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Staring up at the stars, I hear the footsteps with plenty time to spare. Two sets, trying to sneak around behind, in the dark beyond the glow of my dying fire. Graham Masters shimmers into view and opens his mouth to warn me, but I just nod and slip my pistol from its holster. So many times, desperate people will try their luck on a hapless traveler. It ain’t the first time for me. Won’t be the last.
As the steps crunch softly closer, behind the scrubby chalky-pale Chaparral brush, I turn up onto one knee and fire a shot. There’s a howl and the pounding of one set of feet. Cowardly bastard ran away and left his friend to his fate. Not so much a friend any more. I aimed low; he should only be wounded. Unless he was crouching, I suppose.
His ragged breath and sobbing mark him out easy. I wander over, pistol resting ready along my thigh. Jesus, he’s barely a teenager, not a hint of whiskers on his chin.
“What the fuck you doing?” I ask. Masters stands beside me, shaking his head, unseen by the boy.
The kid’s holding hands to his gut. Must have been crouching after all. “You killed me, mister!”
“What you doing creeping up on honest folk in the dead of night?”
“Just lookin’ for some justice in the world!”
“Is that right?” I turn around and walk away.
“Poor dumb child,” Graham Masters says and I nod.
“You done killed me!” the kid cries out again, but we ignore him and lay down by the fire. I ignore the discomfort deep in my gut too. He gasps and sobs for a good hour before his breath hitches and he bleeds out.
I wake in the darkness with a scream and think I’ve been dreaming, until I see Masters fighting with the spectral figures. He’s shouting and cursing, and I can’t make things out too clearly, what with the sleep in my eyes and mind. Masters is grabbing at the ghosts as they claw and scratch, trying to get past him to me. Waves of coldness waft off them. I can smell] frosty ground, but it ain’t that late in the year yet. My heart hammers and I start to get up.
Masters snarls over his shoulder. “Sleep, boy! Don’t give them the power of your attention!”
They’ve got by him before, and when they claw at me they’re so cold it burns. It’s hard to ignore the fight. Cursing the whimper in my breath, I turn my face to the earth and squeeze my eyes tight shut. Every night now it’s the same, every time getting worse. Pressing my hands over my ears to mask the shouts, I don’t know how long before it’s over, but eventually sleep takes me.
Dawn smudges the horizon pale pink and blue as I kick up the embers and set the pot to boiling for some coffee.
“Again last night,” I say to the flickering form beside me.
“Ain’t nothing for you to worry about.”
“They seemed angry....”
Masters turns a hard face to me. “Ain’t they always, boy? Ain’t I always kept them off you?”
Not always, no. But I let it drop. Masters being mad at me all day can be worse than ghosts trying to take me away at night.
The buildings stand like sentinels in the early sunlight. The town is little more than a crossroads, too small to even have a name, by the look of it. I can relate to that. Two streets mark out the cardinal directions, lined with stores and homes made of roughly cut wood, and more properties spread out behind them. People in dusty clothes walk in the shade of awnings, occasionally casting me suspicious glances. They quickly look away if I catch their eye.
I’ll ask around and see if any of our leads are good ones. My daddy’s had eighteen years of getting lost, having fucked off right before I was born, but a cur like him don’t stay hidden for long. He ain’t dumb, uses a bunch of aliases, but he did business with Graham Masters not so long ago, so we know all of Pa’s fake names. At least the ones he was using before he turned on his own partner. Masters has never told me what their business was, but it can’t have been friendly if it caused my sonofabitch father to leave Graham Masters a ghost. I guess Dad thinks moving from state to state will mean he never crosses paths with his past. We aim to prove him wrong in that assumption and put things to rights. Graham Masters for his own reasons, and me for Momma and myself.
The main street is swirling in dust from wagon wheels and horse’s hooves as I tie up Old Jack by the saloon. He buries his nose in the water trough, sucking and sucking like he’s never had a drink in his life. He’s a damn good horse, honest and gentle, and he means the world to me, even if his chestnut brown hide is scraggy and his ribs show through. My gun and my saddle are pretty much all I have besides Jack. And Graham Masters, I suppose, but he ain’t an actual thing, regardless of how helpful he’s been.
It only takes about a half a minute in the saloon to know the barkeep there ain’t going to be any use. He’s never heard the names I give him. As I step back outside, a man walks towards me, jaw working as he chews tobacco, and I see the sun glinting off his badge, attitude drifting out from under the brim of his dirty grey hat.
“New in town, eh?” he says, voice like gravel. He seems nervous.
I nod, choosing not to answer such a dumb question with words.
Masters beside me says, “Fuck him.”
There’s an uncomfortable silence that I get the impression I ought to fill. “I ain’t planning on starting any trouble here, Sheriff.”
He looks me up and down, tips his hat back a little. “You after something specific?”
“Just passin’ through.”
I smile at him, try to ease his tension some. “I’m on the trail of a man, as it happens, so maybe you could help me out.”
“Is that so? Who you looking for?”
“The man uses different names. Danny Calhoun, sometimes. Or Seth Cooper. Maybe Frank Gates?”
The Sheriff’s chewing stops dead. He sniffs and spits. “Pretty damn bold, I gotta say. Pretty goddamn bold.” He slips his gun from his hip and gestures with it. “This way, kid.”
“What the hell? I ain’t done nothing.”
The Sheriff barks a laugh. “That right?”
“There’s some kinda mistake here. I ain’t done nothing wrong.”
“Why don’t you come along quietly and we’ll sort all this out.”
I cast a desperate glance at Masters, and his face is pure fury. “Do as he says,” he hisses. “He’ll shoot you down in an instant out here. Go with him and we’ll find a way free.”
I follow the Sheriff towards the jailhouse, my gut churning as I wonder just what the hell Masters can do to get me out.
The tiny cell smells of mildew and something less pleasant. It’s dim inside, with sacking over the one small barred window high in the wall, blocking out the fresh air and sunlight. The shackles hang heavy against my wrists, a length of chain swinging between them. I keep hearing talk of a gallows and how they finally got someone they’d been after, and I can’t believe they think that’s me.
Masters keeps assuring me he’ll sort it out, and I have to trust him. I never had anyone to trust before, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. But I’m doubting him more by the second. The cell door is heavy and new-looking.
A priest comes walking along beside the Sheriff, grinning like a fox. His hair is lank and streaked grey, hanging in rat tails over his ears and brow.
“I suggest you have a chat with this man,” the Sheriff says to me. He pulls out a bunch of keys and opens my cell door. The priest steps in, still grinning, his cheeks sallow flaps over a sagging mouth of broken yellow teeth. What the hell is he so damn happy about?
“I don’t need no priest!” I say.
The Sheriff ignores me. “You gonna be okay with him, Father?”
“Oh, yes, don’t worry about me.”
“I’d much rather keep the cell locked and you outside it.”
The preacher shakes his head, still smiling. “We’ll be fine.”
The Sheriff nods. “I won’t lock you in with him, but that door there will stay bolted.” He points down the hall to the heavy wooden door between the cells and the front office. The only way out. “You knock on that door when you need to come out.” He hands the holy man a six-shooter. “If he tries to follow you, even puts one toe outta that cell, don’t say anything. Just shoot him dead.”
The priest looks like he’s going to protest, but the expression on the Sheriff’s face brooks no argument. “He’s vicious, Father, left two innocent corpses in his wake. And he ain’t as clever as he thinks he is, leaving a trail of questions and murder. It was always going to catch up with him eventually.”
Two corpses in my wake? I look across at Graham Masters, but he won’t meet my eye. His face is a mix of embarrassment and rage. There’s more than two corpses in my past, but I think I know the ones this Sheriff is talking about. Masters knows ‘em too.
With a shrug, the priest takes the gun and tucks it into the belt holding his black robes closed. “He’s just a boy,” the holy man says. “But I’m sure this gun will keep him calm while we talk.”
“This is your last chance for any kind of redemption,” the Sheriff says to me. “Don’t fuck it up now.”
He walks away before I can protest, and I’m left in an unlocked cell with an armed preacher. The wooden door to the office closes with a heavy thunk and I hear the bolt turn.
Masters moves close to me, whispers, “This is your chance. I’ll make a distraction, you get past this maggot.”
Before I can answer or ask any questions, he’s gone.
“What would you like to talk about?” the priest says.
Unsure what else to do, I start by asking him the names.
“No one I can remember,” he says, kinda high-pitched.
“You sure?” I say, deliberately loud, like my voice can push away the creep this guy gives me.
“Maybe I can check my donations book. I keep a note of all the generous souls who help the church. But really, you shouldn’t be worrying about any of that stuff now.” The preacher’s eyes linger on me, slide up and down, and he smiles kinda crooked. “Would you like to give something to the church, young man? Before you move on to the next life? It might go down well with... you know.” He nods upwards.
“I ain’t got two pennies to rub together.”
“Maybe you could give something else, fine-looking young boy like you?” He steps up, too close, his breath sweet-smelling, like rotten fruit. “A horse or a pig is all well and good, but it’s not the same. Oh no, not the same at all.” His eyes become suddenly hard, cold. “Besides, you’re already damned.”
I hear a commotion out front and the Sheriff yelling. There’s a gunshot somewhere and the sound of pounding feet. My fists drive the preacher’s head back and he staggers away, scrabbling for the gun at his waist.
I hit him again, two-handed, using the metal around my wrists instead of my knuckles.
The preacher doesn’t make a sound as blood floods his mouth and chin, rushing from his crushed nostrils. Then he laughs, the unbelievable son of a bitch. “Is that what you like?” he says, high-pitched and breathless.
He draws the gun from his belt, but I’m ready and slap it aside with the chain of the cuffs. The report is loud, and the bullet bites splinters from the side of the cot. Now he looks concerned.
I hit him again and he goes down, tumbling over in a mess of blood and black robes. He comes up onto hands and knees; the gun wavers out in front of him. I grab it and twist it from his grip, hear his fingers snap.
My ragged boot fetches him up under the chin, and his rotten teeth crack and spin across the floor. I drop down on him and keep punching until my knuckles bleed, and his twitching stops.
Masters is right there. “Come on, boy!”
The door at the end of the corridor is unlocked, and I don’t have time to ask how. People are screaming in the street and the Sheriff is firing shots into the air, yelling for calm. Whatever Masters did out here has the townsfolk well and truly spooked. Running outside I see Old Jack down the street, the only horse standing calm. I jump on, drag his reins off the rail, and pound out of town before the Sheriff can realize I’m gone.
There’s a whole lot of nothing except wide open space and tumbleweeds between that last town and the next. I figured I’d do well to move along quickly, but I meant to buy food and fill my water back there. Now I’m pretty much out of both.. The nights are getting colder and a low fire does little to keep me warm, hungry as I am. My shirt is thick but my denims are ragged. Masters has always worn his fancy suit and shiny shoes, but I guess a ghost has no concerns for weather and seasons. I’m going to need to find a coat and a lot more to eat.
“Quit yer whinin’,” Masters says, even though I haven’t complained. “You can always eat your horse and walk.”
“I ain’t eating Jack. He’s about the only friend I ever had.”
Masters’ anger is instant. “That right? And what the fuck am I, boy?” His hand whips out in a slap across my cheek. It’s icy cold and stings something fierce, even as it passes right through. Only when he’s really angry, he told me before, can he affect physical things. I guess he was mad as hell in that Sheriff’s office. “No wonder your daddy walked away from you,” he says. “He could see your weakness even before you were born.”
“Fuck you, Graham Masters! I ain’t weak.”
He sneers at me. “Didn’t I find you in the depths of your despair, boy? Cradling your crazy Momma while she gibbered in her madness, holding a gun and sobbing your heart up? About to end it all?”
“Fuck you,” I say again. I can’t meet his eye, so I stare at the shackles hanging off my skinny wrists instead. “I was only sixteen. I was lost. My Momma was....”
“You’re eighteen now, boy,” Masters shouts. “And you got me to thank for that!”
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing, thinking about Momma wasting away like a dead horse by the side of the road, eaten from the inside out by maggots. Except Momma is being eaten up by memories. My good for nothing daddy left her pregnant, no money or family nearby. Dragged her out to the middle of nowhere to start a new life that fell apart before it began. When I swelled her belly, and my daddy’s dumbass dream had turned to shit, he just walked away, and she had to beg for everything. I was born in the dirt of the street, and my Momma was reviled by everyone around her. She was too fragile to exist like that, and it slowly drove her mad.
By the time I was five, I’d already had to grow up enough to look after her instead of the other way around, and that was all my daddy’s fault. By the time I was sixteen my Momma had pretty much no mind left, and I was sick of it all. Masters is right that he found me in the depths of my despair. And he convinced me to put Momma with the nuns and help him track down my daddy, seeing as we both had a score to settle.
My daddy had killed Graham Masters over a business deal gone bad, so Masters told me, whatever their business might have been. He’d as good as killed my Momma, and he’d ruined my life since before I even entered this unforgiving world. I took the chances Masters offered me, so I oughtta be grateful. It’s true he’s teaching me to be strong, and I wonder if this is maybe what it’s like to have a father.
I’m trembling, but I tell myself it’s the cold and the hunger, not fear or hatred.
“I was drawn to you, boy, because we share a common enemy. Your daddy ruined everything for me, fucking killed me, and I’m burning with a vengeance. And didn’t I light that fire in you?”
I nod, not looking at him. I can feel that furnace churning in my belly every second of every day. It only gets hotter when I think of poor Momma. I look out across the low fire, towards the distant mesas standing like guardians of this desolate land. I’m one tiny person in a harsh and barren world. What chance do I really have of ever finding my hateful father?
“Now shoot the chain between those cuffs, boy,” Masters says. “There’s room to angle your pistol in there, and I’m about mad enough that I can probably help. Just be careful you don’t blow your stupid hand off.”
I wake in the pitch dark, and something moves over me. A light of a sort; a glow. The fire has burned away to nothing but a gentle smear of orange in the night, and the cold is in my bones. As I blink awake, rubbing sleep from my eyes, the glow resolves into a face. Then two. They lean over me, eyes wide and terrifying, mouths stretched in silent screams.
My heart races, my stomach turns to water. Fingers rake like icicles across my face and throat, clutching at me, grasping. They drag a tiny sliver of my soul away with each touch. I see it like silvery smoke stretching out of me in ribbons; feel myself lessen every time. A distant wheezing howl escapes their wide mouths, like cries of pain but somehow triumphant.
With a screech, Masters swoops in. He grabs the things and hauls them off, and the fighting starts. Biting down on my fear I scramble away and load more wood to the fire, blowing through numb lips to bring the flames up again. I squint away as Masters brawls with the things that tried to take me while I slept.
A distant howl drags my attention, and I look into the screaming face of one ghost, not distant at all. Masters is grappling with the other, throwing panicked looks at me over his shoulder.
“Don’t you let it in, boy!” he screams. “Don’t you give it form!”
The ghost reaches for me, its frosty hands dragging the very essence out of me. My mind slides, my vision blurs. I hear the far-off cries of Masters as he’s dragged away, fading as he goes.
Swatting at the ghost, my hands slapping through frozen air, I get dizzy. “Graham Masters!” I cry, but there’s no answer.
I turn and stagger away, running and stumbling, no idea where I’m heading, just away, away into the morning. Surely it’s only minutes now before they’ve finally got me. Masters is gone, I’m alone in the night.
Don’t you let it in, boy!
“You can’t have me!” I scream as I run. Icy claws rake my soul through my back; my spine arches like it’s going to pop in a dozen places. “You cannot have me!” I howl again and keep running and running until my vision blurs and I fall, blackness sweeping in before I hit the ground.
I wake shivering as the soft glow of dawn begins to brighten the horizon. Grey, lifeless scrub stretches away from me in every direction, as empty as my soul. As lifeless as my existence. I might be alive, but I ain’t living, not really.
I see movement in the velvet sky above me and squint on the circling black shape of a vulture, looping around like an angel of death. It spirals slowly downwards, joined by another. They land not twenty feet from me and hop from side to side, squawking at each other. I want to scare them away, but a part of me wonders why I should bother. What’s the point?
There’s the sound of hooves on the stony ground, and the big ugly birds flap angrily up and away. It’s Old Jack, and Masters walks beside him.
“They’re gone.” Masters sits beside me, his face unreadable even in the low light.
“I thought they got you.”
“I’m a ghost, you fucking idiot. I’m already dead.”
“They nearly got me!”
“But they didn’t. Fuck ‘em. You’re haunted, boy, you know that. It’s how I found you, after all. You let me in and gave me strength. Don’t you let them in too, and they’ll stay weak.”
“I guess.” I don’t believe a word of it. Next time, the time after. How much more is in me for them to take?
“Finish this business,” Masters says. “Get some peace of mind for you and your momma. And for me. They’ll have less to hang onto.”
Masters stands over me, eyes dark and foreboding. “Get up, you weak prick.”
“I don’t care any more.”
“Yes you fucking do. Look.”
I follow his pointing finger and see a jack-rabbit sitting on a mound of prairie not thirty yards away.
“Slow and quiet,” Masters says.
The boom of my pistol in the cold air is staggering, and the jack-rabbit’s head is gone.
It’s well past noon when the silhouettes of a small town appear on the horizon. It gives me renewed strength, and I’m smiling as I ride down the main street that’s lined with wooden buildings, brightly painted awnings, and fancy sign-writing in the windows. I can see homesteads spreading out beyond the town, people working, wagons rolling. Hills swell up into mountains to the west.
I tie Old Jack to a post outside a saloon, give him a pat on his hot neck. I pull the heavy sleeves of my baggy shirt down to hide my new iron bracelets and walk in through the double swing doors. It’s dim and cool inside, quiet and still. Dust motes dance in the early sunlight shafting in between the slats of the shutters. A bald guy with a belly like a full sail is polishing glasses behind the bar, and a pretty young thing is sweeping up. I nod to the barman and watch the girl awhile. She’s young and slim, with a cascade of blonde hair and a glint in her eye. She holds my gaze for a second or two before looking back to her broom.
What I would give to find a town someplace, settle down and get some work, woo a pretty girl like that and maybe get married, have some kids of my own. Just normal stuff. But this fire burns in me, and I can’t do anything normal until it’s out, and that’s only going to happen when my daddy is brought to account for what he did to Momma and me. She’d have liked to live in a small town like this, I reckon. Far better than the nuns’ sanatorium where she’s lying now, mind broken and body withering away to sticks and dust.
“Help you?” the barman calls out.
I smile at him, friendly-like. “I could use a good meal. Or even a bad one,” I add with a laugh.
He pushes his chin at the girl sweeping up, and she sets her broom aside and disappears out back. I pull up a stool, sit down and put my ragged black hat on the bar beside me. There’s a moment’s uncomfortable silence as the barkeep measures me up and down.
The girl returns with a tin plate holding some kind of stew and a hunk of bread. She hands it to me with a soft smile, almost like a secret. The gravy is thick like mud and cold, from last night’s cooking, but it smells fantastic. The meat is mostly gristle and the bread’s stale, but I swallow it down like it’s the food of God, my belly aching at the sudden pressure it hasn’t felt for too long. That jack-rabbit kept me alive, but he was near as skinny as me. It feels like the first time I’ve eaten properly in weeks.
“I’m looking for someone,” I tell the barkeep as I mop up with the last of the bread.
He’s immediately suspicious. “That right?”
“Give me a whisky. Just the cheap stuff.”
He nods, puts a glass on the counter and fills it from a bottle without a label. I’m only drinking to be friendly, trade for the information he might have, but the sour burns nicely all the same. I put a couple of coins on the scratched bar.
Graham Masters stands beside me, unseen by the others. He tilts his head at the barman. Impatient fucking ghost. “I’m looking for a fella goes by several names. Mind if I run ‘em by you?”
The barman shrugs.
“All right then. Danny Calhoun?”
He shakes his head.
This time there’s a slight pause, and his eyes narrow just a bit before he shakes his head.
“Frank Gates?” I ask again, one eyebrow raised.
“I said no, dammit. I ain’t ever heard of no Frank Gates.”
The pretty young girl has stopped sweeping, watches us with a strange expression. Masters is virtually dancing on the spot. “He’s lying!” he says to me, like it ain’t obvious, even to the tables and chairs. Truth be told, I’m getting damned tired of this game, but my excitement rises too at this reaction.
I nod and stand up, tip my hat. “Much obliged, sir. Guess I’ll move along and keep looking.”
The barman seems relieved and smiles at me. “Good luck finding him.”
I turn to leave and walk slowly to the door, giving the barman plenty of time to pluck up the courage to ask the question that must be burning his lips to get out.
There it is. I turn back. “Yeah?”
“Why you looking for this fella anyway? You mean him harm?”
I laugh. “Shit, no. We have history. We go way back. I’m just looking up an old friend.”
His brow creases, eyes narrowed again. He doesn’t know what to make of that. I’m too young to be a pal of someone my daddy’s age. Eventually he shrugs once more. “Well, like I said, good luck.”
The sun is beating down outside, making me squint. “Back door or front?” I ask Masters, almost invisible in the brightness.
“Surely the back,” he says, vengeance clear in his tone. He’s at least as hungry for that now as he was for money in his life, I reckon.
“That’s what I thought.”
We stroll casually around the saloon, keeping to the shadows near the building walls, and peek around behind. Sure enough, the fat barkeep comes hurrying out, rolling up his apron and dropping it by the door as he waddles behind the other shops and slips away between them. I’m sure we’re close. I’m so near the quarry I think I can almost smell the bastard.
“Don’t lose him!” Masters barks.
I trot back around the front and turn the corner. It’s easy to see the fat barman, hurrying up the street. There’s not that many people yet in a frontier town like this, but you can see the potential of the place. It’s only going to get bigger, like so many others we’ve seen. Masters says San Francisco is a city that takes hours to walk across, with huge buildings of rock and brick. I can’t imagine a place like that.
The barman shouts and waves and a young boy runs across the street to him. There’s some frantic chatter and something changes hands, probably a coin, and the boy takes off north out of town like a rabbit running from a gunshot.
Old Jack trots along happily and I can see the young boy up ahead. There’s a property on the hill, just a small farmhouse, and I think that’s where he’s headed until he jumps bareback onto a horse out front and takes off again. He gallops north and I keep Old Jack in check, tailing him at a distance. There’s no point in giving myself away now I’m this close.
The kid rides hard for a good hour, grubby white shirt billowing in the wind of his gallop as his bare feet swing at the horse’s flanks. He heads into the hills and down a ravine with a river running along it. Masters is getting more agitated all the time, popping up and shouting at me about losing the kid, but it’s hard to keep up and not give myself away when there’s fuck-all but the two of us out here.
Sure enough, before we’re a half-mile into the narrow valley, I’ve lost all sight of the boy and his horse. I sit on Old Jack and curse. Masters is furious.
“You are one useless fucking idiot!” he yells. “What now?”
“I don’t know,” I say in a broken voice. It’s going to be dark soon, and the ghosts are coming back. Masters is getting worse at holding them away, and I can’t see the fucking point any more.
“Don’t you sink into some useless funk, you prissy child,” Masters says, his face an inch from mine even though I’m on horseback. “You start searching.”
The ravine doesn’t branch out, and it’s getting deeper. If the kid came through, it’s likely I can carry on and hopefully stumble across wherever he was headed. Follow the river and pray I find something before dark.
It’s slow going, picking along through the rock and scrub. Often we have to climb a steep bank and keep the river in mind by listening more than watching. We could go right by wherever that kid was headed and not even know it, but I don’t tell Masters that. He’s irate as hell all the time and only getting madder.
I’m tired, hungry and kinda scared, sagging in the saddle, when something pulls me up. Voices, drifting from somewhere. I hold Jack in a clump of trees and let him drink at the river. Once he’s safely tied, I have a drink myself. It’s at least as cold and fresh as it looks. Going quiet and careful on foot, it’s not long before a crackle of fire and the smell of cooking rumbles my stomach. There are men talking, not far away.
I can see down into the camp, six canvas tents and a big cookfire. Somewhere in here is Frank Gates. AKA Danny Calhoun and Seth Cooper. I settle down to wait for night. Time to finish this.
It’s nice to sit by the river until the dusk turns dark. Graham Masters is impatient to get moving. But it’s taken this long, so it can wait a little longer. Caution is the key here, or I’m liable to blow it and waste everything. Masters has ever been eager to get on with it and, if I’m honest, he’s often been a fairly unreliable companion. He’s caused me trouble more than once.
But it’s night, and I have a job to do. My heart’s beating fast at the thought. I could finally be here, at that point in my life where I can make my bastard of a father pay and shuck this burden from my shoulders. Tell my Momma he’s dead and buried; let her find some peace. Then maybe I’ll go back to that last town and talk to the pretty girl in the bar.
I creep down towards the tents. All prospector camps are like this; I’ve seen a few before. I hide in the shadows and watch as the men sit around the fire, eating and drinking and laughing too loud. I wonder if it’s to stem the disappointment of turning up nothing, or in celebration of the fact they’ve struck yella and know they’re going to be rich. Either way doesn’t bother me. I’m going to kill my daddy whether he’s rich or poor. Although pulling a few nuggets from the pockets of his corpse wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
The kid is curled up asleep under a big coat near the fire. There are four men, so I need to be careful. I don’t want to end up in a fight with them all. I’ve honed some skills these recent years, but even I can’t be sure I’d manage four on one.
Masters is clear beside me in the darkness. He squints into the gloom and a smile splits his face. “There he is!” He points to one fella and my chest tightens.
“You sure,” I ask.
Masters nods without looking at me. “Oh yeah.”
“Really sure?” I ask again, staring hard at him.
He turns his glare to me. “That’s Frank Gates.”
We watch a while longer. Nothing happens except more eating and drinking and then the men start heading for their tents, to bed early to get up with the dawn.
I keep an eye on Gates, staring hard at the man who seeded me for this world, who ruined my Momma’s life. He’s a rangy bastard, tall and skinny like me, but his hair is dark black where mine is sandy brown. He’s got a nose like an eagle’s beak, and that ain’t nothing like mine either. Nice to know I take after my Momma more than this sack of shit. He wears good clothes, though they’re dirty from prospecting, and his boots are finer than any I’ve ever owned. Son of a bitch. I start preparing for what I’m going to say to him, and I brace myself for the possibility that I won’t have a chance to say anything. Ending him is the only important part of this.
And he starts heading straight for us. I catch my breath, shuffle back against the rocks and scrub where I’m hiding. No time to move anywhere else. He walks right past me in the shadows and I see his mean face, eyes set close together, black stubble making his cheeks dark in the night. He seems in decent shape, but I don’t reckon he’s close to as strong as I am. He walks between some trees into the gloom, and I can’t believe my luck.
Creeping like a cat, I follow. Franks Gates, as he’s calling himself, grunts and undoes his braces. He kicks a hole in the sandy ground, drops his britches, and squats, elbows on his knees.
“Don’t make a sound,” I whisper, as the cold steel of that Sheriff’s Colt presses against the skin of his neck.
He stiffens, but doesn’t move. A muffled cry of fright escapes his lips, bitten off as soon as it starts.
“Pull up your britches and move forward.”
He complies. I can see his hands shaking as he buttons his fly. He stumbles ahead of me, my gun barrel pressed to the middle of his spine.
“What do you want?” he whispers, his voice trembling with fear. “You want money? Gold?”
“Shut the fuck up, Frank Gates,” I say quietly, pushing him away from the camp. “That’s what you’re calling yourself now, right?”
“That... that’s my name, right enough. Who are you?”
“I’m the son you abandoned, you slimy piece of shit.”
“The son of the woman you left, pregnant, poverty-stricken and a pariah. She couldn’t take it, the ridicule, the rejection. She’s a fragile bird, and you broke her mind, Frank Gates! Our lives, too!”
His shaking is visible all over, his knees knocking together, hands flapping by his sides. “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t have a son. I have a wife and two daughters in San Francisco!”
That just makes me furious. “Is that right?” I almost yell. “Treat them a lot better than you did Momma and me, do you?”
His voice is hitched with tears, sobbing like a little girl. “I don’t know what you mean!”
“Turn around and face me, Gates.”
He stands there, back to me, shaking and sobbing.
“Turn your face to me, Pa!”
He turns slowly, hands raised. His face is twisted in fear, tears and snot shining in the darkness. I look around for Graham Masters, but he’s nowhere to be seen. Surely he wants to see this. My own hand starts to shake, the excitement of the situation is getting to me. Fuck it, I can’t put this off.
“Here and now you pay for what you did to us!” The flash and bark of the pistol is massive in the silent darkness, and a rush rips through me.
Franks Gates’ chest gouts blood as he staggers over backwards, my shot right through his heart. He’s dead before he hits the ground, and Masters comes running.
“Stop!” he cries. “It ain’t him!”
I can’t believe it. “Not again!”
“I lost you in the trees,” Masters says. “I tried to catch up, but I couldn’t find you. It ain’t him.”
My euphoria drains away like rainwater on sun-parched earth. I’m shaking all over. “I killed the wrong man!” I yell at Graham Masters. “Again!”
“I’m sorry, it’s so hard to tell. I’m a ghost, I don’t see real things as well as you do.” He sounds altogether too relaxed for my liking.
“You said you were sure. Just like you did when we found Danny Calhoun, and Seth Cooper!”
Something like a smile glimmers across Masters’ face, but it’s hard to see in the shadows.
I can hear voices shouting and people crashing through the brush. Those gossamer spectral haunts that dog me every night are lurking, reaching, groaning mouths wide in supplication. Are there three now?
“You have to go!” Masters says.
Confusion fogs my brain. “I killed another innocent man!”
Masters’ sudden grin is feral. “Part of you likes it!”
He grabs at my shirt, dragging icily at my flesh as his hand passes right through me. “Come on! Don’t let them catch you.”
Is he laughing? I stumble over rough ground, heading back to where Old Jack is tethered. My mind reels, my heart hammers.
“Keep looking,” Graham Masters says. “It’s your turn now. You’ll find him next time, I’m sure.” There’s no sincerity in his tone.
I look at the ghost of my mentor in the darkness, and his expression is hard to read. “My turn? Next time?”
He nods as I untie Jack and swing up into the saddle. There’s a self-satisfied look about him, like a man who’s enjoyed his fill of a good meal. His eyes sparkle, and there are creases at the corners as he grins.
“It’s your time, boy,” Masters says. “Now you get to keep moving, keep looking for your damn pa, free as you like! Vengeance is a selfish business. And you better stay ahead of those night-time ghouls.”
“You sound like you ain’t coming,” I say, shivers wracking through me.
Masters just stands in the night, smiling at me. I can hear the other prospectors crashing closer.
“I need you to identify him!” I say, and curse how scared my voice sounds.
Masters leans his head back and laughs. “Boy, I have no fucking idea who your daddy is. Never did.”
His words echo in my mind and his laughter rings through the valley as I gallop away from the river and into the night.


Land Rover Range Rover Hybrid Long Wheelbase displayed at the Beijing Motor Show 2014. Together with the Range Rover Sport Hybrid, it will be the first diesel hybrid model from any manufacturer to be offered in China. China is recognised by Land Rover as a potentially strong market for its new premium hybrids, whilst the long wheelbase design is identified as best suiting Chinese customers’ preferences for luxury and spaciousness.
The production vehicles benefit from valuable insights Land Rover gained from its Silk Trail expedition in 2013. A fleet of Range Rover Hybrids proved their durability and all-terrain capability on a gruelling 16,000km route from the Land Rover factory in Solihull, across central Asia to the Mumbai headquarters of Tata, Land Rover’s parent company. After the journey, the vehicles were stripped down and scrutinised by Land Rover engineers to improve understanding of how the designs and technologies can be fine-tuned.
The Range Rover Hybrid combines with 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor, integrated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The system allows the driver to select from three different drive modes to maximise performance or efficiency, and is capable of delivering 26 per cent lower CO2 emissions (169g/km) and 6.4 l/100 km (44.1mpg).
The hybrid system uses the same proven Terrain Response® system and all-wheel drive technology deployed in the petrol and diesel-powered models. Wading depth capability is undiminished at a class-leading 900mm.
The complete system, including a lithium ion battery pack, inverter and electric motor, weighs less than 120kg. The electric motor produces 170Nm torque and operates to boost acceleration when required, and to drive the vehicle in EV (electric vehicle) Mode. The motor also acts as a generator, harvesting kinetic energy through regenerative braking, charging the battery when the vehicle is slowing. In EV mode the Range Rover Hybrid can travel at speeds of up to 30mph (48km/h) for a range of up to one mile (1.6km) before the diesel engine seamlessly restarts.
Together, output of the diesel engine and electric motor is 340PS at 4,000rpm and a class-leading 700Nm torque between 1,500-3,000rpm, delivering performance on a par with the SDV8 engine. The version to be marketed in China is technically identical to that sold elsewhere, except for a change to the exhaust system to take into account the different local emissions standards.


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I have not been feeling well from last few hours some eight hours. Heartbeat has doubled and I it can be felt when I place my hand.
My triglyceride is709 Blood pressure is 155/105 Cholesterol is normal Any home remedies please suggest.
My heart is weak that I cannot see anyone having pain in our family and I am start taking tension how to make my heart strong.
My wife 46 year old, has hemoglobin content at a low rate, its about 8 for almost 20 years ,how could she attain a normal level of hemoglobin content ?also she is suffering from chest pain for several years .Please tell.
Hi, I workout in gym from last 1 year, I always feel pinching on my chest. Could you advise me what would be the problem.
Hi age is 39 years and my BP is 170/100. I do regular exercise. Should I take BP medicine regular. BP remains at this level oftenly. Pls suggest. It's a serious sign.
I am 32 years old has high blood pressure. I am experiencing abdomen pain frequently. And I have taken abdomen scan. It shows. All are correct. Recently I have relocated to kharagpur from andhra pradesh. May be it is because of not being adjusted with this food. Kindly help.
I am 21 years old I have chest pain from 22-23 days. Its a pain on a points in the chest Mainly on left side Today I walk 3-5 kms due to some work And now after I am at my bed Feeling heaviness in my chest n this heaviness now radiates to my neck. M feeling like someone holds n my neck tightly So its my heart problem or signs of heart attack Or chest pain due to gas I recently take a tablet name - pantocid for gas.
Hi, I am a 50 years old Male. Recently I have been diagnosed to have high blood pressure and i am visiting a doctor in my neighborhood. BP is around 140/100 for the last 3 months. The doctor has prescribed Aquazide 12.5 mg bi-weekly and I am having this for the last 1.5 months. There has been much change in the BP since then which I measure regularly from different dispensaries. All I need to know is, Are we going in the right direction with this or need I do more" I appreciate that it would be difficult for you to comment comprehensively, w/o even looking at me.
I have chest pain in middle from last 2-3 months. Sometimes I take Rab-20 medicine when it feels too much pain. I feel some heaviness. And most of the time I feel heaviness in breathing and whenever I wake up from bed. Please suggest me some cure.
High blood pressure is a condition which occurs when the pressure of the blood flow through the arteries increases, resulting in intense pressure. Hypertension occurs when the systolic pressure (pressure at which the heart pumps blood) and the diastolic pressure (pressure at which the heart relaxes) is more than 140 and 90 respectively.
Symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- Shortness of breath: If you have high blood pressure, then you may experience regular shortness of breath.
- Headaches: You may experience headaches on a regular basis.
- Weakness of the heart muscles: Hypertension results in a weak heart which may not be able to pump blood properly.
- Narrowing of blood vessels: Narrowing of blood vessels may lead to other complications such as failure of the kidneys, heart and brain.
- Vision problems: It may lead to vision problems as blood vessels in the eye may be affected.
The various causes of blood pressure are:
- Tobacco: If you smoke on a regular basis, you put yourself at an increased risk of getting affected by blood pressure.
- Lifestyle: Not exercising regularly, eating a sodium rich diet are all factors which can increase the chances of hypertension.
- Age: The chances of getting affected by hypertension increase as you age.
- Weight: Being excessively obese also increases your risk of getting affected by hypertension.
- Diabetes: Being diabetic makes you more prone to getting affected by diabetes.
- Hyperthyroidism: If you have an overactive thyroid gland, then it may result in hypertension.
Hypertension may result in various health complications in the body such as:
- Aneurysm: This is a disorder of the blood vessels which causes the blood vessels to bulge and weaken.
- Heart attack: High blood pressure causes the arteries to harden and thicken which may lead to a heart attack.
- Metabolic syndrome: This syndrome refers to a group of complications such as high bad cholesterol levels and insulin levels in the body.
- Impaired brain functioning: It may also impair your ability to learn and impact your cognitive skills.

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7.5% crude fat and 3,000 calories/kg. Merrick grain free healthy weight recipe.
The store sells different pet products, accessories, treats, and food.
Low fat dog food walmart. Some low fat dog foods offer as little as 5 to 8 grams of fat per 1,000 calories which is much too low for any dog. Replace 10% of the current diet with our fat dogs® low calorie dry dog food each day until they are fully transitioned. 10% crude fat and 4,000 calories/kg.
High carbohydrate dry food causes the majority of pancreatitis in dogs. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. One of if not the most powerful selling points of walmart is its affordable prices.
As you start shopping around for low fat dog food, keep an eye out for recipes that are excessively low in fat. Irresistible in every way, this dry dog food was made with the worldâ s finest ingredients and has no artificial flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, and no added sugar. The honest kitchen is one of the top choices for low sodium dog food.
Vibrant life is a brand exclusively sold by walmart. Read ratings and reviews so you can find the right low protein dog food for your pet. Give your dog the taste he craves while keeping an eye on his weight with purina beneful healthy weight dry dog food.
Experiment with different types of diets, including dehydrated, refrigerated, and frozen commercial diets, if your dog doesn’t do well on kibble or canned foods. Walmart is one of the undisputed kings of the retail world. Adjustments must be made for environmental conditions, activity level, body condition and breed size.
Whether you are feeding your 100 pound great dane or a 5 pound chihuahua, consumers want to get the best bang for their buck, and walmart is happy. Natural balance fat dogs low calorie dry dog food for overweight adult dogs (packaging may vary) 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,847 $56.83 $ 56. Buy online best weight management diet food and soft chews for canine
They use fresh food and it makes a huge difference both in terms of health benefits and in terms of flavor. Available in either canned or dry varieties, it's the perfect food for when your dog needs to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Walmart sells almost everything, including dog food.
From groceries, clothes, home furnishing, and tools. Pure balance grain free salmon & pea recipe food at walmart. For this reason, the product range is still somewhat limited.e.
The cure is removing it in favour of a simple raw diet…with some bits…. If you do not have any of your current formula to mix, reduce the amount of fat dogs® formula fed for the first few days, feeding smaller more frequent meals and increase over time. The best dog food for diabetes is a low glycemic dog food rich in protein with moderate fat content.
As reflected in the feeding tables, smaller breed dogs can require 15% to 25% more kilocalories per pound of body weight than larger breed dogs. It should be highly digestible, ideally supplemented with fiber and probiotics, but still limited in total carbohydrate content. Secondly, it is a superb choice in reducing fat intake as it only has 8.5 percent fat in the formula.
A staple for many hearty soups and stews, this great value 32 oz bottle of chicken broth can help you get dinner going in a pinch. Purina beneful medleys romana style wet dog food at walmart. Now let’s take a look at some options to choose the dog food for diabetic dogs.
Although fat content is low, these pet foods don’t compromise the quantity and quality of other essential nutrients. So you’ve read part 1 which explains why your dog has likely developed pancreatitis. It’s a relatively new brand since the first time it landed on shelves was back in early 2018.
Features salmon as its first ingredient, while peas and carrots deliver fiber. The honest kitchen human grade dehydrated organic grain dog food.

