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My Flash Back Friday is The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. I remember this book being given to me by my cousins after they were done with it. I placed it on my bookshelf and didn’t look at it for about a year. Big mistake. When I finally picked it up again I could’t put it down. I had a serious book hangover after I finished this one.
When orphaned young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she’s entered Paradise. Her new guardian, her uncle Sir Benjamin, is kind and funny; the Manor itself feels like home right away; and every person and animal she meets is like an old friend. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort—a tragedy that happened years ago, shadowing Moonacre Manor and the town around it—and Maria is determined to learn about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending. But what can one solitary girl do?
I expected this book to be similar to The Secret Garden, but I was mistaken. Goudge invented a beautiful fantasy world full of magical creatures. The story is led by a feisty heroine who you can’t help but fall in love with.
I do have a few issues with the book. It is a very typical fairytale, in which everyone lives happily ever after. No that this is necessarily a problem, it’s just that I prefer a book with some dramatic plot twists. The book does take a few sharp turns, although reading it now I can see they are quite obvious.
I would recommend this book for younger children and people who don’t particularly want a hard read. It’s nice to sit outside and read it in the garden for an afternoon. I’m going to give it 4 stars.
Flash Back Friday is a meme hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies

domain: library


Proceedings of the 41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2008) (2008)
Waikoloa, Big Island, Hawaii
Jan. 7, 2008 to Jan. 10, 2008
User participation is generally considered an important aspect of information systems development and a leading factor in systems success. However, results from earlier studies are inconsistent as to the significance of user involvement to system success, and suggest that perhaps new avenues need to be explored [6,12,15]. In this study, we extend the line of inquiry on user participation by extending the descriptive model of Cavaye  and including ideas from the complementary but separate social process model of Newman and Robey . The result is a user participation approach (UPA) framework encompassing four worldviews that emerge from the four paradigms proposed by Hirschheim and Klein . Thus, the UPA framework uses meta- theoretical assumptions to describe and explain the user participation process from a new angle. This framework can be adapted and customized to fit the needs of specific organizations and thereby facilitate more successful systems development.
A. Mattia and H. R. Weistroffer, "Information System Development: A Categorical Analysis of? User Participation Approaches," Proceedings of the 41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2008)(HICSS), Waikoloa, Big Island, Hawaii, 2008, pp. 453.


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Play Free Mortal Kombat 3 online - Retro Game
Play Free Mortal Kombat 3 game in browser emulator. The game is here on OldGameShelf.com as a museum artwork for retro game lovers. This new Free Mortal Kombat 3 game could be played free on various devices: mobile phones, tablets, and laptops through web browsers. The game is categorized as Fighting, Multiplayer. And has received a super rating of 5.0 out of 5 from 2 players.
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It is the third installment in the Mortal Kombat series and features a roster of playable characters, each with their own unique moves and fatalities. The game also introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as "run" and "chain combos," and added several new characters to the series, including Cyrax, Sektor, and Sheeva. The game's story revolves around the battle between Earthrealm's warriors and the forces of Outworld, led by the evil Shao Kahn.FightingMultiplayer

domain: game


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The author is a character and not Hawthorne himself telling the story. It is written in thrid person. From the beginning the tone is bitter and thoughtful. Comment on why Hawthorne repeatedly uses the word, in terms of purpose. Login Join.
Scarlet 1: A study of the use of irony as a literary device in the Scarlet letter
Open Document. She is torn between the fact that she is either there because of her guilt and sin, or because of her love for Dimmesdale. Hawthorne emphasizes Hester's inner turmoil through the use of rhetorical devices such as figurative language, tone and diction. Hester Prynne at first believes that the reason for her remaining in New England was because of her guilty conscience since committing adultery.
Imagery and Irony in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter Essays -- Scarlet
However, in this passage, Hester seems to have a moment of realizing that she is not remaining in New England because of her guilt but because of her love for Dimmesdale. There dwelt, there trode, the feet of one with whom she deemed herself connected in a union that, unrecognized on earth, would bring them together before the bar of final judgment, and make that their marriage-altar, for a joint futurity of endless retribution.
Also, Hawthorne's diction is more complex and the use of strongly charged words such as fatal, dwelt, futurity, and retribution, supports the idea that Hester is suffering long and hard. Hawthorne could simply have said that Hester was suffering between trying to figure out the reason of her still being in New England but he doesn't because the choice of diction and syntax which he uses further emphasizes the inner turmoil which Hester Prynne experiences.
Hawthorne's sophisticated language shows how Hawthorne uses diction to show how Hester is in a state of desperation. His diction is long and complex which can be compared to Hester's inner turmoil. Also, in this quote, the simile with a serpent is used to compare Hester's suffering to a snake being taken out of its comfort zone. Two aspects that are repeatedly shown in the novel are the contrasts between nature and society. Better Essays words 3.
More importantly, the time of day, whether sunlight or darkness presented itself plays the most important role in determining events of the story. Often times, the same setting and location hosted several different scenes in the book. For example, the scaffold played a large role both in the plot of the story, and further developing the story as an allegory This quote has both imagery and symbolism.
Reading on The Scarlet Letter
It creates a picture of a peaceful and dark night sky that is suddenly disturbed by a red streak forming the letter "A. Hawthorne described how it was built in the style of the English aristocracy, complete with family portraits and a suit of armor, which the governor has worn in battles with the Native Americans Better Essays words 2. In developing his story of the adulteress Hester Prynne, he uses both religious and natural imagery to show his disdain for the Puritan religion. The women plead for a more harsh punishment because they think Hester deserves far worse than what she has been given.
The women of the town also thought that Hester would try and disguise the "A" as much as possible. Contrarily, Hester creates a beautiful letter of scarlet and gold, which she mounts openly on her chest. Pearl is also another piece of irony. Children are supposed to be a blessing, but Pearl becomes another piece of evidence of Hester's sin. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet" Hawthorne As if Hester is not reminded enough of her sin, even Pearl speaks negatively of the letter.
The letter separates Pearl from a normal life of other children. Ever since she was young, she has always been discluded from others.
- college essay achievements.
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This caused her to create enemies instead of friends as playmates both in reality and her mind. One example of irony is when Hester implies that Reverend Dimmesdale knows her best since he is her pastor, while we later understand that Dimmesdale knows her because they committed adultery together. We now know that Dimmesdale is responsible for Hester because they sinned together and they are both responsible for that, yet again showing irony. Hawthorne also uses many literary elements in The Scarlet Letter, such as symbolism and irony.
The Scarlet Letter, pearl, and sunshine are examples of symbolism. A final example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is the behavior of the sunshine.
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- Critical essays scarlet letter puritan?
In addition, Hawthorne uses irony a great deal in The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story about sin and punishment. She also tells her mother that someday she will have her own scarlet letter.
crooktermahoo.tk To Pearl, the scarlet letter is simply part of her mother. The significance of the scarlet letter in the life of Dimmesdale, whose guilt remains hidden, is suggested by a hidden scarlet letter on his heart.

domain: artistic


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Diego Velazquez Museum
The Diego Velázquez Museum is situated in the oldest surviving building - not only in Santiago, but in the whole of Cuba. The principal building is the former residence of Diego Velázquez, the Spanish conquistador who conquered Cuba and created a number of important settlements. He first established Baracoa in 1511 and then Santiago de Cuba in 1514 and Havana a year later. His mark on Santigao was most significant and he was appointed first Spanish Governor of the island. The house was built between 1516 and 1530, and has remarkably survived the threat of fires and hurricanes over the centuries.
The oldest standing example of the colonial style in Cuba
The facade of the house was built in the Andalusian style and the Moorish influences are evident. (The Moors had only left mainland Spain at the end of the 15th century). The wooden lattice structures which cover the windows - known as mashrabiya in Arabic - enable the person inside to see out without being seen. This is a fascinating example of the connection between the North Africa and the Caribbean via the Spanish colonial adventures.
Typical of the era, the street level rooms had a commercial function and were originally a trading house, offices and a Spanish royal gold foundry. It is also thought that there were stables on this level. Velázquez lived and received visitors upstairs.
The Museum today
The museum was comprehensively restored in the late 1960s. At this time, the impressive cedar ceilings were replaced after a fire. In 1970 was inaugurated as the Museo de Ambiente Histórico Cubano.
Today, the museum replicates the life and times of the Spanish colonial era, which decoration from the 16th-19th centuries. Artefacts include furniture of British, French, Spanish and Cuban origin; Spanish ceramics and French porcelain. The design and decoration of the rooms demonstrate the wealth of the colonialists of that era, underpinned by the extraordinary trading opportunities brought about by Spanish exploration of Latin America. They also reveal the incongruous life of the expat at that time - the home was filled with the imported home comforts from Europe while the Caribbean culture of Cuba existed outside the front door.
The adjacent 19th-century neoclassical house was not part of the Velázquez residence, it is now part of the museum. It is painted blue and white and features an appealing patio.
Get InspirationAll about where to go and what you can do
Visitors to the Plaza de San Francisco de Asis in Old Havana, Cuba will be delighted by the history, artwork, and acoustics of the Basilica de San Francisco de Asis, which is home to the Museo de Arte Religioso and Camerata Romeu (an exclusive female orchestra). Catch one of the amazing musical performances or tour the convent to see memorials of notable people of the past and truly appreciate the grand columns and stone flooring in this Catholic Franciscan place of worship.
At the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at the end of a short hike from Gran Piedra (Santiago de Cuba), Cafetal La Isabelica is an open air museum dedicated to Cuba's important coffee production. Learn how French farmers fleeting Haiti turned Cuba's south-eastern provinces into the main coffee growing region of the island.
The mystery hidden within its walls, secrets left untold until modern times, and its title as one of the oldest star forts in the Americas make Castillo de la Real Fuerza a must-see stop on your tour of Havana, Cuba. You'll love making your way through the paths to the centre of the fortress, which was originally built for keeping watch for invaders. At more than 400 years old, you'll have plenty to talk about when you return home after visiting this astonishing site and its impressive layout.
Explore cuba your wayTailor made cuba holidays
For those who prefer to travel at their own pace or to explore places not included in the brochure itineraries, we have years of experience at organising tailor-made holidays.
Create the perfect trip with the help of our specialists
Our expert tour consultants will be pleased to suggest ideas to complement your own and to organise the most appropiate programme to suit your interests, time and budget.

