Juneau Police Department
Welcome to the Ask A Dispatcher page!
All emergencies should be reported by calling 9-1-1. Active, non-emergency incidents should be reported by calling the JPD non-emergency line at 586-0600.
Ask A Dispatcher submissions have been suspended, but please feel free to view the previously posted questions and answers below.
Every day dispatchers at the Juneau Police Department field calls about almost every issue that impacts quality of life in Juneau. The issues are about suspected criminal activity, nuisances, family issues, legal concerns and more. Dispatchers enjoy helping those callers and if the dispatcher can't help directly, JPD dispatchers are experts at finding someone who can help that caller.
NOTE:This website feature is to facilitate communication between citizens and JPD. Ask A Dispatcher does not give legal advice, tax advice, or cooking advice. Please rely on your own advisors for that stuff. The intent of this service is to answer the kind of questions posed to JPD dispatchers on a daily basis in a format that is convenient for residents. Because the answers are broad to address an issue in general terms, the answer may not apply to or just be wrong when applied to a specific situation. JPD reserves the right to refuse to comment and will not comment on open cases or specific enforcement actions.
Did you know that the Juneau Police Department dispatchers are responsible to dispatch Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel? They are certified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers and have talked people through lifesaving procedures like CPR. They have even helped deliver babies over the phone!
Most people understand that the first priority for any dispatcher is answering 9-1-1 calls to assist Juneau residents with medical or law enforcement emergencies. Time not spent on those duties is often spent helping people with issues that impact that person's quality of life. JPD wants to make it as easy as possible for the community to use our 'help finding' experts, dispatchers, by setting up this web page that lets you "Ask a Dispatcher".


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Recently, Grammy Award winning rapper Clifford Harris—better known as T.I.—was back in court, but in a turn of events he wasn’t battling his usual criminal charges, instead, Mr. Harris appeared in family court to contest his ex-girlfriend’s, Lashon Dixon, petition to increase child support. Ms. Dixon has primary physical custody of the pair’s two sons and Mr. Harris currently shells out $2,000 a month in expenses. A judge granted Ms. Dixon’s petition and ordered Mr. Harris to increase his monthly payments to a little more than $3,000. Mr. Harris’s bone of contention during the proceedings was Ms. Dixon’s “misuse” of the child support payments. Specifically, Mr. Harris argued that Ms. Dixon chose to live off the child support payments and refuses to seek employment, despite Mr. Harris’s efforts to assist her.
You can read the full post, view and subscribe to the blog by going to http://www.obermayerfamilymatters.com/

domain: news


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WeWork lands biggest Manhattan real estate loan in February – The entity, an investment vehicle managed by the We Company. 8) DebtLife – $56 million MetLife Real Estate Lending provided a $56 million mortgage to SJP Properties and Prudential Financial for.
Real Estate Investor Financing For Residential. – Specializing in residential investment property financing for purchase, refinance, fix and flip or long term buy and hold. Commercial mortgages for apartments, retail, industrial or office properties.
Real Estate Financing 101 [Updated 2019] | FortuneBuilders – Real estate investing financing is nothing to fear if you put in the right amount of research. Get to know five of the most common real estate financing options that you can add to your investor toolkit. Some of the best loans for real estate investing, aside from a traditional mortgage loan.
Colony American Finance – Investment Property Loans – Colony American Finance, LLC (and its subsidiaries) makes commercial, business purpose loans to investors of tenant-occupied single-family rental properties. Colony American Finance, LLC does not make residential mortgage loans. Loans are for investment purposes only and not for personal, family, or household use.
Real Estate Investor Programs – Lifestyle Mortgage – Real Estate Investing. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting out, one of the most important things in real estate investing is maximizing the return on your investments while minimizing risk. That said, it is exceptionally important to get the advice of a mortgage professional with investment property experience.
AG Mortgage Investment Trust: Checking In With This 11.8%-Yielding Mortgage REIT – An investment in MITT comes with a dividend yield of 11.8 percent. AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (MITT) is a promising high-yield/high-risk mortgage real estate investment trust with a large,
How Many Investment Properties Can I Finance How Many Investment Properties Can I Own? – On Property – Investment properties are an excellent way to build you passive income and your long term wealth but how many investment properties can you. property is a good investment and I haven’t even mentioned getting finance or dealing with real estate agents. Finding and investing in real estate.
A real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) is a complex pool of mortgage securities created to acquire investment income for its creators and investors. REMICs consist of a fixed pool of.
How Much Down For Investment Property 10 Ways to Buy an Investment Property With No Money Down – Creative real estate financing forum Here are 12 ways to Buy an Investment Property with no Money Down nov 26 2018, 13:59 Real Estate Deal Analysis and Advice What are some ways to buy property with little to no money down?
Banks Tighten Standards on Commercial Real Estate, Credit Card Loans – REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. banks tightened standards on commercial real estate loans and on credit card borrowing during the first quarter, according to a survey.
Young Real Estate Flippers Get Their First Taste of Losing – With Patrick Clark and Sydney Maki BOTTOM LINE – Fueled by high-interest, hard-money loans from private investors, individuals have gotten into real estate speculation again. Before it’s here, it’s on.
Financing your first investment property can be a lot of work to take on and you don’t have to go it alone. It’s a good idea to hire an accountant who understands investment property tax strategies to help you.. get involved with your local real estate investment club or find an investor.

domain: finance


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By Odunewu Segun
Snoring can put great strain on relationships. A snoring problem often creates not only tiredness but also frustration and resentment between couples. It can interfere with sexual and emotional intimacy, and can push couples to sleep in separate bedrooms.
It’s no surprise that snoring often sends couples to separate bedrooms in search of undisturbed rest. Some couples may find that sleeping apart suits them well, and doesn’t diminish their feelings of closeness. But many couples very much want to sleep together—but can’t, because of a snoring issue.
Sleeping apart can interfere with intimacy, sexual and emotional. Couples may find themselves having sex less often when they’re regularly sleeping apart. Partners also may miss the physical closeness of sleeping together, and the emotional bond that it confers for many people.
In many cases, snoring can be reduced or stopped altogether. Here are some of the approaches suggested by sleep experts.
Change your sleep position. Snoring is more likely to occur if you sleep on your back, because this position worsens the effect of relaxed tongue and throat muscles.
Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol acts as a muscle relaxant, making it more likely your jaw will drop open while your tongue and throat sag.
Lose weight. Dropping just 10-15 pounds can make a huge difference in the amount of excess tissue in the throat.
Open your nasal passages. Congestion or a narrow nasal cavity may be blocking your air flow. A steamy shower, saline spray, or nasal strips may improve the situation.
Keep the bedroom well vacuumed and dusted. If your pillows are washable, wash them at least once a month. Otherwise, regularly run them through a fluff cycle in the dryer to remove hair and dust. If your pillows are a few years old, it may be time to replace them. Keep pets off the bed. If you suspect that you have chronic allergies, see your doctor for testing and treatment.
Raise the head of the bed a few inches. This can be done with a foam wedge under the mattress, or with blocks placed under the feet of the bed frame.
Anti-snoring mouthpieces are designed to be worn at night. They either reposition the jaw or hold the tongue in place. These come in a wide range of styles and materials. At the higher end are customized devices made by dentists or other specialists
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration increases the stickiness of mucous, which in turn may intensify snoring.

domain: medical


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The game is a version of The Sims 2 optimized for laptops.
Create perfect - or imperfect - pets for your Sims.
The Sims 3 Pets Create A Pet Demo allows you to create perfect or imperfect pets.
It is a puzzle and board game, for your spare time relaxing and entertainment.
Electronic Arts Inc
With this pack you create the perfect pet for your Sims to train and play with.
Electronic Arts, Inc.
The Sims 3 Pets is an expansion for the popular simulator.
Links Extractor is an application for extracting web links from web pages.
Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc.
The Sims Unleashed, is the fifth expansion left for PC of The Sims.
Enjoy this fun game and open your new pet shop business.
Hidden-object game that follows the adventures of PJ, a pet detective.
BWSpec is a spectral data acquisition software developed by B&W Tek, Inc.
Knowledge Adventure, Inc.
Kids can adopt, groom and train a virtual pet in the new Pet Playground.
In Paradise Pet Salon we control a character who wants to work at Pet Corp.
Free virtual pet game. Look after, feed and play games with a virtual pet.
Administer a pet salon and become real popular in Pet Show Craze.
It's a virtual pet game where you can play, feed, health, love your pet, etc.
KnowleSys Software, Inc.
Web Link Extractor is a powerful link extractor utility.
It extracts Link Text and Link URL from t....
Adopt your favorite pet from a wide variety: Choose your pet from popular breeds.
If you pet-sit one pet or 4 at once, this free software is for you.
Manage your lovely pet shops and build a successful pet shop empire!

