Atiku Abubakar’s choice of Mr. Peter Obi as his presidential running mate is a laudable decision. It is a political masterstroke that can bolster his chances of winning the 2019 presidential election.
Chiedu Uche Okoye
It’s sad that political ideologues of the first republic, who evinced and manifested the traits of philosopher-kings, couldn’t entrench national unity in Nigeria as they placed primordial and ethnic interests and their personal aspirations above our collective good. So, they caused the failure of the first republic soon after Nigeria had become a politically independent country. As a consequence, Nigeria slipped into a fratricidal civil war, which nearly caused her dismemberment.
The Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which raged for three years, heralded the entrance of the Jackboots and brass hats into our politics. And they would tell us that their military regimes were corrective governments. But, the sad fact as well as the harsh reality is this: they caused the depredation and ruination of our economy, hindered the evolutionary growth of democratic governance in Nigeria, and violated our inalienable fundamental human rights.
Happily, now, Nigeria has been enjoying uninterrupted civilian administration since 1999. And PDP had chalked up sixteen years of the nineteen years of our current political dispensation, although it did not achieve much given our oil-wealth. So when the APC tsunami swept the incompetent PDP out of power with its slogan of change, Nigerians from diverse ethnic backgrounds heaved a sigh of relief, and expected that things would change for the better in the country.
Expectedly, Muhammadu Buhari’s accession to the zenith of political power in Nigeria was greeted and received with jubilation and optimism as we believed him to possess probity, ascetic nature, leadership qualities, zeal for political leadership, and zero tolerance for corruption. However, his occupation of the most exalted political office in the land has led to his demystification. More than three years into his first term in office, he has failed to transform Nigeria economically and technologically, fix our infrastructural rot, combat insurgency in the northeast, and tackle the vexed issue of youth unemployment. His political administration is marred and marked by ethnic bigotry, nepotistic employment of people into our top security architecture, tardiness, and nauseating cluelessness.
So, now, millions of angry and hungry Nigerians, who are unemployed, are disenchanted with his political administration. And many Nigerians living below the breadline are seething. Yet, President Buhari has put himself forward for the 2019 presidential election. But many odds are heavily stacked against his candidature. His actions have portrayed him as an ethnic chauvinist and religious bigot. And his poor performance in office, so far, is obvious. So, his media team’s white-washing of his inept leadership of Nigeria has failed to wash. Nigerians are not suckers; and the APC’s bumbling leadership of Nigeria is not lost on them.
That’s why Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the PDP Presidential candidate has instilled fear into members of the ruling APC. Atiku has been on the political scene for a long while. And he has been angling to become the President of Nigeria for over two decades. A core member of PDM, which transformed to PDP, he has a large following in Nigeria. More so, he has immense financial wherewithal and political sagacity, which he can deploy to prosecute the electoral battle.
So, APC members’ fears of suffering defeat in the 2019 presidential election are not unfounded. And more importantly, Atiku Abubakar has articulated and formulated policies he will execute for the betterment of Nigeria if he wins the Presidential race. He has been religiously advocating the restructuring of Nigeria as a panacea for our national ills. His views and postulations on the restructuring of Nigeria are pragmatic, clear-cut, and germane to the development and survival of our country. That is a proof of his high level of preparedness for the occupation of the presidential seat.
But, the Buharists or ardent supporters of Buhari have gone for broke and berserk; so, they’ve tarred Atiku Abubakar with the brush of corruption. Has anybody caught him with his fingers in our financial till? And he hasn’t been arraigned and found guilty of financial misdemeanors in courts in Nigeria.
If anything, Atiku Abubakar has got leadership experience, which he can deploy in solving our hydra-headed and multifaceted problems if he becomes our President in 2019. He was the Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007. Before then, he worked in customs and rose to the top. There is no gainsaying the fact that he is familiar with Nigeria’s peculiar national challenges.
And Atiku Abubakar’s choice of Mr. Peter Obi as his presidential running mate is a laudable and politically judicious decision. It is a political masterstroke that can bolster his chances of winning the 2019 presidential election. An astute manager of men and resources, Obi revamped the comatose educational system in Anambra State. And he embarked on the rapid industrialization of the state. Mr. Obi is an asset to Atiku Abubakar’s political candidature.
Mr. Peter Obi can use his clout and connection in the South East to secure massive votes for the PDP in the presidential battle. And Atiku’s choosing of Mr. Peter Obi as his presidential running mate will allay the fears of many Igbo people, who think that the Igbo people have been reduced to second-class citizens in Nigeria. Integrating the Igbo into Nigeria’s political mainstream can put to an end the endless and violent agitation for the creation of the state of Biafra by the Igbo youths.
Atiku Abubakar stands a chance of besting President Buhari in the presidential contest owing to the fact that millions of Nigerians are disenchanted with his leadership of Nigeria. And Alhaji Atiku Abubakar can become our political Messiah if he shows the political will to do things right and conscientiously when he wins the electoral battle.
READ ALSO: ‘Why APC is scared of Atiku’
Okoye writes from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State


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Welcome to the Faculty of Paediatric Neuropsychology
The Faculty of Paediatric Neuropsychology is part of the Division of Neuropsychology. Established in 2011, it helps to organise and support the increasing public and professional interest in this rapidly developing field.
The Faculty of Paediatric Neuropsychology exists to promote the scientific advancement of paediatric neuropsychology and clinical practice. It operates within the division of neuropsychology to support appropriate policy development, provide continuous professional development and represent the needs of members practising within the field of paediatric neuropsychology. It also aims to educate and raise the international profile of paediatric neuropsychology amongst the public, multidisciplinary colleagues and service users.
How to join
Members of the Division of Neuropsychology may apply for membership of the faculty. Members of the faculty need not be on the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists. To join, for free, complete the application form (link to form) and return it to:
British Psychological Society

domain: medical


Andrew Dreschel is an excellent writer. He's witty, clever, and produces countless memorable turns of phrase. The Hamilton Spectator would be a much duller read without his feisty column.
However, Dreschel also has a huge and persistent ideological blind spot that curdles much of his commentary. He's quick to assume the worst of his political opponents while twisting himself inside out to excuse his political allies.
I was appalled, during the Joanna Chapman/Larry Di Ianni saga, when Dreschel would grant the Mayor every possible benefit of the doubt even while he impugned Chapman's name with vile insinuations about her character and her reasons for demanding an audit into Di Ianni's campaign finances.
But in today's column, "Civic leadership disappears in Maple Leaf debate" (November 25, 2005), he went right over the top, spewing so much vitriol against those councillors who opposed the Maple Leaf bid to buy land in Glanbrook Industrial Park that the paper seemed scarcely able to contain it.
Instead of arguments and evidence, he delivered meanspirited insults, straw man attacks, and craven, unquestioning support for a corporation with a long (and very recent) history of pollution and violating clean-up orders.
When the motion to go back to Maple Leaf cap in hand was walked on the council floor the other night, the close vote spilt the way it was predicted.
Well, yes. The councillors were public about their views.
Rumours that Bob Bratina was going to switch to the pro side didn't materialize. As expected, Dave Braden clambered off his rickety fence onto the opposition bench.
Braden like processes to be open and democratic. When the mayor's office holds closed-door meetings with a controversial business to move it into an otherwise barren industrial park - which that mayor had previously promised would have suiters lined up down the road - Braden gets understandably suspicious.
And Bernie Morelli, who was absent on city business, would likely still have voted against the deal, which would have made it 9-7 instead of 9-6 for asking Maple Leaf to reconsider. Hardly a chastened stampede to woo the company back and forge ahead with impact studies for slaughterhouse rezoning.
This is just embarrassing. What does it say about Dreschel's belief in democratic representation that he expects Maple Leaf can "chasten" elected representatives with its bullying tactics?
The prospect of losing a $250 million investment smoked out dormant community support for the proposed pork plant in the Glanbrook industrial park, which Maple Leaf has happily noted.
"Dormant community support" - read: typical Chamber of Commerce blather plus totally one-sided editorial coverage that held anyone who questioned the merits of the plant in utter contempt.
And the debate exposed the intellectual flabbiness and wretched emptiness of the arguments that councillors opposed to gathering information hid behind.
"Intellectual flabbiness"? "Wretched emptiness"? It's a pig slaughterhouse for crying out loud, an industry with a long and ignoble history of air, ground, and water contamination. There's nothing flabby or wretched here except for the tonnes of contaminated waste this processing plant will produce if it goes ahead.
From the bleating and pouting of Tom Jackson and Brian McHattie to the unfocused ramblings of Braden and Bratina, it was as if their thoughts had been generated by a popcorn machine -- light, fluffy and flying in all directions.
An example here to demonstrate these sweeping generalizations would be nice, instead of Dreschel's usual blanket editorializing.
After spending an inordinate amount of time moaning he wasn't notified a motion to belly up to Maple Leaf was in the works, Jackson fretted that people in his east Mountain community live downwind of the site and so have every reason to be concerned. As if anyone has said they didn't.
So Dreschel's criticizing him for doing his job?
And suffice it to say, [Jackson] never did explain why he doesn't need factual information before tossing out a potential $9 million a year in municipal revenue.
The facts on pork processing are well known. City Council visited a state of the art factory out of province and came back with plenty of evidence that it still smells. Again, Dreschel is trapped by his pro-business ideological blind spot.
For his part, McHattie, sounded like a honking micro-manager having a snit fit. His biggest concern seemed to be he hadn't been informed about negotiations between staff and Maple Leaf earlier.
Another biased mis-characterization. McHattie was concerned about the negotiations between Maple Leaf and the mayor's office that were conducted in secret. Dreschel's as quick to demand openness and transparency from his political opponents as he is to excuse their lack from his political allies.
The poor guy felt left out.
I wish he'd spend less time on sarcastic come-downs and more developing an actual argument from evidence.
Besides, if the city turns down Maple Leaf, McHattie thinks other companies will express interest in the land.
Maybe McHattie is simply taking the word of all those Red Hill supporters who insisted we'd have suiters lining up to invest if we'd only stop waffling on the expresway. In any case, McHattie isn't just crossing his fingers and hoping. He's trying to start a sustainable business task force to attract non-disgusting businesses, something Dreschel doesn't bother to mention here.
If he really believes those are good reasons to show a Fortune 500 company the door, perhaps McHattie should give up politics and start writing children's books for a living.
More intellectual dishonesty from Dreschel. McHattie thinks Hamilton should be attracting clean, sustainable businesses rather than more dirty, polluting businesses.
After kvetching over how many jobs the plant [Bob Bratina] opposes would actually bring to the city
Well, Maple Leaf has promised on-again, off-again to add a second shift, but they have been talking about that for years at their existing Burlington plant. It's a fair concern for Bratina, but as usual, Dreschel doesn't bother to explain it, preferring to set up a straw man he can knock down with his bluster.
Good idea, Bob. Why don't we organize a fiddlefest while we're at it?
Thirteen words Dreschel could have used to present evidence instead of insults.
This little higgledy-piggledy [Art Samson] went to market, this little higgledy-piggledy stayed home.
Look at that: another thirteen empty words.
[Dave Braden] talked about process and integrity. He said he'd like to negotiate bringing Maple Leaf to Flamborough, but would deal with them differently and bring the community in sooner. Not that he's blaming anyone, because we're between a rock and a hard place. And we don't want to be stubborn at the expense of the city. And when the public finds out about the land deal, councillors will be branded as "crooks."
How dare Braden demonstrate the ability to think around an issue and look at it in various ways! Perhaps everyone should get their opinions out of a box like Dreschel.
Regardless of what happens with Maple Leaf, just give thanks we're going into an election year.
I agree, but not for the reasons Dreschel has in mind.
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Wellness in Wales
Steeped in history, right on the Heritage Coastal Path, you’ll find me in Llantwit Major, near Cardiff, South Wales.
Llantwit Major is one of only three locations in the UK where leylines meet. Tranquil, peaceful, offering privacy and seclusion, it is the ideal setting for a welsh, Wellness staycation. The perfect place to change your life and advance your spiritual journey.
Drive to Llantwit Major via J35 of the M4. Take the train from Cardiff Central direct to Llantwit station. Fly into Cardiff Airport, 6 miles away and arrive by private transfer.
Accommodation in Llantwit Major and the surrounding Vale of Glamorgan is plentiful, affordable and in many cases, dog friendly. The 3 star, West House Hotel and HIDE at St. Donats are recommended. The local beach, Heritage Path, shops, cafes and restaurants are a short walk away. If you need help arranging your stay, please let me know.