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Planning your next escape but not sure where to start or how to prioritize? Seeking transformative experiences but feel overwhelmed by the options? Epic 7 Travel’s insights and imagery will Empower, Propel, and Ignite your next trip by Connecting you with resources, inspiration and photography tours to create new memories.
If you are looking for more inspiration to Live the Unforgettable, join the Epic 7 Travel Community
Access travel tips to make your next trip a success
Learn photography skills to document your adventure
Get inspired to plan the trip of a lifetime

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Construction of an alternative earthquake monitoring system
An earthquake is natural phenomena characterized by a strong sudden movement of the ground caused by stress in the tectonics plates. Geologists study these ground movements carefully using sophisticated equipment such as ...
A comparative study between liquid soil stabilizer and needle punched non-woven geo textile on compaction and bearing capacity of base course aggregates of wind farm roads in Barangay Unidos, Nabas, Aklan
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Shredded post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET): An alternative reinforcement for clay soils
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Determination of physical and mechanical properties of aggregates for concrete design mixes in Negros Occidental
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Performance evaluation of concrete produced using recycled concrete as both fine and coarse aggregates
Infrastructure is at the top of list of factors that influence competitiveness due to rapid economic development in cities and has developed concrete into the most significant construction material in the world. This is ...


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While opinions on the “best” dental college can vary based on individual preferences and criteria, Jaipur Dental College is often regarded as one of the top dental colleges in Rajasthan for several reasons:
- Academic Excellence: Jaipur Dental College is known for maintaining high academic standards. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education in dentistry, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- Accreditation and Affiliation: The college is affiliated with Maharaj Vinayak Global University (UGC-recognized) and the Dental Council of India (DCI). This affiliation ensures that the degrees awarded by Jaipur Dental College have industry-wide recognition and value.
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: JDC boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including cutting-edge laboratories, advanced dental clinics, and technology-driven classrooms. This provides students with access to the latest tools and equipment vital for their academic and clinical training.
- Experienced Faculty: The faculty at Jaipur Dental College comprises experienced professionals who are experts in their respective fields. Their wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience enhances the learning process, providing students with insights beyond textbooks.
- Clinical Exposure: Recognizing the importance of practical exposure in dentistry, Jaipur Dental College provides extensive clinical opportunities to its students. The dental hospital affiliated with the college serves as a training ground where students can apply theoretical concepts to real-life scenarios.
- Research and Innovation: The college actively promotes a culture of research and innovation in dentistry. Engaging in dental research contributes to advancements in the field, and students are encouraged to participate in research activities.
- Holistic Development: Jaipur Dental College acknowledges the importance of holistic development. The incorporation of extracurricular activities, workshops, and seminars into the curriculum ensures that students not only excel academically but also develop leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Healthcare Contribution: Through Maharaj Vinayak General Hospital, Jaipur Dental College plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive healthcare. The hospital’s facilities, including ambulances and mobile dental clinics, contribute significantly to community well-being.
- Community Commitment: The college witnesses a significant daily inflow of patients, reflecting its impact beyond education. This consistent patient turnout is a testament to the community’s trust in Jaipur Dental College and Maharaj Vinayak General Hospital.
The fee structure for BDS colleges in Rajasthan can range from 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh per year and is subject to change. The variation in fees is influenced by factors such as the college’s reputation, infrastructure, faculty, and location.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the fees of BDS colleges in Rajasthan, it is recommended to directly contact the colleges or visit their official websites. Admissions offices or relevant departments within the colleges can provide comprehensive and current fee structures, which may undergo annual revisions. Additionally, consulting with state or central admission authorities will help you stay informed about the latest fee structures for dental colleges in Rajasthan.
How many dental colleges are there in Rajasthan?
More than 15 dental colleges offer BDS programs; however, Jaipur Dental College (DCI Recognized) distinguishes itself as the most esteemed, holding the title of the first private dental college in Rajasthan and Jaipur. Since its establishment in 2000, JDC has been dedicated to the field of dentistry and has consistently worked towards upholding and enhancing its standards.
With its 110-bedded hospital, ambulance facility, and mobile dental clinics, Jaipur Dental College has created a comprehensive environment for dental education and practice. Over the past 23 years, the institution has demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
In addition to its foundational dental programs, Jaipur Dental College offers advanced dentistry courses such as facial aesthetics, maxillofacial prosthetics, hair transplant, and cortico-basal implants. The college takes an active role in organizing Continuing Dental Education (CDE) programs, seminars, and guest lectures on modern dental sciences. These initiatives aim to expose students to the latest dental technologies and contemporary courses, contributing to their ongoing learning and professional development.
How many marks are required in NEET for BDS?
The necessary scores for BDS admission through NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) can fluctuate annually, influenced by factors such as exam difficulty, the volume of applicants, and overall candidate performance. The admission process hinges on the NEET UG (Undergraduate) score.
In 2023, the minimum cutoff marks for BDS were 137 for General candidates and 107 for OBC, SC, and ST category candidates. In 2022, the cutoff marks were 117 for General candidates and 93 for SC, ST, and OBC. NEET UG eligibility criteria mandate a minimum percentage of marks for BDS admission, typically requiring candidates to secure at least 50% in their 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as mandatory subjects.
For insights into the minimum marks required for BDS admission through NEET, it is advisable to consult the official websites of relevant dental colleges or the official NEET website for the most recent information.
Is BDS a good career option in India?
Yes, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) can be a good career option in India for individuals interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. Here are some reasons why BDS can be a promising career choice:
- Professional Scope:
- Dentistry offers a wide range of professional opportunities, including general dental practice, specialization in various fields like orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, etc.
- Growing Demand:
- There is a growing demand for dental professionals in India due to increased awareness of oral health, changing lifestyles, and an aging population.
- Stable Income Potential:
- Dentists, especially those in private practice, have the potential for stable and competitive income. The demand for dental services contributes to job stability.
- Healthcare Industry Contribution:
- Dentists play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, contributing to overall health by addressing oral health issues.
- Entrepreneurial Opportunities:
- BDS graduates have the option to set up their own dental clinics or join existing practices, providing opportunities for entrepreneurship.
- Continuous Learning:
- Dentistry is a field that requires continuous learning and professional development, allowing individuals to stay updated with the latest advancements.
- Job Satisfaction:
- Many individuals find satisfaction in helping people improve their oral health and appearance, contributing to overall well-being.
- Global Opportunities:
- BDS graduates may explore opportunities for further studies or practice abroad, providing a global perspective to their career.
However, it’s important to note that success in dentistry requires dedication, continuous learning, and good communication skills. Additionally, the choice of specialization, work environment, and location can impact career satisfaction. Individuals considering BDS should carefully evaluate their interests, aptitudes, and long-term career goals before making a decision. It may be beneficial to consult with practicing dentists and explore internship opportunities to gain insights into the field.


