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Senator Shaheen spoke on the Senate floor today calling for a equal and fair health care plan that allowed individuals and their doctors to be in charge of making their own health care decisions.
Below are Shaheen's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
Mr. President, over the last year my colleagues and I have come to the floor to speak out against the attack on women’s health. We have seen assaults on Planned Parenthood, on federal funding for family planning, and on contraception.
But now we are facing the Blunt Amendment, something more extreme and far reaching then we have seen in all their attempts to politicize women’s health.
This proposal would affect health care for not just women, but for all Americans. It will affect the care of our children, our husbands and our wives.
In short, the Blunt Amendment would let your boss make your health care decisions, instead of you and your doctor.
The amendment would empower corporations or any other employer to deny virtually any preventive or essential health service to any American based on any religious or moral objection.
Under the amendment, an employer could claim a moral or religious basis in order to deny things like coverage for HIV/AIDS screenings or counseling, prenatal care for single mothers, mammograms, vaccinations for children, or even screenings for Diabetes based on a moral objection to a perceived unhealthy lifestyle.
While the impact of this amendment could impact men, women and children, make no mistake -- at the most fundamental level, this debate is about a woman’s access to contraception.
Supporters of the amendment want to turn back the clock on women’s health. They want to deny women access to preventive health care services.
Birth control is something that most women use and it is something that the medical community believes is essential to the health of a woman and her family.
Contraception prevents unintended pregnancies. The US has the highest rate of unintended pregnancy in the developed world. Approximately one half of all pregnancies are unintended. Contraception can help turn this discouraging fact around.
Access to birth control is directly linked to declines in maternal and infant mortality. In fact, the National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality estimated that ten percent of infant deaths could be prevented if all pregnancies were planned.
For some 1.5 million women, birth control pills are not used for contraception, but for medical purposes. It can reduce the risk of some cancers and is linked to overall good health outcomes.
As Governor of New Hampshire, I signed a law requiring health care plans to cover contraception with no religious exemptions. And I signed it with little uproar and no real controversy.
The bill in New Hampshire passed the Republican-led state legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, almost as many Republicans voted for the bill as Democrats.
It was understood by people on both sides of the aisle-- of all religious faiths-- that requiring contraceptive coverage was about women’s health and a basic health care decision. And now, after twelve years of the law being in place, we are seeing opposition for the first time.
It is so unfortunate that this debate about women’s health has become so politicized. It isn’t right.
I urge my colleague to oppose the Blunt Amendment. The decision about a woman’s health care should be between her, her doctor, her family and her faith.
Press Office, (202) 224-5553

domain: medical


The American operator AT&T contacted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and expressed concerns about the prospects for a joint project between T-Mobile and SpaceX, which involves access for mobile subscribers to Starlink satellites.
In a statement, AT&T says SCS (Supplemental Coverage from Space) technologies should not affect terrestrial communications services and the FCC “should have priority” protection of terrestrial networks and that the T-Mobile and SpaceX prospectuses lack information about possible interference. “The applicants’ engineering calculations are grossly inadequate in terms of the hazardous intrusions that may result from their proposed SCS deployment. <..> SpaceX and T-Mobile services do not meet quality standards and cannot be provided in their current state.”says AT&T.
T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a joint project last August – the idea is to provide coverage in regions where there is no terrestrial communications without modifying user equipment. Tests of satellite communication for ordinary smartphones are planned for the current year. A similar project with satellite provider AST SpaceMobile is being implemented by AT&T itself – the first call to the satellite from a regular Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone was made in late April.


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The first thing about “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” is that it’s superfluous. The original Swedish films may be subtitled, with actors few outside of Sweden had heard of before they came out. But the shock of discovering the socialist paradise’s dark side — Nazis, perverts, serial killers and libel laws that endanger good journalism — the very Swedishness of the piece, made the films of Stieg Larsson’s books riveting big-screen page-turners.
The story — about an aging industrialist who commissions a struggling journalist, who in turn asks for help from a touchy, tortured and troubled bi-sexual punk computer hack with a huge dragon tattoo running down her back — is dense and textured, lots of characters to keep track of, motives to trace, crimes to discover and an ancient missing person case that leads us into the dark world of Larsson’s creation.
David Fincher’s Hollywood remake has a great cast — Rooney Mara has been nominated for an Oscar for her turn in the title role, Daniel Craig is the gutsy journalist, Christoper Plummer is the patriarch, with Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson and other Hollywood character players such as Steven Berkoff filling in around the edges.
The new version has Hollywood production values — dazzling production design, amped up action beats, terrific stunt work and the rights to Enya’s “Sail Away.”
But Fincher, in doing what he has insisted is a “new” adaptation, has changed little. For most of the first two hours, you’d swear he even used some of the same locations — the look, feel and tempo of the movies are that similar. He didn’t fix the main “shortcoming” of the original film, it’s pace. This “Tattoo” is even longer.
Craig does his standard Daniel Craig (light British) accent, playing a Swede surrounded by other actors (Plummer, Wright and Mara) who do feign Swedish accents.
Those had to be the issues the more film savvy in Hollywood picked up on when leaving “Tattoo” out of the best picture and best director races. It’s simply not original enough. He had a blueprint and he followed it.
Craig plays journalist Mikael Blomqvist, ruined by an under-sourced expose of a devious, corrupt industrialist. In the original films, he faced jail time over this, which gave the story some urgency that this one lacks. Blomqvist was a condemned man in the first films. Here, not so much.
Plummer is the aging Henrik Vanger, lord of a shrinking industrial empire and patriarch of a disagreeable clan of Sweden’s uber-rich, a man who wonders if one of his own family members killed a favorite granddaughter who went missing back in the 1960s. Vanger hires Blomqvist to re-open the case and find out what happened to Harriet. His search includes interviews with family members (Geraldine James, Skarsgard, Joely Richardson), some of whom had Nazi sympathies back in the day. And they aren’t even the scariest Vangers.
And along the way, Blomqvist takes on an assistant, the alarming, disturbed young woman/hacker who did the Vanger’s investigation of Blomqvist before he was hired for this case. She lives outside the law, a punk covered in tattoos and piercings, hanging out in gay bars and stealing data by any electronic means necessary. She is a ward of the state, at the mercy of a seriously creepy probation officer (Yorick Van Wageninen from “The Way”).
I love the way Mara carries herself in this role (Noomi Rapace was unforgettable as Lisbeth Salander in the original films). Eyes looking down, an almost military cadence to her walking, she has lived most of her 24 years on the defensive. She takes any remark about her eating habits personally.
“I have a high metabolism I can’t put on weight” she snaps, in a rush, any time it comes up.
In going back tot eh books, screenwriter Steven Zaillian has given more a sexual/romantic side to the Blomqvist/Salandar relationship. Very David Fincher. Very Hollywood, too. That robs the film of some of the spiritual connection between these two mismatched personalities, the sense that each is returning a life-saving favor given by the other.
That doesn’t mean it’s not a thoroughly engrossing, entertaining film, one that deserves to be seen by the millions who missed the original Swedish trilogy. But it does tend to make this “Millennium Trilogy” more perfunctory, more reliant on Fincher (“Se7en,” “Zodiac”) to deliver big, graphic, jolting shocks of sex and violence and sexual violence. That renders this “Tattoo” more tawdry than revelatory, more a stunt than an a gritty, eye-opening thriller set in a country best known for its gorgeous blondes, Volvos and ABBA.
And best picture? Best director? It’s certainly better than some of the nominated films. But Fincher & Co. lose points every time this movie is nothing more than a slightly–just ever so slightly — inferior version of the Swedish films.
MPAA Rating: R for brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Stellan Skarsgard, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright, Jolie Richardson.
Credits: Directed by David Fincher, based on the Stieg Larsson books. A Sony pictures release. Running time: 2:38

domain: entertainment


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Regular readers will know that in 2015, I joined in the “Take a Stitch Tuesday” challenge run by the lovely Sharon Boggon. 100+ stitches, and 2 years later, I had finished every stitch and then some. In 2018, I followed up by joining in the first “Beyond TAST”, and this sampler is the very last of that challenge.
In my last blog post about this sampler, I talked about the often wibbly wobbly way my design process can take. Well. it wibbled and wobbled a bit more after that!
The last challenge for Beyond TAST 2018, was to use three of the techniques we had investigated in a single project. I decided to use woven stitches, pattern darning and couched laidwork.
Firstly, my idea of “a” flower under a glass cloche morphed into a whole lot of flowers after I discovered Victorian shellwork floral arrangements.
Then I drew a cloche pattern to trace around, drew it onto my fabric with a water erasable pen and immediately became stuck, which led to my learning some interesting ways to become unstuck when I can’t decide what to do next.
Sarah’s Guide to Unsticking Your Creative Brain (or my brain, anyway)
- Put the thing away for a bit. Unless you have a deadline. In which case, don’t put it away, pin it up somewhere.
- Have a good, long think about what your intentions for the piece are. For me, it was creating lots of little flowers that, with a bit of imagination, could conceivably have been made out of shells. Maybe.
- Stitch a bit. It doesn’t matter if it sucks, you can rip it out.
- What do you like/dislike about the bits you stitched? If you like them, leave them. If you hate them, don’t be afraid to rip them out and work it the way that you now know would look better.
- Still stuck? (I was). Find a technique that fills in space quickly. Do that. I made flowers with buttons, some of which I removed later.
- At this point I became unstuck and decided to fill in the entire cloche with closely packed flowers.
Things I learnt working this piece (or already knew and employed)
- Repeating things at least three times is a good way to achieve balance, if you want a balanced piece. You can see I only worked two large cream woven flowers, but I added a little star shaped button in the same colour to echo them as a tiny bud.
- It’s fine to change your mind. I had intended to work the whole piece in very shell-like colours. I obviously didn’t 🙂
- I’ll never be able to work couched laidwork perfectly, or even remotely, straight without ruling out every line.
- Couching thread over a mistake can save a lot of work, which is especially important when you’ve run out of the thread you used and really like the colours.
- I am capable of finishing a challenge that took over 4 years. Wow.
Now, I have a few more stitches I’d like to investigate while I sew them all into fabric books so stay tuned!