domain: travel


The Oakland Raiders received some great injury news Wednesday as they begin the work week of the franchise’s biggest game since the Super Bowl in January, 2003.
The Oakland Tribune reports spark plug receiver/returner Jacoby Ford is practicing Wednesday. It is Ford’s first practice since he was injured at San Diego on Nov. 10. Barring a setback, Ford should be ready to play in a must-win game for the Raiders on Sunday at home against the Chargers. The Raiders are alive in both the AFC West and in the wild-card race.
The newspaper reported Ford, who was out with a foot sprain, was participating in all the drills. His return should spark a passing game, especially since quarterback Carson Palmer will be working with a healthy receiving crew for the first time in several weeks.
As expected, Darren McFadden is not practicing. The running back has been out since Oct. 23 with a foot injury. He has not been ruled out of the San Diego game, but there are indications he is unlikely to play Sunday.
In other AFC West news:
Denver linebacker Von Miller fell to No. 2 in ESPN.com’s rookie watch. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton rose to No. 1. Fittingly, Newton was the No. 1 pick in the draft and Miller was the No. 2 pick in the draft.
As expected, Denver safety Brian Dawkins was held out of the Broncos’ practice Wednesday. He has been dealing with it for several weeks and he had to leave Saturday’s game at Buffalo with the injury.


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Bar Code: 5050565325815
Gin Fling Drinking Game
Product Dimentions: 21.3 X 12.8 X 7.2 cm
This Gin Fling drinking game makes for a fantastic addition to any party.
The aim of the game is to throw a ping pong ball into one of your opponent's glasses and make them drink!
- Ideal for gifting and parties
- Green glasses with silver-colored rim
- Strictly for adults only
Includes 12 7oz shot glasses and 4 ping pong balls

domain: hobby


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You must have been sleeping under a rock for the past year if you haven't heard about 3 of Europe's Elite American Football players who now have the opportunity to live the dream playing in the NFL. France's Anthony Dable, Germany's Moritz Böhringer and United Kingdom's Harry Innis all have a chance to make history as they train day and night to bring themselves one step closer to playing in the worlds #1 American football league!
For many football players across the world they all share the common goal of making it to the NFL. But for these 3 Europeans, they have a real chance of making it to the top level.
If you ever wondered about the process of making an NFL team and what it takes to compete on the highest level, then the NFL has put together a series of videos for you to follow Moritz, Anthony and Harry on their journey from amateur football to the pros.
And guess what? I have included all episodes right here for your viewing pleasure. Here is NFL's Undiscovered Episodes 1-7 right here on Sports Takeoff. Thank me Later.
**SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VIDEOS**
Believe me. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
Meet the Europeans (Episode 1) | NFL Undiscovered 2016
Welcome to America (Episode 2) | NFL Undiscovered 2016
The Harsh Realities of the NFL (Episode 3) | NFL Undiscovered 2016
Tryouts with the New York Giants (Episode 4) | NFL Undiscovered
Anthony Dable, the NY Giant and the Silent Moritz Böhringer (Episode 5)
Meet Moritz Böhringer! (Episode 6) | NFL Undiscovered 2016
Harry Innis Searches For Inspiration (Episode 7) | NFL Undiscovered
To Watch Episodes 8-14, click here


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MMEA Lecture ‘Commodifying Development: The Meaning, Consequences, and Politics of Inclusive Innovation in India’
International development institutions and experts have become increasingly excited about the promise of “inclusive innovation”, focused on the development and distribution of technologies for and by the poor. Inclusive innovation differs from previous efforts to leverage technology for international development in a few ways. It relies on market principles, in the hopes that insights from the private sector can be useful for humanitarian ends. It tends to focus on little development devices rather than large infrastructure projects, and the interventions are often lower tech. Proponents also argue that because the interventions are driven by the grassroots, they are more democratic and have enormous potential to catalyze economic, social, and political change. But is inclusive innovation really such a break from past eras of development? What does inclusion really mean? What kinds of problems and solutions become the focus, how are they designed, and what are the consequences? Where do market ideologies fit in? What does this innovation really mean for equity, justice, empowerment, and democracy? This talk explores these questions by focusing on the case of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) innovation in India. In recent years, affordable, sanitary pads have emerged as an ideal inclusive innovation to solve the menstrual health and hygiene challenges faced by girls and women, which are said to affect health and educational outcomes. Prof. Parthasarathy will discuss how menstruation became a development problem for which sanitary pads were the ideal inclusive solution, and the implications for equity and empowerment for Indian girls and women.

domain: sociology


The Rock and Roll Playhouse and Brooklyn Bowl Present
The New Mastersounds Special All Ages Daytime Performance
Control The Sound
Saturday, May 18th, 2019
Doors: 12:00 pm / Show: 1:15 pmBrooklyn Bowl
This event is all ages
By attending this event, I consent to my image (with or without my voice) being included in photographs and/or film and videotape of the event, and give Brooklyn Bowl, The Rock and Roll Playhouse and their respective licensees and assigns the absolute and irrevocable right and permission to use and publish such content in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter.
Children under 2 are free
By purchasing an advance ticket to this show, you are automatically opted into RRPH's email list. You may unsubscribe or opt-out after you receive the first message
Any customers having trouble purchasing tickets to this show with a non-US credit card, please reach out to firstname.lastname@example.org for assistance. We look forward to having you at Brooklyn Bowl!
Fast-forward 19 years, and the band’s recorded catalogue boasts 24 more 7” singles, 13 studio albums, 3 live albums, 1 remix album and 3 compilation albums, released variously in UK, Japan, and USA - where they continue to tour extensively. Joe Tatton, another veteran of the Leeds scene, joined back in 2007, replacing Bob Birch on organ and piano.
As a band, and as individuals, they have collaborated with an impressive array of musicians, DJs and producers, including: Lou Donaldson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Quantic, Carleen Anderson, Keb Darge, Kenny Dope, Mr Scruff, LSK, Lack of Afro, Page McConnell, Grace Potter, Karl Denson, Melvin Sparks, Idris Muhammad, Fred Wesley, Pee-Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Bernard Purdie, George Porter Jr, Zigaboo Modeliste, Art Neville, Ernest Ranglin.
During a 2018 US tour, a sit-in by Atlanta-based vocalist Lamar Williams Jr turned heads, and the fit with NMS was so right that they pledged to make a record together. The resulting album was written and recorded in Denver, CO in December of that year and will be released in Fall 2019 on Eddie Roberts’ own Color Red label.
As an example of the respect this band commands, Peter Wermelinger - DJ, collector, and author of the crate-diggers’ bible The Funky & Groovy Music Lexicon - places the 2001 NMS track ‘Turn This Thing Around’ in his all-time top-ten tunes, along with the likes of Eddie Harris, Funkadelic, and Herbie Hancock. The New Mastersounds are at the very top of an elite selection of acts that bring the true soul out of funk.
Control the Sound play a variety of originals and covers merging hip hop, soul and funk music. They’ve played over 100 shows around NYC and beyond.
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, 11249


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- File Size: 3323 KB
- Print Length: 249 pages
- Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
- Publisher: Julie Shelton (January 6, 2015)
- Publication Date: January 6, 2015
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00RY1643K
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
- Word Wise: Enabled
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,741 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
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Passion's Dream (The Doms of Passion Lake Book 1) Kindle Edition
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I loved the character of Clay Nighthorse and his leading lady.
They are so great together. I hope they have a sequel book soon.
I enjoy reading this book very much. If you need a steamy, HOT with lots of kink in it, this is the book to read.
To the author wherever you get your ideas keep on writing, please.
So, if you want steamy sexy kinky sex, read this book.
Thank you to the author.
Raven was a amazing guy and I loved how patient and loyal he was with Leah. It was great to see how Leah blossoms under Raven's love and guidience. it is very light on the BDSM side, so if you are new to these kind of books it is a great series to start with.
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domain: literature