domain: entertainment


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By: Susan Hollingworth
Publisher: Susan Hollingworth
Publication Date: February 2010
Reviewed by: Pamela Victor
Review Date: April 5, 2010
Like a time travel machine behind glass, A Life Fractured deposits the reader in the early 1900s to survey the life of a British aristocrat named Eleanor Gregory. Our observation begins with her exotic and idyllic childhood in colonial India as the young daughter of an army doctor of tropical medicine, and we follow her to Britain and beyond, through two world wars, her life providing a scholarly examination of period life.
Susan Hollingworth based A Life Fractured on a true story, coloring in the tale with historical and cultural specifics. The author clearly has devoted considerable research into many facets of the time periods studied. For instance, as Eleanor and her mother, Rose, ride a train from New York to Los Angeles in the 1940s, the author provides meticulous descriptions of the niceties of the luxury train. “While city lights, shanty dwellings and darkened cornfields flashed by, Rose tucked into a fresh Colorado trout and remarked upon the native American pictographs and geometric shapes of the train’s Mimbreno dinnerware.”
Further enhancing the flavor of the eras Eleanor inhabits, the author provides ample information on the historical context and social cultures of the time. Popular music, theater, radio and television shows, new technology as well as the prevalent figures of the day enhance this historical fiction book. “Over the winter, Eleanor was glad of the distraction as she lost herself in the delights of ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and ‘South Pacific’ at the theatre. Rose was anxious to see how the new government would relieve her of her tax burden, but she had to wait until Chancellor Butler’s first budget to find out. In the meantime, King George died and Elizabeth hurried back from safari in Kenya to take up her duties as Queen.”
Oftentimes, Hollingworth gives readers a personal perspective of life in each era, as if readers were looking over the shoulder of the man on the street, or in this case a wealthy, unmarried British woman. As we follow Eleanor’s life, we learn about the travails of finding good help during the war, the difficulties of living in blacked-out London during the war, and the heavy psychological burden of a woman straining to remain independent. However, at some points A Life Fractured reads as a narrative history book rather than a novel, as the author includes so many historical details and facts that they come at the expense of the story. As a result, readers may struggle to sympathize with sparely drawn characters with whom they have developed so little emotional connection.
Nevertheless, readers interested in British life during the early to mid-1900s will gain much from the time travel trip provided by Susan Hollingworth in A Life Fractured as we are allowed a peek into life during an era long gone.
Quill says: This historical fiction book provides readers with a richly detailed, personal view of British life in the early 1900’s.

domain: history


Lotus E23 Hybrid
The Lotus E23 Hybrid is a Formula One racing car which Lotus used to compete in the 2015 Formula One season. It was driven by Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. This was the team's only car to use Mercedes engines, after a 20-year partnership with Renault. The E23 Hybrid was also the first Enstone-based car to be powered by an engine other than Renault's since the Ford-powered Benetton B194 in 1994.
|Designer(s)||Nick Chester (Technical Director)|
|Engine||Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Turbo 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6 engine (90°), limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout|
|Electric motor||Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K) |
Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
8 forward gears, 1 reverse gear
|Weight||702 kg (1,548 lb)|
|Tyres||Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)|
|Notable drivers||8. Romain Grosjean|
13. Pastor Maldonado
|Debut||2015 Australian Grand Prix|
The Lotus-Mercedes partnership was originally intended to last for six years (until 2020), but was terminated five years earlier as the team returned to Renault power unit and thus bought Lotus stake from 2016 onwards.
The car was considered an improvement compared to the disastrous Lotus E22, which suffered from reliability issues and struggling for competitiveness due to the underpowered and unreliable Renault power unit and the fundamental flaws of the E22 chassis. However, both driver errors and unreliability cost the team points finishes in many races, limiting the car's potential of consistent points scoring. Maldonado retired in 5 out of the first 6 races either due to collisions or car problems. Grosjean and Maldonado collided with each other, in Spain and Britain. A highlight of the season however was Grosjean's podium finish in Belgium. Lotus ended its last season with 78 points and a 6th place in the World Constructors' Championship, before its buyout from Renault Sport.
Complete Formula One resultsEdit
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
|2015||Lotus F1||Mercedes PU106B Hybrid||P||Romain Grosjean||Ret||11||7||7||8||12||10||Ret||Ret||7||3||Ret||13†||7||Ret||Ret||10||8||9||78||6th|
† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lotus E23 Hybrid.|


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A little over 300 films have debuted in the United States so far in 2015, and one can presume that anywhere from 300 to 450 more will see release before the end of the year. That’s a lot of movies – up by about 150 releases since 2010 – and really only a handful of those are sequels or franchise monoliths like Jurassic World or Avengers: Age of Ultron. Though superheroes, dinosaurs, and cartoons still rule the box office, the cinephile event of the year was an auteur-backed action film with minimal use of CGI, namely Mad Max: Fury Road, one that still managed to land in the top-ten grossers of the year. That being said, and as great as George Miller’s wild tempest of a film is, there’s no denying that it also benefitted from name recognition, as did 4/5 of the films that comprise the top 25 box-office grossers of 2015.
As the aforementioned number suggested, however, there were plenty of other fish in the sea, depending on how close you live to a major metropolitan area. And considering the advances of VOD, even that isn’t necessarily a factor anymore. Regardless of how they’re been released and seen, the best films of 2015 hinge on challenging perspectives on everything from nationalism (Red Army) and masculine control (Ex Machina) to femininity (Spy) and emotional maturity (Inside Out), each one unafraid to touch on abstract concepts or bypass mainstream ideas of morality. Above all else, these films showed genuine ambition in their writing, aesthetics, and, often enough, both, as did the other films our staff picked out as the very best films of the year thus far. And with another 300 or so films yet to see release this year, there’s a pretty solid chance that these remarkable films might not even make our end-of-year lists, which is a sure sign of a great year at the movies. – Chris Cabin


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- Khaza Kamil Gates was born on May 10, 2014, to Dreka and Kevin Gates.
- Kevin confessed in a social media video that he gives his son license to cuss.
- a year after Khaza was born, Kevin married his long-term girlfriend and high school love Dreka.
- Khaza has one biological sister named Islah
Khaza Kamil Gates is best known as the son of Kevin and Dreka Gates. Khaza’s father Kevin is a rapper and released a song with the title ‘Khaza’ which resulted in a surge in Kamil’s popularity. Other than this, Khaza is popular due to his constant presence on his mother’s Instagram and social media.
He is yet to start a professional career and is still in elementary school, however, due to his parents’ presence in show business he might join the rap industry later on.
His mother Dreka Gates is an accomplished entrepreneur and agent who works closely with his father Kevin to promote and run their label, Bread Winners’ Association.
Khaza Kamil Gates Is Kevin And Dreka Gates’ Youngest Son
Khaza Kamil Gateswas born on May 10, 2014, to Dreka and Kevin Gates.
He is their youngest child and will be seven years old in September 2021. He was born through water birth.
His sister Islah is almost a year older than him and was also born in the ocean.
Khaza and his sister were both born before their parents married in 2015.
The Meaning of His Surname Khaza Khaza is an Arabic word that means “treasure” or “excellent.”
The name represents the importance of Khaza Gates to his parents.
His parents, who are ardent Muslims, also gave him an Arabic name.
Kevin is set to release an album called ‘Khaza,’ and he hopes to tour in support of it.
Furthermore, his sister’s name Islah is an Arabic term for “reform” or “improvement.” He named his debut studio album (issued in 2016) after his daughter, which was certified 2 X Platinum.
Khaza’s Father Takes A Positive Approach To Parent.
Kevin confessed in a social media video that he gives his son license to cuss.
Kevin also mentions that he wants to raise his son to be a successful man who has a lot of luck with women in the future.
In fact, Kev mentioned that his son would have “the ho*s going crazy” to boost his confidence.
Kevin and Dreka had Khaza and Islah before getting married.
In October 2015, a year after Khaza was born, Kevin married his long-term girlfriend and high school love Dreka.
Islah Khaza Gates, Khaza Gates’ sister, with his father Kevin (leftmost), mother (rightmost), and sister (second from left)
They started dating in the early 2000s and have been together for almost 15 years.
They have witnessed each other’s highs and lows and have supported each other through it all.
The parents of Khaza Gates Kevin and Dreka Gates have a friendly relationship.
Fans of the couple may be familiar with Kevin and Dreka’s arrangement regarding their relationship.
They are high school sweethearts who became a non-monogamous pair and have had several casual sexual partners while married.
Khaza Gates’ parents are in an open relationship and are planning to marry.
In fact, they have spoken extensively in numerous interviews about how their relationship does not consider having multiple casual partners at the same time to be cheating.
According to many of their interviews, their partnership is built on unconditional support.
While making media appearances, Kevin regularly displays his love for Dreka.
However, because of their open connection, many people believe Kevin has children outside of his relationship with Dreka.
Khaza also has more than one sibling.
Khaza’s Brothers and Sisters
Khaza has one biological sister named Islah, but in a 2013 interview with Complex, his father implied that he had other children but opted not to share their identities.
Similarly, Kevin Gates stated that the public would not see all of his children and would not recognize them.
Khaza Has Unknown Half-Siblings
Kevin, the star child’s father, has openly implied that he has children with women other than Dreka and stated that it did not make sense for him to divulge how many children he had.
While Khaza and Islah may be aware of their half-siblings, Kevin has refused to reveal their identities.
In 2013, the rapper declared, “I got some children,” while having only one child with Dreka (Islah).
This indicates Khaza has half-siblings who are older.
It’s also possible that Kev had other children after Khaza was born.
Khaza’s parents may have a third child.
Khaza and Dreka stated in December 2019 that they were expecting their third child together, but have yet to follow through.
In fact, they haven’t spoken anything about it since they announced it in late 2019.
They may have a third child, but because of their secretive parenting style, they have chosen not to divulge it to the world.
Khaza and his sister travel extensively.
The Gates family has to travel a lot because of their profession; in fact, Kevin tours around a lot and is occasionally joined by his entire family.
Dreka also attends his tours and works as one of his booking agents.
During their school breaks, Khaza and Islah accompany their parents on tours.
Khaza is unvaccinated, and his parents are anti-vaccination activists.
Dreka and Kevin have openly said that they do not want their children to be vaccinated because of their religious views.
Dreka also stated that they wanted all of her children to grow up organically, without the use of any artificial chemicals.
Kevin Gates and his son Khaza Kamil Gates as well as his wife and family girl, are pictured.
Kevin told Rolling Stone that his children are “different” from other kids and that “I don’t believe in conspiracy theories or anything like that, I’m just a cold-blooded investigator.”
Dreka has also stated that she does not vaccinate her children and raises them “naturally.”
They also spoke about their difficult childhood and the struggles that drove them to believe in raising children to be the strongest they can be, without the use of chemicals or artificial substances.
Khaza Gates’ parents worked hard to achieve success.
Dreka and Kevin, Khaza’s parents, have both worked extremely hard to achieve success.
Dreka, in reality, struggled greatly and pushed Kevin when he decided to seek a career as a rapper.
Similarly, they co-own the rap label ‘Bread Winners’ Association,’ which features a variety of musicians, including Kevin.
Additionally, the label manages the rapper’s tours and concerts.
The duo had a large barrier ahead of them before they were successful, but they supported each other through it.
Kevin sold a few thousand CDs every week in the first half of 2021, and Dreka is also a successful entrepreneur with millions of social media followers.
Kevin almost outsold Rihanna with his eponymous album ‘Islah’ in 2016.
He is also a multi-platinum recording artist with millions of recordings sold worldwide.
Furthermore, the couple has used their ordeal as motivation to form a humanitarian organization.
Dreka’s mother is also an inspiration because she is a humanitarian.
Khaza’s maternal grandmother and father are also social activists.
Khaza Kamil Gates’s maternal grandmother, Sharon “ShaSha” Haynes, is a well-known social worker who has vast experience working with different charities, including the American Red Cross.
Haynes is also an animal enthusiast who works tirelessly to assist stray animals and at-risk pets.
Similarly, his parents run the Kevin & Dreka Gates Foundation, which inspires and educates people in order to help them thrive professionally.
The charity also educates young people on mental health difficulties caused by a difficult upbringing.
Kamil Gates and Dreka both grew raised in rough neighborhoods, making their childhoods miserable.
Kevin Gates’s Rough Childhood Inspired Him to Make Music
Kevin Gates had a difficult upbringing filled with abuse and tragedy.
He then incorporated these experiences into his songs.
Gates stated that he utilized music to escape his childhood.
He was also abused as a child, which caused him to become violent and enraged.
Kevin Gates was sexually abused as a child.
In an interview, Gates stated that he was assaulted as a child and became extremely vulnerable as a result.
After the encounter, he said he never trusted anyone again and aspired to be the “toughest guy on the planet.”
Later, he channeled all of his energy into music, which he characterizes as an escape from his surroundings.
He began professionally pursuing music soon after.
Know about: Brian Deegan, Steve Chen, Cooke Maroney
Kevin Gates, a rapper, has been arrested several times.
Khaza Kamil Gates’ difficult upbringing frequently resulted in run-ins with the law.
He was arrested for the first time when he was 13 years old and has had other run-ins with the law since then.
In 2003, he stabbed a guy numerous times outside a theater, and in 2015, he kicked a fan during a performance.
Similarly, he was imprisoned for gun-related and violent crimes stemming from occurrences in his past.
He has stated that his relationship with Dreka, their children (Islah and Khaza), and marriage have all made him think twice before acting on a whim.
The rapper even gave his daughter the name Islah, which is an Arabic word that means “progress.”

