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If you’re looking for a fun way to spice up your dog’s routine, you may have considered monthly subscriptions such as Barkbox. While all subscription boxes have unique features, Barkbox is known for its original box themes and ever-changing content. Specifically, you can expect two original toys, one yummy chew, and two bags of treats.
However, after receiving your first box, you can tailor your monthly boxes to suit your dog’s needs. If this sounds good to you, keep reading to learn how to set up a Barkbox subscription.
How Does Barkbox Work?
Barkbox likes to keep things simple; once a month, they will send you a box full of toys, treats, and chews that fit the theme they have chosen for that month. For instance, during the holiday season, you might have an extra festive box of goodies for your pup to tear into!
Signing up for Barkbox is a breeze. First, navigate to Barkbox’s website, then create an online profile. From there, you will be prompted to answer questions about your dog, such as your dog’s size and dietary needs. You can also choose between Barkboxes that are filled with plush toys and ones that are stuffing-free.
Afterward, you’ll choose your subscription plan. There are several to choose from, all with varying monthly prices–but we’ll dive into that later. The entire subscription process should take no more than 5 minutes.
More About the Contents of Barkboxes
After receiving your first box, you can change the contents of your monthly boxes if something would suit your dog better. The toys are original and designed by Barkbox’s industrial designers, with every feature deliberately chosen to make your dog’s tail wag. While the original Barkbox subscription provides cuddly, plushy toys, you can opt for the Super Chewer subscription if your dog tears through softer toys.
The treats and chews are high-quality products crafted entirely in the United States and Canada, but not all ingredients are locally sourced.
Barkboxes are customizable and allow you to personalize each box depending on your dog’s breed, size, play styles, food sensitivity, chew styles, and more. To start customizing, you can contact Barkbox directly and discuss your dog’s needs.
How Much Do Barkboxes Cost?
Barkboxes are relatively inexpensive, considering everything you get in each box. Two toys, two treat bags, and a chew can add up to a significant amount of money, assuming you get decent-quality items. But when you get them through Barkbox, you get these items for a reasonable price, and they’re delivered to your door.
If you want to test out Barkbox or order one as a gift for a friend, the 1-month subscription may be worthwhile. However, if you want a continuous supply of pet supplies, the other options may be better.
Unfortunately, Barkbox does not offer free shipping for these plans. However, if you customize your box to purchase more treats or toys, you may qualify for free shipping.
Can Barkbox Subscriptions Be Canceled?
Some subscription boxes make it a hassle to cancel, so it’s understandable to wonder how easy it is to walk away from Barkbox if it’s no longer suitable for you. Thankfully, Barkbox doesn’t make unsubscribing a chore.
Even better, Barkbox offers to help make things right if you or your dog aren’t happy with the subscription. They are willing to let you skip a box or cancel one entirely. Likewise, they allow you to pause your subscription at any time.
Are There Allergy-Friendly Options?
Pet parents of dogs with food allergies know that it can be tricky to find a safe product for their pups. If your dog has food allergies, there’s no need to worry—Barkbox has allergen-friendly options.
If your dog is allergic to beef, chicken, or turkey, Barkbox offers treats entirely free from these common allergens. If your dog is allergic to something else, the Barkbox team welcomes you to contact their customer service to see if any options will be right for your pup.
Barkbox has a lot to offer for dog owners that want to give their puppy something exciting to look forward to. Each month is a new adventure, with unique themes that guarantee your dog sees something exciting with every box. There are plenty of customizable options for you to explore, giving you total control over your dog’s monthly packages. To learn more about Barkbox, check out their website to see what else they offer.
Featured Image Credit: Snezhana_G, Shutterstock

domain: pet


text:
The unknown buyer will join Jeff Bezos and his brother next month.
Featuring new Operators and maps.
In collaboration with Ubisoft.
Said to go from 0 to 60 mph in under two seconds.
The game was temporarily suspended.
While Snoop Dogg joined Def Jam and Gap is reportedly shutting stores in the U.K. and Ireland.
Off their new and final album ‘Culture III.’
Restaurants were overcrowded by the influx of requests for the popular K-pop meal deal.

domain: entertainment


text:
All kids need someone to relate to. This program pairs African-American children with African-American mentors who provide additional support and help them see they can achieve anything they want to in life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has a special online resource for African-American mentoring relationships, called Mentoring Brothers.
Fraternities Making a Pledge
Big Brothers Big Sisters is fortunate to have the devoted support of three major African-American fraternities. Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi have each developed unprecedented initiatives within their brotherhood to get more men involved as both volunteers and donors.
The Hispanic Mentoring Program is designed to encourage, engage and sustain greater numbers of Latino children, and recruit volunteers and families to join in.
Hispanic Mentoring provides Latino children with a caring Big Brother or Big Sister that can enrich their lives culturally, socially and academically, and support them reaching their potential through one-to-one mentoring friendships.
There’s no better time to start something in your community and help put a child on the right track.
Having a mom or dad in prison can make growing up more difficult. Children with an incarcerated parent often need additional support and guidance. Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi program helps broaden their perspectives on what they can achieve in life.
Amachi, a Nigerian word of hope from the Ibo people, means “who knows but what God has brought us through this child.” Our Amachi Program connects children with role models from all walks of life, but particularly those from local religious organizations. Houses of worship and their members are able to provide a safe, stable environment for children to develop into responsible young men and women.
Children with a parent in the military, including a deployed parent, face unique challenges that may include separation and loss in addition to the stresses of military life. To help provide the additional support these children need, Big Brothers Big Sisters has established a program called the Military Mentoring Program. It joins children of parents in the military with Bigs who are in the military, ROTC or military school. This program has recently been given significant support through a partnership with the T. Boone Pickens Foundation as well as The Jack in the Box Foundation. In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters has established a Military Community Advisory Council to advise our organization on policy and practices related to mentoring children in the military community.
For a list of participating military installations, click here.
Our Future. And Theirs.
In order to expand Mentoring Military Children to additional cities and ensure we are making the greatest impact possible on these kids, funding is critical. Your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters can help make this unique program available to more and more children who need a role model. With additional resources, we could expand our military-related services to more cities across America.
For more information about all of our programs, contact Jennifer Mueller at firstname.lastname@example.org or (937) 220-6857.

