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Basketball coaches clinic to take place Oct. 26-27
Justin Bauman was named to The University of Tulsa basketball coaching staff in April 2012.
Bauman came to Tulsa following four seasons (2008-12) at The University of San Francisco, where he coached under Rex Walters. He spent the final two seasons as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and served as director of basketball operations in his first two years at USF.
In his two years as a full-time assistant coach, the Dons posted a 39-29 record. San Francisco posted an impressive overall 20-14 record during the 2011-12 season, marking the first 20-win season for the Dons in 30 years. San Francisco made back-to-back post-season appearances in the College Invitational Tournament (2010-2011) and the College Basketball Invitational (2011-2012). Bauman recruited three players in the Don's 2012 signing class at San Francisco -- two from Oklahoma, and the Arizona state player of the year.
Prior to USF, Bauman began his career at Florida Atlantic University as the Director of Basketball Operations for Walters. FAU set the school record for most conference wins in a season and ticket sales more then tripled while Bauman was at FAU.
An alumnus of The University of Kansas, Bauman spent six years with the Kansas basketball program. During three of those years he served as manager on Roy Williams' staff and the other three years as head manager/student assistant coach on Bill Self's staff. Bauman assisted with on-campus recruiting, practices, scouting reports, team travel, camps, along with overseeing the student support staff and all aspects of the apparel and equipment.
While at Kansas, Bauman was part of four Big 12 regular season championships, one postseason Big 12 championship, two Final Fours and six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. During his tenures at Kansas, Florida Atlantic and San Francisco, Bauman has worked with 32 players that have gone on to play professional basketball.
Bauman played collegiate basketball for one season at Lincoln (IL) College. Lincoln posted a 26-7 record, was the Region 24 Champion and Bauman was part of the Region 24 All-Academic Team.
A native of Canton, IL, Bauman graduated from Kansas with a bachelor's degree in sports management and fitness in 2004 and a master's degree in sports studies in 2006.
He and his wife, Stacy, reside in Tulsa.
ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE

domain: sports


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VALT, the ETF for Liquid Fixed Income Returns
A new ETF launched this week is the ETFMG SIT Ultra Short ETF (VALT).
ETF Managers Group, along with SIT Fixed Income Advisors launched the Ultra Short ETF. Listed on the NYSE Arca, its ticker is VALT.
VALT is ideal for investors seeking the preservation of capital and fixed income returns. Further, it is akin to a secure cash allocation vehicle, but with returns superior to short-term cash equivalents, and the advantage of daily liquidity.
ETFMG SIT Ultra Short ETF (VALT) features
VALT delivers enhanced yield, risk-adjusted return, and diversification for cash allocations. Moreover, the ETF is actively managed and functions as a cash management tool.
VALT’s portfolio includes investment grade, US dollar-denominated fixed, variable, and floating-rate debt securities of short duration and varying maturities. However, these may be either domestic or foreign debt securities.
This Ultra Short ETF uses the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Bills Index: 1-3-month Index as its benchmark index.
However, the expected average effective portfolio duration varies between 2 months and one year. Ultrashort duration strategy is sub-advised by Sit Investments, a $14 billion RIA.
The fund has an expense ratio of 0.30%.
VALT: Bottom line
According to the prospectus, the fund selects its holdings from debt issues rated within the top four rating categories of firms such as Moody’s or S&P.
The fund takes into account yield curve positioning, sector allocation, and security selection.
The fund focuses on active risk management, stability, and ease of use.
Latest Alternative Investment News
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domain: finance


What are the different types of threads?
Thread can be categorized in various ways. Typical classifications include:
Thread classification based on Material
- Natural Thread: The use of threads made from natural materials has significantly decreased in industrial applications. Yet, cotton thread remains the most widely used among the
- Synthetic Thread: Owing to the constraints of natural fibers, users have shifted towards synthetic fibers for their threading needs. These synthetic threads boast outstandingly high tenacity, superior abrasion resistance, and robust chemical resistance. Furthermore, they remain largely unaffected by moisture, rot, mildew, insects, or bacteria, making them a preferable choice. Synthetic fibers are made from various chemicals or a combination of chemicals and natural products, like polyester, nylon, rayon, etc.
Thread classification based on thread structure
- Spun thread: Spun thread refers to a type of thread or yarn made by twisting and binding short staple fibers together. These fibers can be from natural sources like cotton, wool, or flax, or synthetic ones like polyester or rayon. The spinning process involves drawing out and twisting the fibers to form a continuous thread or yarn.
- Corespun thread: Corespun thread blends staple fibers and filaments. Typically, this thread employs a multi-ply construction, where each ply features a core of polyester filament encased in a wrap of either cotton or polyester fibers. This unique construction combines the robust strength of polyester filament with the excellent sewability offered by the cotton or polyester fiber wrap. Predominantly utilized in high-speed sewing operations, corespun thread is especially favored for garments that demand superior seam strength.
- Filament thread: Filament threads exhibit greater strength compared to spun threads made from the same fiber and of identical thickness. The following are the main types of filaments:
Monofilament thread, made from a single filament of synthetic material like polyester or nylon, is smoother and more uniform than spun thread, which is composed of twisted short fibers. However, its stiffness, limited flexibility, and coarse texture mean its use is typically limited to applications such as hems, draperies, and upholstered furniture.
Multifilament thread is made from multiple continuous strands or filaments of material, usually synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or rayon, twisted together to form a single thread. r. It is commonly used to sew shoes, leather garments, and industrial products.
- Textured filament thread is a type of synthetic thread that has been processed to create a rough, irregular surface, unlike the smooth surface of standard filament threads. This texturing process adds bulk, elasticity, and a soft, natural feel to the thread, making it an excellent choice for cover stitches.
Thread classification based on thread Construction
Twists are important when it comes to tenacity values. Because twists highly influence tenacity in a positive way, meaning a high twist makes a strong yarn - which is true up to a certain point, as a twist too high on the other hand can make a yarn break.
- Twist: Thread twist refers to the number of twists per unit length in a thread, which is typically measured in twists per inch (TPI) or twists per meter (TPM). It is a crucial aspect of thread construction that affects its strength, durability, elasticity, and even the final appearance of the fabric or garment.
- Twist direction: Direction of twist is identified as ‘S’ for left twist and ‘Z’ for right twist.
- Most staple yarns utilize a Z-twist because this twist direction is more naturally achieved on traditional spinning machinery. In fabric production, such as in twills and denim, Z-twist yarns are often used to enhance the texture and durability of the fabric.
- The S-twist is more commonly used in textiles that require a specific texture effect or special treatment. For example, in some knitwear and handwoven textiles, the S-twist helps achieve the desired appearance and feel.
- Ply and Cord: Yarns are twisted together to form ply thread. Most commonly used are 2, 3 or 4 ply threads. Threads are twisted together to give corded thread. Most commonly used are 4, 6 or 9 cord threads.
- ply: "Ply" in thread context means the number of yarns twisted together to form the final thread. Each yarn is a strand, and twisting strands together creates a ply thread. Ply influences the thread's strength, weight, thickness, and texture.
- A cord is a type of thread that is made by twisting together two or more ply threads. This process enhances the thread's strength and thickness, making corded thread much stronger and more durable than single or even multi-ply threads.


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Editor’s Note: To assist the builders and staff at Activision Blizzard pushing for change, we’re masking the video games that they’re working exhausting on making. However, we want to acknowledge that the push for change amid the lawsuit alleging a discriminatory “frat boy” culture remains to be ongoing. As these employees seek a shift in the company’s culture, they’re nonetheless passionately creating video games, and we’re highlighting the work they’re doing. We may even proceed to report on the problems at Activision Blizzard as the workers search to reform the tradition and make it a safer, equal, and extra inclusive office.
Now that Call of Duty: Vanguard‘s PlayStation-exclusive Champion Hill alpha has concluded, Sledgehammer Games has promised to fix the game’s quite a few visibility points.
The developer will present extra particulars about participant suggestions and the steps it’s taking to handle considerations someday later this week. In the meantime, right here’s a small listing of points it plans to repair:
- Visibility when broken
- Spawn tuning
- Map visibility
- Audio combine tuning
- Name plate visibility points
- Aim help by way of destructible partitions
Absent from this listing is enemy/participant visibility, which many complained about over the weekend. However, a definitive listing of fixes shall be shared in the end so right here’s hoping.
We recognize the entire suggestions that got here by way of this weekend as we proceed to refine the expertise heading into the Beta. If you haven’t completed so but, please take a second to reply to our participant suggestions survey. https://t.co/VIQgzDKfoh
— Sledgehammer Games (@SHGames) August 29, 2021
Call of Duty: Vanguard will launch on November fifth. A beta will happen in September.

