Once taken for granted in many parts of the world, water scarcity has become serious. Only 2.5 percent of that on the planet is fresh or drinkable. According to the World Health Organization, water scarcity affects one-third of the people on the planet. Almost 20 percent of all people live in areas where water is physically scarce.
The scarcity is not relegated to an area like sub-Saharan Africa. California, a major source of food for the country, has seen the driest year on record. Perhaps it’s climate change or just bad luck, although there have been droughts that have lasted a decade or more. With growing demand from an expanding population, the region must do something.
Increasingly, GIS training has become part of the solution. Using location-based information and sophisticated analytic tools, municipalities have constructed sophisticated approaches to managing water resources.
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District in California’s Riverside County serves a 96-square-mile area with 133,000 citizens. Field workers out of a staff of 160 need information when out of the office. The agency wanted a system that could integrate its existing GIS software and data with a customer information system and remote access to better handle between 3,000 and 4,000 service orders each month. As WaterWorld explained:
“We were looking to save time by not having to complete the service orders in the office and have them done only out in the field,” said Tammy Ramirez, meter services superintendent. “We needed a mechanism to move information out to the field and then back into the CIS system in a more streamlined manner.”
By combining GIS and customer information, field workers could more effectively and efficiently attend to service calls. How could such a mix of technology eventually help alleviate drought conditions? Simply. There are three interlocking mechanisms in consumption, waste, and supply.
As supply becomes scarcer, the problem of waste takes on greater urgency. Plot and monitor water mains and pipes and the information, in the hands of crews, can speed the repair of equipment, reducing the amount of water that has been wasted. Plot drainage and a city can collect runoff water, redirecting it to constructive use. Modeling can also shed light on how runoff affects groundwater recharging, an important factor in availability when needed.
Expect more communities, cities, counties, states, and countries to more actively use GIS when managing water resources and usage. When supplies get scarce, people will want to know where every drop is.


text:
The first combined home build for Walton Begins in September, 2021
The newly combined Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity is seeking community sponsors to help raise $26,000 for the first Habitat for Humanity home to be built in Walton County this fall. Local donations already include the donation of property by Darrell McWaters and $10,000 by HOPE Monroe as well as others.
Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for humanity released the following information about the merger and first joint build in Walton County:
Over 30 years ago, a group of concerned citizens banded together to create the Gwinnett County affiliate for Habitat for Humanity. Since 1988 volunteers and staff members have been working to provide strength and stability through shelter to local families. In 2020 we dedicated our 150th home in Gwinnett County and began our first Neighborhood Revitalization project. This year brought our merger with the Walton County Habitat for Humanity affiliate to create Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity as a combined affiliate in both counties. We will build our first home in Walton County this Fall. Our continued dedication to home repairs through our “A Brush With Kindness” program in both counties assists all types of families in need with home improvements allowing them to remain and thrive in their homes. The collaboration of volunteers, staff, donors and sponsors transforms our communities bringing people together to build better homes and brighter futures for every family we serve.
Join us in celebrating our new partnership between the Gwinnett and Walton County affiliates of Habitat for Humanity. We have now merged to become Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity, and we will be building our first home in Walton County this Fall. We begin construction in September 2021. We are so grateful for our generous sponsors and donors that are partnering with us to fund this build for a deserving family in Walton County. Our partners and sponsors on this build include the following:
- Darrell McWaters – We are grateful for his property donation for this home build.
- Lowe’s Home Improvement – We are thrilled to have been awarded grant funding for use in the construction of this new Walton County home.
- Wells Fargo Bank – We are thankful for our partnership with the bank and their continued generosity and support for local Habitat builds.
- Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Our own local Habitat ReStore has committed funds tosponsor this build and will send team members to volunteer on the build site.
- HOPE Monroe – They will match donated funds up to $10,000.00 to assist in building costs.Our team has been excited to spend more time in Walton County building relationships with local leaders, businesses and churches to gain an understanding of the needs in the area. We have been thrilled to meet so many amazing community members who have welcomed us with open arms and committed to working with us. Together we will succeed in building homes, communities and hope in Walton County.
- We need the help of the local community to raise an additional $26,000.00 in donations to completely fund this new home building project. You may contact our office directly to contribute by speaking with Jen Welch at 770-931-8080, ext: 1101. We have also established a donation page to allow direct donations to this project: https://habitatgwinnett.charityproud.org/Donate/MiniCampaign/13218
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.

domain: geography


Creative content has evolved into an art form. It’s a talent to come up with new content every day, now even more so, because we live in an age where the speed of things is doubling. And it all depends on whether readers will participate in your content. The advantage of writing content for a website is that printed content cannot be delivered.
Every website on the internet has a different voice, which in turn has different content. As mentioned earlier, it is ultimately important that readers interact with your work, especially since there are still millions of websites competing for your readers’ attention. This is the benefit (and some tricks) of writing web content.
Less than 1,000 words
Up to 79% of users surf the internet instead of reading the articles literally. Most people won’t finish an article (although some people won’t even read it) because so many other things compete for their attention.
Accept the fact that the world we live in is always distracting, as it will help you think about ways to attract readers. Remember that your website is catching the attention of your target audience. Help your content to be short by establishing a point of view right away, so readers know which point of view you want to convey or just important details. The article may contain a maximum of 1000 words.
As a writer, keywords can help you so that you don’t get lost in words (or no words). However, for readers, keywords are to get your content to show up when you search for it, which is what you can provide as a content writer. Knowing which keywords to include and exclude is not only common, it’s a requirement for writing web content.
A common pitfall that content writers face is sacrificing quality to improve SEO. One way to fix this problem is to keep your keywords in mind and fix the problem. Remember, the audience is not an algorithm, but a breathing person like you, which is especially helpful.
In writing, I seem to impress myself. If you know exactly what to write, you won’t get lost.
Readers participate more easily
As the number of online writers grows, so does the number of conversations. The Internet provides a platform on which people can participate. Since then, opinions have been raised, and other ideas suggested for readers to discuss through feedback. The focus here is on information exchange, which can generate more ideas about content.
Draw an audience with fascinating ideas and share your content. The content of the website is compatible with social media. This allows more people to contact your content.
More affordable than printing
Web content authors have lower salaries because it is easier to create content online. Traditionally, the publishing process involves many different steps, starting with the author’s idea. Web content authors are unaware of this and immediately make their own judgment about creating compelling articles. This is due to the growing demand for online content.
If you want to hire a content writer for your website, remember that you can still get higher quality content compared to the print version.


text:
“A project to help uncover and celebrate the history of the Woodberry Down Estate over the past 60 years.”
Contents so far include some great photos of residents in the 1950s, an open invitation to attend their “Memory Shop” and share experiences of living on the estate.
In May, a Guardian feature on the recent radical transformation of Woodberry Down entitled “The truth about gentrification: regeneration or con trick?” produced a very defensive response from the council.
The People’s Story of Woodberry Down is being run by Woodberry Down Community Organisation “in partnership with Eastside Community Heritage, Manor House Development, Genesis Housing Association, Berkeley Group and Hackney Council.” So it will be interesting to see how critical of the council, housing associations and regeneration process the project will be.
Radical History Network meeting: Resistance to World War One
In the build up to the first world war and throughout the war years there were strikes and industrial disputes, anti-war campaigns, conscientious objections and mutinies. These are the stories of resistance to the war that the official commemorations will not tell you.
What can we learn from those inspirational struggles which might help us to oppose and prevent the obscene wars for profit and power throughout the world which governments and military blocs are continuing to wage 100 years after the so-called ‘war to end all wars’?
Wednesday 10th September, 7:30pm
Wood Green Social Club, 3 Stuart Crescent, N22 5NJ
(off the High Rd, near Wood Green tube)
Nick Heath (Anarchist Federation) “Resistance to World War One”
Jennifer Bell (Hornsey Historical Society / Haringey First World War Peace Forum) “We will not fight! – Conscientious objectors in North London”
PLUS: Discussion on all aspects of local (NE London) resistance to the war as well as the wider national and international context.
The image above was posted on the Bishopsgate Institute facebook page.
This snippet in The Wire magazine (March 1987) reveals that the studio was underneath the Rio Cinema:
“Sound Kitchen” is a fairly common name for a studio, so it’s hard to find out more. Leave a comment or drop me an email if you used the studio, or have more information!
(thanks once again to Neil Transpontine for the tip off)
I’d encourage everyone to support The Rio (I’m a member) – local independent cinemas are a rare and special thing in 2014. They regularly show films that will be of interest to readers of this blog (for example “Breaking Ground” about the London Irish Women’s Centre in Stoke Newington).
I’d also suggest people to boycott Hackney Picturehouse as part of the campaign for workers at The Ritzy in Brixton to be paid the living wage.