Exposing the methodology of the dark forces
by Suzanne Ward
Some vaccines have been developed specifically to cause problems! Their original intent is to preserve life by eradicating disease – now the intent is to eradicate life by causing disease. This is just one more example of the work of the dark forces. It takes only a handful of darkly-influenced minds – the ones who conceive the ideas and their cohorts who develop or contaminate some vaccines- to carry out this sinister plot.
Vaccinations are not voluntary in many cases. They are mandated by unsuspecting authorities who simply follow orders given to them, and severe repercussions befall the dissenters. So inoculations are administered by well-meaning health care-givers who are unaware that they are infecting, not protecting, people.
You can see evidence of this in the viruses that are prevalent on Earth. The most pernicious of these, which causes what you call AIDS, is a skillfully designed combination of mutant viruses that comes directly from a laboratory to achieve the purpose of its fulfilling.
How foolish to state that AIDS originated in monkeys! If that were the case, you must question how the disease was so easily traced to them when they aren’t affected by it as humans are. And since the virus isn’t airborne, how could the first individuals diagnosed with AIDS have been bitten by infected monkeys?
That disease wasn’t discovered in the countries where the monkeys live – it appeared in homosexual individuals who lived in two cities on opposite coasts of a continent thousands of miles away! We can only wonder why, when people are clamoring for the truth about many other “official” stories, they are not questioning the true origin of AIDS.
Beyond the millions who are suffering and the death tolls that keep mounting are many other sources of negativity stemming from this disease: the physical and emotional pain and hopelessness of the ill and their families; the grief and hardships of survivors; the many children orphaned; the fear of the vastness to which this “incurable” disease has spread, debilitating entire nations’ peoples.
By dark design, the vaccines and later, the “treatment” medications, created all this negativity, and the misery and grief so far exceeds the experiencing chosen by the affected individuals as to be indescribable.
Read more about exposing the methodology of the dark forces in Revelations For A New Era. A Matthew book with Suzanne Ward, pp 250-251.


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Once a traditional craft practiced by village women, Palestinian embroidery has become an important symbol of Palestinian culture.
The popularity of embroidery springs both from its beauty and its association with Palestinian culture and history and dates back to the region more than 3,000 years ago.
Traditionally, embroidery was the principal decoration of rural Palestinian women's clothing. It was part of a village woman's daily routine and a means of showing off her personal skills and social identity. The various colors, patterns and styles of dress reflected a woman's social standing, marital status and wealth.
This handcrafted sunglass case measures 16cm x 8cm.

domain: design


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Game of Thrones : A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros Book
Inspired by the Emmy® Award–winning credits sequence that opens each episode of the hit HBO® series, Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros is guaranteed to thrill the show's legions of fans.
Featuring stunning pop-up recreations of several key locations from the series, including the formidable castle of Winterfell, the lavish capital city King's Landing, and the Wall's stark majesty, this book—designed by renowned paper engineer Matthew Reinhart—takes you into the world of the series like never before. Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros features a total of five stunning spreads, which fold out to create a remarkable pop-up map of Westeros that is perfect for displaying. The book also contains numerous mini-pops that bring to life iconic elements of the show, such as direwolves, White Walkers, giants, and dragons. All the pops are accompanied by insightful text that relays the rich history of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, forming a dynamic reference guide to the world of Game of Thrones. Visually spectacular and enthrallingly interactive, Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros sets a new standard for pop-up books and perfectly captures the epic scope and imagination of the series.
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 5
- Author: Matthew Reinhart, Michael J. Komarck (Illustrated by)
- Size: 11.375 x 9.5 x 2.5
- Return Policy: We will gladly accept returns for any reason within 30 days of receipt of delivery.
- Shipping: Ship times are estimates of time in transit after your product leaves the fulfillment center. Some items in your order may ship separately to arrive faster.
- Availability: Ships to the United States and Puerto Rico.
- Shipping Policy: For more information, see our Shipping Policy.


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This cake will be available for purchase starting November 21st.
2022!!! Make it a sweet end of the year and an even sweeter new year! Delicate golden butter cake is sandwiched between layers of champagne buttercream filling for that extra POP of celebration! Embellished with gold and silver sugar pearls, gold sugar, and glitter, we bring the sparkle to your New Year’s celebration!
Serves up to 8 people
Diameter: 6 inches
Height: approx. 4 inches
$55.00 in-store pick-up. Click Here For More Pick-up Information
*ALLERGY INFORMATION: This cake contains milk, wheat, eggs, and soy. Also contains FD&C red 40 and FD&C blue 2 food coloring. This cake was produced in a facility that processes almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, and coconut. Our facility is not Gluten Free.
SHIPPING AND RECEIVING:
All cakes are placed in our custom cake box for a beautiful presentation. For shipping, layer cakes are specially packaged with dry ice in an insulated cooler and shipped via FedEx. This packaging affects the price of the cake! Allow cake to reach room temperature before enjoying, which may take two hours. Wrap any remaining cake with plastic and refrigerate. Refrigerated cake will remain fresh for one week after arrival.

domain: food


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Are you looking for a cosmetic smile transformation that’s affordable, quick, and non-invasive?
SmileFast is a new cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry approach (using dental composite bonding) – It brings together three cosmetic dentistry techniques – orthodontics, ceramic and composite veneers
The treatment uses a revolutionary stent along with meticulous planning and the latest in 3D planning technology. Now, it is possible for you to enjoy an amazing new smile with the latest Composite Dental Veneers (or Teeth Bonding) without the invasive procedures, with a short treatment time – and at a reduced cost.
Benefits of SmileFast Dental Veneers
1.Two Hour Smile Makeover
- Depending on the case, you can have a complete smile makeover in just 2-hours, with SmileFast dental veneers (dental bonding)
- Custom-designed composite veneer smile makeover for the front 6 teeth in just one application
2. Minimally Invasive
- Uses an innovative stent for completing customised composite smile makeovers without invasive procedures
- The result is zero downtime, meaning you can go back to your normal activities immediately after the treatment
- SmileFast composite bonding offers a more affordable cosmetic dentistry solution to conventional porcelain veneers
- The reduced cost is achieved by simplifying the processes involved, including the elimination of lengthy preliminary steps by dentists
Conditions that We Can Improve with SmileFast Dental-Composite Bonding
Great alternative to dental bonding to rebuild worn teeth
Small or Spaced Teeth
SmileFast Dental Veneers can build up small teeth making them more elgant. eliminates small gaps – reducing the need for dental braces treatments
SmileFast Dental Veneers can quickly eliminate teeth or reduce dental stains due to acid erosion
Colour or Texture Change
If you have pitted teeth or grooves in your teeth, SmileFast Dental Veneers is an ideal solution to give you the smooth look you are after
Crowded and Aged Teeth
Crowded teeth can be corrected with SmileFast Veneers – no need for dental braces – how amazing is that!
The front teeth ‘Cosmetic Zone’ of your smile can be quickly colour and shape corrected, So you can feel just that little bit more confident – Actually you may be jumping with joy!

domain: medical


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Chinese tourist numbers to Australia leap as does local exodus
Updated: 2015-07-03 10:37
SYDNEY - The number of Chinese visitors to Australia leapt to 901,400 in the past year and is set to hit one million by the end of this year.
Just five years ago, the figure of Chinese visitors to Australia was 479,600.
But visitors from China are only one part of the movement of travelers in and out of Australia.
In April, 610,300 overseas visitors arrived in Australia. But in the same month, 776,500 Australian residents packed their bags and headed abroad for holidays, visits to relatives, or short-term business travel.
The deficit was 166,200, according to the seasonally adjusted figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.
That meant more money went overseas than came into the country.
- Injured ROK tourists in intensive care
- 36 dead, 26 missing after banca capsized in C. Philippines
- Thai navy plans to buy three Chinese subs
- Mass casualties in Indonesian military plane crash
- Japan's LDP lawmaker denounces Abe's security policies
- More than 100 feared dead in Indonesian military plane crash