domain: news


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April 22, 2020
Hospitals are reporting a significant drop in the number of heart attacks and strokes nationally. However, COVID-19 is definitely not stopping people from having heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrests. Fear could be stopping people from going to the hospital and the results could be devastating.
The new pandemic threat: People may die because they're not calling 911
Reports from the front lines of hospitals indicate a marked drop in the number of heart attacks and strokes nationally. But, COVID-19 is definitely not stopping people from having heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrests. We fear it is stopping people from going to the hospital and that can be devastating.
You might think a hospital is the last place you should go now. That's why we – the leaders of major national organizations dedicated to saving people from heart disease and stroke – feel it's necessary to say this loud and clear:
- Calling 911 immediately is still your best chance of surviving or saving a life.
- It is SAFE for EVERYONE to call 911.
- It is SAFE for ANYONE to go to the hospital.
Because some racial/ethnic groups, such as African Americans, are more likely to die from their heart attack and stroke, it is imperative that nothing gets in the way of anyone seeking help if they are experiencing symptoms.
We felt the need to make this declaration to clear up what may become an alarming trend.
The number of heart attacks and strokes are not necessarily declining. While ongoing research may uncover other underlying reasons for decreasing numbers of heart attack and stroke patients in hospitals, the prevailing theory is that people just aren't calling 911.
From dispatchers to first responders, the emergency response system is trained to help you safely and quickly, even during a pandemic.
Hospitals are following protocols to sanitize, socially distance and keep infected people away from others. In fact, many now have separate emergency rooms, operating rooms, cardiac catherization rooms and ICUs for people with COVID-19, and for people without.
Although COVID-19 is certainly our most immediate threat, we must remember the ever-lurking dangers of heart disease and stroke – which, year in and year out, are the top two killers worldwide.
- Approximately every 40 seconds someone in the US will have a heart attack and someone else will have a stroke.
- More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S. annually.
People at higher risk of a stroke or cardiac event should contact their providers for a telehealth visit to ensure they are managing their risk factors, such as blood pressure, and taking other precautions.
If you or a loved one experiences heart attack warning signs –chest discomfort; discomfort in other areas of the body such as your arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; and other possible signs: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness – call 911.
If you have stroke symptoms, which can be remembered with the acronym FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurring or other difficulty, then it's Time to call 911.
The bottom line is the same as it's always been. When a medical emergency strikes, call 911. Get to a hospital.
Robert A. Harrington, MD, FAHA, President, American Heart Association
Athena Poppas, MD FACC, President, American College of Cardiology
Michelle Albert, MD, MPH, President, Association of Black Cardiologists
Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD FACC, FAHA, FHFSA, President, Heart Failure Society
Andrea M. Russo, MD, FHRS; President, Heart Rhythm Society
James C. Stevens, MD, FAAN, President, American Academy of Neurology
Ehtisham Mahmud, MD, FSCAI, President, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
William Jaquis, MD, FACEP, American College of Emergency Physicians
The need to make a declaration. Calling 911 immediately is still your best chance of surviving or saving a life.


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The Time Mookie Discussed The Song “All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You”
Do you know/remember the song by the group Heart called “All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You?” Of course you do, because if you were alive in 1990 you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing this song. The Robert John “Mutt” Lange penned tune shot up the charts in almost every country in the world, and peaked at #2 in the United States. It gave Heart their last top-ten song to date and introduced many to their catalog who may not have been aware of their 70’s and 80’s hits. Heart f’n rocks, and make no mistake about it: The song rocks.
However, for whatever reason I apparently never thought too much about the lyrics of the song. I always knew it to be a song where the singer picked up some stray guy, banged the hell out of him in a hotel and left the next morning, found out later she got knocked up, and then she runs into him later after the kid is born. It’s a story that happens all the time on the Lifetime network and in every trailer park in America. THEN.
While researching one of my new favorite bands (HALESTORM), I saw that they had recorded a cover of the song titled “All I Wanna To Do Is Make Love To You” and I immediately had to download it because I knew it would rock. Needless to say: It totally does. BUT. For some reason I actually listened to the lyrics of the song, and do you know what I figured out? She cheated on the man she loves and totally sperm-jacked that guy!!! Why? Because her true love can’t give her a kid. I know I’m incredibly slow to the game here, but WOW. She sperm-jacked the guy.
At first I was totally shocked by this revelation but yet I didn’t fully know why. It’s not like the content of the song is any less “R” rated than most stuff on the radio. Plus I have more songs than I care to mention in my vast music collection that speak in graphic detail about anything and everything (thank you 2 Live Crew), and I have never been shocked by this stuff. After I thought about it over a lunch-time Hot Pocket, I think I was just shocked at my own ignorance to what the content of the song was after all of these years. Seriously, I can tell you what most songs are about after listening to them a few times, but getting sperm-jacked was not on my radar. Holy cow. The imagery of the lyric “I am the flower, you are the seed. We walked in the garden and planted a tree.” was definitely lost on me. Then again I was never good at all that imagery stuff in English Lit class.
According to my friends at Wikipedia, I guess the song even created a bit of controversy at the time due to the fear that the lyrics could put women in danger by romanticizing the idea of picking up hitch-hikers. I can understand that I guess, but I am surprised there wasn't an equal outcry over a concern about dudes getting sperm-jacked by stray women wanting to have a kid.
Odds are good the dudes were just happy to be getting laid though, which makes sense. Sex rules and guys are animals.
Miss a previous episode? Click HERE to catch up!

domain: artistic


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What I ate: March 11, 2012
Breakfast: Homemade bagel, lox and cream cheese .
Lunch: Grilled bacon cheeseburger, baked Lays barbecue potato chips and a beer at Windham ski area.
A Saranac IPA.
Dinner: Japanese-stye curry with rice.
Later: A glass of Cupcake malbec.
Dessert: 2 strips of Green & Black's hazelnut currant dark chocolate bar.
Weight at beginning of the day: 119.8 lbs. Weight at the beginning of the next day: 120.6 lbs.

domain: food


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Date of Birth:
24 January 1959
Nastassja Kinski played in 18 movies in the Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Music, Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Comedy, Action, War, Crime genres.
Nastassja Kinski got succeed with average imdb rating 5.7.
The long-estranged daughter of the unpunctually dusting supernova Klaus Kinski, German actress Nastassja Kinski began her career in her teens. According to most sources, her first film was director Wim Wenders' The Wrong Change residence (1975), although there is evidence that a German television movie directed nigh Wolfgang Petersen, For Your Turtle-dove Barely (1976), was produced sooner. Still not yet 20, Kinski level in love with the much-older filmmaker Roman Polanski, who subsidi... Read more

domain: entertainment


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General Mills is closing its Hazelwood plant that makes fresh-baked items for supermarkets and produces frozen bakery goods. More than 400 people will lose their jobs. The surpise announcement has come a day before union negotiations were to start at the plant. The first layoffs will come in two months.
You are here: / / General Mills Closing Hazelwood Plant

domain: economics


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Time is a Mother
by LaMesha L. Craft
In a quiet place, I released the frowns upon my face, I breathed deeply Hahhhh and found my pace All set to close my eyes, and rest my mind I heard it, first far away, in the distance But with every cleansing breath it drew near CLICK CLICK CLICK Something is coming towards me I lean in and listen It's steady yet determined I squint at the silhouette from a distance I can barely make it out TICK TICK TICK With an open mind, I prepare to receive, I'm nervous, yet intrigued Impatient, yet serene TICK TICK TI She smiles and sits next to me As our eyes meet, she sees my frustration And before I begin, I contemplate hesitation But, I'm annoyed and have somewhere to be! "Hello Time, you're LATE!" "I'm not late, I'm never late!" she teased I just looked at her, my face said, "Chick PLEASE!" Scoffing at me and rolling her eyes, She leaned towards me, motioning towards my heart "Ohhh, so you think YOUR clock is right? That it ticks and tocks by YOUR might?" She continued "That this romance is happen chance?" Shaking her head, Her eyes softened as she said "You're spending too much damn time wishing y'all met sooner." "As if YOUR clock is as wise, as strong, and as durable as mine?!" "Honey, PLEASE," she said, while laughing at me. "MY clock provides the latitude, MY clock is responsible for that feels good' mood By MY clock, you'll have the time of your life, Instead of worrying about things lining up right!" She sighed, and continued "You see honey, You may plan the destination, BUT, you're not in charge of the flight." Placing her hand over mine, she advised "Your heart beats, flutters, and skips at the time it was destined Don't you dare ruin my good rhythm, Follow my tune, and love will survive love There is no question!"


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This post was created in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. All opinions are our own.
Two posts ago, we wrote all in rhyme
We have another poem, if you don’t mind
The holidays are here and filled with cheer
We’ve one more recipe before the new year
Winter pesto is what we’re sharing today
When we first tried it, we exclaimed, “No way!”
Too good to be true, so tasty indeed
We hugged each other and both agreed
We must share this with the world for everyone to make
And recommend you pair it with our chocolate puddle cake
We’re partnering with Bob’s Red Mill, one of our favorite brands
In March we visited their factory, and shook the employees’ hands
It was fascinating to see their process in action
Watching grains being milled was quite the attraction
Their products are all-natural, with no additives to be found
We toured their facility and were showed all around
In this gnocchi recipe, we use their All-Purpose Flour
With homemade ricotta, prepare to devour
Take a few minutes, and make your own ricotta cheese
With only 4 ingredients, the prep is a breeze
There’s no comparison to what’s found in the store
Once you’ve tried homemade, you won’t buy it anymore
This pesto is here to make your winter bright
Play your favorite music and set the candles alight
With toasted hazelnuts appropriate for the season
And delicious ingredients to give you more reason
Roasted artichoke hearts are the star of this pesto
With mint and arugula for that emerald glow
Blended with sharp pecorino cheese
And garnished with more toasted hazelnuts, yes please
With a dollop of ricotta, and served with some wine
That fact that you’re still reading this is a true sign
Head to the store and grab a few things
And see all the smiles this recipe brings
Happy Holidays from Adam and Ryan
Oh, one more thing before we say Mahalo in Hawaiian
If you’re looking for new music for a gift or for yourself
And you’ve already filled up your kitchen bookshelf
Ryan’s choir just put out their first CD
Click here for details, it’ll make your ears happy
Have a safe New Year’s and we’ll see you very soon
We’ve got new recipes up our sleeves that are guaranteed to make you swoon
xoxo Ryan and Adam
Gnocchi with Winter Pesto
Makes about 100 gnocchi, serves 5 to 7
For the ricotta (see note):
6 cups (1.4l) whole milk
2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons lemon juice
For the pesto:
one 14.1-ounce (400 g) can artichokes (packed in water, not oil)
1/3 cup (48 g) whole hazelnuts, papery skins removed, plus more for garnish
1 packed cup (25 g) arugula leaves
1 packed cup (25 g) mint leaves
1/2 cup (57 g) pecorino romano cheese, grated
2 large garlic cloves (10 g), minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons (118 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling the artichokes
For the gnocchi:
1 pound (454 g / about 3 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour, plus a few tablespoons more as needed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound (454 g / about 2 cups) ricotta (see note)
2 large eggs
Toasted hazelnuts, chopped (see note)
To make the ricotta:
In a 3-4 quart pan, stir together the milk, cream, and salt. Set the pan over medium heat, and attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan so the tip is fully submerged but not touching the bottom. Stirring occasionally, cook until the temperature reaches 190-195°F/88-90°C (alternatively, if you do not have a cooking thermometer, simply raise the temperature until the milk is steamy, and beginning to become frothy, but not quite boiling). Once the temperature is reached, remove the pan from heat, remove the thermometer, stir in the lemon juice, and stir to combine. Let the pan rest uncovered for 10 minutes.
While the mixture is resting, place a fine mesh strainer over a heatproof bowl. Line the strainer with a nut milk bag or several overlapping layers of cheesecloth. Once the mixture has rested for 10 minutes, slowly pour it into the strainer, allowing the liquid whey to drain out into the bowl below. Let the ricotta drain for 1 to 2 hours, until thick and spreadable. Note that the bottom of the strainer should not be touching the water below, so empty the bowl of water as needed if it becomes too full. Once drained, the ricotta can be used immediately, or transferred to a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.
To make the pesto:
Preheat oven to 450°F/232°C, and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
Drain the can of artichoke hearts, and cut each one in half vertically. Pat them dry, then place them cut-side-down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving an inch or two of space between each one. Drizzle each artichoke with a few drops of olive oil, then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until quite dark—almost blackened—underneath when flipped (see photo above). Remove from the hot pan and let cool briefly.
While the artichokes are baking, toast the hazelnuts: first place the nuts in a cool dry skillet. Set over medium heat and cook, shaking the pan occasionally to roll around the nuts, until deeply toasted and fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof plate to cool.
In a food processor or blender, combine the roasted artichokes, toasted hazelnuts, arugula, mint, grated pecorino, garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper. Process until a chunky paste forms. Then, with the machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil in a small stream. Use immediately, or transfer to a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.
To make the gnocchi:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the ricotta and eggs until smooth. Pour the ricotta mixture into the bowl of flour, and stir until the dough comes together. Begin using your hands to work and knead the dough, adding additional flour a few tablespoons at a time until the dough is no longer sticky. Continue to knead the dough in the bowl until it becomes stretchy, 3 to 4 minutes. Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This rest allows the gluten to relax and the dough to become more pliable.
Once the dough has rested, lightly flour a clean surface. Unwrap the dough and divide the ball into 8 equal pieces. Take one of the pieces and roll it into a rope about 3/4-inch wide. Cut the rope into 1-inch pieces, and set the pieces aside on the floured countertop in a single layer to prevent sticking. Repeat with the remaining dough—you should end up with about 100 gnocchi, depending on their size. Let the pieces rest at room temperature uncovered for 15 minutes.
At this point, the gnocchi can be cooked immediately, or frozen for future use. If freezing, place the gnocchi on a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet in a single layer without touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and chill until frozen solid, about 2 hours. Then transfer the frozen gnocchi to a ziplock bag or sealed container for storage. As they are already frozen, they will not stick together.
Bring a large covered pot of water (at least 4 quarts) to a boil, adding 1 teaspoon of salt for each quart of water.
Once the water is boiling, add the desired amount of gnocchi. Stir gently a few times to prevent sticking, and cook until all the gnocchi are floating. For a more al dente texture, drain them immediately, or for a softer texture continue to cook for another 30 seconds. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the gnocchi into a colander. Return the gnocchi to the pot, add several generous spoonfuls of the pesto, and stir, adding pasta water a few teaspoons at a time until the desired creamy consistency is reached. Serve immediately while while hot, topped with dollops of ricotta and sprinkles of chopped toasted hazelnuts:
— Homemade ricotta could not be more different from ricotta sold in stores. When it is homemade, it is smooth, creamy, and intensely flavorful, whereas store-bought is often grainy, watery, rubbery, and flavorless. It may be an extra step to make your own, but we cannot recommend it highly enough, as it is life-changing.
— If you make homemade ricotta, there will be extra after using a pound for the gnocchi. Use the extra as dollops of garnish for the gnocchi, spread it on toast, or dip crackers and crudités into it. Ot just eat it by the spoonful like we do.


The successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) in May appears to have been put at risk by the recent wave of xenophobia in South Africa.
This was disclosed by former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili.
The former World Bank Vice-President, Africa Division, echoed this sentiment on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa. The event was held in Cape Town, South Africa from Wednesday, September 4th to Friday, September 6th 2019.
“The mood towards migrants in South Africa threatens the entire free trade agreement. You cannot build a free trade area under those conditions,” Ezekwesili said.
The outspoken Ezekwesili has been one of the most vocal voices behind the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group. She affirmed that the South African government’s conspiracy of silence holds a bigger threat to free trade on the continent.
“The South African government looked away while our citizens were maimed, attacked and killed. They refuse to address the problem of xenophobia and allow the myth to continue that migrants are the cause of economic problems in the country.
“Yet it is a well-documented fact that migration can enhance economic growth in a country. Do they know how many ‘illegal immigrants’ in South Africa are teachers?
“The South African government owes the Nigerian people an apology,” Ezekwesili declared.
Meanwhile, Ezekwesili’s position seems to have found concurrence among one of South Africa’s top ministers, Tito Mboweni. Equally important, Mboweni is South Africa’s Minister of Finance.
Hatred of xenophobia must be consigned to past, says SA Finance Minister
Mboweni noted that the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade agreement in May is the biggest thing to happen in Africa post colonialism.
“I hope our leadership lead in popularising this agreement in the different countries so it’s understood by every border post official, manufacturer, truck driver and editor so we can get the message across. It’s a huge development in Africa,” Mboweni said.
Mboweni, who stood in for President Cyril Ramaphosa, affirmed that Africans must be allowed to settle wherever they please. Further, he declared that the hatred of xenophobia must be confined to the rubbish-heap of history.
“As an African I should be allowed to settle wherever I want to settle. African solidarity is key; living together as Africans is key. If a Nigerian wants to live in Johannesburg, he or she should be free to do so. These are artificial barriers that we have created, and this hatred must be a thing of the past.”
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) has been signed by 54 of Africa’s 55 countries and ratified by 27. The development makes it the largest trade group in the world since the formation of the World Trade Organisation.
Now in its operational phase, the agreement requires members to remove tariffs from 90% of goods. As a result, this would allow free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent.
Also, the UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement will boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2022.
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- Odion Ighalo: How ex-Eagles star narrowly failed to open Manchester United debut with a goal - February 18, 2020
- Imo Guber: Nigeria, world watch with bated breath as Supreme Court review holds today - February 18, 2020


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There are some usage of Cocopeat.
Cocopeat increases aeration, water retention, improves soil texture, productivity and reduces root disease！
Cocopeat is a growing medium and normally used for soil amendments. It is made from the husks of coconuts.
It is a beneficial product for plant growers and provides an alternative growing medium.

domain: agronomy


By Mary F. Willson
Golden-crowned kinglets have appeared in these essays several times, but never as the main feature. So I decided to devote most of one essay to these tiny birds. I was prompted to do so on an autumn walk on the Outer Point/Rainforest Trails, when I saw a few golden-crowns right at eye level, fossicking about (and talking ) in the understory. Golden-crowns nest and often forage in the tree canopies but, especially after the nesting season, they may come down to search for semi-dormant arthropods on the twigs.
They are resident here, staying all year (but migratory elsewhere), in contrast to the ruby-crowned kinglets, which nest here but migrate south for the winter. Golden-crowns are generally a tiny bit smaller than ruby-crowns (averaging 6 g vs. 6.5g, respectively). Both species forage chiefly by gleaning arthropods from leaves and twigs, but golden-crowns occasionally eat fruit, and are usually higher in the trees, more often in conifer than deciduous forest, usually farther out on branch tips, and they are said to be surface-gleaners more than ruby-crowns, which are often hover-gleaners. The soles of the feet of golden-crowns have grooves that are thought to be adaptations for foraging on conifer needles and twigs, facilitating clinging and hanging downward. Golden-crowns have slightly shorter hind toes and lower legs, and their bills are slightly smaller; those morphological differences may (or may not) be related to the different foraging habits, in ways yet to be determined.
Both kinglet species belong to the genus Regulus (‘little king’), which is widespread in the northern hemisphere, with six or seven species (depending on who is counting). All these species have colorful crests that can be erected at will. The ruby-crown, however, is the only one that lacks black stripes around the crest, and it is sometimes classified in a different genus. So our two kinglet species are not each other’s closest relatives. The nearest relative of the golden-crown is thought to be the goldcrest of Europe. Kinglets were formerly considered to be classified with the European warblers (taxonomic family Sylviidae), based on very similar appearance (but without the crests on warblers), but now it seems that the kinglets are classified in their own family, the Regulidae, on the basis of nuclear and mitochondrial genetics.
In winter, golden-crowns often join mixed-species foraging flocks, usually with chickadees and nuthatches, occasionally with downy woodpeckers and brown creepers. Golden-crowns may huddle together in small groups, sheltering somewhere in the conifer foliage. In the eastern U.S., there’s even a report of them going into leafy squirrel nests. They don’t have especially good insulation from their plumage, and they don’t put on fat in the fall; although they can gain a little weight by foraging each day, they lose it overnight. In cold conditions, they don’t become hypothermic, although ruby-crowns do. Instead, apparently they just gear up their metabolism and generate heat. However, bad winter storms can bring high mortality, possibly because foraging is difficult.
There are few detailed studies of breeding biology, in part because golden-crowns typically nest high in dense conifer foliage However, they are reported to nest in willow scrub on an island in Alaska. Both males and females build the nest, which is suspended from stems or twig forks near the end of a branch, and protected overhead by foliage. Many different types of materials are used, including twigs, moss, feathers, hair, lichens and so on. The nest is deep with thick walls; the inside diameter is about 4 centimeters, while the outside diameter is about 7 centimeters. In that tiny cup are laid eight or nine miniscule eggs, usually, which the female incubates for about two weeks. The male brings food to her while she does this. The nest gets crowded when the chicks hatch and grow, and their activities stretch the nest walls. The chicks fledge in about two and a half weeks, fed by both parents; they become independent of their parents after another two and a half weeks. Remarkably, the parents are reported to be capable of producing two broods of chicks a year, the pair staying together for both broods. The average life span is probably rather short, but some have been known to live about six years.
Male kinglets erect their flashy crowns during aggressive encounters and when alarmed, showing the orange-red center surrounded by the gold. I found no information on possible use during courtship nor on female displays of the golden crown. The intensity of crown color is likely to be linked to successful foraging and a supply of carotenoids that come from the diet, but its possible role in mate choice is unknown. Researchers in Ontario, where golden-crowns are migratory, suggested that more colorful crowns might reflect body condition, because more colorfully ornamented birds left earlier on southward migration.
Along our coasts, the nesting density of golden-crowns is greater along stream reaches with salmon runs than along streams without salmon, as has been shown for other species too. Golden-crowns strongly prefer intact tree canopies — their density went down after logging clear-cut various-sized patches of trees, and they avoided buffer strips, being almost absent from strips 20 meters wide.
There is much to be learned about this diminutive insectivore, both in terms of basic natural history and its ecological requirements.
Observers with good hearing may hear golden-crowns talking with their very high-pitched notes as they move through the canopy. Then, it’s fun to see if one can spot them in action, way up there.
• Mary F. Willson is a retired professor of ecology.“On The Trails” appears in the Juneau Empire every Wednesday.


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Women's experience of health and disease differ from those of men, due to unique biological, social and behavioural conditions. Biological differences vary all the way from phenotype to the cellular, and manifest unique risks for the development of ill health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Women's health is an example of population health, the health of a specific defined population.
Focus on the long term. Diets fail when people fall back into poor eating habits; maintaining weight loss over the long term is exceedingly difficult. Most people regain the weight they've lost. In fact, some studies indicate that 90 to 95 percent of all dieters regain some or all of the weight originally lost within five years. Your program should include plans for ongoing weight maintenance, involving diet, exercise and a behavioral component. While there are some physical reasons for obesity, there are also behavioral reasons for excessive eating. For example, many women use food as a source of comfort (perhaps to deal with stress). For these women, a weight loss program with a behavioral component will offer alternatives to replace food in this role.
To achieve these goals, cut down on saturated fat from animal products (meat and the skin of poultry, whole-fat dairy products, and certain vegetable foods — palm oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter, and coconut). And it's just as important to reduce your consumption of trans fatty acids, the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils found in stick margarine, fried foods, and many commercially baked goods and snack foods.
The major differences in life expectancy for women between developed and developing countries lie in the childbearing years. If a woman survives this period, the differences between the two regions become less marked, since in later life non-communicable diseases (NCDs) become the major causes of death in women throughout the world, with cardiovascular deaths accounting for 45% of deaths in older women, followed by cancer (15%) and lung disease (10%). These create additional burdens on the resources of developing countries. Changing lifestyles, including diet, physical activity and cultural factors that favour larger body size in women, are contributing to an increasing problem with obesity and diabetes amongst women in these countries and increasing the risks of cardiovascular disease and other NCDs.
Poor nutrition can manifest itself in many ways. The more obvious symptoms of a nutritional deficiency include dull, dry or shedding hair; red, dry, pale or dull eyes; spoon-shaped, brittle or ridged nails; bleeding gums; swollen, red, cracked lips; flaky skin that doesn't heal quickly; swelling in your legs and feet; wasted, weak muscles; memory loss; and fatigue.
I subscribed to this magazine thinking it would be about health, fitness, and above all, working out. The headlines on the cover seemed to suggest that was true, with the biggest fonts advertising things like "flat abs now" and "maximize your workout". In reality, the content of the magazine is mostly beauty (how that counts as "health" is beyond me) and weight-loss. Oh, the endless, endless articles about "burn more fat!" "three new foods that will help you burn fat!" "drop pounds with this easy exercise!" I don't need to lose weight and I found that these articles just played into my growing impression, as issue after issue dropped on my doormat, that the magazine views women as vapid, stereotypical beings whose only desire is to look good, whether through exercise (almost inevitably restricted to cardio and yoga), the "right" work-out clothes (really?) or knowing what dress is in fashion or what color make-up to buy. If you enjoy that sort of thing, that's fine- it is essentially one step above Cosmopolitan on the seriousness scale. If you're looking for actual information about working out and building muscle, know that Women's Health magazine is barely aware that these things exist, and when it does, it will come wrapped in the form of "ten minutes a day to tone your bum like a super-model!" or something equally cringe-inducing.
“It was a privilege to have taken the course with you. Already, I have used the cueing methods on 2 clients. I have also taken the initiative to ask one of my post-natal client today about her birthing journey and she was so open and excited to share with me. It struck me that usually nobody asks them about it as more attention is focused on the baby.”
Manson, JoAnn E.; Chlebowski, Rowan T.; Stefanick, Marcia L.; Aragaki, Aaron K.; Rossouw, Jacques E.; Prentice, Ross L.; Anderson, Garnet; Howard, Barbara V.; Thomson, Cynthia A.; LaCroix, Andrea Z.; Wactawski-Wende, Jean; Jackson, Rebecca D.; Limacher, Marian; Margolis, Karen L.; Wassertheil-Smoller, Sylvia; Beresford, Shirley A.; Cauley, Jane A.; Eaton, Charles B.; Gass, Margery; Hsia, Judith; Johnson, Karen C.; Kooperberg, Charles; Kuller, Lewis H.; Lewis, Cora E.; Liu, Simin; Martin, Lisa W.; Ockene, Judith K.; O'sullivan, Mary Jo; Powell, Lynda H.; Simon, Michael S.; Van Horn, Linda; Vitolins, Mara Z.; Wallace, Robert B. (2 October 2013). "Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Health Outcomes During the Intervention and Extended Poststopping Phases of the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trials". JAMA. 310 (13): 1353–1368. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.278040. PMC 3963523. PMID 24084921.
Carbohydrates should provide 45%–65% of your daily calories. Most of those calories should come from the complex carbohydrates in high-fiber and unrefined foods, such as bran cereal and other whole-grain products, brown rice, beans and other legumes, and many fruits and vegetables. These carbohydrates are digested and absorbed slowly, so they raise the blood sugar gradually and don't trigger a large release of insulin. People who eat lots of these foods have higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. A good amount of soluble fiber in the diet lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and high-fiber diets reduce the risk of intestinal disorders ranging from constipation and diverticulosis to hemorrhoids. Some studies have shown that fiber may help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Men need more fiber than women: 38 vs. 25 grams a day before the age of 50 and 30 vs. 21 grams a day thereafter.
Give your body a little more credit: It tells you when you’re hungry—you may not be listening, though. Before chowing down because there’s only one slice of pie left or because the last guest arrived at the brunch, stop and check in with your stomach. “If you’re not hungry, make yourself a small plate and sip on some tea or coffee while everyone else digs in,” recommends Elle Penner, M.P.H., R.D., a MyFitnessPal expert. When your belly starts to finally grumble, food will be there.
Consider including peppermint in your pre-workout snack or drink. In a small study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, men drank 2 cups water with 0.05 milliliters (basically, a drop) peppermint oil mixed in and then ran on a treadmill to test their stamina and power. The mint appeared to help relax muscles, boost oxygen to muscles and the brain, and elevate pain threshold, leading to improved overall performance.
Gender differences in susceptibility and symptoms of disease and response to treatment in many areas of health are particularly true when viewed from a global perspective. Much of the available information comes from developed countries, yet there are marked differences between developed and developing countries in terms of women's roles and health. The global viewpoint is defined as the "area for study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide". In 2015 the World Health Organization identified the top ten issues in women's health as being cancer, reproductive health, maternal health, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections, violence, mental health, non communicable diseases, youth and aging.
Women need more of this mineral because they lose an average of 15 to 20 milligrams of iron each month during menstruation. Without enough iron, iron deficiency anemia can develop and cause symptoms that include fatigue and headaches. After menopause, body iron generally increases. Therefore, iron deficiency in women older than 50 years of age may indicate blood loss from another source and should be checked by a physician.
If you are over the age of 50 (heck - even 40 and possibly 30) then this is not the magazine for you. Show me real female athletes of all ages and include more serious articles on women's issues. The final straw was seeing a Kardashian on the cover. No thanks. I felt like this was Cosmopolitan magazine and Entertainment Tonight wrapped in spandex. Going back to Runner's World and Prevention.
The implications of direct nutrition interventions on women's nutrition, birth outcome and stunting rates in children in South Asia are indisputable and well documented. In the last decade, a number of studies present evidence of the role of non-nutritional factors impacting on women's nutrition, birth outcome, caring practices and nutritional status of children. The implications of various dimensions of women's empowerment and gender inequality on child stunting is being increasingly recognised. Evidence reveals the crucial role of early age of marriage and conception, poor secondary education, domestic violence, inadequate decision-making power, poor control over resources, strenuous agriculture activities, and increasing employment of women and of interventions such as cash transfer scheme and microfinance programme on undernutrition in children. Analysis of the nutrition situation of women and children in South Asia and programme findings emphasise the significance of reaching women during adolescence, pre-conception and pregnancy stage. Ensuring women enter pregnancy with adequate height and weight and free from being anemic is crucial. Combining nutrition-specific interventions with measures for empowerment of women is essential. Improvement in dietary intake and health services of women, prevention of early age marriage and conception, completion of secondary education, enhancement in purchasing power of women, reduction of work drudgery and elimination of domestic violence deserve special attention. A range of programme platforms dealing with health, education and empowerment of women could be strategically used for effectively reaching women prior to and during pregnancy to accelerate reduction in stunting rates in children in South Asia.
Part of the reason why so many women fail to get the amount of iron they need is because one of the best sources of iron is red meat (especially liver) which also contains high levels of saturated fat. While leafy green vegetables and beans are also good sources of iron—and don’t contain high levels saturated fat—the iron from plant foods is different to the iron from animal sources, and not absorbed as well by the body. Other foods rich in iron include poultry, seafood, dried fruit such as raisins and apricots, and iron-fortified cereals, breads, and pastas.
If you count calories, count fat calories, too. Food labels indicate how many calories come from fat, both in actual grams and in percentages. This helps you assess the percentage of fat in your diet. If the total number of fat calories is 30 percent or more of the total calories you consume in a day, you probably need to cut back. But don't be misled by terms like "lower fat." Ask yourself "lower than what?" and look at the overall percentage of fat calories in the food.
Equally challenging for women are the physiological and emotional changes associated with the cessation of menses (menopause or climacteric). While typically occurring gradually towards the end of the fifth decade in life marked by irregular bleeding the cessation of ovulation and menstruation is accompanied by marked changes in hormonal activity, both by the ovary itself (oestrogen and progesterone) and the pituitary gland (follicle stimulating hormone or FSH and luteinizing hormone or LH). These hormonal changes may be associated with both systemic sensations such as hot flashes and local changes to the reproductive tract such as reduced vaginal secretions and lubrication. While menopause may bring relief from symptoms of menstruation and fear of pregnancy it may also be accompanied by emotional and psychological changes associated with the symbolism of the loss of fertility and a reminder of aging and possible loss of desirability. While menopause generally occurs naturally as a physiological process it may occur earlier (premature menopause) as a result of disease or from medical or surgical intervention. When menopause occurs prematurely the adverse consequences may be more severe.
So we can applaud some of the efforts of Women’s Health. As editor Amy Keller Laird announced in that Jan/Feb issue, the magazine “will no longer be using fitness models in our monthly ‘15-Minute Workout.’ We’ll feature readers of various body types and sizes,” like the refreshingly normal-sized Morgan Gibson Kanner, hurling a weight plate around in stretchy workout clothes. As progressive as the layout is, Laird points out that “it’s logistically difficult to book nonmodels who have day jobs”; sounds like she should hook up with Willcox’s modeling service.

domain: medical


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Soya Keema Masala Recipe is a delicious vegetarian keema recipe made with peas and soy and masalas like coriander powder, garam masala and red chili powder. This easy-to-prepare recipe can be packed for lunch. It makes an excellent accompaniment and goes well with roti and rice.
Soya Keema masala is a delicious veg keema that can be prepared easily and quickly too. In this recipe, you just need to soak the soy granules in water, mix them in a blender and then cook them in masala with the peas.
Prepare the usual Indian masala with onions, ginger and garlic paste, spice powders, soy granules and peas, mix. That’s it. It is ready to be served. This makes a delicious recipe for a dish for hot summer days.
Serve Keema Matar Masala Soya with Whole Wheat Lachha Paratha, Palak Tovve or Palak Dal and Black Salt Spiced Boondi Raita Recipe for a perfect meal.
- 1 cup of soybean pieces (nuggets), soaked in hot water for 30 min
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 green peppers, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green peas (Matar)
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 1 inch of ginger, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of coriander powder (Dhania)
- 1/2 tablespoon red chilli powder, adjust to your spice preferences
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder (Haldi)
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 4 coriander leaves (Dhania), for garnish
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
How to Make Soya Keema Matar Masala Recipe
- To start preparing Soya Keema Matar masala, soak the soy granules or if using chunks in hot water for half an hour.
- Once soaked, drain the soybean granules, lightly squeeze the water from the soybean granules and mix once or twice in a mixer grinder to get a coarse keema texture of the soybean granules.
- If you are using fresh green peas, blanch them in hot water until cooked. Drain and keep aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok. Add the finely chopped onions, ginger, garlic and green peppers and cook until the onions are tender.
- Add the turmeric powder, red pepper powder, coriander powder, garam masala sugar and salt, mix well and cook for about 15 seconds.
- Add the soya granules, mix well, simmer and cook for 10 minutes in its juice. Check the salt and spices and adjust as per your taste.
- Turn off the heat, garnish the Soya Keema Matar masala with coriander leaves and transfer to a serving bowl.


text: Size of this preview: 320 × 480 pixels. Full resolution (download) (720 × 1,079 pixels, file size: 1.71 MB, MIME type: image/png) About File History Metadata There is no description yet. Add a description. Appears on these pages of Sora's Adventures of The Princess and The Goblin Sora's Adventures of The Princess and The Goblin is an upcoming new movie by X0209. It will... File history Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. Date/TimeThumbnailDimensionsUserComment current18:36, June 8, 2017720 × 1,079 (1.71 MB)KingdomHearts123X789 (wall | contribs) Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details may not fully reflect the modified file. Horizontal resolution 37.78 dpc Vertical resolution 37.78 dpc Read more SpongeBob's Adventures of Hercules Doraemon Meets Shrek 2 is an upcoming film. It will appear in a near future. Shrek and Fiona... Doraemon Meets Shrek 2 Bloom's Adventures of Digimon: The Movie is the first and so far only Winx Club/Digimon... Bloom's Adventures of Digimon: The Movie Retrieved from "http://poohadventures.wikia.com/wiki/File:Sora%27s_Adventures_of_The_Princess_and_The_Goblin_Poster.png?oldid=1083813" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected.


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It’s that time of year again when family and friends gather to watch, listen and participate in Song. Directors Laura Leigh and Don Krieger bring an artful group of singers together to perform Christmas favorites. A live child nativity will act out and sing “Away in A Manger”, a must see for all. These talented children ages 5-13 present a moment that began with the birth of Jesus.
Also a choir will perform “Twas the Night before Christmas”, a musical rendition of the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore. Included will be Dayle Farina, Teo Ariola, Haidi Calkins, Pat Wilson, Sam Parsons, Phil Atkins, Eric and Karen Wilder. Also each will sing a traditional Christmas Solo.
We focus on celebrating the holidays with this concert which is kid friendly and so a short program is planned. Everyone is welcome!
Santa will be there to listen to the children’s wishes and hand out candy canes. Brownies and cookies from Art Edibles and hot chocolate and apple juice donated by Gualala Arts will be offered in the foyer after the show. Community members will donate goodies also.
This event is sure to be a fulfilled celebration of Christmas Joy. Bring the family and meet your friends at the Gualala Art Center, Coleman Hall for “A Christmas Treasury of Song II.”
Tickets are $12 for adults $6 for youth (12-17) in advance, $5 more day of event, children under 12 free.
For advance purchase, (coming soon) visit Brown Paper Tickets or them at call 1-800-838-3006.
To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.


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Find the Perfect Degree
Examine the crucial roles insects play in pollination, disease transmission and countless other biological processes in plants and animals.
Study native soil systems and soils under the influence of agriculture, logging, mining and urban development.
Discover the broad-based knowledge to produce food while conserving natural resources such as soil and water.
Want more choices? View all CALS degrees.


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Rezervacija - Club Hype
DJ Marika is an artist who turned her love of music into the best house sounds that young people around the world have gone wild for. DJ Marika and famous Leo Tosh will deliver an unforgettable party at Hype Club on Friday, April 12th.
Dj Marika was born in Italy. She grew up listening to the so-called "black music" - soul, RNB, hip hop. Under the influence of her cousin, who is also a DJ, she became interested in it and later fell in love with music. She is one of the favorite female DJs today and is very much sought after in clubs around the world.
DJ Lea Tosh is a local fan favorite. Although she finished her design studies in Iceland, this artist decided to devote her life to music. This incredibly beautiful woman raises energy in clubs to the hottest level with her vitality and passion at the mixing board. Enjoy the combination of tech and afro house rhythms and do not miss an unforgettable party.
Do not let others enjoy instead of you so book your table on time.
A crazy party is guaranteed.


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The 10th Democratic debate – this one in Charleston, South Carolina – is in the books.
It was an incredibly contentious affair, with candidates shouting at (and over) one another as they scrambled to draw contrasts with each other in advance of the critical South Carolina primary on Saturday.
Below, the best and worst from the night that was.
* Pete Buttigieg: The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor was at his absolute best in this debate. He found several occasions to make direct contrasts with Bernie Sanders – most notably on the dangers for Democrats of nominating a democratic socialist and the differences in their health care plans – which is a win in and of itself. Buttigieg also flashed a sense of humor when plugging his website to encourage donations, which was a welcome moment of levity in a debate defined by people shouting at one another at very close range. If voters were looking for a Sanders alternative who looked like he could be commander in chief in this debate, Buttigieg made a very good case for himself.
* Joe Biden: Biden turned his outrage meter WAY up in this debate. He hammered Tom Steyer on the billionaire’s support for private prisons, a move aimed at trying to peel away black voters from Steyer in advance of the South Carolina primary. He cast Sanders as a dangerous risk for the Democratic Party to take, with potentially disastrous down-ballot consequences. If Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina) was looking for energy out of Biden before making a formal endorsement decision – Clyburn will announce his choice Wednesday morning – he got it from the former vice president. Biden is still not a terribly good debater, however. He repeatedly stumbled as he tried to make his points. He kept claiming he wrote every bill – or close to it – anyone on the stage cited. He repeatedly complained about the rules of the debate – not a good look. But on the whole. there was more good than bad here for Biden.
* Amy Klobuchar: As she has done in nearly every debate, the Minnesota senator did more with fewer opportunities than almost any other candidate on stage. She repeatedly sought to be a voice of reason (and calm) as everyone around her just kept shouting. She also delivered a series of solid policy proposals – outlining her views on domestic and foreign policy to many voters who may have just been getting to know her and what she believes. Klobuchar wasn’t as sharp – or as much of a standout – as she was in the debate just before the New Hampshire primary. But in a debate defined by the bad, she was a bright spot.
* Bernie Sanders: The Vermont senator got hit with a few hard punches to which he had no response. His voting record on guns. How he would pay for his policy proposals. And booing from the crowd – more on this below – clearly threw him off his game. But no one knocked Sanders out. And given his strengths in the race right now, that amounts to a win for him. If nothing major changes in the race between now and Super Tuesday, Sanders will emerge on March 4 with a very clear delegate lead. And nothing fundamental changed tonight.
* Donald Trump: A bitter, angry shout-fest in which virtually every potential nominee’s dirty laundry was aired? The President couldn’t have drawn up a better debate for his chances of winning a second term.
* Michael Bloomberg: The billionaire businessman was better in this debate than in the last one in Las Vegas. But he wasn’t good. Bloomberg committed a near-Freudian slip early in the debate when he started to say he “bought” a Democratic House majority before re-calibrating to say he helped Democrats reclaim the majority. Bloomberg awkwardly referred to his rivals as fellow “contestants.” He tried to make jokes – most notably about his poor performance in the last debate. Notice how I said he “tried.” And Bloomberg still doesn’t have a good answer about his alleged off-color jokes and dismissive past comments about women. How is that possible?
* Elizabeth Warren: She was totally fine. But fine is probably not enough given that Warren has yet to finish in the Top 2 in any state and looks very unlikely to do so in South Carolina on Saturday. The Massachusetts senator seemed most impassioned – and effective – while attacking Bloomberg for his past comments about women and his wealth. Warren faded from view too often, however, in other parts of the debate. She needed another star turn like she had in Las Vegas six days ago. She didn’t get one.
* Moderators: The five-person CBS team swung between refusing to get involved as the candidates talked over one another for 15-20 seconds at a time and stepping in at unnecessary moments to break up actual substantive disagreements between the candidates. The questions were also not great – focused too much on narrow policy matters (charter schools) and not enough on BIG issues of the day like, say, the coronavirus. Look, I’m under no illusion that moderating a debate like this one is easy. It’s not. But the CBS moderators often didn’t seem up to the task.
* Live audience: The clapping and booing of candidates was totally out of control. And unfortunately it affected the candidates (see my Sanders write-up above) and will likely have some reverberations on how people watching on TV thought the field performed. I am against live-audience debates in general, since the debates are quite clearly (and should be) produced with the live TV (and streaming) audience in mind. But if you are going to let the audience be there, then enforce a policy of polite clapping and no booing. Please.


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Kimberly Bohnert, a teacher at Serra High in San Mateo, talks about her experience at the all-boys Catholic school and the alleged sexual harassment at the hands of students.
( T. Charles Erickson )
Review: 'Satchmo' goes behind Louis Armstrong's happy facade
The solo show 'Satchmo' by Terry Teachout depicts jazz legend Louis Armstrong reflecting on his bittersweet life and music; it plays at American Conservatory Theater through Feb. 7
( Jordan Strauss )
Britney Spears mad about Lifetime biopic
Britney Spears insists she's not cooperating with a Lifetime made-for-TV movie that promises to revisit all the ups and downs of her tumultuous professional and personal story.


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A Soulful Christmas In July
I didn't think I would succumb to sharing with the world how freaking hot I think it is because every time I see one of you complaining about it on Facebook, I envision your head between a Foreman grill.
That might be pregnancy hormones speaking, but seriously; it's July, we're in Houston, it's our penance. We'll all be counting down the days to Christmas before you know it. Then it'll be time to bitch about shopping or return policies or "whatever it is you white girls complain about."
For now, let's take a few moments to prepare ourselves for the redeeming holiday that is Christmas. It's merely a glimmer in our eyes at the moment, but retailers are actually beginning to stock up with holiday spirit; and clearly, we all need a little bit of that this summer.
We selected some of the most feel-good, soulful Christmas songs we could find because we need the soul as much as the spirit. Plus, you can play these songs year-round and they'll still make you dance.
Al Green, "Feels Like Christmas"
Green released a Christmas album in 1983 simply titled The Christmas Album. He truly knows how to put the sexy into any type of song.
James Brown, "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto"
Forget a White Christmas; Brown wants Santa to visit the ghetto. This is one of the most memorable and original Christmas songs ever. It was featured on Brown's album, Santa's Got a Brand New Bag; the Godfather of Soul is pictured on the cover, dressed like Santa Claus.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "Christmas Every Day"
Robinson and the Miracles released their Christmas album in 1963, and the entire album was produced by band member Ronnie White. The album featured Christmas classics, with the exception of this joint, a Smokey Robinson original.


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DescriptionThe set includes:
- 4x multipart plastic Imperial Navy Thunderbolt Fighter miniatures (Any of these miniatures can instead be assembled as Thunderbolt Fury Fighters equipped with avenger bolt cannons instead of quad autocannons. The kit also includes a selection of hellstrike missiles, skystrike missiles and wing bombs to upgrade your miniatures with.)
- 4x Aeronautica Imperialis bases (each base designates the model’s front, rear and side arcs as well as speed and altitude dials. Each base also includes a clear stand to connect the aircraft to the base.)
- 1x Thunderbolt transfer sheet
You will need a copy of the Aeronautica lmperialis: Wings of Vengeance boxed game or the Rynn's World Air War Campaign Book to use these miniatures.

domain: hobby


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Former San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer is a clear upgrade over Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero for the Boston Red Sox.
That fact is especially true when looking at Hosmer’s career statistics at Fenway Park. In his 24 career games against the Red Sox in Boston, Hosmer has three home runs, 17 RBIs, a .354 batting average and an .889 OPS.
Granted, that is against the Red Sox, which he no longer has the luxury of doing. But, Hosmer hits .272 with a .727 OPS this season. Dalbec and Cordero in those same categories? Dalbec is .207 and .647 and Cordero is .219 and .660.
Not to mention, Hosmer has a 1.2 WAR this season compared to Dalbec and Cordero’s -0.7 and -0.4, which extends past their offensive performance.
Hosmer has four Golden Glove awards in his career, including three straight from 2013-2015. It’s been five years since he’s taken home the award, but he’s a clear improvement over what the Red Sox put out there before this trade.
Over the next 3.5 years, the Padres will reportedly pay Boston up to $43.5 million, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press. That includes over $6.7 million this season, then more than $12.2 million in each of the next three seasons.
That means the Red Sox will pay Hosmer $2.5 million combined over the next 3 1/2 years. The most they’ll pay him in a single season is in 2025. That number is $760,000, which will be the league minimum that season.
By giving away 23-year-old pitching prospect Jay Groome — who had a 3.94 ERA during 16 innings with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox — Boston upgraded its worst fielding position at minimum financial cost for the next few years.


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WOW! I can't believe how quickly you drew this! You are amazing! Thank you so much for the awesome picture. You rock!
I am so stunned I don't know what to say. How do you create such perfect pictures? Not even the Simpsons animators draw as good as you do! You must use some kind of art software. I use VCW VicMan's Photo Editor (the free version) to color my pictures, which I first draw by hand and then scan. What do you do?


Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress. Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
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by chowderhead, published
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Caulk seems a nice material for printing and I am in need of a sealant for upcoming printed parts, so I figured I'd try this out. Ultimately, I wish to have a dual extrusion 'bot with ABS or PLA for structure and caulk for sealant.
Caulk is ubiquitous, cheap and there are a number of materials available. I'm presently working with latex caulk because it cleans up easily (there's been a lot of cleanup).
This is most definitely a WIP but the results thusfar are promising. Lots to overcome, though.
Caulk tubes are made for periodic loading and when subjected to constant load, the thin walled tube swells, allowing caulk past the piston. The walls are reinforced with a piece of 2" PVC pipe ripped down the length and held tightly against the caulk tube by hose clamps.
The as-supplied piston is also a bit whimpy and was replaced with a printed version having a groove for an o-ring and the ability to be retracted.
Last but certainly not least is the issue of energy storage - lots of potential here. Air is not your friend and any pressure-induced distortion of the hose or caulk tube winds up expressing itself as lots and lots of ooze.
I had a variety of o-rings, so don't really know what sizes they are. Two are required: One for the piston and one for the leadscrew that is screwed into the base of the piston.
The threaded rod is M8, 18-8 SS: one 22" and two 13" (sorry for the mixed units; we're not going for a Mars landing here anyway...)
Two 608 bearings, one in the motor end, one in the large gear. They act as thrust bearings and washers are needed on both sides of the large gear.
The 2" PVC pipe is slightly large and needs to be ripped a few times, removing about 3/8" from it's wall, so it can be clamped around the caulk tube. I carefully held it against a rip fence and cut with a cross cut blade, making three passes.
The adapter for the caulk tube nozzle is copper tubing of various diameters sweated together. I think 3/8", 5/16", 1/4" and finally 5/32". There are a couple small hose clamps securing the adapter in the nozzle.
The extruder nozzle is a pipette tip that I scrounged. It's something on the order of 250 microliter capacity. I'll see if I can figure out what it is if there's interest.
Hose is PE, 4mm x 6mm, and is available from a number of places (I get mine from Freelin-Wade). I think ice maker hose will work fine.
The extruder tip mates to the hose via a short (1.5") piece of 5/32" copper tube that is threaded with a 10-32 die at one end. The tip is screwed onto the threaded end and then pushed through the extruder mount and secured in place.
The motor mount is presently for a NEMA17, but I'm finding it slips, especially after replacing the piston. I'll be evaluating a NEMA23 shortly. Strike that last; I'm going to try a different transmission having a higher gear ratio and so get the E_steps up to a respectable value. The required extrusion rate with a 46mm piston yields an extremely low piston velocity and a NEMA 17 should have adequate torque with a proper transmission. I think...
It's up to you as to how to setup firmware. I opted to scale E_steps so that 3mm diameter filament could be plugged into the slicer. With the supplied gears, E_steps is 19.5 for an equalent 3mm filament and a 200 step/revolution motor (which causes me some worry - maybe a 400 step/revolution motor is a good idea here?)
Assembly is straight forward except for the piston. Assemble the frame, motor end and transmission leaving the nozzle end off of the frame. There is a small o-ring in the base of the nut trap in the piston. I put it in place by putting a nut and washer on the piston rod, putting the piston on next and then the o-ring and finally another nut. Tighten the first nut, forcing the last nut and o-ring to seat into the nut trap and compress the o-ring. Disassemble the whole thing and put the larger o-ring in piston's groove.
The piston was removed from the caulk tube by drilling a small hole in it's center then threading a long sheet metal screw into the hole. Pull on the screw carefully and slowly remove the piston; use a pliers to get it all the way out. Put the printed piston in the tube with the skirt exposed. Press it into the tube until caulk starts to enter the nut. Thread the piston onto the piston rod, which should be assembled with the frame and transmission.
If you followed the 3mm filament equivalent techinique, slice parts accordingly. I'm still printing very slowly (20mm/sec) while ironing out the bugs.
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text:
By S.J. Connolly
For eire the 17th and eighteenth centuries have been an period marked through conflict, fiscal transformation, and the making and remaking of identities. via the 1630s the period of wars of conquest appeared firmly long ago. however the British civil wars of the mid-seventeenth century fractured either Protestant and Catholic eire alongside strains outlined via varied combos of spiritual and political allegiance. Later, after 1688, eire turned the battlefield for what used to be differently Britain's cold (and so excellent) Revolution. The eighteenth century, against this, was once a interval of peace, allowing eire to emerge, first as a dynamic actor within the starting to be Atlantic economic climate, then because the breadbasket for industrialising Britain. yet on the finish of the century, opposed to a history of foreign revolution, new varieties of spiritual and political clash got here jointly to provide one other interval of multi-sided clash. The Act of Union, rapidly brought within the aftermath of civil warfare, ensured that eire entered the 19th century nonetheless divided, yet now not a country.
Read Online or Download Divided Kingdom: Ireland 1630-1800 (Oxford History of Early Modern Europe) PDF
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The Oxford Handbooks of Political technological know-how is a ten-volume set of reference books providing authoritative and interesting severe overviews of the country of political technological know-how. This quantity, The Oxford guide of Political thought, offers complete and important assurance of the vigorous and contested box of political concept, and may support set the time table for the sphere for years yet to come.
The humanities of rule hide the workout of strength by way of princes and renowned sovereigns, yet they vary past the area of presidency itself, extending to civil institutions, political events, and spiritual associations. Making complete use of political philosophy from quite a number backgrounds, this festschrift for Harvey Mansfield acknowledges that even if the humanities of rule are finished, the easiest executive is a restricted one.
The Civil struggle, the recovery, and the wonderful Revolution in England laid the institutional and highbrow foundations of the trendy realizing of liberty, of which we're heirs and beneficiaries. The quandary of the 17th Century uncovers new pathways to knowing this seminal time. Neither Catholic nor Protestant emerges unscathed from the exam to which Trevor-Roper topics the period during which, from political and spiritual explanations, the identity and extirpation of witches used to be a significant occasion.
Grand method is without doubt one of the most generally used and abused ideas within the overseas coverage lexicon. during this vital publication, Hal manufacturers explains why grand approach is an idea that's so alluring—and so elusive—to those that make American statecraft. He explores what grand technique is, why it's so crucial, and why it's so not easy to get correct amid the turbulence of world affairs and the chaos of household politics.
- Memory power post war europe: studies in the presence of the past
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Additional resources for Divided Kingdom: Ireland 1630-1800 (Oxford History of Early Modern Europe)
In 1630 the crown had commenced proceedings in Star Chamber against the Irish Society, the consortium of London companies that had taken responsibility for the plantation of County Londonderry. The charges were numerous: fraud in the negotiation of the patent, failure to provide glebe lands for the church, the unauthorized commercial exploitation of woodlands, neglect of building and other obligations in the towns of Coleraine and Derry, and the continued presence of native tenants on lands that should have been reserved for British settlers.
The most widespread improvement in incomes, moreover, came in Ulster, where clerical and episcopal incomes were already higher than elsewhere, thanks to the re-endowment that had accompanied the plantation. But it remains the case that Wentworth and his clerical allies had initiated a policy which promised, over time, to remedy what had been from the start one of the chronic weaknesses impeding the progress of the Irish Reformation. The problem was that, in doing so, they had once again cut across powerful vested interests, Catholic and Protestant, New and Old English.
During 1638, however, it became clear that the example of the Covenanting movement had begun to undo what he had achieved. In Down and Connor Bishop Leslie reported that 1,000 people who the year before had taken communion on their knees had this year stayed away. In Derry Bishop Bramhall recorded the even more alarming appearance of ‘anabaptistical prophetesses . . gadding up and down’. In addition substantial numbers were reported to have travelled to Scotland to subscribe to the ³⁹ The fullest account of the political crisis of 1640–1 is Perceval-Maxwell, Outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

domain: library


text:
Jean Henry Dunant, Frédéric Passy
Nobel Peace Prize 1901
Jean Henry Dunant
Founder of the Red Cross
In 1859, a battle was raging at the town of Solferino in Northern Italy. There the Swiss businessman Henry Dunant saw thousands of Italian, French and Austrian soldiers killing and maiming each other. On his own initiative, he organized aid work. Later he wrote the book A Memory of Solferino, which contained a plan: all countries should form associations to help the sick and wounded on the battlefield - whichever side they belonged to.The result was the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863, and the adoption of the Geneva Convention in the following year. It laid down that all wounded soldiers in a land war should be treated as friends. Medical personnel would be protected by the red cross in a white field.For Dunant personally, financial difficulties led to poverty and loss of social respect. But the organization he had created grew, and the underlying ideas won gradual acceptance. It pleased the ageing Dunant that the Norwegian Nobel Committee rewarded his life's work with the Nobel Peace Prize.
Scientist, politician and peace activist
At the turn of the century, everyone agreed that Frédéric Passy was a worthy Laureate. In both age and prominence, he was the "dean" of the international peace movement. Both as an economist and as a politician, he maintained that free trade between independent nations promoted peace. Passy founded the first French Peace Society, which held a congress in Paris during the 1878 World Exhibition. As an independent leftist republican in the French Chamber of Deputies, he opposed France's colonial policy because it did not accord with the ideals of free trade.Passy was also one of the founders of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an organization for cooperation between the elected representatives of different countries. Despite his age, Passy kept up his work for peace after 1901. In 1905, when the conflict over the union between Sweden and Norway peaked, Passy declared that a peaceful solution would make him a hundred times happier than when he received the Nobel Prize. And Passy saw his wish fulfilled.


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Glossary of Key Terms for Chapter Four acid-base reaction (4.3) reactions that involve the transfer of a hydrogen ion (H +) from one reactant to another. atomic mass unit (4.1) the unit of measure of atomic mass, one-twelfth of the mass of the 12C atom, equivalent to 1.6606 x 10–24 gram. Avogadro's number (4.1) 6.022 x 1023 particles of matter contained in one mole substance. chemical equation (4.3) a record of chemical change, showing the conversion of reactants to products. chemical formula (4.2) the representation of a compound or ion in which elemental symbols represent types of atoms and subscripts show the relative numbers of atoms. combination reaction (4.3) a reaction in which two substances join to form another substance. decomposition reaction (4.3) the breakdown of a substance into two or more substances. double-replacement reaction (4.3) a chemical change in which cations and anions “exchange partners.” formula unit (4.2) the smallest collection of atoms from which the formula of a compound can be established. formula weight (4.2) the mass of a formula unit of a compound relative to a standard (carbon-12). hydrate (4.2) any substance that has water molecules incorporated in its structure. law of conservation of mass (4.3) a law stating that, in chemical change, matter cannot be created or destroyed. molar mass (4.1) the mass in grams of one mole of a substance. mole (4.1) the amount of substance containing Avogadro's number of particles. oxidation-reduction reaction (4.3) also called redox reaction, a reaction involving the transfer of one or more electrons from one reactant to another. percent yield (4.5) the ratio of the actual and theoretical yields of a chemical reaction multiplied by 100%. product (4.3) the chemical species that results from a chemical reaction and that appears on the right side of the chemical equation. reactant (4.3) starting material for a chemical reaction that appears on the left side of the chemical equation. single-replacement reaction (4.3) also called substitution reaction, one in which one atom in a molecule is displaced by another. theoretical yield (4.5) the maximum amount of product that can be produced from a given amount of reactant.