domain: sociology


text:
The Colombian had apparently tweeted that he was set to join the European Champions, saying it was a “dream come true” but he has since insisted the picture was fake
Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has dismissed claims that he is leaving to join Real Madrid, claiming picture of a tweet saying a move was imminent was fake.
The Colombian triggered suggestions he was imminetly leaving Stade Louis II when he was inexplicably left out of Leonardo Jardim’s matchday squad for their 1-1 draw with Lille on Saturday.
Reports were rife about where the ex-Atletico Madrid man might be departing Ligue 1 for, with Manchester City, Juventus, Arsenal and Real Madrid all named as contenders in the chase for the 28-year-old.
But Falcao looked like he had ended speculation over his future by declaring his loyalties to Carlo Ancelotti’s men, as a picture of a tweet in which he had declared that the move to the Santiago Bernabeu a “dream come true” started to spread through social media. The tweet had supposedly been posted and then quickly deleted by the attacker.
However, the striker took to social media to declare that the tweet was false.
“I have to refute a story about a tweet I have not done, that is photoshopped.”
Tengo que desmentir una noticia sobre un tweet que no he hecho y que es un foto montaje.
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) August 30, 2014
Monaco are yet to comment about whether Falcao is leaving the club after just a single full season with the club, while Real Madrid have similarly kept quiet on the rumours regarding the forward.

domain: news


text:
Wish Craft Mystical Tarot Cards With Magical Mat
Regular price €8,99
Show off your true psychic powers with these cool tarot cards!.
A special trick helps you amaze your friends by predicting which card they will choose! also included are instructions on how to use the cards the old-fashioned way.
See the future by connecting to the Tarot cards energy, or create your own by using the cards secrets.
Whats in the box?
Deluxe Tarot card deck of 78 cards
1 x Fabric playing mat.
1 illustrated instruction booklet
1 x Secret code for online video instructions.


LOCAL AND REGIONAL
* NAACP vs Keystone Cops. I’m conflicted, really I am.
But because what seems to be happening here in all essence is that the NAACP and the Federal government are teaming up to kill South County Center, I’m going to have to side with the Keystone Cops.
* How Bellcurvius does his Christmas (or should that be Kwanzaa?) shopping, mainly through the Kwanzaa principle of Ujamaa.
* Poverty rate in St. Louis City and County going up. The official solution? More gibs, which obviously pushes people out of poverty and in the middle class.
* WU will sponsor an all-girl charter school. You’ll never guess who founded the school.
* Munch on the irony: Someone went into the baby changing station and found two people making more babies.
* No bombs, but the threat of Bellcurvius remains.
But take it from me, especially now from me. This is basically vanity legislation that will go nowhere, has no chance of going anywhere, and that’s well known to the sponsors of this bill. It’s just a publicity stunt.
* Why you mad bro? Kids are expected to learn this stuff way before they’re 13.
It wouldn’t be speaking out of turn for me to suggest ook abatement, would it?
Sure, because they’re the best kind of burger to eat when you’re drunk.
* Violence at a funeral for a violence victim. Always bet on Bellcurvius.
This means that there none left.
* Why are they in such a hurry? Don’t they know it’s so much more lucrative to be an illegal alien?
I think invading Syria had a higher approval rating.
* Right on. There is no STEM “labor shortage,” there’s only the gluttonous desire for ever-cheaper workers.
* “Spies want Snowden dead.” Stay classy, NSA.
* Of course, it takes ole bigoted me to ask the obvious white elephant naked emperor question: What was someone named Asef Mohamed doing trespassing in a water treatment facility?
* Follow the bouncing ball. It says that students who obviously identify with the hip-hop culture are “unfairly targeted” (i.e. properly punished) in urban schools. Which means it’s their own hip-hop schools doing it to them.
* Gains momentum? You mean a lot of people are actually signing this piece of garbage?
* I think all these reasons have validity. But I think the biggest reason is all the youthfully conceited and arrogant “I want to make a difference” types.
The complaint here is that so many of the nannies are black or Hispanic while so many of the kids are white. Okay then, white parents should only hire white nannies for their white kids. Problem solved.
But these are the fields we’re going to have to salt when we ultimately win.
* Militant atheists WTF? Don’t like the Bible? Then don’t read it.
Translation: Seven generations of blacks.
* Yeah right. And don’t think for one minute that she’s not trying to ride her son’s dead body to a small or large fortune. As someone responded to me in the comment section there, his name has been Traydemarked.
* Read closely. Most of his bit will come from the armed robbery. But nobody seems to be mad about that, it’s the animal abuse that has everyone steaming.
* And what is Lucas doing setting up shop in Singapore? Looking to outsource jobs?
Mainly to paper over all that vibrant diversity.
* London then, and London now. Some of these will depress you.
* What happens when people have too much time on their hands?
I guess we can take this as a vote of no confidence against Obama’s NSA reforms.
* As the old folks come, the young folks leave. Take a hint: The two are related.