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Home improvement involves projects that help you make the home search more attractive. Whether you want to renovate your interior or exterior, redecorating is a wonderful way to create your home more valuable while increasing your residence cost. Renovation and upgrading are two phrases helpful to summarize renovations. There are plenty of different types of developments you could put into practice. If you’d like to strengthen the cost of your property, it is possible to make use of a specialized to be of assistance at the same time.
Among other things, diy incorporates putting in storm microsoft windows, putting in key vacuum cleaning methods, and landscape designs. Garages, verandas, and results pet shelters may also be examples of improvements. You may hire an attorney who will complete the perform if you are not a handy-man. You can also get a mason to perform get the job done in your house. In case you are redecorating your property, consider choosing a professional to complete the project.
Many householders have an interest in bettering their apartment. They are able to improve their exteriors and interiors, create excess bedrooms, or perhaps extend their home. There are lots of projects that can be done to remodel your house to a more attractive and purposeful spot. Also, you can even renovate your basement making it extra efficient. Pondering of upgrading your own home, do not worry, whatever you have been looking to achieve with all your remodeling, you can find the right service provider to complete the project.
. You’ll find redecorating financial products offered if you cannot afford to shell out lots of money transparent. You must think of getting a redesigning financial loan if you don’t fork out cash. If you’re searching for a reasonably priced approach to enhance your residence, a property advancement financial loan will help you with your remodel. The operation is simple and are completed with many actions.
In case you are looking at investing in a redecorating project, you might need to get a professional who presents cost-effective solutions. You could possibly even be capable of save money on finding a specialist. Naturally, home rehabilitation projects will not be that tough providing you possess a good plan. If you would like, you can also purchase a property finance loan. As a result your house appear greater and increase your property cost. So, should you be struggle to manage it, you should do not delay- begin their day on it?
Yet another kind of do it yourself financial loan can be an a guarantee mortgage. You can find a home loan minus the money to get your home. This bank loan will let you financing assembling your project. The many benefits of a home financing are that you simply can take advantage of a cheaper rate of interest. This kind of mortgage loan is a good method to help your home become better to buyers. You can also find do it yourself lending products readily available if you’re not able to afford a home financing.
You can obtain a mortgage using your financial institution, lending institution, or simply a home improvement bank loan. You can obtain a secondly property finance loan and remodel your home to fit your funds folks who wants manage a home. There are various of ways to boost your property. Having a financial institution that is certainly ready to finance a second mortgage loan is a wonderful way to enhance the value of the house. It’s possible to employ a new loan company.
A property advancement mortgage loan is often the best way to trim expenses on your next job when you’ve got below-average credit. A mortgage loan is a great way to financial assembling your garden shed, though a personal loan is an excellent way to fund your fees. This loan is usually based upon to your credit rating. Before applying for easy, you must be sure that your loan provider is dependable and it has a good reputation. If you wish to enhance your property, you should think of what’s so great about a home loan.
If you are considering a residence improvement loan, you should look at the buying price of the job. It’s important to explore your finances and how much you can afford to invest. You must aim to conserve as often money as possible, to ensure you are able to make the most of neglect the, if you intent to performing major maintenance tasks. In regards to a mortgage loan, you ought to program your home finance loan appropriately. Moreover, you must go with a superior contractor.
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domain: finance


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Walt Disney World employee found dead near Pop Century Resort
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - A Walt Disney World cast member is dead after an industrial accident on park property, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office.
Investigators have identified the victim as 34-year-old Juan Alberto Ojeda. Investigators say a call came into 911 at 9:18 a.m. on Monday from 1153 Century Drive, where the Pop Century Resort is located. First responders say when they got to the scene Ojeda was unconscious and unresponsive, they pronounced him dead on scene.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office says that they were advised by two witnesses that Ojeda was trapped under a utility vehicle after it drove up onto a curb and into a chain link fence. The vehicle came down onto Ojeda, trapping. Before falling unconscious, Ojeda said that he could not breath. He was soon pronounced dead by responding paramedics.
Walt Disney World's public relations team did not respond when The News Station asked what Ojeda's position was at Disney, what he was doing at the time of the accident, or how long he's worked for the theme park.
Disney President George Kalgredis released a statement saying, "All of us at Walt Disney World Resort are deeply saddened today by the loss of one of our Cast Members. Our thoughts and concerns are with his family, friends, and fellow co-workers. This is a tragic accident, and we are providing resources and care for those impacted and are working closely with the proper authorities to understand how this happened."
OSHA says they've initiated an investigation into the incident.

domain: news


text:
The British choreographer is in France for the Exit Festival to present a mind-blowing production of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring"... in a punk version. (Report: M.MacCarthy, L.Salters)
Also in today's Culture magazine:
- Crossings, the exhibition that showcases upcoming contemporary Arab artists in the grandiose setting of Paris's Grand Palais;
- A tour of Iraq's National Museum in Baghdad, which is still closed to the public;
- And a profile of Red Star, China's hottest hip-hop act.
Date created : 2008-04-04


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Diamonds are the main currency in Free Fire MAX that allows players to acquire various in-game accessories. From characters to cosmetic bundles, there are numerous items to choose from.
The process of purchasing diamonds is called top-up. Mobile gamers have to spend money to purchase this in-game currency in Free Fire MAX. The prices of the diamonds are given below:
- 100 diamonds worth INR 80
- 310 diamonds worth INR 250
- 520 diamonds worth INR 400
- 1060 diamonds worth INR 800
- 2180 diamonds worth INR 1600
- 5600 diamonds worth INR 4000
Players who opt to purchase diamonds can always wait around for the top-up event that rewards them with items if they buy a certain number of diamonds. Currently, the Demonic Grin Top Up II is live in the battle royale game.
What should players purchase using diamonds in Free Fire MAX?
Here are some of the best items that mobile gamers can spend diamonds on in the game:
Free Fire MAX has two types of characters, active and passive. Active characters are the ones who have a cooldown time and have powerful abilities that have to be separately activated.
The passive abilities, on the other hand, get activated whenever the situation calls for it and are devoid of cooldown time (except Shirou). Mobile gamers have the liberty to purchase their favorite characters using diamonds. They can also make use of the recent LINK technology to acquire them for free.
Similar to characters, Free Fire MAX also has a wide variety of pets that mobile gamers may own. These pets, too, have special abilities that help players perform well in Battle Royale and Clash Squad matches.
While some recent pets have cooldown times, most do not, which makes them more helpful during intense matches. Powerful pets are only available in exchange for diamonds.
3) Gun skins
The gun skins offered by Free Fire MAX are very useful to make the weapons more efficient. While one aspect of the gun is nerfed, two other aspects are buffed to make it better.
Evo gun skins are some of the most desirable items in the battle royale game. Players can claim them by spending diamonds in the Faded Wheel Challenge, which introduces exciting Evo gun skins from time to time. Aside from that, they can purchase normal weapon skins from the in-game store.
4) Outfit bundles
While some bundles come in a pack of six (Criminal bundle, Dino bundle, and more), others are unique one-piece offers that the battle royale game offers from time to time. These bundles usually consist of the following:
Some outfit bundles are really difficult to come across, but there are a few that are always available on the in-game store. Most bundles are quite expensive and require a hefty number of diamonds.
5) Other items
Free Fire MAX also has a long list of fancy items that players can purchase. These items are not useful but can make them stand out from the crowd.
Such in-game accessories include Gloo Wall skins, various types of emotes, badges, and more. These can usually be acquired by spending fewer diamonds.
Disclaimer: This list is not ranked in any particular order and reflects the author’s opinions.


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Depression is caused by overconsumption. Overconsumption is caused by obsession. Obsession is caused by fear. Fear is caused by an absence of love. An absence of love is caused by a belief in others. A belief in others is caused by a label called others. A label called others is caused by a need to organize life into some form of understanding. A need to organize life into some form of understanding is caused by an inability to trust life as it is.
By loving the one who doesn’t know how to trust life as it is, the need to organize life into some form of understanding dissolves. As this occurs, a belief in others can be recognized as a belief in a label called others. Beyond the play of labels, a love that knows no other emerges from within you. As love emerges, you are absolved of fear, the tendency to obsess, or the need to over consume, at the rate in which the one who is depressed is embraced with equal respect, support, and heart-centered attention.
As depression is loved as never before, it becomes a vital stage of emptying out. As you empty out, the seed of ego dissolves to create space for the blossoming of consciousness. This allows depression to be a pivotal stage of growth and expansion, instead of something to fight, ignore, or avoid.


Keep your baby warm and cozy with this personalized fleece baby blanket featuring Leigha Marina's Bebo The Penguin design. Made with 100% polyester, it measures 30” x 40” (76.20 x 101.60cm) and is a one-sided print. The blanket is preconstructed before printing, so exact symmetry is not guaranteed, and due to its microfiber construction, small colored dots may appear. A cold wash cycle and tumble dry should reduce this possibility.
- 100% Polyester
- One-sided print
- One size 30″ × 40″ (76.20 x 101.60cm)
- Pre-constructed item (size varies +/- 1")
- Made in China, printed in the United States
100% Polyester: This strong and durable synthetic fabric retains its shape and dries quickly
Double-needle topstitch: The blanket is sewn around the finished edges with double stitching, making it last longer
Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Tumble dry: low heat; Do not iron.


