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Can gambling in online on line casino change into a passion? Surely it can. Properly, when mentioning about interest folks generally think of stamp collection, gardening, fishing, audio and all other items. So, why is that gambling casinos cannot flip a interest. Only because gambling is typically regarded as as a prohibited term, or considering that it requires the risk recreation and the chance of shedding masses of income. It can be each nevertheless, you can always turn gambling in on the internet casinos into a interest of yours, if you are watchful sufficient with your finance and never ever make it a habit to engage in in the course of your doing work several hours. Therefore right here are a number of tips to help you in scenario you are ken to practice gambling on the internet casinos as a passion. Read through on.
Choose the Sport: If you are an novice you have to understand all the video games and determine the a single with which you truly feel comfortable. For this try the ‘free games’ area of a on line casino site and enjoy the game titles. Then you can pick up the sport that is the most intriguing to you. There are a selection of game titles these kinds of as roulette, Texas Holdem, slots machine, blackjack, bingo and more.
토토 Free of charge Casinos: Most gambling casinos provide you the alternative to play for cost-free besides, there are totally free casinos online as effectively. As a result, you can appreciate comparable amusement with no paying any funds. You can have hundreds of entertaining get your does of entertainment with out shedding any quantity of funds.
Casino portals: There are loads of on the internet casino portals all over the World wide web, hence, to pick a single portal is fairly difficult. You can possibly search for the 1 providing a document variety of video games, or else the one providing enormous reward and jackpots, or the one particular offering masses of contests. Some of the ideal gambling on the web casinos contain Golden On line casino, Allslots Casino, Silver Greenback, VIP Slots, Fortunate Nugget, Rushmore, Online Vegas, Alladins Gold, Millionaire, Villento Casino, Cherry Crimson and many others. You can have a look at some of the portals if not each and every and try the free game titles offered there. Read via the recommendations and the directions ahead of you enjoy the video games.
Management: In buy to continue with your passion you need to choose the greatest time of enjoy and the amount of funds to commit of it. As a result, even with gambling online casinos you need to be sure about the specific time you want to dedicate and the cash you want to commit. Determine a fixed time of the working day or else calculate it within hrs or minutes and make certain you do not over do it. The same applies on choosing the cash you have to devote. Finalize an amount you want to splurge, and at any point, in no way spend more that you can spend for.
A passion is something you do in your leisure, so, never sacrifice your function hours in playing on-line on line casino video games. As a hobby, gambling on-line casinos is pretty interesting and will help you get a taste of outright journey. You can have exciting, make money and spend your weekends properly now.


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The federal tax reform signed into law on December 22, 2017 added a potential tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave to their employees. Here are the details:
- An “eligible employer” may claim a general business credit of 12.5% of wages paid to a qualifying employee on FMLA leave, plus 0.25% of wages (up to a total credit of 25%) for each % point by which FMLA pay exceeds 50% of the employee’s normal pay. (Creates tax credit range of 12.5%-25%)
- An “eligible employer” is one with a FMLA policy that: (a) allows all qualifying, full-time employees at least two weeks of annual paid family and medical leave; (b) allows part-time employees paid leave on a pro rata basis; and (c) provides leave pay of at least 50% of an employee’s normal pay.
- Vacation leave, personal leave, and other medical or sick leave is not considered family and medical leave, and leave paid by a state or local government, or required under state or local law, is not eligible for this tax credit.
- It is unclear without further guidance whether paid time off available for another purpose that can also be used concurrently with FMLA to make the FMLA period paid entitles an employer to this tax credit.
- A “qualifying employee” is an employee who has been employed by an employer for at least one year, and whose compensation in the prior year did not exceed 60% of the compensation threshold for highly compensated employees (this threshold was $120,000 for 2017). So, an employee must have earned $72,000 ($120,000 x 60%) or less in 2017 to entitle the employer to this tax credit for paid FMLA leave provided to that employee in 2018.
- The paid FMLA leave terms must be provided to employees in a written policy. An employer may decline this credit and instead deduct the amount of paid leave. The employer may not deduct any wages for which it instead claims the credit; it must elect one or the other. This tax credit will only be available in 2018 and 2019 unless Congress extends it. Regulations from the IRS are needed to clarify the scope of this tax credit and restrictions on taking it.
Whether it makes sense for an employer to implement a new policy or modify an existing policy to take advantage of this tax credit depends on careful analysis of expected FMLA usage by the company’s employees in the coming year and consideration of the unknowns remaining until the IRS issues regulations. We will publish additional guidance for employers when IRS regulations are released, but in the meantime, employers interested in creating policies that qualify for the tax credit should consult counsel to collaborate on the appropriate language for such policies.

domain: law


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Although the Fire Emblem series has been around in the west for quite a while, it didn’t manage to find its way to popularity until the release of Awakening back in 2013. With the success of Hyrule Warriors, the most appropriate next step for a Nintendo based spin-off chosen was of course the series that had grown hugely popular and had an emphasis on fighting large scale battles. With the overhead turn-based tactics out the window, Fire Emblem Warriors takes players into a world filled with conflict and the only way to stop it is to pick up a weapon and fight.
Players are given the choice to pick between one of the twins, Rowan or Lianna, to be their main character from the beginning. The choice doesn’t have an impact on story overall, simply being who will be played as at the start of a mission, and there are only minor differences making the choice merely a preference. The story begins with the twins in their kingdom of Aytolis, when dark creatures begin appearing from the sky and attacking. After managing to barely escape with their lives, they begin their journey to discover what is causing this to happen while also trying to restore the Fire Emblem. As fate would have it, the twins begin running into some people not from their world. This includes characters from Awakening, Fates and Shadow Dragon. For unknown reasons, they’ve managed to end up in crossed dimensions and must team up in order to restore the world to order and find their way home.
Fire Emblem Warriors is most similar to its other Nintendo predecessor, Hyrule Warriors. The combat is typical of a Warriors title, using light and heavy attacks in order to pull out unique combos depending on the character. The main twist to Fire Emblem Warriors is the implementation of the weapon triangle. While in combat, enemies have up or down arrows displayed above them to quickly identify if the current character’s weapon is a good match or not. This corresponds to the basic weapon triangle with sword defeating axe, axe defeating spear and spears defeating swords. The weapon triangle is a major part of deciding how to strategize in combat, as going up against an enemy the character isn’t strong enough could lead to a lengthy fight or a potential quick death. Some enemies use other weapons like bows or tomes, which are almost equal with most other weapon types. Certain characters have a lower magical defense and will be weaker to tomes, while any character on a flying mount will be headed towards certain death if they’re near an archer. Weapon skills also play an important role as each one is capable of having up to six skills, not including special skills given to certain weapon types, which can aid in battle against specific types of enemies with a variety of skills from combat to defensive.
During missions, there’s almost always the option to select more than one character. As the weapon triangle plays a big role, whichever characters are strongest for that particular scenario are typically chosen. At any time during the match, the handful of selected fighters can be swapped. Even more useful, where the NPCs travel and even who they fight or defend can be controlled. While Warriors titles are typically known for their hack and slash combat, the more strategic element fits in well with the Fire Emblem settings as it’s important to make sure allies aren’t defeated in battle which could lead to a loss. In a nice Fire Emblem touch, characters on the battlefield can also team up in order to execute special attacks together. If both characters are from the playable roster, the player is able to freely switch between who is fighting when they’re teamed together. Characters who help each other in battle will also gain affinity once the battle has ended, which rewards useful items and makes it worth befriending characters with one another as much as possible.
After completing a handful of missions in the story mode, the other main feature of Fire Emblem Warriors is unlocked in the way of History mode. Within history mode a few different scenarios are unlocked, each with a small plot attached relating to a moment in a past Fire Emblem title. An enemy on the screen is selected to fight and a mission begins with occasionally unique objectives. Tasks include capturing keeps and defeating a boss similarly to a regular story mode mission, while others will be as simple as requiring a certain amount of enemies to be defeated in the allotted time. History Mode is the main way to unlock many extra content outside of Story Mode such as additional characters, weapons and class upgrade items. Each set of story mode missions ranges in difficulty and often requires completion within certain requirements in order to get S rank to unlock certain items.
Like most Warriors titles, Fire Emblem offers local multiplayer both in docked or handheld mode. A second player is able to join at any time before a mission and select available characters to help out a comrade. On handheld mode there is a noticeable drop in overall visual quality, but still manages to play fairly well with the correct settings. Docked mode improves the visual quality somewhat, but still decreases a bit in order to account for the large amount of enemies and actions going on both screens at once. Controls will differ slightly if players choose to use individual Joy-Cons to play together and while it works fairly well, using two full controllers is the more comfortable approach for playing longer periods of time. While it would have been nice if Fire Emblem Warriors had offered online features, the local multiplayer mode is still a lot of fun to play side by side with another person.
The main characters in most Fire Emblem titles tend to wield swords, and as a result the majority of the playable cast dons swords instead of some of the other available weaponry. It would have been nice if there was a bit more variety in weapons as Fire Emblem has no shortage of characters who use other weapons. Perhaps even some of the more unique categories such as shurikens, knives or clubs could have made an appearance to mix things up but players will have to pick from a small pool of axe and lance users in most battles. Those playing in handheld mode will notice the title does have a few frame drops during some of the heavier fighting, but fortunately there is an option to improve performance and slightly lower the overall visual quality to make things run a bit smoother.
Fire Emblem Warriors pays tribute to the most recent 3DS titles that helped the series take off in recent years. While it would have been more varied if they had included more than just a handful of characters from older entries, it still creates an enjoyable action packed spin-off for new and old Fire Emblem fans alike. Fire Emblem Warriors is an easy title to pick up and play at any time, regardless if just doing one mission or sitting down to grind for a full session. Whether a fan of the series or just looking for another title to play with friends, Fire Emblem Warriors makes for a great time with plenty of content to keep players coming back for more of its perfectly-captured action.
One thought on “Review: Fire Emblem Warriors”
Anyone play this on the 3ds? How is it in terms of preformance, and gameplay graphically (how many peeps on the screen at once and whatnot).