domain: travel


Victor Anichebe Twitter gaffe shows perils of social media
The player took to Twitter to show depressed Sunderland fans that things can be turned around but instead just highlighted what his social media manager thinks should be said.
Social media can work for or against you
There's nothing better as a fan who is disappointed with their team's performance than to read a message from one of the players thanking the crowd for their support and giving a positive emotional statement on getting the team going again.
Well, that's almost what Sunderland fans got from free signing Victor Anichebe after they lost to a demoralising last minute goal to West Ham - a loss that keeps the Black Cats propping up the Premier League table. The only problem with the social media post from the player is that he clearly didn't write it himself, and that's got fans of other clubs laughing.
Who manages your account anyway?
Many top level footballers these days employ someone to look after their social media accounts. And it would appear that the person doing so for Victor sent him a great idea to help his profile - his 13 minutes of playing time this season isn't doing much for it. But rather than take the idea, Anichebe copied and pasted the whole message, somwehat detracting from the intended response.
Although quick to amend the post, it didn't go unnoticed. Maybe his real disappointment in the club's current form affected his concentration.


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Haircolor was inspired by the harlequin beetle, a mixture of identifiable jewel tones across colors that compliment them. Softness and movement in styling. The cuts are structured with strong lines and boyish undercuts.
- Hair: Heather Nelson, Nelson Hairdressing
- Photo: Gabriela Silveira
- Makeup: Jak Morgan / Camille Astrid
- Styling: Olivia Wade

domain: artistic


text:
This book is not Mechanical Drafting For Dummies, or Architectural Drafting For Dummies, or even Crash Testing For Dummies It doesn’t cover drafting principles and procedures, but it does cover the AutoCAD commands necessary to create drawings. Remember, though, that knowing AutoCAD’s drawing commands won’t make you a great designer, just as knowing how to touch-type and run a word processor won’t make you a great author. The job title CAD operator doesn’t exist, but almost all drafters and designers use CAD.
In addition, the book does not cover the discipline-specific features in AutoCADbased vertical market products, such as AutoCAD Electrical or AutoCAD Mechanical, although most of the information in this book applies to the general-purpose features of those programs as well.
This book covers AutoCAD 2015 through 2017. The obvious major differences between these versions and 2014 and earlier are the initial startup screen and the format of the Ribbon menu. The underlying principles remain the same. I will draw your attention to other differences where appropriate.

domain: design


text:
Museum Day represents a nationwide commitment to access, equity and inclusion. Over 250,000 people downloaded tickets for last year’s event, and Museum Day 2018 is expected to attract more museumgoers than ever before.
The theme of this year’s Museum Day is “Women Making History,” honoring women in society who are trailblazers in the arts, sciences, innovation and culture, and emboldening others to be pioneers as well.
“The Board of Trustees and I are thrilled to join Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day and offer free admission on September 22, 2018 to all Museum Day participants. Visitors will have an opportunity to view the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s special exhibit and learn about the trailblazing women who were part of the fascinating and celebrated history of this National Historic Landmark,” said Susan Gilgore, LMMM Executive Director.
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is regarded as the earliest and most significant Victorian era “cottages” in the United States and was built during the Civil War as a summer residence for renowned financier LeGrand Lockwood and his wife Ann Louisa.
During the Gilded Age, the Mansion was a frequent host to American suffragette and survivor of the RMS Titanic, Helen Churchill Candee, mother of Edith Mathews, whose husband was one of the owners of the building at the turn of the century. Ms. Candee grew up in New York and Connecticut and attended school in Norwalk and New Haven. She was a women’s rights advocate, an author, and a journalist. She published her first book, “How Women May Earn a Living in 1900” and wrote for many publications including National Geographic, Atlantic Monthly, and the Ladies’ Home Journal. She eventually moved from New York to Washington D.C., where she became a renowned interior decorator, one of the first in the U.S., working for President Theodore Roosevelt, among others.
In addition to the Museum’s Period Rooms and artifacts on display, on Sept. 22, 2018 the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will feature the exhibit, Collecting in Victorian America: The Great Divide of the Gilded Age, which explores women’s collecting practices and how acting on their acquisitiveness, women surveyed and contributed to the worlds of art, travel, and science during the Victorian era.
Museum Day tickets will be available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday beginning August 15. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on September 22, 2018. One ticket is permitted per email address. A list of participating museums, which will be continually updated as more museums continue to register, can be found at Smithsonian.com/museumday/search.
For more information, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.
© Copyright by ConnecticutPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of ConnecticutPlus.com, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Photos without a credit line are "contributed photos".
Note: We reserve the right to delete posts at any time if we decide that they are offensive or distasteful.
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domain: history


text:
Actions and Detail Panel
Manchester Supper Club - Claire's of Smithfield - Autumn Days Menu III!
Sat 12 November 2016, 19:30 – 22:30 GMT
We blinking love Autumn, mostly because you can eat more custard and gravy, and because Claire's birthday is in Autumn, we can drink more too! With this in mind you've got a menu that is as Autumnal and nostalgic as a woolly jumper used as a goalpost on the 'Rec' on a crisp autumn morning with fallen leaves crunching under your feet and blowing in the sharp Autumn breeze. In the eighties. (Its a baggy jumper.) Not gone too autobiographical with the nostalgia as you'd end up with a bottle of Diamond White as an aperitif..
As usual all our produce is sourced from Manchester's wholesale fruit, vegetable, fish and meat provider, New Smithfield Market. We are used to serving the workers and buyers of Smithfield at 2am.. now we're opening our doors to the rest of the universe! Everything is made from scratch, on site, using the finest produce New Smithfield Market has to offer. Not necessarily local, not necessarily in season, but just blinking tasty.
Here is the Autumn menu. There are three dates in total.. we hope you can make one of them!
Warm Chocolate Malt Martini with a toasted marshmallow float.
Berni Inn Canapé Combo:
Deep-fried breaded Roasted Garlic and Chestnut Mushrooms with Thyme mayonnaise.
Prawn Cocktail with brown bread and lemon.
Pumpkin soup with Salami, Ricotta and Sage Tortellini.
Home-smoked Sea Trout with roasted Beetroot, Sorrel, Horseradish and Cobb Nuts.
Venison, Fig and Rosemary Pithiver (okay its a pie..) with charred Radicchio, Romanesco cauliflower and a game gravy.
Sticky Toffee Plum Pudding, Apple Beignet, Blackberries and Custard.
Boom! Its £30 per person, with a £10 deposit to reserve your seat. Its still BYOB, so you'll need to bring your favourite tipple to self-spike your welcome hot chocolate and of course the lorry-load of wine you'll want to consume during the course of the evening.

