It’s Friday: Happy Constitution Day AND Citizenship Day!
Just nine more days of Early Bird Rate for the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Freedom Award on November 11.
The keynote speaker is John Stossel; the Freedom Award recipient is Dr. Michael H. Mescon, “The Pied Piper of Private Enterprise.” Cobb Galleria Performing Arts Centre Ballroom. $125 per person Early Bird Rate through September 25. Click here for information; reserve your seat here. (Checks accepted, too!)
September 21: Health Connect South 2016, an annual event that connects more than 400 health leaders, innovators and students, takes place at the Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Public Policy Foundation members receive a discounted admission price. Click here.
Quotes of Note
“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” – Abraham Lincoln
“The federal government has taken too much tax money from the people, too much authority from the states, and too much liberty with the Constitution.” – Ronald Reagan
“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.” – Samuel Adams
“The Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.” – John Marshall
Then and now: In 1991, when the Foundation was established, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Prince all had singles that hit the top of the Billboard music charts.
Overestimating: Under President Obama, regulatory agencies have issued more than 500 major regulations and plan to issue at least 40 more before Obama’s term ends. Yet the White House claims “unprecedented” actions to reduce existing regulations “achieved more cost savings than any prior administration” – $37 billion over five years. Susan Dudley points out, however, that regulatory costs far outweigh phantom cost savings. Source: Forbes.com
Fighting words: Foes and fans of Governor Deal’s statewide Opportunity School District for chronically failing schools have issued their first campaign ads. Opponents complain local control will be lost; supporters note 68,000 children are trapped in failing schools. Read Benita Dodd’s Forum article on the proposal here.
Out with the old: On November 8, about $200 billion in public transportation projects will be voted on in 31 communities, counties and states, including $2.5 billion in Atlanta, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Voters should consider whether proposals embrace new technologies for communities, including autonomous vehicles and ride-share options.
Popularity of tolls: Claims that “nearly every high-profile tolling project has failed,” are far from true, according to Bob Poole of the Reason Foundation. He notes there has not been a single failure of an express toll lanes project; “In fact, a number of these projects are having to raise their peak-period tolls above the levels in their traffic and revenue forecasts in order to maintain the uncongested traffic flow promised to their customers.” Those include express toll lanes in Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Over the top: Honolulu’s elevated rail transit project began as a $2.7 billion 34-mile line. Then it became a $5.3 billion, 20-mile line. Now it looks likely to cost at least $7 billion for 15 miles. An op-ed in the Honolulu Star Advertiser on the half-built, over-budget project proposes converting the guideway into dedicated lanes for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that could continue travel on the surface to the originally planned destinations.
Cause and effect? Employer health insurance expenses continued to rise by relatively low amounts this year, aided by moderate increases in total medical spending but also by workers taking a greater share of the costs, Kaiser Health News reports. Out-of-pocket costs shifted to employees in the form of higher deductibles and copayments, resulting in substantially lower use of medical services, one study suggests.
Higher and higher: Double-digit health premium increases come to Georgia in 2017, equating to a weighted increase of 33 percent. Humana (27 percent market share) will raise rates more than 67 percent. BCBS of Georgia (39 percent market share) raised its rate hike request to 21 percent after Aetna pulled out of Georgia. Celtic/Ambetter, the Peach State Health Plan (21 percent market share), is raising its rates by nearly 14 percent. Source: Fool.com
This month in the archives: In September 10 years ago the Foundation published, “Clean Water Markets: A Policy Option for Georgia.” It noted, “Water quality trading is not yet established in Georgia. In the coming years, however, new TMDLs will tighten water quality requirements and increase costs for wastewater dischargers in the state. More than half of the state’s rivers and streams that have been assessed only partially support or do not support water quality standards, and the costs of meeting those standards in Georgia will be high.”
Foundation in the news: Kelly McCutchen’s commentary, “How Government Can Speed Broadband Access,” was published in The Rome News-Tribune, Catoosa County News, Walker County Messenger, Cherokee County Herald, Polk County Standard Journal, Calhoun Times, Northwest Georgia News and Columbus Ledger Enquirer. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Kelly in an article on Georgia’s budget reserves. The Dalton Daily Citizen and Watchdog.org quoted Kelly in articles on rural broadband access. The Newnan Times-Herald published Benita Dodd’s Forum commentary on the proposed Opportunity School District for Georgia.
Visit georgiapolicy.org to read the Foundation’s latest commentary, “Georgia Works: A Growing Impact on The Dignity of Work,” by Ross Coker.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly McCutchen and Benita Dodd
FRIDAY FACTS is made possible by the generosity of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s donors. If you enjoy the FRIDAY FACTS, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help advance our important mission by clicking here. Visit our Web site at www.georgiapolicy.org. Join The Forum at http://forum.georgiapolicy.org/. Find the Foundation on social media at Facebook, twitter.com/gppf and Instagram.


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Table of Contents
- The Benefits of Cruising: Exploring the World in Comfort and Style
- Cruising the High Seas: A Guide to Choosing the Right Cruise Line
- Exploring the Wonders of the World: A Look at Popular Cruise Destinations
- Cruising the High Seas: Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip
- Cruising the High Seas: A Look at the History of Sea Travel
“Discover the Wonders of the World – Cruise the High Seas!”
Cruising the High Seas: Navigating the World by Ship is a comprehensive guide to the world of ocean cruising. It provides an in-depth look at the history, culture, and lifestyle of cruising, as well as the practical aspects of planning and executing a successful voyage. From the basics of choosing a cruise line and ship to the finer points of packing and embarkation, this book covers all the essential information for a successful cruise. It also provides detailed information on the ports of call, the onboard activities, and the shore excursions available. With its comprehensive coverage and helpful tips, Cruising the High Seas: Navigating the World by Ship is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world by sea.
The Benefits of Cruising: Exploring the World in Comfort and Style
Cruising is one of the most popular and enjoyable ways to explore the world. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an adventure of a lifetime, cruising offers something for everyone. Here are just a few of the benefits of cruising:
1. Comfort and Convenience: Cruising is one of the most comfortable and convenient ways to travel. You can enjoy all the amenities of a luxury hotel, while also having the freedom to explore different destinations. Plus, you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking every time you move to a new port.
2. Variety of Destinations: Cruises offer a variety of destinations, from tropical islands to bustling cities. You can explore different cultures, sample local cuisine, and experience new sights and sounds.
3. Affordable Luxury: Cruising is an affordable way to enjoy a luxurious vacation. You can find great deals on cruises, and many cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages that include meals, entertainment, and activities.
4. Relaxation: Cruising is a great way to relax and unwind. You can spend your days lounging by the pool, enjoying spa treatments, or exploring the ship’s many amenities.
5. Fun for Everyone: Cruising is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. There are plenty of activities for all ages, from kids’ clubs to live entertainment.
Cruising is a great way to explore the world in comfort and style. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder why cruising is one of the most popular vacation options. So, why not book your next cruise today?
Cruising the High Seas: A Guide to Choosing the Right Cruise Line
Are you ready to set sail on a cruise? Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, choosing the right cruise line can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s important to do your research and find the cruise line that best suits your needs. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.
1. Consider Your Budget: Before you start researching cruise lines, it’s important to determine your budget. Cruise lines offer a wide range of prices, so you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing one that fits within your budget.
2. Research Cruise Lines: Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to start researching cruise lines. Look for reviews from past passengers, read up on the amenities offered, and compare prices.
3. Consider Your Destination: Where do you want to go? Different cruise lines offer different destinations, so make sure you’re choosing one that goes to the places you want to visit.
4. Look at the Ship: Not all cruise ships are created equal. Look at the size of the ship, the number of passengers, and the amenities offered.
5. Read the Fine Print: Before you book your cruise, make sure you read the fine print. Look for any hidden fees or restrictions that could affect your experience.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect cruise line for your next vacation. Bon voyage!
Exploring the Wonders of the World: A Look at Popular Cruise Destinations
Cruises are a great way to explore the world and experience some of its most amazing wonders. From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, there are plenty of popular cruise destinations that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled journey, these destinations are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. With its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this region. Popular ports of call include Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Here, you can explore the vibrant cities, relax on the beach, and take part in a variety of water activities.
The Mediterranean is another popular cruise destination. This region is known for its stunning coastline, ancient ruins, and delicious cuisine. Popular ports of call include Italy, Greece, and Spain. Here, you can explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, sample delicious local cuisine, and take part in a variety of cultural activities.
The Hawaiian Islands are a great destination for those looking for a tropical getaway. With its lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder why so many people flock to this region. Popular ports of call include Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Here, you can explore the islands’ unique culture, relax on the beach, and take part in a variety of water activities.
No matter where you choose to go, there are plenty of popular cruise destinations that offer something for everyone. From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, these destinations are sure to provide an unforgettable experience. So, if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled journey, these destinations are sure to provide the perfect escape.
Cruising the High Seas: Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip
Are you ready to set sail on a high seas adventure? Cruising is a great way to explore the world and experience new cultures, but it can also be overwhelming. To make the most of your trip, here are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Research Your Destination: Before you embark on your cruise, make sure to do your research. Learn about the ports of call, the local culture, and the best attractions to visit. This will help you make the most of your time in each port.
2. Pack Light: When packing for your cruise, remember to pack light. You’ll be moving around a lot and you don’t want to be weighed down with too much luggage. Pack versatile items that can be used for multiple occasions.
3. Stay Hydrated: The ocean air can be dehydrating, so make sure to stay hydrated throughout your cruise. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the ship’s water stations.
4. Take Advantage of Onboard Activities: Most cruise ships offer a variety of onboard activities, from cooking classes to trivia nights. Take advantage of these activities to make the most of your time on the ship.
5. Explore the Ports: Don’t just stay on the ship when you reach a port. Get out and explore the local culture and attractions. Take a guided tour or rent a car and explore on your own.
6. Stay Connected: Make sure to stay connected with family and friends back home. Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, so you can stay in touch with loved ones.
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make the most of your high seas adventure. Bon voyage!
Cruising the High Seas: A Look at the History of Sea Travel
Ahoy, fellow travelers! Today, we’re taking a look at the fascinating history of sea travel. From the earliest days of exploration to the modern cruise ships of today, sea travel has been a major part of human history.
The earliest recorded sea voyages date back to the ancient Egyptians, who used boats to transport goods and people along the Nile River. The Phoenicians were also known for their seafaring skills, and they used their ships to explore the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.
In the Middle Ages, the Vikings were some of the most famous seafarers. They used their longships to explore and colonize much of Europe and the North Atlantic.
The Age of Exploration saw a huge surge in sea travel. European explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama used their ships to explore the world and establish trade routes.
The 19th century saw the rise of steamships, which allowed for faster and more efficient travel. This led to the development of the modern cruise ship, which has become a popular way to travel the world in style.
Today, sea travel is still a popular way to explore the world. Cruise ships offer a luxurious way to explore the world’s oceans and seas, while ferries and cargo ships are still used to transport goods and people around the world.
No matter how you choose to explore the world’s oceans and seas, sea travel has been an important part of human history. From the earliest days of exploration to the modern cruise ships of today, sea travel has been a major part of our story.
Cruising the High Seas: Navigating the World by Ship is an informative and entertaining book that provides readers with an in-depth look at the history and culture of cruising. It is filled with interesting stories, facts, and anecdotes that make it a great read for anyone interested in learning more about the world of cruising. From the basics of cruising to the unique experiences of different ports, this book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the world of cruising. Whether you are a seasoned cruiser or just getting started, this book is sure to provide you with an enjoyable and educational experience.