domain: entertainment


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UPDATED: South Windsor fire causes $200,000 damageBack to video
fire prevention officer Dave O’Neil said several crews responded to 2468 St. Patrick’s Ave. shortly before 11:30 a.m. Saturday for a report of a structure fire.
No injuries are reported. O’Neil said at this point, it is believed nobody was home at the time of the fire.
O’Neil said damage is estimated at $200,000.
A fire investigator has been dispatched to the scene to determine the cause and the investigation is ongoing, O’Neil said.
Notice for the Postmedia Network

domain: news


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Looking for a simple drawing of a rainbow? Ok sure — I’ve got that for you here… but since I love unique drawing prompts, I’m also going to share a few other ways to make rainbow art and painting that you might not have thought of yet.
Each of these rainbows is easy and fun. Don’t believe me? Just ask the magical Rainbow Princess I just drew, below!
The Easiest Rainbow Drawing
If you’ve found this article because you’re doing the drawing of rainbows yourself, the easiest way to start is with just the upward arc of a partial rainbow — not the arch. First do your line of red, then orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and a little blue for the sky, and you’re in business!
Below, I’ve drawn a variation on this rainbow arc art using the “marker” brush on the iPad app, Procreate. I couldn’t help but add in some extra colors because in general, I’m extra. Hehe. Double reverse rainbow on a purple sky for the win! Who says rainbow colors need to go in just one direction?
Rainbow Painting Tips
Ready to move on to the classic full arch of a rainbow drawing? It’s a little harder than expected, because getting the arch shape symmetrical is challenging. Because I was drawing the rainbow, below, using a digital art app, I was luckily able to use the “transform and warp” tool to pull my lopsided creation into a more pleasing semi-circle — though as you can see, it’s still not perfect.
I chose to keep those imperfections because there is so much artificially generated robot art out there these days that all touches of real human spark are needed. This piece of art uses the “Acrylic Paint” brush, then the smudge tool to make the lines softer. Yes, I have again created a double reverse rainbow with extra colors. Sorry (not sorry).
Arc vs. Arch
While we’re on the topic of rainbows — which are so often described as an “arc of a rainbow” or “rainbow arch,” we must clarify the difference between arc vs. arch. We must do this because I’m an English teacher enraptured by commonly confused words.
An arc is a noun defined as a curved line, resembling PART of the circumference of a circle. It is also a verb describing a trajectory or movement in that curved line shape. Usually it’s conceptualized as being up high, not resting on the ground. My second drawing in this article is more of an arc shape than an arch. The back of this cute snail drawing is an arc.
An arch is a noun meaning an upside-down “U” shape, usually visualized as having both ends resting on the ground. Picture the arch of your foot, or the arch of a rounded entryway, or look at my drawing, above, of the classic rainbow arch. “To arch” is also a verb, meaning to bend into an upside-down “U” shape, as in “to arch your back.”
Time-Lapse Video of Rainbow Art Drawing:
By the logic of these definitions, you could say EITHER “rainbow arc” or the “rainbow arch,” but you’d “arc” more correctly if you’re describing a curve that’s less than half a circle, and has only one or neither “legs” touching the ground. You’d use the latter more correctly if the rainbow being described had both ends visibly touching the ground.
Had enough of English definitions? Ok — back to rainbow art.
Beyond the Rainbow Arch
When making a drawing of a rainbow, why stop at a mere arch? What other shapes can be formed with the consecutive colors of the rainbow? Check out the smudged, square rainbow I drew, above, or the swirling rainbow below. I made the first with the Airbrush tool in Procreate (then the smudge), and the second with the Spray-paint brush followed by the Liquify tool.
A Rainbow Mandala
Ready to get even more wild? Try making a rainbow mandala! A “mandala” is defined as a form of art that is usually circular, with symmetrical patterns around it. On the Procreate digital app, you can create a mandala by turning on “Drawing Guide” then clicking “Edit Drawing Guide.” I used the “Studio Pen” brush under “Inking,” then set the background color to black.
Which Drawing of a Rainbow Do YOU Like?
You’ve now seen numerous options for attempting a drawing of a rainbow — from an easy rainbow, to the arc (vs. arch), to a square, swirl, and mandala. Oh, and let’s not forget my magical Rainbow Princess from the first drawing! (If you like her, meet her cousin in my “Drawing the Wind” article, or explore “Octopus Drawing: Easy.”) Of all these options, which rainbow art do YOU like the best? Do share!
Enjoy rainbow colors? Check out my new line of colorful clothing, cute frog drawing instructions, or the color explorations, “What Does Purple and Green Make?” and “What Do Yellow and Purple Make?“ and “What Does Red and Green Make?”
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!

domain: artistic


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Yin Yang Wall Art, Taijitu, Pink and Green Yin Yang, Repurposed Bottle Caps Gourd Wall Art - shipping included
The symbol has been created with upcycled pop tops. Complete pull tabs form the circle, pull tabs cut in half divide the circle. Two upcycled bottle caps are the interior dots. The top bottle cap features a rhinestone that flashes subtly when the light is just right.
The gourd is approximately 8.5 inches across and about 3.5 inches front to back.
I like to keep things simple. A hole has been drilled on the back of the gourd. Simply drive a nail or screw into the wall, line the hole up with the head of the nail and slip the gourd over it.
Ambient light can produce lovely shadows on the wall from the gourd.
The gourd will arrive in a recycled shipping box, nested in recycled packing material. A gourd sheet providing a brief overview of humankind's long relationship with gourds is included. If this is a gift (aren't you nice!), convo or message me and I'll send a hand-painted gift bag, and tissue (both made from post-consumer paper), no extra charge.
Domestic USPS shipping included in price.
Ships from United States
|ship to||cost||with another item|
|United States||$0.00 USD||$0.00 USD|
|Everywhere Else||$0.00 USD||$0.00 USD|
Reviews From EtsyReviewed by cbpb
Fabulous, fabulous, TEN star experience... way more fun than even the pictures can show. Ultimately chic and eternally pleasant! :o]Reviewed by Cathy
My Hickory spoon is beautiful! It will be displayed for awhile before I can use it. I love to just look at the quality work and beautiful wood.Reviewed by julsjam
Red, Green, Silver Mosaic 8" Mirror Star Suncatcher Christmas three hundred sixty five days a year! It's so sweet and sparkles, sparkles, sparkles! The box was packed and shipped in no time! Luv it! Great service!Reviewed by zabrnaz
Thank you so much for my beautiful memorial urn! It's beauty and sentiment touches my heart every time I look at it. Your patience and dedication to every detail is greatly appreciated, as is your talent and passion for the beautiful artwork you create, which shines at every angle. Thank you and looking forward to ordering again in the future!!!Reviewed by anuckols
The gourd turned out great and I have my Buddy's ashes in a nice place that is not depressing (like the urns you can get when your dog is cremated). Jan is very responsive and the images of my dog on the gourd bring back great memories. The whole process of sending images for the gourd made a very depressing loss much more bearable. Highly recommended.Reviewed by julsjam
I love it! I have wanted this piece for quite some time. . packed and shipped to perfection! Many Thanks!Reviewed by Christine Wilson
Wonderful seller and unique artwork. I love these pins! Thanks so much!Reviewed by sneikirk3
wow! it's amazing. My husband and I lit it right after I opened it. Our daughter will LOVE it! Thanks so much. And the natural coloring is perfect.Reviewed by Christine Wilson
These are just wonderful, thank you so much. Talented artist and excellent customer service.Reviewed by julsjam
What a wonderful piece of art! It's stunning and usable...it's a box! This piece is one of the finest gourds I have ever seen. Beautiful art and very thick walled! It should last for hundreds of years. I read about the artist; Jan Meng in a book titled; "Beyond the basics gourd art" by David Macfarlane. I have also seen her on T.V. and in galleries. I have collected gourd art for many years now. I must say she is at the top of her field and highly respected for her art! The piece was shipped at lighting speed and arrived in perfect condition! It was a pleasure dealing personally with Jan Meng! She kept me informed on every step of the shipment and it was packed to perfection. I must say I got a great deal on the piece! I have seen her work go for much more in the galleries. I will check etsy for more pieces. My fellow gourd art collecting friends are green with envy that I purchased a Jan Meng piece! I'm thrilled!Reviewed by eggshellmosaicgirl
Thank you so much for your assistance in surprise delivery of my order. The mystery remains...for now. It's perfect. Your wonderful pins are out anonymously spreading good will in the universe! Thanks so much.

domain: hobby


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25 Jul Fluoride & Tooth Decay. How Helpful is it Really?
Colgate (1) claims that treating your teeth with fluoride is a necessity to any oral care regimen. But just how necessary is it and is there such a thing as too much? Could a whiter smile be putting our health at risk?
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in some foods, soil, and in natural water sources. Once in the body, fluoride is absorbed in the blood through the digestive tract and collect in areas high in calcium such as teeth and bones. It has been previously found to be an effective means of strengthening tooth enamel and preventing tooth decay and has been referred to as “nature’s cavity fighter” by the American Dental Association (2). At high concentrations, fluoride helps fight off tooth decay by “poisoning” bacteria (e.g., streptococcus mutans) in the mouth by interfering with the enzymes.
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) classifies cavities as one most common diseases of childhood. Although, Fluoride is in 95% (3) of toothpaste sold in the United States, they found that drinking fluoridated water reduced tooth decay (cavities) by 25% in children and adults. As a result, they decided to infuse our drinking water sources with added fluoride as a cost- effective and available means to lowering the prevalence of cavities among the entire population. The CDC even went as far as to classify municipal water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century (4).
Still, a National Institute of Health (NIH) funded study (5) found no significant relationship between tooth decay and fluoride intake in children.
Fluoride was first added in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but now more than ¾ of the population drink fluoride water. However, the chemicals used to fluoridate the water are not pharmaceutical grade or natural, being Hydoflourosilicic Acid, Sodium Silicoflouride or Sodium Fluoride. These chemicals are produced synthetically by “wet scrubbers” (6) - systems of the commercial phosphate fertilizer industry. There is cause for concern since these fluoride chemicals are classified hazardous wastes and have been found contaminated with arsenic, a known carcinogenic. A link between water treated with silicoflourides and high levels of lead in blood has also been reported.
However, countries who do not fluoridate their water have also seen a drop (7) in cavities over the years. Because of this, 97% of Europe has rejected water fluoridation. So just how effective and necessary is adding fluoride to water in preventing tooth decay?
The chemical was originally added to water because it was found to reduce tooth decay in children, not adults. However, with it being added to water sources the adult intake is unnecessary and actually harmful. Now, both adults and children are overexposed to the chemical. Fluoride is most effective in preventative oral care when applied topically (8) to the teeth, not when ingested where it can enter the bloodstream and affect brain function. When not ingested, minimizing the amount swallowed is considered “generally” safe and effective. So, Fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash products would be sufficient in itself. However, doses still exceed the recommended intake from toothpaste alone.
Is it harmful?
Although Fluoride is not an essential nutrient, meaning integral to any biological process, it may interfere with other vital processes. Despite this, it is still added to virtually all municipal water supplies and apparent in the majority of toothpastes found on the store shelf.
Every toothpaste and mouthwash sold in the US now comes with a poison warning. A single tube of bubble gum flavoured Colgate-for-Kids toothpaste contains enough fluoride (143mg) to kill a child weighing about 66lbs or 30kg. Acute fluoride poisoning (9) can occur at doses as low as 0.1 to 0.3 mg per kg bodyweight and is most common in children under 6 due to incomplete development of their swallowing reflex and the appealing candy flavours provided by the companies. This can present itself as gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and flu-like symptoms. Today, there are over 23,000 reports a year.
Dental Fluorosis or tooth discoloration is a defect in tooth enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth-forming years (ages 0-8). In mild cases, it causes white splotches on teeth but in more severe cases in can cause brown and black staining as well as crumbling of the enamel. Currently, the CDC tells us that about 41% (10) of children in the United States have dental fluorosis. It was found that fluoridated areas have higher levels of dental fluorosis than non- fluoridated areas.
About 50% of ingested (11) fluoride is absorbed in the bones and teeth. There, it can calcify the tissues in the bones and pineal gland. Fluoride actually accumulates at the highest levels in the pineal gland (12), the space between the two brain hemispheres and often referred to as your third eye. In many cultures, this space between your brows is responsible for conscience, spiritual consciousness, intuition, and insight. The calcification of the pineal gland may cause depression, Alzheimer’s disease, or bipolar disorder. It is also responsible for the synthesis and secretion of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin regulates the body’s circadian rhythm (sleep-wake structure) and regulates puberty. A reduction in melatonin can lead to hormonal imbalances and increased chance of earlier onset puberty.
Fluoride (7) stimulates bone cell growth, alters the tissue’s structure, and weakens the skeleton. When used as an experimental treatment because of its ability to increase bone health, the study actually concluded that fluoride actually increased fracture rates (13), even in the absence of any physical trauma. So, the strength of bone declines with increasing fluoride levels.
Fluoridation also may cause bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Although, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) finds the evidence inconclusive, many studies have found a higher rate of osteosarcoma in young men in fluoridated areas (14) versus unfluoridated. This may be due to its ability to interfere with the enzymes involved in DNA cell and tissue repair and cause chromosome damage.
A study (15) in Mexico, found that pregnant women with higher levels of fluoride were more likely to have children with symptoms of ADHD, especially inattention. This could be partially due to thyroid hormone insufficiency in the pregnant mothers which can alter children’s levels of dopamine- a vital element in behavioural development (16). In fact, the highest doses of fluoride are to bottle-fed babies (17) which puts them at major risk for dental fluorosis and toxicity.
High amounts of fluoride can lead to thyroid (18)problems. A Canadian study found that those with iodine deficiency (a mineral crucial to thyroid health and helps flush fluoride from the system) and who had high amounts of fluoride also had higher levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. Just a small increase in this hormone can pose serious problems such as hypothyroidism which can cause fatigue, disrupted heart rate, and altered metabolism. With 18% of nearly 7 million people studied being deficient in iodine, fluoride exposure puts them at risk.
Impaired Glucose Metabolism
Relatively small doses of fluoride show significantly higher levels of glucose in blood and decreased insulin levels. This calls into the question the correlation between the prevalence of diabetes (19) and fluoride intake. Therefore, it is recommended that diabetics might use low or no-fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride is an enzyme/endocrine disruptor and neurotoxin. In addition to these effects of its consumption, Fluoride may also cause skin rashes or perioral dermatitis, stomatitis, lower IQ, and arthritic symptoms.
Fluoride has many adverse effects on human health problems, while having only a modest impact on dental care prevention. There is no control over how much we intake with it in our water making us unaware of its harm in our bodies. Even if fluoride may help prevent tooth decay, additional amounts should be avoided from our water sources since high levels can be dangerous.
Here are some tips if you choose to avoid or limit your exposure to fluoride:
- Switch to non- fluoride toothpastes: There are great toothpaste alternatives that use natural ingredients like charcoal, baking soda, and coconut oil.
- Drink bottled water: But this can be harmful to the environment and often other bottled waters can contain fluoride- Choose alkaline water which will help regulate your body’s pH level.
- Get a fluoride water filter: Use a reverse osmosis water filter or gravity fed system certified and tested to remove at least 97% of fluoride
- Eat organic! Avoid red meat, sodas, and artificial foods and drinks since all contain levels of fluoride and are highly acidic.
- Eat super foods like spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, kale, broccoli and raw cacao to aid is decalcification.
- Supplement- Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, and Vitamin A all help strengthen and promote healthy teeth and bones.
- Avoid tap water in big cities (20) where water is usually fluoridated.
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For more information visit: https://drcesarlara.com
Follow Dr Lara @drcesarara on your favorite social media platform

domain: chemistry


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BANK OF AMERICA AND MERRILL LYNCH CARDHOLDERS CELEBRATE SPRING
WITH MUSEUMS ON US®
Cardholders in New York City and Long Island will receive free admission on Saturday, April 7 and
Sunday, April 8
WHAT: Bank of America and Merrill Lynch’s Museums on Us offers free access to New York City and Long Island cardholders
WHEN: Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8 (and the first full weekend of each month)
Check participating museums’ days and hours of operation for the holiday weekend
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York Hall of Science
New-York Historical Society
Rubin Museum of Art
Staten Island Children’s Museum
Whitney Museum of American Art
Old Westbury Gardens
Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
WHY: Bank of America has strong long-term relationships with an array of institutions including museums, science centers, botanical gardens and aquariums in the United States and created Museums on Us to promote these institutions and provide a free cultural benefit to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers.
DETAILS: Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented at the time of visit. One free general admission limited to each cardholder at a participating institution, excluding fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month. Not to be combined with other offers.
Bank of America is offering its customers a way to celebrate spring and enjoy the warming temperatures with Museums on Us. The program is giving bank cardholders free admission to some of the most exciting cultural venues nationwide, including the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Seattle Art Museum. As part of Museums on Us, more than 150 leading U.S. cultural institutions, in 91 cities across the country, open their doors to bank cardholders on the first full weekend of each month. Other upcoming weekends include: May 5-6 and June 2-3.
Museums on Us – a national program – includes some of the country’s favorite cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City,Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami, FL and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, CA. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.


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The embattled former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda, has confessed that he gave a total of N600m cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP for the 2015 general election.
In his confession at EFCC, he listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo (South -East); and Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).
He said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to
Yuguda, who made the revelations in a Statement of Witness/Caution which he wrote on oath, said he sent N200m to the erstwhile PDP Governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Bello Sarkin Yaki.
He said a former Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, also got N100million.
The statement is part of the proof of evidence against the former minister whose trial is scheduled to commence this week at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Yuguda will stand trial with ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir Attahiru; Dalhatu Ltd.
The ex-minister is expected to account for over N3.050billion including N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA and aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services.
The ex-minister said: “For the cash disbursement of N600million, it was meant for the six zonal chairmen for Contact and Mobilisation Committees for Election of 2015. The chairmen are Bode George, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi; Peter Odili; Attahiru Bafarawa; Jim Nwobodo; Ahmadu Ali. The sum of N100million was given to each chairman. I gave the money in company of Prof. Alkali, who was Political Adviser to former president. The zonal chairmen are for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I also instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer the sum of N100m to Dalhatu Limited on the request of Attahiru Bafarawa.
“I also remember that Bello Sarkin Yaki was among the people that the then NSA instructed that I send the sum of N200million to. He was the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State.”
Yuguda, who claimed he had liaised with Stallion Limited, gave the details of other disbursements.
His words: “I knew the chairman of Stallion Limited whose second name I cannot remember. Between December 2014 to June 2015, on the instruction of the then NSA, I introduced Jabbama Limited to a staff of the company on the instruction of the chairman.
“When the account was in credit, disbursement was made from time to time on the instruction of the then NSA. Part in foreign exchange or transfers.
“I wish to add that sometime in February 2015, I instructed Jabbama to transfer the sum of N300m to BAM Properties. The account was given to me by Bello Haliru as one of the people the former NSA requested me to give money. I also remember that Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi was sent the sum of N100million on the instruction of the then NSA.
“Further to my statement of 30th November, 2015, I have brought the sum of $829,800(equivalent to N200m) and N600m was given to me to distribute to the six PDP Zonal Committee chairmen. I don’t know who are the directors of Dalhatu Investment Limited but funds were transferred to the company’s account on the instruction of Dalhatu Bafarawa for the total amount of N1.5billion received from the then NSA by Jabbama Limited.
“I shall endeavour to recover the sum of N600million given to the six zonal PDP committee chairmen, while I appeal to the commission to use their machineries to trace the remaining balance of the money transferred to various accounts.”


WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said “this was not the language used” after reports that he referred to “s***hole” African nations in a meeting.
Trump tweeted Friday amid criticism over his comments during a White House meeting Wednesday. The White House has not denied the language, nor have the several Republican lawmakers in the meeting.
Three people briefed on the conversation said Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “s***hole countries” in Africa instead of places such as Norway.
“The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made — a big setback for DACA!” the president tweeted.
Earlier, Trump said a bipartisan immigration proposal is “a big step backwards.” He tweeted that it would force the U.S. “to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly.”
He also said the “so-called bipartisan” deal didn’t fund a wall along the Mexican border.
“I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs.”AlertMe


text:
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2018 8:52 PM
Subject: Ship Ahoy House Dressing
I’m looking for the original recipe for the house salad dressing from the
defunct Ship Ahoy Restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was similar to a
remoulade and served over a wedge of iceberg lettuce. Ship Ahoy closed in
the mid 70’s if I recall correctly and had been an excellent seafood
restaurant for many years. I have seen ‘copycat’ recipes but would really
like the original.
I'm afraid that the only available recipes for this are the copycats.
In 2008, the Hill Family (owners of Ship Ahoy) wrote this to a San
Antonio Express News food writer, Karen Haram:
San Antonio Express News posted 09/17/2008 12:00 CDT
They wrote: 'First, the Thousand Island dressing recipe has never been
published in a cookbook ... (so) any recipe ... would have been from some
other source, not ours.'
However, the Hills note that 'as for the recipe that was published, we
will concede that it is partially correct.'
It seems that one customer was told this by a restaurant employee:
I asked them if they'd give me the recipe back when they were still in
business. They laughed and said - sure - it's simply Thousand Island dressing
with horseradish sauce. I use about a TBSP horseradish sauce to a cup of
Thousand Island. You're welcome! .
That site is a message board regarding Ship Ahoy. The copycat recipe that
the Hills said is "partially correct" and that is found in various places on
the Internet is there also, as well as being posted below.
Ship Ahoy Salad Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup bottled chili sauce
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons finely chopped green or red sweet pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or prepared horseradish
1.In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and chili sauce. Stir in relish, sweet
pepper onion, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or horseradish.
2.Serve immediately or cover and store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Before serving, if necessary, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons milk until dressing
reaches desired consistency.
3.Makes 1-1/2 cups
Thanks for the info. Disappointing that there is no original available though I’ll
give the copycat a try. The original was so gooood you could eat it like a dip.
My choice was with triscuts. After moving to San Antonio, whenever we went back to
Corpus we would stop and buy a large container to take home. Makes my mouth water
just thinking of how good it was. Oh, those long ago days!
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2018 11:52 PM
Subject: Blood sausage
My Grandmother from Norway made a blood sausage in a canvas bag about 3” x 12” and tied it up.
She would collect blood from people butchering pigs. She would go out with a cheese cloth and
ice in the bucket. She would stir it to cool it fast. Here is the recipe she had.
Lots of holes in it.
We would cut it into 1/2” pieces and fry it in butter.
Could you please help fill in the blanks?
Here is that recipe, as I read it, transcribed from the photo or scan:
1 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup onions
1/2 cup brown sugar
allspice, ginger, cloves, ginger
salt and pepper. flour
tallow. Don’t fill sacks too full
and tie with good string .
Soak in water after head has
I found a few recipes with similar ingredients, but nothing very close. Most recipes have allspice,
and a few have either ginger or cloves instead, but I didn’t find any that have all three. I don’t
understand the “head” that is referred to. Is It the pig’s head? Also, I’m no expert, but doesn’t
this recipe sound more like blood pudding than blood sausage? Maybe the terms are interchangeable?
Blood sausages are usually in hog casings, I thought?
This may be a family recipe of your grandmother’s family and therefore it may not exist anywhere else.
For some idea of typical Norwegian blood sausage recipes, see the recipes on these sites:
The Nordic Cookbook
I’ll post this for reader input.
The pigs head I think was to create a soup type stock to give flavor to the blood sausage when
they boiled it. My Grandma passed away 15 years ago she was 98. A great cook but she did most
by memory. She probably learned the recipe from her Mother that came from Norway on the west
coast. Thanks for your help.
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2018 11:47 AM
Subject: Bill Knapp's Tuna Salad Recipe
Dear Uncle Phaedrus,
I read on your website that someone was looking for a tuna salad recipe from the Bill Knapp restaurants.
Well, I don't really have one, but I grew up in Michigan in the 70's and 80's, and Bill Knapp restaurants
were highly respected. A neighbor gave my sister and me a recipe for what the two of us have always
considered to be a "killer" tuna salad. No other tuna salad recipe has ever come close to being as good
as this one, nor have I ever seen it written up anywhere. It has that classic tuna salad taste we grew up
with, but amped up by 1000%. I have been making it for the past 40 years, and know it by heart. I know my
Michigan connection makes this tenuous, but I wonder if this might not be what that person is looking for.
1 6 oz. can of tuna, drained and flaked
1 or 1-1/2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 boiled egg, large, chopped
1/4 C. Mayonnaise (could also be Miracle Whip)
1/4 C. Sour cream
2 T. Sweet pickle relish, slightly drained
Dump all the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
This recipe scales up very well.
It works equally well with either store-bought mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. I would be leery of using home-made
mayo as I don't think it would capture that "classic" tuna salad taste -- especially if made with any amount
if olive oil!
You can increase the mayonnaise and sour cream to make the salad creamier, or reduce it to make it chunkier,
but keep the proportions 1:1.
My sister adds chopped onions, but to my recollection, that wasn't a part of the original recipe.
The person who wrote recently wanting the Bill Knapp’s tuna salad recipe was a former employee of Bill
Knapp’s, so I don’t think he’d be happy with a recipe unless it was the real thing from Bill Knapp’s or
unless it had a solid connection to Bill Knapp’s.
However, people are always looking for a good tuna salad recipe, so I’ll post yours for my readers.

domain: food


text:
Each year, the Georgia Library Association presents our legislators with a Debi Davis print. A big thank you to Mumford Books, which generously sponsors this project.
This year, we’ll be delivering one print for each elected official and small candy bag for each staff member on Tuesday, February 16th. It’s another chance to talk libraries at the Gold Dome. There are two locations with offices: the Capitol and the Coverdell building across the street. In addition to the 236 representatives and senators, there are other officers in the Capitol (Secretary of State, Secretary of the Senate, the Governor’s Office, etc.) who will also be getting prints. We need your help:
Monday, February 15:
Creating the candy bags to give staff members. Each office has at least 1 staff member; some have more. We’ll need at least 500 bags. The more the merrier! Drop by from 4-7 pm at the GPLS office at 1800 Century Place NE, Suite 150.
Tuesday, February 16:
We need a minimum of 4 people: 2 for the Coverdell building, one for the Capitol, and one to stay with the prints in the hallway. It would go a lot faster with 10 or 15 people! Meeting at 10:30 am at the Capitol.

domain: politics


text:
When searching on line for family descendants it is very easy to give up too soon. So I thought I would encourage you, and tell you to persist and to enjoy the journey of finding someone. The advice always given to beginners is to ‘start with what you know’. Which in most cases is the person’s name. However names aren’t always the most reliable piece of information as I have discovered on a few occasions.
In my own family tree I have Queenie, Doll and Babe. Putting these names in a search engine brings nothing. However when you find another member of their family, a brother called William for example, you can then look at the England Census for the time period and see who else lived in the house.
The photograph above is of my maternal grandmother (Queenie) and her family taken in the early 1900s. Her mother is Elizabeth, and looking at the England Census for 1911 we can see that at that time Elizabeth was the head of the house, widowed and aged 51. Also at the address of 74 Chestnut Avenue, Walthamstow were five sons and one daughter. The daughter’s name is May Annie Doris Cockett, and she is aged six years.
Then by looking back at birth certificates I note my mother was born ‘May Annie Doris’ and her mother was listed as being named ‘May Annie Doris’ as well. So ‘Queenie’ must have been a pet family name for her.
Her older sister, who I knew was referred to as ‘Doll’ isn’t named in the 1911 Census, but by looking back at the 1891 Census 20 years previously there is a daughter named Jane Nellie aged 5. It would seem she had been called ‘Doll’.
There are also examples of this difficulty in my father’s family, with Grace Cleeve being known as ‘Babe’ and Joe, John and Jack being interchangeable!
I have had great fun tracking down these family members, and getting to know their descendants. A few weeks ago I made contact with Doll’s family, which was wonderful. So in searching for family members be prepared to go sideways and look for the cousins of grandparents or even who lived in the same street. They may have some stories to tell you, or photographs to show. Enjoy the journey.