domain: artistic


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There’s nothing more comforting than sitting down to a warm, hearty dinner after a chilly evening surf session. Unfortunately, most comfort food dishes leave a little to be desired in terms of their nutritional value. However, this genius lasagna recipe from the Minimalist Baker is entirely plant based and packed with protein. It’s sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings while keeping you on track for a healthy new year.
Recipe originally from the Minimalist Baker. For more recipes and information visit www.minimalistbaker.com.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
3 large sweet potatoes (~ 450 g), peeled and thinly sliced (organic when possible)
-3-4 Tbsp (45-60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, plus more for squash
-Sea salt + black pepper to taste (~1/2 tsp each)
-2 lemons, juiced (~1/3 cup or 80 ml)
-12 ounces (340 g) extra firm tofu, drained and pressed dry for 10 minutes
-3 Tbsp (9 g) nutritional yeast
-1/2 cup loosely packed (30 g) fresh basil
-1 Tbsp (3 g) dried oregano
-1/4 cup (20 g) vegan parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
PESTO SAUCE optional
-1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
-1 cup loosely packed (60 g) basil, finely chopped
-2 cloves garlic, finely minced (1 Tbsp or 6 g)
-1/4 cup (20 g) vegan parmesan cheese
-Healthy pinch each salt + pepper
-Water to thin
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
2. Add all tofu filling ingredients to a food processor or blender and pulse to combine, scraping down sides as needed. You are looking for a semi-pureed mixture with bits of basil still intact. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
3. Peel sweet potatoes and slice thinly with a very sharp knife or mandolin. They shouldn’t be paper thin, but semi-thick and bendable – about 1/8th inch.
4. In a 9×13-inch (or similar size) dish, begin laying down the sweet potatoes in a single layer, overlapping slightly.
5. Top with one-third of the tofu ricotta mixture and spread using a spoon or spatula. Top with another layer of sweet potatoes, slightly overlapping. Repeat until you have three total layers of tofu ricotta, and four layers of sweet potatoes. The top layer should be sweet potatoes.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
7. Then remove foil, increase oven heat to 400 degrees F (204 C), and bake uncovered for another 5-10 minutes to slightly brown up the top layer.
8. While the lasagna is cooking, prepare pesto (optional), by adding olive oil, basil, and garlic to a blender or food processor. Mix on on medium-low speed to combine, then add vegan parmesan cheese, a pinch each salt and pepper and pulse to combine again.
9. Add water to thin until a pourable pesto sauce is achieved, mixing on high until only small bits of basil and garlic remain. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added a bit more vegan parmesan cheese and basil.
10. Let lasagna cool slightly before serving. Top entire lasagna with desired amount of pesto, or reserve for individual servings.
11. Best when fresh, though leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Freeze for longer-term storage.
12. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt and pepper for flavor, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, and lemon juice for brightness.

domain: food


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A few years back, Sony Pictures tried their hand at creating their own universe. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 wasnâ€™t just meant as a sequel to the first film, but a way to create an entire Sinister Six spinoff that could potentially lead into any other spinoffs. It was an ambitious plan, and sadly, itâ€™s onethat didnâ€™t work out. As we know, Sony and Marvel Studios have since teamed up to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that doesnâ€™t mean they canâ€™t create their own worlds separate from the MCU. They do, after all, still have the film rights to all the characters in Spider-Manâ€™s rogues gallery and beyond.
Weâ€™ve already seen steps like this taken in recent days. As we reported several days back, the studio has hired Thor: Ragnarok screenwriter to create a Black Cat and Silver Sable film, and around the same time, it was confirmed that a Venom film was set to be released in October 5, 2018. Now, Collider is reporting that Sony is not only shooting for an R-rating, but aiming to launch its own universe.
The report continues, stating that in the tradition of recent R-rated successes like Deadpool and Logan, the Venom movie will be expected to have a relatively modest budget. Letâ€™s just hope theyâ€™ve learned the right things from those movies, in that it wasnâ€™t the smaller budgets or R-ratings that made the movies successes, but rather the strong stories and faithfulness to the characters. However, given that Sony seems to be moving forward with this, one can assume that the Dante Harper-written script is a solid enough one that they want to create a whole universe around it.
Of course, this news piece is a double-edged sword. On one hand, itâ€™s cool that the studio is willing to take a big risk with a character fans have been wanting to see for ages. The downside is that the character will not be one to pop up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While this is unfortunate, the sad reality is that there are dozens of subplots running throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe already. Would the filmmakers actually be able to make a couple movies that handle this character properly while still catering itself to the entirety of the MCU? Not without throwing it off track. And even if they wanted to introduce the subplot, it would likely have to wait until Phase 4 of the MCU, which wouldnâ€™t commence until around 2020. This all means that, optimistically, weâ€™d be looking at a potential 2022 Venom-focused Spidey-film release â€” and thatâ€™s assuming itâ€™s a story that would work in service of the MCU as a whole.
So while my gut is to say that Venom wouldnâ€™t hold up well in his own film, the sad reality is that this is probably the best course of action if Sony wants to take advantage of the characters they currently have in their stables. So going forward with a Venom universe that includes Black Cat and Silver Sable isnâ€™t really a bad idea after all. Letâ€™s just hope their stories and characters are strong enough to stand up on their own.
What do you think of this news? Do you want to see an R-rated Venom in his own shared Marvel Universe? Let us know in the comments down below!
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Isle of Klezbos approaches tradition with playful irreverence and deepest respect. Now celebrating two decades together, the soulful, fun-loving powerhouse all-gal klezmer sextet has toured from Vienna to Vancouver since 1998. Band repertoire ranges from rambunctious to entrancing: Neo-traditional folk dance, mystical melodies, Yiddish swing and retro tango, late Soviet-era Jewish drinking songs, re-grooved standards, and genre-defying originals. Twenty years ago, Alicia Svigals released her groundbreaking album Fidl, the first contemporary recording of the deep and ecstatic klezmer fiddle music which had been beloved across Jewish Eastern Europe for hundreds of years. In 2018 she followed up Fidl with Beregovski Suite: a project with Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Uli Geissendoerfer. Together they bring to life long-lost melodies from the early 20th-century fieldwork of Moshe Beregovski, and re-imagine them for the 21st century.
Have an issue with this listing? Report it here.


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The microwave destroys nutrients – but so do the oven and saucepan
The microwave destroys even fewer vitamins in some vegetables than when the vegetables are boiled or cooked.
- Vitamins are destroyed if they are heated for a long time and the vegetables are washed in water, for example. This is the case when you heat food in the oven or when you cook something. With broccoli, for example, most of the valuable nutrients are lost because they are cooked out.
- In the microwave, on the other hand, most foods are only heated for a few minutes. This can sometimes turn out to be an advantage. Potatoes and broccoli are particularly good for cooking in the microwave. The vitamins C and B contained in the vegetables are less likely to break down than when they are prepared in a saucepan.
- Meat that is sprinkled with spices, garlic, and breast milk should stay away from the microwave. The meat becomes tough from contact with salt, while garlic loses most of its vitamins and antioxidants. Breast milk loses the antibacterial property. In general, foods rich in antioxidants should not be microwaved because they break down when heated.
More tips on using the microwave
In order to understand why the microwave is not beneficial for only some foods, it is necessary to understand the principle on which the microwave works.
- While the saucepan and oven only heat the food from outside, the microwave works on a different principle: the microwave only causes the water molecules in the dish to oscillate. The water molecules are energized and begin to oscillate. With this movement, the dish heats up.
- Foods that are high in water, therefore, heat up better in a microwave than foods that contain little water. Meat that is already seasoned should not be microwaved because the seasoning contains salt. Salt draws water out of the meat. If the meat does not have water, it will heat up poorly and become very tough.
- Vitamin B12 and antioxidants have a poor chance of surviving in the microwave. So if it is important to you that these nutrients are preserved as well as possible, you should use other preparation methods. However, the microwave is not as dangerous as its reputation would suggest.
- However, raw meat should not end up in the microwave, because the microwave does not heat many foods evenly. So always stir the food well. With meat, this fact can be dangerous because pathogens are not killed by the heat. Meat is better prepared in the oven.