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THE EURASIAN DIAMOND CENTRE OPENS AS PART OF THE EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM
02 September 2016
A unique cluster will appear at the Free Port of Vladivostok to unite companies of the gem and industrial diamond industry.
The AK ALROSA project is a platform for international trade and processing of precious stones. The cluster will include companies that mine and sell rough diamonds, produce gem diamonds and jewellery, gem laboratories, banks, insurance companies, associated transport companies, as well as government structures: federal customs and state control bodies of the Russian Federation.
The Eurasian Diamond Centre opening ceremony was attended by Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, AK ALROSA President Andrei Zharkov, and head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Yegor Borisov.
Yury Trutnev stressed that the opening of the Centre was the company’s response to the government’s initiative.
“Russia is the world’s biggest producer of diamonds. Yet our diamonds are sold in other countries and cities, and they are also cut there. We should learn how to sell diamonds, how to make gems out of them, and how to make jewellery pieces out of gems. This will allow us to create more jobs, thus boosting the development of Russia and the Far East. The problem of diamond processing should not be put on to the company alone; it requires government support. I am sure we will find the right form of cooperation,” the Deputy Prime Minister underlined.
For his part, Andrei Zhukov said that agreements had already been reached with the first partner, an Indian company. A USD 25 m contract will be signed at the Forum.
The Eurasian Diamond Centre will be located at Free Port Vladivostok, close to the domestic diamond production and key buyers from the Asia Pacific Region, especially China and Hong Kong.
“Our goal is at least to double or even triple sales to these countries,” Zharkov stated.
The Second Eastern Economic Forum is being held in Vladivostok on September 2-3, 2016. The forum venue is the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University.


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In a shocking report, The Guardian revealed that Hungarian authorities pushed out even severely injured asylum seekers to Serbia. We have been drawing attention to this issue for a long time and continue to provide legal assistance to … Read more
Hungarian authorities forcibly transferred a Yemeni family of seven and an Afghan three-member family to Serbia in 2019. They all applied for asylum at Budapest Airport but were pushed out via the border fence. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg ruled today that the Hungarian state violated the prohibition of collective expulsions and inhuman or degrading treatment. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee represented the asylum seekers, including a child with Down’s syndrome, in the case.
Since 27 May 2020, it is almost impossible to access the asylum procedure in Hungary. Our new information note summarises the litigation struggle of clients represented by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC), who lawfully entered … Read more
The Hungarian state violated the human rights of three Syrian refugees – the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) declared on December 15. The Hungarian authorities expelled them without properly examining their asylum applications or … Read more
In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Croatia illegally expelled an Afghan family seeking asylum with their many children. The victim on whom the judgment in the case was based was a six-year-old girl, Madina, who had died. Her tragic death is a disturbing example of a ruthless migration policy similar to the practice in Hungary. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee intervened in the Strasbourg proceedings in order to promote the cause of asylum-seeking victims.
Following the Polish model, the Government wanted to use the Constitutional Court as a means of evading a Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgment that it did not like. However, in its … Read more
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled last December that the indiscriminate push-back of asylum-seekers to Serbia was in breach of EU law. However, the Government did not abandon the illegal practice, but instead responded with another violation: following the Polish model, it intends to use the Hungarian Constitutional Court as a means of evading the enforcement of a binding CJEU judgment.
A story about Hungary’s dysfunctional asylum system through the experience of HHC’s client, Hasib from Afghanistan.
As part of the Protecting Rights at Borders initiative funded by the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), the second quarterly report on unlawful push-backs carried out by authorities in Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, … Read more
As part of the Protecting Rights at Borders initiative funded by the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), the first quarterly report on unlawful push-backs carried out by authorities in Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, … Read more
Our intervention at the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee Working Group on Frontex Scrutiny on push-backs and the Agency’s human rights record in Hungary.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee together with the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), the Dutch Council for Refugees (DCR), the AIRE Center, and the International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) submitted a third party intervention … Read more
The HHC’s new Information Note summarizes the changes that took place since Fall 2015 in the field of asylum and shows how these changes have erected, step-by-step, a new wall around Hungary.
The HHC’s brief statistical report about the key asylum figures is available online here.
On 14 February, the Hungarian government has submitted to Parliament a package of amendments to five acts. These proposed legal changes, which are extreme and flagrant violations of European Union asylum law and European and … Read more


Alan Boyle, GeekWire aerospace and science editor, has the hot news about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. No, not about the divorce. Alan reports on the latest flight from Bezos’ Blue Origin space project and how the work fits into the Bezos portfolio of enterprises. Alan (@b0yle) has lots more including a story about a flying saucer vying for a $2 million prize. image: Blue Origin via YouTube
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- 6:00 pm, April 29, 2021 – Panel on Inclusive and Bias-Free Language in Science Writing
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These beef dices always make great dishes, including stews, pastas, skillet meals and more. 100% wholesome beef is the only kind we use, leaving no doubt you're getting the best.
Don't skimp on your protein; it'll help give you the energy needed to maintain a balanced diet. This freeze dried combo pack includes a great assortment of ground beef, chicken, turkey, and beef dices to enjoy.
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domain: food