domain: history


text:
New research has revealed that almost a half (49%) of UK drivers admit to being distracted behind the wheel of their cars because of mobile phones – despite tough new laws brought in a year ago to act as a deterrent.
The survey, carried out by used car supermarket, The Car People, asked 1,500 British drivers exactly what distracts them when behind the wheel and how it impacts on their driving.
It found that getting a phone call (31%), receiving a new message notification (21%) and using their phone for directions (20%) were the most common distractions across the general population, with changing music putting off 26% of 18-24-year-old drivers.
However, while Government figures show that 18-24-year olds are the most overrepresented in car crashes, the new research reveals that when it comes to mobile phones, it is now drivers aged 25-34 that are the most distracted, with more than three quarters (77%) admitting it is a factor.
Although 66% of 18-24-year olds admit to still being distracted by their mobile phones, the fact that this lower than 25-34 year olds suggests that the change in the law, which increased the penalty for using a mobile phone at the wheel to six points, could be having an impact with younger drivers who now risk having their licence revoked if they are caught using a phone at the wheel.
The worst offending age group (25-34) confessed that they are distracted at the wheel by taking phone calls (40%), using their phone for directions (38%), changing music (23%) and sending text messages (18%). A worrying proportion even said that they get distracted by taking photos (12%) and looking for selfie opportunities (8%) and almost three quarters of drivers in this age bracket (74%) believe being distracted by their phone has led to them driving dangerously.
As a result of being distracted by their mobile phone, 8% of 25-34-year olds said they had crashed their car, 15% had experienced a near-miss, 10% had gone through a red light and 22% had been beeped at.
The survey also revealed interesting results about what else causes drivers to be distracted behind the wheel. Passengers can be a huge distraction for people when they are driving, with almost a third (28%) admitting that they chat to others when the should be focusing on the road while, shockingly, 4% get distracted behind the wheel by being intimate with a partner.
Following the new research, The Car People challenged two drivers aged 25-34 to test their driving in a car simulator to see just how easily distracted they are and how dangerous this can be to themselves and others on the road.
Ryan Robbins, Senior Human Factors Researcher at TRL, who conducted the driving simulation said: “It is difficult to do two things at once well, but when one of those things is driving it is virtually impossible. Driving is a demanding task that can suddenly require all of a driver’s attention when a hazard arises. A driver who has been distracted will be slower to anticipate and react to hazards on the road, and that delay can prove fatal. Most of us drastically overestimate how well we can drive, even when we are concentrating fully, and the evidence is clear that when we are distracted our driving is considerably worse.
Jonathan Allbones, director at The Car People adds: “It’s a real concern to hear just how distracting mobile phones continue to be for UK drivers. We were surprised to find that drivers aged 25-34 are the most likely to be distracted by their mobile, though the fact that drivers in the youngest age group were less likely to be distracted is promising and suggests that the new rules around driving with a mobile could be having some impact. It’s important that older drivers don’t get complacent though as using a mobile while driving is both against the law and very dangerous.
“Challenging some millennials in a driving simulator was a great way to really put them to the test. It allowed us to monitor their concentration and speed limit on the road in a safe environment.”

domain: news


CLEM, specialists to management solutions integrated logistics services, will present in Funermostra his pallbearers DRACO: ideal for its large work surface, lightness and height burial.
Since 1987, LCMS was become a standard in the Spanish market, thanks to its versatility and reliability. Its wide range of models adapted to the dimensions and conditions the cemetery with self-propelled models or manual, with aluminum basket central or lateral (perth at corners).
Its mast system is high quality, with a simple and safe handling. The pallbearers table has a ergonomic height, metal rollers with high resistance ideal for comfortable sliding the coffin.
Como novedad, this model They presented in Funermostra 2019 It comes with a compact basket, a solution perfect for cemeteries where the workspace is reduced, thanks to your width 1,20 m.


text:
Rose of Honor
A fast-paced and gripping tale of murder, power politics, and passion in the days when knighthood was in bold and bloody flower. No sugary Renaissance Fayre here; this is the real medieval McCoy.
In the fifteenth century, England is shaken to the foundation by the bloody Wars of the Roses between the two rival dynasties of Lancaster and York. John Redmond, a young knight at the royal court, is faced with a choice: he can win the love of his heart only through the betrayal of his family and his own beliefs. The choice he makes leads to murder and to the loss of the woman he loves, but also to John’s marriage to a beautiful and passionate young noblewoman and his own advancement to wealth and renown as a soldier and a leader of men during the ferocious civil war. Finally the conflict ends and John seems set for a life of peace and prosperity under a new king. But then his past returns to confront him, and a terrible drama must be played out to the end.

domain: literature


text:
Europe is grappling with one of the hottest summers on record. Weather-hit cereal harvests in Europe will lead to tight wheat supplies in 2018/19. Wheat exporters like Germany and Scandinavia may need imports, experts said.
Drought and a heatwave that scorched fields in northern Europe may cut the European Union’s wheat export surplus and the bloc will need to consume more of its own grains, experts said. French analysts Strategie Grains forecast a 10 percent smaller EU soft wheat harvest this year, with northern areas particularly hard hit. EU wheat prices have hit over five-year highs on crop concerns.
“Wheat exporters like Germany and Scandinavia may need imports from the rest of the EU this year, especially for animal feed wheat,” one German trader told Reuters. “The terrible harvest in north Europe is good news for rival wheat exporters like Russia, Ukraine and the United States.”
Some wheat from EU Black Sea exporters such as Romania is likely to stay in Europe rather than being shipped to the Middle East, the trader said.
GERMANY’S GRAINS CROP LOWEST IN 24 YEARS
In Germany, the EU’s second-largest producer, the winter wheat crop is expected to fall 19.9 percent on the year to 19.2 million tonnes after the highest July temperatures since records began in 1881. Germany’s 2018 grain harvest will be the lowest in 24 years after a drought and heatwave heavily damaged crops, farm cooperatives have estimated.“Germany is usually one of the EU’s biggest wheat exporters but will swing to an importer this season especially for animal feed,” another German trader said. “About 800,000 tonnes of feed wheat have already been bought, mostly from Romania and Bulgaria, and I think more could be bought.”
In France, the EU’s largest producer, harvesting is over. Torrential rain and heatwaves are expected to have cut the crop, although damage was seen as less severe than in northern Europe. Crop estimates are generally between 33 and 35 million tonnes, down from 36.6 million last year, while milling quality was generally good. Quality results showed decent protein content, averaging above 11.5 percent, and test weights generally above milling requirements despite some mixed readings linked to heavy rain, agency FranceAgriMer said.
Denmark’s harvest of wheat, barley and rye could fall by about 40 percent from previous years. Poland’s crop will fall about 12 percent to roughly 9.9 million tonnes, Wojtek Sabaranski of analysts Sparks Polska said. Harvesting is well advanced but crop quality varies greatly, Sabaranski said. Trade estimates for the UK wheat harvest range between 13.5 million and 14.0 million tonnes, down from 14.8 million last season. the European Commission recently said it would speed up payments to EU farmers hit by extreme droughts to counteract the decrease in crop production.

domain: agronomy


text:
Topos 88 – Narrative of Landscape
Landscapes and places tell their stories to those of us who are able to decipher them. The articles in this issue ranging from short stories to films and dramas, question the narrative of the landscape.
People can find meaning in their lives by communicating, talking, writing and telling stories. Landscapes and places are not able to do this. And yet, they tell their stories to those of us who are able to decipher them.
The identity of a place reveals itself to those who speak the language of landscape and know how to interpret shapes, structure, materials, form and function the same way they interpret words. We shape landscape and language – and they shape us. The articles in Topos 88, which are as diverse in genre and theme as always, ranging from short stories to films and dramas, question this narrative of the landscape.
“The Narrative of Landscape” was also the topic of a conference at EPFL university in Lausanne, organised by Cyril Veillon of Archizoom and Matthew Skjonsberg of LAB-U, laboratory of urbanism, EPFL, who was guest editor of this issue of Topos.
A selection of articles from Topos 88:
Marieke Timmermans: Reading a landscape
Knowing how to read a landscape is the key to a competent analysis in landscape architecture. The act of reading includes the people who live in the landscape. For Texel, an island off the Dutch coast, the attempt has been made to capture this living landscape in drawings that explain a vision for the future.
Martí Franch: A Journey into a Liquid Landscape
La Tancada Lagoon project is a low-cost intervention that shapes an archipelago to fit a hybrid nature-tourism program and celebrates the diverse landscape of the Ebro River Delta. It choreographs visits by sculpting the materiality and processes of the landscape.
Abelardo Morell (photos), Nadine Gerdts (text): Magic in the Ordinary
The contemporary photographer Abelardo Morell explores landscapes of immense beauty in his latest camera obscura work, telling stories that span time in ways that only the minutiae of a landscape’s surface can reveal. His tent-camera images require viewers to admire sublime vistas while they concurrently ponder prosaic botanic, geologic elements and human-constructed details.
Saskia Sassen: Land as Infrastructure for Living
Agricultural land destruction, climate change, and the mining industry lead to massive land degradation. These worldwide spaces of devastation are independent from political and economic organization of a country and are telling a story about the global attitude towards land.
Adriaan Geuze: The Narrative of Stolen Paradise
For 12,000 years civilization has been craving for escape. Although nowadays -every authentic reference seems to have been banalized into permanent clichés by the media, the internet, and branded urban identities, people still need active psychic stimulation and long for perspective. So even the complex layered cities of today cannot exist without a second nature of metaphysical reality. The interpretation of human history and its influence on narrative, soil, and landscape drives Adriaan Geuze’s creative work.