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My lack of blog postings has been bugging me over the past couple of weeks, but I regret that, despite my best efforts, I have failed to spot any earth-shattering news (for which we should be grateful, I guess).
Over the past weeks, I have made my personal submission to the Government’s Red Tape Challenge on insolvency (but I did not think that readers would be interested in that) and I have been exploring the thorny issues of PPI claims in IVAs, but every time I look at the issues, more questions pop up. Nevertheless, I hope to post something on this subject shortly.
I have also been reviewing the High Court decisions as they have been released, but in my view there have been few of any particular interest to insolvency practitioners. For the more curious amongst you, here are my lean pickings:
- Both Odyssey and Ross River consider directors’ pre-liquidation duties.
- Clyde & Co considers whether LLP members can be employees.
- Tinseltime considers solicitors’ liabilities to non-party costs orders in some CFA situations.
Odyssey Entertainment Limited v Kamp & Ors (09/08/12)
The court found that a director (“D1”) had broken his duty of good faith under S172 of the CA 2006 towards the company (now in liquidation) (“C”): “In a nutshell, I find that (1) by 4.1.09, D1 had decided that C would not provide him with the route to a capital profit which he had hoped for and that he would have better prospects in that respect working on his own account; (2) thereafter, D1 influenced the board’s stage by stage decision making process which led to the winding down of C’s business, the termination or surrender of its contracted rights, and the liquidation of C; (3) over the period 4.1.09 to 31.8.09, D1 misled C’s board as to his own true intentions and kept secret the work he undertook on his own account as a film sales agent, whilst still a director and an employee of C, as part of his plan to bring those intentions to fruition. In so doing, D1 continued to mislead C’s board (and therefore C) as to C’s true viability and prospects; (4) had C’s board not been misled by D1, C’s board would probably not have made the decisions that it did leading to its winding up on 9.9.09; and, (5) in consequence, D1 and/or D2 and/or D3 as a result of D1’s efforts secured sales agent’s rights in films that (a) would otherwise probably not have reverted to the rights owner in the case of film rights already under contract to C and (b) would otherwise probably have been acquired by C in the case of other films on which D1 had been working while a director of C” (paragraph 204).
The only point of interest I gleaned was the comment of HHJ Simon Barker QC on the position of the co-directors: “What emerged from both the written evidence and the cross-examination of [the co-directors] is that they all deferred to D1’s long experience and expertise as a film sales agent (the expert witnesses were agreed that D1 is a leading individual UK film sales agent) for guidance as to C’s sales prospects and, more generally, the market for independent sales agencies. In so doing, they were not simply accepting whatever D1 might say in disregard of their own powers of thought nor were they in dereliction of their duties as directors. Rather, they were giving due weight to the one of their number who could speak with particular authority on the general market for sales agents and the specific position of C” (paragraph 94).
Ross River Limited & Anor v Waveley Commercial Limited & Ors (06/09/12)
The main issue before the court was the possible liability of a director (Mr Barnett) to pay a sum to RossRiver by way of equitable compensation for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties that he owed to RossRiver. Amongst the considerations was whether the director should have wound up the company (“WCL”) earlier and before WCL had used its assets (including revenues from a joint venture with Ross River) to defend an action brought by Ross River for payment of monies due under the joint venture agreement.
Morgan J concluded that RossRiver had failed to prove entitlement to equitable compensation from the director. In so doing, he seems to have put some weight behind the director’s consultation at an early stage with accountants, who reflected on the option of liquidation: “Mr Barnett did take advice on whether WCL should be wound up or, possibly, whether it was in Mr Barnett’s separate interests for WCL to be wound up. There is no evidence as to the advice which Mr Barnett received. In these circumstances, I consider that I ought not to decide that it was a breach by WCL or by Mr Barnett of a fiduciary duty owed to Ross River to omit to take steps to wind up WCL in early 2009” (paragraph 74), although the fact that the allegation was not pleaded nor put to the director when cross-examined may have had something to do with the judge’s decision.
Morgan J also commented: “On the face of it, WCL was entitled to defend itself and to use its own assets to do so, even though the use of those assets might produce the result that it used up all of its available funds and ended up being unable to pay any sum found to be due to RossRiver… In my judgment, both WCL and Mr Barnett were real and substantial defendants. Both were entitled to defend the claims brought against them without there being a breach of fiduciary duty owed to RossRiver. The fiduciary duties which, in my earlier judgment, I found to exist do not go so far as to restrict either WCL or Mr Barnett from putting forward their chosen stance in litigation brought by RossRiver against them. It would be a very onerous fiduciary duty which prevented a party to adversarial litigation from defending itself” (paragraphs 67 and 69).
[UPDATE 08/09/2013: For the sake of completeness, I thought I ought to report that Ross River’s appeal was allowed (http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/910.html), although the appeal didn’t really touch on the insolvency-relevant bits of the earlier judgment.
Briefly, the difficulty that Lord Justice Lloyd had with the previous judge’s reasoning was that the funds that Waveley Commercial Limited (“WCL”) had used to defend the action were subject to a Joint Venture Agreement, which prohibited WCL from paying itself, or using for its own benefit, any part of the proceeds of the development other than in payment of proper expenses of the development or as agreed with Ross River. Lloyd LJ felt that it was sufficient that Ross River had cast doubt on the legitimacy of some of the payments and that it was for WCL and Mr Barnett to prove that payments were proper, not for Ross River to prove the contrary.]
Clyde & Co LLP & Anor v Bates Van Winkelhof (26/09/12)
The main question before the court was: can a member of an LLP be a worker within the meaning of S230 of the Employment Rights Act 1996?
Whilst “workers” have limited rights under the ERA and do not extend to the rights to insolvency qualifying liabilities (as far as I can see) as is the case for “employees”, Elias LJ did include consideration of an LLP member’s rights as an employee also. He commented: “I would be minded to hold [and he did so conclude in paragraph 74] that the member of an LLP would not by virtue of that status alone constitute either an employee or a worker. Whether the member could enter into some separate employment relationship with the partnership, rather in the manner that a company director can do, would be a different question. There would be no employment status arising out of the simple status of member of the firm” (paragraph 73).
(UPDATE 26/05/14: the Supreme Court issued judgment on an appeal on this case on 21 May 2014: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2014/32.html. The Supreme Court decided unanimously that the LLP member was a “worker” under the ERA96. They were not required to consider, and they declined to express an opinion on the question “of some complexity and difficulty”, whether she was also an “employee” and indeed whether members of an LLP (or a traditional partnership) could enter into an employment contract effectively with themselves, which would have made the decision more relevant to insolvency situations.)
Tinseltime Limited v Roberts & Ors (28/09/12)
This is one more for insolvency solicitors than practitioners: does a solicitor who takes on a case for an impecunious claimant under a conditional fee agreement (CFA) where there is no after the event (ATE) insurance policy in place, and who also agrees to fund the disbursements necessary to allow the case to proceed, thereby constitute himself a non-party funder and render himself liable to a non-party costs order in the same way as if he was a commercial non-party litigation funder?
Solicitors who are alert to this issue will have been watching the progress of an appeal on another case, Flatman v Germany & Ors ( EWHC 2945 (QB)), in relation to which the Law Society asked to intervene. The judge, HHJ Stephen Davies, and the parties in this case did not find compelling reasons to wait for the outcome of that appeal (expected in December 2012). Although it seems possible that the appeal may proceed on grounds different to those already advanced, it is interesting that HHJ Davies, after acknowledging that there may be particular aspects of the other case that led Eady J to allow the appeal, stated that “if however Eady J was holding that it would be sufficient to make a non-party costs order that the solicitor was acting under a CFA without there being an ATE policy in place under which he agreed to fund the disbursements because the client was unable to do so and in order to ensure that the client could bring his claim, then I respectfully disagree with him. I consider that something more is required to justify the making of such an order, in circumstances where it is perfectly proper for the solicitor to agree to fund the disbursements under a CFA, even if he may be taken to know that unless he agrees to do so the claim cannot proceed” (paragraph 60).
On the facts of this case, HHJ Davies concluded: that there was nothing in the evidence indicating that the solicitor (Mr Edmonson) viewed the case as a business proposition under which he could receive a substantial fee; rather, that the solicitor had failed to understand how complex and costly the case might be; that in no way can it be considered that the solicitor controlled the litigation; and that “finally, but extremely significantly in my judgment, when I come to consider the overall justice of the matter, this is a case where there is contemporaneous evidence that Mr Edmondson was not motivated solely by financial self-interest in taking on this case, but with the laudable aim of providing access to justice to Tinseltime… Mr Edmondson was prepared to provide that assistance, where other solicitors were not. He may well have been naive as matters turned out, and Mr Ridgway may well not have been deserving of the assistance which Mr Edmondson provided. But that does not detract from the fact that Mr Edmondson cannot in my judgment be criticised, let alone made personally liable for costs, for taking on a case on a basis permitted by the law in order to ensure that Tinseltime was able to present what Mr Ridgway clearly believed was a genuine claim to the court” (paragraph 67).
Earlier in the judgement, HHJ Davies had stated: “So far as I am aware there are no reported cases in which a solicitor acting under a CFA has had a non-party costs order made against him on the basis of control, but I can see how there might be circumstances where the court was able to conclude that the solicitor’s desire to achieve a successful outcome had caused him to in effect take over the running of the litigation for his own ends, and that this would justify the making of a non-party costs order against him. One example might be where the damages claimed were, or had become, modest in comparison to the costs already incurred, so that the client had for all practical purposes lost any real interest in the pursuit of the proceedings but the solicitor was wedded to pursuing them to recover his costs” (paragraph 58).

domain: law


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As if the Tennessee Titans needed more motivation for the 2020 season, some mean tweets that Kyle Brandt of “Good Morning Football” read about some of the team’s players might just provide extra.
Brandt was tasked with coming up with a motivational speech for the Titans during a segment, but before he did that he read some tweets from real fans that weren’t exactly flattering.
Check it out.
The one about A.J. Brown particularly doesn’t make any sense. I mean, does the Ole Miss product and 2019 rookie standout really look like someone who needs to pack on more muscle, especially after proving to be one of the toughest receivers in the NFL to bring down?
As for Brandt saying Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes owns the Titans: yes, he did beat Tennessee in the AFC Championship Game, but the Titans are also the last NFL squad to actually beat the Chiefs.
One season after making a deep playoff run, the Titans have Super Bowl aspirations in 2020 — and they’ll embark on that journey with much of the same team that had so much success last year.

domain: sports


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Voice coach Adam Levine and Jordan Feldstein, Levine's manager and producing
partner, have signed an exclusive first-look deal with NBC Entertainment.
The one-year deal
will have the Maroon 5 frontman and Feldstein developing scripted and alternative
programming for the network, announced Paul Telegdy, NBC's president of alternative
and late night programming.
"It would be impossible to quantify Adam's
influence and importance to the success of The
Voice," said Telegdy. "Given those enormous contributions, we're very
anxious to work with him and Jordan to see what future shows they develop that
can find a home here at NBC."