The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has called on political parties to introduce measures to support families of persons with disabilities in their various manifestoes.
The GFD specifically called on political parties and policy makers to support those who act as informal carers, to support and empower them to manage their caring responsibilities, to remain active in employment, to maintain good health, and to have a life outside of caring.
Such measures, the GFD said, should also seek to prevent situations where family members with caring responsibilities are disadvantaged or discriminated against.
The Advocacy Committee of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) has spearheaded the development of a Disability Manifesto for the 2024 elections.
Mr Auberon Jeleel Odoom, Chairman of the Manifesto Committee told the Ghana News Agency that the manifesto will serve as a roadmap to guide policymakers and political leaders in formulating inclusive policies and implementing effe
ctive measures to ensure the full participation and empowerment of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Ghanaian society.
The manifesto also advocates for the establishment of comprehensive social protection programmes that provide financial support, healthcare, and other essential services to persons with disabilities, families affected by disability, and caregivers of persons with disabilities.
Mr Odoom said over the years, political parties have often not involved organizations of persons with disabilities in the development of their manifestoes, which mostly resulted in limited consideration for disability issues in their manifestoes.
‘With the 2024 elections approaching, political parties must give due attention to the concerns and aspirations of this marginalized segment of society.’
The GFD’s Disability Manifesto represents a collective effort to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana and to chart a path toward greater inclusion and empowerment.
The Manifesto was
arrived at through a nationwide process of consultation within the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations and its members, as well as its regional branches.
The Manifesto represents a collective effort to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana and to chart a path toward greater inclusion and empowerment, Mr Odoom Said.
Source: Ghana News Agency


text: Some years ago I stumbled upon the book New Approaches to Medieval Communication. The book’s haunted me for years now. Or, to be more exact, I’ve been haunted by Mary Garrison’s essay “Send More Socks”: On Mentality and the Preservation Context of Medieval Letters.” I was already knew that archeologists had found rune sticks with messages like “Come home now” (found in a tavern, no less), but in this article I learned about the use of birch bark texts in medieval Russia. From Glosses.net, I found Дизайн и техническая поддержка, a digital repository of birch bark texts. It’s worth a look.

domain: history


text:
Average net wage up 2.4% in October year-on-year
Ljubljana, 15 December - The average net wage in Slovenia in October was EUR 1,056.47 or 3.4% more year-on-year nominally and 2.4% in real terms, the Statistics Office announced on Friday.
The rest of this news item is available to subscribers.
The news item consists of 1.025 characters (without spaces) or 215 words words.
Buy the news item. Price: 2 tokens; on account: 0 tokens.

domain: economics


The point in customizable application designs is that you are able to modify some of the code that the application provides. This is the process of creating a customization for a customizable design which you normally do while working in OpenWGA developer studio.
While running the integrated OpenWGA Server you open the OpenWGA admin client and create a new application based on a plugin design which is customizable. This is how the design configuration may look like, including the additional field "Design directory for customization":
The directories offered in this additional field are directories below the "designs" folder of your OpenWGA installation/runtime. To create a design directory for customization you simply have to do the following:
- Create a new empty folder the "designs" folder of your running OpenWGA runtime project. You can do this via file manager or in OpenWGA Developer Studio by selecting the "designs" folder, then clicking Menu "File > New... > Folder".
- Refresh the configuration editor in OpenWGA admin client, so it will fetch available directories again. You can do this by opening the select box of field "Plugin:" and choosing your desired design plugin again.
- Choose your newly created folder from the list
- Save the configuration once you finished all desired settings
OpenWGA will now automatically fill the newly created design directory with copies of all designs from the source application that are intended for customization. To customize the application you now simply need to modify the files in this directory. Your changes will instantly be online. OpenWGA will now use the design files from your customization directory instead of those from the original application. This directory is also called an overlay directory, because it's resources are "layed over" the original resources of the source application.
If you ever want to return a design file to the original state, in which it was copied from the source application, you simply need to delete the file, then reconnect the application. OpenWGA will again copy the initial state of the design file to your customization directory.
Customization directories have the structure of normal design directories. However some functionalities that are available to normal design directories are not available when those are used for customization. Other things work a bit different here. The following pages highlight the differences.
Table of contents:
- The design configuration of overlays
- Addressing design resources in overlays
- Using updated base plugins with customized designs
- Downgrading an overlay resource to its original version
- Exporting an overlay directory as OpenWGA plugin