domain: celebrity


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This is Day 93 of the NHL lockout, 2012 edition. Every day, we'll serve up some CBA talk and help you get your hockey fix. Let's begin, shall we?
• The NHL has now wiped out 526 regular-season games, lost the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., and the All-Star weekend in Columbus.
• As the 13th official week of the NHL lockout begins, what happens in the courtroom has taken precedence over what happens in the conference room. If you're wondering what all this legal mumbo jumbo means and what's going to happen now, Eric Macramalla answers all the questions you might have about the lockout litigation that possibly awaits. (TSN)
• On Sunday the players began voting on whether they should, in fact, file a disclaimer of interest and absolve the union leadership so they can file an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The voting will be open five days, and the expectation is that it will go through, according to Daily News Flyers beat writer Frank Seravalli.
The measure is expected to pass somewhat easily among the NHLPA's membership. Why? For one, it's a sign of solidarity. Not passing the movement clearly preferred by leadership -- also known as NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr -- would be a huge win for the league.
More importantly, a vote to allow the possibility of the filing of a "disclaimer of interest" is just that. A possibility. Clearly, not all 750 players see this lockout shaping up the same way, especially those who see the light at the end of their careers and those living contract-to-contract. (Philadelphia Daily News)
• Now that the NHL lockout is headed for the courts before the rinks, our focus is on who was assigned to cases, not AHL affiliates or junior teams.
Also on Sunday we learned that U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer will hear the NHL's lawsuit against the players for attempting to decertify and thus not bargaining in good faith and attempts to establish that the lockout is legal. The Associated Press describes Engelmayer like this:
The NHL's lawsuit against its players was assigned to a relatively new federal judge who is a longtime New York Yankees fan and a former federal prosecutor.
Not quite sure what the Yankees have to do with anything, but there you go. (AP)
• Something that didn't happen on Sunday or at any point over the weekend? The two sides didn't actually talk, according to Katie Strang of ESPN New York. Just because they are all gearing up for a battle in the courts doesn't mean negotiations can't continue and a deal can't be reached. They just aren't continuing.
#CBA No contact between NHL and NHLPA over the weekend. We'll see if that changes today...— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) December 17, 2012
• Of course we know that Donald Fehr has been here, done this before as the head of the baseball players union for years. At times he seems to lack emotion and be almost robotic; it's part of what makes him such a tough negotiator.
"He is as impervious to media criticism as anyone I've ever met," said Dodgers President Stan Kasten, a friend of both Fehr and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Bill Shaikin took a look at Fehr's role in this lockout as it stands now, similar to the look colleague Helene Elliott did on Sunday. Both are good, in-depth and dare we say character-building stories. (LA Times)
• Courtesy of Reddit, here's a cartoon that appeared in a newspaper that is anything but funny. OK, it's a little bit funny, but it's sad, a reminder of the coal in hockey fans' stockings this Christmas.
Today's hockey fix is very much nostalgic and probably sad for a lot of fans: the final minutes of action in Hartford Whalers history, the last game played by the franchise in Connecticut before moving to North Carolina. The Whalers are a classic example of a team that has become infinitely more popular since it disappeared than it was when they existed, but there were still plenty of fans and many very sad to see the team leave. It would please so many hockey fans to see the Whalers return, but this will have to do.
• Games have been canceled, and your favorite players are overseas, but you can still see how your team would be doing. PredictionMachine.com uses its play-by-play technology to simulate each game from the original schedule and predict the outcomes. Just because the NHL isn't playing on the ice doesn't mean we can't play the games. So, here are the "results" from the games that were scheduled for Monday night.
|Monday night's schedule|
|Winner||Winner record||Loser||Loser record|
|Bruins 1||24-7-1||Kings 0 (overtime)||19-12-6|
|Penguins 12||24-8-3||Devils 0||15-13-2|
|Capitals 5||16-15-2||Panthers 0||10-19-6|
|Canadiens 1||13-18-4||Sabres 0 (overtime)||11-18-2|
|Blue Jackets 8||6-23-6||Jets 7||11-17-4|


An argument that waiters and customers will be happier if tips are done away with seems to be gaining steam.
Despite the seemingly infinite dining options in NYC, getting a table can be tough – especially with a group. Luckily, we’ve found the best spots across New York City for dinner and drinks with all your friends in tow.
Tacos are great: eat one, and you still have room for a burrito or a tamale or an ice cream sundae. Eat several, and you’re sated until the next mealtime. New York City has experienced a boomlet of great taquerias in recent years, especially in Manhattan. Herewith, our five favorites.
We rounded up some of the world’s most outlandish restaurants. Check out these 10 eateries take weird dining to the next level.
Brunch is a staple across New York City. The true brunch gems go the extra mile, offering bottomless drinks. Check out these top-notch boozy brunches in Brooklyn.
At the heart of Venezuelan cooking is the humble arepa, a dense cornmeal cake that can be filled or topped or dipped or eaten plain. The restaurants listed below serve some of the best arepas in the city.
There is not shortage of romantic restaurants across the Hudson from NYC in Hoboken or Jersey City. So grab a date and wine and dine in New Jersey.
Everything’s better when you’re together, as the saying goes, but the dishes below truly hue to that maxim: indeed, they’re designed to be split.
Quality BBQ is well represented in New York City. The barbecue food trend has crossed the river into Brooklyn, with many restaurants worth a trip to the outer borough.
Check out this guide to tipping in countries across the world, so you’re prepared come tip time on your next vacation.
New York is the city that never sleeps. Head to these Manhattan restaurants for these quality late-night eats after a night on the town.
From homey barbecue to modern Asian-inspired cuisine, dining out in Brooklyn just keeps getting better. Plan a trip to King’s County for a meal at any of these five Brooklyn restaurants that opened in 2013.
Ski or snowboard into one of these ski resort restaurants and fill up with lamb chops, bison burgers and beef tenderloins before carving up the rest of the mountain.
With chilly temperatures expected to return this weekend, there’s nothing like a hot meal to warm your insides as you remind yourself of all the other reasons you love where you live.
Thanksgiving may only come once a year, but several restaurants and vendors in New York City offer their versions of classic Thanksgiving fare on a regular basis.