domain: history


text:
The recommendation from staff was to reject it, but Paradise councillors weren’t comfortable with that idea Tuesday when they voted to send a proposal for a 67-lot subdivision back to committee for a second chance at approval.
Three major stores in the Goulds have closed, or are in the process of closing, something Ward 5 Councillor Wally Collins believes is a sign of the economic times in Newfoundland.
By Craig Westcott | The Shoreline
Holyrood’s volunteer fire department is expanding its range of coverage to take in the old Witless Bay Line as far as the town limits of Bay Bulls and Witless Bay.
Holyrood councillor Jim Joy said when the original service agreement was put forward by the Eastern Regional Service Board for fire protection in the area from the TransCanada Highway to Butterpot Park and Holyrood, the plan was for the Holyrood department to handle the Witless Bay Line as well.
“But the town (Holyrood) withdrew its request due to the Town of Witless Bay’s indication to provide such service,” Joy said. “Over the past few years, the Town of Witless Bay has not provided the fire service. At the request of 911, the Holyrood fire department has been providing this service.”
In the new agreement, the Town of Holyrood will be paid to provide firefighting and vehicle extraction services on the old Witless Bay Line, Joy said.
“I think it’s great that the Town of Holyrood is able to offer service to the Witless Bay Line area,” said councillor Kevin Costello. “I think it speaks highly of the calibre of the volunteer firefighters we have on staff.”
Deputy Mayor Curtis Buckle echoed that view. “As councillor Joy indicated, we’ve been doing the Salmonier Line and Middle Gull Pond areas for a while and it’s been working very well,” said Buckle, who chaired Tuesday’s council meeting in the absence of Mayor Gary Goobie who was working. “It’s just as well to have it (the Witless Bay Line) as part of it. If something happens in that area, Bay Bulls won’t respond so we’re getting the call anyway and it’s just as well for us to get the compensation for services in that area.”
Joy said the willingness of Holyrood’s volunteer firefighters to take on the additional work shows their true commitment to their role. “They obviously deserve a lot of credit and respect,” Joy said.
Chief Administrator Officer Gary Corbett said Holyrood will receive some $4,600 a year to provide the additional service. The Eastern Regional Service Board charges cabin owners on the Witless Bay Line $50 a year for fire protection.
By Craig Westcott | The Shoreline
In what appears to be a case of you really have to build it in order for more people to come, the Town of Paradise has placed a $9 million water tower at the head of a list of capital works projects it is submitting to the provincial and federal governments for funding.
All told the list of capital works projects weighs in at some $48 million.
“Over the years I’ve been referring to this as our Christmas wish list,” said councillor Deborah Quilty, who chairs the town’s infrastructure and public works committee.
The other projects on the list, Quilty said, include $4.6 million worth of water and sewer installations on Stephens Road, Neary Road, Windmill Road, Bayview Heights and Moonlight Drive; a $2.7 million upgrade of Paradise Road from Archibald Drive to St. Thomas Line; $4.5 million for an indoor turf facility; nearly $3.2 million for the widening of St. Thomas Line from Ridgewood Drive to a new roundabout; $42.8 million in lift station upgrades; $13.6 million for upgrades to Evergreen Village; and $7.4 million for the upgrading of Topsail Road from Paradise Road to the overpass.
“There are some big, hefty numbers there,” Quilty allowed, after she cited the projects at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“Those are in a priority list as you read them out,” Mayor Dan Bobbett pointed out.
Referring to the list later in the meeting, councillor Stirling Willis emphasized how important the proposed water tower for Neil’s Pond Ridge is to the town’s plans for growth.
Willis said the water reservoir is the number one priority.
“The town is growing so big as we all know, the water supply that we have now on Camrose Drive is not sufficient for the developments that are going ahead for the future development of the town,” Willis said.
Willis explained the need for more water will become more important as the town sees more development of land above the 160-metre contour of elevation, which will entail pumping more water uphill to supply users. “With this new reservoir, we would be able to address water issues at the higher levels,” he said.
Mayor Bobbett noted the maximum height at which development can occur in Paradise now is 160 metres above sea level. “With the new water tower, we can get up to 195 (metres),” he added.
Willis said the town needs such a tower not only for residential water supply, but also to maintain fire protection services. He urged council not to be remiss in making it the number one priority for capital works funding applictions. “Sometimes we do have places in town (now) that do witness low water pressure,” Willis said. “This (proposed) reservoir will eliminate all those issues that we have now.”
At that, Mayor Bobbett was quick to clarify there is no issue currently with the water pressure in the community. “We’re meeting the acceptable limits for fire protection at this moment,” he said.
But future growth - whether industrial, commercial or residential - is another matter, the mayor conceded. “We’ve got some 380 infill lots that will not go ahead if we don’t approve this going forward,” he said. “We’re looking at the entire town as a whole when we look at this… We have landmass for growth throughout the town... But we’ve still got to look at those (contour) levels. This piece of infrastructure will give us the ability to develop up to the 195 contour.”
After the meeting, Bobbett said the amount of the $9 million project that the town will have to fund, if the provincial and federal governments approve the application, will depend on whatever funding arrangement is in place at the time.
Neils Pond Ridge is the same vicinity where the town’s first junior high school is proposed for construction, he added. “Right now, to install the school up there, they’ll probably have to put in booster pumps, like Elizabeth Park Elementary did to get the proper pressure,” Bobbett said.
The last development the Town approved at the 160-contour, Bobbett added, was the seven-building retail plaza being constructed near the Town Hall.
“For future growth of the town this (water tower) is needed,” Bobbett said. “It’s deemed by all of council that this is the number one priority that we will request money for and we’re looking at approximately $9 million right now, and that’s an estimate for the water tower only.”
Bobbett conceded the price is steep. “But again, you’re talking about future growth for the entire Town of Paradise for the next 25 years or more,” he said.
The town’s chief administrative officer, Lisa Niblock, is currently talking with officials with the St. John’s Regional Water Authority to see who will take on the responsibility of maintaining the tower once it is built.
Tired of waiting for the provincial government to take action, Holyrood councillor Kim Ghaney called on her colleagues Tuesday as well as residents, businesses and other municipalities to get moving on a ban of single use plastic shopping bags.
Ghaney made the recommendation during her recreation and community events committee report.
Ghaney noted the subject of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador's resolution calling on the province to ban the bags was recently discussed at the committee.
"To date we've had no updates from government, though we have sent communication to them," the councillor said. "Despite the fact that all municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador support a ban on single use plastic bags we've not received any correspondence from them."
Ghaney said the leader of the Official Opposition, PC Leader Ches Crosbie, has come out in support of a ban and some towns in the province have already implemented a ban or are considering it. A number of businesses have also taken the initiative to stop using the bags, she added.
"We have in the past discussed options around plastics management in our town, such as supporting MNL and e-mailing the provincial government, but we haven't had any movement to date," said Ghaney. "I feel it is time that we as a council engage with our community business partners to start a conversation around single use plastic bag management. I believe we need to make this a priority in the coming weeks to arrange some discussions to get the ball rolling. We clearly, in my opinion, cannot wait on the actions of the province, because to date there haven't been any. I think it is an important thing for our environment that we take some action on that."
The City of Mount Pearl is hiring Target Marketing to spruce up the city’s image.
Target will be paid $113,925 to develop a marketing, communications and economic development campaign.
Corporate and Community Services committee chairman Andrew Ledwell said a Request for Proposals was called to find a firm for the work.
"We entertained a number of proposals from various marketing and consulting firms," said Ledwell. "And based on the analysis of the proposal, both financially and their ability to do the work, we've determined that we would like to award the project to Target Marketing & Communications. We've reviewed this as a committee and certainly see that this is the way forward for us. We expect a quality piece of work from Target and deem them capable of doing just that."
By Craig Westcott | The Pearl
Lucy Stoyles was the only member of Mount Pearl council who voted against a proposal earlier this month to erect a telecommunications tower on Commonwealth Avenue.
The application for the 155-foot high structure was from Eastlink, a major wireless communications provider in Atlantic Canada.
"It's going to be located in the back yard perhaps of 201 to 203 Commonwealth Avenue," said councillor Andrew Ledwell, noting the structure will have an "anti-climb" apparatus to protect it and will sit on a three metre by two metre base enclosed within a 12 metre by 12 metre fenced-in area.
The zoning for the area is Commercial/Mixed. The location is near storage units going towards the end of Commonwealth Avenue on the Brookfield Road side.
"As we know the majority of the properties (in the area) are commercial industries or light industrial uses," Ledwell noted. "This particular tower is a discretionary use."
The application was originally submitted in the fall of 2017, which spurred a review within City Hall as to how it looks at such proposals, Ledwell said.
"There was a public consultation process that was undertaken at the time when we first received the application," Ledwell added. "We scheduled a briefing session for Nov. 7, 2017, as well as circulated notices to all residents within the 150-metre radius of the proposed tower. We didn't receive any commentary and therefore the briefing session was cancelled."
Ledwell said the application has been referred to the various government departments that have a say in the erection of such facilities. After much discussion at council's planning committee, he added, it is recommending to council that the tower be approved.
"It is a discretionary use and of course if council supports the tower the colour, location and design of the tower as well as the landscaping in the area and on the site have to be considered," Ledwell said.
Stoyles seconded Ledwell's motion to approve the tower, but only so that a discussion could be had about it. "I certainly will be speaking against the motion," said Stoyles. "I know we need technology and we need towers."
But Stoyles said the application initially came in for a location behind Mount Pearl Square on Topsail Road and it was turned down. "Then the planning department tried to look at what areas in the city we could actually put these towers in. Our staff did a great job over the past number of months working with Eastlink and communications people looking at where towers could go."
Stoyles said she has a couple of issues with the proposal. First off, she said, such towers should be erected out on the highway, on Pitts Memorial Drive, outside residential areas. "The second thing is, even if we vote no, Industry Canada could turn around and say the tower is going to go wherever they want it. Even though we're voting, they have the final decision."
The councillor said another issue she has is with the number of households that were contacted for their response to the application. "Where the tower is going there's not a whole lot of people within the scope of where we would send out the notices," she said. "So nobody came, because nobody got the notices." Stoyles said the notices should have been sent to a wider radius around the tower to take in more streets.
"I just can't justify voting in favour of it, so I'll be voting against it," Stoyles concluded.
Mayor Dave Aker said his understanding is that Industry Canada will generally follow the wishes of the municipality.
"Not always," said Stoyles.
"But in our experience here in Mount Pearl, I don't think they've ever authorized one without our blessing or cooperation," Aker replied.
Deputy Mayor Jim Locke said he appreciates Stoyles' points. "My thinking on this is we worked with industry and … we basically said, 'We'll identify the areas that are better suited for this, rather than the residential neighbourhoods. The one behind Mount Pearl Square would have been right in the residential neighbourhood… Where this is located in the general commercial (area) to me is an ideal situation from intrusiveness. Now it's going to be 43 metres, which is going to be a tall tower, but again, we do need the technology... If we want the increased service and bandwidths and the high level of service that our residents are desiring, we have to put in the infrastructure. It has to go somewhere.... So, I'm in support of this particular application."
Ledwell agreed with Locke. "I'm all for protecting people's privacy and the character of our neighbourhoods, but ultimately we all carry devices like this in our pocket," he said. "Rightly or wrongly, this is the way the world works these days and we are often complaining if the network doesn't work. So, the fact of the matter is we need these types of towers whether they are sightly to look at or not, frankly. And we have to be willing to work with Industry Canada and the various companies in the industry to find places that are suitable for these types of telecommunications towers."
Situating such a tower in a commercial and industrial area on Commonwealth Avenue is probably among the best places in the city for such infrastructure, he added. "That's why I'm bringing in the motion today and that's why I'm going to be voting in support of it."
Put to the vote, the motion to approve the tower was approved with Stoyles offering the lone nay.
By Craig Westcott | The Pearl
As Canada celebrates Small Business Week this week, people in this region find themselves in the strange paradox of living in a province with the highest unemployment rate in Canada, but also a market where employers are, in some cases, starved for talent.
The Mount Pearl - Paradise Chamber of Commerce tried to address that conundrum last month by holding a job at the Reid Community Centre. Some 29 companies set up booths to meet prospective employees and take resumes from the 250 or so job seekers who showed up.
Among them were three students from Bangladesh, Marium Oishee, Fabiha Darannum and Samiha Subah.
“It was pretty good," Oishee said of the job fair. "There were lots of employers from different fields."
Oishee is looking for part time work, preferably in retail, while she completes her studies.
"The job fair was pretty good, actually," agreed Darannum, a business administration student at the College of the North Atlantic. "It was the first time I attended one, so I was nervous, but it was good."
Darannum said it is tough finding work in the St. John's area.
"I am also looking for a part time job, because I am going to start my education this winter semester," said Subah. "So I'm looking for a part time job, hopefully in retail, or a coffee shop."
Subah said she hopes to live in Canada as a citizen someday. "But the education is the most important part (for coming here now)," she said. "Once I'm done with my education, hopefully, if possible, I will try to live here."
All three live in St. John's. Getting around to job interviews is difficult, Oishee admitted, because they don't have a car.