text:
Pavillon Greenville Outpatient Services
Home With A Heart
McLeod Addictive Disease Center
Crest View Recovery Center
Charlotte Treatment Center
Sponsored Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Laurens, South Carolina
All these featured substance abuse programs were verified to satisfy or top stringent federal benchmarks, such as BBB rankings, licensing given by the state and national accreditation such as the joint commission. All the will provide you some of best individual therapy, immediate detox and treatment variations existing in any city and include exclusive exclusive and luxury services.
About Addiction Treatment in Laurens, SC
Even if the suggested featured treatment plan program options don't suit your needs, there are still additional options available. We’ve uncovered several some other alcohol abuse facilities near Laurens SC. Don’t let the sizeable number of resources bewilder you, though – our addiction advisors are always available to help you choose the service if you want to speak with a live person. Our free phone number is 1-888-287-0471 , and a person is handy 24 hours a day.
About Therapy, Aftercare and Sober Living in Laurens
Addiction treatment programs encompass a comprehensive range of phases, regardless of whether it is necessary to help a person overcome a physical compulsion or an addiction to any behavior. In cases concerning problems with drugs and alcohol it very often requires a period of withdrawal, followed by a rehab program. Drug abuse treatment, a dependency to alcohol treatment and habit-related addiction treatment also make use of ongoing therapy sessions. If need be, interventionist services are ordinarily presented. To ensure that you locate the substance abuse rehab program that’s the best option for your specific needs in Laurens, call one of our staff to help you find a service when you feel you are ready to obtain help. Kick Temesta, Meperidine or whatever substance has been holding your life hostage.
Other Laurens Addiction Treatment Programs and Resources
Without constant diligence and ongoing guidance, it’s easy for anyone to revert back to old ways in our difficult times. This is the reason why it’s worth contemplating cotinued care or a community that supports sober living for continual addiction therapy even after you depart from a centers. It’s of great importance to have a support system that is strong to remain drug free so make sure you communicate with someone, whether it’s a companion or family member or a drug treatment professional.
Get Addiction Help Today
With many various drug treatment alternatives on hand for you in Laurens, South Carolina, getting the ball rolling can be challenging. Finding this site means you are serious about locating support for you or someone you love. Our hotline is open to you at all hours if you're looking to locate a center, discuss treatment options, verify your health insurance coverage or get a free evaluation.. Call 1-888-287-0471 immediately.

domain: psychology


text:
By Andrew Neiditz, Manager, City of Lakewood
New Online Business Feature Goes Live For Lakewood: On March 14th, the City will launch an online inspection scheduling feature on our website. This tool will allow citizens and contractors to request an inspection for building permits, issued by the City, at any time of day in a matter of minutes. The turnaround time for scheduling inspections will remain the same as requests received from the current phone message line. The number for requesting inspections will still be available and can be dialed at 253-512-2266; questions should be directed to the Community Development Department at 253-512-2261. The online feature will be available through this link: www.cityoflakewood.us/departments/community-development/inspection-request.html.
WAPRO launches website: The Washington Association of Public Records Officers (WAPRO), a non-profit association founded to provide education and a forum to public disclosure practitioners on the requirements of the Washington State Public Records Act, is pleased to announce the official launch of its website. Alice Bush, City Clerk currently serves as the President of the WAPRO Organization.
JBLM Growth Coordination Plan presented to Tacoma City Council: The city manager and senior planner Dan Penrose presented the recently-completed JBLM plan at a study session of the Tacoma Council on March 8th, and answered questions about transportation and housing. The City of Tacoma has participated in the planning process, along with other cities in the area and Pierce and Thurston counties.
Paralegal accepted into Law Clerk Program: Paralegal Rebecca Hendricks was accepted and began study this month in the Washington State Bar Association’s Rule 6 Law Clerk Program. Assistant City Attorney Mike Savage will serve as her tutor. This four-year program provides for an alternative legal education. Successful completion of the program meets the educational requirement to take the Washington State Bar Exam.


A classic medieval bauernwehr knife dated to the 15thC.
This form of 'Farmers knife' is often seen in manuscripts and is heavily associated with hunting and geographically to the German states.
The handle scales are antler, the handle fittings, nagel and rivets are steel and the scabbard is made fro two layers of veg tan leather with an incised mythical beast.
Overall length 41cm/16"
Grip length 11cm/4.25"
Blade length 29cm/11.5"
A classic medieval quillon dagger. The typical knight's weapon from the 12th through to the 15th Century. This example has a wheel pommel and a downturned guard with a strong,...
13thC Medieval cleaver or kitchen knife with a distinctive clipped point and engraved eye. This sort of decorative feature was common on knives of this period. The scale tang handle...
This medieval dagger is based heavily on a piece owned by Alexander Balliol and dated 1280. The double edged blade is fitted to a simple steel cross guard and octagonal...


text:
The local organizers of the Sunday demonstration and their supporters downloaded multiple images on social media depicting people, of Asian and European appearance, many of them in white T-Shirts with a "Securite Pour Tous" (Security for everyone) slogan. The people marched in central Paris, from the Place de la Republique to the Place de la Bastille.
The protesters, including children, grownups and elderly people, carried flags of France and placards reading "I love safe France," "Stop to racist prejudice," "[Zhang] Chaolin died for nothing," and demanded better police vigilance and security for the French Asians.
According to media reports, the number of demonstrators could be up to 14,000.
Asians amount to some 1.5 percent of the French population, mostly inhabiting major urban areas, like Paris.


Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox
August 4, 2008
5 Min Read
Author: by Simon Parkin, Staff
Programmers making games on their own face steep odds, butting up on one side against the gorilla of commercial development, and against the challenges of independence, finances and satisfying an enormous community on the other. As lone coders, Space Giraffe creator Jeff Minter, Desktop Tower Defense designer Paul Preece, and EA expat-turned-Boxhead series creator Sean Cooper may represent a dying breed in the days of burgeoning dev teams and even bigger budgets. But the three had an opportunity to speak out at the recent Develop Conference and Expo in Brighton -- Gamasutra was there to hear Edge Magazine's Alex Wiltshire lead them in a panel discussion focused on their experiences in going it alone. Doing It Your Way "It's the only way I get the freedom to make the games I want to make," said Minter. "Love it or hate it, I have developed my own style, and this is the only way to pursue that with absolute purity." Cooper agreed -- after 15 years of writing games for others, he said, "hang on a minute -- I want to make games for myself." Leaving EA, he said, was about fatigue for a team dynamic where he was tired of hearing "'that's rubbish design,' when I knew there was something good in there and they were just being too cautious." Preece confessed to being a control freak -- teams are all right with him, he said, "as long as I get to run things. It works out well being left alone to make games on my own." Wanting to be on one's own is all well and good, of course, but most Xbox Live Arcade titles require large teams. What do the panelists use as tools to support them in going it alone? Iterative Advantages Minter said he does many of his games procedurally, mainly using his Neon procedural graphics engine that he wrote for the Xbox. "It’s been vastly upgraded and is now useful for freeing me from needing external artwork," he said, adding that he hopes to migrate into procedurally-generated music, and eventually the gameplay itself. "It would be incredible if we could make a game and procedurally create an experience though the parameters that we put on it," said Cooper. For Preece, quick feedback in the Flash games market means he knows nearly immediately on a title's release what players like -- and what they don't. "Get it out to them, get them to feel it, bring it back and take the lessons into the next thing. Minter, on the other hand, expressed caution about migrating to XBLA -- "to be honest, I don't think it’s quite enough to sustain my business," he said. Speaking of Flash, Preece cited scripting speed as its primary advantage, and debugging as its weakness, while Cooper agreed that it's "basically an artwork scripting tool." Nonetheless, "For me, it makes things better," he said. "I can have a game open in an IE window, I know the limitations and have to optimize things that you did in the 8-bit days." Confidence Amid The Noise What about other internet-based advantages? Does the tech support and developer community online make it easier to do a title like, for example, Minter's Space Giraffe? Or does being so connected to the end user create challenges? "At the end of the day, you can’t please everyone," he said. "There will always be people on the internet who will moan and tell you you’re rubbish and your game is gong to be terrible, but you just have to shut them out and trust that it’s going to be good." What does it take to cultivate that sort of faith? A long apprenticeship within a developer? "I think if you’ve got it, you've got it," said Minter. He also said completing projects can instill confidence just as surely as failure to finish them can shake it. "If you try a bit of this and a bit of that you end up with thirty half-done games, and if you never complete, then you’ll never get the feeling that you can actually make games." Cooper said that in "the old days" at EA, he found design documents to be one of the dev cycle's biggest flaws. "It would be like Ford saying, 'we’re going to release a car on paper, make it and release it without testing and refining its elements.'" So then, how do you know when a game is actually finished? Never, really, said Preece. "You can keep updating your game -- my game is a number of iterations along from its initial release. We take our own stats, so we can monitor. Most of the stuff you can do post-launch is refinement based on the data coming back." And Flash, he added, lends itself to this degree of iteration. Hard Lessons And is it difficult, flying solo? Do any of the developers long for a return to a big team? "I would say that the last year has been really hard," said Minter. "We learned a lot of lessons through Space Giraffe." "It’s a good life though... It can be a bit more demanding than an office job where you can close the door at 5:00. But it is my passion – it’s how I want to spend my life." Money is the main stressor, said Preece -- adding that the Flash biz has become what he calls a "footnote for the casual games industry" causes issues, too. Minter, however, said he doesn't mind the opinions of commercial developers. "I tend to say a bit separate from those things," he said. "I try to keep true to what’s in my head."
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Only in Florida: Cop Fired Numerous Times, gets the Boot Again
A Florida cop, arrested and jailed three times and fired at least six times, was finally let go on Wednesday.
Sgt. German Bosque, 49, an Opa-locka police officer, who has been disciplined, suspended and fired numerous times over his 19-year law enforcement career was fired, the miamiherald reports.
Bosque’s most recent termination was because he didn’t have his department-issued weapon, an AR-15, with him when it was requested, the paper also reported.
Bosque said he intends to fight his termination…. again.


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Our Ambition – Community Climate Hub
We have a vision of a future which looks positive, yet very different from today, as communities can be supported to develop thriving village hubs which may involve repair cafes, Community Sheds, exchanges of clothes, books or seeds or even planting community allotments and orchards.
We want to bring a hub just like this to the high street of Horsham.
A Community Climate Hub will serve our community & deliver a positive impact on the environment.
Carrie Cort, CEO


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Business Contract Awardees
Tony Armstead’s Car Maintenance Service applied for a small business loan to upgrade his equipment and hire help with his hand car wash business. The Stark County Minority Business Association granted him a small loan which allowed him to purchase a new vehicle and hire part-time help. Mr. Armstead’s business was an on-site car wash business with an in-vehicle water system. His is one of the few car wash businesses that did on-site hand car washes. Mr. Armstead died suddenly before realizing the how the loan enhanced his business. However, the loan did allow his hired assistant to have a viable business to acquire and grow.
Barton Construction and the Red Rose Cleaning Co were both able to secure a contract with the City of Canton Waste Water Treatment System. SCMBA officials met with the contractors for the new Waste Water Treatment System to encourage minority participation on the contract. The City of Canton and the Contractor, Shuck Construction were both in agreement and to include the Red Rose Cleaning Co. and Barton Construction.
Onyx Construction and City Flooring and Design were both able to secure a contract with Armatas Construction, also a member of the Stark County Minority Business Association. The Eaglecreek Project in Hubbard, Ohio is funded through the Trumbull County Housing Authority (TMHA), with Armatas Construction as the general contractor.