domain: artistic


The Anfield outfit failed to win any silverware this year but the left-back believes the side have improved, while also indicating his happiness with the current brand of football
Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique believes the lack of a trophy this season does not take away from the encouraging progression made under Brendan Rodgers during his first season in charge.
Enrique won the League Cup with Liverpool in his first season at the club under then boss Kenny Dalglish but the club haven’t experienced further victories during this campaign.
However the 27-year-old has defended the lack of silverware this season and insists the club have progressed, even if their results do not show it, and will continue to improve in the future.
“In terms of football and for the future, I think so,” Enrique told reporters. “As the manager said from the start, it’s difficult because he came to the club with another type of football that we’re not really used to in England.
“It’s difficult to get used to this system for players that have never played that type of football. Of course, last year we played two finals and won one of them.
“You can see how difficult it is to win a trophy. We won one last year and nothing this year, but in terms of the future we have made progress.”
The former Newcastle United defender has fought to reclaim his favoured left-back position, ousting Glen Johnson, and insists he will strive to stay there as he continues to enjoy the new style of football implemented by Rodgers.
“I will try to stay there [at left-back]. I don’t like to speak about myself but, for me, Glen is one of the best right-backs in the world,” Enrique continued.
“He [Brendan Rodgers] wants the full-backs to try to be another attacking player. It’s really good; I really enjoy this type of football.
“It’s good because it’s not just about defending and then attacking sometimes, he wants us to go all the time as another attacking player.”
|James Richardson, Les Ferdinand & Goal.com’s Peter Staunton run through the biggest tranfser talking points of the week.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE THE FIRST EPISODE!


text:
As far as I know there are not 12 gates (or any, actually, unlike, say, Florence), and it is not heaven by any means, but Oaxaca is quite something. The state of Oaxaca is very far south in Mexico, the south side of which borders on the Pacific. It is west of Chiapas where Guatemala and Central America attach. The city of Oaxaca is in its center, with mountains to the north and south. It is very Mexico but very different from the border and even the Yucatan further east. A colonial city with many beautiful old buildings, including the converted mansion we are now staying in two blocks east of the zócalo, Casa de Sierra Azul. It is a UNESCO world heritage city (see more later) and the zócalo is lined with restaurants and cafes, many on the second floor. Adjacent to it is the beautiful Cathedral, and several blocks north an even more impressive church, the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Impressive, indeed, although it is hard to think about them and incredible amount of gold used in decoration without thinking of how many Indian lives it cost, to mine the gold and build the temples. There is a Plaza outside the Temple also, and many more through the city. The food is wonderful, Oaxacan cuisine based in large part on molés, red and green and, especially, black. Oaxacan chocolate (the unsweetened basis of the moles) is also ubiquitous. The city and the surrounding pueblitas are famous for their textiles (the Muséo de Textils is across the street) and their pottery – black from Coyotepec, green from Aztompa, etc. The most famous wool weaving are from Téotitlan del Valle, but there are others as well.
But for now, walking around the city! What a lost art in the US! Very few cities are walkable any more in the US, but the existence of historic “centers” still characterizes European and colonial Mexican cities, with plazas, courtyards, and places to sit and rest, as well as, of course, stores. Lots of them here, but most sell either the regular necessities of life (provided your life requires two shoe stores, zapatarias, per block!) or the crafts and foods of the region. Very few chains (mostly “Italian Coffee”, as ubiquitous as Starbucks on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and apparently using Italian syrup not Oaxacan chocolate for their hot chocolate!) and none of the American ones. Frankly, I have not been in Guanajuato or Puebla and it has been a while since I was in Mérida, so I can’t compare the historic colonial center of Oaxaca to those, but it is very nice. They have closed a major street, Macedonio Alcalá, to traffic from the zócalo to the plaza of Santo Domingo, so it is a great place to stroll. Given that Oaxaca is a poor state, and that tourism is about 1/3 of the economy, it is an area that they want to focus on; were I an advisor to the city fathers, I’d suggest that it would be even more inviting to tourists if they’d close much more of the historic center to non-commercial traffic, say at least 2 blocks in every direction from the zócalo.
So walking around is great, however not completely hazard free. The beautiful slate paving stones on the sidewalks provide an uneven surface for the inattentive walker; they are also (typically) narrow and when a streetlight or mailbox or public phone (yes! There are public phones!) takes up half the width and a pair of people is going the other way, it can be a squeeze.
But who cares! So much to see! So many places to try the molé! The zócalo is always great for strolling around, promenading. We saw two formal concerts there, one by a band of mostly young people that was more like song—45min interlude—song, so we didn’t stay for a lot of it; the other was the state marimba band, much more fun and exciting, with the interludes filled with digressions into the history of Oaxaca but the elderly (now wheelchair bound) man who directs it. One evening, we actually attended an indoor concert at the lovely Téatro Macedonio Alcalá. And even when no concerts, there is always interesting stuff happening. The first day we were there there was a demonstration in front of the municipal
palace that lines the southern side of the zócalo. The city was hosting a big meeting of the UNESCO “patrimonio” cities, and the demo seemed to be about the fact that while Oaxaca gets lots of money from UNESCO for this designation, the state is still very poor and the money is spent on – no one seems sure what. But not helping the poor.
The conference certainly generated a major police presence; police, both municipal and state, patrolling on foot, in cars, and on trucks with machine guns mounted on every corner within several blocks of the zócalo. After the weekend, the end of the conference, the police presence dramatically decreased, but there was still an obvious presence in the streets of the historic centró. Other political activity continued in the zócalo, particularly a booth advocating for communal benefit, rather than privatization, of the nation and state’s oil resources. Also the zocálo and adjacent square outside the cathedral were full of stalls selling many goods – food, textiles, pottery – that had been apparently “cleaned up” for the UNESCO conference. In addition to the stalls, many individual vendors have returned.

domain: travel


text:
Galway could go out again but it was only the weather that was back to normal
If someone dropped a coin at the top of Quay Street you might have heard it hit the cobbles down around Sally Longs
A quiet Eglinton Street in Galway city centre on Monday. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
It was the day for which the nation has been pining: the freedom to play a socially distant game of golf or tennis - within five kilometers from home - and then the unbearable excitement of stopping off at the hardware store on the way home.
Galway could go out again. Sort of. So needless to say, the weather was a drag.
Galway city responded to phase one of Irelands’ great economic re-awakening with a few small queues of customers outside the retail parks but the city’s high street won’t feel right again until the day the many, many pubs can throw open their many doors. If someone dropped a coin at the top of Quay Street on Monday noontime, you might have heard it hit the cobbles down around Sally Longs.
Farrell’s garage on Brendan’s Avenue is a city institution run by brothers Gay and Patsy. They also work in sculpture and art when they aren’t fixing motors. Monday morning was the first time their garage has been open in seven weeks. “It is just nice to get back in again and get something done,” says Gay.
“There was no warning really as such. We just had to shut up shop and get out of it. We did one or two emergency jobs for HSE people during the lockdown. That was it.”
They have had work booked in for weeks so they are going to be busy in the weeks ahead. But the road outside their business remains quiet. “Normally you see cars going up and down Brendan’s Avenue.”
Still, this was a start. It was possibly Oscar Wilde who declared that you know your youth has passed when you find yourself standing examining electrical drills in an aisle in Woodies on a Saturday morning.
This may be true but it is also true that the Irish have a strange and needy relationship with the DIY and gardening behemoth. Any promise of sunshine prompts national raids on the barbeque and outdoor furnishing sections.
'Different. Interesting. Quieter and busier because it is all deliveries now'
It may have helped the safety policy that this Monday was overcast and cool. Still, with Woodies having spent half a million euro on Covid-19 safety measures, the lines outside the Terryland and Wellpark branches were considerable. You had to really want that bag of compost, that ten litres of masonry paint in order to wait. And many people did.
The story was similar in other stores. DID Electrical had been operating as an online facility but on Monday its doors were opened - and monitored. “Take your time,” said one customer who told the door-staff that he was after a vacuum cleaner. “The sooner I get it the sooner I have to go home and do the hoovering.”
The new shopping reality is going to demand patience. The number of customers permitted in stores at once is dependent on square footage and staff available. So at DID’s Briarhill branch, for instance, six people are allowed browse the aisles at any one time. The stores were busy and the arrival of people was fairly constant.
In the city though, things remained slow.
“Different. Interesting. Quieter and busier because it is all deliveries now. We open from 11 to 4 and then do the deliveries in the evening. For the first week I think we had four walk in customers. It is getting progressively busier. The two busiest days for walk-ins were last Friday and Saturday.
“In fairness, people were staying at home. They were making the effort. You do see more people walking around. Saturday was really busy but . . . we were just saying, it is probably the weather today.”
At least that much is back to normal.


Carina Harpprecht graduated as an Industrial Ecologist from Leiden University and TU Delft in 2019. In 2020, she started a PhD at the Department of Industrial Ecology at CML in cooporation with the Department of Energy System Analysis at the German Aerospace Center in Stuttgart (Germany). Her research focuses on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of scenarios, in particular of energy scenarios.
Carina Harpprecht received her BSc degree in Engineering Science from the University of Bayreuth (Germany). She graduated from the joint Master’s program of Industrial Ecology from Leiden University and TU Delft in 2019. During the master studies, she specialized in quantitative environmental assessment tools, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or Environmental Input-Output Analysis, and sustainable resource supply and use. Her Master’s thesis investigates future environmental impacts of key metals (copper, nickel, zinc and lead) and the consequences for low-carbon technologies.
In 2020, Carina started a PhD at the Department of Energy System Analysis of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in cooperation with the Department of Industrial Ecology of CML.
Carina investigates how to assess the environmental performance of detailed energy scenarios, which are developed at the German Aerospace Center. The goal is to incorporate energy scenarios into LCA models and evaluate them using Brightway2. Additionally, she will develop decarbonization scenarios for the supply of process heat in the industrial sector. Moreover, she is interested in the question how to ensure a sustainable supply of metals required for an energy transition.