domain: library


Array of charges for suspects in Hattiesburg officer slayings
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The man charged with two counts of capital murder in the Saturday night shooting deaths of two Hattiesburg Police Department patrolmen was denied bond Monday afternoon.
Marvin Banks, 29, a convicted felon who was free on two separate bonds on a pair of previous charges, was one of four suspects connected to the slayings of patrolmen Benjamin J. Deen and Liquori Tate appearing before Forrest County Justice Court Judge Gay Polk-Payton.
Joanie Calloway, 23, who originally had been charged with two counts of capital murder, faced Monday one count of accessory after the fact of capital murder.
It was the same charge against Banks' younger brother, Curtis, 26.
The fourth suspect, Cornelius Clark, 28, had been charged with rendering criminal assistance/hindering prosecution for helping Marvin Banks elude the widespread search that ended at the Northgate Inn on U.S. 49 early Sunday morning.
Marvin Banks had been free on bonds related to possession of controlled substance and possession of a firearm when Saturday's shooting took place just west of the intersecton of East Fourth and Bouie streets.
Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict said Monday that results from autopsies done by the state crime laboratory in Jackson determined that each had died from a "single, penetrating gunshot wound" with Tate being wounded in the torso, Deen in the head.
In addition to the two capital murder charges, Marvin Banks was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and grand larceny for taking one of the officer's cruisers and fleeing the scene.
If convicted of capital murder, Marvin Banks could face the death penalty.
Twelfth Circuit District Attorney Patricia Burchell declined comment on what prompted the change in the charges against Calloway, who was driving the Banks brothers in the car when it was pulled over shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday.
Bond was set at $75,000 each for Calloway and Clark. Polk-Payton set bond at $100,000 for Curtis Banks, but revoked it because of an outstanding bench warrant stemming from a 2013 possession of a controlled substance charge.
Since their arrests, Curtis Banks, Calloway and Clark had been held at the Lamar County Jail. Marvin Banks had been held at the Pearl River County Jail.
Monday evening the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said it is looking for two additional persons of interest in the slaying, a black male and a black female.
"In a city as amazing as Hattiesburg, this is an unfathomable tragedy," said state Rep. Toby Barker, a Republican from Hattiesburg, on Monday. "Everyone in our community feels this one."
In a statement Monday, Attorney General Loretta Lynch echoed Barker's sentiments.
"The shocking assault on law enforcement officers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, struck at the heart of that great city. The Department of Justice stands ready to offer any possible aid to the Hattiesburg community as they investigate this appalling incident. And we will continue to do all that we can to protect our officers across the country and support all those who wear the badge."
Lynch noted that the deaths of Deen and Tate happened while the nation is observing Police Week.
"Their loss is made even more tragic by the fact that on the day they were killed this past Saturday, the country began observing Police Week — a time when we pause to remember and honor the more than 20,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty."
For Marvin Banks, there had been no fewer than seven arrests between 2008 and October.
The charges began small — a noise violation and an issue with a car tag in 2008 — then escalated. In 2010, he was arrested with a three-month period for both possession of a stolen firearm and sale of crack cocaine. In 2011, he appeared on a possession of marijuana charge. In the ensuing months, he was arrested by the police department as a fugitive and for a probation violation. In 2013, he appeared again on a sale of crack cocaine charge in Forrest Count, and last October he was arrested by the University of Southern Mississippi police on a trespass charge.
Curtis Banks, a standout pitcher for Hattiesburg High in the mid-2000s, was arrested on a simple robbery charge in 2008, then four more times, including in 2013 on warrants that had been issued for simple assault by threat, carrying a concealed weapon and vandalism. He was cited for simple assault and consuming in a moving vehicle in 2010, and four vehicle-related charges came in 2011.
Marvin Banks has mental problems and is addicted to drugs, appearing high in photos after he was arrested, his mother said Monday.
Mary Smith said her son Marvin smoked "spice" daily and had been hearing voices ever since he was attacked and hit in the head with a pipe several years ago.
Smith told the Associated Press that she has no doubt that Marvin killed the officers.
"You could tell something was wrong with him," she said, speaking on the steps of the Forrest County Courthouse, where she had come to find out more information about her sons' arrest. "I hate it for these families that he wasn't in his right mind."
A police shooting hadn't happened in Hattiesburg in more than 30 years, when Jackie Dole Sherrill was shot and killed on New Year's Eve 1984.
"I always hoped that she would be the last," said her daughter, Erica Sherrill Owens, who was a 3-year-old when she lost her mother. "Mother's Day, it's always a tough day, but this, this is worse."
Deen, 34, a six-year veteran of the force who also was a K-9 officer, was named Officer of the Year in 2012.
He left behind a wife and two young children.
Tate, 25, was a graduate of the 16-officer, Hattiesburg Police Academy Class No. 30 in 2014. He earned the class's "Top Shot Proficiency Pistol Award."
Tate had been on patrol for less than a year.
"He was full of faith," said Tate's stepfather, Lonnie Ross. "He loved the Lord and that gives us comfort knowing in our faith if you accept Jesus as your savior, this isn't the end, it's the beginning of eternity.
"He had that faith in God, and it was reflected in the way he treated people. He was respectful to everyone that met him, everyone he dealt with in his everyday job. He was always kind to people, and he represented the best in the Hattiesburg Police Department, no doubt about that."
Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree offered details in the case during a Sunday morning news conference.
DuPree said Deen had pulled over the vehicle, with Tate responding to a call for backup.
"An assailant exited the car and started shooting," DuPree said.
DuPree said Calloway was the driver of the dark-blue Hyundai Azera Limited with the retired Army military plate.
DuPree was asked to comment on the "erratic" actions of one of the suspects, who commandeered one of the patrolmen's cruisers to flee the scene before abandoning the vehicle a few blocks away near the train tracks at the end of East Front Street.
"The erratic part was the shooting," DuPree said. "The other was trying to get away."
DuPree instead praised the cooperation of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and other authorities in helping track down the suspects.
"This is a time for us to come together," he said on Sunday. "This is a time for us to love on each other. These are family members of our community. We want to honor them as family members of our community. We want the family to know that we love them."
And to remember them, while wishing that Saturday night never had happened.
"You don't wish this on anybody, especially when there are kids involved," Sherrill Owens said. "That's two more kids who are going to be told their entire lives that their daddy was a hero, and he was.
"But it doesn't make up for it."
Contributing: Jason Munz, Hattiesburg (Miss.) American; The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; The Associated Press.