domain: health


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---- — PLATTSBURGH — Incumbent Congressman Bill Owens has a double-digit lead over opponent Matt Doheny in an early poll.
The poll, conducted by Siena College, showed Owens, a Democrat, leading the Republican Doheny by a margin of 49 to 36 percent, with 6 percent favoring Green Party candidate Donald Hassig.
Eight percent of respondents were unsure, and 1 percent said they were not voting.
The poll was conducted Sept. 4, 5 and 6 among 638 likely voters in the 21st District, which covers 12 counties from Lake Ontario in the west to Lake Champlain in the east.
Doheny’s camp downplayed the numbers.
“We all know polls are merely snapshots in time,” the candidate said in a news release.
“Siena was in the field during the Democratic National Convention, so it’s laughable to think three nights of wall-to-wall television coverage didn’t have a bearing on these numbers. And despite that coverage being overwhelmingly pro-Democrat at all times, my opponent still cannot manage to crack 50 percent.”
Doheny, an investor from Watertown, is trying to unseat Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney, for the second time. Doheny lost a close race in 2010, which also featured Douglas Hoffman on the Conservative Party line. Hoffman, although he did not campaign after losing a Republican primary to Doheny, still got 6 percent of the vote.
Along with the Republican line, Doheny has the Conservative and Independence party lines this time.
The district was redrawn after the 2010 U.S. Census, morphing from the 23rd to the 21st.
In the Siena poll, Doheny did have a lead in the newest part of the district, which includes Fulton, Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. In that region, he led with 41 to 37 percent over Owens.
Hassig had 9 percent, and 12 percent were unsure in that area.
In Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and Herkimer counties, Owens led 54 to 32 percent, with 5 percent for Hassig. Nine percent were unsure.
In Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, Owens had an even wider advantage of 60 to 32 percent, with 4 percent for Hassig and 2 percent uncertain.
Doheny said that Siena’s poll two years ago at this time in the 20th District election showed Republican Chris Gibson down 17 points to a Democrat, yet Gibson went on to win in November by nine points.
“As I’ve said before, our internal polling shows a much closer congressional race, with Mitt Romney prevailing in the presidential contest,” Doheny said.
“Regardless of what the result is or is not today, I’m still committed to being the hardest-working candidate, going out and meeting voters and telling them about my plan to get Washington working for us again.”
Those surveyed in the poll said they supported President Barack Obama’s health-care plan, which was enacted two years ago, by a margin of 50 percent, with 47 percent in favor of repealing the law.
Also, 59 percent of would-be voters favored eliminating President George W. Bush’s tax cuts for those making more than $250,000, as Obama has proposed, with 37 percent wanting to keep the cuts.
The voters, by 46 to 32 percent, favored the president’s position on Medicare over Romney’s plan.
Owens’s campaign said the only poll they are concerned about is on Election Day.
“We’ll continue listening to voters and focusing on working across the aisle for common-sense job-creation solutions,” campaign spokesman James Hannaway said.
Email Joe LoTemplio: firstname.lastname@example.org

domain: news


Taiwanese scooter company Kymco looks set to move into the superbike category with a loud electric model if this teaser video is any guide.
It was filmed at the French round of World Superbikes at Magny-Cours. The video simply asks spectators “What’s speed?”, “What’s energy?”, “What’s the motorbike of the future?” and “What’s the sound of the future’s motorbike?”
Their answers seem to indicate that Kymco will produce a loud, fast and electric superbike.
But how do you make a near-silent electric bike loud?
Harley tried it by meshing the driving gear on their LiveWire, but it’s not exactly loud. It makes a medium-level “whoosh” sound like a turbine.
The noise answer will be unveiled next week during the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.


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BELLINGHAM — General Motors vehicles now have a new home in Bellingham.
The Dewey Griffin dealership has sold its General Motors franchise to Chevrolet Cadillac of Bellingham at 3891 Northwest Ave.
The deal closed Monday, July 28, and GM cars and parts were being moved to the Northwest Avenue dealership, said Jeffrey Watson, general manager of Chevrolet Cadillac.
The sale includes the Buick division of the franchise, so the new name will be Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac of Bellingham. It also included the parts and repair equipment, so the service department can start handling warranty repairs, maintenance and service.
“It’s a good fit for us,” said Watson. “It will be nice for customers to have all of (these vehicle models) in one spot.”
In a written statement to customers, the Dewey Griffin dealership said the decision was not made easily, but it’s one they believe will benefit customers. That’s because they can now offer more selection of the Subaru brand. Dewey Griffin is at 1800 Iowa St.
“We’re confident this decision is the correct one to make for our dealership and our customers. We’re looking forward to continuing our long-standing commitment to our community and to you, our customer,” the statement said.
The Northwest Avenue dealership has several GM models now and is working with GM to bring in more. After remodeling the facility a couple years ago, the dealership has more room to handle the additional vehicles. It creates a good situation for customers, who want to compare different trucks, for example, or a Cadillac to a Buick, Watson said.


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Upgraded Collagen supplies essential proteins that our bodies use to build and repair our bones, joint surfaces, skin, teeth, eyes, arteries, intervertebral disks, and much more. Collagen is one of the most important nutrients needed to maintain a strong body, keep you in healing mode, and counter-act the degenerative effects of aging.
The average person gets hardly any collagen in their diet; it traditionally made consumed through bone-broths, slow-cooked organ meats, kidney pie, baked beef heart, whole crustaceans, and whole fish soups and stews. But now, few people prepare foods with this source of meats, so Bulletproof developed Upgraded Collagen to deliver the simplest and best source of these essential nutrients. Bulletproof Upgraded Collagen is a dietary supplement that can be added to any liquid drink, or meal you already make, without needing to cook time-consuming broths, stews, soups, and organ meats.
Benefits of Upgraded Collagen


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Wolfe’s Neck Reflections
Media: Digital Photograph
Dimensions: 12"x18" print matted and framed to 18"x24"
Retail Price: $250
Description: This image of Googins Island in Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park was made at sunrise on a particularly calm morning, allowing the waters of Casco Bay to reflect the sky and island in an almost perfect mirror. I used an ultra wide angle lens to capture the scene.

domain: travel


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Na Gode is a track of gratitude and appreciation to God for a divine intervention in his health, and also to his fans (family) for their immense support and votes in the just concluded GOMAwards where he won the awards for the Rap/Hip Hop song and collaboration of the year.
He had this to say; "I have a lot to be thankful for. The blessings of God upon my life have been so evident. I'm using this new track to say thank you (Na Gode) to God and to the "FAN-MILY" that have believed in me".
This Afro-Beat song also features renowned Afro Pop singer, Gaise and was produced by Dr Sankty of 17/17 Studios.
Download, listen, enjoy!


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What do you do when the car’s in for repairs, an MOT or service? Shopping? Visit a cafe? Stay in the garage workshop and wait? Well today, we had a product recall on our family car. Driving there in the snow, the DH and I chatted about tomorrow’s party and wondered whether the snow would settle this time.
The car was booked in for an hour, so my DH and I went to buy some school sports socks for my daughter – her pair had mysteriously fallen out of her bag after a sports lesson on Friday. She also broke her zip on her school skirt and therefore it needed a new zip. We then didn’t need much persuasian to sit in the cafe and nope, I couldn’t just sit there, could I?
I wrist-knitted this scarf in between sips of cappuccino using wool that was in the reduced box. Then I headed home with the repaired car and tried out a new crochet pattern for my next pair of wristies 🙂
I’ve not done zig-zags before, so I’m pleased with the result 🙂
OK, hi everyone! Yesterday was my birthday and what better way to spend it than my DH and daughter taking me to my favourite craft store (with its very own cafe) for breakfast with my son home from uni)?
While we ate, I glanced at the rainbow selection of wool stacked from floor to ceiling and racks of ribbons in every colour under the sun :-). There were yarn bombs decorating the indoor pillars and a delicious variety of books to suit beginners and experts alike. So, what did I buy?
My youngest child wanted me to crochet her some wristies (she’d seen the ones I made earlier in the week). She chose some wool – blue flecked with silver and a grey for the stripe. While she browsed, I flicked through the books. One caught my eye and made me giggle: a book on pipe cleaner pets! Not seen one on that before! I resisted buying the book – for now – but for anyone interested in trying a new craft … It’s also available on Amazon:
Maybe this is something to try next year on Squarebird?
I then found some pretty pink and grey yarn which was perfect for my friend. This evening, after watching the indoor sparklers flicker on my birthday cake (bought for me by the colleague I’d made the red wristies for earlier), I crocheted another pair of wristies for my friend.
(photo by my daughter)
Now onto making some for my daughter!
When a colleague asked me to crochet or knit her a pair of wristies and gave me free reign over colours/style and pattern, I checked out a number of patterns and basically it evolved from 38 chain. I modelled the size around my own wrist and hand length. She hasn’t seen them yet (I said I’d have them ready by Friday), so hope she likes them now they’re finished. I enjoyed making them so much, I’m going to make myself a pair!
The wristies consisted of mainly trebles, so the pattern grew quickly – if I’d opted to do some knitting, they could well be waiting until after Christmas!
Over the year I’ve achieved several firsts at crafts:
Patchwork chicken pin cushions
Toothbrush bracelet (yes, really)
Printing on a gelli plate
Completing a 39 square embroidery project
Painting a mural on a wall
Creating a magazine-rolled pen pot
Holding my first art exhibition (outside of college)
Creating my first knitting pattern and publishing it
Taking part in the National Novel Writing Month, achieving the winner’s 50,000 word badge and working full time!
Stitched my first teddy bear out of a cushion cover …
…just to name a few! There have also been many crafts I’ve revisited and enjoyed very much such as drawing and sketching, book making, lino cutting and printing, pyrography and writing haiku. Time and again, I reminded myself that it would be a huge challenge to produce a craft a day as this blog suggests in its name. I mostly achieved that – and sometimes posted more than one post in a day – until I began to work full time and seeing my son go off to uni. It was only when we got to November I reasoned with myself that I could produce better work if I spent more time on it than pushing myself to get that blog post out before midnight!
There have only been a few days when I’ve not added a blog entry … that’s only recently. This is because I’ve realised there are some things that need to stay hidden for a bit so that ideas can grow and creativity can happen :-). Also, some opportunities happen when you least expect them … and aren’t even consciously looking for them (such as when I found the route to buying my first printing press) and having one of illustrations published (outside of the blogesphere) this week!!! That really was exciting!
Now, I have editing to do on my newly written novel – a creative journey in itself, so if this blog goes quiet you’ll know that I am still busy creating. But … I’ll be back and hope that you will drop by and say hello in the comments now and again.
Meanwhile, here is another first: I’ve never made a crocheted necklace or piece of jewelery before. I was inspired by a colleague wearing a knitted bauble necklace at work today. She had a lovely deep red jumper on and a long necklace. As I’m not keen on knitting, I decided to attempt to make one using a size 3 crochet hook and a ball of cotton string :-). I chose string mainly because I’m not keen on the wool colours I have in my cupboard; each of them were bought with specific projects in mind or I’ve been given random odd balls of yarn by my mum who knits trauma teddies for children who’ve been displaced through natural disasters. I’m also thinking that I might dye the string now that I’ve made the necklaces. What do you think?
Just made a start on my latest commission
This is the finished beret that I started a few days ago. If you remember, the crochet hook snapped. The company I bought the hook from sent me two replacements in the mail and I was able to complete the project this evening. Hope you like it as much as my daughter 🙂
Just posting something I was doing yesterday – a work in progress. I started this round of crochet a few days ago and the needle snapped. My lovely husband bought me a new set and I managed to do a bit more of my project. Today, however I’ve been suffering from an excruciating migraine, causing me to be in bed for most of the day and I’ve been avoiding computer screens. Apologies for not sharing a new craft, but my body said no today!
My crochet plan was going so well … bought the wool, bought a new needle, had a pattern in my head…then…the…needle…snapped. Will have to reveal the finished article another time! So, this is a work in progress. Can you guess what it’s going to be?
Yarn Bombing … A crocheted or knitted rose for charity March 2014
Next week there are workshops in Bath City Centre to knit or crochet a rose – there is a free pattern/tutorial available at http://www.emmaleith.co.uk/category/tutorials for people who can’t get to Bath to have a go at home and make a rose for charity. According to the article in the paper available at:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Knit-rose-Bath-Fashion-raise-money-charity/story-20677102-detail/story.html completed roses need to be in by 30th April and can be handed in at the following places or posted to Emma herself.
Wool, 19 Old Orchard St, Bath, or Great British Yarns, Unit 9, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath. UK. or Emma Leith at White Cottage, Devizes Road, Box, Wiltshire. SN138DY
I thought I’d have a go …
Here are a couple I crocheted this morning following Emma’s tutorial 🙂
Craft 48/365 Daisy Chain
It was mufti-day on Friday for my daughter. She wore a daisy chain in her hair and had lots of comments from teachers. I found the little chain of daisies at a Christmas market and you can buy extra daisies to make really long chains.
I decided to have a go at crochet using some remnants of wool and odd buttons. I started off with making a magic ring and 8 dc around it. Then I made the petals by crocheting seven chain and linking this chain back to the dc in the magic ring. The flowers were individually attached to a long chain of bright green wool. Considering I had no crochet pattern to follow, my daughter was pleased with the result!