Secondary space allocation
Db2 can calculate the amount of space to allocate to secondary extents by using a sliding scale algorithm.
The first 127 extents are allocated in increasing size, and the remaining extents are allocated based on the initial size of the data set:
- For 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB data sets, each extent is allocated with a size of 559 cylinders.
- For data sets that range in size from less than 1 GB to 16 GB, each extent is allocated with a size of 127 cylinders.
This approach has several advantages:
- It minimizes the potential for wasted space by increasing the size of secondary extents slowly at first.
- It prevents very large allocations for the remaining extents, which would likely cause fragmentation.
- It does not require users to specify SECQTY values when creating and altering table spaces and index spaces.
- It is theoretically possible to reach maximum data set size without running out of secondary extents.
In the case of severe DASD fragmentation, it can take up to 5 extents to satisfy a logical extent request. In this situation, the data set does not reach the theoretical data set size.
If you installed Db2 on the operating system z/OS® Version 1 Release 7, or later, you can modify the Extent Constraint Removal option. By setting the Extent Constraint Removal option to YES in the SMS data class, the maximum number of extents can be up to 7257. However, the limits of 123 extents per volume and a maximum volume count of 59 per data set remain valid. For more information, see Using VSAM extent constraint removal .
Maximum allocation is shown in the following table. This table assumes that the initial extent that is allocated is one cylinder in size.
|Maximum data set size, in GB||Maximum allocation, in cylinders||Extents required to reach full size|
- You do not specify a value for the SECQTY option of a CREATE TABLESPACE or CREATE INDEX statement
- You specify a value of -1 for the SECQTY option of an ALTER TABLESPACE or ALTER INDEX statement.
Otherwise, Db2 always uses a SECQTY value for secondary extent allocations, if one is explicitly specified.
In this calculation, ss_extent represents the value that is derived from the sliding scale algorithm, and MaxAlloc is either 127 or 559 cylinders, depending on the maximum potential data set size. This approach allows you to reach the maximum page set size faster. Otherwise, Db2 uses the value that is derived from the sliding scale algorithm.
Actual secondary extent size = max ( min ( ss_extent, MaxAlloc ), SECQTY )
If you do not provide a value for the secondary space allocation quantity, Db2 calculates a secondary space allocation value equal to 10% of the primary space allocation value and subject to the following conditions:
- The value cannot be less than 127 cylinders for data sets that range in initial size from less than 1 GB to 16 GB, and cannot be less than 559 cylinders for 32 GB and 64 GB data sets.
- The value cannot be more than the value that is derived from the sliding scale algorithm.
The calculation that Db2 uses for the secondary space allocation value is:
Actual secondary extent size = max ( 0.1 × PRIQTY, min ( ss_extent, MaxAlloc ) )
In this calculation, ss_extent represents the value that is derived from the sliding scale algorithm, and MaxAlloc is either 127 or 559 cylinders, depending on the maximum potential data set size.
Secondary space allocation quantities do not exceed DSSIZE or PIECESIZE clause values.
If you do not want Db2 to extend a data set, you can specify a value of 0 for the SECQTY option. Specifying 0 is a useful way to prevent DSNDB07 work files from growing out of proportion.
If you want to prevent Db2 from using the sliding scale for secondary extent allocations of table spaces and indexes, specify a value of NO for the OPTIMIZE EXTENT SIZING parameter on installation panel DSNTIP7.


text:
How to Promote Gut Health
If you have digestive issues, learning how to improve your gut health is crucial. This article will offer tips on how to eat balanced diet and avoid hidden monosaccharides. Avoid sugar, processed foods, and NSAIDs. Consume a variety of whole foods rich in polyphenols, and stay away from medications such as aspirin. Your digestive tract is made up of billions of bacteria and it’s essential to ensure it is healthy and functioning properly.
Diversify your diet
Diversifying your diet is among the best ways to improve the health of your microbiome. Western diets are characterised by a lack of variety due to the high levels of sugar, fat, and processed foods. However diversifying your diet can help to increase the growth of beneficial bacteria. Concentrate on whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains to increase the variety of your diet. Include these foods in your meals and snacks.
American food is full of processed foods, sugar , and dairy products that are high in fat. These food items can make our guts work harder, which can cause toxic by-products that build up. Furthermore, diets high in refined and processed carbohydrates promote inflammation and decrease in the diversity of the microbiome. A varied diet can ensure proper digestion and improve overall health. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet can help improve your digestive health and improve your overall health.
Beware of hidden monosaccharides from hidden sources.
You can make changes to your diet to eliminate hidden sources of monosaccharides, and improve your gut health. Concentrate on eating plenty of fermented vegetables, meat that is not processed and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. Certain foods can actually damage the beneficial bacteria in your gut. You can improve your gut health by avoiding foods that can cause symptoms like sugar and gluten. Probiotic supplements are also an option. Probiotic supplements will help your body create beneficial bacteria. Stress can cause damage to beneficial bacteria that live in your gut.
Research suggests that a diet rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can help to regulate the quantity of pro-inflammatory bacteria in the gut. Flavonoids also benefit gut health. Foods of the cabbage family as well as vegetable broths are excellent sources of flavonoids. These are vital to encourage healthy gut bacteria. Drink plenty of water, stay clear of drinking alcohol and limit consumption of processed foods.
Eat foods rich in polyphenols
Polyphenols are an antioxidant found in a broad variety of plants. They shield the body from diseases and have beneficial effects on the gut microbiome. Polyphenols are particularly high in colorful fruits and vegetables. People who are less at risk of certain diseases prefer to eat a diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits. Include more natural foods like vegetables, fruits, and stay clear of foods that are processed or contain added chemicals.
The most extensive class of polyphenols has flavonoids. These include the well-known quercetin and anthocyanin. Both green and black teas are rich in polyphenols. Some of these substances are known to have anti-cancer properties. Here are some guidelines to help you incorporate enough polyphenols into your diet.
Although NSAIDs are frequently prescribed to relieve pain, they could have detrimental effects on the gut. Inflammation may cause bleeding, ulcers and other signs, and they may contribute to chronic problems with the gut which include leaky gut syndrome as well as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. As a result, you should avoid NSAIDs in order to promote gut health and prevent these side effects.
Although antibiotics are a highly effective treatment for serious bacterial infections, they are often misunderstood or over-used. Antibiotics should only be prescribed by your doctor and should not be used for self-treatment. Antibiotics as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) interfere with the normal balance of bacterial activity in the gut. This is why avoiding NSAIDs is vital to promote gut health.
Drink fermentable fiber
One of the most effective ways to improve your health is to consume more fiber. This is not a hard task, and you’ll find a wide variety of sources of fiber, such as fruits and vegetables whole grains, whole grains, and VINA sodas. All of these foods contribute to a the healthy gut microbiome. In addition to making you feel fuller Fiber is vital for keeping cholesterol levels in check, and also for lowering blood pressure.
Recent advances in microbiome research have led to a growing number of probiotic and prebiotic ingredients that can boost the health of your gut. Research continues to demonstrate that the fermentation of prebiotics can boost the immune system and increase blood cholesterol levels. While the significance of these supplements is undetermined, there are plenty of positive advantages. One study showed that fermentable fibers improve the control of glycemic levels, while other studies failed to show any impact.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico discovered that regular exercise is beneficial for the health of the stomach. Exercise encourages healthy growth of bacteria, which is crucial for our overall health. This can lead to better mood and mental wellbeing. It is also a key element in neurogenesis, which facilitates the creation of new neural connections in our brains. The type of exercise you pick should also help improve gut health.
Two previously inactive individuals, men and women, were monitored for six months to see the effects of exercise on their gut microbiome. In particular, both groups demonstrated improvement in the composition of gut bacteria and also higher concentrations of metabolites that are relevant to the physiological process. Both aerobic exercise of high intensity as well as voluntary wheel running have led to an increase in bacteria that reside in the gut. These results are encouraging, but more research is needed to confirm them.