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The model is 170 cm high and wears the 40th news.
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BEST SUMMER EVER?(so far, yes)
So, my 2011 summer has got to be the best summer I've had so far.
I have been to Egypt (a place I never thought i'd go to) and went into King Tut's tomb (something i'd never thought i'd do, but I did). I rode a quad bike for the first time, swam over a reef full of beautiful fish. I went to my very first youtube gathering and loved every friggin' minute of it.
I met my good friends finally for real and also made friends with a ton of new people. I have had the best late night skype calls with people and possibly the best feedback from my recent videos ever. I am so excited to make new videos and music for you guys!
I had a laugh with my youtube friend Amber in Manchester, and now I hope to organise more mini meet ups, and possibly try to create my own youtube gathering!
I am looking forward to the future now, things are looking up for me and without you guys sticking by me, being so supportive, I don't think I would have continued on youtube. I think I would have quit and just lived a really boring life.
You guys mean the world to me, thanks to each and every one of you for making this summer so awesome. I love you all so much.
Feel free to leave a comment <3
Oh and here is a group photo of the people that mean so much to me:
(From left to right) Chris, Rob, Conor, Vee, Tom, Amber, Tim, Ryan.
And then there's me on the floor ;D


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AI: experts call for testing and federal digital agency
The risks are not yet known and legal regulation of algorithmic procedures is still in its infancy
Mandatory testing of Algorithmic Decision Making (ADM) systems and certifications as a consumer protection measure, a digital agency for government competence building and regulation, and further intensive research. These are the proposals and demands of an interdisciplinary group of experts consisting of lawyers and computer scientists of the Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (German Informatics Society). It has carried out a study on algorithmic decision-making on behalf of the German Council of Consumer Experts SVRV. The study on the technical and legal considerations of algorithmic decision-making procedures was submitted to Dr. Katarina Barley, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV).
The research looks at how discrimination can be prevented in an increasingly ADM-driven economy, in which many decisions are no longer made by people but by computer programs. For example, algorithmic decision-making procedures are used to assess the creditworthiness of individuals (credit scoring) and to determine prices in online trading (dynamic pricing). “Consumer protection in the digital sector is playing an increasingly important role,” says Daniel Krupka, Managing Director of Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.
According to Krupka, one challenge consisted of bringing together the different worlds of computer scientists and lawyers. Nevertheless, the expert group first had to agree on a common nomenclature. “Lawyers define the term ‘error’ differently from computer scientists,” says Krupka. Nevertheless, a central issue is whether special regulation is necessary in many cases. “Many laws are already in place and may simply have to be adapted in individual cases,” he explains. Asia was omitted from the legal comparison for lack of transparency. “All other countries are already working on the subject, albeit at different speeds,” Krupka says. Not all of them are comparable, however, because in some cases the legal systems are simply too different.
Dr. Erich Schweighofer from the University of Vienna and spokesperson of the “Legal Informatics” expert group points to the long path ahead to comprehensive regulation: “It is important that we regulate algorithmic decision-making procedures legally, but this is still in its infancy. On the one hand, the risks associated with these so-called ADM processes is not yet comprehensively known. On the other hand, decisive legal issues need to be clarified to effectively address discrimination that violates the law. However, the report shows that testing, auditing and certification procedures are effective tools for creating greater transparency and, ultimately, better protection for consumers.”
Erich Schweighofer sees great potential for consumer protection in testing procedures in particular: “Testing of ADM systems is an essential element of protection against incorrect algorithmic decisions. To this end, we need legal frameworks that provide certainty for both the performance and the evaluation of such testing procedures. Once the legal framework for suitable testing procedures has been established, a legal obligation to carry out sufficient testing should be introduced. After all, it is important that ADM systems are checked for errors, especially discrimination, before they are used.”
In order to comply with transparency and information obligations as well as to implement efficient and effective testing and auditing procedures, the experts recommend establishing governmental competence for algorithmic decisions. The essential task of a possible “digital agency” must also be to increase transparency by advising and informing decision-makers in companies, administration and politics and by educating society as a whole.
“The biggest challenge is to find the right people who are really familiar with the topics,” explains Managing Director Daniel Krupka. “There are currently too few people with the necessary expertise.” And while he believes that the special areas of sensor and actuator technology provide particularly good opportunities in terms of the state of research, he particularly sees Germany as lagging behind in this regard. “We have missed the wave here,” said the spokesperson of the Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.
According to the study, additional (primarily international and interdisciplinary) research efforts are required at the interfaces between computer science and law (and beyond) to address the manifold unresolved issues. Specific topics must be examined through well-defined and concrete research projects and initiatives, such as scholarships, doctorates or other expert opinions, and prepared for discourse.
The bottom line:
The German Council of Consumer Experts SVRV made an important step in convening this expert group for initial classification of ADM and AI for this study. No time should be wasted, as the speed of technological development is constantly increasing. It will be interesting to see how governments and the parties they represent will continue to address this issue in the future. It is already clear that the exceptionally important discussion on the subject of “privacy” will continue. Society and politics as its representative, are actively called upon to engage in discourse. This also applies to companies. From the outset, they should review the ethical guidelines of their application, for example, and be transparent in their approach to the market. Consumers are sure to reward such initiatives.


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Did you know we saved the government over $75 billion in FY18? That’s a return of about $124 for every dollar invested in us! Read on for more of our work that keeps on giving long after the holidays are over.
Making a High Risk List, checking it twice
Since the early 90s, coinciding with the start of each new Congress, we’ve released our biennial list of programs and operations that are “high risk” due to their vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are most in need of transformation. Our most recent High Risk update was in February 2017. There are now 35 High Risk areas, ranging from Enforcement of Tax Laws to Improving Federal Oversight of Food Safety, to most recently, Management of Federal Programs That Serve Tribes and Their Members and the Government-Wide Personnel Security Clearance Process.
With the federal government’s $4.1 trillion in outlays funding a broad array of programs and operations in FY18, solutions to high-risk problems potentially save billions of dollars, improve service to the public, and strengthen government performance and accountability. Over the past decade, progress to address our High Risk list has accounted for over $288 billion in such savings. Our 2019 High Risk list will be released this coming February.
‘Tis the Tax Filing Season
For more than 30 years, we have reported annually on how well IRS provided service to taxpayers and processed their tax returns during the filing season. Along the way, we have made dozens of recommendations leading to savings of hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars and improved taxpayer service.
- Saving Taxpayer Dollars: Tax credits offer benefits to many taxpayers, but figuring out if you are eligible to claim those credits can be difficult. Sometimes taxpayers make mistakes. Based on our filing season work, Congress has passed legislation to help IRS better catch such errors and save taxpayer dollars. For example, in 2015, the Congress passed legislation that should enable IRS to verify taxpayers’ claims for higher education tax benefits by using information from educational institutions—which has saved $290 million already and should yield an additional $504 million in financial benefits through fiscal year 2021.
- Taxpayer Service: Filing taxes each year can be daunting, so helping taxpayers through the process is important. Our recommendations have helped improve service to taxpayers. For example, in 2011, in response to our recommendation to help taxpayers easily locate free tax assistance, IRS launched an online search tool to help taxpayers find a local volunteer near them.
A happy and (fiscally) healthy new year
Each year we issue an update on the nation’s fiscal health. Our report discusses significant changes to the nation’s fiscal condition during the prior fiscal year, long-term simulations of the federal debt, and fiscal risks placing additional pressure on the federal budget. We also identify steps that federal agencies can take to improve things, such as eliminating duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in federal programs. Our new fiscal health report will be issued in early 2019.
Check out our February 2018 video explaining the nation’s financial condition and future, and ways to improve it.
Agencies’ Wish Lists
Our three “Quick Look” reports on major acquisition programs at NASA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense include quick, graphics-rich, 1- or 2-page analyses of the most expensive items on those agencies’ wish lists, including big toys like submarines, fighter jets, and space rockets. And our Quick Looks keep giving—we issue updates each year. Last year, we gave DHS a candy cane for strengthening its portfolio management policies, but we told DOD it had better watch out as new programs begin to enter the production phase where costs are most likely to grow.
Our 2019 Quick Looks will continue to track the cost, progress, and performance of projects like NASA’s plan to return to human space flight, the Coast Guard’s effort to build heavy polar ice breakers, DOD’s Ford Class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter—the most expensive and ambitious weapon acquisition program in U.S. military history.
The man with the (money) bag
We report yearly on the status of unwinding the government’s assistance to the financial sector during the 2007–2009 financial crisis. Just over 10 years ago, Congress responded to turmoil in the financial markets by creating the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Through TARP, the Treasury Department disbursed a total of $440 billion—including $245 billion in capital investments to banks—to help stabilize the financial system, restore economic growth, and mitigate foreclosures. Our work not only helps provide transparency and accountability of TARP, but more importantly, we saw the implementation of a GAO recommendation that resulted in billions of cost savings for the federal government. We also recently blogged about our past reports examining how much government money actually went to the banks.
We also annually assess the impact of financial services regulations, including those put in place since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. Since the financial crisis, federal financial regulators have issued hundreds of rules to implement reforms intended to strengthen the financial services industry. Our blog post highlighted our recent work on how regulators have been meeting requirements to maintain a level playing field for small financial entities. Previous annual reports have covered other topics including how well agencies coordinated implementing rules to govern the financial sector and the extent to which the regulations affected the largest U.S. financial institutions.
- Comments on GAO’s WatchBlog? Contact email@example.com.