The chamber's executive director, Wanda Palmer, said there was a good reason for holding the job fair. "Our community needed it," said Palmer. "We have members, and businesses, who are starving for employees."
Reflecting on the number of people who came looking for work, Palmer observed, "That's telling you something."
Palmer said the employers were pleased with the turn out. "They had a fabulous turnout today," said Palmer. "The couldn't get over the quality and quantity of people who came through."
The chamber's vice president, Dave Halliday, who was also on hand for the event, was with a company that reflected some of the reason for the disconnect between the high unemployment rate and companies needing talented people.
"We're in a unique position because we've only been in this market under the Bonshaw name for one year now," said Halliday, a marketing consultant with Bonshaw Media, a digital marketing company. "So we've been kind of going through a start-up phase, kind of just getting out the brand of Bonshaw. So it's been challenging in that way, because nobody really knew who Bonshaw was... We only operate with a team of three people here in St. John's, but over the next year we'll probably be looking at a little more growth and taking on a few more people."
Halliday said the job fair was bigger in terms of employer and job seeker turnout than one held last spring.
City takes next step in Kenmount Hill development scheme
By Craig Westcott | The Pearl
Mount Pearl council has approved the hiring of a commissioner to hold another hearing on amendments to its City Plan to accommodate the Kenmount Hill Comprehensive Development Scheme, but not without an ear to the growing opposition from some people already living on the hill.
"This is a framework for the future growth of this area," said councillor Lucy Stoyles earlier this month in introducing the motion to hire the commissioner and amend the City’s municipal plan.
With the zoning deemed Mixed Development, it will allow for various housing styles with links to recreation spaces and accommodation for commercial uses west of Mount Carson Avenue, she explained.
"This is private land, private developers have come in to us (to develop it)," Stoyles said, noting up to a few years ago the land could not be developed because of regulations against construction of properties above the 190-metre height of land.
That rule was changed by the previous PC administration and the City of St. John's just prior to the development of Galway, which is also above the 190-metre contour, sparking a small rush towards development in similarly situated areas.
"When I first got elected to council 20 years ago, it was never seen that this land would be developed," Stoyles admitted. "We never dreamed that we would be here today talking about this land. So, in a sense, it's really good news for the City that we have a lot of land and a lot of growth to continue here within our city."
Stoyles said the City has followed all the public briefing requirements for the development plan and held public hearings and even an extra open house. Among the issues raised by people, she added, were concerns about traffic, water and sewer infrastructure, zoning changes, property values and the enjoyment of open spaces for recreation.
"We heard everybody's concerns," said Stoyles.
On August 22, Stoyles said, the plan was sent to the Department of Municipal Affairs for an environmental review. That came back okay in September. The next step, she said, is to hold a public hearing.
"Again, the people in that area can come out and have their say again to an independent commissioner and be heard," Stoyles said. "At the end of the day, this land is going to be developed because the City can’t afford to buy land and say we're not going to do anything with it. It's not our land."
"We're the regulator," said Mayor Dave Aker.
Something is going to be built on that land, Stoyles said, arguing it is the responsibility of council to regulate the type of development that does take place to protect the best interests of the city. "And we're going to try and do that to the best of our ability," said Stoyles.
Commissioner George Trainor will hold the public hearing on October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Pearlgate Track & Field Complex.
"There are two main things we're doing here," said Aker. "We're amending our Mount Pearl Municipal Plan, which is the overarching document form the provincial government - you could call it our constitution. We're also amending our development regulations, which gives council the authority to approve the development of land according to the standards we have set."
Before proceeding to a vote, Aker asked if there was anyone opposed to those changes.
"First of all, I just want to say I am not opposed to development in the area," responded councillor Isabelle Fry. "This has been a learning process. One of the things that stands out to me is the extreme difference between what's there and what's being proposed... I also have a concern with the traffic in the area. I don't feel comfortable yet with the whole roundabout and how it's going to connect."
Fry said she would like to see development there. "There are a number of things here (of concern) for me," she added. "It's the passion of the residents and their strong belief in having questions answered. I don't know what can be done about it. I want to acknowledge it has been a difficult discussion for all of us."
Fry said another concern is the City's plan to limit the construction of single-family homes in favour of multi-unit structures, creating a heavier density.
"One of the challenges with this whole area that we're rezoning is that there are multiple property owners and each of them have different development objectives," said Mayor Aker. "The swath of land starts on the southern part of Kenmount Road and works its way all the way across Wyatt Boulevard all the way over to Blackmarsh Road. There are multiple developers... On the residential side, which is more on the Wyatt Boulevarde side - that's the area that we've received the most feedback and I think we're all the most sensitive to - I believe the developer would like to meet the needs of families and residents of Mount Pearl, as well as the region, with as many different types of housing as possible... That's what newer residents want. But in this particular situation, some of the older residents don't want change."
But Aker noted with each round of public consultation, council has amended its course regarding the proposed scheme. And as each development application proceeds in the future, it will have to come before council for review.
Fry said she just wanted to put her concerns on the record "and make it clear how tough this is on some of the residents."
By Craig Westcott | The Irish Loop Post
Innovate or die. That’s the message Fermuese native and technology entrepreneur Karl Kenny delivered earlier this month as the guest speaker at the Celtic CBDC’s annual general meeting held in Bay Bulls during Small Business Week.
Kenny, who got his first introduction to the important of technology to the modern world as a member of the Canadian navy, sketched a resume of his career to date, the lows as well as the highs, and offered a bit of advice for the small business operators in the room.
"Someone said to me the other day, 'Karl, we're seeing you in the news a lot, you've been a real overnight success.'” Kenny said. “I said, 'It's been a really long night baby, a really long night.'"
The member of Newfoundland and Labrador's Business Hall of Fame has had a rollercoaster career in the high technology industry, earning millions in company divestitures at some points and crashing to a receivership on the bottom end at another point. But he is still clearly hooked on the opportunities available in high tech.
Kenny said his first job was pumping gas at Jim Kenney's gas bar in Fermuese. "It was great, I was making 35 bucks a week, which worked out to about 65 cents an hour at the time,” he recalled. “Then I joined the navy and had a great career and learned a lot. I was a kid and I learned a lot about leadership and persistence and doing hard work."
Kenny said there is an important distinction between innovation and invention.
“People think they are the same, and they’re not,” said Kenny. “Invention is the creation of something, and innovation is taking that invention and making it better. I’ll put it into kind of a context here: John DeLorean lost $200 million building the DeLorean car. He invented the DeLorean. Steven Spiegel took it and did the Back to the Future series and made almost $2 billion in profit by innovating the DeLorean."
Sony is a similar example, Kenny argued. It invented, with its Walkman, the idea of walking around with a compact, mobile play list of music. "Look at what Apple has done with that?" he said. "That's what innovation is really all about."
Kenny said after leaving the navy he moved to Seattle and became a contractor to Microsoft.
"I didn't invent the mouse,” he said addressing a popular myth about him Newfoundland business circles as to how he made his first million. “The mouse was invented back in '65. I sold that company in 1990. I had some options when Microsoft went public. It put some jingle in my jeans. I was only a kid, I was not even in my 30s then, and I took three years off and travelled the world.”
In 1993, said Kenny, he began work with an electronic charting system, the kind of technology that others eventually refined into Google Maps. “I sold that company to an Italian firm in '93. Again, you think you're doing something really smart, but I didn't see the Google Maps play, so I sold way ahead of time,” said Kenny. “The big news in my life so far has been Telepix. I started Telepix in '96... I sold that for $100 million. People say, 'A hundred million dollars!' It didn't all stick to Karl's fingers, I had lot of investors and shareholders and bankers... But again, a little bit of jingle goes into the jeans. But I should have waited, because a couple of years after that along came Instagram and facebook and Snapchat and youtube with enterprise values in the billions. Missed it again!”
Kenny co-founded Marport in 2003, a marine technology company in St. John’s. It had actually started in Iceland some years before. His main partner was St. John’s businessman Derrick Rowe, who had famously, at least in local business circles, been part of a group that ousted Vic Young and the board of directors of FPI Limited in a hostile takeover. The pair bought and reconstituted Marport as a St. John’s company. It garnered many headlines for technological successes, but like many high tech start-ups, struggled financially. It eventually went into receivership with ACOA chasing it at one point for $2.3 million in unpaid loans. Some of its high tech sonar products, as did Kenny, survived.
“That was really, really cool stuff,” Kenny said of the products Marport developed, some of them in use in his current company, Kraken Robotics. “We got a lot of patents, international awards,” he said. “We brought in a private equity group out of Boston that I made a really bad deal with. It was a big mistake, lost a lot of money, the jingle in my jeans and the other things sort of went down the pipe. And that was bad. But I exited with some really cool technology, synthetic aperture sonar technology and a handful of really, really smart boys and girls in terms of engineers and scientists.”
That’s when Kenny started Kraken, with six employees in 2012, operating out of the same building where Marport had been located.
"We're now 60 people, (with) international operations,” said Kenny. “We started off doing sensors, this thing called synthetic aperture sonar. It does really high-resolution imaging on the seabed, it lets us find very small objects at very long ranges. It was designed primarily, initially for military applications, but now it's getting a lot of attention in the oil and gas sector and we just finished some major projects there offshore. These things sell for around $350,000 to $400,000 a pop. So they're not flying off the shelves like hamburgers or stuff that, but there is a market for them."
Kenny said at first Kraken sold the sensors to other companies for use in their robots. "But then we said, let's move up the food chain, let's start building our own robots and adding value to our own building and material costs."
Along the way, Kenny said, Kraken Robotics has leveraged significant investment with the company going public three years ago on the TSX. "We're exporting to 10 countries we have 60 people, (including) 10 PhDs, and as a small company we're pursuing about $250 million worth of business internationally right now,” said Kenny. “So we are not hunting elephants. The technology has been validated. But this is not about the boat, this is about the sailors, it's about the team that allows us to get where we are today. This is not the Karl Kenny show, this is the Kraken show."
A while ago, Kenny said, the people at Kraken sat back and looked for ways to increase its profit margins on sales, someone it was able to do.
"Our average selling price now ranges from $50,000 to over $3 million (U.S.) a pop,” he said. “This is a very broad portfolio… So we got good margins out of this which allows us to invest continually into our R&D. And that's one of our strategies, relentless innovation to be able to drive these products to these types of customers - Lockheed Martin, Boeing, the US Navy, Atlas Electronic in Germany, Ocean Infinity. These guys aren't fools, so the level of due diligence that's done in our company in terms of commercial, technical and intellectual property is pretty intense."
This fall, Kraken technology is been used by Ocean Infinity in a project offshore Newfoundland. Ocean Infinity is also an investor in Kraken, Kenny noted. The international marine surveying company is running sea trials on two underwater robots offshore Newfoundland on a ship that is using Bay Bulls as its local port. The underwater visualization gear is Kraken technology.
"This is the way of the future," said Kenny. "We're going to be taking people out of harm's way and putting robots down deep. We're operating at depths of up to 6,000 metres, the full ocean depth, to get down deep and find everything from underwater mines to pipelines to cables to treasure."
Kraken recently won awards for technology that is being used in offshore wind farms, Kenny noted.
"You've got to know where the money is, you've got to go to where the money is," said Kenny. "I see a lot of small companies blow their brains out by chasing opportunities they can't ever realize, they run out of cash and then they die… We firmly believe that robots are changing everything, everything from manufacturing to production to medical, we've all heard about the Google self-driving cars, we're going to see the same thing in our world. The dull, dirty and dangerous jobs that humans are doing today, machines should be doing... And the market is growing significantly. It's a huge, huge opportunity for us."
Kenny’s speech drew rapt attention from audience members, a good many of whom pressed him with questions and requests for advice.
"So what have I learned so far? I've learned a lot,” Kenny said. “I've learned you win, I've learned you lose, and I've learned you make money and I've learned you lose money. And as I said earlier, it's not about your boat, it's about your team, it's the sailors round that that, that's what's going to get you there. And the most important things in life aren't things. I used to think it was. But after you buy a couple of fancy cars and you get all that stuff, there are more important things. Money to me just gave me financial independence, it just gave me a little jingle in the jeans (so) that I didn't have to do crap that I didn't want to do... Don't be miserable. How many people do I see who are miserable in their job and they're not happy. Do more of what makes you happy, whatever that is. When Dad was alive, we used to go rabbit hunting up in Fermuese. And I'd say, 'Dad, there's a rabbit, there's a rabbit, there's a rabbit, let's go chase the rabbit.' And he said, 'No, no, no. We're going to get one rabbit, because if you chase a whole bunch of rabbits, you're going to go home hungry.' So the lesson there is stay focused on what you do. And it's hard sometimes, particularly in small technology companies... Stay focused on what you do. Also know where you're going. And if you don't have the courage to cannibalize yourself, if you don't have the courage to continue to innovate, the competition will and you will be out of business."