domain: food


text:
Tesco profits warning sees shares plunge after Big Price Drop falls flat with shoppers
Supermarket giant Tesco has issued a profit warning after its Big Price Drop campaign failed to attract enough Christmas shoppers - spooking investors who wiped 15 per cent off the share price today.
The grocer, which triggered a price war with its £500million price-cutting campaign at the end of September, said the number of customers drawn in had not been enough to offset the lower prices.
'In a challenging consumer environment at home, and with early signs of more cautious behaviour emerging elsewhere, we have seen more strain than anticipated on our profitability during the important seasonal trading period,' the retailer admitted.
Disappointing sales: Tesco's Big Price Drop could have failed to strike a chord with customers because it is funded by a reduction in Clubcard points and one-off promotions
Tesco said that while underlying pre-tax profits would be broadly in line with forecasts in the current financial year, group trading profit growth would be at around the low end of City expectations.
The firm, which has 2,700 stores in the UK, saw like-for-like sales excluding VAT and petrol fall 2.3 per cent in the six weeks to January 7, a performance it admitted was below its own expectations and 'disappointing'.
Tesco's price campaign, which saw the cost of 3,000 everyday products reduced, prompted Sainsbury to introduce its Brand Match scheme and Asda to offer a guarantee to be 10 per cent cheaper than rivals.
But there are fears that Tesco's campaign has failed to strike a chord with customers because it is funded by a reduction in Clubcard points and one-off promotions.
WILL WARREN BUFFETT FEAST ON TESCO SHARES?
One of the world's most successful investors and the third richest man will be today sitting on losses from Tesco's share price plunge.
Warren Buffett holds a 3.6 per cent investment in the supermarket giant having bought 34m shares worth £120million in September, topping up on his existing substantial holding.
Buffett has been gradually adding to his Tesco stake since first piling into the stock in 2006 when the grocer announced plans to enter the US market with its Fresh & Easy start up.
Then in November, with the shares at 390p, he said he would buy more if they shares became cheaper [read more].
So all eyes will be on any reaction from the Sage of Omaha today with Tesco share's languishing at a bombed out 330p at 10.30am, down 14 per cent on the day.
The latest sales figures reflect one of the worst Christmases experienced by the supermarket and will increase pressure on chief executive Philip Clarke, who became chief executive less than a year ago.
Tesco, which is the world's third largest retailer and regarded as a bellwether of consumer sentiment in the UK, saw its shares tumble as low as 325p, down nearly 60p, in early morning trading [see the latest on Tesco shares].
Clarke said: 'In a challenging economic environment, we made good progress internationally but despite record sales, we are disappointed with our seasonal trading performance in the UK.'
He called the price-cutting campaign an 'important first element' in tackling issues in the UK, but added: 'There is much more we can do to further improve our shopping trip for customers and we are determined to move faster.'
Yesterday, rival Sainsbury's reported a 2.1 per cent increase in like-for-like sales excluding fuel but including VAT in the 14 weeks to January 7, with analysts estimating sales would have been flat if VAT was taken out of the figures.
Earlier this week, Kantar research figures revealed Tesco's market share for the 12 weeks ending on Christmas Day dropped from 30.5 per cent a year ago to 30.1 per cent.
Tesco's weak performance was driven by food sales rather than general merchandise, clothing and electricals, which saw growth overall.
The division saw an improved performance in electronics, driven by strong sales of tablet computers and e-readers.
Tesco said online sales were strong in both food and non-food with growth of more than 14 per cent, and approaching one million orders being placed with Tesco Direct during the period.
Total international sales over the period grew at 8.2 per cent, with strong performances in key regions such as Asia and Europe.
Tesco said that that although it would substantially increase investment in the 2012/13 financial year to 'deliver a better shopping trip for customers', it would stick to plans to reduce capital expenditure and 'modify' its approach to UK expansion.
Share dive: Tesco shares plunged sharply after its dismal Xmas trading update
View from the City: Is this a profits warning?
Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said the trading update was 'something of a profits warning for the year'.
He said: 'Unfortunately the "Big Price Drop" reported in this update will be remembered as more reflective of the shares than the campaign.'
John Ibbotson, managing director of the retail consultancy, Retail Vision, said: 'This was a deeply underwhelming performance by Tesco in its home market — and all the more grave given the adverse weather conditions of December 2010.'
And he added: 'The finger of blame is already being pointed at Tesco's much-publicised "Big Price Drop" campaign. By offering an eye-watering £500million in discounts, the campaign certainly was an expensive gamble.'
Investment bank Espirito Santo said that Tesco was 'guiding to minimal operating profit in 2012/13' as the company invests to drive the business.
'This is the first time in over a decade that Tesco is deliberating taking profit margins lower to drive market share - and will have likely have a negative impact on industry profitability as others decide whether to follow suit,' it said.
'Investors have been concerned about the UK business and the issue now is whether the price investment will effect a recovery investors can buy into.'
Tesco Christmas sales: Supermarket issued a breakdown of its latest figures
Most watched Money videos
- BMW selling features of its car as separate subscriptions
- Take a first look at the brand new Juke Hybrid from Nissan
- German car giant BMW launches its first ever M3 Touring model
- Ford unveils 2,000bhp electric Supervan its fastest transit yet
- Michael Schumacher's undefeated 1998 Ferrari is to be auctioned
- MG's new scalable battery-powered Modular Scalable Platform
- Hyundai announces all-electric IONIQ 6 taking aim at Tesla's Model 3
- Mini Aceman: All-electric crossover due to go on sale in 2024
- German start-up Sono Motors unveils solar powered electric car
- New £400k electric Rolls-Royce Spectre snapped testing in France
- Take a look at the all-new Vauxhall Astra in action
- McMurtry fan car sets new Goodwood Hill record as fastest car


text:
[JURIST] The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) [official website] on Thursday convicted [judgment summary, PDF; press release, PDF] former Liberian president Charles Taylor [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] on all 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war. Trial Chamber II found unanimously that Taylor aided and abetted Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) forces. Taylor is the first head of state to be tried and convicted by an international tribunal. The verdict was welcomed by the Office of the Prosecutor [press release, PDF], the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [press release] and other members of the international community. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 16, and sentencing will take place May 30. The court may not impose the death penalty or a life sentence. Both the prosecution and the defense will have the opportunity to appeal within 14 days of the sentence.
In February Taylor’s lawyers asked that the SCSL reopen the case [JURIST report] in light of new evidence, but the request was denied. The SCSL heard closing arguments [JURIST report] in March 2011. Closing arguments were originally set to begin a month earlier, but were postponed pending an appeals chamber decision to accept the defense’s final written brief [JURIST reports]. The trial chamber originally disregarded the brief because it was 20 days late. Taylor has denied the charges [JURIST report] against him, which include murder, rape, sexual slavery and acts of terrorism stemming from from a “campaign to terrorize the civilian population” of Sierra Leone [JURIST news archive]. Taylor’s defense lawyers opened their case [JURIST report] in July 2009 and have claimed that he could not have commanded rebel forces in Sierra Leone while acting as the president of Liberia. His trial continued after the court denied his motion for acquittal [JURIST report] in May 2009.


Already forced to go without raises this year because of Baltimore's fiscal crisis, city employees have received more bad news from Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke: They will lose a week's pay.
No good news is in sight, either. After announcing yesterday that the city's 26,000 employees will not be paid for the next five holidays, Schmoke said that they probably won't get pay raises next year, either.
"I wish I could say there was some light at the end of this tunnel of fiscal hard times," Schmoke said. "But I don't see it."
Schmoke had hoped that the General Assembly would provide some fiscal relief. But, Schmoke said, "it does not appear that we are going to get the money from state government. So we have to spread the pain."
As a result, Schmoke backed away from his plan to close schools for a week, instead opting not to pay all city employees for five holidays for which they normally are paid.
"We're talking about the mayor, all elected officials, everybody who is employed in city government," Schmoke said. The only employees exempted are those who already face furloughs, including library workers and employees in the state's attorney's office, Schmoke said.
In addition to cutting the pay of city employees, Schmoke said, he is using a $2 million reserve fund, another $2 million saved by postponing a city bond sale, rent payments by the Orioles, and the proceeds expected from the sale of about $1 million in city-owned property to keep the current budget balanced.
Schmoke said he steered clear of making additional layoffs in the city work force, because "it is terrible out there. Nobody can get work."
The budget plan announced yesterday completes the city's response to two cuts in state aid to the city that totaled $40.8 million since November.
While that budget gap is closed for now, it is likely to widen again next spring, when another cut in state aid to the city is expected.
And, Schmoke added, the budget picture is not likely to clear before the next fiscal year begins in July. As a result, city employees may have to take another financial hit.
"The prospect for salary increases in fiscal 1993 are pretty dim," Schmoke said.
Already, the mayor has asked to postpone contract negotiations with city employee unions until after the current General Assembly session ends in April.
"I understand that the mayor's back is against the wall," said Cheryl D. Glenn, president of the 5,300-member City Union of Baltimore. "But I am distressed that our employees have to take yet another hit. But I prefer to see furloughs than layoffs."
Besides holding back raises, Schmoke is in the midst of planning radical changes in city government that would be implemented in July. The plan could eliminate entire agencies, and merge others, Schmoke has said. It could also further reduce the city work force -- through attrition, Schmoke says. The city government already has lost more than 3,000 jobs since 1988.
Schmoke said the plan will have to go into effect if the General Assembly does not provide substantial new help to the city for the fiscal year beginning in July.
"I am encouraged by what the governor said," Schmoke said. "But I am not encouraged by what I hear in the legislature. I don't know what it is down there, but we've got to turn that around."
Schmoke said he is hoping that the legislative session brings a major increase in state aid to education, a special "disparity grant" to help cash-starved Baltimore, and state money to fill vacancies on the city police force.
But, thus far, the mayor has heard less support for his proposals than criticism of city government from state legislators. Some legislators had suggested, for instance, that any new state aid to education come with the restriction that the money can not be spent on teacher pay raises. Schmoke said he thinks that idea is ridiculous.