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- Meeting abstract
- Open Access
Mechanisims of asthma and allergic disease – 1072: CD48: a novel biomarker for asthma?
World Allergy Organization Journal volume 6, page P69 (2013)
CD48, a CD2-family surface receptor expressed on immune cells involved in various immune disorders and cell activities has also a soluble form (sCD48) previously found to be elevated in the serum of leukemia and infectious diseases patients. We have demonstrated that human peripheral blood (pb) eosinophils express membrane-bound functional CD48 (mCD48) and that its engagement activates them in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of asthma. In this study our hypothesis was that the levels of both mCD48 and sCD48 are increased in the pb of asthmatic and other allergic disease patients. Our aim was therefore to evaluate mCD48 expression on leukocytes as well as its soluble form in the serum of asthmatic, allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.
Pb from asthmatic (taking only inhaled bronchodilators), untreated AR and AD patients, and non allergic non asthmatic controls was collected.Leukocyte fraction was isolated and stained using Abs against CD48 andthespecific markers for each cell type (T cells, B cells, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and NK cells). Results were analyzed by FACS. sCD48 was detected using a specific ELISA.
mCD48 expression in asthmatics was significantly increased on eosinophils as compared with healthy donors (p<0.001). Importantly this enhanced expression was also found to be significant on neutrophils (p<0.015) and monocytes (p<0.05) although at a lower extent. Interestingly on both AR and AD derived cells, CD48 expression was decreased in comparison to the control group. In the asthmatic group sCD48 levels were also significantly elevated (p<0.006 and 2 folds higher) as compared with the control, AR and AD groups. We also found that sCD48 can down regulate eosinophil activation carried out by heat killed S.aureus by significantly reducing the release of IL-8 (p<0.005).
Our results suggest that both the mCD48 and sCD48 may serve as novel biomarkers for asthma. sCD48 may regulatethe allergic response and provide a new potential target for the suppression of asthma. Further research must be done in order to evaluate CD48 expression and release throughout the course of the different forms of asthma and its expression and function in the airways.
About this article
Cite this article
Minai-Fleminger, Y., Gutgold, A., Barhoum, A. et al. Mechanisims of asthma and allergic disease – 1072: CD48: a novel biomarker for asthma?. World Allergy Organ J 6, P69 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1939-4551-6-S1-P69
- Atopic Dermatitis
- CD48 Expression
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic Rhinitis

domain: medical


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I have searched for the past couple of hours and found some good information, but nothing is exactly what I am looking for. A lot of the responses are old and I'm looking for updated info. We will be driving from Split to Dubrovnik, what is the best way, the coastal road or the motorway? What is the difference in time and views? Are there any good places to stop along the way?
Also we may drive from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. It will be the end of June (thursday 27th, or fri 28th). I've read some about an alternate border crossing, does anyone have specific directions for it and how much out of the way is it? Is it always worth it time wise?

domain: geography


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To say it has been a tough few years for coal investors would be an understatement. The stocks of Peabody Energy (OTC:BTUU.Q), Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI), and Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR) have been absolutely crushed on fears that the fossil fuel would bite the dust. Just one look at the following chart is enough to make any coal investor's stomach churn.
Things haven't been much better for these companies in recent weeks, either, as coal stocks were crushed earlier this month on warnings that Chinese demand isn't picking up. That being said, the commodity doesn't appear to be dead just yet. In fact, Peabody Energy's comments on its second quarter would suggest that coal's best days just might be ahead of it.
While Peabody Energy lost money this past quarter, its revenue improved as coal continues to take global market share away from oil and gas. The company noted that coal now accounts for 30% of global energy consumption, which is its greatest contribution to the energy mix since 1970. Furthermore, Peabody Energy said it sees coal taking more market share: The world continues to turn to coal as a competitive fuel source, and that should remain the case as urbanization and industrialization trends are expected to fuel long-term demand growth.
Peabody Energy's case for coal is compelling. It noted that China's coal generation rose 5% through June and that the country's economic expansion and government stimulus programs were just starting to gain traction. It sees accelerating economic growth translating into improved steel production and increased metallurgical coal imports in the second half of this year. That has to be music to the ears of investors in Alpha Natural Resources, which is a major exporter of metallurgical coal.
Peabody Energy also noted that India's coal generation rose 12% through the first half of the year, while its metallurgical coal imports rose 26%. It added that coal stockpiles are at extremely low levels in the country. In addition, the country's new prime minister has stated that he wants to increase coal imports as part of his plan to boost economic growth, according to Peabody Energy. That's good news for Arch Coal, which has stated that it wants to increase coal exports to India.
Japan is another market that offers cause for optimism. Because nuclear generation remains offline there following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, and natural gas is expensive to import, Japan's only economical option is coal, which is why coal powered generation rose 9% through May. Overall, coal's share of electric generation in Japan has risen from 27% in 2011 to 35% this year.
Peabody Energy expects coal demand to rise by 600 million tonnes by 2016. Fueling this increase is the 250 gigawatts of new coal-fueled generation set to be built over the next three years, requiring another 750 million tonnes of thermal coal. However, because local production will fall short, Peabody Energy sees coal imports in India and China growing by 100 million tonnes. Needless to say, coal isn't dead yet.
The problem is the near-term outlook
While the longer-term outlook for coal looks compelling, it is challenged in the near term. Peabody Energy noted that the global seaborne marketplace for coal remains oversupplied. This is forcing producers around the world to cut back on supply, but those capacity reductions won't take hold until later this year.
Meanwhile, coal's outlook in the U.S. is also a bit cloudy at the moment. While coal filled 92% of the incremental electricity demand in the first quarter, it faces an uphill battle to grow. The EPA's carbon dioxide emission rules, as currently proposed, would have a negative impact on coal power generation in the nation, which could have a big effect on coal production. Until there is clarity on these proposed rules, they will act as a weight on coal producers.
Coal certainly can't be counted out yet. However, its future in the United States remains uncertain, and the proposed carbon rules here, if enacted, could eventually spread abroad. That makes it particularly hard for investors to buy the global growth story, as coal stocks still have a tough uphill battle to fight.