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In celebration of the newest addition to its popular Book of Gold series, Playson has dedicated its latest tournament exclusively to the soon to be released game, Book of Gold: Multichance.
The exciting three-day cash bonanza runs from August 27th-29th and features daily drop mechanics. Each day of the tournament, 50 lucky players will have a chance to share the huge €10,000 daily prize pool.
According to Playson, a €1 qualification bet and 10 spins are all it takes to qualify for this latest competition, which is sure to have pulses racing!
Points are converted into the highest single round wins, which looks like…
…a player playing 150 rounds, with a 50x multiplier being their highest multiplier, would receive 50 points towards possibly winning that massive cash pot.
Unlike past tournaments, there is only one participating game here, which, after experiencing players are sure to keep coming back to keep the adventure going in their quest for the Book of Gold!
Book of Gold: Multichance follows the series’ three past releases, Book of Gold: Symbol Choice which was released in October 2019, Book of Gold: Classic launched in May 2019, and Book of Gold: Double Chance, the first title in the family, released in October 2018.
In addition to growing its Funky Fruits portfolio with the launch of its latest release Fruity Crown, Playson also recently wrapped up its Summer Deluxe slots tournament, which featured six of the casino software provider’s most popular games. The tournament took place between August 14-23, with 27,390 players battling it out for their share of a €50,000 prize pool. Once lucky player scored 869,560 points earning them €10 000. A total of 250 fans shared in the huge jackpot.
Fans can expect the developer’s next slot, Buffalo Power: Hold and Win, to drop on the 27 August. The 3×5 video slot with 20 fixed pay lines combines plenty of features with “hold and win” mechanics, so be sure to check it out!


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p-x-stitch-art - 3/1/99
"Cross Stitch Embroidery in the Middle Ages and Renaissance" by Karen Larsdatter.
This article was submitted to me by the author for inclusion in this set of files, called Stefan's Florilegium.
These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author or translator.
While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.
Mark S. Harris...AKA:..Stefan li Rous
stefan at florilegium.org
Cross Stitch Embroidery in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
by Karen Larsdatter
Many of the ladies in my local area enjoy working embroidery, and cross stitch is undoubtedly one of the most popular stitches. Nearly all the work done at the Inter-Baronial Needlework Nights I host is cross stitch. Despite its popularity, it is often mistakenly considered to be out of period when, in fact, there are many examples of cross stitch dating from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
One of the oldest examples of cross stitch embroidery is a fragment of cloth, found in a Coptic cemetery in upper Egypt. It is estimated that this piece may date back to the sixth or seventh centuries AD. The fragment -- featuring a roundel with an outer floral border encircling a depiction of the Visitation -- includes cross stitches, as well as satin stitch, split stitch, and couched work.1 Cross stitch embroidery flourished during the T'ang dynasty in China (618-906 AD), and it is thought that cross stitch may have spread westward along trade routes during this time.
It is rare to see cross stitch done as the sole stitch on any pre-Renaissance embroidery in western Europe. Generally, cross stitch was used in addition to other work, as split stitch, satin stitch, and so forth. One such example is seen on an English seal bag dating back to 1319. It features the arms of the city of London -- an escutcheon with St. Paul holding a sword and book. St. Paul (as well as the sword and book) are worked in split stitch and underside couching, but the field of the escutcheon is worked entirely in cross stitch. Another example, the Syon Cope, worked in the first twenty years of the fourteenth century, features cross stitch in addition to underside couching and split stitch on the heraldic orphreys, which were added to the cope when it was converted from a chasuble. Staniland writes that
Cross stitch and counted-thread embroidery are both quickly mastered. Their repetitious nature meant that they produced effective ornament in a fairly short period of time, covering the ground of the work much more rapidly than the finer, more painstaking, needlepainting techniques.2
Cross stitch and long-armed cross stitch are seen on quite a few medieval German pieces. A mid-thirteenth century altar frontal from the Convent of Heiningen, depicting Christ in glory flanked by five saints, features a great deal of cross stitch. A twelfth century chasuble worked entirely in long-armed cross stitch in silk on a linen ground, from the Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien in the Black Forest, has 38 compartments enclosing portraits of saints and scenes from the Old and New Testaments; in the border are medallions with half-length figures of prophets, evangelists, apostles, and princes. A fifteenth century German embroidered band from the Cathedral of Halberstadt is done entirely in long-armed cross stitch, and features a floral motif flanked by the words "SANCTA ODILIA SANCTUS KYLANUS AVE REGINA CELO MATER REGIS"; interspersed among the words are small human figures wearing crowns.3 Abstract geometric patterns are also often seen in medieval German long-armed cross stitch embroidery. Examples include a Westphalian box cover4 and several colorful pouches done in long-armed cross stitch.
In the sixteenth century, embroidery evolved from an art form intended to decorate the church to a domestic pastime. The amount of altar frontals and vestments made in this period declines, and more embroidered garments, home furnishings, and samplers are produced. The popularity of embroidery was partially fueled by the new printing presses, and as the quality of printing and book production escalated, so too did the amount of books available to the aspiring embroiderer. It is thought that single pattern-sheets were being printed in Germany as early as the late fifteenth century; the earliest printed pattern book, Johannes Schönsperger's Ein New Modelbuch, was published in 1524.
Patterns for cross stitch were often among the embroidery patterns offered in such books, along with other forms, such as blackwork, strapwork, lacis, and counted satin stitch. These patterns did not have a series of colors on the graph and a key, as modern patterns do; rather, areas to be cross-stitched were either blacked out or marked with a dot on the grid, and the stitcher could choose the colors for the marked areas as well as for the background. These patterns could either be counted onto the cloth (as Epstein indicates in her introduction to Nicholas Bassée's New Modelbuch -- in fact, she refers to all 80+ of the cross stitch patterns in the Modelbuch as "counted cross stitch") or could be detached from the pattern book, holes punched through the pattern, and charcoal dust pounced through the holes and onto the linen.
One can see the end result of such pattern-books on Jane Bostocke's sampler of 1598, the earliest known signed and dated sampler. On the top portion of the sampler, there are several cross-stitched figures in various stages of completion. One can even see evidence of unembroidered portions -- among the cross-stitched sections there are an elephant, a bird, and a rabbit which have been carefully marked onto the fabric (either via the punch-and-pounce method, or perhaps just pricked though the pattern and onto the cloth). Clearly, these motifs were from a pattern book or broadsheet, although there is no evident link between the motifs on the sampler and surviving examples of contemporary books or broadsheets.
It is interesting to compare the cross stitched motifs on the Bostocke sampler, done in England, to an unfinished and unsigned German spot sampler of the early sixteenth century, done in cross stitch, long-armed cross stitch, double-sided Italian cross stitch, and double running stitches, pictured in Staniland's Embroiderers. Spot samplers featured individual motifs, or spots, arranged haphazardly; they were generally unsigned, and served as practice pieces of experienced embroiderers testing new designs, trial designs made before working a final piece, designs which later could be cut out of the linen and appliquéd to a final piece, or simply records of designs.5 One motif that the two samplers have in common is the pelican in her piety, an image known to us in the SCA as the badge of the Order of the Pelican. Both the Bostocke sampler and the earlier anonymous German sampler have very nearly the same version of the motif -- of the bird piercing her breast to feed three young chicks, in a very geometrically rendered and symmetrical oak tree (although Bostocke adds a squirrel and and unfinished bird to hers as well). In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the image of the pelican in her piety had symbolic religious connotations, a graphic metaphor for the Crucifixion; it is a rather common image in art and embroidery in period. Period embroidery books routinely plagiarized patterns from earlier books;6 it would not be shocking to discover that the Bostocke sampler and the German sampler have their origins in related pattern-books.
While embroidery-books were being printed all over Europe, these were not the only books which were responsible for the inspiration of Renaissance-era cross stitch. The Oxburgh hangings -- a series of cross-stitched panels worked in silk on linen, and then applied to velvet -- feature colorful pictures of plants and animals. The designs were drawn up by professional embroiderers in the household of Elizabeth of Hardwick, the Countess of Shrewsbury; these drawings were in turn based on books such as Conrad Gesner's Icones Animalium (1560) and Pierre Pelon's La Nature et Diversité des Poissons (1555), as well as Mattioli's Comentarii (editions from 1568 and 1572). On some panels, such as "BYRD OF AMERICA," one can even see where the pattern has been drawn directly onto the linen. These embroideries were worked by Elizabeth and professional embroiderers under her own employ, as well as Mary, Queen of Scots, who was a prisoner in the custody of the Earl and Countess from 1569 to her execution in 1587. Elizabeth of Hardwick also commissioned or worked several other cross stitch pieces, including a folding screen with thirty octagonal cross stitched panels.
Slips, embroideries worked onto canvas and then cut out and appliquéd to the background fabric (which was often velvet), were most often done in tent stitch, but there are a few examples of slips worked in cross stitch.7 Slips generally depicted flowers and plants, although some featured insects, animals, heraldic monsters, people, and even coats of arms. As with other embroidery, slips could be inspired by designs in pattern books or illustrations in books like the herbals and bestiaries which inspired the Oxburgh Hangings. The slips were applied to bed hangings, cushions, and other household furnishings; while clothing might be embroidered with similar patterns, it was easier to embroider directly onto the cloth, instead of embroidering a separate appliqué.
Several seventeenth century band samplers -- portable records of favorite patterns and stitches worked across long strips of linen8 -- also feature cross stitched patterns. Since band samplers were generally unsigned, it is near useless to define which samplers feature cross stitch; it would simply be easier to look for pictures of band samplers, and to determine which bands were in fact cross-stitched. Many of these samplers feature bands which would be easy to adapt to create your own seventeenth century-style band sampler. Indeed, many period cross stitch designs, with some creativity (and a little bit of graph paper), could be adapted for use on any number of projects -- garb trim, pouches, table linens -- the list is limited only by your imagination!
1 Marie Schuette and Sigrid Mueller-Christiansen, A Pictorial History of Western Embroidery.
2 Kay Staniland, Medieval Craftsmen: Embroiderers, p. 36.
3 Timothy J. Mitchell, "Long-Armed Cross Stitch Embroidery," http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Wymarc/cross.htm.
4 Joyce Miller, "A 14th-15th Century Embroidered Box from Westphalia (Germany)," http://web0.tiac.net/users/drbeer/joyce/emb/westbox/westbox.htm.
5 Liz Arthur, Embroidery 1600-1700 at the Burrell Collection, p. 61.
6 Kathleen Epstein, "Introduction: German Pattern Books," German Renaissance Patterns for Embroidery, p. 3.
7 Meg Andrews, "Slips: Late 16th/Early 17th Century (Elizabethan/Stuart) Embroidery," http://www.victoriana.com/shops/andrews/slips.htm.
8 Joanna Foster, "Cross Stitch," Needlework, June 1997, p. 43.
Andrews, Meg. "Slips: Late 16th/Early 17th Century (Elizabethan/Stuart) Embroidery," http://www.victoriana.com/shops/andrews/slips.htm.
Arthur, Liz. Embroidery 1600-1700 At The Burrell Collection. London: John Murray Publishers, 1995.
Beck, Thomasina. The Embroiderer's Story: Needlework from the Renaissance to the Present Day. Devon: David & Charles, 1995.
Eaton, Jan. A Creative Guide to Cross Stitch Embroidery. London: New Holland Publishers, 1991.
Elder, Karen. V&A Needlepoint Collection. London: Brockhampton Press, 1995.
Epstein, Kathleen (ed). German Renaissance Patterns for Embroidery: A Facsimile Copy of Nicholas Bassée's New Modelbuch of 1568. Austin: Curious Works Press, 1994.
Foster, Joanna. "Cross stitch," Needlework, June 1997 (Issue 57), pp. 40-46.
Gostelow, Mary. The Cross Stitch Book. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
_____. Mary Gostelow's Embroidery Book. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1978.
Kay, Dorothea. Embroidered Samplers. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1979.
Miller, Joyce. "An Embroidered Box from Medieval Germany," http://web0.tiac.net/users/drbeer/joyce/emb/westbox/westbox.htm.
Mitchell, Timothy J. "Long-Armed Cross Stitch Embroidery," http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/wymarc/cross.htm.
Rhodes, Mary. Needlepoint: The Art of Canvas Embroidery. London: Octopus Books, 1974.
Schuette, Marie, and Sigrid Mueller-Christiansen. A Pictorial History of Western Embroidery. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1963.
Staniland, Kay. Medieval Craftsmen: Embroiderers. London: British Museum Press, 1992.
Swain, Margaret. The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots. Bedford: Ruth Bean Publishers, 1986.
Wainwright, Angela. Renaissance Cross Stitch Samplers. London: Cassell, 1995.
Wardle, Patricia. Guide to English Embroidery. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1981.
Copyright 1998 by Karen Larsdatter <Karen_Larsdatter at yahoo.com>. Permission is
granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is
credited and receives a copy.