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Over the years, much has been written and studied about population health efforts and the social determinants that influence our communities. Never before has it been more apparent that population health needs to be viewed holistically across all measures—from social and economic equity to nutrition, healthcare, housing, education and racial bias. COVID-19 has created a perfect storm where all these issues intersect as we see the profound impact that it has had on those with low-income, seniors and communities of color. This tipping point is helping to draw national attention to health and social inequities and hopefully a newfound resolution to finally take steps to begin to solve some of these issues.
Here are a few of the approaches and activities that have been surfacing in recent months:
Community Collaboration and Partnerships
Jimena Loveluck, Health Officer for the Washtenaw County Health Department in Michigan, recently recounted the herculean and collaborative efforts made by government officials, community leaders, health care providers and non-profits to mitigate the negative outcomes for our most at-risk citizens. In her opinion, the first-hand experience and the collaborative efforts of all these groups has brought a profound awareness of the issues and is resolved to find ways to prevent the outcomes of the first wave from ever occurring again. She believes that strengthening of the partnerships formed to address this pandemic should continue and include members of the communities at-risk, to ensure they have a seat at the table and their voices are heard.
A study from the University of Kentucky’s School of Public Health suggests that preventable death rates may be more than 20 percent lower in communities that offer a variety of interconnected programs targeting the social determinants of health and other population health concerns. The research suggests that the network is the key element that led to the reduction. The communities within the study, offered services across the spectrum to monitor health, promote wellness and connect people with needed care. However, those communities that were jointly invested in population health programs saw the greatest reduction in preventable death rates.
Implicit Bias Training for Medical Professionals
There is a growing awareness that implicit bias, either conscious or unconscious is influencing the medical outcomes of communities of color. Studies consistently recognize the role of implicit bias in worsening health outcomes, increasing health care costs, and exacerbating health disparities, not just in maternal health, but also for a variety of other health outcomes and populations, such as substandard pain management for black patients, unequal cardiovascular testing for women, lesser mental health services for patients with mental illness, and mistreatment and avoidance of obese patients.
Exacerbating this problem is the fact that formal medical education and training often lacks curriculum on identifying and reducing implicit bias in clinical practices. This led The EveryONE Project from the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) to introduce its comprehensive Implicit Bias Training Guide to promote awareness of implicit bias among primary care physicians and their practice teams, and provide resources for instructing health care professionals on how to reduce its negative effects on patients.
In further support for implicit bias training, Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, recently issued an executive order that all medical professionals within the state will take implicit bias training. “COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors, and we must do everything we can to address this disparity. The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan’s health care system.
Bringing Services into Communities
People of color often live in areas where access to healthy, fresh foods are in short supply. ShopRite operator Brown’s Super Stores found a profitable market expansion opportunity by establishing grocery stores to reach lower-income people of color in Philadelphia-area food deserts. The company offered customized food items and expanded its offerings to include complementary services that were lacking, such as health clinics.
Cigna, a commercial health insurance company, collaborated with a local health care system in Memphis, Tennessee, to promote breast cancer screening among its Black customers living in neighborhoods with limited access to screening facilities. Efforts like these contributed to elimination of the breast cancer screening rate gap for Black patients, originally identified in 2012 and 2013 data.
No one would ever say that COVID-19 is a good thing. However, it has brought awareness and engaged new audiences in understanding the important link between the health of a community and the quality of their healthcare, nutrition, housing, education and environment. Hopefully, this will facilitate more collaborative efforts to make significant changes.


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In the far northwest suburbs of Chicago, my teenage nephews attend school. Because I have a love for all things “book”, I dive in and explore their required summer reading each year. It’s a win-win…I get to keep up with the nephews and find some great new literature at the same time. Last year, we read Divergent, so I was convinced I would be rewarded with another treat this year, when I eagerly downloaded and began to read, The Feed, by M.T. Anderson.
I’m not sure I could’ve been more disappointed.
The concept of the book is to draw parallels between the setting and activities of the era (which is an undetermined amount of time in the future), to modern day meta-data mining and to point a finger at the many ways we are each controlled by major corporations. Control is possible because nearly everyone has an implanted chip that allows a constant stream of data to be visualized or listened to by the individual. Personalized data on what to buy and where to visit is delivered to anyone with a “feed” while awake, while asleep, while eating, while thinking (or not thinking as is more likely for the majority of characters).
All of this seems intriguing, and to be honest I’ve found myself contemplating the possibilities and implications of being connected to my own feed, yes…that mysterious monster Facebook. How did they know to recommend I friend someone from my early teen years, who I haven’t seen in 15 years?
The problem I have with the book is that it is a young adult novel. I am a highly introspective 37 year old woman who obsessively looks for meaning in all that I do and read and watch on TV. The complexities of created language (such as ‘going mal’- something reminiscent of getting stoned through an overload on the feed, ‘unit’- an insult or an exclamation of awesomeness, ‘meg brag’- a descriptor of how very high end an item is) and the seemingly dangling details of a civilization that has nearly destroyed itself, left me feeling that a teenager reading this book would quickly put it down.
It is no Divergent, and certainly no Hunger Games, where the dystopian nature of our future is explained just enough to make teens angry and just enough to draw them in farther. Those pieces gave enough background and uncovered enough detail to start discussions, to start arguments, to cause anyone of any age to easily make connections to the life they are living right now. The Feed does not do any of these things.
Today I saw my nephew, the one reading this book along with me. I asked him what he thought. His response? “It’s stupid…the description on the back made it look really interesting, but it’s not.” This comes from the mouth of a very normal teenage boy. He’s athletic, thoughtful, volunteers his time for others, and he totally missed any possible point. It’s just as I feared. There isn’t enough relatable material for teens to make sense of the analogy.
So to M.T. Anderson, I say this: you missed the mark. There were missed opportunities; you could’ve done so much more with this piece. You missed a chance to give me a sensational, award winning, heart pounding, anger inducing, dystopian novel. Instead, you gave me…meh.
Aimee Webber eats books for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When she’s not reading, she’s chasing after her twins or teaching the youth of America in the suburbs of Chicago.


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TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - Senator Francis Tolentino has awarded equipment and tools for disaster response to 73 identified Local Government Units in Cagayan Valley Region.
The certificates of acceptance were received by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III, Quirino Vice Governor Julius Caesar Vaquilar, and Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Ting-Que.
Tolentino said the assorted tools and equipment are vital during disasters, especially in rescue operations during earthquakes and vehicular accidents.
He said they are also significant in the conduct of trainings for rescuers.
"We will be augmenting these tools and equipment next year and probably we can add drones as these are very important during disasters with massive impact on communities," Tolentino said.
Governor Mamba expressed his gratitude to the senator for the assistance given to the LGUs taking into consideration that Cagayan is a disaster-prone province.
He also requested the senator to support his program to dredge the Cagayan River to mitigate massive flooding during rainy seasons.
Governor Albano, on his part, requested the senator to push for the passage of the Department of Water which will integrate all institutions that will manage the water resources of the country and to address water-induced disasters.
Vice Governor Vaquilar was also thankful to the senator for giving priority to region 2 in the distribution of disaster equipment and tools that are very much needed taking into consideration the experiences of the people of Cagayan Valley every time there are calamities.
Mayor Ting-Que, who warmly welcomed the visitors and participants to the activity of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), also acknowledged the importance of capacitating the LGUs on disaster response operations.
Hundreds of LGU officials and representatives participated in the DILG's project "Touch of Life: Disaster Training and Equipment Assistance Program" which is part of the government's disaster preparedness efforts. (OTB/PIA Cagayan)

domain: politics


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Tying the proverbial bow on a 1-yr-old backyard prairie restoration project. Still going!
A bit of prose, for the times.
Taking Time To Shoot The Birds
A late-ish spring birding post on the Texas coastal prairies. With pictures.
Yard-birding: Break In The Chaos
Pretty birds, wrecking my work as usual.
Forging Foraging Friendships
Either Pericles thinks he's a rabbit, or the rabbits like birdseed. Maybe both.
Sunshine And Water
A short photo tribute to one of our brightest winter birds: Tweety.
Local Birding: Resetting The Love
Kicking off 2019 right .. with feathers!
Big Bend Birding: Off The Grid
A digital photo post, celebrating the birds and living (temporarily) analog.
Skunked. By a Blackbird. (Twice.)
We may not have gotten the blackbird, but we got so much more.
L I B, M R Ducks!
Photo post in anticipation of the arrival of the Gulf Coast wintering ducks.