MT SELMAN – A man with ties to Bullard and Troup, and wanted by Cherokee County authroities for kidnapping, has been arrested. Trenton Salmon, 23, was arrested shortly before 3:45 Friday afternoon at a home in Reklaw. Captain John Raffield with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department says Salmon has been taken to the Cherokee County Jail. He is being charged with aggravated kidnapping and interference with emergency request for assistance. … Read More
TYLER – The conviction of a Henderson County grandmother in the death of her grandchild has been upheld by an appeals court. The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has affirmed the conviction of 55 year old Glynda Denise Morrow of Chandler. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison last year after being found guilty of intoxication manslaughter for causing a wreck that killed her 5 year old granddaughter. The wreck occurred in July, 2014 on Lake Placid Road in Smith County when her SUV ran off the road and hit a tree. State Troopers reported Morrow’s blood alcohol content was over the state’s legal limit.
TYLER – With the help of a state grant, extra police patrols are out in Tyler over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The additional patrols are targeting DWI drivers and seat belt violations. Police spokesman Don Martin says a suspected drunk driver will be asked to submit to a breath test. If they refuse, officers will obtain a search warrant signed by a judge on call to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail.… Read More
LUFKIN – A Donald Trump campaign sign has led to the arrest of a Lufkin man on charges of public intoxication. It started when Joshua Monroy, 21, went home with a man he met at a party. When Monroy saw the Donald Trump sign in his yard, he became combative and tried to fight. Monroy was told to leave. He was later found asleep in the man’s vehicle. Police woke him up, charged him with public intoxication and took him to the Angelina County Jail.
QUITMAN – Four persons have now been arrested in connection with a Wood County home invasion that injured a teenager. The 16 year old was stabbed Tuesday as he was fighting with one of the men who broke into his home near Quitman. He was not seriously injured. Taken into custody early Friday in the case were 18 year old Quancell Richie of Fruitvale (pictured) and 18 year old Kemond Montral Harris of Mineola. Previously arrested were Lawrence “Flow” Herron of Mineola and a Hispanic male juvenile. Most of the items stolen from the home have been recovered.
TYLER — For the second time this month, a Tyler radio personality has been arrested on drug charges. Patrick Aaron Aguirre, 39, known as “The Brain” on the station “The Breeze,” was arrested at his home shortly before 11:15 Thursday morning. Tyler Police say the latest arrest follows a six-month long investigation. Aguirre has been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bonds totaling $850,000. Aguirre was previously arrested at his Becky Drive home on May 4th and charged with possession of marijuana. On top of everything else, Aguirre has been fired by Waller Media.… Read More
JACKSONVILLE — A two vehicle accident in Cherokee County has killed an Anderson County woman. The crash occurred shortly before 1:30 Thursday afternoon on Highway 135 about a mile east of Jacksonville. Dead at the scene was Kayla Tucker, 18, of Palestine. The Department of Public Safety reports Tucker lost control of her car on the wet highway. Her car spun into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with a SUV driven by Russell Gideon, 48, of Frankston. He was not injured.
PALESTINE – A boil water notice has been issued for the city of Palestine. It was issued because of a break in a 10″ main line in the 1600 block of Court Drive. Residents who use city water west of Loop 256 and U.S. Highway 79, West Oak Street, and areas north and south of U.S. 79 will be directly affected. The boil order will be lifted when water reaches testing standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. … Read More
TYLER — The Faulkner Park entrance at Cumberland Road was suppose to reopen this week. But, because of weather delays, it will remain closed for two more weeks, until June 8th. The entrance was closed because of the ongoing construction for the Cumberland Road extension. Construction includes removal of the median at this entrance, reconfiguration and striping of the intersection, widening of Cumberland Road, asphalt paving and concrete paving. The parking lot entrance will remain open for the Faulkner Park ball fields. Until the Cumberland Road entrance is reopened, traffic will need to detour to exit and enter at the Faulkner Park southern entrance at South Broadway.
MARSHALL – A Houston County man is going to prison for asbestos removal violations. Rodney K. Beshears, 60, of Kennard pleaded guilty in February to violating asbestos work practice standards of the Clean Air Act. In federal court in Marshall Thursday, he was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison. Beshears and his employees began excavating and removing a pipeline between Diana and Ore City in October 2011. He admitted to not following asbestos removal practices while removing the pipeline.
QUITMAN – Two persons are in custody and two are being sought in a Wood County home invasion that injured a teenager. The 16 year old boy was alone when his home was broken into and he was stabbed fighting with one of the suspects. He was treated and released from the hospital. The suspects took two televisions, a computer and a rifle and fled. Following up leads, authorities arrested Lawrence “Flow” Herron of Mineola. He has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated robbery and organized criminal activity. A Hispanic male juvenile was later arrested in the Mineola area. KETK reports Investigators have identified two additional suspects and warrants have been issued for their arrests.
TYLER — Three local students are among the first recipients of the Trooper Javier Arana Jr. Memorial Scholarship. They gathered at the the Texas Department of Public Safety Tyler Regional Office to receive the award. The scholarship was created in honor of Arana, who was killed in the line of duty in 2012. The first local recipients are James Jackson of Troup High School, Jenna Stanely of Canton High School and Jaylon Seastrunk of Longview High School. Jackson plans to use the scholarship funds towards a degree in law and will be attending UT-Tyler, Stanely plans to study Psychology at Texas State University and Seastrunk will be attending UT-Arlington studying Pre-Med.… Read More
AUSTIN — The State Board of Education has recognized 15 Texas public school students as Student Heroes for their outstanding volunteer efforts at their schools and communities. One of the students is from Smith County. He is Drvyer Cowart, a second grader in Lindale. He had one wish for his birthday, to help area foster children. He asked his family and friends to raise money for Together We Rise, a non-profit that works with foster children in Smith County. The $2,000 that was raised was used to purchase duffle bags that he and his guests decorated. They were then filled with a blanket, stuffed animal, toiletries and other items.
ATHENS — Area law enforcement agencies have joined together to conduct a “Knock and Talk” sex offender compliance check in Henderson county. The action has resulted in some arrests. The goal of the operation was to verify the offender is complying with the law. It requires adult and juvenile sex offenders to register with the local law enforcement agency in the city or county where they reside. Nearly 200 compliance checks were conducted earlier this week. Fourteen sex offenders were found to be out of compliance, four were arrested for probation or parole violations. Those who were arrested were booked into the Henderson County Jail.
CUSHING — In an argument over a woman, one person is injured and one is in custody in a drive by shooting in Nacogdoches County. It happened around 1:30 Wednesday morning on County Road 971, northwest of Cushing. After diving by the victim’s home several times, and becoming involved in a traffic accident with the home owner, the suspect is said to have driven by an and fired several shots. The homeowner wasn’t there, but a man in the backyard was wounded. He’s being treated at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Sheriff Jason Bridges says the suspect, William Hyde, 26, of Nacogdoches, was arrested at his Cushing area home. A shotgun, thought to have been used in the attack, was found hidden in nearby woods. Hyde was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
LONGVIEW – The public is being asked to help identify a man responsible for thefts around East Texas. He is wanted for questioning in connection with thefts at Wal-Mart stores in Longview, Kilgore and Marshall. The thefts were reported between May 8th and 17th. In each case, the suspect entered the store in the morning, filled a shopping cart with electronics, and then leaves through an emergency exit. He has been seen driving a red pickup, a silver or gold Firebird and a gold Saturn. If you know this man, you are asked to contact authorities.
WINNSBORO — A grand jury has returned a no bill in last year’s death of a Wood County toddler. Sixteen-month-old Madison Cannon was found unresponsive in a home on McKinney Street in Winsboro in April of last year. She was first treated at a local hospital, and then flown to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where she later died. An autopsy showed the little girl died from blunt force head trauma and the death was ruled a homicide. At the time of the death, police said there were persons of interest in the case, but no one was ever arrested. Now, a grand jury has issued a no bill in the case. According to a statement from the Winnsboro Police department, “this is a a sad and disappointing day for us.”
LONGVIEW- Scammers are trying to con Texans out of money. And they are using the Gregg County Sheriff’s name in the scam. Someone is calling locally and around the state threatening threatening arrest unless paid with a pre-paid debit card. They are even using the name of actual Warrants Lieutenant Bill Drennan. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office PIO Josh Tubb told the Longview News Journal they probably got his name off the department’s web site. The calls are said to have come from the telephone number 903-371-1035. Tubb’s advice is to disregard the calls and report it to the sheriff’s office.
EAST TEXAS (AP) – A boost from former presidential candidate Ted Cruz may have helped an East Texas Republican win the nomination for a state Senate seat. Bryan Hughes beat David Simpson on Tuesday night in a primary runoff between the two state House members. Cruz called Hughes a “conservative fighter” in recorded phone messages to voters. Cruz seldom gets involved in legislative races and has been mostly quiet since ending his White House run. But the raucous support the U.S. senator drew at the Texas Republican Convention earlier this month was a reminder of his influence with GOP voters statewide. No Democrats bothered to run in the solidly conservative senate district. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate, had also endorsed Hughes to replace outgoing Republican Sen. Kevin Eltife.… Read More
LONGVIEW – The northbound lane of Farm Road 2087 at the Sabine River Bridge in Gregg County will be closed today, and possibly even Thursday. This will be necessary for work in advance of building a new bridge. Motorists can expect delays during the day. A report from the Texas Department of Transportation says the southbound lane will carry two-way traffic through this work zone with flaggers providing traffic control. Work will be conducted between 7:00am and 7:00pm, so it will be to your advantage if you can take alternate routes during this time. The project to build the new Sabine River Bridge is scheduled to go to bid in August with construction starting in the fall.
TYLER- East Texas Giving Day raised over $479,000 for area non-profits. Of that figure, $357,514 went to 96 Smith County charities. Leading the pack was the Promise Academy which received over $30,000 in gifts. They were followed by PATH and The Hospice of East Texas. The donations to East Texas charities came from 22 states and 2 countries earlier this month. East Texas Communities Foundation President Kyle Penny said they thought the first year’s results are remarkable and they see great potential for Giving Day 2017.
TYLER — Oncor Electric Delivery is upgrading electric facilities in the downtown Tyler area. The area can expect a power outage from 10:30pm through 6:00 Wednesday morning. According to a news release from the county, Oncor says the Smith County Elections Office, which is conducting the primary runoff elections, will not be affected. But, as a precaution, the county has brought in a backup generator. Early voting totals were expected to be released shortly after the polls close at 7:00. Because of the threat of a potential power outage, election workers planned to count the election totals without stopping to post any updates, in an effort to get the complete but unofficial totals released before 10:30pm.
MARSHALL – The Marshall School District is a step closer to getting a new school superintendent. At a called meeting Tuesday, school trustees named Jerry Gibson as the lone finalist for the post. Now comes the 21 day waiting period before the selection can become final. Gibson is currently Superintendent at Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD, a post he has held since 2013. He was selected from over 50 applicants for the Marshall position. Gibson succeeds Marc Smith who left a couple of months ago to become school superintendent in Duncanville.
BROWNSBORO — School trustees in Brownsboro have named the lone finalist for the superintendent’s position. At a called meeting Monday, the Brownsboro School Board selected Tommy Hunter for the post. As required by law, they must now wait 21 days before making a final appointment. Hunter was selected from over 50 applicants for the position. He is currently superintendent of the S & S Consolidated School District north of Sherman. He will succeed Dr. Christopher Moran, who has become school superintendent in Whitehouse.
PALESTINE – An Anderson County teacher has been arrested on charges of having an improper relationship with a student. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation after receiving a call from the Cayuga school district last Wednesday. Spanish teacher, 37 year old Lori Lynn Slack of Tennessee Colony, resigned from the school last Friday. She surrendered to authorities over the weekend. Slack is accused of having sexual relations with a 17 year old male student. Her bond was set at $50,000.
WASHINGTON – It’s now up to the U.S. Senate to takeup the Kari’s Law bill. The house has passed the measure, which has its roots in East Texas. In December, 2013, Kari Dunn died in a Marshall hotel after her estranged husband stabbed her 30 times. Her 9-year old daughter tried to call for help but did not know you had to press 9 to dial out. Kari’s law would make it so you would not have to dial 9 to reach emergency personnel from a hotel, or any business nationwide. Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert calls the law a “common sense reform.” The measure is already law in Texas. The governor signed the measure in May of last year. Kari’s husband, Brad, is currently serving 99 years for his wife’s murder.
TYLER — Voters around the area will be going to the polls today to decide some runoff elections. Two candidates are seeking to succeed Senator Kevin Eltife, who did not seek re-election. State Representatives Bryan Hughes of Mineola and David Simpson of Longview are on the ballot. In the Texas House District 5 race, the runoff to succeed Hughes is Jay Misenheimer of Lindale and Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant. In the race for Smith County Constable, Precinct 4, it’s incumbent John Smith challenged by Josh Joplin. And in the race for place 9 on the State Board of Education, it’s Mary Lou Bruner, who lives in northern Smith County, and Kevin Ellis of Lufkin on the ballot. You’ll be able to follow the returns at KTBB.com.
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott has named appointees to the Texas Board of Respiratory Care. One of them is from Tyler. The Tyler appointee is Dr. Jim Stocks, professor of medicine at U-T Health Northeast. He is also medical director of the Tyler Junior College Respiratory Therapy Program. Dr. Stocks is a Fellow of the American Sleep Disorders Association and the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of the American Thoracic Society, Smith County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association. His term expires February 1st of 2019.