domain: food


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Stamper takes fifth to lead Flashes at MAC Championships
Kent State juniors Alex Stamper and Drew Johnson capped a 2020 college cross country season that nearly never was by earning all-conference honors at the Mid-American Conference Championships, held Saturday at the Bowling Green XC Course.
Stamper took fifth in the men's 8K after passing four competitors in the final 1,300 meters, becoming Kent State's first All-MAC First Team performer since 2012. The Medina native beat his college PR by more than 21 seconds, finishing with a time of 24:25.2.
"The race went our faster than I expected," said Stamper. "Drew and I relaxed and worked together to move up the pack. We knew we could outlast the other runners toward the end of the race. We just had to get ourselves into position. Halfway through the race I realized my training had paid off and kept my eye on the top-five pack, picking off one runner at a time. With 200 meters (remaining), I knew I had enough left to get the last three runners and race through the finish."
Johnson was named All-MAC Second Team after finishing 13th in a personal-best time of 24:47.6. Stamper and Johnson are the first Flashes teammates to earn all-conference accolades at the same meet since 2011.
"Alex and Drew had a plan to stick on the front pack and pick off runners as the race progressed," Kent State coach James Croft said. "They succeeded in that, and the results were two All-MAC performances. The men overall ran a solid team race, and we will look to make big moves next year."
Kent State's men's team finished sixth, its best finish at the MAC Championships since 2014.
Leah Lisle paced the KSU women in the 6K race, crossing the finish line in a personal-best time of 22:00.0 for 22nd place. Nicole Fleming (Woodridge) was close behind, placing 28th in 22:14.2. The Flashes finished 10th overall.
"Our women were close to having a real strong day and finished just eight points out of eighth place. It would have been a good step forward for them," said Croft. "We had even bigger goals going in. Unfortunately we just did not have the depth this season, and a couple crucial injuries on the day. I'm proud of their diligence and positive mindset this whole fall."
The 2020 MAC cross country season was originally canceled, but officials reconsidered and scheduled a championship meet about a month ago.
"Bowling Green and the MAC did a great job putting on this meet," said Croft. "It felt like a normal championship, besides the masks and extra social distancing."
2020 MAC Cross Country Championships
Men's Team Results (8K)
1. Eastern Michigan 39, 2. Miami 63, 3. Buffalo 94, 4. Ohio 116, 5. Toledo 123, 6. Kent State 139, 7. Central Michigan 182, 8. Bowling Green 183.
Women's Team Results (6K)
1. Northern Illinois 84, 2. Toledo 87, 3. Bowling Green 90, 4. Miami 95, 5. Ball State 130, 6. Ohio 142, 7. Akron 160, 8. Central Michigan 223, 9. Eastern Michigan 227, 10. Kent State 231, 11. Western Michigan 273, 12. Buffalo 357.

domain: sports


CNC Servo Busbar Bending Machine Angle Accuracy Within 0.1 Degree
|FOB Price:||US $20,000-50,000 / Set|
|Min. Order:||1 Set|
|Min. Order||FOB Price|
|1 Set||US $20,000-50,000/ Set|
|Production Capacity:||200 Sets Per Month|
|Transport Package:||Export Standard Free-Fumigation Wooden Case|
|Payment Terms:||L/C, T/T|
- Model NO.: GJCNC- BB
- Condition: New
- Automation: Automatic
- Type: Cnc Bending Machine
- Level Bending: 200 X15mm
- Bending Accuracy: 0.1
- Specification: Total Weight: 2700kgs
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Certification: ISO 9001:2008, CE
- Suitable for: Copper, Aluminum
- Outside Dimension: 4150X1590
- Vertical Bending: 125X15mm
- Trademark: Euro-Asia/Gaoji
- Origin: Shandong, China
1. This machine adopts unique large closed type bending structure.
2. It also has the convenience of the open type bending.
3. It possesses the premium property of the closed type bending.
4. The bend unit (Y-axis) has the function of angle error compensation, its bending accuracy can meet the high performance norm.
5. When it is in vertical bending, the machine has the function of auto clamping and release, the processing efficiency is greatly improved compared with manual clamping and release.
1.Closed Bending Structure --Using a precision linear guide to ensure fabricating accuracy.
2.GJ3D Software Programming --Accurately calculating the punching position by 3D graphics.
3.Touch Screen -- Allowing the easy setting of die parameters and the operation of equipment.
4. High-Speed-- Operation System Guarantee high precision and fast efficiency.
|Max Bending Stroke||mm||250|
|Stroke of Side Striker||mm||2000|
|Max Motion Speed of Side Striker|
|Bending Head (Y Axis)||m/min||Fast: 5;|
|Min Inner Width of U-shape Bend||mm||40 (Note:Please consult us for smaller dimensions)|
|Max Bending Angle||degree||90|
|Level Bending (W*H)||mm||200 × 15|
|Vertical Bend (W*H)||mm||125×15|
|Main Machine Dimension: L*W||MM||4150 X 1590|


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- $15 for two tickets to the Historic Downtown Manassas Bridal Showcase ($30 value)
On Sunday, September 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., vendors bring their best to the showcase to help you plan your wedding.
The cream of the local culinary crop comes out in full force for the Taste of Historic Manassas, held at the Harris Pavilion. From the gourmet Italian cuisine of Carmello's to fresh-brewed coffee from Grounds Central Station, Manassas's most dedicated chefs put their best flavors and tallest chef hats on display for foodies. Meanwhile, the musicians of play a live set list of rocking tunes throughout the day.


text:
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
|Type:||Artigo de periódico|
|Title:||In vitro and in vivo studies of a novel nanohydroxyapatite/superhydrophilic vertically aligned carbon nanotube nanocomposites|
das Neves, MF
|Abstract:||An association between in vitro and in vivo studies has been demonstrated for the first time, using a novel nanohydroxyapatite/superhydrophilic vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube (nHAp/VAMWCNT-O-2) nanocomposites. Human osteoblast cell culture and bone defects were used to evaluate the in vitro extracellular matrix (ECM) calcification process and bone regeneration, respectively. The in vitro ECM calcification process of nHAp/VAMWCNT-O-2 nanocomposites were investigated using alkaline phosphatase assay. The in vivo biomineralization studies were carried out on bone defects of C57BL/6/JUnib mice. Scanning electron microscopy, micro-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray difractometry analyses confirmed the presence of the nHAp crystals. nHAp/VAMWCNT-O-2 nanocomposites induced in vitro calcification of the ECM of human osteoblast cells in culture after only 24 h. Bone regeneration with lamellar bone formation after 9 weeks was found in the in vivo studies. Our findings make these new nanocomposites very attractive for application in bone tissue regeneration.|
|Appears in Collections:||Unicamp - Artigos e Outros Documentos|
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday mentioned Gujarat was stricken by many illnesses twenty years in the past, and his authorities carried out a “surgical procedure” to alter the outdated system. Launching healthcare services price Rs 1,275 crore on the Civil Hospital (Asarwa) in Ahmedabad, he additionally mentioned that in the course of the G20 summit he gave a name for ‘One Earth, One Well being’ as he was pained to see that not a single dose of COVID-19 vaccines was out there in some international locations whereas in different international locations folks acquired 4 or 5 doses. “Like one cures folks of illness, we’re finishing up this `Mukti Yagna’ to treatment the state of many illnesses. And we hold making an attempt our greatest to treatment it,” he mentioned.To enhance the healthcare programs of Gujarat, his authorities used three issues which docs prescribe, particularly, medication, surgical procedure and care, the PM mentioned.
“Twenty or twenty-five years in the past many illnesses had stricken Gujarat,” he mentioned, itemizing issues resembling backwardness in healthcare, lack of electrical energy, lack of water, misgovernance and poor regulation and order state of affairs. On the root of all these illnesses was “the largest illness” which was “politics of vote-bank”, he mentioned.”Surgical procedure means finishing up a change within the outdated system. My manner of surgical procedure is taking scissors to inaction, sloppiness and corruption. Then comes medication, which implies making new efforts each day to develop new programs, human sources, infrastructure, innovation, and constructing new hospitals. And the third is care, which is an important a part of bettering Gujarat’s well being sector,” the prime minister mentioned.
His authorities labored with care and sensitivity, mentioned Modi who had been the chief minister of the state 4 occasions. “We went amongst folks, shared their issues, and never simply that…I can say with humility that Gujarat was the primary state (to take action) once we arrange well being camps for not simply people but additionally for animals,” he mentioned.