This season on America’s Got Talent, Grace Van Der Waal stunned the audience and the judges by singing an original song. Howie Mandel awarded her with the “Golden Buzzer,” immediately sending the contestant to the next round. The video of her performance has 15 million views and counting on YouTube, and her personal channel’s videos are nearing 100,000 views each.
This young girl from a small town has already gone viral. Here are four reasons why Grace Van Der Waal is the next Taylor Swift and what you can learn from her.
1. Seek the advice of industry professionals.
Van Der Waal received a standing ovation from the audience and judges, as well as impeccable praise from Mandel. The biggest compliment, however, came from arguably the toughest judge in the history of talent contests, Simon Cowell. He said, “You know what I predict for you? I think you are the next Taylor Swift.” If Simon loves her, it means something!
Like Van Der Waal, you should seek constructive criticism from industry professionals. Take what they say in stride, and be ready to apply it to your music. No one becomes great all alone.
2. Write your own songs.
Much like Swift, Van Der Waal writes her own material. According to her mother, she has been singing and writing her own songs since she was 3 years old. Now, she accompanies the lyrics with basic ukulele chords, similar to Swift’s songs with her guitar. Van Der Waal’s lyrics are light and fun, often describing her experiences with friends and family. While her innocent lyrics are equivalent to Swift’s, the style of performance differs. Van Der Waal’s style resembles an indie alternative genre, while Swift started out as a country singer.
One of the best ways to get your music noticed to release original songs. No matter how much a song you cover may relate to your life, it will never ring as true with viewers as your original lyrics will. Writing your own songs gives a fresh perspective to familiar situations.
3. Believe in your own abilities.
At only 12 years old, Grace Van Der Waal in already a national sensation. This little ball of originality is not even in her teen years yet. Her fans on YouTube are already asking when she will release an album. Swift, on the other hand, began performing before her teen years as well. However, Swift’s first album was not released until 2006 when she was 17. At the rate Van Der Waal is gaining recognition, her first album could be released within the next few years, which would put her ahead of Swift’s growth.
Like Van Der Waal, you should be prepared to take advantage of every opportunity. Believing in yourself is the ultimate key to success. No matter how young or inexperienced you are, every career choice is up to you.
4. Be fearless.
Van Der Waal is confident in her music and shows determination to become a successful artist. She sings about finding her way and being herself, which exudes maturity beyond her years. Also, performing an original song in the early rounds of a talent show is risky! She proved to the judges and to the world that she means business.
Like Van Der Waal, don’t be afraid to stand out. Take a risk. Be unique. Being fearless is the only way that you’ll get your music noticed.
Grace Van Der Waal has the potential to be a household name. Through her fun music and unique spunk, anything is possible for this girl! She sets the standard for other aspiring musicians to follow.
Interested in getting your YouTube video discovered by masses of targeted fans? Click this link: www.promolta.com
Corinne Rivera appreciates every type of music, which stems from her experience in dance and playing the guitar and the flute. She currently resides in San Francisco where she studies electronic communications, explores the city’s art, and attends concerts of all genres.


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I believe this is the first three-day layover I've had in Sydney. I was scheduled for one last year, but some issue elsewhere made for a reaction chain that had my layover canceled and me operating after minimum rest up to Guangzhou and taking my layover there instead. This was fine by me, as I think China is the most fascinating place we visit. But I've still been regretting I did not have a little more time to explore Sydney, which seems like one of the world's amazing places.
So what to do with 73 hours? In the absence of any particular destination, my plan was to do my usual thing and walk through different parts of town and absorb what I can. Well, I did have a bit of a plan: Susan suggested that Sydney should surely have a world-class zoo and I could get a taste of the local fauna. An excellent idea, so on Day One after getting some sleep I took a ferry across from the nearby Circular Quay to the Taronga Zoo. My sleep schedule was predictably out of whack, so I was awake about 3:AM and had to wait half the day for the zoo to open at 9:AM.
(Pictures of the zoo visit here.)
But it's really a magnificent facility. Located on a zillion-dollar spit of land across from downtown Sydney, there are hundreds of animals in a variety of settings, and everything seemed clean and well-tended and the animals seemed happy and healthy and very well cared-for. Australia is the land of the marsupial, a fact which has been most instructive to evolutionary biologists. Marsupials here have filled in many of the niches occupied elsewhere in the world by placental mammals, often crafting animals which look very like their non-marsupial counterparts: squirrels and dogs and deer and so on. And of course there are a bunch of unique marsupials as well. I somehow thought I'd get a lesson this via my visit to the zoo, but in truth there was just so much to see that I was quite overwhelmed by the scope of things. The two things that were actually most striking to me were the sheer number and prevalence of reptiles in Australia--lizards and snakes, mostly--and the amazing variety of birds here. The birdsongs heard both in and out of the zoo were really something to behold. Several times I shot video with my phone trying to capture the sounds, but of course the birds were having none of this copyright violation. Still, a brilliant day. A long walk back to the hotel from there, but all of it interesting (alas, no pedometer map).
The next day my plan was to take the ferry over to the fairly distant suburb of Manly (yes, it's called the "Manly ferry," a fact which my 10-year-old self cannot let pass without comment) and walk from there East and South out onto the spit of land that separates Sydney Harbor from the Tasman Sea. Turns out this is protected land, the Sydney Harbour National Park, and is shot through with walking trails. As ever, I started out not really knowing where I was going and just felt my way along. The biggest thing on this walk is to realize how high up this plateau is off the water. As we fly into Sydney the coastline as far as one can see North and South is high and rocky and really stunning, but to be up close to the sheer drop-off is really profound. I'd guess the rock cliffs rise up a good 150-200 feet and one can hear the surf pounding below as you get close. The view out is of course knee-weakening: in one direction the vastness of the South Pacific, and in the other the vista of Sydney Harbor making its way inland with the city probably five to seven miles away. This is one of the world's profoundly beautiful places.
(Pictures of the Manly walk here. The Pedometer map is here.)
The other moving thing about the walk about the park was my stumbling upon the "Third Quarantine Cemetery," a burial place for some 241 people most of whom died of smallpox or plague (there are a small group of WWI vets there as well). The burial ground was intentionally remote in hopes of keeping the corpses from infecting anything else. And what remains a century later is desolate and haunting. The graves are well on their way to being unreadable and the plot itself to being reclaimed by nature. Still, the headstones give some inkling of the horror these folks went through. Many of them give the name and say "died in quarantine" and give an age when they died. A little boy, "our beloved son" died at 21 months. "Loved by all," the stone says. I cannot help thinking--forgive me for saying it--how terrible these diseases must have seemed in so recent a past when we did not understand shit about infectious diseases, and what an amazing triumph we've accomplished so very recently to have gotten them under control. And now there is a huge movement afoot to stop vaccinating against these things and we're already beginning to pay the penalties. In many cases it's not just a death here and there that could have been prevented: it's a threatened resurgence of epidemics which we had successfully controlled and are now retreating from. This cemetery is a frightening bit of our past which suddenly seems to be rushing back towards us.
Today was only a partial day. Again, up at 2:15 AM, I waited until about 6:AM to have a quick bite at McDonald's before just picking a street and heading South away from the hotel. I picked the major thoroughfare of George St. and walked until it curved into Broadway and eventually Parramatta Rd. I got to see a few areas of downtown I had not yet seen, and I passed the University of Sydney. I made slower progress today because of intermittent rain showers, but it was overall a great day for a walk.
(Today's walk pictures here. Pedometer map here. And back, of course.)
My chief find on today's walk was the Deus Ex Machina motorcycle company on Parramatta Rd. in the section of town called Camperdown. My eye was caught as I walked by a row of cafe-racer type bikes parked on a side street outside an old warehouse, one of which had "Deus" stenciled on the gas tank. It was clearly a modification of an existing bike--a Yamaha SR500, I believe--and it was parked with a bunch of other machines which had been similarly modified to varying degrees. As I looked around I saw that the bikes were the products of the commercial concern that occupied the warehouse, and that Deus had quite a large store space filled with bikes and apparel and with a large restaurant attached. It being only about 7:30 AM (and the shop not opening until 9:AM), I decided to keep walking but plan my return to catch the place open. Shortly later it began to rain, and I didn't get very far, sitting inside a nearby McDonald's with a Diet Coke and free wifi while I waited the shower out.
They opened shortly after I got back, and I was kindly given a tour by one of the employees in response to my query, something along the lines of "What in the hell ARE you guys?" Turns out they are a shop that specializes in modifying existing machines according to a particular aesthetic, and the rest of it--the apparel, the pedal-bicycle business, the restaurant--are all add-ons to this core business. Their favorite core machine to modify is indeed that Yamaha SR500--a late '70s-80s single-cylinder standard bike which I nearly bought years ago--but they work on all things. It sounds like you bring your bike in and they'll "see what we can do with it." The business card says "Mikey McDonald, Bike Wrangler," and the guy showing me around stressed that all their design work for bikes and apparel and everything was done right there, right upstairs in the offices.
My only critiques involve 1) their not having fat-boy sizes in their apparel, and 2) my sneaking sense that they're OK with the bike having slightly hobbled functionality so long as it LOOKS cool. This latter sense, if it's even accurate, is hard for me to swallow. I'm very happy for the bike to look awesome, but the function should always come first. Indeed, the cool look should extend naturally from the function--form follows function: it should look cool exactly because it's been made to work so well. (This is exactly my chief critique of Harley-Davidson, that they've sacrificed so much function to aesthetic prerogatives.) In the end, the whole Deus concern was a bit younger / more pierced / more tattooed than seemed wholly appropriate for my rotund and superannuated self. But if this is what the kids are into, then I must applaud. I asked him if they had ever worked on any Buells, and he said they just sold a really cool one they had modded. I'd have loved to see it.
Six hours later I'm back at the hotel and will try to get a nap in before blasting off for China.