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Embracing Sobriety: A New Year’s Resolution to Quit Drugs and Alcohol
As we usher in the new year, many of us reflect on the past and contemplate resolutions for the future. For some, the journey to a healthier and happier life involves breaking free from the chains of drug and alcohol abuse. Quitting these substances can be an arduous task, but with the right resources and support, it is not only achievable but can also lead to a transformative journey towards sobriety. In this blog, we will explore the significance of resolving to quit drugs and alcohol and provide a list of rehabilitation centers in Tarrant County, specifically in Fort Worth, for those seeking professional assistance in 2024.
The Significance of Quitting:
Quitting drugs and alcohol is a courageous decision that can positively impact not only your life but also the lives of those around you. It is a commitment to health, personal growth, and rebuilding relationships that may have been strained due to substance abuse. The new year provides a symbolic opportunity to embrace change and embark on a journey towards sobriety.
The Challenges and Rewards:
Acknowledging the challenges of quitting is essential. Withdrawal symptoms, emotional hurdles, and the fear of the unknown can make the journey difficult. However, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Improved physical and mental health, enhanced relationships, increased productivity, and a renewed sense of purpose are just a few of the many benefits that come with overcoming substance abuse.
Professional Support in Fort Worth and Tarrant County:
For those in Tarrant County, particularly Fort Worth, seeking professional support is crucial to successful recovery. In 2024, there are reputable rehabilitation centers that offer comprehensive programs tailored to individual needs. These centers provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can receive medical assistance, counseling, and holistic treatments to address the root causes of addiction.
- Fort Worth Recovery – Located in the heart of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Recovery offers evidence-based programs and a supportive community for individuals seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
- Sundance Behavioral Health – With a focus on mental health and addiction treatment, Sundance Behavioral Health provides services to support individuals in their journey to sobriety.
- MHMR of Tarrant County – The Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) of Tarrant County offers substance abuse services, including counseling and support groups, to help individuals overcome addiction.
- Texas Health Recovery & Wellness Center – Texas Health Resources operates a comprehensive recovery and wellness center in Fort Worth, offering a multidisciplinary approach to addiction treatment.
Quitting drugs and alcohol is a powerful New Year’s resolution that can pave the way for a brighter future. With the support of rehabilitation centers in Tarrant County, particularly in Fort Worth, individuals can find the help they need to overcome addiction and embrace a life of sobriety. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and every step towards recovery is a step towards a healthier and happier life.