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July 11th, 2012
Episode 171 of 1341 episodes
In a year when all eyes are on London, Matthew Sweet explores London's place as a world city, and asks if London really is the centre of arts and culture it claims to be. He discusses this with Neil O'Brien of the think tank Policy Exchange and Aditya Chakrabortty of the Guardian at Tower Bridge. At the South Bank Centre Matthew meets with its artistic director Jude Kelly, the novelist Lesley Lokko and the culture editor of Monocle, Robert Bound. And he finally talks to Radio 3 New Generation Thinker Nandini Das and also to the 'Gentle Author' of the Spitalfields Life blog.

domain: artistic


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We are delighted to offer you homes that are built with appreciation for quality and the warmth of home. The newly rediscovered and developing scenic parish is seeing the construction of 5 semi-detached houses and 8 detached houses.
Our Niidu Street project offers 1-storey stone and wooden modular homes that are bright and spacious. Houses with a sauna also include a large comfortable terrace and either a shelter or a garage for a car. The building has been awarded a class C energy marking. The house comes with a built-in water, sewerage, electricity (3×16 A per property) and paths with street lighting. Water comes from a newly built deep well that complies with contemporary requirements and is channelled into equally new treatment devices.
If necessary, we are happy to assist you with furnishing the house.
Raasiku parish is located south-east of Tallinn. Jüri-Aruküla-Raasiku-Jägala Road passes the parish as a main highway. Tallinn-Tapa railway passes the northern part of the parish. The parish is bordered with Jõelähtme parish in the north, Anija parish in the east, Kose parish in the south and Rae parish in the west.
Raasiku is a quiet and homely community close to the city with a complete living environment and infrastructure. The new residential properties are situated at the heart of Raasiku parish, next to a fully developed centre, only 20 km or about a 20 minute drive from the Tallinn city border or about a 20 minute train ride from Ülemiste Centre.
All essentials necessary for living are only a short walk away in Raasiku – contemporary kindergarten and primary school buildings, new football stadium with an artificial turf, train station connecting the parish to Tallinn, stores, library and family physician’s office.
The parish houses two larger settlement centres: Aruküla and Raasiku hamlets that are homes to a total of 70% of the residents in the parish. The new residential properties are situated at the heart of Raasiku parish, next to a developed centre, only 20 km or about a 20 minute drive from the Tallinn city border. Your new home has an excellent transport connection to Tallinn: it is about 5 km to Tallinn-Narva highway, and you can take a train, bus or commercial bus home. The train station is located a couple of hundred metres away and the ride to Ülemiste takes about 20 minutes.
Houses are built using only high quality and certified construction materials that are very durable and suitable particularly for the northern climate. All approvals have been obtained and authorisations for use have been issued. The heating is provided by an air-water heat pump and water underfloor heating, and buildings are equipped with triple-glazed windows. According to your preferences, we will either build a sauna or install a comfortable bathtub in your house. The property has built-in water, sewerage, electricity and paths with street lighting. The houses come with a 2-year warranty.
An ideal place to live for a family that appreciates nature, security, peace and privacy!


text:
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.
If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance.
Radical simply means 'grasping things at the root'.
The two offices of memory are collection and distribution.
Sanity is a madness put to good uses.
Airplane travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo.
By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.
If everything isn't black and white, I say, 'Why the hell not?'
I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.
It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.
We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
The Declaration of Independence I always considered as a theatrical show. Jefferson ran away with all the stage effect of that... and all the glory of it.
Anything that makes weak - physically, intellectually and spiritually, reject it as poison.
The cloud is free only to go with the wind. The rain is free only in falling.
The thing I lose patience with the most is the clock. Its hands move too fast
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.
A good liar must have a good memory.
Comedy is acting out optimism.
I've been looking for a girl like you - not you, but a girl like you.

domain: literature


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Close to the world class beaches and kite surfing lagoons of UNESCO World Heritage site Le Morne minutes away from the pristine forests and hiking of Chamarel & Black river gorge Located in a lively & authentic village Enjoy the best natural highlights of Mauritius Stylish studios Each has private dining terrace. Personal kitchen. En suite shower room Houskeeping WIFI & stunning shared roof deck with sea views
Breathtaking views in every direction, this brand new two storey villa built in 2015, has been designed to take full advantage of the Indian Ocean breezes. Built with romance in mind, each spacious studio has a private outside dining terrace where every meal can be taken in the shade.....en suite shower room, guest towels (please bring your beach towels ) private kitchen Fan. Air conditioning available @ 100rs per day. Free WIFI . Relax & take it easy with our housekeeping service (3 x weekly) There is a stunning shared roof terrace with 360 degree panoramic sea & mountain views with a BBQ Giant sunbeds Cool off shower & dining area
Contemporary styling throughout.....with a touch of luxury. Located close to the best natural highlights this beautiful island has to offer such as the 5 mile stretch of stunning beaches at Le Morne & the pristine forests & waterfalls of Chamarel. Beautique studios is also close to all amenities and close to the best restaurant in the area 'Miellees'
A 10 minute drive to the world famous kite boarding & wind surfing Le Morne Brabant. For those less adventurous who prefer to slumber under a tree with a good book Le Morne also has the added benefit of more sheltered swimming and sunning beaches.
Found in the heart of authentically Mauritian hamlet of Cotteau Raffin, La Gaulette, 3 kilometres to the pristine beaches of Le Morne, share the same stunning stretch of sand as the 5 & 6 star hotels at a fraction of the cost! Close to all the amenities and activities required for a perfect holiday experience , this location is hard to beat !
This location is not a quiet away from it all experience...The pace of life is slow here but this truly Mauritian village is often pretty lively and noisy!! Dogs bark (especially at night) cockerels crow, locals greet each other on the street. The baker will toot his horn morning and early morning and evening to get his customers attention ( which saves going to the supermarket!) The local school children are picked up at 7am.....the day starts early in this nieghbourhood
Toegang voor gasten
There is a gorgeous roof terrace with a giant sunbed, cool down shower and BBQ area available to all our guests. Kayaks are available to paddle out on to the lagoon. This is a kite and wind surfing mecca and the snorkelling in this area is second to none!
Interactie met gasten
We appreciate some guests (couples) want to have an intimate private time as Mauritius is a famous romantic destination and so let them set the tone.....we are always up for a BBQ supper on the roof though if they are in the mood to socialise
Andere dingen waar je op moet letten
We would love to introduce you to a list of quality services & excursions including recommendations from our guests!
Kayaking safari. Explore the lagoon close by and paddle out to the island with a picnic. 500 rupees per person.
Madagascar Massage 1200rs per hour Trish can book an appointment for you)
A fantastic pampering after a long flight. Mixing her own massage essential oils Nicole, who comes from Madagascar will come to your studio. Having a long family tradition of massage handed down, this is like no massage I have ever had, and is certainly as good as any I have ever had ! She also specialises in pregnancy and baby massage and can help with sciatic nerves. This very popular massage should be booked in advance.Definitely treat yourself !
Indian Ocean Safari swimming with wild dolphins and BBQ Seafood lunch at Isle aux Benetiers. A pod of wild bottle nosed & spinner dolphins are resident close by ! This wonderful day excursion includes a delicious seafood BBQ lunch , our skipper is a former chef prepares Freshly caught fish Chicken or Vegetarian pre ordered ) served on Isle aux Benitiers. Leaves at around 06am
All drinks ( including beer and local rum, soft drinks & water) all snorkel equipment is provided @ 2300 per person booked in advance Bring towel and sunscreen.
This is the experience of a lifetime and we recommend highly! All of our guests have said this has been the highlight of their entire trip. Contact Trish
Indian Ocean snorkel & swim with wild dolphins.
If you want to have the experience of swimming amongst the dolphins & snorkelling in the lagoon of Benetiers Island this trip is a few hour
1500 rupees contact Trisha
Unesco World Heritage Le Morne Brabant and beaches.
We have the good fortune to be so close to this stunning 5 mile stretch of coral sand. Perfect for sun worshippers and snorkelers along the Northern end , at the southern tip is also a ledgendary kite & windsurfers mecca. For other historical information about Le Morne Brabant and its rich history
B9 road 6.9 km about 8 minutes.
Rhumerie de Chamarel. Gorgeous colonial style buildings set in the hills of the National forest is this famous Mauritian rum distillery(URL HIDDEN) Open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday also on public holidays.
Guided Tour and Rum Tasting - (30/40mn)
L’Alchimiste “A la Carte” Restaurant - Opening days: from Monday to Saturday for lunch - Open for exclusive dinners on reservation
Black River Gorges National Park
This is a protected endemic forest, and is also in the hills of Chamarel this destination could easily be included in the same day excursion. There is plenty of wild life, waterfalls, and hiking trails. The views are panoramic across the lagoon to Le Morne peninsula and inside the Gorges.
An idea of how Mauritius would have been before people!
Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao
A sacred lake, which is about 1800 feet above sea level and is situated 2 km to the east of Le Pétrin. The crater lake is one of the most important hindu pilgrimage sites outside of India. During the week there is an idyllic and calm atmosphere at Grand Bassin, whereas between the end of febuary and the beginning of march crowds of pilgrims are heading to the lake: when Maha-Shivaratree is celebrated, more than 400.000 believers make the pilgrimage to Ganga Talao to make sacrifices to their gods.
Divali & Cavadee . Two enormously important religious festivals on the Mauritian calendar. If you happen to be visiting during either , there are amazing and interesting sacred rituals and devotees to witness. A fascinating insight into the huge Tamil and Hindu population in Mauritius.
La Route du The ( tea route
An enjoyable sensory experience. Discover the making of teas, rum, vanilla, essential oils - and as you stroll the exotic gardens of the Bois Cheri tea plantation. A guide will walk you around during your visit and teach you on the history, stories and tales of all the sites. It is a trip that will take you back in time to the first days of Mauritius with its rich colonial history and you will get a chance to learn the importance of tea production in Mauritius.
Bois Cheri, Plaine Champagne Road via B103 35 min 30.6 km
You can also visit the “Domaine des Aubineaux” and its gardens. Domaine des Aubineaux is a colonial house built in 1872, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. Call for opening times and info about guided tours.
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden ( JARDIN Pamplemousses)
Close to Port Louis . Initially opened as a private garden by the French Governor ‘Pierre Poivre’ in the 17th century, it has now become the National Botanical Garden of Mauritius. The garden stretches over endless acres and contains more than 650 varieties of plants including 85 varieties of palm trees brought from different corners of the world. This stunning botanical garden also has a colonial sugar cane factory ( until recent times the main economic support for Mauritius)
La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, 34 mins 38.6kms via B9 and A9 Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park which is home to various species of animals, reptiles and plants is set in a beautiful rain forested valley with natural freshwater springs, full of prawns and fish.
As part of your visit to the Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park, the park’s guides will guide you through some unforgettable walks, and you will stroll through luxuriant greenery where banana trees, palm trees and giant bamboos provide shade for the crocodiles and the giant tortoises.
During your visit to the park you can experience a first hand unique encounter with the giant tortoises, and get a rare chance to feed & pet them
Thousands of Nile crocodiles are found in the park and you can observe them in complete safety
A must see is the rare collection of butterflies and other brightly coloured insects (around 23000 species), which is one of the most fascinating in the world.
7 Water Falls-Sept Cascades,via B103 - Plaine Champagne Road via B103 43 min 35.6 km
Tamarind Falls also commonly known as the 7 cascades can be found near the small village of Henrietta, in the South West of Mauritius. It originates from the Rivière Tamarin and has at least seven simultaneous waterfalls. The Tamarind Falls has a total height of 293 meter/961 feet and is therefore the highest waterfall in Mauritius. You can find a variety of exotic plants and birds in this calm and enchanted venue. Furthermore a part of the water is being used for generating hydro electric power and it has a reservoir. HOW TO GET THERE The Tamarind Falls are difficult to reach. You can either rent a car or go with the bus. The fastest way to go by car is first to get to Curepipe and then follow the signs for Henrietta. From there you can walk to the Tamarind Falls. Coming from the Vacoas side you can already see the falls in its serene surroundings.
There are a lot of activities you can do at Tamarind Falls. You can choose to go hiking or spend a full or a half day to go canyoning. There are several companies which provide these activities with experienced guides. When you go hiking on your
own, you will find local guides at the bus stop in Henrietta. It’s recommended to get a guide who will help you during the hike in exchange for a small fee. Don’t go on your own if you have never visited the Tamarind Falls before, there are not many clear trails to follow. At some points the hike may be quite challenging, but it will be worth the efforts. Bird watchers and nature lovers will enjoy the hike to these waterfalls, though it may be a bit stressful for youngsters or less fit older folks.
Those who don’t want to do a hike can still view the falls from a distance
Casela park. Walk with lions.
Ostrich and zebra roam free in this huge park...and there is a unique opportunity to walk with lions and several activities on offer at the park. Some for the fit and adventurous, others who may want to roam through the calm and stunning bamboo gardens overlooking a waterfall of coy carp ponds. There is also a good restaurant in a beautiful setting open for lunch. The park can get busy , but there are some really tranquil corners.
The local supermarket is handy for cupboard essentials and has some fruit and vegetables, there are also the roadside fruit and veg stalls on the road to La Gaulette. However if you want a really excellent fruit and vegetable market ( also selling eggs , meat and fish at the best prices we have seen!) we highly recommend QUATRE BORNES. Every day Monday to Saturday, about a 30 minute drive.
There are many shopping malls with pretty good places to eat in Mauritius for those wanting some retail therapy such as CASCAVELLE on the main road going north BAGATELLE, PHEONIX,
and a couple of shopping centers on the main road towards Tamarin.
There are a couple of fisherman who sell from stalls by the roadside in Le Morne Village. Instead of turning left to go to the beach stay on the main road go straight over the hill, about a 10 minute drive. Daily.
There are 2 DOGS on this property they stay in the garden. Do not book this accommodation if you are afraid of dogs.
Adults only. Check in time is after 2pm. Check out time is 11am. No exceptions during busy periods. Inform us on arrival of check out times before 11am. No one can invite friends onto property without permission.
You must rent a car (or scooter) for this location
Gate must be kept closed at all times.
Absolutely no smoking in studios. You may smoke outside only.
Rubbish bins are located: Behind the hedge at the bottom of the stairs & blue bin in car park (there is no recycling in Mauritius)
Please tidy up BBQ area if you use it ( next day after coals have cooled!)
Water is heated by solar panels for 4 studios . When there is no sun there will be no hot water. Consider the other guests don't waste hot water.
Wash sand from your feet at tap provided at the gate.
Occasionally there will be power cuts especially during cyclones power is usually restored by dinner time ,make sure you have candles.
Up to £300 GB ( administered through the Airbnb site ) will only be claimed after check out, we expect:
No damage is done to property or contents of property including plumbing, beyond normal wear and tear.
Keys are all handed back to the manager.
All charges accrued during stay have been fully paid prior to departure.
No linens are lost or damaged or stained.
No pets allowed.Housekeeping is every other day except Sundays and public holidays. Sheets are fresh on arrival and changed approximately every 5 days thereafter. Wine or blood stained sheets ( any stains that cannot be removed) will be charged to purchase replacement.
Guests are required to wash their own dishes and buy toilet roll. We provide bathroom towels ,please bring your own beach towels.
Laundry service is available @ 300rs per load. Please let us know in advance as we will inform housekeeping. No guest laundry on rainy days. Last laundry must be done 2 days before check out.
If you do take out rubbish make sure you place it in the bins provided.
Inform us immediately if anything is broken or doesn't work properly.
We are committed to being Eco friendly with a septic tank and leaching field to manage waste. Do not place sanitary products or nappies in the toilet. Any blockage caused will mean a claim for damages to pay for repairs.
Do not waste water or electricity.
Please be advised there is no telephone landline or Television.
Bring your own hair dryer.
Only 2 adults per studio.
There is a ceiling fan provided for your comfort. Air con is available @100rs per night. Turn off air con when you go out. If you leave it on , house keeping are instructed to turn it off.
We want everyone to enjoy their time with us, please respect other guests right to privacy and peacefulness.
Nudity on the terraces will offend locals.
Read all the information about the studios carefully. The location of our studios is described accurately, our neighborhood is clearly described and all images and descriptions on our websites are accurate. We do not except any last minute cancellations & No refunds will be issued.
There is off street parking provided make sure you leave room for others to park.
Our studios are monitored 24 hours by CCTV and security lights.
There are mattresses provided in each studio for the sun beds on the roof, Please return them to your room when you are not using them.
If you are happy with the housekeeping we encourage you to leave some rupees for the Maids on departure. This is greatly respected & appreciated!