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Free Checking Is Over… Kind Of…
I’ve had free checking since 2004 for both my personal and business accounts. That happened when I left the big bank, which for me was HSBC, and went to a smaller bank, which at the time was called Charter One.
Then we hit the banking crisis and the federal government got into the mix, and I held out high hopes that my small bank, which had been taken over and is now called Citizens Bank, which is also continually growing, might decide to keep my accounts as they are. Well, it was a nice dream.
My bank so far is leaving my personal account alone. However, they are adding a $10 fee to my business account. That’s depressing, and I don’t like it. However, I’m also lucky. They’ve set up a caveat that I should easily be able to handle. All I need to do is 5 transactions with the account a month and the fee is waived. I feel like I dodged a bullet, and I’m pretty happy about it.
Of course that’s not happening for everyone, especially large banks. Many of them are finding ways of hitting people up with all sorts of fees, like the $8.95 a month Bank of America is charging anyone who still wants paper over doing their banking online, or if you go into the bank to take care of transactions that they believe you could do online.
Some banks that never had free checking to begin with are raising their rates as well. Bankrate.com states that only 65% of banks still offer free checking, down from 75% last year. And banks that have been paying interest are either reducing the amount, or setting up new ways for you to earn that. Wells Fargo now requires customers to link their checking and savings accounts together to earn .05% on balances of $500 or more.
Experts recommend that consumers shop around for the best rates, starting at credit unions, some of which are accepting clients they never have before. Smaller, local banks that are stable are also great options. And keep your eye on your bank accounts for hidden fees that take money from you.

domain: finance


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Concert pic of the morning: Surfer Blood at the Media Club
Couldn’t make it out last night? You missed American rock band Surfer Blood at the Media Club. Boodahboy was there for Eventuraphoto and Timbre Concerts and caught a moment of the show on Instagram. Here’s your concert pick of the morning. Surfer Blood playing the Media Club on January 6, 2014. Thanks Boodahboy.


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When should you look at re mortgaging?
.When your current deal is about to end (should start looking at around 16 weeks before end date)
.You are currently on your lenders SVR ( Standard Variable Rate) - This can be higher than other rates on the market
.You want a better rate/ your stuck on a high rate compared to what the mortgage market has to offer now
. Home has gone up in value and you may now be in a lower LTV ( Loan to Value) bracket and may therefore be eligible for a lower rate.
.You may want to borrow more money for home improvements for example.
. You are on a tracker, discounted or variable rate and are worried about interest rate increases.
Equally if you have had a change in circumstances staying with the same lender and doing a Product Switch maybe better for you- Once we have taken your information this is something we can advise on.
Speak to us today so we can advise you on which lenders will be best for your situation. We will take your details and shop the mortgage market to find you the best matched mortgage saving you time, hassle and possibley even money. Not only do we do the shopping around we help you apply for your new mortgage and deal with the application from start to finish. We guide you throughout the whole process.
*Advice is free and impartial with no obligation to take up our recommendations
*This firm may charge a fee for arranging your Mortgage and/or insurance. This fee ranges from £0-£495 dependant on your circumstances
*Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

domain: economics


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Chartered surveyor is first female chair at the construction and quantity surveying professional group
An associate at consultant Rider Levett Bucknall has been appointed the first female chair of the RICS Greater Manchester construction and quantity surveying professional group.
Rebecca Best will be responsible for 14 committee members who represent the QS community in the region.
The chartered surveyor joined RLB’s Manchester office three years ago and has worked in the industry for 13 years.
Best will act as an ambassador for the profession when she and the committee undertake a number of visits to schools, colleges, universities and construction sites across Manchester.
For the latest jobs in quantity surveying in the UK and worldwide visit Building's career site.

domain: news


The question of robotization "Almaty" is currently being worked out. While we can only talk about the conduct of theoretical and experimental work aimed at justifying the technical appearance, economic feasibility and feasibility of developing robotic "Armata",said Halitov.
According to him, "scientific and technical progress in the world in all areas of industry, the development of military and dual-use technologies in recent decades have provided an intensive improvement of the technology being created and an increase in the degree of its automation."
Today, technology has progressed so much, and developments in the field of robotics are moving forward with such a pace that you should seriously think about robots as a new kind weapons,noted Halitov.
The Armata platform was developed by Uralvagonzavod Corporation as a base for the main combat tank, heavy infantry fighting vehicle and armored recovery vehicle. Currently, armored vehicles on the Armata platform are being tested.


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The goal of this study was to compare the effects of two inflammatory modulators, erythropoietin (EPO) and anakinra, on functional recovery and brain gene expression following a cortical contusion impact (CCI) injury. Dosage regimens were designed to provide serum concentrations in the range obtained with clinically approved doses. Functional recovery was assessed using both motor and spatial learning tasks and neuropathological measurements conducted in the cortex and hippocampus. Microarray-based transcriptional profiling was used to determine the effect on gene expression at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days post-CCI. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to evaluate the effect on relevant functional categories. EPO and anakinra treatment resulted in significant changes in brain gene expression in the CCI model demonstrating acceptable brain penetration. At all three time points, EPO treatment resulted in significantly more differentially expressed genes than anakinra. For anakinra at 24 h and EPO at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days, the genes in the top 3 functional categories were involved in cellular movement, inflammatory response and cell-to-cell signaling. For EPO, the majority of the genes in the top 10 canonical pathways identified were associated with inflammatory and immune signaling processes. This was true for anakinra only at 24 h post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). The immunomodulation effects of EPO and anakinra did not translate into positive effects on functional behavioral and lesion studies. Treatment with either EPO or anakinra failed to induce significant beneficial effects on recovery of function or produce any significant effects on the prevention of injury induced tissue loss at 30 days post-injury. In conclusion, treatment with EPO or anakinra resulted in significant effects on gene expression in the brain without affecting functional outcome. This suggests that targeting these inflammatory processes alone may not be sufficient for preventing secondary injuries after TBI.
Anderson, G. D., Peterson, T. C., Vonder Haar, C., Kantor, E. D., Farin, F. M., Bammler, T. K., … Hoane, M. R. (2013). Comparison of the effects of erythropoietin and anakinra on functional recovery and gene expression in a traumatic brain injury model. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2013.00129

domain: biology


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If you’re looking for a natural way to make soap (without lye), the soapwort plant is just what you need. We’ll show you how to make soap from soapwort plant!
If you’re looking for a natural way to get a better night’s rest, we’ll show you how to make your own DIY sleep pillow along with some of the best dream pillow herbs to use.
Looking for alternatives to single use plastic straws? Here’s a comparison of stainless steel vs. glass straws, plus a look at other reusable straws.
If you’re decluttering, or making the switch to reusable cloths, you might be wondering, how many cleaning cloths do you need? We’ll help you figure this out!
If you have stone remnants, read this before you toss them! We’ve rounded up 10 ways to repurpose granite and quartz countertops so they don’t end up in the landfill.
Natural and biodegradable, these dishcloths are absorbent and also easy to clean. So, if your dishrag needs cleaning, here’s how to clean a Swedish dishcloth 5 ways.
This eco-friendly alternative to a sponge is a cleaning powerhouse. Here’s how to use a Swedish dishcloth in the kitchen and around the house.
Looking for ways to clean jewelry naturally? Here are some tips and tricks! We’ll show you how to safely clean your jewelry without any harsh chemicals damage.
Learn how to cut a bar of soap without it crumbling, what causes homemade soap to crumble and more!
If you’re wondering what that white film is on your homemade soap, it’s probably soda ash. Soda ash on soap is annoying, but preventable and treatable.
Ditch the chemicals! Here’s a few DIY all natural drain cleaners and plumbing tools that will unblock your sink without hurting the environment or your health.
Check out our tips for how to deep clean carpet without a machine or harmful chemicals. Learn how to deep clean and refresh your carpet naturally!
Learn how to store bar soap long term with our homemade soap storage tips. This post will teach you how cold process, hot process, and melt & pour soaps should be stored.
Did you know radishes are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E and K? The list of health benefits goes on. Learn more about radish microgreens nutrition plus how to grow them.
More than just a flower, sunflowers are a source of healthy greens. Learn more about sunflower microgreens nutrition, how to grow them at home, and how you can use them!
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domain: hobby


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There are 394 results for "louisiana"
Results 13-24 of 394
VIDEO | Shane O takes a tour of New Orleans with locals, Dr. Sick and GoGo McGregor.
ARTICLE | New Orleans is a city for foodies with fine dining and historic cafes all around the city serving distinctive ...
VIDEO | Visit New Orleans' oldest above ground cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
VIDEO | Get an early look at Girls Gone Bayou, putting the dirty back in blonde!
VIDEO | This beast of a burger is served on New Orleans' famous po' boy bread.
VIDEO | Mud racer Maghen challenges the "Mouth of the South" to a race.
VIDEO | Take a tour of New Orleans' wetlands, but watch out for the gators!
VIDEO | Check out 2 of America's most popular off-road mud parks.
VIDEO | LSU tailgating consists of Cajun and Creole food, including chicken fricassee.
VIDEO | This New Orleans landmark reopened after Katrina to serve their beloved burgers.
FEATURE | It's the heavyweight vs. the underdog as Las Vegas and New Orleans battle it out for the national title of ...
PHOTOS | Follow the quirky adventures of gal pals Lindsey, Lori and Kila as they set out to prove to the good ol' boys ...
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Enter daily for a chance to win a grand prize worth over $1.5M, located in Atlanta.
Get the essential Food Network email featuring time saving tips, recipes and how-to videos.
Win over the kids with these easy, time-saving dinners the family will love.

domain: geography


Aria Entertainment have brought Stephen Sondheims show of hidden gems to the beautiful St James Studio in Victoria for a two week run.
Craig Lucas first met Stephen Sondheim when performing in the 1979 production of Sweeney Todd. Sondheim mentioned a suitcase of abandoned songs he had written in his life that had never been heard. Lucas requested permission to take these songs and turn them in to a new show to which Sondheim replied saying he thought it was an “awful idea” but he was “free to do as he wished with them”. Sondheim sent him 45 unused songs, of which 17 were chosen to form Marry Me A Little.
Out-takes from shows like Follies, A Little Night Music and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum were brought to life in this new production which premiered on Broadway in 1980. After a disappointing run the show closed and wasn’t brought to London until 1982 (at the Kings Head Theatre).
Laura Pitt-Pulford looks and sounds incredible. She suits the character of ‘Woman’ perfectly and gave beautiful renditions of Marry Me A Little (from Company) and There Won’t Be Trumpets (from Anyone Can Whistle). Both of these songs were brought to life through the show Marry Me A Little and later re-instated into the original shows.
Simon Bailey, as ‘Man’, gives a testosterone fuelled performance. Both he and Laura portray themselves as the stereotypical male and female and blend well together during duets.
At just over an hour in length, Marry Me A Little is a perfect little show with great songs, great casting and perfectly situated in the intimate St James Studio. It was great knowing I was listening to Sondheim’s rarest work, however I couldn’t help myself from wanting to hear a couple more songs I was familiar with!
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Marry Me A Little is playing at the St James Studio until 10 August 2014. Click here to book tickets.