domain: geography


Switched On Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters, by Charlie Harding and Nate Sloan. It’s a podcast, and now it’s a book. Along with Song Exploder and the Kanye West-obsessed Dissect, Switched On Pop is one of a group of podcasts that break down the art and science of pop music-making. Each Switched On chapter deconstructs one song, from Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” to Kendrick Lamar’s "Swimming Pool (Drank)” to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” treating pop music with the seriousness it deserves. (Oxford University Press, $24.95).
Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Bandit65. A “post-jazz” trio featuring the twin guitar improvisational interplay and experimental electronic excursions of Rosenwinkel, a Germantown native and Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts grad, and equally adventurous Philadelphia axeman Tim Motzer. With drummer Gintas Janusonis. Monday at the Ruba Club.
Lame-O Rock Residency. The annual South Philly series celebrating local indie-punk label Lame-O kicks off with Petal — a.k.a. songwriter Kiley Lotz — plus Russell Edlin-led Cherry and New York trio Strangepride. The winter music series continues on subsequent Thursdays in January, with the likes of the Menzingers, Tigers Jaw, and Slaughter Beach, Dog. Thursday at Boot & Saddle.
Blanco Brown. Call it “trailer trap,” “hick-hop” or country-rap opportunism, but Georgia rapper Blanco Brown hopped on the “Old Town Road” bandwagon in 2019 and rode the line dance novelty “The Git Up” to the top of the Billboard charts last summer. He followed it up with the less charming, if evocatively titled debut album Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs in October and is opening for “Fix” singer Chris Lane on his “Big, Big Plans” tour. Thursday at Theatre of Living Arts.


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Offering cuisine from Sweetgrass Food Co fresh from the kitchen to go along with a well stocked bar with some great local and regional selections. Check out the great menu’s below before you come!
OPEN in May, Tuesday – Saturday 12-7pm,
3:30-5:30 Happy Hour – Beer and Cocktail Specials
Find Prix Fix Menus and Dinner Specials weekly
SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH from 10am-2pm Sunday, May 14th
Reserving a table is recommended by leaving a message at 250-537-0029 Or email [email protected]
The Bar is open during business hours and provides an assortment of hand mixed cocktails, wines, select cider’s and beer on tap from SSI and Hoyne Breweries.

domain: food


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Walt University is set to offer its first course about the life of Walt Disney
Walt University has announced the launch of its inaugural course centered around the life and legacy of the legendary Walt Disney. This unique in-person class, hosted in Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, offers students an immersive experience to learn about the life and legacy of the legendary Walt Disney.
Each day of the course will feature engaging video presentations, recommended reading materials, in-class activities, informative lectures, interactive games to enhance learning, and lively discussions. Students will also embark on excursions throughout Marceline, allowing them to absorb and cherish Walt’s memories of small-town America. Additionally, the course may feature guest lecturers sharing their expertise within the realm of Disney.
Seating for this exclusive opportunity is limited, and the course fee includes all meals, along with comfortable accommodations at the Hotel Marceline. Meals will also provide the opportunity for students foster connections and camaraderie with each other. Upon completion, alumni will have the chance to contribute articles based on their newfound knowledge of Walt Disney.
Leading this immersive journey into Walt Disney’s world is Dave Tavres, an former Disneyland Tour Guide who conducted the iconic “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour. He also served as an Apartment Host for Walt’s Apartment above the firehouse and as an attractions Host at Autopia, with a rich background in guest interaction. Dave’s passion for trains and Disney history later led him to become a locomotive Engineer on the Disneyland Railroad. He is a dedicated volunteer at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn in Burbank and co-founded the Carolwood Foundation, dedicated to preserving Walt Disney’s railroad legacy.
Interested quests can visit www.WaltUniversity.com with any questions
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
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For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!

domain: entertainment


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Sandvik will acquire drilling consumables company Varel International Energy Services.
A new $21 million energy training centre in Gladstone that was set to train people to work in the gas industry has been axed by the Federal Government.
A new report says 78,000 jobs will be lost by 2018 as the nation’s resource sector makes it move from construction to production.
As the US shale boom gains momentum many Asian buyers are holding off on LNG contracts, awaiting the cheaper alternative of shale gas.
Downer EDI has won a $400 million contract with Bechtel for two electrical and instrumentation packages at the Wheatstone project.
With the election done and dusted, and the Coalition handed victory, the mining, gas and oil industry lobbyists are getting ready to visit Canberra to talk about implementing changes to the industry.
WA Premier Colin Barnett has expressed disappointment on Sunday over Canberra’s decision to clear the way for Woodside Petroleum’s floating LNG processing plan.
A 26 per cent pay rise over four years being demanded by the Maritime Union of Australia has been labelled as ‘off the planet’ by WA Premier Colin Barnett.
Griffith University’s Vlado Vivoda asks whether shale oil is the energy source of Australia’s future.
Caltex has carried out major restructuring that will see the axing of more than 300 jobs.
QRG CEO Wayne Gerard has backed an APPEA report highlighting the benefits of oil and gas and says the sector should speak out against the ‘free lunch’ mentality in Australia.
While drillers on reality TV show Black Gold pride themselves on a ‘roughneck’ attitude, Australian drillers say their image is hurting the industry.

domain: news


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relaxin causes the ligaments and joints throughout the pregnant woman's body to loosen in order to accommodate the growing baby and birth. The loosening that affects the pubic area in the pelvis can be exaggerated in some individuals which causes the pubic bones to separate more than normal, making it uncomfortable to perform many simple activities. During my last pregnancy, I was plagued with this condition. In looking back, this was the only "pain" I suffered from during my pregnancy. I didn't understand what was going on other than that I was told my pubic bone was separating, which sounded almost every time I got out of bed or stood up too quickly. Little did I know, I could have been seeing a chiropractor during my pregnancy to correct this issue and make those final, uncomfortable days a little more enjoyable.
If you think you may be suffering from this condition or other pubic bone pain, there are a few things you can do to relieve your pain:
- make regular visits to your chiropractor (I have done this throughout my second pregnancy and have YET to have any discomfort:)
- Stabilize what you can via a pregnancy/maternity binder like the Prenatal Cradle.
- Avoid situation that cause pain. For example, sit down to put pants on, sit on the side of the tub and swing both legs together.
- Avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Use a rice sock to help provide moist heat.
- Occasionally, pain medication is appropriate and your practitioner can help you decide when and what.

domain: medical


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Haider Ali, Imran Khan and Kashif Bhatti will fly to the UK to join their Pakistan team-mates after returning a second negative Covid-19 test. They tested negative on July 1 and 4, as did masseurs Malang Ali and Mohammad Imran. The three players and Malang will fly from Lahore on July 8 to join the Pakistan squad, which is currently training in Worcester ahead of the three-match Test series against England, which begins in Manchester on August 5.
Haris Rauf, meanwhile, tested positive once again, though he remains asymptomatic. Rauf is now the only player still returning positive tests among the ten who originally tested positive last month. Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz have already flown to England after returning two negative tests.
The tour comprises three Test matches and three T20Is in August and September. All six games will be played behind closed doors.


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It’s a miracle we have made it through the darkest of nights. Thanks to all of our patrons, but especially Hedwig and Carlo. Welcome to twenty twentyfun.
hello and welcome to probably bad podcast a podcast which is definitely bad. I’m pencil.
I’m paper today’s probably bad RPG idea is an urban setting campaign where, in the end. Turns out the supernatural doesn’t actually exist. I thought we would start 2021. With this one because it’s the first ever probably bad posts.
This is one of the things responsible for all you’re hearing right now. It has a whole 24 notes.
but I do really like it as a kind of it feels kind of obvious at this point, but the idea that it’s like a very paranoia kind of thing it’s like these guys are vampires we need to take them out and kill them all you kill them and they’re just guys
turns out most things will kill them if you put a stake through their heart
yeah you stabbed emos it’s nothing
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If You Are a Fan of Food or Other Financial about Things like Regional Foods, Ancient Breeds of Sheep and Pretty Much Anything Domestic Estate like No Why the Legal to Import Sheep Iceland and What Was Presented by Victoria Harriet Knapman Then Financed at Bread and Bread on Twitter or Everywhere. This, Yes and Is the Other Question You Can Email Me at a Got the Email All Just Podcast. Yes, the Request, You Can Email from a firstname.lastname@example.org and messages on Tumblr about RPG ideas and so the first question this anonymous first question is how to find a D&D group run answers, only terminally explain no title. I feel like the best way to this if you take a copy of our most right and leave it better then justice and what works at the what if, what if the person flicked the book out of the batch up with a stick, or they went to Wiley to play with the southerly puzzles to fast like FAS sauna testing. The ability to track then don’t invite they think to bring a 10 fold every single workplace to go, then you know that the lighter built, so this is building towards build actual dungeon full of traps and monsters which I guess in this context, angry animals, dungeon, and anyone should like your basement with And like anyone who sufficed to solicitors terminally. This is the sister for yer like a son, but it is going to local games chart with some small tracking devices to slip them into people’s pockets are many can find them wherever you are always fighting to have to tell them Dean sitting there like, you know, reading a book and then you just climbing through their window holding character sheets weight RPG time you bring up five consecutive phone numbers and say, hey guys you play the days and if they say no fairly inanely to kicks in different phone numbers because these one sunless 20 phone theoretically infinite boss, boss of the bus goes below 50 miles out loans and away like, okay, was question while was to past game of the bus goes below 50 dice our so you’re basically saying is find the tackiest film you can and then copying and then played Hindi with the survivors, yes, have Indicated That I Only Know the 50 Miles an Hour’ Is a Film Reference and Not Film It Is to like IPhone Know It Is a. 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It Really Is Just a Case of until People Stop Having Fun Because I Feel I Running a Sandbox Game Is Basically All about Displacing Various Threads in Front of Your Players and They’ll Follow Someone Leave Some Anything like Escalate Some of Them, or Just Say That They Resolve Themselves and It Basically Finishes When All of Those Threads Are Tied up like Yeah I Think It’s Basically Do You Feel That There Is More You Can Do and Place of Interest. Watching Isn’t Vegans, but Didn’t Go to Good Advice. Yeah, I Think the Players Stop Playing or You’re an Out Of Ideas As You Could Argue Was the Point Which Campaigns Yeah Mean A Lot Of Campaigns End before the End. If You Get What I Mean. Just Because I Scheduling Happens Is Making Me a Little Bit Sad. Yeah. I Mean, Yeah, I Think It’s the Campaigns Alike Samples Camping Big Campaign. It’s Just A Lot Easier to Understand What Campaign against Working Only Six A Lot Easier to Satisfy That It Is to like Planned. 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What You Need to Do Is You Originally Make Another And Then at the Point Which Must Make Another Character Named Di. And Then My Next Character Is Nice Dad Who’s That Characters Dad and Then As My Dad Dies My Grandad since My Knife Click Knife Knife Great Grandad Might Just Knife, Yeah, Helped by Good Excuse to Play a Resident of My Line of the Killed Someone Back from the Dead to Avenge the Kill the Sky like Another Reverent Show That Reference and Then Another Weapon. They All Slightly Bigger Time. Each of Them Has Light One More Knife. All You Might’ve Killed Me, Johnny. Three Knives Have You Met My Dad Johnny for Knives like First Survey May Assess Your to Your Question, Johnny for Knife Stabbing, Which Is My Answer to Questions from No Figures about As Much Mike Stabbing to Thank You for This. They As Tense As You Have a Patron of the Bad Average Ideas. If You Want Bonus Episodes Homebrew and Access to a Disco Server Where We Do Sometimes Play Games Largely Based on Probably Bad Average Ideas That Arsenal Was Great Fun. We Don’t I’m Afraid Happier, No Yeah We Have That and the Email, Which I Did Remember Eventually Because It Just Firmly Podcast I Am Very Tired Is 20 December 2020. Spinning Yeah You Guys Your Ability to Listen, 20, 21, Where Maybe Things Will Be Slightly Better. Maybe All This Just When You One of the Two, so Have a Good Year but Have to Do


AS 19607 SB-US - Sharedband Technologies, LLC
Autonomous Systems are networks typically governed by large ISPs that participate in global Internet routing. Each network is assigned a unique identification number known as the AS number or ASN by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.
|Name||SB-US - Sharedband Technologies, LLC|
|Organization||Sharedband Technologies, LLC|
|IPv6 /64 networks||0|


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Vivek Oberoi says he is set to present the true story of Indian Air Force’s air strikes on terror camps in Balakot in s trilingual film. The movie will release in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. Vivek Oberoi was recently seen portraying the character of Narendra Modi in the prime minister’s biopic.
Vivek Oberoi said, “As a proud Indian, a patriot and a member of the film fraternity, it’s my duty to highlight what our armed forces are truly capable of. This film is a powerful tool to underline the achievements of brave officers like Abhinandan, who went behind enemy lines and did what makes every Indian proud of them.”
The movie will be shot in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Agra. It will go on floors at the end of the year. The film will also witness the releasing of the Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was in the Pakistan captivity for three days.

domain: artistic


Why Are Smart Cities Not Smart?
One size fits all approach will not make cities smarter
What role should governments and large tech corporations play in the development of smart cities?
Smart city programs cannot be defined by a single “top down” approach or central organizing schema that sets pre-programmed limits. They will be defined by individual citizens, who are motivated to collaborate with each other — to create new use cases and applications that solve specific local problems. Smart cities will be places that foster creativity, where citizens are generators of ideas, services and solutions, rather than subservient and passive recipients of them. Lack of vision, incomplete alliance networks, along with technical barriers, have kept a range of technology suppliers from taking a more active and central role in smart city market development.
A growing number of open data initiatives are driving citizen participation and collaboration to create new solutions
» Smart cities are not fixed systems that can be easily be automated or defined by a few infrastructure applications. They will be defined by individual citizens, who are anxious to collaborate with each other — to create new use cases and applications that solve specific real world problems.
» Top-down strategic approaches to sustainability, citizen well-being and economic development focus on the city as a monolithic entity; open data and collaborative interactions are required to really enable citizen engagement and involvement.
Corporations and governments certainly have a major role to play in the smart city – by making data openly available for developers to build upon — but they must also make it easy for citizens themselves to create and contribute their own data. Hence, governments and technology partners have an important enabling role to play with fostering infrastructure, common frameworks, open network standards and data formats.
The “smartness” of smart cities will not be driven by orders coming from the unseen central government computers of science fiction, dictating the population’s actions from afar. Rather, smart cities will be smart because their citizens have found new ways to craft, interlink and make sense of their own data.