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The 'FIFA' games have been officially announced as the most successful franchise in UK history.
Charts specialist GfK has announced the 30-biggest selling franchises since they started tracking sales in 1995, and to little surprise, 'FIFA' has come out on top.
The footballing franchise has released 50 games since its inception in 1993, and the games are consistent best-sellers.
Other sporting titles from the world of WWE, the Olympics, Formula One, and Golf make an appearance in the top 30.
The 'Call Of Duty' franchise has claimed the second spot, which is impressive considering the franchise didn't debut until 2003.
Mario claimed the 3rd spot, 'Grand Theft Auto' hijacked its way to 4th place and the various Lego games rounded up the top 5.
The success of 'Grand Theft Auto 5' is particularly notable, with that one game alone responsible for 40% of the franchises sales in the UK.
"This is a fascinating list and anyone who has been following the development of the video game industry as I have will no doubt show little surprise at the sheer value, size, and breadth of this market," said Dorian Bloch, GfK's senior client insight director for Gaming.
"What was once seen as a niche sector is now an unquestionably mainstream market generating billions in revenue annually," he added.
Bloch added "the characters in these games have become much-loved heroes, from Lara Croft to Luigi and Mario, to Sonic the Hedgehog."
"Terms used in the franchises have entered our vocabulary, and there are more than a few gamers who could navigate their way around the outskirts of San Francisco from their time at the wheel of a stolen car in GTA."
It should be noted that the list accounts for boxed sales and not digital sales, where the true revenue and sales figures are likely much higher.
'Pro Evolution Soccer' is the closest rival to 'FIFA' and managed to place in the top 20, outselling major titles such as 'Halo' and 'Battlefield'.
'Skylanders' is the newest franchise on the list, with the game briefly becoming a sensation in the mid-2010s before collapsing spectacularly due to oversaturation.
The 'Guitar Hero' series of games also feature, and their appearance on the list is notable as the final entry in the franchise was in 2015.
Between 2006 and 2010 the franchise was among the hottest in gaming, before the economic recession of the late 2000's curtailed consumer spending and the oversaturation of games in the franchise turned off players.
The top-30 biggest selling franchises have produced revenue of over €15 billion since sales began to be tracked in 1995.
GfK Chart-Track tracks game sales in Ireland, the UK and Denmark and compiled the data.

domain: news


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Applesauce has a multitude of uses – both sweet and savory. In case, you put up more than just a few jars yourself here are some sweet & savory ways to use applesauce.
Start with the Best
Use the best quality applesauce in the following recipes and ideas.
Ideally, something unsweetened and without spice to allow the applesauce to be used but not necessarily noticed.
If like me, you can your applesauce chunky – simply open that jar and puree it in a blender before proceeding.
Fat Replacement in Baked Goods
Applesauce can be used as 1-to-1 replacement for oil or melted butter in all those baked goods – cakes, quick breads, etc. It keeps everything moist and tasty and makes it a bit a lighter.
The applesauce won’t even be noticeable, the people you feed will only remember how good it was – not that you used applesauce instead of oil.
Some recipes to try include:
Oatmeal applesauce cookies are naturally dairy free and the perfect treat for tucking into lunch boxes and care packages.
Chocolate Avocado Brownies that also happen to be flourless for the gluten-free folks.
Use up the ever abundant garden zucchini in a chocolate marbled bread with applesauce instead oil.
This same fat replacement trick will work for your best friend too in these dog biscuits made with applesauce.
Pile it on as a Topping
Potato Latkes are famously topped with applesauce but I often put it on top of pancakes instead of syrup, too.
Pile it on top of ice cream and poundcake.
It’s great mixed with some granola and yogurt too.
This is probably not the first way to use applesauce that comes to mind, but it is a versatile and tasty use:
Make cocktails like Apple Pie Bellini for your fall parties.
Add applesauce with berries and bananas for a smoothie that sure to please and fill a hungry stomach.
Have a Savory Lunch & Dinner
Most of us probably know that applesauce makes a great accompaniment to pork chops.
Applesauce however can be so much more than just a side dish.
Make applesauce a comfort food with homemade Mac and Cheese.
Add it for hint of flavor and sweetness in a curried fall soup.
Don’t forget to include in tasty sweet and spicy appetizers for game day and beyond.
Naturally Sweet Treats
Beyond being a fat replacement, applesauce can give sweet treats an amazing, unique flavor. Let it be the star in things like:
Chocolate applesauce cake is easy to whip up and beautiful making it the perfect, simple and delicious birthday cake.
No Churn Apple Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream is a great way to use up fall preserves in the hot days of summer.
Combine berries, herbs, and applesauce to dry into a delightful fruit leather perfect for lunch boxes and more.
Heck, you can even make an applesauce pie for a tasty and different twist to the traditional apple pie.
Create Sauces & Dressings
Applesauce can make the perfect base layer for many dressings and sauces:
Make a strawberry vinaigrette for your salad that uses applesauce instead of oil for added flavor and sweetness.
Applesauce is the perfect base for a sweet and tangy vinaigrette to put on harvest salads and more.
Mix ketchup and spices with applesauce for a BBQ sauce perfect for ribs.
Eat a Hearty Breakfast
My husband will eat applesauce straight out of the jar with some peanut butter toast for breakfast.
But there are so many other creative ways to enjoy it:
Mix applesauce and peanut butter with oats to bake for a lightly sweet and crunchy homemade granola.
Pair applesauce with oats and let it sit overnight for a quick grab and go meal.
Make a homemade breakfast sausage that includes some applesauce.
Applesauce muffins are full of spicy sweetness and freeze well for busy mornings.
Maybe these tips will inspire you to see all those beautiful jars gracing your pantry as the start of something truly delicious rather than a monotony of applesauce on the side of brown bagged lunches.


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Because Cami is getting in the spirit, I decided I would put an adult spin to her love of all things candy and all things hearts. Creating this super easy 3 ingredient recipe for Conversation Heart Wine Gummies was a lot of fun and you can put your own spin on it with your own favorite wines.
You all know by now that your girl loves a good themed party! For my holiday cocktail party I am trading in my texans t-shirt and sneaks for a cocktail dress and French cheese and wine for a fun French inspired holiday twist for my guests. If you want to class-up your next house party with a little French flair, check out my 3 tips for creating the perfect cheese board.

domain: entertainment


This week on the Secret Library we hear from Karen Downham, Library Officer at the Central Library. Although most music events are cancelled at the moment, Karen gives us a fascinating look back to an event that took place in the 1980s – explaining, along the way, how The Rolling Stones’ 1982 European Tour caused a Princess Diana lookalike to journey from Great Yarmouth to Leeds…
The Leeds Folk Festival was held for just two consecutive years on September of 1982 and 1983, in Temple Newsam Park. It was given the go-ahead by Leeds Leisure Services committee in 1981, and was planned to be one of the largest in Britain, rivalling the Cambridge Folk Festival. The Leeds festival was organised by Leeds Leisure Services, Tykes Association of Folk Clubs, the English Folk Dance & Song Society, and the recording label Celtic Music. Sponsorship came from Leeds City Council and Radio Aire. It was hoped to surpass the one at Cambridge, especially after the recent successful concert by The Rolling Stones at Roundhay Park on 25th July 1982. A 15-acre campsite was planned for 2,500 people, with around 3,500 day visitors expected. There were two main stages and a craft fair, and weekend tickets came at a price of £12. The Tykes Folk Convention ran alongside, with separate weekend ticket price of £6.
The 1982 event took place on 10th – 12th September, with a slow start on the Friday night but with attendance numbers improving on the Saturday and Sunday. Total attendance over the weekend was around 4,000. Yorkshire Television filmed extensively over the weekend, and a short 30 minute clip of film is held at the Yorkshire Film Archive. The headline acts were The Fureys, Davey Arthur, Maddy Prior Band, Moving Hearts, Richard Thompson, and Clannad.
The first Leeds Folk festival was hailed as a great success artistically, but financially it made a loss of £22,000. This loss was offset by the £60,000 profit from the Rolling Stones concert, split equally between the Music and Parks departments. The remaining £8,000 in the Music department was used to fund various community arts programmes.
The 1983 event was held on the 9th-11th of September, despite the £22,000 loss of the previous year, with hopes to make the event self-financing, and aiming for crowd numbers of 6-7,000 people. The line-up had many top folk acts booked, including: Battlefield Band, Paul Brady, Stockton’s Wing, Dick Gaughan, Vin Garbutt, Runrig, Martin Simpson, John Martyn, Pyewackett, Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames, Moving Hearts, The Doonan Family, and Leeds man Jon Strong.
However, although the music is reported to have been excellent, and much enjoyed by those in attendance, it was the unpredictability of the British weather that held sway. The weekend was very wet and windy, and there were problems with power failures caused in part by the wet weather. Rain also caused damage to many of the exhibits in the Craft Fair.
Unfortunately the festival did not run again, presumably due to financial problems after making a large loss for the second year running. There has been much debate over whether the plans were too ambitious, but for the two years that the festival was held, it hosted some of the biggest and most influential names in folk music, some of whom are still performing and can still command large audiences.
Yorkshire Post (9th October 1981), ‘City approves plan for big folk festival’
Yorkshire Evening Post (11th Sept 1982), ‘Low-key start to music treat’
Yorkshire Evening Post (19th August 1982), ‘Leeds tunes up for folk first’
Yorkshire Evening Post (13th Sept 1982), ‘A three-day story of Leeds Folk’
Yorkshire Evening Post (18th Sept 1982), ‘The ‘folksy’ success leaves a £20,000 bill to pay’
Yorkshire Evening Post (7th January 1983), ‘£22,000 in the red – but folk festival goes on’
Yorkshire Evening Post (31st August 1983), ‘Stage is set for festival No.2’
Yorkshire Evening Post (9th Sept 1983), ‘It’s all go for folk festival’
Yorkshire Post (10th Sept 1983), ‘Leeds Folk Festival, Temple Newsam Park’
Yorkshire Evening Post (10th Sept 1983), ‘All a-singin’ in the rain-o…Real dampener – but folk goes on’
Yorkshire Evening Post (12th Sept 1983), ‘It’s a wet one for the folkies’
Yorkshire Post (12th Sept 1983) ‘Hardy folk’
(1982) 1st Leeds Folk Festival 1982, Sept 1-12 Temple Newsam Park – programme. Leeds Local & Family History Library at LP 790.79 L517.
Poster for the Leeds Folk Festival (1983) Available at https://picclick.co.uk/VINTAGE-FOLK-FESTIVAL-POSTER-LEEDS-September-1983-Temple-153127959649.html#&gid=1&pid=1 [Accessed 2nd October 2019]
4 Comments Add yours
YTV recorded a lot of the 1982 festival is there any possibility of them posting it on youtube ?
That would be great if they did – fingers crossed! Do let us know if you ever find any footage of the festival on YouTube, as we could post a link to it at the end of this article.
Leeds Central Library
How about Clannad at the Leeds Folk Festival 1982 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZs568x0UHY
Regards Ed, webmaster of The Clannad Newsblog at https://www.facebook.com/The-Clannad-Newsblog-160377538681
I went to the 1983 festival. Had a great time despite the weather. Did some playing in the folk club tent as well. AND I even got on YTV news programme ‘Calendar’ on the Monday evening! I was mentioned alongside Country Joe McDonald and I think, John Renbourne? They showed me in my tent playing 5 string Banjo and used the music to the intro of the news piece, I was well chuffed! I’d love to get a copy of the video with me on it.