domain: geography


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The Freedom to Marry: Why the Courts?
When faced with important civil rights cases, courts often come under fire from individuals and special interest groups seeking to undermine the integrity of our system of justice or the legitimacy of a particular decision.
The Supreme Court’s consideration of U.S. v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, the federal challenges to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Prop 8, provide an opportunity to talk about the role that our nation’s courts play in safeguarding constitutional rights and providing all people with equal access to justice.
This guide can be used by advocates to defend our democracy from attacks on our courts.
Attack on our courts: “Judges who uphold LGBT rights are ‘judicial activists.’”
In our democracy: Our constitutional system requires judicial independence.
- Americans want strong courts that protect individual rights and equal justice.
- When a law infringes on individual rights or equal treatment, judges have a duty to strike it down. This does not make them activist. They are upholding our Constitution.
- As guardians of constitutional rights, including minority rights, courts serve a counter-majoritarian function. This means that judges may be required to strike down laws that enjoy majority support in certain jurisdictions, when those laws unfairly target a minority for unequal treatment.
- It is not the role of a judge to enforce the will of the legislature or defend a law on the grounds that it was “popularly enacted.” It is a judge’s job to decide difficult legal questions in accordance with the Constitution and legal precedent, regardless of politics.
- “Judicial activism” is a political term that is often used to attack a judge when the speaker simply disagrees with a decision, particularly with regard to civil rights.
- There will always be people that disagree with the outcome of a particular decision—even when that decision lives up to our constitutional principles of liberty and equality.
Attack on our courts: “The rights of LGBT people should be left to the voters and the democratic process.”
In our democracy: Courts protect the rights of all Americans, not just the powerful and popular.
- It is the role of the courts to uphold individual rights and provide equal access to justice under the law.
- Voters and legislators don’t get to decide whether they will “allow” individuals to exercise their constitutionally protected rights. We don’t put the freedom of speech or the freedom of religion up for a public vote.
- Courts are an essential part of our democracy and provide a vital balance in our government, particularly when it comes to protecting individual rights.
- The Framers were very concerned that the democratic process could be used to make government work for the majority and the politically powerful, at the expense of minority rights.
- Our country’s founders designed the courts to serve as a constitutional check on the elected branches in order to safeguard the rights of politically vulnerable minorities.
- In drafting the Constitution, the Framers gave judges life tenure and forbade Congress from reducing judicial salaries so that the courts could remain accountable to the Constitution without fear of political pressure or retaliation. This independence from the electoral process helps to ensure that courts provide fair and impartial justice for all.
Attack on our courts: “Marriage is a state issue and federal courts shouldn’t get involved.”
In our democracy: States do regulate marriage, but may not violate the Constitution in doing so.
- The Constitution clearly provides that “No state shall … deny to any person … the equal protection of the laws.” This applies to state marriage laws and the rights of LGBT people.
- The states regulate marriage, but they cannot do so in a way that unconstitutionally discriminates or prevents people from exercising their rights.
- The federal government must also abide by the Constitution, yet the so-called Defense of Marriage Act requires the federal government to discriminate against thousands of legally married same-sex couples.
Attack on our courts: “Courts should not overturn state constitutional amendments adopted by voters or duly passed federal laws.”
In our democracy: Courts have a fundamental responsibility to uphold the Constitution.
- State constitutions may serve as guardians of individual rights by building in additional protections above those guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. However, the Constitution establishes a foundation for the protection of human liberty, and the states may not fall below that federal floor.
- If the courts determine that a particular law or amendment unconstitutionally discriminates or deprives people of their constitutional rights, it is their duty to strike down that law.
- The fact that a law or amendment was popularly enacted does not mean that such a law or amendment is consistent with the duties imposed by the Constitution.
- Throughout our nation’s history, the courts have preserved the rights of all citizens and the guarantee of equal protection of the laws.
- Cases like: Brown v. Board of Education, which set the precedent needed to abolish the legal framework of racial segregation; Loving v. Virginia, recognizing the fundamental right to marry the person of one’s choice; and Lawrence v. Texas, affirming the fundamental liberty right to private sexual intimacy, all overturned state laws that infringed on constitutional guaranties.
Lambda Legal’s Fair Courts Project educates the LGBT community and our allies about the important role that state and federal courts play in safeguarding civil rights, promotes diversity on the bench, and defends judges against harmful attacks.