domain: hobby


Representatives from Zhongguancun companies promote their brands at a campaign for innovation on Oct 19 in Beijing. Provided to China Daily
During a patent exhibition week held in Beijing's Haidian district, high-tech companies showcased patented products and thousands of patents were traded during the event to boost research and development in the technology hub.
At a press conference on Thursday, nine patents, including a smart camera and a new scanning system for food safety, were introduced to the public.
After the conference, participants visited the center for patent exhibition, which has seen transactions worth more than 30 million yuan ($4.7 million), according to the Haidian Intellectual Property Bureau.
Haidian, where Zhongguancun is located, is known for its technological research and innovation. Companies based in the district have benefited from patents for a long time.
At the conference, computer maker Lenovo introduced new laptop models that can be converted into tablets or projectors. The axle of the company's YOGA laptop can be retroflexed 360 degrees and can be used as a tablet, said Gao Fei, director of the patent department of Lenovo.
The smartphone maker Xiaomi has made breakthroughs in patent applications, which has helped the company diversify its product ranges. During the past four years, the number of Xiaomi's patents increased to 1,080 last year from 35 in 2011, one year after the company was founded, according to Gao Peng, senior engineer in Xiaomi's technology and patent department.
Gao said Xiaomi has applied dozens of patents in its smart housing systems such as long-distance monitoring of electric appliances.
Wang Ying, director of the Haidian intellectual property authority, said the district has a large number of high-tech companies and nurtures a good environment for patents and intellectual property rights to help companies grow and remain competitive.
Li Zhong, deputy director of the Beijing intellectual property office, said about 50,000 patents were applied for in the capital last year and companies in Haidian accounted for more than half of those.
"Intellectual property is an important indicator for the development of the local economy," Li said. "The more patents one district has, the more the local economy will benefit. It can promote the quality of GDP growth, and that's why Haidian is one of the best economies among Beijing's 16 districts and counties."
(China Daily 10/21/2015 page16)


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The calendar says it’s spring and the weather has certainly felt like it in recent days, so it would seem like a good time to switch from the heavy comfort food we might have been cooking the past few months to something lighter and full of the season’s fresh veggies.
But with what’s happening in the world right now — the coronavirus pandemic, our shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements — some comfort food is definitely in order.
Before we were under the shelter-in-place requirement, when gatherings of under 10 people still seemed to be OK, I invited a friend over for dinner. I culled through my favorite comfort food recipes and thought a slow-roasted pork chili verde would be just the thing — plus make my house smell great. I made a grocery list and was ready to brave the supermarket lines when I remembered she doesn’t eat pork.
Back to my recipes!
Then I remembered a recipe I had copied from Food & Wine’s “Potluck: Food and Drink to Share With Friends and Family” before I gave the cookbook to Larkspur resident Stephanie Prescott, who reviewed it as a Cookbook Critic last year. I’ve made it a few times and it was a hit each time.
The only thing I tweaked this time because there was two of us and so I had halved the recipe, was cooking the dish in the same cast iron pan I crisped the chicken in instead of transferring it to a baking dish. One less thing to wash.
What are you cooking during this stressful time? Please share your comfort food recipes with the IJ, along with a bit about the recipe and yourself, and, if you have, high-resolution photos of your dish, and I’ll run them in future issues of Zest.
Please be sure to include your full name and Marin town, how much the recipe serves (if known), with the recipe written in typical style — ingredients first, then steps. Take care to copy the recipes in basic Word format Please be careful with numbers and amounts as it’s easy to make little mistakes that can turn into big mistakes for those replicating the dish in their kitchen.
Please spell out tablespoons, teaspoons, ounces, pounds and so forth, and if it comes from a cookbook, please include the name of the cookbook. Please send it to firstname.lastname@example.org and email@example.com, and put “Comfort Cooking” in the subject line.
It’s going to take a village to get through the pandemic. Let’s “break bread” together by sharing some comfort.
Braised chicken thighs with marinated artichokes
Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (3 3/4 pounds)
Sea salt and pepper (see Note)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
15 ounces marinated artichoke hearts, plus 1/4 cup brine from the jar
1 cup Castelvetrano olives
1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
1 lemon, thinly sliced
6 thyme sprigs
1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
½ cup semidry sherry, such as amontillado
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. In a large cast-iron skillet or black steel pan, heat the oil. Add half of the chicken skin side down and top the pieces (not the pan) with a pot lid; cook over moderate heat until browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer skin side up to a large baking dish. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Scatter the artichoke hearts, olives, garlic, lemon slices and thyme in the baking dish.
Pour off the fat from the skillet. Add the artichoke brine, stock, sherry and fish sauce; bring to a boil. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, then pour the mixture around the chicken. Cover tightly with foil and braise in the oven for 1 hour, until the chicken is very tender.
Uncover and increase the oven temperature to 400°. Roast the chicken for 15 minutes longer, until the skin is crisp.
Discard the thyme. Transfer to plates and serve.


Information Technology Solutions is a study that involves management, design, development and implementation of computer based information systems. It includes both physical components that are termed as hardware and programming tools referred as software. The scale of IT usage is gaining force day by day. Its scope is getting wide in the field of education, profession or personal life. Earlier IT was just confined to limited sectors such as Banking or Engineering. But now the flow of IT usage has gained a fast pace. IT is life of all sectors now. This is the reason when Information Departments in almost all the sectors be it health care, education, banking, finance, corporate house, insurance, government organizations etc keeping on bringing out positions related to IT jobs.
Information Technology Solutions plays an importance role in business houses as it enables the personnel to manage huge amount of data in a well planned manner. This practice enables the professionals to collate and extract the data with absolute accuracy and quick way. IT has enabled the business to move in smoother way. Information Technology through innovative gadgets has made the communication to be faster and easier. Seeing a boom in IT sector IT Jobs in Melbourne is highly attracting the individuals who bear strong base of IT knowledge and applications. It is greatly contributed to numerous of fields. Security Systems, Global Positioning System, Innovative Graphics, Computer Aided Surgeries, Multimedia applications etc perfectly define how IT is now an integral part of our personal and professional lives. IT strategically streamlines all the business activities thereby aiming at high return on investment.
IT has added the automation and accuracy factor to all the activities which we were earlier done manually. Every business is ready to invest in technology to set their identity in the competitive world. IT Jobs needs pool of talented brains that are ready and eager to bring out innovative and technologically sound ideas to add pace and accuracy to the business operations. IT has displayed numerous of its benefits and has become an inseparable part of our lives. IT apart from collating the data in an organized manner works to improve efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize profit thereby reducing the cost. IT allows it customers to support cordial and genial relationship with their end customers and business partners.
In the era of speedy technological advancements, IT has not left itself behind in enhancing teaching cum learning abilities. Teachers and learners are given with the tools that encourage making use of multimedia technologies. IT has made the learning and education more communicative and interactive. Computers have added pace to technique of imparting education. Computers have become convenient and powerful source of information processing. Earlier computers we limited to word processing, database programs and spreadsheets but now innovative applications and software are developed that include computer aided designs, networking, electronic mail, games, multimedia applications, educational software, audio-video applications, search engines, file sharing etc. IT is not confined to people who are intensively involved in IT Jobs.


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The Emotional Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is an invisible disability that often goes undetected. Once people notice a decline in their hearing, most of us wait up to five years before seeking help. Many claim “selective hearing” is to blame for their inability to hear and follow conversations at home or work. Unfortunately, there are many adverse effects of untreated hearing loss. In this article, we will discuss the different emotional burdens caused by untreated hearing loss and ways to improve your hearing health.
Hearing loss does not only impact your ability to communicate but also on your social, emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing. Hearing loss becomes more prevalent with age. According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, over 70 percent of adults over the age of 70 have hearing loss. It is estimated that only a third of these hearing losses are managed with hearing aids or an assistive listening device.
Untreated or undiagnosed hearing loss in children can result in not only speech and language delay but behavioural, emotional and educational deficits. In Australia, three to six children in every thousand have some degree of hearing loss. This means a large number of Australians in our most vulnerable age groups are potentially deprived of enjoying life without this primary sense.
Untreated Hearing Loss And Its Emotional Impact
With an untreated hearing impairment, it can be challenging to participate in conversations. You may struggle with following directions, miss important pieces of information, such as phone numbers, or could mishear important instructions. In older people, this can lead others to believe they are confused, forgetful or worse – that they are developing dementia.
In young children, untreated hearing loss can lead to communication gaps due to the inability to express themselves. Children often understand the meaning of words just fine but become frustrated as they cannot speak and explain their needs properly. The reason for the delay in expressive language is that their hearing loss prevents the constant input of language for them to replicate.
The avoidance of social situations often begins with you missing words or parts of conversations. You may become selective with the social situations you attend. Perhaps, you become lost following conversations, can’t answer questions and become embarrassed you’ve responded inappropriately. All this makes you more likely to withdraw from social situations rather than letting people around you know about the problem.
The fact is, untreated hearing loss makes participation in social situations more difficult. Listening to conversations in situations where there is higher background noise can be challenging and you may be considered rude or selective in what you are choosing to hear. As a result, you may find yourself withdrawing from these situations.
You might avoid joining a group in the tearoom at lunchtime, attend family dinners at restaurants or skip drinks at the end of a round of golf. This can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. Children withdrawing from playing with friends or in large family groups can be an indication of an undiagnosed hearing loss.
Relationships with your loved ones
Age-related hearing loss generally occurs slowly over time. If you have a hearing loss, you might be unaware that your hearing is changing for quite a long time. The people around you may accuse you of having selective hearing or ignoring them by choice. This can impact relationships with family or loved ones.
In fact, a major problem with untreated hearing loss is the risk it poses for relationships, be it marriages or relationships with family members and friends. The most common complaints audiologists receive include: “I can’t hear my partner at home”, “my family thinks I’m ignoring them” or “my friends think I have selective hearing”.
With untreated hearing loss, it can be easy to get lost in a conversation. As the hearing loss becomes worse, family members may become frustrated with you. They may struggle to determine if there is a hearing issue or if you are choosing to ignore them. Oftentimes, individuals are encouraged by family members or loved ones to have their hearing health investigated further.
This can result in increased frustration on both sides. The family member becomes frustrated with the person with the hearing loss for refusing to do anything about it. The person with hearing loss becomes frustrated as they are often unaware the hearing loss exists.
Those with untreated hearing loss often grieve in silence about their inability to hear which requires more energy as they struggle to pay attention to follow conversations at home or in social settings. This is a very unhealthy emotional burden to carry, therefore it is better to get your hearing tested even if you suspect the slightest change in hearing.
Regular hearing tests can be done in as little as thirty minutes and will give you a fundamental understanding of where your hearing is at, and how it is changing over the years.
Self-esteem and mental health
Hearing loss is often a disability people are not wanting to admit to themselves. Some feel shy or embarrassed to admit a hearing difficulty and would prefer people thinking they have selective hearing rather than an undiagnosed hearing loss. This may be caused by a reluctance to admit there is something wrong. It may also be refusing to admit they are ageing. According to the Better Hearing Institute, untreated hearing loss in working Australians has disastrous effects on productivity, performance, and career success.
Hearing loss can affect your ability to contribute to conversations, both in private or during meetings or on the telephone. As a result, your self-esteem takes a hit, and you may experience anxiety and depression. The problem can then build upon itself because social isolation often results in hearing loss going undetected, simply because there are no opportunities to determine how poor the hearing impairment is.
In children, untreated hearing loss can lead to difficulties listening in background noise. In noisy situations such as a classroom or a childcare centre, they can become overwhelmed with feelings of inability to cope. Parents and teachers believe they are being selective with their listening as they can often hear well in quiet situations.
Problems arise when the child can’t see the speaker’s face or if the speaker’s voice is masked by noise. This can lead to withdrawal from friends, inattention in the classroom and feelings of low self-worth. Children may then become anxious, their schoolwork suffers and they may refuse to attend school. Younger children can become frightened to attend child care or noisy situations such as play centres and there may be other behavioural outbursts.
If this is you, then it’s about time to seek help
Both children and adults can suffer from a variety of psychological effects related to untreated hearing loss, which can include frequent outbursts of anger, decreased self-confidence, rising frustration, embarrassment, fatigue, and depression. Many adults experience extended periods of deep sadness, and a form of grieving as hearing capacity continues to diminish. These and other symptoms of depression tend to contribute to other symptoms creating a vicious cycle, which is difficult to interrupt. The best thing we can do for ourselves or our loved ones is recognise there may be a deficit in hearing, not accuse anyone of being selective and arranging for a hearing assessment.
There is a range of solutions available that can help you hear the sounds of everyday life, including hearing aids, accessories and rehabilitation programs. Assistive listening devices can be tailored to your lifestyle and your hearing loss. Sometimes it is as simple as learning to utilise your remaining hearing to its full potential. If you are tired of the social isolation and strain yourself to hear without proper communication strategies, you will inevitably experience frustration and anger, and exacerbate the possibility of psychological problems associated with hearing loss.
It is therefore wise to put your hands up and seek help when hearing loss is adversely affecting your lifestyle emotionally, socially and mentally. Refrain from comparing your inability to hear to another who might be selectively hearing or someone who had a “negative” outcome. This is because every individual is unique in their ways and there are different options for different people.
If hearing loss is left untreated, there are many emotional impacts that eventually lead to poor mental health and poor social balance. To take charge of your hearing health, contact your nearest Attune Hearing clinic for a hearing check-up! Give us a call on 1300 736 702 or book your appointment online today!