text:
Even though they kept their relationship on the low for years, Alison Brie and Dave Franco were more than happy to confirm their engagement ASAP! But, how did their love come to be?
Alison Brie, 32, and Dave Franco, 30, are the latest Hollywood couple to get engaged, and their fans could not be more excited for them. Now that the news is out and confirmed, let’s explore the history of Alison and Dave’s relationship… including how they met!
Let’s be honest: no couple is cuter than Alison and Dave. Though they somehow managed to keep their romance out of the spotlight, pictures reveal that they are absolutely adorable together. Plus, Alison is now proudly flaunting the massive engagement ring that Dave gave her at the red carpet premiere of her latest film, Sleeping With Other People, where she was also glowing with happiness! So, how did this engagement come to be?
1.) Alison & Dave’s First Appearance Together Was At The Grocery Store
Who needs to make a red carpet debut when you can just go food shopping instead? Ah, the perks of being a celebrity in Los Angeles! That’s right, Alison and Dave were first spotted together holding hands in a supermarket in May 2012.
2.) Dave Supports Alison’s Music Career
You may not have known this unless you are a diehard Alison fan, but she’s in a cover band called The Girls. When they performed together along with Jones Street Station in June 2013, Dave was there to cheer Alison on — literally. An eyewitness tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY, “Not only was Dave cheering and clapping for Alison while she was on stage, but when she joined him in the VIP section they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other!”
3.) Dave & Alison Have Never Walked A Red Carpet Together
Despite the fact that they’ve been dating for over 3 years, and they’ve both released numerous films during that timespan, Alison and Dave have never walked down a red carpet together. One of the only times Alison and Dave were photographed together at an event was at the Dior Homme show in Paris, France in June 2015. Now that’s how you keep a damn good secret!
4.) Dave & Alison’s Funny Or Die Video Is Incredible
In 2013, Dave and Alison put their best comedic chops forward in a Funny Or Die skit called “Dream Girl.” In the skit, which is not only hilarious but also a little gross, Dave and Alison play an over-the-top in love couple who make bets with each other over multiple sexual acts. Oh, and eloping. Check it out here!
5.) Dave & Alison Both Voiced Characters In ‘The Lego Movie’
Okay, so aside from their amazing FOD video, Dave and Alison only have one real IMDb credit together: The Lego Movie. While Alison voiced Unikitty, Dave voiced Wally, a construction worker who works alongside Chris Pratt‘s Emmet. Maybe one day they’ll be able to star alongside each other on the big screen!
Tell us, HollywoodLifers — What do YOU think of Alison and Dave as a couple? Are you excited that they are getting married? Comment below with your thoughts!
— Lauren Cox

domain: celebrity


text:
Following the success of its UAE launch, Barbar has opened a branch in the KSA, bringing its authentic taste of Beirut to Taliyah Street.
Delighting customers for more than 40 years in Lebanon, Barbar started out as a small manouche bakery on Hamra Street in the heart of Beirut and quickly became famous for its delicious manouche, shawarma, falafel, and signature sandwiches.
Mohammad Al Ghaziri, founder of Barbar, said: “When we first opened Barbar more than 40 years ago, we had no idea of the impact our small family business was going to have in the Beirut dining scene. To witness Barbar’s incredible growth and its expansion in the Middle East in the last year has been humbling. We look forward to introducing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the authentic taste of Beirut.”
Walid Hajj, co-founder and CEO of Lavoya, said: “We are honored to represent Barbar and assist in its expansion across the Middle East. We have already seen huge success with our Dubai outlets and look forward to introducing this iconic brand to the kingdom.”
The Taliyah Street opening is part of the brand’s ambitious expansion plans, with a further three regional openings slated by end of this year in Qatar’s new Place Vendome Mall and Al Sadd District, as well as New Cairo, Egypt.


Tom Jurich didn’t waste any time in appointing a successor to Julie Hermann, who left the University of Louisville to become director of athletics at Rutgers.
I have changed my mind about Tom Jurich.
If there is any doubt in your mind about the classy University of Louisville athletic program that Tom Jurich runs, check this:
Coach Charlie Strong, the man who’s returned a program to
its prime, has committed to the university that gave him his
long-awaited, first opportunity at a head coaching job.


text:
Multimodal project will enhance access for pedestrians & bicyclists
√ Project builds upon recently completed removal of former Robert Moses Parkway
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced construction will soon begin on a $6.4 million project to rehabilitate State Route 384, Niagara Street, from John B. Daly Boulevard to the Rainbow Bridge Plaza, and John B. Daly Boulevard, from Niagara Street to Buffalo Avenue in the City of Niagara Falls. The project will transform Niagara Street in downtown Niagara Falls, creating a multimodal thoroughfare which will reconnect the portions of Niagara Falls’ downtown.
The project also builds upon the recent completion and dedication of a major project that spearheaded by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that removed an underutilized, two-mile stretch of the former Robert Moses Parkway – now called the Niagara Scenic Parkway – and, DOT said, “created a stunning new area in Niagara Falls State Park called ‘Gorgeview,’ which provides unimpeded access to the Niagara Gorge and improved recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.”
Dominguez said, “New York state continues to make strong investments in our infrastructure while strengthening Western New York’s transportation network for all users. This project on Niagara Street will not only have lasting benefits for the community, but help revitalize downtown Niagara Falls, providing greater mobility for the traveling public and improving the quality of life for Western New York residents. Coupled with our recent investment in the removal of the former Robert Moses Parkway, DOT projects continue to make a positive difference in the lives of Western New York residents and visitors.”
The project will implement a “road diet” along Niagara Street, which will include removing the center median and moving the south curb line to the north. This will allow for the installation of new sidewalks and a multidirectional bicycle path that is separated from vehicular traffic along the south side of Niagara Street.
Both Niagara Street and John B. Daly Boulevard will be resurfaced, and drainage improvements will be made. Left turn lanes will be installed at John B. Daly Boulevard and Falls Street.
In addition, traffic signs and signals along Niagara Street and at the intersection of John B. Daly and Rainbow Boulevards will be replaced. The overhead sign structure at the Rainbow Bridge Plaza will also be replaced. Pedestrian facilities including curb ramps, crosswalks and pedestrians signals with countdown timers will be upgraded.
Congressman Brian Higgins said, "Making it safer and easier for tourists from all over the world to cross Niagara Street at critical intersections like Third Street opens up the possibility of increased tourism-related development and activity, leading to more jobs and opportunity in Niagara Falls."
New York State Sen. Robert Ortt said, “Investing in our city’s infrastructure is a necessary step we must take in order to see continued investment from our business community and private partnerships developed over the years. Not only will improvements to our city’s roads help drive more tourists and local residents to downtown Niagara Falls, but it will also demonstrate a commitment from New York state to the upkeep and beautification of our city’s heavily trafficked areas and business district.”
Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “Thank you to the NYS Department of Transportation for commencement of the rehabilitation of Niagara Street and John Daly Boulevard.”
City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, “The continued efforts by the state in the City of Niagara Falls to bring transformative projects such as this is appreciated. We look forward to the outcome of this endeavor, as we know it will improve two of our major roadways that transport residents and visitors directly into our downtown area.”
Project construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2022.
A press release stated, “Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.”
For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app. Follow New York state DOT on Twitter @NYSDOT and @NYSDOTBuffalo or on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.


Toyota Star Maker is back & looking for rising country music stars
Toyota Star Maker will be searching for the next Keith Urban ’til summer comes around.
As country music continues to trickle into mainstream playlists, Star Maker is one talent search that’s been unearthing the industry’s breakthrough stars for over 40 years.
Former winners include Urban, Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Travis Collins, Beccy Cole, Sam McClymont (The McClymonts), Lyn Bowtell and Kirsty Lee Akers.
Coordinator Cheryl Brown says organisers are on the lookout for talent with “the country music x-factor”.
“We are looking for someone who is already making a considerable impression in country music; someone who has the country music x-factor; is driven and articulate; motivated and talented and someone who lives country music.
“Entrants should already be working in the scene and have basic business knowledge and prepared to work with a team with 40 year’s experience.”
Toyota’s commitment to Star Maker is inspiring both finalists and, in particular, the annual winner, with their passion to progress, setting the benchmark in showcasing Australian country music’s best new talent.
“Each year, we are impressed by the raw talent showcased and celebrated during Toyota Star Maker,” says Toyota chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel.
“We look forward to crowning the next star in Australian country music in 2020.”
Star Maker shines a spotlight on the winner and aims to provide five years of career development.
The 2018 winner Brad Cox came to Star Maker as a virtual unknown.
Just 18 months after winning, Cox has signed with the Mirror Music Group, responsible for the global success of rock band Gang Of Youths.
Applications for the 41st Toyota Star Maker open today (July 15) and close Monday, September 30.


text:
Apply promo code WELCOME20 after sign up to enjoy 20% off first order! | Sign Up Now
Bonsoy has been doing it better since ’83. While health fads come and go, and those hitching onto the vegan/health train have well and truly left the station, our commitment to quality, all-natural soy milk hasn’t changed. We’ve earned our place in the hearts, homes and businesses of our fans around the world (even on the bodies of several Bonsoy tattoo-sporting fanatics). We know because you tell us. You might love us because we use whole, certified vegan organic soybeans. And because life’s sweet enough already, we don’t do artificial sweeteners. Plant-based, non-genetically modified food isn’t a fad. At Bonsoy it’s our past, present and future. We humbly suggest it ought to be part of yours, too.
1 litre 6 per carton
It takes whole food to nourish whole humans. Since 1983, Bonsoy has been crafting premium-quality drinks packed with real food for real people. Whether it’s saying goodbye to lactose, or simply your inner-health preference, Bonsoy is wholly made goodness. From soy and almond milk to organic coconut milk and water, we’re the golden halo of health. So when you visit a café and see their boxes stacked high, or open a fridge to that welcome warm glow, you’ll experience a feeling of calm.
Filtered water, Organic (Certified USFDA, NOP) Whole Soybeans (min. 14%), Tapioca Syrup, Sea Salt, Job’s Tear (Hato Mugi), Calcium Carbonate.
Serve size 250mL
|LESS THAN 1g
|LESS THAN 1g


text:
To properly specify dating, you need to understand what it is actually, and for what reason it’s so important. It is a quite typical occurrence to define seeing in one form or another. For the most part, persons use this phrase loosely and as a general explanation of the action of being attracted to a person. What I find interesting in regards to this word even if is the method that it is used by many. I don’t think it needs being defined as it means so much more than what the majority of people would probably think.
The definition of this term is as employs; it is the respond of getting to recognize someone simply by communicating with them. It is simply the process of talking with and becoming friends with someone that you’re interested in. I believe this is the most important definition of going out with. The average cost of mail order bride http://mymailorderbride.org/how-much-do-mail-order-brides-cost// 2020 next most important thing which i think about is the idea that this can be an individual choice. I can by no means get that feeling when I’m out at a party and someone I do know comes up and starts communicating with me, We don’t have to set myself in that circumstances. I can quickly choose to refrain from giving anything or simply sit back and let them discuss, this is how functions for me. I actually don’t look and feel compelled to with an individual if they aren’t interested, but if offered up and commence talking to me, then it makes me feel great.
The additional most important meaning of this phrase is that it is a process. To put it differently, it’s about meeting an individual, meeting these people in person, after which deciding whether you want to be friends or just match just for fun. I’ve generally felt this was the most important part of going out with. If you determine that you want so far a person, then you need to plan on appointment them face-to-face before you decide that you would like to become good friends. In short, this is actually most important part of dating, and I think that it is the just definition that actually matters.

domain: sociology


text:
The Maltese gaming regulator Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) presented its 2020 annual report on Monday. It shows that the island nation continues to be attractive to the gambling industry.
The MGA said the number of licensed gaming companies (land-based and online) had steadily increased from 2018 (286 companies) through 2019 (294) to 2020 (323). Overall, the industry's gross value added was 924 million euros in the last fiscal year, accounting for about 8% of the total economy, he said.
With the influx of gaming companies, the number of employees in Malta has also changed. Despite the Corona pandemic, the number of employees in the gambling industry grew from 7,417 to 8,292 compared to the previous year, he said. More than 91% of workers were employed in the online gambling sector, he said.
Taking into account the influence of the gambling industry on other sectors, such as real estate and finance, the contribution to the overall economy had been even higher, amounting to about 10.2%.
One reason for large gambling groups to locate in Malta is favorable tax conditions and licensing costs, among others https://luckylife.in/pure-win-casino-review/.
In its annual report, the MGA not only provides information on the state of the gambling industry but also on regulatory activities during the period under investigation.
Dr. Carl Brincat praised his agency's work in 2020. Brincat stated:
The year 2020 will undoubtedly be remembered for the challenges we faced with the pandemic, and I am proud of the agency staff who worked tirelessly to ensure that we continued to perform the functions we were required to perform by law.
The MGA's responsibilities this past year also included working with other investigative agencies. According to the gambling regulator, in 2020 it participated in a total of 20 global investigations related to the manipulation of sports competitions and violations of sports regulations.
Law enforcement agencies, sports federations, integrity bodies, and other regulators had submitted a total of 168 requests for information. In addition, another 288 suspicious betting reports were received from licensees and other concerned parties, he said. As recently as 2019 (August to December), only 38 suspicious cases had been registered by the MGA's newly established Sports Integrity Unit.
For the coming year, the authority announced it would further strengthen its commitment to regulating the sector. It wants to guarantee that the industry remains fair, transparent, and protected against crime and corruption.


text:
HPR's Aloha Shorts to bid aloha to director Mark Lutwak
This month's taping of Hawaii Public Radio show "Aloha Shorts," a local story hour that features local literature being read by local actors, will double as an aloha 'oe to Honolulu theater veterans Mark Lutwak and wife Y York.
The stage couple — he was the director for the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and the director for "Aloha Shorts" and she is a playwright — are relocating to Ohio where he has been named director of education for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
This month's edition of "Aloha Shorts," which will be taped Sunday in front of a live in-studio audience at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio, will be Lutwak's last appearance with the "Aloha Shorts" crew.
The next installment of the locally produced show, which is hosted by Cedric Yamanaka, will feature actor Nara Cardenas reading "The Yellow Umbrella" by Susan Nunes, actor Walter Eccles reading a selection of short poems by Joseph Stanton, nnd four writers — Ann Inoshita, Juliet Kono, Christy Anne Passion and Jean Toyama — reading a portion of their collaborative "renshi," or linked poetry.
The taping will start at 7 p.m. and admission is free, though reservations are recommended.
Segments of "Aloha Shorts" air every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on KIPO (89.3 FM).
Information and reservations: 955-8821

domain: entertainment


Posted on Updated on
Another installment of the Gingerbread House submissions. ~Vic
If you’d like to vote:
Homes for the Holidays 2020
Christmas Countdown 2.0
Share this article, if you are so inclined...
This entry was posted in Challenges, Christmas Stuff, Photography and tagged 15 days of christmas, 1762, 1791, 1823, 2019, 2020, american photography, april 30, camera hound, camera nut, cameraphone, christmas, christmas countdown, christmas time, christmastime, civil war hospital 1865, cosmic-observation photography, december 5, eagle lodge 19, edmund fanning, evening walk, family category, gingerbread, gingerbread house competition, gingerbread houses, hillsborough photography, homes for the holidays 2020, images, lot 23, masonic lodge, masonic lodge 71, merry christmas, nc pedia, north carolina photography, open orange nc, photographer, photographs, photos, pictures, samsung S7, shutterbug, snapshots, stupidphone, youth category.
12 thoughts on “Christmas Countdown 3.0”
December 12, 2020 at 11:43 AM
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!! This
December 12, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Thanks, Mama! <3
December 12, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Hugs and love to you!
December 12, 2020 at 5:43 PM
Big hugs back! Much love!
December 12, 2020 at 8:05 PM
Oh cool. I’m starting a Christmas countdown of my own… a movie marathon that is! Starting on Monday the 14th I’m watching one holiday film every night for twelve days, ending on Christmas Day. Get the memo, 12 days of Christmas… I know, so clever. Won’t be covering it on the blog sadly, but probably will attempt to next year.
December 12, 2020 at 11:45 PM
That would be a lot of work. Watching, drawings, write-ups… Blogging could be considered a full time job.
December 12, 2020 at 11:55 PM
On that note, I’ll likely only give illustrations to at least half of them and I may take a full 4 weeks off to give me the time. What do you think? I know it won’t be for awhile, but I like to plan ahead.
December 13, 2020 at 4:24 AM
Well, as much as I enjoy your artwork, maybe you could zig-zag with harvested images from the Internet. It would save you time and still get your point across.
December 15, 2020 at 4:21 PM
That is a cool contest…I went to the page earlier…a lot of cool gingerbread replicas.
December 15, 2020 at 5:27 PM
My favorite is Ayr Mount. Someone went to a lot of trouble.
December 15, 2020 at 7:15 PM
You won’t believe this…I was going to put that…I really was…it’s really cool looking
December 15, 2020 at 7:41 PM
Heh. Great minds…


Featuring a plethora of grey stars on a pristine white backdrop, this bib is ideal for a newborn. It is a stylishly designed bandana dribble bib that catches drool, thereby protecting against drool rash and keeping garments beneath the bib dry. The bib's top layer is made of 100% cotton, providing comfort for babies. The underneath layer is absorbent fleece, keeping infants and toddlers drier for extended periods. This bib also includes adjustable nickel-free popper snaps for a secure fit on newborns and toddlers, and is machine washable and can be tumble dried. This high-quality product washes well, retains its shape, and looks great for a long time.


text:
Francesca Martinez describes herself as being a bit ‘wobbly’. Not only was she largely unaware that others generally weren’t wobbly like her as she was growing up, but she painfully discovered that being wobbly is infact central to a life that she is now determined to relish.
Born with cerebral palsy Francesca’s parents were told that she would be mentally retarded, but as she jokes “clearly I’m not because I’ve never voted UKIP”. She thrived in her loving family background, but began to feel different as she progressed through school.
Her relationship with her father also became strained by his insistence that she do the exercises prescribed by doctors. But escape came in the form of a part in Grange Hill and then in playing a comedian in a script by her father, where the joy of making people laugh hit home.
But she described the defining moment as a boyfriend helping her to see that it was how she defined herself that mattered. Her philosophy is now that she walks the best way that she can, rather than walking badly. Also that being ‘wobbly’ is a much less emotive description than abnormal.
Infact the sense of freedom to embrace life that this has given Francesca was underlined by her comments that people with disability are often more confident than others, because of the liberation coming from confrontation of such issues.
She does however have real worries about the pressure that society can put on people with disabilities. When asked by a medical consultant in the audience what advice she would give about working with disabled people, she stressed the importance of reminding people what they can do not what they can’t do.
She also talked with passion about the risks of demonising those claiming benefits. ‘I might be physically disabled but the Tories are morally disabled’ she quipped, but she is a formidable campaigner too. Her lead on a 100,000 signatory petition led to a parliamentary debate on work capability assessments and related cuts earlier this year.
On a personal level Francesca’s battle to be accepted on TV shows is ongoing too as she believes she is rejected as too much of a risk for audiences. The irony of this was apparent from the rapturous reaction at the Sheffield event, where it was clear that Francesca Martinez provides much more than entertainment, by having an attitude to life to aspire to. It is on the basis of this that her book ‘What the **** is normal?’ is highly recommended.