domain: chemistry


text:
Medical supplemental health insurance is designed to supplement Medicare's benefits by paying for most, if not all, medicare coinsurance amounts.
Also known as Medigap, medical supplemental insurance may also pay for medicare's deductibles, depending on the plan purchased.
When shopping for a medicare supplemental insurance policy, it's important to work with a good health insurance agent, who can analyze your needs, and help you choose a policy that will work with your medicare benefits to protect you.
There are ten plans to choose from - labeled A-J - which are designed to help consumers pick the right plan for them at the right price. Except in rare cases, only one plan should be needed for anyone purchasing medicare supplemental health insurance.
In order to get the right plan, and avoid paying for things you won't need, an agent should help you to select medicare supplemental insurance that fits your lifestyle--and budget.
You'll also need to discuss pre-existing conditions and open enrollment guarantees that limit coverage for a short time.
Other Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance Resources
What you should never do while shopping for supplemental insurance is pay by cash--no matter what you're told.
Every medicare supplemental insurance policy comes with a 30 day review policy, so you can review all policy details and make sure you've chosen something that really does
suit your needs. Instead, pay by check or credit card.
It's worth noting that some low-income individuals may not need to purchase medicare supplemental insurance at all, since they may qualify for medicaid programs that supplement medicare benefits. QMB, or qualified medicare beneficiary policies, and SLMB, or specified low-income medicare beneficiary programs, are available for these individuals.
Finally, if you're looking for traditional individual health insurance quotes
(rather than Medicare Supplmental coverage), we encourage you to visit that section of our site for complete details.
More Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance Resources
Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part A is part of the original Medicare program that was instituted in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson...
Medicare Part B
- Medicare Part B is the second half of the original Medicare program approved by President Johnson in 1965...
Medicare Part C
- Medicare Part C originally passed with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, and eventually became known as the...
Medicare Part D
- Medicare Part D is the newest addition to Medicare itself; Part D went into effect January 1st, 2006, and...
Medicare Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Though Medicare benefits are very helpful for millions of older Americans, neither Medicare Part A nor...
Medicare Supplemental Insurance
- While Medicare Parts A and B cover a wide range of care and treatments for older Americans, some people...
- With so many different Medicare plans and options out there today, it's easy to see why many people are a bit confused...

domain: health


text:
The word monster conjures up many images. One generally thinks of terrorizing and mythical creatures like Cyclops, Godzilla or Nessy or maybe even a giant, furry, blue Disney character. But a fetus??
According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary (and several others), “monster” refers to a fetus or an infant that is grotesquely abnormal and usually not viable. At first the association seems a bit odd and even rather cruel, but we can see how the reference is supported when we consider the rate at which children are killed in-utero after a positive test for some kind of fetal abnormality. Of course most would say that such a thing is done in the interest of avoiding the financial and emotional stress of caring for a sick child or saving the child from a life of suffering. But, if we’re being honest here, it’s also because there still exists in our world a certain level of physical revulsion, or discomfort at least, at the thought of seeing or being close to the physically handicapped.
Enter Alphonse, the hero of a new comic created to foster discussion about abortion. From the website:
Alphonse is the story of eight lives that intersect because of an attempted abortion. Why “attempted?” Because while there are no angels or demons on either side, there is definitely a monster in the middle: Alphonse. Rendered “grotesquely abnormal” by his unwitting mother’s use of controlled substances, he is both sentient and freakishly coordinated. He is also deeply wounded, twisted by fear and rage after the attempt on his life, and bent on revenge.
But violence begets violence. Alphonse is pursued even as he is pursuing, and haunted by the claim that there may be another way…
Alphonse is the brainchild (literally) of Matthew Lickona, a staff writer for the San Diego Reader, who was, according to this Catholic News Agency interview, inspired by Gary Cangemi’s “Umbert the Unborn” comic strip featuring a cute, lovable little fetus who shares pro-life wit and wisdom from inside the womb. But Alphonse is NO Umbert.
Lickona describes his character as a “living nightmare” and likens him to the Flannery O’Connor character The Misfit from her short story ‘A good Man is Hard to Find‘:
a twisted, violent soul who nonetheless bears a kind of prophetic witness, both in spite of the violence and, in a way, through it.”
I finally got my copy of the first issue of Alphonse this weekend and read it yesterday. It’s…different. Very dark, serious, a little disturbing at times, but then, so is abortion, is it not – and more so! I’ll say this much, it certainly is a creative new approach to the abortion debate, reaching out to a new and different audience.


text: Hello! I am a professional living in the city with a big love for animals, especially dogs. Since moving to the city I have been missing the presence of dogs in my life and would love to share my time and energy to the deserving city dwelling pouches. My goal is to provide the best care possible and ensure your pet feels safe and comfortable. Looking forward to helping care for your pet!

domain: pet


text:
Cat strikers say they’re taking a stand
By Cindy Cain email@example.com May 1, 2012 9:51AM
Updated: June 3, 2012 8:11AM
It’s time for the “little guy” to stand up, union machinist Bill McCarl II said Tuesday morning as he walked a picket line in front of Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc.’s Joliet plant.
“We’ve been lying down too long,” McCarl said. “All the corporations are doing is knocking us down, and we’ve got to keep getting back up. It’s time to stand up and fight for our rights.”
McCarl, a 19-year veteran of the plant, and about 780 of his fellow International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union members are on strike.
More than 100 workers poured out of the plant when their previous seven-year contract expired at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday to hit the picket line. Teams of 20 union members have been assigned to the plant’s two entrances for the duration of the strike. Late Tuesday morning striking workers were told portable toilets had been ordered and a giant inflatable rat would arrive soon.
Caterpillar’s final contract offer was rejected by union members on Sunday, and a strike was simultaneously authorized. A final attempt to reach a deal on Monday morning failed and no new talks are scheduled.
Steve Jones, directing business representative for the union’s District 8, said the company’s final offer would have:
Provided no pay raises for six years while health insurance costs would double.
Failed to put the retirees health insurance payment plan in writing.
Stripped away seniority rights.
Prevented Tier II workers from transitioning to the higher-paid Tier I.
Eliminated cost of living increases tied to inflation rates for Tier I workers and failed to provide them for Tier II workers.
Allowed “supplemental” workers to work at the plant for two years with no benefits.
Frozen and eliminated the pension program and shifted everyone to a 401k-type plan.
Company spokesman Rusty Dunn would not comment on the union’s specific concerns.
“It would not be appropriate to respond to specific questions or issues being raised on the picket line,” he said in an email. “As we have stated, the company’s last, best and final offer presented to union negotiators last Friday is one that we believe is a fair, reasonable and comprehensive proposal. We continue to be open to resuming discussions whenever the union is prepared to deal realistically with the issues before us.”
Jones said Tier II workers — who were hired after May 2, 2005 — have been earning $13 an hour for the past seven years and the company’s new contract would have kept them at $13 an hour even with health care costs increasing.
“They’ve got to have something,” he said. “$13 an hour for 13 years with escalating health premiums and no pension is ridiculous.”
Top scale for Tier I workers — who were hired before May 2, 2005 — would be frozen at $28 an hour, Jones said.
“All we want is a fair agreement at a time when Caterpillar is making record profits,” Jones said.
Jones said a lot of “mom and pop” businesses are hurting because the middle class is being wiped out, but Caterpillar, a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, is not hurting financially.
On its website, Caterpillar reported record first quarter profits of $1.586 billion, which is up 29 percent from the first quarter last year. The company attributed the increase to global and domestic demand for its products and its ability to control costs and create factory efficiencies.
“We have helped create a very wealthy corporation with our blood, sweat and tears,” the union’s Jones said. “So we would hope they would at some point understand a sense of fairness and respond to their employees and the communities they operate inside of.”
Since negotiations have stopped, Jones said the union will look to the community for support and it will reach out to faith-based groups and political leaders.
“It is an election year and we would hope they would support their constituents and the workers here in their districts,” he said.
Larry Walsh Jr., the machinist union’s secretary treasurer, was appointed state representative for the 86th District just hours before Local 851 went on strike. He is replacing state Rep. Jack McGuire, D-Joliet, who retired.
Joe Nuske, chairman of Local Lodge 851’s negotiating committee, said all the union wants to see is fair wages and a dignified retirement.
“It’s a good-paying job,” Nuske added. “We want to keep it a good-paying job.”
Tom Albrecht, who has worked at the plant since 1974 and has only two months to work until he can retire, said in the past, the company would give up some things to get things.
“Now it just seems they’re taking it all away,” he said. “You don’t see any balance.”
Albrecht, of Frankfort, survived an eight-year layoff from 1982 to 1989, which is why he doesn’t have his 30 years in yet.
Matt Lane, who is a Tier II United Auto Workers Union member at Caterpillar’s Aurora plant, came to the Joliet plant’s picket line near his home to offer his support.
“Caterpillar is not the way it used to be,” he said. “I understand where (the machinists) are coming from. To have to pay twice the benefits and to have to not get any raise, what’s the point of working if you can’t even live.”
Lane said he has to work two jobs to survive.
Karl Mason, a machinist who retired from the Joliet plant in 1991, said he was the lead negotiator for the machinists union during the strike of 1986, which lasted 28 days.
“It was bitter for a while,” he said. “Our spirits were up for a week or two, then it started getting kind of rough.”
Mason said he was sad to see new turmoil at the plant, and he was hoping for the best.
“You’re just half sick to your stomach to see it happen,” he said as he walked with a cane back to his car. “We don’t want to see a long (strike).”