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All You Need to Know about Planting a Garden
You need to think about landscaping especially when you want to improve your property because it is very many benefits. If you have been reading about spending more time outside, you might have noticed that the more time you spend outside, the more likely you are going to improve your mental and physical health and that is why a good landscape is good. One of the recommendations when it comes to landscaping is that can actually invest in a garden. Depending on your preferences, there are very many things that you can plant in your garden, including flowers, trees, vegetables, herbs and so on. Be sure to learn more about the benefits of a garden but it is also important to realize that there is a lot involved before planting one. Here is all you need to know about planting a garden.
There are many questions you need to answer before you can venture into planting a garden for example, when is the appropriate time to plant one. The truth is that when you gather more info. you are likely to make the right decisions of when to plant because there are women determinants in play before you can plant your garden successfully. One of the determinants that you will learn a lot from different platforms especially this website that offers tips for gardening is the type of plant. You will discover that different plants have different conditions under which they can grow will under and that is why the type of plant you choose will determine when to plant a garden. Considering that is a lot of information about gardening today, be sure to visit this website and view here for more details about the specific plant that you prefer. It is also important to remember that the environment can also be another determinant. What this generally means is that you consider the climate in the area you live in. For example, if you prefer vegetables like tomatoes, then it means that the environment should be very warm to accommodate them.
Considering that planting a garden is always a beginning, you need to also put more effort into knowing more about maintaining one. It is important to invest in knowledge and skills, but at the same time ensure you are investing in the best gardening tools. If you want to buy the garden tools, it is not hard because you can actually buy them online, but focus on the quality as you also focus on your budget.

domain: agronomy


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Writer Rich Douek, artist Alex Cormack, and letterer Justin Birch are teaming up this May for a four-issue comic book miniseries taking place in the frozen tundra of Siberia in the 1950s. Road of Bones is a horror tale that Doek says gives him an opportunity to expand what readers expect from him.
"I'm really excited about this one, because horror is new territory for me, in terms of what I've put out so far," Douek told Bleeding Cool. "I feel like most people think of me as a fantasy/sci-fi writer, and will be pretty surprised to see a horror title coming from me."
That all changes with Road of Bones #1, which tells the story of Roman Morozov, a man sentenced to 25 years in a Siberian Gulag for slander against Joseph Stalin, who makes his escape with the help of a Domovic, a supernatural creature from Slavic folklore. But maybe he would have been better off staying in the Gulag?
In addition, Douek says Cormack was the perfect choice to collaborate with on Road of Bones.
"I've been a fan of Alex Cormack for a long time, but it's been his recent work in the indie comic SINK that made me think he was perfect for Road of Bones," Douek told us. "Alex has a real talent for horror and suspense, and as the series continues I think you're going to see some of his best work to date."
Road of Bones #1 hits stores in May, published by IDW.
Road of Bones
Rich Douek, Writer
Alex Cormack, Artist
Justin Birch, Letterer
Roman Morozov will be spending the next 20 years of his life in Kolyma, the most brutal of the Siberian Gulags – which is why when he is approached by some inmates planning an escape, he leaps at the chance to join them. But, even if they make it out, Roman and his fellow escapees still have hundreds of miles of frozen tundra between them and freedom. With the help a mysterious being straight out of his childhood fairy-tale stories, Roman just might make it – unless the creature itself has even darker plans for him.


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Digging deeperPlant Library
Blue Mistflower flowers
(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)
Height: 3 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Hardiness Zone: 5
This variety is excellent as a border plant or as a colonizing groundcover; tiny, spidery flowers are a magnet for late season butterflies; spreads very quickly, so may need to be controlled
Blue Mistflower features showy blue spider-like flowers at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated heart-shaped leaves remain green in color throughout the season.
Blue Mistflower is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Blue Mistflower is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Blue Mistflower will grow to be about 32 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.
Blue Mistflower is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
This Plant Library is for informational purposes only. We may or may not carry the items listed. During many times of the year, we may carry many more plants in our store than are listed in the Plant Library. Please contact us directly at 303-690-4722 or visit our store for current availability and for assistance.

domain: biology


Alpinetrek expert Christian
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text:
Introduction: Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita
Patio season is back! it's time to fire up the grill and do a little entertaining. While your fretting over weather to serve brisket or ribs it's easy to forget about your BBQs signature cocktail. This pineapple jalapeño margarita can be tailored to fit the tastes of spice junkies and those with sensitive pallets alike. Cheers and enjoy!
Step 1: Assemble You Your Ingredients
You will need-
1 part tequila
1/2 part triple sec or Grand Marnier
2 part pineapple
3-5 slices of jalapeño
kosher salt (optional)
A cocktail shaker ( mine is made from a Masson jar and the top of a grated Parmesan container)
A muddler ( you can use the handle end of a kitchen knife sharpener)
Step 2: Muddle the Spice
Firmly muddle (crush) your 3-5 slices of jalapeño inside your cocktail shaker. This releases the oils inside the pepper into the drink when shaken. If you like a 5 alarm cocktail you can substitute the jalapeño for a habanero, and inversely for a mild cocktail you can substitute for a poblano pepper.
Step 3: Combine You Ingredients
Pour your 1 part tequila (1.5oz), 1/2 part triplesec or Grand Mariner (.75oz), 2 parts pineapple juice into your shaker and set aside.
Step 4: Salt (optional)
Salt your glass by pouring kosher salt onto a plate and gently press you glass with a wet rim onto the salt. I wet the glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim or with juice using the same technique as with the salt.
Step 5: Ice and Shake
You can now ice your glass and ice your shaker. A longer shake, about 10 sec, will aerate your drink and add a frothy texture.
Step 6: Pour and Enjoy!
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Ladies and gentlemen, “The Coach” has returned.
Jonathan Coachman, a longtime WWE interviewer and broadcaster and former ESPN personality, has signed with WWE to once again be part of the Raw announce team, WWE.com can confirm.
Coachman’s TV announcing duties will officially begin tonight, when he joins Michael Cole and Corey Graves at the Team Red announce desk.
Meanwhile, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T will resume his duties as a panelist on WWE’s pay-per-view Kickoff broadcasts and will continue to make appearances on Raw and beyond as a WWE ambassador.
The Coach began appearing on WWE television as an interviewer in 1999 during The Attitude Era as a frequent foil of The Rock, later expanding his role to include tenures as Raw commentator, Interim Raw General Manager and even as an in-ring competitor on multiple occasions.
Following nearly a decade as an on-air personality at ESPN — which included coverage of WWE with his “Off the Top Rope” segment — Coachman is back to call the action on Monday Night Raw.
Don’t miss The Coach’s return to Raw commentary tonight, beginning live at 8/7 C on USA Network.
WWE Shows Latest Results
Raw results, March 27, 2023: Cody Rhodes bests Solo Sikoa en route to his epic WrestleMania showdown against Roman ReignsFull Results
SmackDown results, March 24, 2023: The Usos savagely assaulted Kevin Owens and Sami ZaynFull Results
WWE NXT, March 28, 2023: Roxanne Perez returns and will defend her title in the Ladder Match at NXT Stand & DeliverFull Results
Roman Reigns conquers The Beast to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion on WrestleMania SundayFull Results


LAST UPDATED : Jan 24, 2020, 12:33 PM IST
- Expect auto sales to pick up in third quarter of 2020: Toyota Kirloskar
Toyota Kirloskar Motor expects auto industry growth to pick up only in the third quarter of this year as consumers would try to understand the new BSVI technology and associated cost increases when it is implemented in April, according to a senior company official.
- Bopanna-Shapovalov enter Paris Masters quarters
India's top doubles player Rohan Bopanna, along with his partner Denis Shapovalov of Canada, advanced to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Paris Masters after a straight-sets victory over the American-Argentine pair of Manuel Gonzalez and Austin Krajicek in their Round of 16 match.
- Error-strewn Rafael Nadal leads Spain into ATP Cup quarter-finals
World number one Rafael Nadal overcame an error-strewn performance and Yoshihito Nishioka's brave challenge to lead Spain into the ATP Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. The 19-time Grand Slam winner made 36 unforced errors before beating Japan's Nishioka 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in two hours and seven minutes.
- Asian Table Tennis Championships: Sharath Kamal-Sathiyan storm into men's doubles quarters
The Indian men's doubles pair of G Sathiyan and Achanta Sharath Kamal sailed into the quarterfinals of the 24th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships with easy win over Mahfoodh Sayed Murtadha and Rashed Rashed of Bahrain at Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Thursday.
- Gujarat: Budget spending below 60% after three quarters
Despite tall claims of being a gatisheel (fast moving) government, the Vijay Rupani government has been unable to spend more than 60% of its allocated funds in three quarters of the financial year. Many departments have shown spending below 50% of the budget estimate, while departments such as climate change have spent below 5% of their budget.