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Mary Has A Gun


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Jardiance (Empagliflozin) Dosage
Jardiance is available in 10 mg and 25 mg strengths. Empagliflozin is taken once daily and the starting dose is 10 mg. If the blood sugar levels aren’t controlled well enough, the physician may increase the dose to 25 mg once a day. The tablet is swallowed whole (don’t crush or chew it) with a glass of water and can be taken with or without food. One can take the drug at any time of day provided the patient takes it at the same time every day. You should not increase or decrease your dosage without your doctor’s permission. However, your doctor may need to change your dosage so that you can get the best results out of Jardiance.

domain: health


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Genetic investigate during Europe shows proof of drastic inhabitants adjustments in the vicinity of the conclusion of the Neolithic period, as shown by the arrival of ancestry similar to pastoralists from the Pontic-Caspian steppe. But the timing of this adjust and the arrival and combination method of these peoples, specifically in Central Europe, is little comprehended. In a new review posted in Character Communications, scientists analyze ninety six historic genomes, providing new insights into the ancestry of fashionable Europeans.
Experts sequence nearly one particular hundred historic genomes from Switzerland
With Neolithic settlements discovered everywhere you go from lake shore and bathroom environments to inner alpine valleys and higher mountain passes, Switzerland’s rich archeological document tends to make it a primary location for research of inhabitants heritage in Central Europe. To the conclusion of the Neolithic period, the emergence of archaeological finds from Corded Ware Elaborate cultural groups (CWC) coincides with the arrival of new ancestry components from the Pontic-Caspian steppe, but specifically when these new peoples arrived and how they blended with indigenous Europeans stays unclear.
To locate out, an worldwide group led by scientists from the University of Tübingen, the University of Bern and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human Record (MPI-SHH) sequenced the genomes of ninety six people from thirteen Neolithic and early Bronze Age web-sites in Switzerland, southern Germany and the Alsace area of France. They detect the arrival of this new ancestry as early as 2800 BCE, and counsel that genetic dispersal was a intricate method, involving the gradual combination of parallel, remarkably genetically structured societies. The scientists also discovered one particular of the oldest known Europeans that was lactose tolerant, relationship to about 2100 BCE.
Slow genetic turnover suggests remarkably structured societies
“Remarkably, we discovered several feminine people without the need of any detectable steppe-similar ancestry up to a thousand several years immediately after this ancestry comes in the area,” says guide creator Anja Furtwängler of the University of Tübingen’s Institute for Archeological Sciences. Proof from genetic evaluation and secure isotopes counsel a patrilocal society, in which males stayed neighborhood to where they were born and ladies came from distant households that did not carry steppe ancestry.
These results show that CWC was a somewhat homogenous inhabitants that occupied huge parts of Central Europe in the early Bronze Age, but they also show that populations without the need of steppe-similar ancestry existed parallel to the CWC cultural groups for hundreds of several years.
“Due to the fact the mother and father of the cell ladies in our review couldn’t have had steppe-similar ancestry either, it stays to be shown where in Central Europe such populations were existing, possibly in the Alpine mountain valleys that were fewer connected to the lessen lands” says Johannes Krause, director of the Section of Archaeogenetics at MPI-SHH and senior creator of the review. The scientists hope that even more research of this type will support to illuminate the cultural interactions that precipitated the transition from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze age in Central Europe.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the precision of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing establishments or for the use of any data by way of the EurekAlert process.

domain: geography


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The launch of Prusament PLA Recycled and Prusament PETG Recycled was a big success which has clearly shown that many of you care about the environmental impact of 3D printing. We want to continue our development of recycled materials since we believe that making our business more sustainable makes sense and is worth the effort. That’s why we’ve launched more recycled filaments but this time, they’re filled with byproducts of food and pharmaceutical industries. And they look so good!
What’s so special about the new Prusament rPLA Natural Pigments?
We wanted to make filaments using waste materials and with more pleasant, subtle colors, something suitable for various home decor and similar purposes. They should look good and natural. So, after some research, we came up with an idea to harvest various organic waste materials for their pigments. Utilizing waste materials as naturally sourced coloring is a great ecological alternative to the usual processes used in filament production. Here is the first batch of four cool new colors:
Prusament rPLA Algae Pigment is filled with a byproduct of a Czech company that uses red algae for making pharmaceutical products. We reused their manufacturing waste to produce a brown color for our rPLA. So, in this case, the brown pigment is made from red algae.
Prusament rPLA Wine Pigment gets its unique Bordeaux color from grapes. Again, we use a dry pigment from a waste byproduct that comes from the winemaking process. Fun fact: this pigment can be made only during the red wine-making season, which is approximately two months long (September/October).
Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment is a beige/yellowish filament that gets its color from processed corn. When printing with it, you’ll be using a recycled corn material colored with recycled corn. 😊
Prusament rPLA Rissoto Pigment comes with creamy white coloring, which is made from various food leftovers. Of course, it goes through a complex process, where the material gets dried and rid of microorganisms, so the final product is just a white pigment powder. You don’t have to worry, your 3D-printed parts won’t get moldy when wet. 🙂
Recycled in a different way
This time we made one more step in making the filament recycled. We’re not using our Prusament manufacturing waste here (although we’re still making a filament with it). The Prusament waste already has some pigments inside and it would be very difficult to color it to the desired natural shade. Instead, we’re making our pellets from PLA foil manufacturing waste bought from an external supplier. This means that the filament is made purely from recycled materials!
Price and spool weight
As usual, all four colors are packed as 1 kg spools, each costing 30.99 USD/ 34.99 EUR (VAT incl.).
|Prusament rPLA Wine Pigment||Prusament rPLA Rissoto Pigment|
|Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment||Prusament rPLA Algae Pigment|
The rPLA Natural Pigments filaments have slightly different properties than regular PLA. These filaments are slightly more brittle, so they are more suitable for printing visual rather than functional parts (after all, it’s PLA). The coloring comes from processed organic waste and may slightly change through time and with various batches, resulting in unique shades of the filament colors.
Now, the question probably is: are these filaments more demanding when it comes to printing? They are somewhat different but not exactly difficult to print. You’ll need to lower the nozzle temperature (or simply use our PrusaSlicer profiles) to avoid stringing and oozing. Also, since we’re using organic materials for pigments, so you might notice a slightly more prominent (but non-toxic) scent during printing.
Keep it dry
This filament may be prone to stringing in some cases. This generally occurs when there is a high moisture content – unlike regular PLA, the rPLA is more hygroscopic. So to avoid the stringing, remember to keep the filament in a dry box or dry it before printing at 45 °C for 6 hours.
We hope that you will like the new set of muted colors that are perfect for unique combinations with furniture and other household accessories! We have more materials in the pipeline and we’ll be sure to let you know about more news in both standard and recycled materials!

domain: chemistry


Natural gas and transportation: Seeing down the road
In Québec, natural gas is chiefly used for heating and for certain industrial processes, but did you know that it is also used to fuel freight trucks, dump trucks and some municipal vehicles?
Shifting into high gear
Today, there are nearly 630 natural gas-fuelled light- and heavy-duty vehicles on the road, and this figure is likely to climb given the many advantages of natural gas over diesel. In fact, a truck running on this energy source:
- generates up to 25% less greenhouse gas (GHG)
- emits up to 90% less fine particulate matter (which causes smog and acid rain) and nitrogen oxide
- is more economical, and
- has a quieter engine (by 10 decibels)—great news for any citizen, but especially for those living in urban areas!
For the environment, the stakes are high. Transportation alone is responsible for 41% of all GHG emissions, 27.3% of this coming from heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Freight carriers and municipal governments can thus play a big part in reducing pollution and fighting climate change, and many across the province have already begun introducing measures and are seeing results. This trend is also on the rise south of the border, where roughly 60% of all new waste collection trucks and 30% of buses on order are powered by natural gas.
Going green with the Blue Road
In 2011, Énergir and its partners built a network of natural gas fuelling stations called the Blue Road to ease the transition to natural gas. This network currently has 10 public stations across Québec and Ontario, and four more are slated to be added in 2018. Other infrastructures, mainly compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling stations, have also been developed in recent years.
Keeping with the times
As electricity gains ground in the automotive sector, natural gas is, too, becoming the future-forward choice for the transportation and municipal services sectors. For the transport sector, natural gas serves as a complement to electricity and is particularly well suited to the needs of short- and long-haul heavy-duty vehicles.
Learn more about natural gas in the transport sector and put your knowledge to the test with our quiz.


Todd Phillips has discussed The Hangover Part III's "darker" tone.
Phillips, who has directed all three films in the series and co-wrote the second and third, told Collider that he intentionally took the final film in a more serious direction.
The Hangover Part III: Poster Gallery"All my movies, as I get the ability to do it, they tend to go a little darker," Phillips mused. "Funnily enough, there's a line in this scene that we shot yesterday, which I turned to Dan Goldberg, my producing partner, and I said, 'That's the tagline for the movie'.
"Which is when Chow turns and he goes [imitating Chow], 'And then, everything went black'. Everything Went Black is also the title of a Black Flag album, but it's also a great tagline for this movie in a weird way. Because 'everything went black' makes you think, 'Oh, is it another blackout?' No, no, no. It just got very dark."
Phillips went on to discuss John Goodman's tracksuit-clad villain, saying: "He's a pretty dark guy in this movie, as everybody's a little bit darker."
Watch a trailer for the movie below: