of the development of Lipica. In the evening we will return to the farm and from there go on a bear hunting watch – an organized guided tour accompanied by a hunter. In case of bad weather the tour will be postponed to the following day.
Day 3: Day of hiking and history
The tourist farm Pri Andrejevih lies near the hill Šlientabor which is protected as an archaeological monument. Today’s activities will start with the one-hour climb of Šilentabor which is part of the military circular route that runs up to the slope Primož (underground fortifications – bunkers), energy points of ground forces and the Park of Military History. We will visit the later since is one of the most interesting museums in Slovenia which focuses on Slovenian recent history – particularly on the two World Wars and the Slovenian independence war. This is a museum and adventure centre. After the visit, we will return to the farm.
Day 4: UNESCO Škocjan Caves and culinary workshop at the farm Pri Andrejevih
Škocjan Caves is the only Slovenian UNESCO natural heritage site. The caves are also part of the Ramsar list. The latter includes wetlands of international importance, especially as habitats for water birds. Škocjan Caves are listed as the first underground wetland due to the important natural habitat which comprises highly specialized and often endemic species of terrestrial and aquatic cave animals – including the human fish (Proteus anguinus). The visit will certainly not leave you indifferent. Since we are on the way towards the sea, we will continue towards Piran, the idyllic fishing town of the Slovenian coast. In the evening we will return to the farm and test our capabilities in the culinary workshop led by the female part of the family. With their help we will prepare a traditional dinner from home grown ingredients. You will take home with you all the recipe secrets.
Day 5: Free day to relax and explore the rest of Slovenia
• The visit of Ljubljana, Bled and Bohinj
• The visit of the Slovenian coast
• An active day in the Soča Valley
• An active day in Postojna
Day 6: Lake Cerknica with the museum and Rakov Škocjan
The intermittent Lake Cerknica is the largest Karst lake in Slovenia and when full of water, it becomes the largest lake in Slovenia. It is home to many animals and plants, thus representing a true paradise for lovers of nature and amateur photographers. In order to better understand the reservoir, we will visit the Museum of Lake Cerknica where we will find all the answers regarding how the reservoir works, what can be seen and experienced in the immediate vicinity, and obtain a variety of information about the Karst phenomena of the surroundings. We will conclude the day with a walk through Rakov Škocjan – a beautiful Karst valley between Cerknica and Planina Field. It was formed by the river Rak. The whole area is full of Karst phenomena, the nature learning trail leads us through a unique natural environment. The highlight of the visit are the Big and Little Natural Bridge.
Day 7: Departure for home
The morning of the last day is reserved for packing. In the afternoon we will visit the Predjama Castle which is reigning for more than 700 years from the 123 meter high rock wall.
The “Bear-friendly holidays on the farm” program begins and ends in the small village of Narin near Pivka.
There are 4 international airports within a maximum of 2 hours and a half drive (Ljubljana, Zagreb, Venice, Trieste) from Pivka. We offer organized transfers from all airports. If you are interested please contact us.
The village Narin is located near Pivka, 12 km from the town of Postojna which lies near the highway, halfway between Ljubljana and the Slovenian coast.
- Maximum number of participants: 20
- Before the beginning of the program the guide will provide you with all the important information. Before the beginning of each daily tour the guide will provide you with all the detailed information about the daily program;
- Fourteen days before the arrival you will receive all the detailed information about the implementation of the program.

domain: geography


Slovenian minority file amendments to secure place in Italian parliament
Rome, 1 February - The Slovenian minority in Italy has tabled a series of amendments to secure representatives in both chambers of the Italian parliament despite cuts planed as part of a constitutional reform.
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20 pts, 50 fg%, 100 ft%
17 pts, 50 fg%, 90 ft%
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Jeff Teague poured in 17 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks past the Charlotte Bobcats, 107-90, in preseason action at Philips Arena.
Joe Johnson, Juan Dixon, and Zaza Pachulia each scored 14 points for the Hawks, who shot 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from three-point range. Marvin Williams and Josh Smith added 11 points apiece for the victors.
Gerald Wallace scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Bobcats, who shot just 16.7 percent (2-for-12) from beyond the arc. Gerald Henderson and Raymond Felton ended with 13 and 11 points, respectively, for Charlotte, which saw head coach Larry Brown get ejected in the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul.
Kevin Scott, Ivan Jackson, Marty McEachean

domain: news


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Lord Commander of the Imperial Army, Bellipotent of the Unification Wars, War-sage of Terra
Gifted planner and commander
died in 938.M30
This page details people, events, and organisations from the /tg/ Heresy, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. See the /tg/ Heresy Timeline and Galaxy pages for more information on the Alternate Universe.
The death of a mentor always calls to mind the question of their legacy. What was the result of their life's work? In the case of Gufarnus Altmakar, I know that he went to the grave believing that his ambitions for a united humanity were unfulfilled. But - now that he cannot reprimand me - I will differ with the Lord Commander. His work on the War Council helped to set in motion an event of unparalleled significance for the history of the human species. If his successors carry out their duties with even half of Altmakar's dedication, the whole Galaxy will be man's within a century.
- Antoine Antonelle, speaking at the funeral of Gufarnus Altmakar
Gufarnus Altmakar was a Terran-born commander who served the Emperor of Mankind in the Unification Wars and Great Crusade. He held a seat on the exalted War Council and was the nominal head of the Imperial Army, though in practice the formations of this vast force were subservient to the warlords of the Space Marine Legions.
Altmakar's origins are uncertain, but it is believed that he was born around 740.M30 and came into the service of the Emperor as a youth. From his appearance and lifespan, it is likely that Altmakar was the subject of genetic modification by the Emperor's savants, though unlike the men of the 'Old Hundred' he does not appear to have been enhanced for combat purposes. The Lord Commander first came to prominence during the Pacification of the Merican Hives. Although later histories generally regard the first deployment of the Sacred Band under Hektor Cincinnatus as the seminal event of that campaign, the great majority of the fighting in Merica was undertaken by Thunder Warriors and Imperial Army troopers. Whatever Altmakar's prior service to the Emperor, it was enough for him to be granted operational control over the whole Western Theatre of the campaign, an immense warzone stretching from the once-frozen north of Merica down to the isthmus connecting Nord and Sud Merica. Despite the difficulties of coordinating his forces over such vast distances - and making space for the Space Marines to shine - Altmakar acquitted himself so well that he was called on to transfer forces to the more troubled Eastern Theatre mid-campaign.
In recognition of Altmakar's qualities, the Emperor pronounced him as the chief of the Imperial Army. This post largely excluded the Lord Commander from field posts for the remainder of the Unification Wars, though he would be called on to help direct the elephantine struggle against Nathaniel Dume's Pan-Pacific Empire. Altmakar's only regret from that war was his suggestion that the Second Legion undertake the attack on the Dalvan Redoubt. Similarly, once the Great Crusade began, Altmakar's principal responsibility was organising the recruitment and deployment of Imperial Army forces rather than directing them in battle. These duties often saw him away from the Solar System, especially as newly compliant worlds began to levy troops for the crusade. The task of supervising the new levies was far more than any one man could manage, but Altmakar made a point of inspecting worlds with a great marital history and large population, such as Carlisar. His vigor and attention to detail left a lasting legacy, and Altmakar was long remembered as the Father of the Army.
He also played an important role in the development of Roman Albrecht. The Primarch of the Steel Marshals came to Terra as an outstanding duelist and individual warrior, but his grasp on the finer points of organisation left something to be desired. Gufarnus patiently, if gruffly, explained the Terran model of warfare to Roman, supplementing his instruction with excursions to the battlefields of the Great Crusade. Although the greatness of the Primarchs is mainly a testament to the Emperor's genius, Altmakar's tutelage certainly played a role in polishing the Roman Albrecht into an outstanding leader of men.
Like many of the other Terran Adepts who sat on the War Council, Gufarnus Altmakar did not live to see the horrors of the Hektor Heresy. He suffered a series of incapacitating strokes in 937.M30 and died the next year. His post as the commander of the Imperial Army was left empty and the army would be completely subordinate to the Primarchs until it was disbanded in the Imperial Reformation. However, the first Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard, Jeanne d'Orléans, insisted on honouring Altmakar as the father of the army. Even thousands of years after his death, Altmakar's likeness and mission is preserved in the academies and barracks of the Imperial Guard.
Perhaps it is unfair to weigh up on Altmakar's character, for most who remembered him only met the man when he was an old soldier weathered in body and mind by long years of campaigning. But certainly, as an old man he was rough and tough on his charges and often continued to treat the new generation as his pupils long after they had done enough to be his equals. Hektor Cincinnatus, in particular, drew Altmakar's ire as the Great Crusade rolled on, though in some ways it is to the credit of the Lord Commander that he was prepared to look a Primarch in the eye and trade shouted reprimands. Some of the Adeptus Astartes did forge personal ties with Altmakar. He was especially close to Antoine Antonelle of the Fifth Legion, perhaps because the soft-spoken Marine was always willing to treat Altmakar as a superior. Although he rarely spoke to Roman Albrecht after the Primarch took up command of his Legion, Altmakar carefully followed news of his pupil's exploits in the Great Crusade.

domain: library


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Instant customer experiences in financial services with a real-time database
Banks and financial institutions face unique challenges in today’s rapidly changing digital sphere. The meteoric rise of digital communications and changing customer behaviors have propelled digital products from the edge to the center. Success is based on the quality of the customer experience.
To be competitive, financial institutions must offer a range of real-time service to meet an expectation developed by the digital age and accelerated by the pandemic: customers demand a seamless omnichannel banking experience.
But for banks, this poses a daunting challenge: the rigidity of their legacy IT systems means they have issues with scalability, flexibility, reliability and complexity. Fintech startups created in the cloud have a modern architecture that gives them the agility to adapt to market trends, the flexibility to innovate, and the ability to maximize user experience.
As a result, creative fintechs are turning heads in today’s market due to their ability to provide a fast, seamless, personalized, and easily accessible solution. financial service. Banks and financial institutions need to adopt cloud and microservices architectures that use real-time data to optimize user experience and ultimately meet customer expectations.
Below, we’ll reveal how a real-time data platform can accelerate bank modernization and exceed consumer and business expectations.
Instant data provides a seamless user experience
Customers of all demographics want quick, easy, and simple access to their finances through digital doorways. They also expect to use different channels depending on their goals. They conduct research, gather investment or loan information from the website, discuss options with a banker or advisor, and finalize the transaction by phone, email, or in person. Often, they then go to the mobile app to check status or balances, then chat with support if they encounter any issues.
But banks can end up with disparate databases for each channel. Without a way to integrate siled data or use a unified data layer to present 360-degree views of real-time customer data, customers will face an inconsistent experience as they move between different channels.
Moreover, providing a seamless user experience is no longer just a stake for banks – the shortcomings of any channel are enough to create friction and encourage customers to turn to competitors.
Research suggests that the bar has been set very high:
- 81% of customers would choose a new-age financial provider if it offered a simple, flexible and accessible banking service (World Retail Banking Report, 2021).
- 76% of customers want an omnichannel experience (Unblu2021)
- 59% expect on-demand customer service from anywhere (Unblu2021)
The transition from legacy IT systems to modern cloud architectures will not happen overnight for many traditional banks. But adopting a unified operational data layer that acts as a highway from backend systems to customer-facing applications will give banks the speed and agility to innovate and deliver an omnichannel experience, and ultimately meet customer expectations across the board. along this transition.
But creating seamless customer experiences requires a real-time, multi-model in-memory database. Using one that can deliver the necessary data with low latency and high throughput will revamp the customer experience from top to bottom; lags will be eliminated, all interaction channels will be consistent, promoting a seamless experience. Users will be able to instantly access their account information on their mobile devices wherever they are.
Additionally, users can instantly search through their transaction history or understand where they overspend on their credit cards with an in-memory database that supports secondary indexing of their datasets and can query and aggregate data in a fully distributed manner in real time. -time.
Banks need a real-time database to modernize without disruption
Banks and financial institutions must modernize to meet today’s expectations. Customers demand the seamless user experience provided by fintech disruptors. Legacy computer systems and relational database management systems (RDBMS) are still the backbone and records system of many banks and will take time to update. They need a solution that allows them to innovate and meet customer expectations without disrupting those legacy back-office systems.
A modern real-time data layer provides a fast and powerful solution that many banks can pivot to while transitioning to cloud-based architectures. Redis Enterprise can accelerate this process by supplementing banks with a real-time database that ensures real-time customer/customer experiences. This translates into better customer retention, better acquisition, and better brand reputation, which in turn leads to growth and tackling these fintech disruptors.

domain: finance


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The "Fast Money" traders share their final trades of the day.» Read More
Yum is targeting Indian students and young office workers with adaptations of popular Western fast-food products designed to appeal to their unique tastes — hoping this will mirror its success story in China, which now contributes half of its operating profit.
Take a look at some of Monday morning's early movers:
Just how strong is the U.S. economy right now? Good question. Tough answer. We picked four specific segments of the consumer economy and are taking a look inside the stocks to find some answers. Hotels. Restaurants. Theme parks. Appliances.
While actor and entrepreneur Greg Grunberg, best known for his roles as police detective Matt Parkman in the award-winning series “Heroes,” he is no stranger to the world of business.
Find out what earnings and IPO are in the "Mad Money" host's game plan.
About 14 years ago, I met an entrepreneur who wanted to open up coffee shops around China. I never thought the coffee business would work in the country. The Chinese would not easily give up their tea drinking culture for a bitter, overpriced drink, I told him.
After Starbucks modestly beat the Street's earnings estimate, Jeffery Bernstein, analyst at Barclays Capital, predicted "tremendous" growth will follow, due to lower coffee costs and a higher-income consumer base.
Dunkin' Donuts has kicked off 2012 with big plans for an aggressive expansion. It seeks to double its U.S. locations over the next 20 years, providing more opportunities for franchisees, job seekers and doughnut consumers alike.
When GNC hit the market in April, it had its fair share of critics. But GNC has emerged as the top IPO in a year where six percent less money was raised than 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Investors should be cautious before jumping into a new initial public offering.
The National Retail Federation predicts up to 152 million Americans will shop during the upcoming Black Friday weekend, and deal-seeking consumers may flock to discount retailers, Kimco Realty's chief executive told CNBC Tuesday.
Cramer’s researcher, Nicole Urken, explains why no one tool should be relied upon when making investment decisions
In the war of the java giants, find out which name Cramer thinks is a steal.
France's Sarkozy wants the European Central Bank to get a banking license, the back door way to turn on the spending spigot; Germany's Merkel is opposed.
As the stock market continues to struggle, many investors who bet on this year’s new issues are taking an outsized hit since nearly two-thirds of 2011s IPOs are below their initial offering price.
I’m late to this story that everyone else in the world covered Tuesday. But I don’t understand why there hasn’t been louder applause for Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Kelter initiating coverage of Dunkin' Donuts with a "sell" rating.
Despite having been the lead underwriter in Dunkin' Donuts' IPO, a Goldman Sachs analyst on Tuesday advised clients to sell DNKN.
Although Goldman Sachs was Dunkin' Brands lead underwriter, the firm initiated coverage on DNKN with a 'sell' rating.
The traders game the surge in McDonald’s and the surge in coffee. How should you play it?
Many Chinese consumers consider western fast food brands like Yum Brands, McDonald's and even Dunkin Donut healthy. They all know a healthy food diet should not have too much oil and sugar, but they also trust foreign brands won't cut corners in the production process. They fear tainted ingredients more than fat.


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THE EFFECT OF TIME PRESSURE IN CONSTRUCTION SIMULATIONS ON STUDENTS‘ LEARNING PROCESS
, D. Adair2
1Australian College of Kuwait (KUWAIT)
2University of Tasmania (AUSTRALIA)
Simulations which reproduce real-world situations have been shown to lead to good learning outcomes. However, the necessary level of conformity with real-world situations, especially regarding the necessity of including real-world time pressure, is a matter of debate.
The purpose of this paper is to compare engineering students’ learning processes, as reflected by learning time and number of attempts until acceptable answers are given, when using, a construction simulator with time pressure, versus, a simulator without time pressure. The influence of the students’ motivation, ease of simulator use, and students’ perception regarding the necessity to concentrate is shown.
Two versions of a JAVA based construction simulator have been developed and applied to randomly assigned engineering students based on a quasi-experimental post-test design.
The difference of the students’ learning processes was insignificant. However, increased time pressure resulted in more unacceptable answers, which required students to revise their answers, and in an increased motivation to score high, which students tried to reach by an increased mentality of “trial and error”.
Engineering educators and institutions of engineering education may be encouraged to include time pressure in simulations. However, caution is recommended regarding the specific amount of time pressure.

domain: psychology


text: U.S. Army Pfc. Shawn Williams gives the thumbs-up to members of his unit as he is evacuated after being injured by a roadside bomb in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, June 17, 2011. Williams is assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Haraz N. Ghanbari.


The UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe. We strongly support national policies, practices and legislation that are conducive to breastfeeding, as well as promotion, advice and support to new mothers. Our messages and recommendations in this statement are specific to the UK.
This policy outlines how the College complies with UK Data Protection legislation.
The World Health Organization has described climate change as “the defining health challenge of our time”. We recognise the importance of using our collective voice as a College to support Government to take action. As we begin to experience the negative consequences of climate change at an increasi...
Vitamin D helps the development of healthy, strong bones and to prevent rickets. RCPCH reiterates the importance of babies and children taking supplementation.


“Layla” is a classic hit song by Eric Clapton. This emotional song has marked Clapton’s career. Perhaps, this is one of the most beautiful rock ballads ever.
We should not talk about who Eric Clapton is, because we all know who is he as well as his music. Today, we would like to introduce new musical talent, guitarist, songwriter, and probably a big fan of Dire Straits.
Laszlo Buring is a 25-years-old musician, guitarist, and producer from the Netherlands. On his YouTube channel, you can find many interesting adaptations and performances of famous songs. Also, you can find some of his original music, fingerstyle arrangements, covers, and backing tracks.
In this blog post we share his performance of the song “Layla”, but as if Mark Knopfler had written it. The video was published on May 22, 2021, and reached a large number of positive reactions. At this moment, the video has more than 500,000 views, 1,700 comments, and 30,000 likes.
As he wrote, for this video he used the song “Lady Writer” by Dire Straits as the base for this track, since the chord progression of the chorus is pretty much the same. All parts of the video are played by Laszlo, including drums, electric and acoustic guitar, organ and bass as well as vocals.
“I incorporated some of the backing guitar parts from the original, but I didn’t want it to sound too full. Since it would sound less and less like Dire Straits. So, I had to find some middle ground. For the final solo, I used some classic Knopfler licks, combined with the main riff and some improvisation.”
If you want to hear more of Laszlo’s covers, lessons, or original music, feel free to check his YouTube channel and share this post with your friends.


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MC nuns celebrate Mother Teresa’s birth anniversary
Aug. 27, 2013
The nuns of the Missionaries of Charity celebrated the 103rd birth anniversary of Mother Teresa, who formed the Catholic order to serve the needy and the ailing. Special prayers were held at the congregation’s global headquarters Mother House in Kolkata yesterday. Her three-foot-high cement grave on the ground floor was covered with flowers, as people from all walks of life trooped in to pay their respects.
Expressing her gratitude to all those who had come, the order's Superior General Sister Prema said blessed Teresa would be remembered for her love for the ailing, the poor and the dying. At the West Bengal state secretariat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee garlanded a portrait of the Mother. Sister Prema, nuns and small inmates of several homes of the MoC were present on the occasion.
"Mother was the apostle of peace, brotherhood and service to humanity, particularly the uncared for and the poorest of the poor. Her life and her works epitomize selfless service to the suffering millions. "In today's world, when we see so much of sufferings still around, we must resolve to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of the Mother to wipe out tears and embrace the suffering souls with love and warmth," Banerjee said in a Facebook post.
Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje (Macedonia) on Aug 26, 1910 to an ethnic Albanian family. She made Kolkata her home and workplace for 68 years since 1929. She formed the congregation in 1950. She was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and died here Sept 5, 1997.
Other national News
Press Release on Ram Nath Kovind, 14th President of India
PRESS RELEASE ON THE ELECTION OF RAM NATH KOVIND AS THE 14TH PRESIDENT OF INDIA The Catholic Bis...
July 21, 2017
Press Release On Violence in the Country
11th July 2017 It is with great distress and sadness that we have received reports of dastardly ...
July 12, 2017
Cardinal Oswald re-elected to head the CCBI
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay was re-elected on Monday to head of Conference of Catholic Bish...
Feb. 7, 2017
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION - MIGRANT COMMUNITY (TRIBAL BELT, CHOTANAGPUR)
5000 tribal migrants from Jharkhand, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh came together from different pocke...
Nov. 7, 2016
Historic day: St Lawrence Shrine declared Minor Basilica
Karkala, Aug 1: It was a historic moment for Karkala and indeed for the entire coastal regio...
Aug. 2, 2016


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- Dark Pedestal Wooden Urn
Dark Pedestal Wooden Urn
This beautiful Dark Pedestal Urn is locally made and hand-crafted! This urn possesses the quality and beauty worthy to hold the remains of your beloved pet. Access to the inside is granted via 2 screws on the bottom. Extra Small fits pets up to 35 lbs. Small fits up to 70 lbs. Medium fits up to 90 lbs. Large fits pets up to 110 lbs.

domain: pet


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Experienced California Medical Malpractice attorneys
Helping injured patients throughout california
When doctors, medical providers, and other professionals treat patients, they are expected to perform up to the standards of care in their practice. While the law does not require that every procedure or treatment be completed perfectly, it does require that the physician comply with a basic amount of competence and conform to the standards of care in the medical community. Medical malpractice occurs when the doctor fails to meet the standard of care in the community and it results in damage or injury to a patient.
Hire an Experienced California Medical Malpractice Attorney
Determining whether you have a claim against the doctor or physician for medical malpractice requires special knowledge of the applicable standard of care. Consulting with an experienced California medical malpractice lawyer is the first step in evaluating a claim against a medical provider or doctor for negligence. Our skilled legal team at B&D Law Group APLC can get you in touch with medical experts and other personnel that will be able to evaluate your claim.
Our firm can help victims of professional negligence claims, including:
- Doctor negligence
- Dental malpractice
- Chiropractic malpractice
- Pharmacy malpractice
- Incorrect drug prescriptions
- Dangerous pharmaceuticals
- Surgical negligence
- Product liability
Seeking Maximum Recovery for Victims of Medical Negligence
If you have been involved in a malpractice incident or have lost a loved one as a result of medical negligence in California please contact the skilled California medical malpractice lawyers at B&D Law Group. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience helping victims and we will work with medical experts, life care planners, and economic experts to obtain the compensation that provides a lifetime of the best medical care, therapy, and, if necessary, long-term nursing care.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Our legal team is here to help. We understand that choosing the right lawyer to fight for your medical malpractice claim is not easy, which is why we work hard to help you understand your legal rights and options so you can make the right choice regarding your case.

domain: medical


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Wednesday, August 21 at 4:30 pm
Want to make an impact at the library! Join us for an exploratory session and learn about applying to be on the library’s Teen Council for the upcoming school year. You can learn about opportunities and share what you would like to see happening in Teen Services this year! Grades 6th-12 only, please. In Multipurpose Room B.


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Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, officially opens Dallas Primary School garden
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
A REPRESENTATIVE of the Queen officially opened a school’s new growing area.
Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, mucked in at Dallas Primary.
The P7s talked about plans for the garden. Contributors have included the Houldsworth family who granted the land, the Gibson family who lent a digger driver to clear it, and the army who built a Polycrub growing area.
Mrs Poppy Houldsworth cut a ribbon to officially open the Polycrub and the pupils presented her with a handmade card and flowers.
The P7s invited Major Monro to plant the first (apple) tree, then the children sang a song about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Green Canopy.
Each child then planted a tree with a parent or adult. Fiona Gibson, of Edinvale Farm Wee Shed Shop, served refreshments and a Jubilee biscuit.
Pupils are creating a survey to find out what the wider community would like to see grown in their Polycrub.


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Leonardo DiCaprio Earned $77 Million Last Year, Leads Forbes List of Hollywood’s Highest Paid Actors
Posted on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 by Angie Han
Well, here’s something to make you feel bad about whatever meager pittance you pulled in from your last paycheck: Forbes Magazine has released its annual list of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. At the very top of the list is Leonardo DiCaprio, who has apparently raked in $77 million in the past year. Johnny Depp was a not particularly close second, with $50 million.
Like DiCaprio, most of the players at the top were the names you’d expect — seven of this year’s top 10 were also among last year’s top 10 — with their respective places on the list shuffled around. Other actors in this year’s top five were Adam Sandler, Will Smith, and Tom Hanks. Read the rest of the list after the jump.
This year’s list included Hollywood’s top 15 earners, as opposed to the usual 10. In order, they are:
1. Leonardo DiCaprio ($77 million)
2. Johnny Depp ($50 million)
3. Adam Sandler ($40 million)
4. Will Smith ($36 million)
5. Tom Hanks ($35 million)
6. Ben Stiller ($34 million)
7. Robert Downey, Jr. ($31 million)
8. Mark Wahlberg ($28 million)
9. Tim Allen ($22 million)
10. Tom Cruise ($22 million)
11. Jim Carrey ($20 million)
12. Daniel Craig ($20 million)
13. Robert Pattinson ($20 million)
14. Brad Pitt ($20 million)
15. Matt Damon ($18 million)
The figures are estimates based on conversations with “agents, lawyers, producers and other industry insiders,” and reflect gross pretax income earned between May 1, 2010 and May 1, 2011. Fees paids to management, agents, or attorneys were not taken out of the figures.
Most of the top earning actors are somewhat older A-list stars who’ve been around for a long time — names like Depp, Sandler, Smith, and Hanks were big in the ’90s and the ’00s and are still big now. Robert Pattinson and Daniel Craig are notable exceptions. Neither of them were well known in Hollywood a decade ago, but have blown up in recent years thanks to key roles in huge franchises. Pattinson is also the youngest person in the top 15, at twenty-five years of age. (Leonardo DiCaprio, 36, is the only other actor on the list under the age of 40.) Last year, then-21-year-old Daniel Radcliffe was the youngest person in the top 10.
One reason why the list tends toward older and more established men has to do with residuals — Hanks and Tim Allen, for example, still pull in money from earlier works like Jerry Maguire (for Cruise) and Home Improvement (for Allen).
Currently, Forbes separates actresses from actors for their highly-paid lists; the actresses’ list was released earlier this summer. Were we to combine the lists, Angelina Jolie ($30 million), Sarah Jessica Parker ($30 million), and possibly Jennifer Aniston ($28 million) would’ve cracked the top 10 at eight, ninth, and tied for tenth places, respectively.
Discuss: Do you think these actors deserve to be the highest-paid actors in Hollywood? Since so many of the names are people who’ve been around for a long time, who do you think will top the list in 2021 or 2031?Cool Posts From Around the Web:

domain: entertainment


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This is AiMajor's latest hip hop music video Kill The Silence (Official Music Video). Here's what AiMajor had to say when we asked:
Where did you get your inspiration for this video?
"my current life situation and obstacles, i wanted my vision to be seen on how ive been recently feeling, and even tho its simple i feel i accomplished my vision."
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in material above are that of the artist mentioned and do not necessarily reflect the views of A/V Revolution. If you would like to submit a video to us click here

domain: artistic


Managerial chairs with a 3D mesh backrest available in many different colours. The Wisp chair is provided with an easy to use handwheel for back height adjustment. The Wisp-2 backrest is equipped with an elastic belt for lumbar support which is height adjustable thanks the two levers on the back. This range fits the needs of each user thanks to the synchronized mechanism and the extra breathability of the meshback. Furthermore, fixed armrests or adjustable armrests are available.


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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be enforcing a policy regulating the use of cadmium, a highly toxic chemical and a known human carcinogen.
DENR Administrative Order 2021-08 or the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds aims to protect human health and the environment from the cancer-causing chemical.
While the DAO imposing the chemical control on cadmium and cadmium compounds was signed on May 6, 2021, by Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, it was only last October 22, 2021, that the order was published in a newspaper of nationwide circulation finally putting the policy legally in effect.
The CCO, which will take effect this November, requires any person or entity engaged in the importation, manufacture, distribution, and industrial use of cadmium and cadmium compounds to register with and obtain importation clearance from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
Applicants are further required to meet the specified requirements pertaining to the importation, manufacturing, chemical management plan, emergency, and contingency plan, labeling, workers’ training, handling, transport, treatment, storage, and disposal.
The CCO further requires any person or entity involved in the transport, recycling, treatment, storage, and disposal of cadmium-containing wastes to register and comply with all the applicable provisions of the rules and regulations on hazardous waste management under Republic Act 6969, or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
~sBusiness Mirror, 2 November 2021

domain: chemistry


Like a 21st century update to the infinity mirror, animation student Gregor Belibi Minya creates a neverending tunnel of repeating shapes and patterns by linking together 2,361 screenshots from his computer’s desktop. Inspired by the photocopied animation that is Alexander Stewart’s Errata, Minya made SCREENSHOT over the course of five days, lining up small small changes in window placement and desktop background to create the illusion of an endless, morphing hallway inside the screen. As an electronic musican under the name Digital Cosmic Disco, he also composed the laidback soundbed, which “helps the picture breathe for a union, a balance of [sound and image].”
Make a robot friend with Adafruit’s CRICKIT – A Creative Robotics & Interactive Construction Kit. It’s an add-on to our popular Circuit Playground Express, FEATHER and other platforms to make and program robots with CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. Start controlling motors, servos, solenoids. You also get signal pins, capacitive touch sensors, a NeoPixel driver and amplified speaker output. It complements & extends your boards so you can still use all the goodies on the microcontroller, now you have a robotics playground as well.


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London, England & Lagos, Nigeria, July, 2021. GreenTec Capital is pleased to share that its Chief Investment Officer, Tomi Davies (TD), is profiled in the June 29th issue of TechCabal. TechCabal’s Staff Writer, Daniel Adeyemi, conducted a thorough interview with TD covering his 20 years of investing in startups, and his life as an Angel Investor.
“I live through my portfolio,” said TD who added “That’s what keeps me alive.”
Readers quickly learn that TD has been very active and impactful in the African startup ecosystem over the past 20 years. He is Co-Founder of the Lagos Angel Network, President of ABAN (African Business Angel Network), board member of the Global Business Angel Network, and founding member of the World Business Angel Forum. TD is quoted in detail about the contributions of many of his co-founders, colleagues and friends. He proved the point when he said tech“In 2015 there were five angel networks on the African continent…there are now 49 angel networks in 33 African countries.”


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- Country of Origin: Singapore
Hello Panda is a Japanese snack, each biscuit has a hollowed out shortbread filled with a chocolate filling.
First released in 1979 the biscuits were originally baked in Japan but have since transferred production to Singapore, the biscuits themselves have a distinctive cartoon styled Panda enacting activities like fencing or archery.
The unique Hexagon packaging the product comes in with the spritely Panda jumping off the box has made this snack food very popular with kids and adults alike.
(Typical analysis per 100g)
Energy 2209 kJ
Protein 6.1 g
Fat Total 28 g
Saturated 15 g
Carbohydrates 62.3 g
Sugars 29 g
Sodium 299 mg
Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (Palm, Emulsifier, Sugar, Cocoa Mass (7.4%), Whole Milk Powder, Seasoning (Maltodextrin, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein, Yoghurt Powder, Flavour Enhancers (Disodium 5-guanylate, Disodium 5-inosanate), Leavening Agents, Emulsifiers, Salt, Malt Extract, Yeast Powder, Natural Colouring.
Packaged in a facility that processes peanuts, wheat and milk products
Store item in an airtight Container in a cool dry place
Up to 12 months if stored correctly. See label for Best Before date

domain: food


After four straight eight-win seasons, Rutgers posted a 4-8 record in 2010, losing eight of its final 10 games. The Scarlet Knights ranked 114th nationally in total offense (294.9 ypg) and 65th in total defense (374.2 tpg), prompting 11th-year head coach Greg Schiano to shake up both his coaching staff and his roster. Frank Cignetti enters as Rutgers's new offensive coordinator following a stint at Pittsburgh and Schiano is said to be calling his defense once again, despite the fact that Bob Fraser is still officially listed as the team's defensive coordinator. Thirteen players also switched positions during the offseason in an attempt to increase team speed and provide depth in key areas.
The Scarlet Knights won their opener over N.C. Central, 48-0, but the victory failed to provide much insight into Rutgers' abilities, as the Eagles were playing in their first game as a full Division I participant. Sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd completed 9 of his 17 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown against N.C. Central after a solid freshman campaign (123-of-223 passing, 1,637 yards, 11 TD, 7 INT) in '10. The Scarlet Knights returned 15 starters – 10 offensive – from last season, but started eight players for the first time last week.
"They are very, very talented. They have a lot of NFL talent. Butch [Davis] does a tremendous job of recruiting and gathering talented players. There's really not a weak spot on their football team." – Schiano on North Carolina
"I know a few times we missed some line calls [against N.C. Central]. Once we critique that and fix it, the running game can be a lot more productive." – Dodd
"Odd is not the word. I'm really disappointed. Butch and Tammy Davis are as good of people as there are in college football. I know Butch and the way he runs a program and I'm just – I feel so bad that he's not [coaching]. I feel bad for their players… I was reading an article, the players, the first thing they wanted to do was give a game ball to Coach Davis. And I can see that, because Butch cares about kids and he does things the right way." – Schiano on Butch Davis's dismissal
Matchups to Watch
Rutgers's Ground Game vs. UNC's Run Defense
It will be awhile -- if ever -- before North Carolina fans forgive Savon Huggins for his much-publicized hat switch in committing to Rutgers over the Tar Heels last January. Fortunately for the UNC fan base, they will get a chance to voice their displeasure on Saturday as Huggins arrives as part of a multifaceted rushing attack for the Scarlet Knights.
Huggins appeared to be living up to his recruiting ranking during the early part of Rutgers' training camp, rushing for 168 yards on 26 carries in the first scrimmage. But it was junior De'Antwan Williams that started against N.C. Central, churning out 44 yards on 11 carries. Red-shirt freshman Jawan Jamison led all running backs with 54 yards on 17 carries, while Huggins managed 32 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
Cignetti has also moved former tailback Joe Martinek (967 yards, 9 TD in ‘09, pictured right) to fullback, so there are plenty of options available in his rushing attack. But there has to be a level of concern that Rutgers only totaled 137 rushing yards on a 3.3 yards-per-carry average against the outgunned Eagles.
Not helping the situation is an offensive line boasting a combined 21 starts, and 13 of those belong to senior right tackle Desmond Stapleton. Senior left guard Desmond Wynn (16 starts) suffered a knee injury last week and appears to be doubtful to play on Saturday.
North Carolina counters with one of the top front seven's in the ACC, led by 2010 first-team All-ACC defensive end Quinton Coples and preseason All-ACC defensive tackle Tydreke Powell. The Tar Heels limited James Madison's run-oriented offense last week to 59 rushing yards on 39 carries, good for a 1.5 yards-per-carry average.
"[Coples] is as good a player as there is in America," Schiano said. "He'll be a second or third pick in the draft, I think. You are looking at guys that are NFL players and then they have some young defensive linemen that are really good as well. Some of these guys were forced into action last year because of some of the suspensions, so now they have a little experience. The linebackers run very, very well."
Look for North Carolina to focus on limiting Rutgers's ground game on first and second downs, which will force Dodd into obvious passing downs and allow for the Tar Heels to be aggressive in their pass rush.
UNC's Bryn Renner vs. Rutgers's Secondary
As expected, Renner's 22-of-23 passing display for 277 yards, two touchdowns and an interception didn't look as flawless in the film room on Sunday as it did on the football field.
"I graded out pretty well, but I definitely made a lot of mistakes [on Saturday] that were unseen," Renner said. "I know I need to correct a lot of things. Just the whole game… The stats are great, but the way I play, I definitely need to improve, especially for Rutgers coming in here this week."
Even so, Renner's debut proved that North Carolina has a legitimate weapon under center. Couple that fact with talented playmakers at wide receiver and running back and a veteran offensive line and the stage is set for Renner to have more positive outings than not.
Sophomore cornerbacks Brandon Jones and Logan Ryan will start on Saturday with four combined starts between them, and top reserve Mason Robinson – also RU's starting punt returner – tore his ACL last week and is out for the season.
"We need to make the plays at the corner position when they are presented," Schiano said. "And no knock on N.C. Central, but the level of competition we are going to be going against at wide receiver (is at another level). They are big, they are fast, and they really understand the system."
With Schiano now calling the defensive sets, Rutgers will assuredly blitz from various spots on the field. Ten different Scarlet Knights contributed in the team's nine sacks against N.C. Central.


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Tomato Chili Sauce Meatballs make a crowd pleasing dinner when served on rice or spaghetti. Coated in a sweet, tangy and spicy sauce, these juicy meatballs melt in your mouth. They are easy to make, so why don’t you double the recipe and freeze the leftovers for later?
Tomato Chili Sauce
Keywords: tomato sauce meatballs, meatballs with tomato suace


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Prince William and Kate will travel across the country by royal train to thank key workers and others for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will board the service on Sunday and travel 1,250 miles over three days, meeting care home staff, teachers, schoolchildren and volunteers to learn about the challenges they faced and their inspiring stories.
It is thought the tour will be the duchess’s first official journey by the royal train despite having been a member of the monarchy for almost a decade, while the duke has used it a number of times.
A spokeswoman for Kensington Palace said: “The duke and duchess are very much looking forward to shining a spotlight on the incredible work that has been done across the country throughout this difficult year and to sharing their gratitude on behalf of the nation for all those supporting their local communities ahead of the Christmas holidays.”
The planned train trip has already been immortalised in a stylised drawing by schoolboy artist Joe Whale, better known as the Doodle Boy, who has found worldwide fame with his creative efforts.
The youngster, who was approached by the Cambridges’ office to create the artwork, launched a YouTube channel during the coronavirus pandemic to teach others how to doodle.
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to travel by train, leaving at midday on June 13 1842 from Slough and travelling to London’s Paddington Station.
Victoria had been persuaded on board by Prince Albert, a veteran of rail travel who was fascinated by the new technology.
And since the Victorian era, the royal family have enjoyed their own dedicated train, with the present royal carriages coming into service for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
The Queen and the Prince of Wales have their own private carriages, with the head of state’s featuring a bedroom with a single bed, sitting room, desk for working on the go, dining quarters – and a bathroom complete with a full-sized bath.
William has travelled on the service a number of times, notably on the day of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales’ funeral in 1997, when he joined his father, brother and the Spencer family on the journey to the princess’s ancestral home Althorp for her burial.
In 2003, he journeyed overnight on the train to Bangor with the Prince of Wales to carry out a day of engagements in North Wales ahead of his 21st birthday.
It is not known if the Cambridges will travel with their entourage of private secretaries, press team and other members of their household.
Kensington Palace said the three-day tour, which ends on Tuesday, will make stops in England, Scotland and Wales in line with Government coronavirus guidance.
During the official visits, the duke and duchess will pass on the nation’s gratitude to the groups they meet for their efforts keeping people safe, or the country going.
Many of the official events will celebrate community spirit and the impact of the public’s generosity by showcasing organisations and initiatives supported by community relief funds, including NHS Charities Together.
The UK’s arts, heritage and live performance sector, which has been supported by the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, will also by highlighted.
There will be a number of festive performances across the three days by local artists, celebrating the inspiring work of organisations and projects the duke and duchess will visit.


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Avg: 3.2 from 156 votes
|Type:||Trad, 80 ft (24 m)|
|FA:||Eric Beck, Steve Roper, mid-1960's|
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Many climbing areas are closed along highways 50 and 88 as the fast moving Caldor Fire spreads (as of Aug 30, 2021). Read the Mountain Project forum discussion above, and the Cal Fire incidents map here fire.ca.gov/incidents/ for latest map and information. Be safe mountain neighbors!
Most people only do the first pitch and lower/rap off the bolted anchor, but you can continue up the wide chimney.


There’s nothing more stunning than having a living tree for the Christmas holiday. It adds that special touch to the holiday season and fills your home with a crisp outdoorsy feel that just can’t be recreated with plastic.
Rather than throwing your live tree to the curb this year, try to reuse your beautiful Christmas tree — or at least recycle it — so your holiday cheer isn’t harming the earth.
Here are 5 ways to reuse your Christmas tree once the holiday is over.
1. Check for a city recycling event.
The perfect way to recycle your Christmas tree?
Recycled Christmas trees provide the mulch for playgrounds and habitats for local fish. Believe it or not, they can be very useful for your community.
Cities often host Christmas trees recycling events for this very purpose. Check your local city’s webpage and ask around about a Christmas tree recycling event. Maybe even suggest it to your city council!
In 2017, over 15 million trees were harvested for Christmas. So if you’re not feeling up for a craft, simply find a way to recycle it through a service.
2. Make potpourri.
That crisp beautiful smell you get wafting throughout your home during the holidays? Keep it around post-Christmas by making homemade potpourri.
Pluck the pine needles off the tree and add to a mix of flowers (stems cut off), cut citrus, and herbs of your choosing. Layout on parchment paper and spritz with 10-15 drops essential oil plus one tablespoon water.
Dry in oven on 200°F until brittle, but not burnt — about 2 hours. Spritz one more time and place in bowl or satchel to enjoy!
3. Craft rustic coasters.
Use your tree’s branches to create crafts of your choosing! Christmas trees are often prime trees with stunning wood that’s begging to be reused. Use the branches to create candle
If you’re not a natural with wood (like us), you can easily make rustic coasters. Thinly slice the branches to the size of your choice and be sure to varnish. Let dry completely before use.
4. Create an all organ
Wood ash can actually be an extraordinary amendment for gardens. It contains potassium and lime which will help your plants thrive It will also keep insects away.
Burn your tree and spread out in your garden or add to a compost mix and use regularly.
Remember: coal ash is NOT the same as wood ash!
5. Protect your garden beds.
Alternatively, you can use the branches to help protect your garden. Cut them off the trunk and lay around and in your garden beds. The boughs will help protect your plants as the weather changes — especially with winter freezes and spring thaws.


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“Little Rascals Daycare” archive at Duke Law School documents how wrongful convictions get started
Lew Powell is an unlikely Duke Law School benefactor, having never attended law school or Duke itself. Nor did his donation involve writing a check, but instead came in the form of almost two dozen file boxes delivered from his Charlotte home in the back of his Subaru.
Inside those boxes were court documents and materials related to the Little Rascals Daycare case, which beginning in 1989 roiled the small Eastern North Carolina town of Edenton with lurid and, ultimately, unfounded, accusations of toddlers and preschoolers being molested while in the care of daycare teachers. It was one of multiple cases involving false allegations of child sexual abuse and Satanic rituals performed by daycare providers that swept the nation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Little Rascals Daycare Case Papers are now in the permanent collection of the J. Michael Goodson Law Library. “We thank Mr. Powell for the generous donation, and are proud to provide access to this important archival collection,” said Acting Interim Director Jennifer L. Behrens. “Much has been written about the ‘Satanic Panic’ of the 1980s, but these materials give researchers a clearer picture of how these wrongful convictions unfolded in the courtroom and in the media.”
Lee Cloninger, the library’s digital and archival initiatives associate, processed nearly 12,000 items in the archival collection and has created an online finding aid to the contents.
Collection intended to keep case “factually clear”
Powell, a retired journalist whose career included 34 years as a reporter and editor at The Charlotte Observer, had long been collecting information about the criminal case, hoping to bring public attention back to irregularities in its investigation and prosecution, which he believes culminated in a gross miscarriage of justice. Chief among them were the accusations themselves, which were elicited through questionable means. Young children who attended Little Rascals were probed by parents and therapists, in ways now seen as leading, and eventually testified about ritualistic sexual abuse, babies being killed, hot air balloon rides, and victims thrown overboard from boats.
While doubts about the veracity of the accusations were raised at the time, including through a multi-part investigation by the PBS documentary series “Frontline,” seven defendants were charged between 1989 and 1997, including co-owners Betsy and Bob Kelly. Powell’s collection includes the transcript of Bob Kelly’s criminal trial, at that time the longest and costliest in North Carolina’s history. It is now widely seen as a prime example of how community hysteria can lead to injustice.
From the start, the outcome looked grim for the defendants. Bob Kelly’s first lawyer stepped down when police told him that his child was identified by another child as a potential victim. A juror took a copy of a magazine with an article about child molestation into deliberations. Some children’s accusations were teased out, over months, by police-recommended therapists, who then refreshed child witnesses’ memories before testifying at the trial held three years after the initial arrests.
“There was something about this case that got to be a burr under my saddle,” said Powell, who began researching it after he retired in 2009, contacting former defendants and asking what had happened to them in years since the charges were dropped.
All of those charged in the case maintained their innocence from the beginning and never brokered plea deals to testify against others in exchange for lighter sentences. The Kellys, who later divorced, were ultimately convicted, Bob by a jury and Betsy through a plea deal in which she did not admit guilt but was promised a release from prison. Dawn Wilson, a daycare cook who turned down plea offers and gave birth to a son while in jail, was also convicted at trial. A friend of Kelly’s, Scott Privott, agreed to a plea deal without admitting guilt years after he was indicted to avoid serving additional prison time. Two other daycare workers, Shelley Stone and Robin Byrum, and a third woman without any prior connection to the daycare, Darlene Harris, were also charged in the case but eventually had their charges dropped.
In 1995, Bob Kelly was freed after more than six years of incarceration after a panel of the N.C. Court of Appeals unanimously found the prosecution to be seriously flawed and overturned the 99 charges and 12 life sentences against him, ordering a new trial. Wilson’s conviction was also set aside. They were never retried — prosecutors dismissed all charges in 1997 — but Betsy Kelly and Privott, who entered pleas, still have convictions of committing sex crimes on children on their records.
“None of them have ever received any type of apology from the state, from the therapists, and from the parents,” Powell said. Several of the defendants shy away from publicity, having moved on with their lives. He’s hoping the seven defendants will one day be declared innocent, in the same way the Duke Lacrosse players were proclaimed innocent in 2007 by then-N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper, now the state’s governor. “I’m interested in keeping the memory of the case alive and factually clear.”
Kelly, now 70 and remarried, blames prosecutorial zeal for the frenzy that nearly robbed him of his life, and said he believes there are many others like him accused of crimes never committed. He hopes the Duke Law archive will show future generations what went wrong in his case and in Edenton, and emphasize what can happen to a person who is falsely accused of a crime.
The effects of being jailed, along with being viewed as a child molester, are still with him. He doesn’t trust people as he once did, especially police and judicial officers, he said. “This is not over for me.” While he doubts he’ll ever hear words of apology himself, he thinks that one day there will be some type of official acknowledgement of what went wrong.
A valuable record of unchecked allegations
Securing exonerations for the Little Rascals defendants would be an uphill battle, said Theresa Newman ’88, co-director of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic, whose work with her colleagues and students led Powell to identify Duke Law as the right home for his archive. Lawyers can’t ask for evidence to be retested or present newly-discovered confessions from suspects to disprove original prosecutions. The crimes alleged in the Little Rascals case don’t have any DNA or physical evidence to dispel prosecutors’ theories based on long-ago testimony from young children. “You have to prove how someone got convicted when there was no crime,” said Newman, the Charles S. Rhyne Clinical Professor of Law.
But Powell’s collection offers scholars an invaluable opportunity to look back and read first-hand documents to find out how the investigation spiraled into a frenzy that swept up so many in its path, she said. “It could show how allegations can arise and go unchecked from person to person to person and then all the way through the system.”
Even in a time period with multiple cases across the country spelling out shocking allegations of sexual abuse, the Edenton daycare prosecution stood out, she added. “The Little Rascals case had some of the most fantastical allegations.” — Sarah Ovaska-Few


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Mortgages and Rising Interest Rates – What you need to know
In a few short years, interest rates have risen to more than five percent from 1.79 percent in late 2020. The low interest rate helped drive real estate sales and home prices upwards.
If you’re a new home buyer, or if your mortgage is coming up for renewal, there are several key points to consider. An interest rate increase of two or three percentage points means significantly larger mortgage payments. This is important to keep in mind as interest rates are expected to continue to rise.
The National Bank of Canada states that a family with the median household income of $78,000 a year will need 6½ years to save a minimum down payment of about $50,000 on a house or condo, which averages in Canada $770,000. In our region, we have not seen the exorbitant prices as the rest of country, but most families will still have to save for several years to make a minimum down payment.
- If you make a down payment of less than 20 percent, you will have to take out mortgage insurance, which increases your monthly payment.
- Making a larger down payment immediately boosts the equity in your home. This helps you build wealth as equity is a resource you can borrow against to improve your property or pay down other high-interest debts.
- A borrower pays more interest in the early part of the mortgage, then pays more of the principal in the latter part of the loan.
FIXED-RATE OR VARIABLE MORTGAGE?
•Fixed-rate mortgages allow you to fix your interested rate locking in your payments for whatever term you choose.
- A fixed-rate mortgage has slightly higher interest rates than a variable rate mortgage.
- If the market shifts, your interest rate won’t. This predictability allows for easier long-term budgeting.
- The downside of fixed rate mortgages is if the interest rate drops, you will be locked in at the higher market rate until it’s time to renew your mortgage.
- Based on your prediction of future interest rates, buyers may want to consider a shorter-term in case future interest rates decrease.
•Variable rate mortgages are generally lower than fixed rates but as they are variable they can rise higher than fixed-rate mortgages.
- Variable rate mortgages also have fixed terms but the interest rate fluctuates based upon the prime rate.
MY MONTHLY PAYMENTS
To understand how a rate increase could impact your monthly payment, check out our mortgage calculator, which allows you to plug in your mortgage at various interest rates. Or, better yet, contact one of our NPSCU mortgage advisors who can help you decide what’s best for you and your family 1-877-787-0361


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Berkeley -- A compound found in broccoli and related vegetables may have more health-boosting tricks up its sleeves, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
Veggie fans can already point to some cancer-fighting properties of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), a chemical produced from the compound indole-3-carbinol when Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale are chewed and digested. Animal studies have shown that DIM can actually stop the growth of certain cancer cells.
This new study in mice, published online today (Monday, Aug. 20) in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, shows that DIM may help boost the immune system as well.
"We provide clear evidence that DIM is effective in augmenting the immune response for the mice in the study, and we know that the immune system is important in defending the body against infections of many kinds and cancer," said Leonard Bjeldanes, UC Berkeley professor of toxicology and principal investigator of the study. "This finding bodes well for DIM as a protective agent against major human maladies."
Previous studies led by Bjeldanes and Gary Firestone, UC Berkeley professor of molecular and cell biology, have shown that DIM halts the division of breast cancer cells and inhibits testosterone, the male hormone needed for growth of prostate cancer cells.
In the new study, the researchers found increased blood levels of cytokines, proteins which help regulate the cells of the immune system, in mice that had been fed solutions containing doses of DIM at a concentration of 30 milligrams per kilogram. Specifically, DIM led to a jump in levels of four types of cytokines: interleukin 6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 12 and interferon-gamma.
The scientists think the immune boosting effect of DIM might be one of the reasons why cruciferous vegetables seem to reduce the incidence of cancer.
"It is well-known that the immune system can seek out and destroy tumor cells, and even prevent tumor growth," said Xue. "An important type of T cell, called a T killer cell, can directly kill certain tumor cells, virally infected cells and sometimes parasites. This study provides strong evidence that could help explain how DIM blocks tumor growth in animals."
DIM was also able to induce higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), substances which must be released by macrophages in order to kill some types of bacteria as well as tumor cells. The induction of ROS - three times that of a control culture - after DIM was added to the cell culture signaled the activation of macrophages, the researchers said.
"The effects of DIM were transient, with cytokine and lymphocyte levels going up and then down, which is what you'd expect with an immune response," said Bjeldanes. "Interestingly, to obtain the effects on the immune response, DIM must be given orally, not injected. It could be that the metabolism of the compound changes when it is injected instead of eaten."
I get a lot of people asking me what is the ideal diet. My answer: the kind of diet you probably don't like. That's the problem with the diet research. Mostly it turns up more reasons to eat huge amounts of vegetables. People don't want to hear that answer.
|Share |||Randall Parker, 2007 August 20 10:53 PM Aging Diet Cancer Studies|


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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit/218 Celsius
Prepare the potato - thinly slice, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Sprinkle with olive oil - about 1-2 tablespoons. Place the potato rounds on the parchment, toss and make sure both sides are coated. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes. (turn after 5 minutes in order for both sides to be baked well)
While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the vegetables and season your fish. Find a 1/4 size baking sheet (or half baking sheet).
Taking a piece of parchment (a sheet large enough to sit inside a large baking sheet) situated on the baking sheet you will be using for your fish, fold it in half (hamburger style). Don't pinch the ends/sides together yet. Place the fish on one side of the parchment near the seam (make sure the fish is generously seasoned with salt and pepper). Place the zucchini, caerrot, scallon and giner on top of the fish. Salt the entire platter of food again. Then, add the splash of white wine (1-2 tablespoons).The potatoes are likely done. As soon as they are done (protecting your fingers as they will be hot), place them on top of the fish and vegetables. Then sprinkle with the herbs.
Fold the parchment to meet the end. Fold both open ends once, then fold the meeting ends twice. Then begin to pleast the entire three edges all the way around. You will be amazed how once you have it in the oven and it begins to bake, the edges to stay put. Just make sure you don't see any of the edges (all are tucked under and inside of the folds and pleats, and you will be set. If you do use a paperclip or clamp of some sort, just make sure it is nothing that will melt and remember that this device will likely be very hot to the touch when you take it out of the oven.
Bake for 12 minutes. I baked a thick King Salmon fillet, and 12 minutes was enough - for one fillet, but if you are cooking larger fillets, you may want to cook 1-2 minutes more. Test with a toothpick or skewer. If it goes in easily (you don't want to overcook), then you are set to enjoy.
No need to remove the meal from inside the parchment. Simply move the parchment filled with fish and vegetables to a plate, open the parchment and enjoy with a cup of the white wine you used to bake the fish.
So incredibly simple, and absolutely satiating. I do hope you enjoy! Thank you Judith Jones!