domain: sociology


Rally in Support of Nuclear Power
Supporters of Vermont Yankee to hold rally Sunday, Oct. 23 outside the plant gates
On Sunday, October 23, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm outside the front gate at Vermont Yankee, there will be a rally of support for the plant staff and the outage team.
“We need to show them that they are appreciated,” said co-organizer Meredith Angwin, director of the Energy Education Project of the Ethan Allen Institute. “We will show our support for nuclear energy!”
“Why are we doing this now? Partially because of the outage: we want to support the plant and the workers. Also, the following weekend, an opponent group is holding a shut-it-down rally at the plant,” Angwin said. “We discussed holding our rally the same day to provide balance, but decided that was a bad idea. Multiple rallies held near the plant gates can raise security issues. So we are holding our rally this weekend.”
"The people working the outage will appreciate our support," said co-organizer Howard Shaffer, coordinator of the Vermont Pilot Project of the American Nuclear Society. "We are grateful to Entergy for giving us permission to be at the Governor Hunt House for the rally."
Vermont Pilot Project of the American Nuclear Society
Energy Education Project of the Ethan Allen Institute
This is a press release I sent out earlier today. Last time we held a rally, we were in downtown Brattleboro near the Federal Court House. This time, we wanted our rally to be visible to people at the plant.
About the Governor Hunt House. It was built in 1789 by Governor Hunt, who was the last Lieutenant Governor of the independent Republic of Vermont. It is now near the gate to Vermont Yankee.
Photos below of the house. (From the Restoration Trades Directory Portfolio)


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View of View from 7 de Octubre, looking toward Urban
View from the rooftop of one construction looking at a thatch roof of invasion settlement below and beyond to legal urban scene. Factories can be seen in foreground. Migrants run electical lines to the invasion settlement from factories.
Isbell, Billie Jean. To Defend Ourselves: Ecology and Ritual in an Andean Village. Prospect Heights, Ill.: Waveland Press, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1813/2135 Chapter 8
This digital collection and its contents are owned and operated by the Cornell University Library. Digital reproductions are provided for private study, scholarship, and research use only and may not be downloaded for use in electronic or print publications (including websites), exhibitions or broadcasts, without permission.

domain: library


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Nia Jax’s surprise entrance at No.30 in the Men’s Royal Rumble took everyone by surprise. The former RAW Women’s Champion attacked R-Truth, who was on his way to the ring.
Despite creating history by being one of the very few Women to appear in a Men’s Royal Rumble, Jax is under the scanner yet again for legitimately hurting R-Truth during the attack on the ramp.
Jerry Lawler revealed the inside details of the incident on his podcast and claimed that R-Truth was upset backstage. Lawler said:
“This got real heat for real, She blasted poor R-Truth and knocked him face first in that wall. He was hot, for real hot. They were having to hold him back.”
Nia Jax was recently a victim of severe backlash from officials and fans alike after injuring Becky Lynch ahead of her match against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series.
Here is Jerry “The King” Lawler talking about the incident:


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The REAL DEAL with Olive Oil: Why the different tastes??Healthy Living
The following factors can impact the taste of the olive oil: type of olive used, soil conditions and location where olives were grown, weather during the “growing” and “harvesting” seasons, ripeness of the olives, season/timing of the harvest, harvesting method, length of time between the harvest and pressing, pressing technique, AND packaging and storage methods.
The olive is native to the Mediterranean region, and each area around the Mediterranean provides a unique type of olive. Olives from different areas are often blended together and olives from the same area but different regionsare also blended. Both of these methods provide olive oils which are still as tasty and rich in flavor as solo area olive oils. Olives change colors as they ripen. They start as a green, change to purplish, and then become black once they are fully ripened.
As mentioned above, some of the olive oils are “green”. These olive oils are from unripe olives and provide a slightly bitter taste. The moderately green tinted oils are the most common and in most of the foods we eat. These olive oils have fruity and nutty flavors and are usually added to neutral-flavored foods. The best combination of food with a green olive oil is usually a food with a neutral taste since the strong flavor of a green olive oil can really stand out.
Ripe olives provide the olive oils that are golden, yellowish color. The olive oil from ripe olives are more mild and buttery in taste. They do not have that bitter, fruity flavor like the greens. These oils are better for foods that already have a strong flavor since the ripe olive oil will not overpower the food.
Olives just like other plants are also subject to pests. Farmers utilized pesticides on the olives to help prevent the “olive fly” from ruining their crops. If you would like to avoid the pesticides, Suzy Eats recommends using organic olive oil.


The Mariners added some much-needed power to their lineup Wednesday, acquiring Michael Morse from Washington in a three-team deal that moved catcher John Jaso from Seattle to Oakland.
WASHINGTON (AP) Reliever Rafael Soriano and the Washington Nationals reached agreement pending a physical on a $28 million, two-year contract that includes $14 million in deferred money, a person
WASHINGTON (AP) The wait for Adam LaRoche to make up his mind had played out long enough. It was time to decide if he would take the Washington Nationals' offer or move on.
CHICAGO (AP) Edwin Jackson keeps bouncing around, and he thinks he knows why.
``I think everybody likes me,'' he said.


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This is still watchable but you may like me get a bit fed up with the nauseatingly saccharine Forrest Whittaker story line and the handwringing do-gooding William Hurt. Not to mention the re-wind plot device. I mean DUH we get it – a single event but witnessed by thousands = lots of points of view. That crap 80s movie Bolero has a lot to answer for here. A shame – great cast and could have been so much better.
Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Matthew Fox) are two Secret Service agents assigned to protect President Ashton (William Hurt) at a landmark summit on the global war on terror.
When President Ashton is shot moments after his arrival in Spain, chaos ensues and disparate lives collide. In the crowd is Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker) an American tourist video taping the historic event to show his kids when he returns home.
Also there is Rex (Sigourney Weaver) an American TV news producer who is reporting on the conference. It's only as we follow each person's perspective of the same 15 minutes prior to and immediately after the shooting that the terrifying truth behind the assassination attempt is revealed.
- Region 4
- Standard Edition
- 1.78 : 1
- Dolby Digital Surround 5.1
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We have an abundance of well-educated college people, said Jack Golodner
, president of the AFL-CIO's Department of Professional Employees.There are industries that like to flood the market of our college graduates because they want to keep the salaries from going up..He
cited a 1996 inspector general's report that found the program was easily manipulated by workers and employers who broke the rules.In January, federal officials charged a Berkeley, Calif., landlord with using the program to smuggle Indian girls into the United States for prostitution.
And in an embarrassing mistake, the Immigration and Naturalization Service gave out an estimated 20, 000 visas more than intended last year.
it be a shambles, Golodner said of the program.


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How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
World Kidney Day is an annual global awareness campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and the potential impact of kidney diseases. In honor of this day, it is important to understand more about the kidneys, their function, and ways to keep them healthy.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the back of the abdominal cavity. They play a crucial role in filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood, which are then excreted from the body as urine. Additionally, the kidneys help regulate blood pressure, produce hormones, and maintain electrolyte balance.
How to Prevent Kidney Disease
Unfortunately, kidney disease is a significant health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Some of the most common causes of kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, and family history of kidney disease. Symptoms of kidney disease may include fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, frequent urination, and foamy urine.
Early detection and treatment of kidney disease can help slow or even stop the progression of the disease. Treatment options may include medication, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, dialysis or kidney transplant.
Preventative measures can also be taken to keep the kidneys healthy. These measures may include maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, World Kidney Day is an important reminder of the essential role that the kidneys play in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. By understanding the function of the kidneys, the risk factors for kidney disease, and the ways to keep the kidneys healthy, we can work towards reducing the burden of kidney disease and promoting better kidney health.
Dr. Mohammad Faizur Rahman
MBBS, MCPS, MD (Nephrology)
Senior Consultant- Nephrology
Evercare Hospital Chattogram