domain: sociology


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I began playing violin when I was only four years old. My sister Christabel, who is two years older than me, was having Suzuki lessons and because I hero-worshipped her, I wanted to do exactly what she was doing.
I’d been watching her progress closely, so I was able to pick it up very quickly myself. With the Suzuki method, you start with a small violin and work your way through a series of books. Of course, it helped that I had some very good teachers. My mother Wanju and my father David could see that I was going to be a good musician and when I was six, I began having private lessons. St Cuthbert’s School in Auckland gave me a musical scholarship and I played in chamber music ensembles throughout my time there. When I finished school, I knew that I wanted to take my music to another level, but I didn’t know exactly how to do that. Then, on a trip to Italy for a music festival, I met some music teachers and decided to try and get into a US university.
Everything happened very quickly. At the age of 18, I was accepted in December for the Moores School of Music January semester at the University of Houston, where I had heard there was a wonderful violin teacher. I realise that I was very young to be living so far from home, but I’d always been a very independent kid, so it wasn’t too bad. I stayed in the university dormitory accommodation and soon made lots of friends. Although I was really there for the music, I had to take an undergraduate course, with subjects such as science and chemistry, so I was always busy.
When my violin teacher went back home to Korea, I was initially very upset, but then I discovered Paul Kantor at The Cleveland Institute of Music and moved schools to learn from him. Eventually, I worked as his teaching assistant. I’m still in the academic world, back in Houston at Rice University, working towards my doctorate. I teach undergraduate classes and give private lessons. No two days are ever the same and I love sharing my knowledge with younger people who are as passionate as I am about music.
Of course, I fit in time for my own practise and I’ve recently discovered salsa dancing, which I really enjoy. I’m also a keen photographer and I’ve joined a band at my local church. There’s always something going on in Houston, which is the US’s fourth biggest city, and these days, my sister Christabel, who lived in Vienna for six years, is now three hours’ drive away in Austin, Texas. We try to get together as often as we can. I’ve won a number of awards throughout my career but receiving the Audience Prize at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2013 was definitely one of the highlights. I was only the second Kiwi to ever reach the finals, so I really did feel very proud and honoured. I also loved being able to perform in New Zealand.
This country is still extremely special to me and on my trip home last year, I had the thrill of playing with two old friends, in CLiK Ensemble. We all live on different continents. I’m in the States, our pianist John Chen teaches in Zambia, and cello player Edward King is based in Berlin.
I’m very glad that I grew up in this wonderful place with its relaxed, laid-back lifestyle. Because my life in the US is always very hectic, it’s good to come back and refresh myself. With music, you never know what might happen in the future, so I try and take each day as it comes. I’ll finish my doctorate, then I’ll simply see where life takes me.”
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text:
Independent News & Media’s South African operations should be broken up and not sold to a monopoly, SACP secretary-general Blade Nzimande said on Thursday.
He told about 2000 delegates at the 13th national congress of the SA Communist Party near Empangeni that they should be opposed to media monopolies.
“Why are we not launching a campaign to de-monopolise? We see this (newspaper group) as too big.”
He described Independent Newspapers as an “active opposition to government”.
SACP deputy secretary-general Jeremy Cronin told journalists the Irish owners of the group had been guilty of asset stripping its SA operations and that some “R500 million has been shipped out of the country”.
Both he and Nzimande said they would like to see more localised news rooms rather than the current pooling of news gathering found in large media groups.
Nzimande said banks should be forced to invest in low-cost housing.
The state should move from merely regulating to actively directing the private sector, he told delegates at the party’s elective conference near Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
Delivering his political report, Nzimande said the state had to direct the private sector towards developmental outcomes and objectives.
“Legislation must be made to force South African banks to invest in low-cost housing. It is after all the money of the working class.”
Nzimande said he had no doubt that the banks would oppose such measures but said that that the Financial Sector Charter had been a failure, especially since the government had been forced to guarantee bank investment in the poorer sectors on the community.
The Financial Sector Charter was adopted in 2004 as the financial service industry’s contribution to social transformation.
It commits the industry to meeting a range of transformation targets, some of which, like broadening access to financial services, are uniquely applicable to the financial services.
Referring to government employees, Nzimande said that all public servants should declare their business interests and should in fact not work for government if they were in business.
“If you are in public service you can’t be in business, if you are in business you can’t be in public service; you must choose.”
Currently, only those at the level of directors in the public service have to declare their interests.
Nzimande said that all public servants should have to declare their business interests.
Earlier, outgoing SA Communist Party chairman Gwede Mantashe urged party members to join the African National Congress.
“Our ability to influence and advance our agenda will be determined by our immersion in the structures and programmes of our alliance partners,” he said.
“The reality facing the party today… is that of communists who are not even members of the ANC.”
Mantashe said there were several SACP members at national level who held top positions in the ANC and Cabinet.
But there was a lack of “cross-pollination” between the two parties at a provincial level, with the exception of the Eastern Cape.
Mantashe said his decision to step down as party chairman was not newsworthy.
“This (decision) is born of practical consideration that one is doing a disservice to the party by being an absentee chairperson.”
Earlier, axed ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni featured in songs at the start of the conference.
“Asinandaba uMalema uyayizonda le party, asinanda uYengeni uyayizonda le party (Malema hates this party but we don’t care, Yengeni hates this party but we don’t care),” delegates sang.
Yengeni is a member of the African National Congress’s national executive committee and in charge of its political education schools.
He lost his position as chief whip after accepting a discount on a luxury car during the tendering process for the country’s arms deal.
At the time, he was a member of a parliamentary committee reporting on the arms deal. Yengeni went to prison in 2006, and was released on parole after serving six months of his sentence.
Malema was expelled as president of the ANC Youth League in April.
In another song, some delegates advised him: “Malema ungayijahi impi ngoba iyabulala (Malema, don’t be in a hurry to fight in a war, because it kills).” A song in support of President Jacob Zuma was also sung.
“Iizinja zilele kufokhona emzini kaMsholozo kodwa amagerilla abuyile (The enemy is near but MK is ready to fight for Msholozi).” Msholozi is Zuma’s clan name.

domain: economics


text:
New Delhi, Sept 29
A CONSORTIUM led by the Rs 26,000-crore NTPC has bagged an oil and gas exploration block in Arunachal Pradesh. NTPC is firming up plans to extract oil from the block for selling it in the spot markets and using the revenue stream to purchase gas for its plants.
"The extraction cost of oil is only around $3-$5 per barrel. With crude prices soaring in the international spot markets and predicted to remain high, we can profit from the difference and use the funds for purchasing gas for our plants," said a senior NTPC official.
Since NTPC does not have an expertise in oil exploration, it had struck a three-way joint venture with Canoro Resources Ltd and GeoPetrol International while bidding for the block.
NTPC would hold 40 per cent stake in the venture.
The block has been awarded under the fifth round of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-V).
NTPC's plans to enter the oil sector come close on the heels of ONGC getting into the power sector. ONGC is setting up a 750 MW gas-based station in Tripura.
NTPC, the country's largest power producer, runs 20 thermal power stations, including seven gas-based ones.
In a bid to secure forward and backward linkages across the energy value chain, the company entered the coal mining business last year.
The company is also working to firm up fuel supply arrangements for its existing gas-based stations.
NTPC's consortium partners have expertise in oil extraction. While Canoro Resources is an upstream oil and gas company - it operates the Amguri development block - GeoPetrol has interests in Cambay and Krishna-Godavari basins.

domain: finance


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Contact: Capt. Frank Hughes 919-618-0777


Meet the Band:
Frank Secich (vocals, bass), Terry Hartman (vocals, rhythm guitar), Pete Drivere (vocals, lead guitar), and John Koury (vocals, drums).
Out of the Blue: Secich's '70s power-pop band Blue Ash is held in such high regard by genre enthusiasts that he was asked to contribute to a tribute album for the late Bomp! Records founder (and Ash fan) Greg Shaw. Another Blue Ash admirer, the owner of Pop Detective Records, has released the Deadbeat Poets' three albums.
Friends in Tuneful Places:
Secich (pictured, second from left) rounded up his old pals Drivere and Koury for the Shaw tribute and hasn't looked back. "I liked the way the band sounded so much, and I had just started writing songs again," he recalls. "I thought, If I ever record my own stuff, I'd like to use these guys."
Now Playing on Miami Steve's Radio: The Deadbeat Poets' "The Man With the X-Ray Eyes" was nominated for 2011's Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show.
Fighting the Winter Blahs:
The Youngstown band released a Christmas EP late last year and recently wrapped up a tour of Europe.
Why You Should Hear Them: Their Nuggets-inspired originals channel the same garage-rock energy that Secich brought to Blue Ash and his work with Stiv Bators; plus, Hartman played in Terry and the Tornados, and Drivere and Koury executed in the Infidels.
Where You Can Hear Them: myspace.com/deadbeatpoets.
— John Patrick Gatta