domain: finance


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Soon, people begin to realize the impossibility to substantially place human suffering in a purposeful, much less a meaningful position. Maybe God is trying to teach people a lesson of sorts. It could be that the things of God are too lofty for mankind to comprehend. Serious questions arise. What sort of lesson is God trying to teach a kidnapped child in Africa who is forced to take drugs and murder others? Why does God choose not to disclose His lofty ways for us to rationalize suffering at a minimum?
Humans draw conclusions in the mind. If God exists then he doesn't care about innocent people suffering, or He simply refuses to interfere with injustice which would make Him unloving, or He is impotent and cannot stop the suffering. The answer might just be that God simply does not exist. Faith shattering implications, which is why it is important to look at the alternative.
An atheistic worldview describes life in the universe as an undirected process. The things that resemble design are not designed, merely the appearance of such. Suffering has absolutely no meaning, mankind has no free will, and love is not love, simply the appearance of such.
Art, poetry, song, the love of a mother to child have no significance. Mankind is reduced to an animalistic nature where existence is boiled down to eating food and procreation; a place where asking the question, "God, do you truly love me?" will never produce an answer. Never.
Humans are fortunate creatures who do live in a world where God truly exists. There is tremendous suffering in the world but mankind also experiences the thrills of joy and the comfort of love. Humans are not illusions of design, but according to the Bible, are "fearfully and wonderfully made" by a loving and passionate God.
So what is the true meaning behind suffering. A world in which God does not exist can truly never provide answers. Suffering really would be meaningless and life would be hopeless. Thankfully, the world is sustained by a very real God and even without all the answers, believers have a relationship with the One who holds all the answers alone.

domain: literature


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Moab, Utah. A little town with a big reputation. With two of Utah's national parks located near Moab, the area has become a mecca for outdoorsmen and nature lovers. But while we usually focus on our resorts in Moab, today we're featuring seven different ways to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Check out these ways to explore and then plan your trip to the great town of Moab, Utah!
What better way to explore Utah's national parks than with your own two feet? Both Arches and Canyonlands have excellent hiking trails for a variety of difficulty levels.
We previously covered hiking trails at Arches National Park, including Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, and Park Avenue. Check out the post and choose a trail that suits your skill level.
Canyonlands National Park has many more trails for hiking. Here are a couple options:
Exploring two of Utah's national parks by horseback is like something out of a Western movie. With the red rocks around Moab, you can embrace your inner cowboy as you traverse rugged roads.
There's a lot of important information regarding horseback riding in the parks. See this guidance for Arches National Park and this information about horseback riding in Canyonlands National Park. Especially note when and where you can take livestock and what they must eat before visiting.
If you have an appetite for adventure, you might want to try biking. You'll need to have some good experience before tackling Arches and Canyonlands, but the experience is unforgettable. All paved and unpaved roads within the parks are fair game, but you can't take your bike on trails.
For smooth road biking, stick to the paved roads. Alternatively, you can ride the Moab Canyon Pathway, a paved pathway stretching more than 100 miles and connecting the town to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
For mountain-style biking, just hit the unpaved roads. Canyonlands, in particular, has great backcountry roads for riding. We recommend White Rim Road and Elephant Hill Road. Both are challenging, but stunning.
While the paved roads can be handled by a regular car, you'll need a 4WD vehicle to tackle the backcountry roads in Utah's national parks. You can take your own 4WD vehicle, but the roads are very tough. There's a high risk of damage and towing can be costly. Make sure you're experienced and equipped before going out.
As an alternative, try taking an off-road tour with one of the local outfitters. These may be on other backcountry roads around Moab but offer similar scenery to the national parks. Here are three potential outfitters to use:
We often talk about spending the night under the stars at our resorts. While you should try that, you can also go stargazing around Moab. In fact, Arches National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park. You can experience the best for yourself at Balanced Rock, Garden of Eden, and Panorama Point.
As a tip, plan to go as close to a new moon as possible. Additionally, recognize that your eyes will need about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. Try minimizing your exposure to light by using a red-light headlamp or flashlight when hiking to your spot. This will make stargazing an even better experience.
Boating may not be the first activity you think of in the arid Moab climate. But both the Colorado River and Green River flow through Canyonlands National Park. There are many miles of calm flatwater that can be explored by canoe or kayak. And for the daring, Cataract Canyon has a fourteen-mile stretch of Class III to Class V whitewater.
Check out all the info from the National Park Service about boating at Canyonlands.
With four resorts in Moab, we're ready to host you during your stay to visit two of Utah's national parks. Check out our Moab resorts below and find one that suits your trip:
Love the red rocks at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park? Give other people the chance to explore them and pass this post along!