text:
|Subject: Introduction - New member from Danville, California|
Forwarded by Moderator - Welcome Fred and Shelly!!
Hello to fellow travelers,
We will be retiring in the spring of 2003 and plan on spending 10-12 months in Europe. In 1993 took an AmEx tour of Italy (21 days) and in 1998 spent three weeks in Greece and Istanbul on a self guided visit. The travel plans are to start in the north (St Petersburg and Moscow) in July and then moving south to Poland, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Morocco and end up in Italy for 3-4 months. I do a lot of photography (over 1500 pictures on the Greece/Istanbul trip), primarily focused on archeological/historical sites but anything colorful and interesting is open. (Web site is http://silcon.com/~fred/index.htm).
Shelly and I look forward to learning from the group (and sharing our experiences).
Regards, Fred Renner & Shelly Thomas Danville, CA USA


text:
That was the sound of the fizz being taken out of the Pepsi Center by the Utah Jazz when they flattened the Denver Nuggets 103-93 on Friday night.
It might be even easier to hear the sound of confidence being pumped into this Jazz team, which vaulted out of the bottom spot in the NBA standings after back-to-back impressive road wins in Sacramento and Denver.
This double-digit victory over a 13-9 Nuggets team was one of the best of the season for Utah, which improved to 6-19 overall and 5-5 in its last 10.
“We’re still a young bunch together, man, a young group of guys, and they’re growing every night out,” Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. “I can’t say enough about how pleased I am with their focus.”
The Jazz, young and old alike, gave their coach, teammates and fans much more to be pleased about than just focus.
Utah’s starting backcourt of Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke absolutely dominated the Nuggets’ starters.
Ty Lawson, back from a hamstring injury, and Randy Foye, who played in Utah last season, went 0 of 9 from the field and had just five assists.
On the other side, the Jazz guards were a dynamic duo on this night.
The fourth-year Hayward, who’s been mired in an annoying slump, had one of his best professional games, scoring 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting, grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds and dishing out five assists.
“I finally knocked down some shots, that’s for sure, and finished around the rim a little bit better, which is a good feeling,” he said. “I’ve still got to get better from the 3-point line (1-5), but I’ll take it.”
Hayward scored 12 points in the fourth quarter when Utah used a 30-18 strong finish to close out this victory.
“Gordon had a huge game for us,” Corbin said. “He came back and just kept fighting.”
Burke struggled from the field, missing 9 of 12 shots, but he scored 10 points and had 10 assists.
Combined, the Jazz starting guards had one turnover.
Combined, the Nuggets starting guards had zero points.
“That’s not just us. That’s the whole team,” Hayward said. “That’s everybody, especially on a guy like Ty who can get in the lane and really create for himself and others. What a team effort. That might not happen again the rest of the season for them. That’s huge for us.”
It was also huge how the Jazz responded to the Nuggets’ third-quarter push.
When Denver won 100-81 in Utah, the Jazz blew a 10-point lead and were manhandled in a 30-13 fourth quarter.
The roles were reversed this time around.
Former Ute Andre Miller gave the Nuggets an 81-77 lead with a finger-roll layup with 8:45 remaining, completing a 20-point turnaround in 12 minutes. Despite coughing up that 16-point lead, the Jazz were the stronger squad down the stretch thanks to Hayward’s strong play and stingy defense.

domain: sports


text:
Rachael glanced swiftly at the elder Rosen.
"He's leaving anyhow," Eldon Rosen said. "It doesn't matter; the owl is artificial. There are no owls."
"Hmm," Rick muttered, and stepped numbly out into the corridor. The two of them watched him go. Neither said anything. Nothing remained to say. So that's how the largest manufacturer of androids operates, Rick said to himself. Devious, and in a manner he had never encountered before. A weird and convoluted new personality type; no wonder law enforcement agencies were having trouble with the Nexus-6.
The Nexus-6. He had now come up against it. Rachael, he realized; she must be a Nexus-6. I'm seeing one of them for the first time. And they damn near did it; they came awfully damn close to undermining the Voigt-Kampff scale, the only method we have for detecting them. The Rosen Association does a good job - makes a good try, anyhow - at protecting its products.
And I have to face six more of them, he reflected. Before I'm finished.
He would earn the bounty money. Every cent.
Assuming he made it through alive.
The TV set boomed; descending the great empty apartment building's dust-stricken stairs to the level below, John Isidore made out now the familiar voice of Buster Friendly, burbling happily to his system-wide vast audience.
" - ho ho, folks! Zip click zip! Time for a brief note on tomorrow's weather; first the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.A. Mongoose satellite reports that fallout will be especially pronounced toward noon and then will taper off. So all you dear folks who'll be venturing out ought to wait until afternoon, eh? And speaking of waiting, it's now only ten hours 'til that big piece of news, my special expose! Tell your friends to watch! I'm revealing something that'll amaze you. Now, you might guess that it's just the usual - "
As Isidore knocked on the apartment door the television died immediately into nonbeing. It had not merely become silent; it had stopped existing, scared into its grave by his knock.
He sensed, behind the closed door, the presence of life, beyond that of the TV. His straining faculties manufactured or else picked up a haunted, tongueless fear, by someone retreating from him, someone blown back to the farthest wall of the apartment in an attempt to evade him.
"Hey," he called. "I live upstairs. I heard your TV. Let's meet; okay?" He waited, listening. No sound and no motion; his words had not pried the person loose. "I brought you a cube of margarine," he said, standing close to the door in an effort to speak through its thickness. "My name's J. R. Isidore and I work for the well-known animal vet Mr. Hannibal Sloat; you've heard of him. I'm reputable; I have a job. I drive Mr. Sloat's truck."
The door, meagerly, opened and he saw within the apartment a fragmented and misaligned shrinking figure, a girl who cringed and slunk away and yet held onto the door, as if for physical support. Fear made her seem ill; it distorted her body lines, made her appear as if someone had broken her and then, with malice, patched her together badly. Her eyes, enormous, glazed over fixedly as she attempted to smile.
He said, with sudden understanding, "You thought no one lived in this building. You thought it was abandoned."
Nodding, the girl whispered, "Yes."
"But," Isidore said, "it's good to have neighbors. Heck, until you came along I didn't have any." And that was no fun, god knew.
"You're the only one?" the girl asked. "In this building besides me?" She seemed less timid, now; her body straightened and with her hand she smoothed her dark hair. Now he saw that she had a nice figure, although small, and nice eyes markedly established by long black lashes. Caught by surprise, the girl wore pajama bottoms and nothing more. And as he looked past her he perceived a room in disorder. Suitcases lay here and there, opened, their contents half spilled onto the littered floor. But this was natural; she had barely arrived.
"I'm the only one besides you," Isidore said. "And I won't bother you." He felt glum; his offering, possessing the quality of an authentic old pre-war ritual, had not been accepted. In fact the girl did even seem aware of it. Or maybe she did not understand what a cube of margarine was for. He had that intuition; the girl seemed more bewildered than anything else. Out of her depth and helplessly floating in now-receding circles of fear. "Good old Buster," he said, trying to reduce her rigid postural stance. "You like him? I watch him every morning and then again at night when I get home; I watch him while I'm eating dinner and then his late late show until I go to bed. At least until my TV set broke."
"Who - " the girl began and then broke off; she bit her lip as if savagely angry. Evidently at herself.
"Buster Friendly," he explained. It seemed odd to him that this girl had never heard of Earth's most knee-slapping TV comic. "Where did you come here from? " he asked curiously.
"I don't see that it matters." She shot a swift glance upward at him. Something that she saw seemed to ease her concern; her body noticeably relaxed. "I'll be glad to receive company," she said, "later on when I'm more moved in. Right now, of course, it's out of the question."
"Why out of the question?" He was puzzled; everything about her puzzled him. Maybe, he thought, I've been living here alone too long. I've become strange. They say chickenheads are like that. The thought made him feel even more glum. "I could help you unpack," he ventured; the door, now, had virtually shut in his face. "And your furniture."
The girl said, "I have no furniture. All these things" - she indicated the room behind her - "they were here."