domain: sociology


text:
This information is largely extracted from NAPTOSA National Newsflash No.13, now available on our website)
The wage agreement for the period 2015/16 to 2017/18 was signed in the PSCBC on 19 May 2015. NAPTOSA is a signatory to the agreement. This ends the negotiations, which started in the last quarter of 2014. We are indeed thankful to our negotiating team who put in many hours, sometimes right through the night, to negotiate improvements on a deal that started with the State offering us 4, 8% and basic inflation-rate only adjustments only for the next two years. There remain some items still to be finalised, such as GEHS. Thanks also to our members, who voiced their views regarding what our position on various matters should be, either in our survey, or via other communication.
Download pdf News Flash 15 of 2015 (502 KB)


text:
Written by Geoff Johns. Pencils by Carlos Pacheco & Ethan Van Sciver, inks by Jesus Merino & Van Sciver. Cover by Pacheco & Merino. Strap in and hang on as one of DC’s greatest icons, Hal Jordan returns to the forefront of the DCU in a new monthly series by red-hot writer Geoff Johns (TEEN TITANS, THE FLASH) and stunning art by Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino (SUPERMAN/BATMAN)! GREEN LANTERN challenges your imagination and leaves you breathless as you witness the adventures of one of the greatest heroes in the DCU. From the runways at Edwards Air Force Base to the darkest corner of Space Sector 2814, the Green Lantern will proudly shine his light! This special 40-page debut issue kicks off the 3-part tale “No Fear.” Spinning out of the pages of GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH, Hal Jordan returns to the DCU as the Emerald Warrior, ready to reclaim his life and the light of the Green Lantern. But the forces of darkness have already begun to rise, looking to claim the power of the Green Lantern for themselves!
Green Lantern (2005) 1-4
Sadece 1 adet kaldı
Kategoriler: Geçmiş Tarihli Sayılar Etiketler: Back Issue, dc, DC Comics, Ethan Van Sciver, Geoff Johns, Green Lantern, Rare


text:
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domain: hobby


text:
Article Summary:Here's a simple but tasty recipe for a homemade breaded chicken coating.
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons onion powder or dried minced onion
2 teaspoons dried minced celery
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Gently beat 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg together in a bowl.
Wash and pat dry chicken.
Fill a bag with 1 cup of the coating mix.
Dip each piece of chicken into the milk-egg mixture and then drop a piece of chicken into the bag and shake.
Let pieces dry thoroughly before baking.
Place chicken on a shallow, lightly greased baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.
Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of both FrugalVillage.com and of HomesteadGarden.com. Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, and natural family living.

domain: food


text:
Recently I’ve been spending a lot of time searching for the “zone” while deep in technical thought. As a non-traditional student I spend my days working in information technology, and my night’s engrossed in technical theory while studying information systems.
Over the course of my Summer studies I’ve had a split focus; I’ve been studying C++ and developing skills in the area of systems analysis and design. Somewhere in the middle of that I managed to complete a study in algebra. However, as a fourth year technology student at Empire State College I’ve found its been a little challenging finding focus lately. The situation is probably a little more pronounced because of the online format of my classes.
There are many positive aspects of attending classes online, but there are also some unique challenges that come with the pursuit. Maybe the most insidious is the mental discipline required for the craft.
My college experience is dominated by the amount of time I spend seated in front of computer screens. Where students at traditional schools spend much of their day involved in face-to-face interactions with their classmates and professors, I spend mine in online forums and digital libraries. There are some commonalities that exist between my traditional peers and I. Chiefly the requirement to read (a lot), and the experience of writing and research (which are extensive activities at Empire State College).
Spending that much time staring at computer screens has a way of eroding the focus of even the most discipline mind. One way I attempt to combat this is by frequently changing up the playlist on my iPhone. My theory being if my physical surroundings have to remain fairly static throughout the day, I may as well make some changes to the ambience of my mind. Music is a fairly simple tool for feeding your thought life.
The problem with using music to focus on your studies is you have to reach a balance between fending of boredom, and it becoming a distraction. Personally I enjoy listening to New Age music during activities that require me to focus intently; such as prayer, meditation, and bible study. However I’ve also been known to use it while practicing taekwondo poomsae and running. Most recently I’ve tried to use it to power my creative energy while coding; although the experiment has met with mixed results.
I sometimes find it hard to focus on anything but falling asleep if I practice coding to New Age late at night. So began my quest for another source of musical inspiration. Enters techno. I typed “best music for coding” into Google and waited to see what came up. It didn’t take long to discover the developers penchant to techno. But what kind?
As a techno newb the results seemed infinite and unclear. I opened a random thread, in an unknown forum, and discovered someone else had asked the same question. To my surprise some friendly cyber soul recommended Trent Reznor’s soundtrack to The Social Network.
Generally speaking I kind of find Trent’s persona a bit off-putting. I’m not knocking the man as an artist, but the brand of his persona (probably not surprisingly) butts heads with my overall sensibilities. That said, the geek side of me was attracted to the possibilities.
I hadn’t seen The Social Network, but seeing the flick was on my movie going bucket list. I decided to give Trent’s work a look. I found it to be a bit dark, but enjoyable. It’s since became a proud member of my music library. In fact I’m on my third listen (today) as I write this. I’ve enjoyed Trent’s contribution both at home and at the office.
The tone of the album seems to simultaneously invoke deep thought, yet distract. It takes the bite out of documenting ticket items, and inspires while evaluating code. I like it. I’m not sure I’d consider it New Age or techno, but it seems to be a bridge between the two.
I’d definitely recommend it for my fellow denizens of geekdom.
I’m still trying to expand my musical horizons for this purpose. Any suggestions?


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21 Day Custom Safari and Sightseeing Tour of Namibia
All pictures below can be clicked to open at full size in a new window. Alternatively, the entire album can be viewed here.
Pick up was from Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek International) and, after greetings and formalities, we departed for the Namib Nauklauft Park.
The drive was approximately 3 1/2 hours to get there through the eastern side of the Khomas Hockland area giving a glimpse of the outstanding scenery yet to come. Our first animals were viewed from the side of the road (Blesbok) although we could not stop on the main roads.
On arrival at the Nauklauft Park, we checked in, erected the tents and settled down for some dinner and a quick look around the campsite. The stars came out after sunset to give us a wonderful light show. Baboons could be heard throughout the night.
At the start of the route we came across a few Rock Hyraxes (Rock Dassie) playing in the reeds. Further on we saw plenty of evidence of baboons.
We set about making food only for a large male baboon to rob us of an entire loaf of bread!
A warthog, jackal, ostrich and springbok were added to the animal count.
This was followed by a leisurely walk along to Deadvlei.
Gemsbok we found everywhere in abundance.
After breakfast we packed up camp ready for the long drive north from Sesrium to Walvis Bay The route crosses into the Tropic of Capricorn.
On route we saw plenty of Hartman's (Mountain) Zebra off in the distance as well as yet more Gemsbok and more Springbok.
passed on route to Henties Bay giving us a chance to see the
architecture of the old German buildings in Swakopmund.
We drove up the Skeleton Coast, past the salt mines and entered the Messum Crater. An enjoyable drive around the massive crater taking in the scenery and fauna of the desert including the Welwitchia plants.
Joining us today was my nine year old son, Ewan who insisted on sampling the desert melons. That's the last time he will do that!
There are thousands of seals that congregate here to breed and raise their pups.
On the way home we made a brief stop to see the salt crystals and the salt pond.
A day spent exploring the local beaches and the town.
After Twyfelfontein, we visited the Burnt Mountains and the Organ Pipes before heading to the rustic campsite of Aabadi.
In the morning we visited a Damara Living Museum and were treated to cultural dancing as well as learning about the Damara people of Namibia. A drive northwards took us to Otjitotongwe, the next stop.
A quick dip in the pool (much needed in the heat) and a marvellous trip to visit the cheetahs. After a stroke of the tame cheetahs, we were taken out to see the wild cheetahs being fed.
Giraffes were seen at the side of the road along with more Gemsbok, Springbok and yet more baboons.
The local Damara children put on an evening show for us.
After sorting out the entry permits, we entered the park and headed for the first waterhole seeing plenty of animals on route.
Lots more animals were encountered throughout the day including giraffe, mountain and plains zebras, kudus, steenbok, duikers, springbok and plenty more gemsbok.
On arrival at Olifanstrus Campsite, we set up and, after dinner, went and spent the evening at the waterhole seeing a large male black rhino and, later, a black rhino female and calf spent over an hour at the waterhole. The water itself was filled with terrapins.
A drive along the western part of Etosha National Park heading for Okaquejo. We made a point of visiting every waterhole on route and were rewarded with plenty of game viewing and lots more elephants.
Overnight was spent at Okaquejo were we were treated to 10 black rhinos visiting the waterhole ranging from small calves to big males. A big bull elephant came and posed for a bit too.
The day was spent exploring the area between Okaquejo and Halali were plenty more game and multiple elephants were seen. A large male lion was seen at Nebrowni waterhole along with two young male elephants. Three female lions were found near to Olifantsbad (which was full of elephants!). Rietfontein was checked out and a white rhino seen. At Halali, the honey badgers made themselves busy around the campsites. The waterhole provided more rhinos, plenty more elephants and nine hyenas. Highlight of the evening was a young bull elephant chasing the hyenas and even trumpeting to clear them out.
The eastern part of the park was explored between Halali and Namutoni. Goas waterhole was the star of the show with over 50 elephants, kudus, zebra, springbok, eland, impala, giraffe and a loan male lion and the obligatory gemsbok.
Etosha Lookout was visited so we could see the vastness of the Pan. However, the other tourists provided much of the entertainment instead of the local wildlife. Overnight again was spent at Halali were the honey badgers once more, came visiting.
An early morning departure meant we had the privilege of seeing a black rhino with her calf early in the morning. Further along the road, a pair of Cape Foxes were seen. Departing from Etosha, a fault developed with the car so a diversion was made to Tsumeb where bad fuel (presumably from one of the park pumps) was diagnosed. A replacement of filters and a refill with clean fuel fixed the issue and we continued on to The Waterburg Plateau.
A game drive around Erindi was undertaken provided yet more excellent game viewing including being faced down by a young bull elephant. Back at the waterhole, the hippos finally got out to give us a better view and a black rhino gave us a great sighting. The bird life around our campsite was phenomenal.
We spent the morning game viewing at the waterhole. Just before lunch we took the short drive down to Dusternbrook, the oldest guest farm in Namibia. The afternoon was spent visiting the cheetahs and then on to see the leopard. A superb dinner was prepared by our host, Johann who, as ever, made us very welcome.
he drive is a little bumpy in places but well worth the trip. We returned to Dusternbrook along the riverbed. The pool and some relaxation was well received.
After breakfast we headed off to N/a'an ku se Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary. An afternoon guided walk saw us getting up quite close to eland, kudus and zebras. Our guide, a SAN Bushman, was well versed in all the flora and fauna pointing out all the trees and plants as well as animal and birdlife.
After a huge breakfast, we departed on a Carnivore Feeding Tour. This gave us the opportunity to see some of the animals we had not yet see. The tour takes in Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Caracal, Wild Dogs and Baboons.
After the tour we departed for the airport and said our goodbyes.
Major Animals Seen
Blesbok, Rock Hyrax (Dasie), Klip Springer, Baboons, Oryx, Warthog, Springbok, Ostriches, Jackal, Cape Fur Seals, Mountain (Hartman's) Zebra, Giraffe, Tree Squirrel, Damara Dik-Dik, Duiker, Steenbok, Cheetahs, Plains (Burchill's) Zebra, Elephants (approx 135), Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Lions (7 female, 2 male), Black-Faced Impala, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Black Rhino (19), Hyenas, Ground Squirrel, Honey Badgers, White Rhino (1), Cape Fox, Nile Crocodile, Hippopotamus, Waterbuck, Banded Mongoose, Scrub Hare.
Too many to list but Flamingos, Pelicans, Various Vultures, Eagles, Hornbills, Parrots and lots, lots more
Total distance travelled: 4954kms.
October was chosen for this specific safari as it is usually the best time for animal viewing as the country is at its driest. The inland temperatures were around 35-42°C every day with night time temperatures of around 15-20°C. Apart from a few drops on the first evening, we had no rain and clear skies throughout.
This trip was carried out with the bulk being under canvas. We carry proper beds and bedding as well as everything necessary to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

domain: travel


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We've just about wrapped up the first month of the college football season and we've already had our first coaching casualties.
LSU fired Les Miles after 12 seasons following a 2-2 start – the program's worst since 2005 -- and Florida International parted ways with Ron Turner after a disappointing 0-4 start to the season.Read more
Les Miles is out at LSU.
The move was first reported by the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate who said the Tigers coach has been relieved of his duties after 12 seasons and a record of 114-34. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is also out.
"Decisions like this are never easy ones to make,” LSU athletics director Joe Alleva said in a statement.Read more
Check out the top 10 things we learned during the college football weekend.Read more
After a slew of upsets, check out major changes in this week’s Heisman Trophy watch list:
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Buzz: Jackson is playing on at whole another level right now, with the Louisville quarterback leading the country in total touchdowns (18), more than 114 of the teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and points responsible for (108).Read more
Check out the following top five college football games to watch this weekend.
No. 12 Georgia (3-0) at No. 23 Ole Miss (1-2)
Saturday, Noon – ESPN
The Buzz: Ole Miss has been a team of halves, with the Rebels out-scoring opponents 76-33 in the first half of games only to be out-scored 73-39 in the second half.Read more
Gary Danielson has seen the SEC change and evolve during his 11 seasons as a college football analyst on the SEC on CBS.
He’ll be on the call with Verne Lundquist and Allie LaForce for Saturday’s SEC showdown between No. 19 Florida and No. 14 Tennessee at 3:30 ET on CBS.
Danielson spoke with the Orlando Sentinel Wednesday morning about the matchup as well as the SEC in general.Read more


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Mega Star Chiranjeevi is busy shooting for the film Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Though there is no official update regarding the shoot, we have come to know that the film unit is working hard to finish the shoot on time. The film unit is currently canning some important sequences of the film in Hyderabad in a specially erected set in Nanakramguda.
Meanwhile, a picture from the film’s sets is currently going viral on the social media. The picture lacks clarity but we can see Mega Star Chiranjeevi dressed in the getup of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. The picture throws an idea of how Chiru is going to be presented in the film. Nayanathara can also be seen in the picture.
Directed by Surender Reddy, Sye Raa is produced by Ram Charan.


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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Great British comedy,
This review is from: The Inbetweeners - Series 1-3 - Complete [DVD] (DVD)
I saw the film at the cinema prior to watching an episode of the Inbetweeners, and subsequently borrowed this boxset off a friend. It's the perfect tonic after a long day at work, and I have been chuckling away at many an episode over my dinner.
Let's get one thing clear: if you are of a sensitive disposition and easily offended (and haven't watched an episode of the Inbetweeners before) I would recommend that you avoid this. Because although it's a series about teenage boys' antics and there is a degree of innocence throughout the series, it also contains a lot of swearing, some crude scenes and an abundance of sexual references. Personally I found this a touching series about adolescent escapades which invariably do not go as planned, leading to much hilarity. You get to know and love the characters, but it's not just the four boys who provide the laughs - even their parents are amusing, and one of my favourite characters is Head of Year Mr Gilbert.
Highlights of the series for me was the trip into London and the first time they attempt drugs - two very funny episodes. For the record, it is clear from the events that the producers do not condone drug taking, they realise it as something that many teenage boys do attempt and tackle it brilliantly as they show a less glamorous side to it and what can (and often does) go wrong when taking narcotics.
The acting can be a little wooden at time, but it is still incredibly entertaining and highly amusing. Recommended, especially at the price on here, which is fantastic value for a triple CD boxset. I will undoubtedly purchase this, along with the film when it is out, as it's a comedy I could happily watch again and again.