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Saying goodbye to a relationship or even a marriage is tough under any conditions. When these separations happen around the holidays, the grief can be particularly hard to manage. In my work as a Denver therapist, I help clients coping with loss of all kinds all throughout the year, but the loss of a significant relationship around the holidays is often the most challenging.
Below you’ll find ways to address the feelings you may experience during this time of year that is traditionally one filled with joy and togetherness.
Reframe the Loss
While it’s easy to feel the absence of your beloved, this holiday season is also a time to recognize the potential of your new life. Instead of focusing on the lack, work to focus on the possibilities before you, including finding more happiness and fulfillment in other relationships with friends and family, or on your own. Pay attention to the sense of freedom and expansion in your life in the absence of your previous partner. Tune into gratitude instead of absence. Reframing is a helpful tactic for putting things in perspective. Yes, you may be feeling a sense of emptiness without your previous partner in your life, but recognizing that you still have - good friends, a stable job, your health, and/or a place to call home helps put life in perspective.
Prioritize Self-Care and Self-Love
When you feel stressed and depressed around the holidays, it’s easy to reach for unhealthy distractions and look for ways to numb feelings. Common ways to cope might include overspending or overindulging in food and alcohol. Being aware of these tendencies and the triggers for them can also help you look for support and make the conscious choice to partake in an alternative activity. How could you channel the anxiety, sadness, or anger that might drive you to overindulge into healthier alternatives? Consider practices of self-care and self-love instead. Maybe that includes a day spent in nature with yourself, a restorative yoga class, journaling, an art project, or a session with a life coach or relationship therapist. Use your extra time off around the holidays to focus on who you’d like to become in the year that follows and choose activities that will help support that discovery.
It’s easy to fixate on a sense of lack when there is a void in your life around the holidays. And while it’s normal to feel that way, chances are that there were traditions or rituals in your previous relationship or marriage that were unfulfilling in your life. Take this opportunity to start new traditions that are truly satisfying and aligned with your personal values. For instance, if your ex enjoyed black Friday shopping and you often spent your day that way at his or her request, maybe it’s time to spend the day after Thanksgiving chopping down your own Christmas tree to ring in the holidays or hosting a friend’s Thanksgiving get-together. Perhaps it’s the perfect day for an annual volunteer opportunity. Tune into how and when you feel more fulfilled and alive and do more of that now that you have the freedom to reinvent.
When working through a divorce or break-up during the holidays, it’s common to feel that you are all alone or believe that you are the only person experiencing feelings of loss and grief during this time of holiday cheer. Know that you are not alone, and remember that hundreds of people in your community are most likely working through grief, loss, and sadness during the holidays too. Stay honest with your needs while evaluating whether spending time with others or by yourself will contribute to a greater sense of well-being during this time of year. Set healthy boundaries for yourself to ensure that you’ll start 2018 in a grounded, focused way, despite working to overcome loss during the holiday season.
Therapy can provide a safe place to feel the emotions related to the loss in your life and navigate the feelings associated with letting go and moving on. A third party can provide a neutral perspective and hold you accountable to healthy strategies to overcome any sense of grief or sadness that might arise for the months following a major life change. Friends can support to a certain level, but a professional can truly assist in the full healing process. Contact the team at Center for Shared Insight to learn more.

domain: psychology


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- Roommates must register on the same day. Travel Antics does not service clients in Florida, Iowa and California.
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
March 13 - 20, 2022
Personalized meet & assist upon arrival at the airport in Dubai
Arrival and departure transfers
7 nights in Dubai
Daily Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Wooden dhow dinner cruise
Full-day Dubai City Tour
Full-day Abu Dhabi City Tour
One day visit to Dubai Expo
Local VAT included
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What's NOT Included:
Extra Food and Beverages That Are Not Specified
Tourism Dirham Fee-Billed directly to clients at hotel: $5/night
Tips for guides, drivers, and specialist guides
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Please Note While it is our intention to adhere to the route described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. On Day 1 of the tour, you will be advised of any amendments.
DAY 1 | Arrival Day
You will arrive at the Dubai airport and be met by our representative at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle for check-in.
DAY 2 | Dubai
Breakfast at your hotel. Departure to discover the spectacular and lively metropolis of Dubai. Dubai, developed from a small fishing village at the Dubai Creek, nowadays presents itself as a glamorous metropolis in the Arabian Gulf. The distinctive skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls will impress every visitor. On your way, you will photo stop of the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque of Jumeirah. Photo stop of Burj Al Arab hotel. Photo stop of the Atlantis hotel located at crescent of Palm Jumeirah. We will experiment with the Monorail which is a good vantage point to see the Palm Jumeirah. After that trip by train, we will join back our bus to continue our journey and pass by the Marina area and the new residential areas of Jumeirah Beach. We will pass the region of DUBAI Mall and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower and the centerpiece of the Gulf region’s most prestigious urban development to date. Burj Khalifa will radiate out in a series of ellipses from the sky breaking tower encompassing residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment, and the world’s largest shopping mall. Then you will continue to Bastakyia, the old town district of Dubai. Learn everything about the local history and geography of the city when visiting the Dubai museum, located in the ancient fortress of Al-Fahidi. Another highlight will follow you will use the local water taxis, called “Abras”, to cross the Dubai Creek. Enjoy the spectacular view of the city while heading towards the district of Deira. Here you will be enchanted by the large variety of exotic spices in the famous Spice Souk. Take the chance to get a unique and affordable souvenir when you visit the adjacent Gold Souk. Lunch on your own in Dubai Mall. It is a manmade creation, but it is unique. Free time for shopping. At the end of the day, our guide will escort you back to your hotel.
DAY 3 | Dubai
Breakfast. We proceed to the EXPO site. Welcome to the once-in-a-lifetime celebration – the largest event ever staged in this part of the world. Here you will experience warm Emirati hospitality at its finest, as well as the UAE’s values of inclusion, tolerance, and cooperation. Visit your favorite countries and discover new places you have never considered. It could change the way you see the world!! 192 country pavilions featuring narratives from every corner of the globe. Expo 2020 Dubai will host the world for 173 days, each one brimming with new experiences. It will be a time to create, collaborate, and innovate. You will witness eye-catching, mind-bending, taste bud-tickling, grin-inducing experiences. Come along and spend a lifetime telling some interesting stories.
– Pick up from your hotel.
– Depart and arrive at the Mobility District gate where the guide will guide you into the EXPO.
– Visit the Sustainability District & the Opportunity District.
– Visit the iconic UAE Pavilion.
– Lunch on your own in different dining areas. (not included)
– Free time on your own to discover EXPO pavilions and attractions.
– Meet at Mobility District (departure meeting point)
– Drive Back to Emirates mall.
– Drop off at Emirates mall.
– Return to your hotel.
DAY 4 | Dubai
Breakfast at the hotel. We start our city tour of Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. This comprehensive tour is the ideal introduction to the UAE capital and the island on which it stands. The name Abu Dhabi means: “Father of the Gazelle”. We will start at the famous Yas Island which houses the Formula 1 Yas circuit & the first attraction park of Ferrari in the world. An impressive attraction park, the largest covered air-conditioned park in the world with a huge Red Ferrari sign as a landmark. Then we will continue towards Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest Mosques in the world; able to accommodate more than 30,000 worshipers. The beautiful Mosque is completely cladded in marble and features intricate Islamic decoration and carvings as well as extensive landscaping. Then we will go towards Abu Dhabi downtown. Lunch is free in the city. After lunch, we will visit Heritage Village, which houses a small museum and depicts the traditional daily activities of the Arab community prior to the discovery of oil. We will drive along the spectacular Corniche, past gleaming white mosques, glass-clad offices, and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline. We will visit Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the palace of traditions. Then will drive through the famous giant Saadiyat Island project where the museums are being built to complete the image of Abu Dhabi as a cultural city. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Louvre Museum, The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum, located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District.
DAY 5 | Dubai
Breakfast at your hotel. Day of leisure. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the desert safari. You will ride in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle with A/C to pass the endless and spectacular sandy desert. In the evening, you will reach a traditional Bedouin desert camp where you will be having a BBQ dinner in the sunset while listening to traditional Arabic music, an unforgettable experience. You will have access to dune bashing, a henna experience, sandboarding, and meeting camels. In the late evening, you will return to your hotel.
DAY 6 | Dubai
Breakfast at your hotel. Day of leisure or book an optional additional day at the Expo with transfers for an additional fee. The Expo site has a lot of cool features. The plaza will be encased by a dome. At night, that dome will serve as a 360-degree screen, projecting a series of images both on the inside and the outside. Inside the dome, you will find the pavilions as well as features like fountains, parks, and waterfalls. The dome is partially open at the top, so there is no need to worry about the arena feeling stale. More than 140 countries will be participating, and each participating country will have its own pavilion at the exhibition, with every pavilion featuring inventions and innovations hailing from that country. Even the UAE will have its own specialized pavilion, done up in an outline of a falcon. There will also be specialized pavilions focusing on the three main themes sustainability, mobility, and opportunity.
DAY 7| Dubai
Breakfast at your hotel. Day of leisure. In the evening, you will be part of the beautiful dhow cruise dinner. Dubai is surrounded by water; this cruise will sail on the Creekside of old Dubai. Will offer a dinner cruise on a wonderful wooden dhow ─ built in a time-honored manner, channeling the region’s historical heritage and traditions, yet with the utmost comfort that you can expect in a present-day ship. Spend a romantic evening between the glistening stars as you watch the waves dance in the night while you cruise along the moonlight creek. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner served with a taste of local delicacies as you sail through the deep blue Creek.
DAY 8|Departure Dubai
Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel before check-out at noon. Depending on your departure time, you will then be transferred to the airport.
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domain: geography