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A Guide to Island Hopping in Greece
A Guide to Island Hopping in Greece: Greece is known for its beautiful islands, picturesque towns, and crystal clear waters. There is no better way to experience Greece than by sailing the Aegean Sea and exploring the many islands that are scattered throughout the region. Island hopping in Greece is a must-do experience that every traveler should consider.
In this guide, we will take a look at the top Greek islands to visit, the best times to go, and what to expect when island hopping in Greece. We will also provide tips on how to plan your trip, what to pack, and how to make the most of your time on the islands.
The Top Greek Islands to Visit
Greece has more than 6,000 islands, but only about 200 of them are inhabited. Each island has its own unique character and charm, so choosing which islands to visit can be a tough decision. Here are some of the top Greek islands to consider when planning your island-hopping itinerary:
- Santorini – Known for its picturesque white-washed buildings, stunning sunsets, and volcanic beaches, Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, sample local wines, and relax on black sand beaches.
- Mykonos – A favorite destination for partygoers, Mykonos is known for its lively nightlife, beautiful beaches, and luxury resorts. Visitors can also explore the island’s quaint alleys, shop for local crafts, and sample delicious seafood.
- Naxos – Often called the “hidden gem” of the Cyclades, Naxos offers a perfect blend of stunning beaches, mountain villages, and ancient landmarks. Visitors can hike to the top of Mount Zeus, explore the Venetian Castle in Naxos Town, and enjoy local delicacies such as graviera cheese and citrus liqueur.
- Paros – With its charming fishing villages, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters, Paros is a great destination for those seeking a more relaxed island experience. Visitors can take a dip in the turquoise waters of Kolymbithres Beach, explore the ancient marble quarries, and wander through the picturesque town of Naoussa.
- Corfu – Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is known for its lush green hills, Venetian architecture, and sandy beaches. Visitors can explore the Old Town of Corfu, take a boat tour of the stunning Blue Caves, and relax on the stunning beach of Paleokastritsa.
- Crete – The largest of the Greek islands, Crete offers a diverse range of attractions, from pristine beaches to rugged mountains to ancient ruins. Visitors can explore the Minoan palace of Knossos, hike the Samaria Gorge, and indulge in local specialties such as dakos salad and raki.
These are just a few examples of the many islands you can visit on a sailing trip through the Aegean Sea. Each island has its own unique character and attractions, so be sure to research and plan your itinerary accordingly to make the most of your trip.
When to Go
The best time to go island hopping in Greece is from May to October. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, and the sea is calm. July and August are the peak months for tourism, so expect crowded beaches and high prices during this time. May, June, and September are great months to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy more affordable prices.
What to Expect
Island hopping in Greece is a unique and exciting experience. It offers the opportunity to explore different islands, meet new people, and immerse yourself in Greek culture. Here are some things to expect when island hopping in Greece:
- Scenic landscapes – Whether you’re sailing between islands or exploring on foot, you’ll be surrounded by stunning landscapes. The Aegean Sea is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, and you’ll have the opportunity to swim in secluded bays and coves. Many of the islands are also home to rugged mountain ranges, offering breathtaking views from the top.
- Rich history and culture – Greece is steeped in history and mythology, and the islands are no exception. From ancient ruins to medieval castles, there are plenty of cultural landmarks to explore. You can visit the birthplace of Apollo on the island of Delos, explore the medieval town of Rhodes, or visit the ancient city of Akrotiri on Santorini.
- Delicious cuisine – Greece is famous for its delicious cuisine, and island hopping is the perfect opportunity to sample local specialties. Each island has its own unique dishes and ingredients, from fresh seafood to local cheeses and olives. Be sure to try traditional dishes such as moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita, and wash it down with a glass of local wine or ouzo.
- Charming towns and villages – The islands are home to a number of charming towns and villages, each with its own unique character. You can wander through the narrow alleys of Mykonos Town, explore the colorful fishing village of Oia on Santorini, or soak up the laid-back atmosphere of the seaside town of Nafplio.
- Relaxation and adventure – Island hopping in Greece offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. You can spend your days lounging on sandy beaches, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and enjoying delicious food and drink. Alternatively, you can embark on adrenaline-fueled activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, and hiking.
- Warm hospitality – Greeks are known for their warm hospitality, and the locals on the islands are no exception. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and treated like family, whether you’re dining in a local taverna or exploring a remote village.
Tips for Island Hopping in Greece
- Plan your itinerary in advance – With so many islands to choose from, it’s important to plan your itinerary in advance to make the most of your trip. Consider the length of your stay, your budget, and your interests when selecting which islands to visit. Try to choose islands that are relatively close together to minimize travel time.
- Be flexible – While it’s important to have a plan, it’s also important to be flexible. Weather conditions and ferry schedules can change unexpectedly, so be prepared to adjust your itinerary as needed. You may also discover new islands or activities once you arrive, so allow some flexibility in your schedule.
- Book accommodation in advance – During peak season, accommodation on the islands can fill up quickly. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment. Consider booking a mix of hotels, apartments, and guesthouses to experience different types of accommodation.
- Pack light – When island hopping, it’s important to pack light. You’ll be moving from island to island frequently, so you’ll want to keep your luggage to a minimum. Consider packing a few versatile outfits and leaving non-essential items at home.
- Use public transportation – While it’s possible to rent a car or scooter on some of the islands, using public transportation is a more affordable and eco-friendly option. Most of the islands have reliable bus services, and some also have water taxis and ferries.
- Bring cash – While many businesses on the islands accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to bring some cash with you. Some smaller businesses may only accept cash, and ATMs can be difficult to find in more remote areas.
- Respect local customs – Greece has a rich cultural heritage, and it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. Be mindful of dress codes when visiting churches and other religious sites, and avoid littering or damaging natural or historic landmarks.
- Learn some basic Greek – While many Greeks speak English, learning some basic Greek phrases can go a long way in showing respect and building relationships with locals. Try to learn basic greetings, how to order food and drink, and how to ask for directions.
- Travel during shoulder season – Peak season in Greece is from mid-June to mid-September, and the islands can be crowded and expensive during this time. Consider traveling during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) to avoid crowds and enjoy more affordable prices.
In conclusion, island hopping in Greece is an unforgettable experience that offers the opportunity to explore different islands, meet new people, and immerse yourself in Greek culture. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a party scene, there’s an island in Greece that’s perfect for you. By planning ahead, being flexible, and respecting the local culture, you can make the most of your time on the islands and create memories that will last a lifetime.

domain: geography


New mapping of proposed “district-based” election boundaries for the Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) Board of Directors are now available for the public to view at the TUD website, www.tudwater.com. TUD
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 – 10 AM Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) field crews are responding to an emergency mainline water repair on Woods Way to Chicken Ranch Road in Jamestown.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 EMERGENCY WATER REPAIR – NORTH AIRPORT ROAD, 7:30 A.M. Tuolumne Utilities District’s construction maintenance crews are on the scene of an emergency mainline water break on
UPDATE – 11 a.m. The water repair has been completed and North Stewart Street is back open. Thank you! FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022 EMERGENCY WATER REPAIR ON NORTH STEWART STREET,
UPDATE: JANUARY 26, 2022 The construction for the new Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Project that started in October 2021 is progressing well and is on schedule. Jennifer Batt, Project
EMERGENCY WATER REPAIR – PARROTTS FERRY ROAD, 2 pm Tuolumne Utilities District’s construction maintenance crews have responded to repair an emergency main line water break that occurred earlier today in


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Plant-based lattes are now more available than ever in Montreal's independent coffee shops (yes!), but some of these guys are definitely slaying it.
Life's too short for bad lattes, so here's a list of the 7 coffee shops where you're guaranteed to have one of the best coffee of your life, plant-based or not.
1.Café Dei Campi
Located in Rosemont-la-Petite-Patrie near the Père-Marquette park, this vegan Italian café opened last winter but is already known as one of Montreal's best vegan spots. Serving cornetto, affogato and mini-pizzas, this is the place I go when I want a soy or almond latte with a vegan donut while watching a Napoli soccer game (which is nearly every weekend).
2. Hoche Café
5. Leaves Café
2051 Rue de la Montagne
As the first all-vegan espresso bar in Montreal, Leaves Café certainly stands out. It serves homemade baked goods and the place is filled with cactus and plants which makes the cutest setting to drink almond lattes with your S/O or your best friend.
6. Résonance Café
5175a av. du parc
Aside from hosting incredible jazz performances, the Résonance Café also serves one of Montréal's best coffee. Their latte is just dark enough and the place is simply perfect if you want to meet up with friends, have a hot drink and listen to some jazz.
One of my favorite trends from these past few years is cat cafés; most people love cats and coffee, so that only makes the concept practical, smart and adorable. This one is particularly unique because their menu is all vegan and the cats that live there are from the SPCA, so you can adopt
all one of them if you have a crush. This place is my favorite when I have to get work done because you can pet cats whenever you want and their latte are gigantic and taste delicious.


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Best of Vegas Deals & Coupons
Before you head to Las Vegas, be sure to check out Best of Vegas to get tickets to the top shows and attractions in sin city. Enjoy luxury hotels, city tours, and popular performances, and find great deals on everything you want to see.
Get Best of Vegas discounts to the most popular shows and attractions in Las Vegas when you purchase tickets online. Choose from beloved Vegas classics to the hottest acts today that include David Copperfield, Britney Spears, Blue Man Group and more.


But, We Told You So.
The sequel to the
2003 2005 2007 attempt at Comprehensive Immigration Reform starring John McCain and now
SENATOR Jeff Flake.
You can brush up on our previous Jeff Flake posts about his amnesty stance here, here, here, and here.
Jeff Flake's remarks at an Immigration Law and Policy Conference at Georgetown University 2005
Flake discussed 3 key elements to ensure action on Comprehensive Immigration Reform:
2. including businesses, labor and immigration advocates
3. Movement on the Senate side, particularly because the House is more polarized on this issue.


Songwriter Showcase: David Demordaunt - Everything That Has a Beginning
By Gary Schwind
When I first put on Everything That
Has a Beginning, the first artist that came to my mind was John Zorn.
The first track, “Enchanted Heat” may not be quite as ‘out there’ as John
Zorn’s music, but it has the same sort of dark jazzy mood.
On Everything That Has a Beginning,
Demordaunt blends elements like avant jazz, international and Goth.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t mean the dressed up in all
black with white face makeup and black lipstick sort of Goth. Perhaps
the best example I can give of the Goth element of this album is in the
song “When I Loved a Vampire.” I think this song would be great for
a movie based on an Anne Rice novel.
Demordaunt has four guest vocalists on
this album. The one that I like the best is Noe Venable on “Snow
White Silk.” Noe Venable’s voice is a real treat on this song that
sounds like a fairy tale written by either Stephen King or Tim Burton.
This is a rich CD with sweeping songs that
seem almost like short plays. Demordaunt’s music stimulates visuals
unlike any other CD I can think of. It is a very well done CD and
I enjoyed it. There is no denying his talent as a songwriter and
a musician. That being said, I’m not sure I could listen to it very frequently
because it’s such a mellow, almost somber album. But I guess that’s
to Demordaunt’s credit. He has made a challenging album that may
take some getting used to, and frankly, that’s not all bad.
Demordaunt - Everything That Has a Beginning
CD Info & Links
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The Record: Gun waffling
Unless the politicians who can cross the aisle do so. Governor Christie comes to mind. With his Democratic goodwill after superstorm Sandy and his Republican bona fides, Christie could prod Washington lawmakers toward action. He could also work on fellow governors to pass stricter measures in their states, bringing them closer to New Jersey's laws. This would elegantly bypass the states-rights argument against stricter federal gun laws.
Christie, the tough former U.S. attorney, could do it, or at least make great inroads.
That would require him to break his silence about a federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He's been resolutely and uncharacteristically mum on the matter. The 2016 presidential race looms, so it's no wonder. No candidate wants to alienate the powerful gun lobby and potential voters a couple years before launching a campaign. But 20 children and six adults in Newtown are dead; 12 moviegoers in Aurora, Colo., are dead; 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech are dead; 13 at Columbine High School are dead.
It is time to act.