domain: psychology


text:
Pediatric Stroke Program
Stroke in kids
Stroke is a condition in which not enough blood gets to a part of the brain (arterial ischemic stroke). Stroke specialists see children who have clotting in their arteries or in the veins around the brain (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis), who have abnormalities of the blood vessels, or who have bleeding in their brain (hemorrhage).
Who We See
The Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) Pediatric Stroke Program provides comprehensive assessment and treatment of children (from birth to age 18) who have had a stroke, or who are at risk for stroke.
Services We Provide
Acute Care Services
Our interdisciplinary pediatric stroke team works to evaluate and help manage children who have had a stroke, beginning in the hospital. Our staff specializes in evaluating the causes of stroke and providing treatment, educating families and preparing for hospital discharge.
We continue to care for children with stroke after hospital discharge. We also provide consultative services for children at risk for stroke. In the clinic setting, our physicians provide a medical evaluation, with recommendations for assessment, monitoring and treatment. We assess the impact of stroke on a child's development and function, and work with the family to minimize these consequences. Our therapists perform developmental evaluations to determine a child's strengths and weaknesses and recommend therapy or other interventions. Depending on the child, our services range from a single discipline consultation to a full team evaluation.
Families might have opportunities to enroll in research studies. One of these is the International Pediatric Stroke Study in which OHSU is participating. The purpose of this study is to learn more about childhood stroke by gathering information about children, worldwide, who have had stroke.
OHSU Pediatric Stroke Program offers a Parent Support Group for parents of children with stroke. Parents come together to share experiences, support each other and learn more about pediatric stroke. For more information, please contact OHSU Stroke Program Social Worker, Erin Stang LCSW, at email@example.com or 503 494-2728.

domain: health


text:
UN Sahara envoy gets off to bad start due to Algeria’s intransigence
The newly appointed UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara Staffan de Mistura is off to a bad start after concluding a first regional tour marked by Algeria’s unwillingness to uphold its responsibility as a main party to the conflict.
After holding talks with Morocco’s foreign minister in Rabat and a visit to the Polisario separatists in Tindouf and a meeting with Mauritanian officials in Nouakchott, de Mistura held a working session with chief propagandist of the Algerian government Ammar Belani, who has the official title of Algerian government envoy for the Maghreb and the Sahara.
Algeria’s foreign minister Lamaamra shunned meeting Staffan de Mistura in a bid to show that Algiers is not concerned by the conflict. A stance that is contradicted by facts in the ground reflected in an official statement issued following the meeting between de Mistura and Belani.
The statement reaffirms Algeria’s position as the party that pulls the strings of the Polisario and the party that blocks any progress towards a political and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.
Algeria also said it will not take part in the round table process that the UN has assigned de Mistura to reactivate.
After taking part in the round table process in 2018 and 2019, Algeria said it will withdraw in a context of warmongering against Morocco.
Morocco had said that autonomy for the Sahara is the maximum it can offer as a political solution within the framework of the UN, noting that there would be no UN process without the participation of Algeria, the party that arms, hosts, and backs diplomatically the Polisario militias.


text:
Table of Contents
Heroin Detox Programs in New Jersey
New Jersey is currently experiencing a spike in heroin addiction, along with the whole Tri-State area. This epidemic is steadily devastating one community after another, leaving hundreds of families in despair. Despite concerted efforts by the state government and other frontline agencies, heroin abuse continues to spiral out of control. It seems no part of New Jersey has escaped this deadly opioid epidemic.
Data released by New Jersey’s Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services indicated that 76,509 treatment admissions were reported as of May 2017. Similarly, in 2016, there were 74,291 reported discharges.
Foremost among commonly misused opioids is heroin – one of the most addictive substances known. In spite of repeated warnings by various organizations, hundreds of teenagers and adults become ensnared by the highly potent drug. We’ve teamed up with the best New Jersey heroin detox centers so that addicts have the right choices on the road to getting better.
As reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the number of people addicted to heroin doubled between 2002 and 2013. This is quite significant as it cuts across a number of demographic groups, including women and high-income earners.
The Heavy Burden of Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a very dangerous and addictive drug. Not only does it bring physical and emotional harm to addicts and their families, but it also impacts our economy negatively. In order to support their heroin abuse habits, many addicts resort to borrowing, sinking into debt as a result, while others resort to committing crimes to support their habit.
According to a recent study, the economic burden of heroin abuse in the US amounted to over $51 billion in 2015 alone. Employers throughout the nations are reporting increased lost hours annually, as well as a reduced workforce. According to some estimates, there are a staggering 1 million heroin users in the United States. New Jersey heroin detox centers are at the forefront in helping addicts alleviate their withdrawal symptoms so that they can become productive members of society once again.
It is mind-boggling to contemplate the huge amount of financial resources spent to support this destructive habit. Some experts have placed the cost of sustaining a heroin abuse habit per user to be around $51,000 per year. Heroin addiction also adversely impacts the society in the following ways:
- Reduced productivity on the job
- The huge cost of seeking heroin addiction treatment
- The growing number of heroin overdose mortality
- The heavy cost of litigation
- Huge financial burden involved in treating newborns with heroin-induced medical conditions
- Increased number of crimes committed under the influence of heroin addiction
- Spread of infectious diseases among intravenous users of heroin
Seeking Intervention for Heroin Addiction
Heroin addicts are often hesitant about getting help for their condition. When you are under the influence of a mind-altering substance like heroin, it becomes very challenging to make rational decisions. Seeking professional help may be the last thing on your mind.
Whether addicts realize it or not, heroin use for even a brief period affects your body system in more than a few ways. And, the longer you delay getting help, the more difficult it will be to reverse the damaging effects of this toxic drug. By choosing a heroin detox in New Jersey or out-of-state, you’ll have the opportunity to minimize those painful withdrawal symptoms under the care of substance abuse professionals.
If you have been hooked on heroin for an extended period of time, it is likely you have had several failed attempts at quitting the drug on your own. This is a commonly observed trend among long-time addicts. Trying to quit heroin addiction on your own is never recommended. Since you are ill-prepared to face the unpleasant symptoms that come with heroin withdrawal, your chances of experiencing a relapse are greater.
Heroin is known to cause severe physical dependence. This implies that it will likewise require more than ordinary efforts to quit the habit. The good news is that even chronic addicts with a history of protracted heroin abuse have been assisted to break free from the clutches of addiction.
Addiction has the effect of driving the abuser away from their family. Staging an intervention may be the most effective way to convince a loved one to seek professional addiction treatment. The care, support, and empathy shown by family members may be all that is needed to steer them in the right direction.
Find a Heroin Detox Center In New Jersey
There are countless numbers of addiction interventionists providing drug rehab services for New Jersey residents. If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin addiction or other forms of chemical dependence, and in need of a reliable New Jersey heroin detox center, then contact us right away.
NJ Addiction Resources is the leading addiction resource and counseling organization, providing addiction assessment, rehab placements and counseling for addicts and their families. If you need help getting started, call our addiction helpline today and be connected to a trustworthy rehab facility near you.


text:
Author(s): Joanne Harris
Once there was a widow with three sons, and their names were Black, Brown and Blue. Black was the eldest; moody and aggressive. Brown was the middle child, timid and dull. But Blue was his mother's favourite. And he was a murderer.Blueeyedboy is the brilliant new novel from Joanne Harris: a dark and intricately plotted tale of a poisonously dysfunctional family, a blind child prodigy, and a serial murderer who is not who he seems. Told through posts on a web journal called badguysrock, this is a thriller that makes creative use of all the multiple personalities, disguise and mind games that are offered by playing out a life on the internet.
A gripping psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Chocolat and The Lollipop Shoes
"Delivers an almighty twist in the tale late on...brilliantly atmospheric and at times heartbreaking." The Times "An ingenious, gripping read...it terrified the living daylights out of me." Daily Express "Brilliantly written, plotted and insightful...beware unreliable narrators along with a huge plot twist at the end." Mirror "Engrossing psychological thriller...a novel of unusual complexity...Harris, best known for Chocolat, again shows her skill and versatility." Mail on Sunday "Beautifully written...a rewarding read." Guardian
Joanne Harris is the author of the Whitbread-shortlisted Chocolat (made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp) and seven other bestselling novels. Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as 'mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion'. She plays bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16, is currently studying Old Norse, and lives with her husband and daughter in Yorkshire, about 15 miles from the place she was born.

domain: library


text:
Natural Raw Emerald Rosary Necklace with Moonstone Pendant
Combining the energy of two beautiful stones.
Emerald A stone of divine love, luck, intelligence and peace. Emerald green is the color that is used to align the heart chakra, allowing love to flow freely from a person’s core. Helps eliminate negative energy and restore confidence and hope.
Moonstone is a calming stone that helps to relieve stress and anxiety. It also brings good fortune and increases intuition.
Dainty and so pretty, this Raw Emerald rosary style necklace is paired with a round bezel set natural Moonstone. Available in your choice of length.
1) Rosary beaded chain is crafted in genuine natural raw Emerald and Sterling Silver wire. Emeralds are about 3 to 4 mm in size
2) Natural bezel set Moonstone that measures about 15 mm.
3) Solid Sterling Silver lobster clasp.
4) Lovingly handcrafted in New Jersey
All jewelry includes complimentary gift packaging.
Shop with confidence from a company that has been shipping worldwide for over 8 years.

domain: design