text: “Natural Shelter”, commissioned by the Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale and curator Jenni Nurmenniemi, was a collaboration between artist Laura Põld and poet Katrin Väli. For the exhibition “Beings with”, the artist-poet duo tackled relationships between humans and other animals. Both authors consider preserving biodiversity in today’s Estonia extremely important since the natural habitats are being destroyed under production of the so-called biological or alternative fuel. The starting point for the project was the awe they felt when seeing how skilfully birds construct their nests. Katrin Väli’s new writings focused on avian life and expressed the intriguing and mystical essence of living organisms. Her collection of poems, titled “Owl’s Nest”, was displayed as a continuous flow of text on three screens beside Laura’s bird-nest inspired ceramic sculptures. The installation spread out to two large grain containers at the Granary building in Fiskars.

domain: biology


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Country Mile Gardens, a family-owned and operated garden center located in Harding, NJ, has installed a 35kW solar system to cover 100% of its
The solar array, situated on 2,000 square feet of the three-acre property, will produce an estimated 39.4 megawatt hours per year. Over the next 30 years, it will offset the equivalent CO 2 from burning 900 tons of coal.
Brothers Dan and Thomas Gallo recently purchased Country Mile Gardens from their father, Tom Gallo, who started the business in 1977. The installation is the most recent move in their effort to reduce the environmental impact of their business. Other improvements include
selling more organic and native plant materials, recycling more packaging and sourcing from more local growers.
“Dan and I, with backgrounds in environmental science and biology, are both very aware of the benefits of renewable energy and how climate change can impact our local environment, as well as our business,” said Thomas Gallo, Co-Owner of Country Mile Gardens.
Country Mile Gardens invested $124,000 in the installation and expects to see a return on investment within six years. The 80-panel system was designed and installed by Green House Solar in Madison, NJ, with high-efficiency panels manufactured by SunPower. In addition to
harvesting solar power, the array will provide shade to shade-loving plants.
“We see this solar installation as a win-win-win,” said Dan Gallo, Co-Owner of Country Mile Gardens. “It will reduce our carbon footprint, make us more energy independent and also save us money in the long term.”
Boxwood blight is a fungal disease caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata , and C. henricotiae
Boxwood blight infects all aboveground portions of the shrub but not its roots. Symptoms begin as dark leaf spots that form brown blotches. A key symptom that differentiates boxwood blight from other boxwood diseases is that narrow black streaks (cankers) develop on green stems. White spores exist on undersides of infected leaves and on stem cankers, spores add to spreading the disease. This disease defoliates the shrub usually from the ground up. Severe defoliation and stem dieback can kill young plants and causes older plants to look unsightly losing ornamental value. This blight cannot be cured once it has started.
It’s possible plants carrying the fungal pathogen won’t show symptoms of the disease if the infection is very recent. The fungus that causes boxwood blight can overwinter on infected plants and in infected leaf litter. Spores of fungus can spread from rainfall or irrigation. It can spread within one plant or to nearby plants. It can also spread larger distances by infected nursery stock or contaminated landscape tools.
If boxwood blight doesn’t kill the boxwood it will still weaken the plant so much so that another pathogen could easily kill the boxwood instead. It is the best practice to destroy all infected boxwoods by a controlled fire burn or burying all infected plants away from contact of any new boxwoods as this disease spreads so rapidly.
Prevention and Other Shrub Options
The only way to prevent further spreading once disease is established is by practicing extremely thorough sanitation practices. You must disinfect pruners and tools frequently and between different plant usage. Never trim or prune boxwoods when they are wet or after heavy rainfall. Wash boots/shoes in between house visits, landscape installs, garden center visits. Mulch should theoretically reduce disease development by reducing pathogen dispersal via rain splash – a primary cause of boxwood blight’s spread.
Preventatively spray a fungicide. Infuse and Fungonil by Bonide can help prevent the disease with repeated applications.
The best resistant boxwood cultivars are: Green Beauty, Green Gem, and Green Mountain
The best option is to choose a different plant entirely and do not plant boxwoods. Other evergreen foundation plant options include Japanese Holly, Inkberry Holly, Plum Yew, Japanese Skimmia, Andromeda, Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel, Skip Laurel, and others depending on the application. We are also testing other new varieties which hold promise for certain plantings.
What is leaf miner: Leafminer is an insect pest in which the larvae feed on the inside of the boxwoods leaves. These insects feed inside the leaf between the upper and lower leaf surface. Larvae will turn into adults and break through the lower leaf surface when fully matured.
What to look for: Blistered leaves, leaves with something resembling a “bubble” protruding out on the leaf surface, leaves may be discolored brown to yellow or they can remain green.
Life cycle of leaf miner: Larvae stage causes the most damage to boxwood plants. Larvae over winter in leaf blisters. Once spring arrives with warmer temperatures the larvae use this as a signal to become active again and start feeding inside the boxwood leaves. Larvae can feed inside the boxwood leaves from spring to summer. Adult leafminers can emerge out of the leaf in May. Adults look like small yellow/orange flies that can swarm around boxwood plantings. Shortly after adults emerge they mate. After mating a fertile female can deposit her eggs into the underside of boxwood leaves directly injecting the leafminer eggs into the boxwood leaves. Adult females die shortly after depositing their eggs. This starts the cycle again as the eggs grow into larvae within the leaf in about two weeks. The larvae can feed and grow to maturity inside the boxwood leaf bringing a lot of damage to the boxwood plant as it feeds and steals nutrients from the plant itself.
How to treat Leaf miner with insecticides & systemics: Use insecticide around the first week of May and a second application around mid June and mid July. Carbaryl or Malathion can control adult populations. Acephate can control larvae developing in the leaves when applied in mid May after adults emerge from leaves. You can also use the systemic insecticide imidacloprid also known as Merit to control larval populations. Apply systemic insecticide at the base of the plant near roots because this insecticide will be taken up through the roots of the boxwood and concentrated inside the boxwood to prevent further infestation.
How to treat Leaf miner naturally: Select more resistant cultivars to begin with, English and Japanese varieties are better than American varieties. Use natural insect predators such as green lacewing to control larval population. You can prune new growth of Boxwoods in May after adults deposit eggs to reduce the larval population and reduce damage on your boxwoods. Keep Boxwoods healthy, with proper watering and air circulation. A healthy plant is less likely to be susceptible to insect damage.
Happy Spring! Here is a list of the perennials, shrubs and trees we’ve received so far this spring with a lot more on its way. If you are looking for something specific you can hold down Control and hit the F key to find something specific.

domain: agronomy


Last few weeks, media was abuzz with reports of a reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court by President Arif Alvi on PM Imran Khan’s advice. In an unprecedented move, Justice Qazi Faez Isa has written a letter to President Arif Alvi complaining about the media trial that he’s been subjected to In the 5-page letter, QaziFaez Isa has reminded the President, the minister of law and authorities at information ministry about the oaths of their office that bar them from revealing ‘any matter … brought under my consideration’. Qazi Faez Isa went on to respond to the charges levelled against him through media by various govt officials. He says that he was under no obligation to declare the assets owned by his wife or children, who were all adult individuals. Isa voluntarily disclosed the details about his family members.He also added that his law firm was acknowledged for paying highest amount of taxes by President of Pakistan in 2004 ‘My former partner … was bestowed the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz … for being the highest individual tax payer’ He says the income tax he had paid the year before he became Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court was more than his total salary as Chief Justice of Balochistan. Justice Isa also questioned if PM Imran Khan, on whose advice the reference was submitted to the council, had also disclosed the assets of his family members. He added that the reference could be an attempt to undermine the independence of judiciary. But Justice Isa resolved that ‘I will not permit this to happen’ and will ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution’ .
- Mentally-Ill Ghulam Abbas Case In Supreme Court Of Pakistan
- The rich history of South Asia is the history of Pakistan too


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Topeka Woman Mad About $1000 Library Fine
TOPEKA, Kan. — A woman in Topeka settled her bill with her local library, but she wants everyone to be aware of what happened to her.
Laurie McCollum had her wallet stolen in July. She cancelled her credit cards and checks, but didn’t think to cancel her library card.
The library says it sent her email notices, telling her about the 40 overdue books on her account, but McCollum says she doesn’t check her email very often. Apparently, the wallet thief wanted some books and checked them out in her name.
“The bill came to over a $1000 and we’re not going to make you pay the whole amount, but we feel you should pay for part of it,” she said.
McCollum agreed to pay the library $275.
- WATCH: Terrifying pileup shows the danger of exiting your car after an accident
- College student, 18, killed in accident involving ice and semi on I-435
- Claustrophobic woman claws her way out of bathroom
- Watch: Possible abduction caught on tape
- Father: Some kind of cord was trapping his sons in their room during deadly fire


News & Events
Rockwell Automation Continues to Strengthen Process Control Offerings; Outlines Six Areas of Focus for its PlantPAx Process Automation System
Signaling the continued importance of process control to Rockwell Automation, the company outlines its strategy for delivering new performance optimization capabilities
ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 10, 2009 — Building on investments to extend and enhance its process technologies, solutions and services, Rockwell Automation outlined six key areas of focus for its PlantPAx Process Automation System at the Rockwell Automation Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) conference, Nov. 9 and 10, in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with its annual Automation Fair event. These advancements help manufacturers better optimize and integrate process applications into their global enterprise to drive greater productivity.
“The Rockwell Automation PlantPAx system allows end users to adopt a common control platform for their entire enterprise,” said Steve Pulsifer, global director, Process Market Development, Rockwell Automation. “End users find that using a common control and visualization platform introduces significant performance management and optimization opportunities, and significantly reduces life-cycle costs.”
To leverage this competitive advantage and further enhance its process control portfolio, Rockwell Automation concentrated on six key areas of focus, including core process control capabilities, design productivity, process networks and field-device integration, asset management, process safety and critical control, and operations productivity.
Core Process Control
As part of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, the PlantPAx Process Automation System leverages a single control platform for discrete, batch, process, safety, drives and motion control. The supervisory-layer visualization servers and operator workstations are delivered ready to configure, helping engineers more efficiently build a process system. Rockwell Automation continues to help ensure customers receive the level of performance and capability they expect from the PlantPAx system by testing it as an entity, rather than relying on individual product testing.
By integrating standard Integrated Architecture technologies with process-focused system configuration tools, users can experience up to 40 percent reduced project engineering. To further improve design productivity and shorten project execution, Rockwell Automation has extended its rich set of tools and utilities to speed project development. One example is the comprehensive library of standard process control objects comprised of the control logic, visualization components and supporting documentation.
A continuing alliance with Endress+Hauser is a key part of the Rockwell Automation strategy to improve the end user’s field-device integration experience. Together, the two companies conduct interoperability testing between Endress+Hauser field devices and the Rockwell Automation PlantPAx system, including device connectivity verification on HART, Profibus and Foundation fieldbus.
Extending the process device integration options, Endress+Hauser is launching the Promass 83 Coriolis mass flow meter with EtherNet/IP connectivity. The Endress+Hauser flow meter is added to the I/O configuration of a project with easy integration to both the programming and visualization environments. These ongoing efforts help reduce startup costs and configuration time for devices.
Rockwell Automation also has established a leadership position in fieldbus connectivity on EtherNet/IP to further improve the ability to manage and share instrumentation profiles.
As asset management is a cornerstone of safe and productive plant management, Rockwell Automation continues to enhance plant-wide asset management capabilities for control and field device assets. The PlantPAx solution is positioned to help users adopt a consistent asset management strategy across process and factory automation applications, including management of change, engineering configuration security and disaster recover. In addition to Rockwell Automation promoting FDT/DTM technology, the company’s asset performance monitoring, plant-wide information access, and process optimization help users achieve operational excellence and dramatic improvements in manufacturing infrastructure, business performance and global success.
Process Safety and Critical Control
System availability and process uptime are critical for the oil and gas industry and other industry segments. To address these challenges, Rockwell Automation delivers end-to-end high availability with its integrated control and safety system, including new enhancements such as network redundancy and redundant I/O.
Rockwell Automation focuses on a data management and decision support framework that helps enable plant-wide operational productivity improvements. Earlier this year, Rockwell Automation launched the FactoryTalk VantagePoint application for web-based reporting and analysis of plant-floor data. The company leverages the application to deliver a single reporting and analysis tool that further helps users access system information to make real-time, value-add decisions.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
For more information on the Rockwell Automation PlantPAx Process Automation System, please visit http://discover.rockwellautomation.com/PR_EN_Process_Solutions.aspx.
Automation Fair, FactoryTalk, Integrated Architecture, Listen.Think.Solve. and PlantPAx are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.


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Eusko Gudariak (originally spelt Euzko Gudariak, "Basque Soldiers") was the republican anthem of the Eusko Gudarostea, the army of the Basque Autonomous Government during the Spanish Civil War. The song used to refer to the defense of the Basque country within the Republic of Spain against the nationalist Spain army.
It is also used as an anthem by ETA and the organizations orbiting the Basque National Liberation Movement.
The music is a traditional Basque tune from Araba, named Atzo Bilbon nengoan.
The lyrics were composed in 1932 by José María de Gárate, an officer of the EAJ-PNV.
During the war, Captain Alejandro Lizaso Eizmendi added some verses.

domain: politics


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When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail are among my list of favorite movies of all time. All three were written by Nora Ephron, who died Tuesday at age 71. Ephron was not only an accomplished screenwriter and director, but a prolific essayist, playwright and author.
With her three most famous movies, Ephron proved that a romantic comedy didn’t have to be cheesy or just enjoyed by women. He may not freely admit it, but my father enjoys You’ve Got Mail almost as much as I do. And although now Meg Ryan’s shoulder pads and mom jeans seem outdated, when Ephron wrote these films, they were revolutionary because she was one of the first to insist that silly movies could be smart. She demanded that a RomCom with a fake orgasm scene (When Harry Met Sally), could actually be commentary on relationships and marriage and be hilarious at the same time.
To me, she was an idol. She was brilliant and charming, and dedicated her life to telling stories. Her novel Heartburn about the failure of her marriage to Carl Bernstein is a wonderful book (and the reason I want a cookbook library annex to my kitchen when I am old and rich). Not every single thing she wrote was an enormous success, like the film adaptation of Heartburn or the movie Bewitched (which I am actually rather fond of), but she kept working because she loved doing it. She was constantly blogging, writing essays, writing scripts up until the very end.
Ephron’s humor and zeal permeated everything she did. She was an inspiration to me and to writers and readers everywhere. I am heartbroken that I will no longer have her blog posts and short stories to look forward to. But mostly I am sad that I will no longer have her lines; her perfect sentences that say so much in so few words like this one from Heartburn: “I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people on the street rushing around looking for action, love, and the world's greatest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance.”


Some people call me a photographer. Others call me a writer. My mom calls me “Jamie”. I prefer James.
I like to think of myself as a storyteller. I use a variety of tools to tell those stories – in writing, with pictures and with video and audio. I love traveling, meeting unusual people, learning about their stories, and then telling their story with the skills I have learned over the past 20 or so years. I have published stories ranging from a 7 year old with cancer who just wanted to ride motorcycles with his dad, to in-depth stories about why canola farming has expanded into a major cash crop for farmers. As you look at my web site you will see dozens of stories I have told over the years. Some I do myself, others I work in collaboration with writers and other creative people. I am by nature somewhat of an introvert, but my camera, notebook, and cell phone give me the tools necessary to get out and meet people, ask questions, seek insight, and tell their stories.
My favorite work is as an editorial photographer in Oklahoma and surrounding states. I like to work with magazines and newspapers to capture unique environmental portraits of real people in their natural surroundings.
As a commercial photographer in central Oklahoma, I enjoy helping companies with their branding through photography. Unique, authentic photos are important to many industrial and commercial clients and I enjoy collaborating with clients to develop imagery that promotes their brand.
If you need someone to tell your story, give me a shout.
1608 Mesa Trail
Edmond, OK 73025


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Nutley congratulates Eagle Scout
The Nutley Board of Commissioners recognized resident Zachary Sebek for achieving the Boy Scouts of America's Eagle Scout rank. He is the son of Christian and Beth, and brother of Eric.
Sebek is a member of Troop 22, sponsored by St. Thomas the Apostle in Bloomfield.
For his Eagle Scout project, Sebek organized a concert at Nutley's Grace Church benefiting senior citizens, according to a board proclamation. He dedicated many years with the Scouts and achieved 23 merit badges.
He will be honored Sunday at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony.
Revenue and Finance Commissioner Thomas Evans said that Sebek's work will serve him well as he enters adulthood. "I encourage you to talk to your brother, encourage [other youth] to follow the same path," the commissioner said.
Sebek is a part of a special group that understands "what hard work is and dedication is," Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mauro Tucci said. "You are definitely a testament to your generation and to your parents, and to all of us here."
Rogers stated that he and his mother attended one of the concerts that Sebek organized. "She didn't want to leave," the commissioner said.
Becoming an Eagle was "a great accomplishment," Mayor and Public Works Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli said. "I know you're going to do great things."