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Is it your first time in Prague? Get ready to be swept off your feet and into a lifelong tryst! As a first-timer, focus on capturing the city’s energy and unbelievable beauty. It’s ok to only scrape the surface. Over time, this love-at-first-sight will beckon you back to Prague and strengthen the bond between the two of you.
Here are 10 things to do in Prague for first-timers.
Walk across the Charles Bridge.
The Charles Bridge is the most iconic place in all of Prague and for good reason, too. Walking under the arched bridge tower entry, you’ll feel as if you’re stepping back to medieval times. The cobblestone path and the Baroque saint statues guide you across the Vltava River in what feels like an absolute fairytale. The best times to capture the essence of the bridge is as the sun is rising or late at night. Otherwise, the bridge fills with tourists and makes it all but impossible to take classic photos of the bridge.
Go to Old Town Square.
Gather in front of the Astronomical Clock Tower for the hourly show. (The show is underwhelming at best so no worries if you can’t see everything.) Listen to musicians play. Marvel at the architecture. Eat some roasted meat or a trdelnik. Touristy? Yes, surely. But, as a first-timer in Prague, you’ll sense the city’s pulse, its energy. If you can, wake up early to have the square to yourself. You’re sure to love this alone time with the city.
Visit Prague castle.
After you’ve spent time in Old Town Square and on the Charles Bridge in the early morning hours, make your way up the hill to Prague Castle. Take time to enjoy the sweeping views of the city and the river below. Plan to arrive when the castle opens for no ticket queues and fewer people. Wander through the complex and enjoy seeing sights like the Old Royal Palace with its grand hall and artistically supported ceiling. Don’t miss St. George’s Basilica and its pretty muraled altar and apse. Stroll along Golden Lane and visit the tiny, brightly colored houses still decorated with items from past residents.
Admire St. Vitus Church.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral is within the walls of the Prague Castle complex. The Gothic Cathedral dates back to the mid-1300s, with earlier religious structures on the site dating back 300 years earlier. Be sure to walk around the entire Cathedral. The spires, gargoyles, and flying buttresses are worth your time! Once inside, admire the Cathedral’s stained glass windows. They’re long and colorful, filling the Cathedral with light. The Cathedral also holds the remains of past Kings and Emperors. If you visit on a Sunday, parishioners attend Mass and St. Vitus is closed until Mass is finished.
Eat Trdelnik and Horice rolls.
Two sweet treats you’ll not want to miss! Trdelnik is a tube-shaped bread roasted over an open flame and coated with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. The warm bread with its crunchy outside and doughy inside is sold on the street for cheap and is the perfect snack for strolling.
Whether or not you typically enjoy a good beer, be sure to give one a try in Prague. It’s perfectly chilled and is as pure as the water from a mountain lake. There are places like the Prague Beer Museum (not really a museum, but bar) where you can try a beer flight. Be warned, though, because when it’s busy it’s quite a smokey place. Or just opt, instead, for anywhere you’d like to have a bite or settle in for a few drinks.
Explore the Jewish Quarter.
Once the only place Prague’s Jewish residents could be buried, the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is believed to be the final resting place of more than 100,000 people despite its roughly 10,000 headstones. When space ran out, more Earth was added to make room for more people. The cemetery now serves as a peaceful, yet poignant, reminder of the catastrophic history Jewish residents throughout Central and Eastern Europe suffered. Combined tickets are available to view several sights in Prague’s Jewish Quarter, including the cemetery, the Spanish Synagogue, and the Old-New Synagogue.
Stroll the streets to admire the architecture.
Prague’s Baroque architecture and pretty pastel-colored buildings steal the show. Make time during your visit to stroll through Prague’s streets with your gaze upwards and your camera out. The ornate details on the buildings range from delicate spirals to sensational sculptures of winged angels. Look for buildings with sgraffito, walls covered with tinted layers of plaster giving the appearance of painted scenes covering the building’s facade. It’s during walks like this where you’ll truly grasp Prague’s fairytale charm.
Visit Kampa Island and the John Lennon Wall.
As you make your way across the Charles Bridge, head down the staircases on the left or right to Kampa Island. Walk through the cobblestoned streets along the canals. There are vendors and shops selling snacks, sausages, and beer. Or choose to sit along the water at one of the cafes. Find your way to the island’s small park and the nearby John Lennon Wall. The painted wall is a living piece of art with Beatles lyrics and tributes to John Lennon being regularly added and modified.
Climb the Astronomical Clock Tower and the Charles Bridge Tower.
Aside from waking early, your best vantage points to see Prague and take photos is from up above. Prague’s surrounding hills have parks, Castles, forts, and ramparts to view the city from a bird’s perspective. Climbing the Astronomical Clock Tower and Charles Bridge Tower gives an overhead view of Old Town Square, the Vltava River, and Prague’s many-spired, orange rooftops. While the Clock Tower was busy, we had the views from the Bridge Tower all to ourselves. Shhh…It’s as if no one knows about this vantage point.

domain: travel


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||Another great review… Thank you, Adam Gartenberg!
Adam Gartenberg had an opportunity to review our Sametime User’s Guide, and Marie and I are very happy to see his blog entry!
I found the book to be a very thorough and well-organized look at how to use Sametime instant messaging and Web conference features, running from the basic embedded capabilities in Lotus Notes all the way through Sametime Advanced and Sametime Unified Telephony. For users new to using Sametime, or even those moving up to a “modern” version from Sametime 3.1 or its ilk, this would be an excellent “how-to” guide as well as a reference companion. While the concept of “instant messaging” is something most people are familiar with these days, Sametime is packed with enough features and capabilities that it’s helpful to have a resource that walks through all of the capabilities, explains the preference settings, and highlights some of the more advanced (and less-than-obvious) features.
Thanks again, Adam… we appreciate it.
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Nov 04, 2010
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domain: library


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View each one of our stunning color coast-inspired color palettes.
Rattan furniture, pretty blues, and a burst of pink give this outdoor living room a modern yet retro feel. The organic outdoor
fabric allows the space to withstand island heat, wind, and rainstorms.
This holiday, decorate with coastal style. Try our design ideas―one for every day of the season!
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All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our
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domain: design


Boxair M2 – mobile filter
Monmouth's Portable Filtering unit Boxair is designed to exhaust and filter dry impurities. A highly efficient filtering cassette makes it possible to use everywhere for processes such as welding, grinding, polishing, cutting of metals and plastics and much more. The Boxair is not designed for filtering the air from corrosive, caustic and explosive gases and dusts.
It’s purpose is to use in places where continuous use is not required. The housing of The Boxair is manufactured of welded steel sheet. It is completely painted with polyester-epoxy powder paint. Inside there is an aluminium mesh (prefilter), which protects the cartridge from sparks and pre filters the air. Next there is main cassette filter with filtration class F7. The filter area is designed with an option to use different filters using different levels of filtration. Each unit is fitted with four swivel castors, which allow to move it around small work areas. The Boxair filtering unit is also equipped with a heavy duty Electrical on/off switch. A self-supporting Fume Arm model 1620P (160mm x 2m), 1630P (160mm x 3m) or sleeve arm 1620P can be mounted at the top of the unit.
Boxair M2 features:
- Spark Trap,
- Large Wheels,
- Cassette Filter,
- Compact Size,
- 2 x Arm Diameter: 160mm,
- Arm Lengths: 2m, 3m
- Light options avaliable for one arm or a light option for welding which includes (12V/35W), photosensor, automatic on/off with adjustable time out of exhaust operation after welding has stopped. The light options are not avaliable with hose arms.
- Mobile filter unit for two workplace where there is no need for constant exhaust operation
- Dry dusts or fumes capture and filtration especially at welding, grinding, cutting and many more processes (excluding corrosive, chemically aggressive and flammable gaseous mixtures)
- Nominal efficiency 2000 m3/h
- Two filtration stages: metal mesh spark trap and H7 cassette filter
- Other media on separate request for example activated carbon based or
- Filtering cloth
- Easy access to filters
- Full mobility with 4 casters (two with brakes)
- Welded and powder coated construction
- Ready for 160 fume arms
- Backward inclined blade aluminium impeller 2.2kW
- Accessories and options to be specified separately on orders


COLUMBIA, SC (WCSC) - Two men from Philadelphia were charged Wednesday in SC federal court for a counterfeiting operation they conducted in North Charleston in August, the US attorney's office said.
Mamadou and Chernoh Jalloh were charged in an indictment that allege the two men were in possession of at least 15 counterfeit credit, debit and gift cards with the intent to defraud, US Attorney Bill Nettles said.
The duo were also allegedly in possession of equipment used to make more counterfeit cards while in North Charleston in August, Nettles said.
The maximum penalty the two men face, Nettles said, is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment of 15 years, if they are convicted.
Nettles said the case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Secret Service, in conjunction with the North Charleston Police Department.