domain: literature


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When we compare vegetation zonation in smaller and isolated mountains with that in large mountain ranges, we often find that in smaller mountains, the same vegetation zones occur in lower elevations than in larger, more “massive” ones. This pattern, first described from European Alps by German researchers at the beginning of the 20th century, is known as Massenerhebung effect, or mass elevation effect (Massen = mass, erhebung = uprising or elevation). In Taiwan, this pattern has been pointed out by Su (1984a,b), who plotted elevation ranges of main vegetation zones in Taiwan along latitude (see below). Since Taiwan island stretches mainly in a latitudinal direction, one would expect that vegetation zonation will steadily decrease toward the northern, cooler part of the island. Instead, the schema from Su (1984b) shows quite clearly that “[t]he altitudinal level of these zones shift downward towards both northern and southern tips as a result of Massenerhebung”, a pattern which is most obvious for lower Quercus zone (lower cloud forest).
Scientific literature recognises three potential reasons why Massenerhebung effect occurs. First is the landmass heating effect: large mountainous masses slow down the speed at which temperature decreases with elevation (or, in other words, decreases the lapse rate). The temperature at mountains in certain elevation is always higher than the temperature of the free air at the same elevation; this is because the solar rays reflected by mountains have a considerable heating effect on the surrounding air. A solitary mountain (e.g. volcano) is not capable of reflecting as much heat as an entire mountain range, and as a result, the temperature at the same elevation in the solitary mountain will be cooler than at comparable elevation in an extensive (“massive”) mountain range. The other is the effect of wind: wind will cool down the outer mountain margins or isolated mountains more than inner parts of mountain ranges. Windward parts of the mountains are usually more humid, which means that more heat has to be spent to evaporate the water instead of heating the ground. Inner parts of the mountains will be dryer and warmer (having more “continental” climate). The last is the effect of cloud: isolated mountains and mountains in outer margins of mountain ranges in coastal regions will be more exposed to prevailing cloud formations. High air humidity causes lower air temperature, and high water content in the soil results into slower humus decomposition. Slow decomposition rate causes lack of nutrients available for vegetation, typical for the mountain cloud forest; this may be partly the reason why at isolated mountains and mountains at the margin of mountain ranges the cloud forest occurs at lower elevations than in the central parts of the mountain ranges. Some authors consider as Massenerhebung only the first effect (landmass heating), others include all three together since their effect is not easy to be separated.
On a large scale, Massenerhebung effect is noticeable for example in Himalaya, where the timberline (the upper climatic boundary of the forest) shifts to a considerably higher elevation than in smaller mountains of comparable latitude. On a scale of Taiwan, along with the descriptive study of Su (1984b), the pattern can be recognised also on the distribution of cloud forest from data in the vegetation database (Schultz et al. 2017, their Figure 2), which shows the hump shape pattern (red crosses indicate cloud forest plots).
As far as I know, there is only a single study which is attempting to explain the environmental correlates of Massenerhebung effect in Taiwan. Chiou et al. (2010) used data from National Vegetation Database of Taiwan, and concluded that the cooling effect of northeastern monsoon is more important than Massenerhebung effect caused by the landmass heating. Authors selected 76 woody species occurring commonly across the island, and for each of them estimated the upper altitudinal limit based on the database data. If only data from the eastern part of Taiwan were used, results showed decreasing elevation pattern with increasing latitude (lowest in the northern part of Taiwan and higher in the central and southern part), while in the case of the dataset from western part there was no clear trend. Authors concluded that since they have not detected the decrease in the altitudinal limits in the southern parts of Taiwan, the “[h]eat retention of Massenerhebung is not the mechanism which can best explain the patterns of species altitudinal distribution in Taiwan”.
My modest opinion is that although authors of Chiou et al. (2011) use a rather large dataset of vegetation plots (1604 vegetation plots, each 400 m2), the analysis itself is not too persuasive, and I would be more careful with bold conclusions of no Massenerhebung in Taiwan. It seems that in their definition, Massenerhebung effect includes only the landmass heating effect, while the effect of wind and cloud are considered separately. But at the same times, authors have chosen three areas in Taiwan of comparable elevation span (each reaches the elevation well over 3000 m asl), while not including the marginal mountain systems at the northern and southern part. But this means that the massiveness of all three selected regions is comparable, so I am not sure why authors expect to see the decreasing trend caused by lower landmass heating effect. Additionally, authors used only 76 out of almost two thousands woody species in Taiwan, including only the most common species occurring in all three selected regions. So, not including marginal mountains (the less “massive” far north and far south part of the island) and using only the limited number of species may be exactly those reasons why the hump shape pattern was not detected. But who knows.
The disadvantage of the schema drawn by Su (1984b) is in a relatively subjective nature of the data it builds upon. Although it is based on more than 200 vegetation records from different elevation zones and different watersheds, combined with data from published studies, still, the boundaries of vegetation zones are delineated somewhat arbitrarily, not really using any quantitative tool. But since now we have data from the National Vegetation Database of Taiwan and the classification of forest vegetation types according to the study of Li et al. (2013), it is possible to construct similar schema using the real vegetation plots. This study, which Woody wrote together with co-authors as a part of his PhD during his study in Brno (Czech Republic), contains a description of 21 zonal and azonal forest vegetation types in Taiwan (zonal types are those determined by climate, while azonal are those determined mainly by edaphic conditions). The paper additionally contains one convenient instrument: Cocktail Determination Key (CoDeK), an R-based application which allows automatic determination of vegetation plots into vegetation types described in the paper, based on plot species composition. I used CoDeK to assign plots into vegetation types, chose only plots belonging to zonal vegetation types and merged analogous tropical and subtropical types into the same units. I plotted latitudinal-altitudinal distribution of the plots and fitted the lower boundaries of each vegetation type with quadratic quantile regression. Except for high-elevation conifer-dominated forest types, all other types show clear hump shaped pattern, with a decrease not only in the northern, but also in the southern part of Taiwan. And since zonal forest types in Li et al. (2013) are largely analogous to vegetation types in Su (1984b), the schema shows a nice agreement with the one in Su (1984b) and supports his observation.
Indeed, the hump shape pattern of vegetation types along latitude is just an empirical observation and does not say anything about factors which are is causing it. In fact, it is quite likely that the resulting pattern is a result of all three factors together – landmass heating effect may be responsible for uplift of vegetation zones in central, drier and less windy parts of the mountain ranges, while the effect of wind and cloud may be responsible for downslope shift in the marginal areas. Additionally, land-use changes caused by human activities also may play a role. With all data readily available, it should not be so difficult to find it out.
- Chiou, C.-R., Song, G.-Z.M., Chien, J.-H., Hsieh, C.-F., Wang, J.-C., Chen, M.-Y., Liu, H.-Y., Hsia, Y.-J., & Chen, T.-Y. (2010). Altitudinal distribution patterns of plant species in Taiwan are mainly determined by the northeast monsoon rather than the heat retention mechanism of Massenerhebung. Botanical Studies, 51: 89-97. https://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/content/2010/1/Bot511-11.pdf
- Li C.-F., Chytrý M., Zelený D., Chen M.-Y., Chen T.-Y., Chiou C.-R., Hsia Y.-J., Liu H.-Y., Yang S.-Z., Yeh C.-L., Wang J.-C., Yu C.-F., Lai Y.-J., Chao W.-C., & Hsieh C.-F. (2013). Classification of Taiwan forest vegetation. Applied Vegetation Science, 16: 698–719. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12025
- Schulz, H.M., Li, C.-F., Thies, B., Chang, S.-C., & Bendix, J. (2017). Mapping the montane cloud forest of Taiwan using 12 year MODIS-derived ground fog frequency data. Plos One, 12: e0172663. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172663
- Su, H.-J. (1984a). Studies on the climate and vegetation types of the natural forests in Taiwan (I): Analysis of the variations in climatic factors. Quarterly Journal of Chinese Forestry, 17: 57–73.
- Su, H.-J. (1984b). Studies on the climate and vegetation types of the natural forests in Taiwan (II): Altitudinal vegetation zones in relation to temperature gradient. Quarterly Journal of Chinese Forestry, 17: 1–14.


text:
General Law practice fall in a wide range of overlapping practice areas, from drafting wills to negotiating tax settlements with the Internal Revenue Service. General Practice Lawyers represent individuals, families, businesses and organizations in a wide variety of legal matters.
They can draft legislation and administrative rules, write opinions, advice clients, and respond to citizens’ questions and concerns. Many general law attorneys also handle substantial transactional work involved with state contracts, real estate matters, and program administration.
These lawyers can negotiate employment agreements and standard contracts. The practice involves negotiation of endorsement and/or marketing agreements, representing clients in grievance/ arbitration proceedings, providing tax and estate planning advice, and reviewing and/ or developing investment agreements. It is also common for lawyers in this practice area to handle numerous real estate transactions, and manage their clients’ equity interests in real estate.
They can also assist people with negotiations, legal risk assessment, understanding legal rights, liability issues, and other general law questions and issues. They can provide legal advice, counsel and service to business clients concerning legal rights, obligations, and privileges. They can draw up contracts involving leases, licenses, purchases, sales, real estate, employment, insurance, mergers, acquisitions and related matters.
General Practice Lawyers can often be compared to the family doctor. They are considered a trusted professional and confidant that can provide you with the legal advice you need over a period of years or a lifetime. When the matter requires a specialist, general practice attorneys can usually refer their clients to attorneys who are more familiar with that area of law
Common areas of practice handled by General Practice Lawyers include: commercial and residential buying, selling and closings; management; landlord – tenant; pre-nuptial agreements; preparation and drafting of documents, contracts, wills and trusts; administration of trusts; will contests; probate; representation of the executator, the estate or legatees; alcohol, food and beverage licenses; guardianships of the person, the estate, or both (incapacity or inability to communicate; minors; conservatorships); drafting health care proxy and power of attorney; quantum meruit.

domain: law