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I recently completed a round-Britain lecture cruise on board the Crown Princess, which involved visiting a couple of places in Ireland. Well, three in Ireland (Cork, Dublin and Belfast, but I only visited Cork and Dublin. Somehow Belfast doesn’t ‘do it for me’ so I gave it a miss….)
It reminded me that I had done several blogs linked to Ireland so I thought that I would re-visit some of them. First up – the remarkable story of Charles Banconi:-
For a change, travel back to Ireland and visit Hearn’s Hotel, at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. It is the sixth of July 1815, and a small jaunting carriage pulls away exactly on time, heading for Cahir some ten miles or so away. The jaunting carriage was a slightly odd two-wheeled conveyance, unprotected from the elements, where the seats were in a row facing sideways onto the road. This day there were no passengers – the six seats were all unoccupied, and the single horse has no difficulty plodding its lonely journey. The same thing happened the next day, but then the 31-year-old Italian printer whose idea it was to set up a coaching service decided that it was a case of ‘double or quit’. So he arranged for two jaunting carriages to be ready and waiting at the appointed hour on the following day, both ready to make the journey as advertised to the good burghers of Clonmel. To observers it looked as though there was a competition. That certainly attracted public attention, and before long there were dozens of people queuing to make the two-hour journey, at a rate of a penny-farthing a mile. It was certainly a darned sight quicker than the five- to eight-hour journey offered for the same trip by boat.
Journeys in Ireland were incredibly slow at the time – the roads were poor, travel was in its infancy, and there was no integrated transport service. It would be another thirty years before rail travel opened up the countryside, and in those thirty years the coach service mushroomed in a most remarkable way. And the man behind it? Charles Bianconi.
Carlos Bianconi, born on 26 September 1785 at Tregolo in what is now Lombardy in Italy, had escaped from his mother country just before it was over-run by the forces of Napoleon. He was relatively poorly educated – the priest at the local school he attended described him as a ‘troublesome dunce’ who left school ‘almost as ignorant as when he entered it and a great deal more wilful.’ As a 16 year old he had travelled to England but then moved across to Ireland, and was apprenticed to the owner of a print-shop. Selling the prints took him around Dublin and its neighbouring towns and villages, usually on foot. He would peddle the prints which he carried in his satchel as he walked from town to town. Eventually he set up his own print and engraving shop in Clonmel, and as the business started to expand he travelled around on the appalling roads to deliver his wares, often stopping to give a lift to pedestrian travellers. No doubt it was this which gave him the idea of providing a public transport service, given that the only alternatives were the prohibitively expensive Mail Coaches.
Shortly after he launched a separate coaching business he was fortunate to be able to buy a number of ex-Army horses (no longer needed following the Battle of Waterloo and the end of the Napoleonic Wars). These magnificent animals, well-trained and strong, could be picked up ‘for a song’ – well, for between ten and twenty pounds – and the coach business expanded quickly, with new routes being added until they criss-crossed the country. Bianconi started to build his own coaches, eventually moving up to a twenty-passenger long-coach. They were known as ‘Bians’ or Bianconi Coaches, and soon became a familiar sight everywhere. Coaches meant coaching Inns, and a network of Bianconi Inns were developed, some of them still remaining to this day.
The business was at times seriously under-capitalised but an interesting account in the Irish Story – an online history blog, comes up with this information:
“In 1826, came the famous Waterford by-election when the Beresfords – landlord family who had dominated that county’s politics for 70 years – were ousted by the Catholic Association party of Daniel O’Connell – campaigning for Catholic Emancipation. Bianconi had actually been retained by the Beresfords (who were staunchly opposed to Emancipation) to transport their voters to the election, but feelings were running so high that he felt his drivers to be endangered and asked to be released from his contract. The Beresfords reluctantly agreed, and Bianconi was promptly retained by the O’Connell supporting team. He may well have been partly responsible for their resounding success, but from his point of view the important thing was that he was paid £1,000 (perhaps as much as €1,000,000 in today’s values) for his services. This was the capital he needed.”
The scale of operations was remarkable. Here are just some of the statistics:
* By 1845, Bianconi was one of the largest proprietors of horses and vehicles in the whole of Europe, with a fleet of one hundred cars, and 1,400 horses.
* He employed a hundred drivers as well as 130 ostlers to look after the animals.
* Each day, the Bians covered over 4,200 miles of Irish road, serving 120 towns and villages.
* The horses consumed around 3,500 tons of hay a year, plus 35,000 barrels of oats.
* In its heyday the business was paying Bianconi £35,000 a year.
* He was twice made mayor of Clonmel.
* He was renowned for looking after his staff, knowing all of the drivers by name, and when they were too old or infirm to work he provided them with food and lodging in his cellars at his house at Longfield House, Boherlahan, County Tipperary, referring to them as his “fireside fellows”.
* When the Great Famine came, he famously employed his men to carry out maintenance work at his beloved Longfield House with its 1000 acres of prime farmland, rather than see them starve.
And when the railways eventually arrived, Bianconi wisely arranged his coach itineraries to include the railway stations which his passengers would then use for their onward journey. Oh, and he invested his money in the railways themselves, thereby securing his future when the coaching side of the business declined. He died, a multi-millionaire in today’s terms, in September 1875, at the age of 89. The story goes that as he died the sound of a phantom coach was heard clattering up the long driveway to the house….
I am indebted to the historian Turtle Bunbury for some of the facts used in this article, based on his blog here. Thanks too to Stephen Lombard for first regaling me with the story of Mr Bianconi and his coaches – and for showing me the prints made in the 1850s showing the Biancs in use. It is a remarkable story, especially for a man dismissed as a dunce. Nowadays, immigrants tend to get a bad press. Here was an immigrant who had the imagination and courage to transform the world around him…


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Whether you are trying to sell your home quickly or want to be able to increase its value, there are a few cosmetic improvements that can help you accomplish both. It goes without saying that any functional or structural damage should be repaired prior to listing your home or it may not sell at all, however, if you want to get top dollar and get it quickly, there are certain things you can do to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Landscaping for Curb Appeal | One of the first thing that professionals like this Paradise Valley AZ realtor would tell you is that the first thing you should focus on is the exterior of your home. Once you list your home for sale it will be on the MLS and anyone who has an interest can simply drive by to get a feel for what they will be looking at. There are some times that a home is in such a state of disrepair on the outside that a prospective buyer never contacts a realtor to see the inside. There have been times when the interior of a home could be a showpiece in Better Homes and Gardens but the outside leaves a lot to be desired. If you want buyers to actually do a walkthrough of your home, make sure it has curb appeal.
Recovering or Painting Walls | After living in a home for a number of years your walls begin to become somewhat dull and discolored. There is really no getting around it. Sunlight filters in during the day, bleaching the color and greasy smoke from cooking can literally coat every area of every wall in all rooms. Here is where you need to make a choice as to whether you want to repaint your walls or cover them with designer wall coverings. Some homeowners use a combination of the two in some rooms with chair rail dividing paper on the bottom from painted areas on top. This is a trend that goes in and out of style but will never really end. The only thing that changes is the pattern on the wall covering and the colors trending in paint at the moment. In any case, refreshed walls give the home a whole new look.
New Flooring in Common Areas | Although you may be tempted to recover the floor of your entire home, most often it is only the common areas that need to be re-floored. The reason for this is because bedrooms simply don’t get the amount of wear and tear that common areas do and few people actually eat or drink in any but the common rooms. You can choose any type of flooring you’d like but it should be understood that hardwood will add the most value, second to that would probably be carpet or ceramic tiles and low on the list would be vinyl flooring.
These are the most visible cosmetic improvements that can quickly add salability and value but if you get really creative you can add little touches that will add that extra appeal that attracts buyers. If everything is in working order and you add some cosmetic touches, your realtor will be able to move your house much quicker. Looking for a quick sale? This is how to do it.


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Like John Lamont, I speak as an elder of the Church of Scotland and I propose to vote for the bill this evening.
I am concerned about the level of protection afforded to, say, an individual celebrant from a religious community that has opted in but who chooses to opt out. As I read it, the relevant amendment to the Equality Act 2010 says that a person controlling the use of religious or belief premises will not contravene the act by refusing to allow the premises to be used for a same-sex marriage or a civil partnership.
However, we might be talking not about a person within the Church of Scotland but about a collective entity such as a congregational board. It might also be that, after a request to participate in a same-sex marriage is declined, a subsequent request to use the church premises for a reception is also declined. Is that also covered by this protection?

domain: sociology


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Cadiz (Agenzia Fides) - Every parish or religious community has a challenge over the next twelve months. The Bishop of the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta, His Exc. Mgr. Rafael Zornoza Boy, has asked every parish to assume a commitment to a particular work of charity, on the occasion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, opened in Rome by Pope Francis.
In a pastoral letter written on the occasion of the Jubilee, also sent to Fides, Mgr. Zornoza recommended: "Carry out charity works with even more love than usual, like visiting the sick, in hospitals and at home, caring for the elderly, visiting them in their homes, talking to them, taking them out for a walk, accompany women who have had abortions with mercy, trying to heal their psychological wounds; have a serious commitment with regards to the activities of the parish Caritas, in food dispensaries, etc...".
The diocesan Caritas is closely involved with migrants. The situation in southern Spain is becoming very tense for the continuous attempts of entry by African groups. In 2014, 11,146 people (from the "southern border") arrived. More than 20,000 people, always in 2014, tried to enter Ceuta and Melilla, but only 2,300 managed (see Fides 03/10/2015). The Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta, due to its geographical position is the diocese in Spain which has had the highest number of migrants. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 09/12/2015)