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Riding a motorcycle in New Zealand will make you grin like a maniac.
Every. Single. Time.
It’s easily one of the best things about living here.
Down in New Zealand’s South Island, there are wide sweeping corners, and often no cars in sight.
The mind-blowing scenery makes it hard to focus on the road ahead.
If you’ve seen the Lord of the Rings movies, you already know about the snow-capped mountains, rugged landscapes and the rolling green hills.
But it’s not just the scenery that will astound you in New Zealand’s South Island.
You’ll also meet a surprising range of animals when you ride a motorcycle here.
It’s like riding through a random and unpredictable petting zoo.
New Zealand’s South Island is jam-packed with animals.
Ride a motorcycle here, and you’ll come face to face with sheep, horses, alpacas and ducks.
Look up, and you might see falcons and albatrosses soaring overhead.
And you might just find yourself sharing the road with a squealing, escaped piglet out on the adventure of his life.
Here’s a quick tour of some of the wildlife you’re sure to see on two wheels here at the bottom of the world.
10 Animals You’ll See When Riding a Motorcycle in New Zealand’s South Island
Let’s start with the most likely…
Yep, there’s a reason for all the jokes about New Zealanders and sheep.
You see field after field full of sheep on most of the motorcycle roads we ride every day.
There are about 26 million sheep in the whole country, so there are about 5 sheep for every person who lives here.
Get out of the major cities, and you’ll see sheep everywhere in New Zealand’s South Island.
They nibble away at the lush green grass, ignoring the drizzling rain on the grey winter days, protected by their thick greasy wool coats.
And when the sun comes out again in the springtime, the fields are suddenly full of newborn lambs kicking up their heels, and scattering at the sound of a motorcycle engine roaring past.
These beautiful creatures are our most threatened bird of prey, and are only found here in New Zealand.
They range from a pale cream color to a dark russet red.
With a wing span of between 25 and 39 inches, you often see them gliding over open ground, looking for mice and smaller birds – at up to 125 miles an hour!
We’re often cruising down a motorcycle road here in New Zealand’s South Island, and glance up to see a falcon swooping overhead, hunting for its dinner.
But these falcons don’t just hunt.
They also like an easier meal.
And road kill is lazier alternative to hunting.
So you’ll often round a corner to find a big dark red bird perched in the middle of the road, feasting on a squashed possum.
He’ll look up, annoyed, open his majestic wings at the very last minute, and drag his full belly back up into the sky.
Dunedin is a small city in New Zealand’s South Island that hosts the world’s only mainland breeding albatross colony.
These gigantic black and white birds with their distinctive pink beaks have a wingspan of almost 10 feet.
It’s incredible to watch them suspended in the air on the cold currents blustering straight from Antarctica.
To see one, you can ride a motorcycle around the harbor and down a twisty motorcycle road that ends up at the albatross center.
Then you can take a tour up the hillside where you can see the enormous albatross chicks in their windswept nests.
They’re HUGE – often from 17-30 pounds – and these are just the babies!
On a windy day, you can stand at the edge of the cliff and gaze up at the sky, where you mighT see an albatross soaring around on the updrafts.
They spend 3-5 years at a time at sea, and can be on the wing for an estimated 120,000 miles a year!
4. Horses, large and small
Back on the country motorcycle roads of New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll notice small groups of horses, standing around in fields, and looking up curiously as you ride by.
They’re all different colors; from black to a deep mahogany brown, or a dappled cream.
They seem to be deep in conversation, until they’re rudely interrupted by the sound of your motorcycle engine.
You’ll also sometimes see miniature horses just hanging out in the fields.
I’m not sure what these horses actually do – they might be children’s pets, I guess.
They look a little like circus attractions.
Naturally we’ve come up with our own name for these dwarf horses: dworses.
I don’t think that’s the technical term, somehow.
But it’s kind of strange to glide around a corner on a motorcycle road, and come face to face with a startled tiny horse.
I can never tell which of us is more surprised.
5. Alpacas and Llamas
You’ll see more alpacas than llamas in New Zealand’s South Island (but it’s hard for non-experts to tell the difference – especially when you’re busy riding a motorcycle).
These weird looking creatures live on hobby farms where they’re bred for their wool and are also kept as pets.
Their exotic long necks, curved ears and strangely woolly faces will make you look twice.
But that’s just another reminder to try and keep your eyes on the road.
That’s always a challenge when you ride a motorcycle in New Zealand!
Cows are almost as common here as sheep.
You’ll see large herds of cows everywhere.
You remember those old-school ads on TV for butter?
They feature impossibly green hills and picture-perfect cows with full udders, grazing happily.
Well, that image exists in real life here.
In New Zealand’s South Island, the vivid green fields and hundreds of cows look like they’re waiting for a film crew to arrive.
And the cows themselves are surprisingly beautiful.
With their huge soulful eyes, some are a rich chestnut brown, while others seem to have been hand-painted with the black and white splotches you might see in a kid’s cartoon.
If you’re riding beside a harbor or lake at the right time of year, you might just spot a spoonbill.
In the Northern hemisphere spoonbills are bright pink, but in New Zealand’s South Island they’re pure white, with long black spatulate beaks that snuffle through shallow water looking for their next meal.
Spoonies! We always shriek happily as we spot a little family of them when we roar past on the motorcycle.
There are farms galore in New Zealand’s South Island, but you won’t see a whole sty full of pigs as you cruise along a motorcycle road. But you may just meet a wild one who’s escaped.
We’ve been riding a motorcycle along a country road here several times, and looked down to see an escaped piglet galloping in delight along beside us.
Do piglets actually gallop?
It looks like they do when they’re out on the adventure of their lives!
In New Zealand’s South Island, there are lots of hidden remote beaches (we’re surrounded by water here, you know).
So on a sunny Saturday afternoon you might find yourself following a motorcycle road to see where it goes.
If you end up at a completely deserted beach, you could well meet a seal relaxing on the sand.
And if you’re riding beside the sea along the west coast of the South Island, you’ll also see groups of brown seals sunning themselves on rocks before slipping back into the choppy blue waves.
But you don’t have to be riding a motorcycle to get up close to a wild seal.
A few years ago, a seal jumped a low fence separating the sea from the local salt water swimming pool.
The swimmers got the shock of their lives as a wild seal belly-flopped into the pool to do a few laps with them.
Council workers tried to coax him back to the sea for some hours, but then 5 o’clock came around.
So naturally they went home for the day, and left the seal to settle in for the night.
Yep, this is New Zealand.
There are 9 species of ducks in New Zealand’s South Island, and you’ll mostly see them if you ride a motorcycle by lakes or rivers.
Which you can’t really avoid doing.
There’s water everywhere around here.
Most species of ducks have their babies around August, so that’s the time to keep an extra careful eye on the motorcycle road ahead. You could easily cruise around a corner to find a mother duck proudly leading her brood of fluffy chicks slowly across the road.
They don’t know about crosswalks, clearly.
New Zealand’s South Island is Full of Animals
This is a green, agricultural land where many animals and birds thrive.
So if you ride a motorcycle through these rolling country landscapes, you’ll meet a wide range of beautiful, wild creatures.
It’s like being on a sweet, rural safari.
No roaring lions will come bounding out of the bushes here, it’s true.
There are no giraffes wandering down the roads either.
But you might get a second glance from one of our 26 million sheep.
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The next target for the pink liberal segment of the wine commentator community appears to be those pesky South African farmers who are using mechanical grape harvesters instead of manual labour. And although figures are not available, it can safely be assumed that the majority of the Cape’s wine grapes are now harvested by machine – Northern Cape excluded as the trellising systems up there are not yet conducive to mechanical picking.
Although a gleaming three-meter high metallic Braud harvester droning through the vineyards might not be as aesthetically pleasing and heart-warming as the sight of a horde of smiling, sweaty workers deftly removing purple bunches with their secateurs, the move to mechanical picking is a no-brainer.
Farming is a business. Already squeezed from all corners in a cut-throat market as well as sets of costly regulatory compliances, any farmer worth his or her salt is going to take measures required to be competitive and efficient. And if this entails employing a machine to harvest a load of four tons of grapes in an hour as opposed to the fifty pairs of human hands it takes to accomplish the same task in the same amount of time, well, the term no-brainer comes to mind.
The other benefit of mechanical harvesting is that the farmer can have a machine rolling at 02.00am, ensuring cool, fresh grapes reach the winery.
Judging by the number of machines I encounter on my journeys through the winelands, the tide has turned irreversibly in favour of mechanical harvesting. And those thinking that it is only big co-ops who are using these for the making of volume, cheap wines…..forget it. An increasing number of estates are getting behind the wheel and shall continue to do so as the abilities of these machines improve. For example, sorting of berries is now able to be done by the harvester in the vineyards, eradicating the need for further sets of costly hands and eyes in the winery.
Those aforementioned pinkos getting all choked-up by the job losses this move to mechanisation causes, will do well to remember that harvest-time is only three months long. Grape harvesting has thus never been a source of sustainable employment. The advent of the modern wine production era, which has only just dawned in South Africa, can surely not be blamed for rural poverty. The answer lies in deeper-rooted efforts to mentor and to uplift to get people out of the cycle of generational dependency on menial farm-labour and into more dignified levels of employment in an industry with yet-unfathomed opportunities.
Liberal-hearted bleating for the status quo is nothing more than a plea for the perpetuation of a vicious circle which surely has to come to an end.
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We walked past here a few times on the way to other restaurants and they always said hello to us, we went in and ate here finally. Yummy! Really nice food, really good service. Thoroughly recommend you come here to eat!
1 - 10 of 175 reviews
This restaurant has a curry special that is excellent value for money. It includes Dahl soup and is served as a main with the curry of your choice. The spices chicken was excellent and I would definitely return.
The staff and the food were amazing. The curry is very hot, so if you like hot you will love it. The salads are delicious as is the steak and pastas. The staff are unbelievably friendly and really make this restaurant. I hughly recommend this...More
The food here is worth every dollar/cent. Pacific Harbour being the tourist hub that it is can be very pricey at times but Oasis was the exception. I walked in with a couple of friends and since it was lunch time we decided to get...More
Dined here twice during our 1 week stay in Pacific Harbour. Food was fabulous - freshest fish we had all trip. Service was delightful and attentive. Yes food does take a little while to get to you but you experience that all over Fiji. Leave...More
Make sure you order the Chicken Curry - its one of the best in Fiji - we also had the crab which was also great. Sitting outside adds a nice atmosphere.
We were staying nearby and the food was expensive so only a short pleasant stroll along the beach to the Oasis and it was affordable,great selection, happy staff and the food was great. Well presented,tasty, and for us the alcohol was well priced. Went back...More


text: ... but I love you anyway...while choosing some CD's at random at the library the other day, the CD cover for this band "The Fabulous Bowling for Soup" caught my eye so I gave it a try. Turned out to be a lucky find - think Fountains of Wayne crossed with Weird Al - intelligent, witty lyrics mixed with clever pop culture references. So give a listen, and pick it up at your local library if you get a chance. Happy turkey day, and keep on rockin'! Remember, Whiskey and Rebellion at the Ugly Mug in Farmington,MN this Saturday, 8 to 11 - hope to see you there!


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Starbreeze and Geminose Studios Join Forces
The parent company of the studio behind the recent Syndicate reboot and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons has strengthened its portfolio, acquiring Geminose Studios for $7 million.
Starbreeze calls the move a way to "strengthen Starbreeze’s range of IP’s further to include a youth targeted franchise." Geminose specializes in creating Skylanders-style games with physical toys interacting with some form of digital game content, so we may be seeing another entry in the Skylanders versus Disney Infinity battle soon.
“I’m happy to announce that the deal has closed. Geminose will be a valuable addition to the Starbreeze portfolio, expanding and diversifying our Intellectual Properties and product-range," says CEO of Starbreeze Bo Andersson Klint. "We’re very excited to tell you more about the franchise throughout its development during 2015/2016."
As games like Skylanders and Disney Infinity continue to sell like crazy, we're not surprised more companies are trying to get in on the action. With Nintendo's Amiibo launching sometime this holiday and now Starbreeze starting its own game, we get the feeling we'll soon be inundated with tiny figurines everywhere we look. Soon we'll be mixing up the figures, trying to put Mario into the Skylanders world or add Jack Sparrow to the Smash Bros. roster. It's only a matter of time before players have entire rooms dedicated to NFC figures (if they don't already).

domain: game