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The inertia of love was fully bloomed into a evolve rose of optimism with two sub-ordinate leaves, his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning and his child Robert Weidman Barrett Browning. He is a love poet with a specialty of his own. Borrowing’s love poetry has a range and realism which are different from his great predecessors. In his love poems Browning describes the passion and treats it from intellectual point of view. In Browning the intellectual element is too powerful to allow the predominance of sensuousness even in his love poems.
This present paper is an attempt to critically access and estimate the variety f situations of love on the most celebrated poems where the maturity of his love thought is magnificently sung. Love was to him the critical point and test of a man’s life. In his poems we see the indictment of possessive love, destructive love or optimistic love. The purpose of this paper is to sort out those significant works talking about different types of love so that the readers can muse on these interpretations.
Furthermore, it may explore Borrowing’s dominant theme ‘love’ as a bright lantern to walk through the vulnerable ways of life. CHAPTER I Introduction 1. 1 Life and Works of Robert Browning Biography Robert Browning was born on May 7, 1812, in Comparable (a suburb of London), the first child of Robert and Sarah Anna Browning. His mother was a fervent evangelical and an accomplished pianist. And his father was a clerk in the Bank of England. He was an extremely bright child and a voracious reader and learned Latin, Greek, French and Italian by the time he was fourteen.
Between 1820-26 he attended the school of the Rev. Thomas Ready at Package, and for a short while in 1828, he attended University College London, but most of Borrowing’s education was informal. He often had private tutors, and his father’s unusually large bribery was at his disposal. Like Tennyson, this boy found his work very early, and for fifty years hardly a week passed that he did not write poetry. He began at six to produce verses, in imitation of Byron; but his first known work Pauline (1833), must be considered as a tribute to Shelley and his poetry.
It was soon followed by Paralegals (1835) and Sorrel(1840). A year later, APIPA Passes, the first in a series entitled Bells and Pomegranates was published; the remaining seven parts appeared between 1841-46. On 12 September 1846, Robert Browning married Elizabeth Barrett at SST. Marrowbone Parish Church, London. They left a week later for Florence, Italy, where they spent the remainder of their married life. Their Florentine home, called Case GUID, has been preserved as a memorial to the poets. In 1849, the birth of his son was overshadowed by the death of Borrowing’s mother.
Also in 1849, a two- volume selection of Borrowing’s poetry was published. The following year, Christmas- Eve and Easter-Day was published, and it was five years later before Men and Women appeared. After the death of his wife in 1861, Browning left Florence, never to return. In 1860, however, he had bought the “Old Yellow Book” in a secondhand stall n Florence. This was the source for his epic poem, The Ring and the Book, published in 1868-69. In 1867, Browning received an Honorary M. A. From Oxford and was made and Honorary Fellow of Billion College, Oxford.
Later in 1882, he received an Honorary D. C. L. From Oxford. Browning died on 12 December 1889 at Accretion’s, Venice, but not before he heard the news of the success of his latest volume of poetry, Ashland, published that same day. These lines from the “Epilogue” to that volume offer a fitting tribute to one of the great poets of the Victorian age: One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, reek, Never doubted clouds would Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph, we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, Sleep to wake.
On 31 December 1889, Browning was buried in Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey. Works of Robert Browning A glance at even the titles which Browning gave his best known volumes-Dramatic Lyrics (1845), Dramatic Romances and Lyrics (1845), Men and Women (1855), Dramatic Persona (1864)- will suggest how strong the dramatic elements is in all his works. Indeed, all his poems may be divided into three classes- pure dramas, like Stratford ND A Blot in the ‘Escutcheon; dramatic narratives, like APIPA Passes, which are dramatic in form. UT were not meant to be acted; and dramatic lyrics, like The Last Ride Ride Together, which are short poems expressing some strong personal emotions, or describing some dramatic episodes in human life, and in which the hero himself generally tells the story. If we separate all these dramatic poems into three main periods- the early, from 1833 to 1841; the middle, from 1841 to 1868; and the late, from 1868 to 1889. The poems written on the first period were less attractive and obscure.
In the middle period he wrote APIPA Passes, which on the whole the most perfect of his longer poems. Nearly all his best lyrics, dramas, and dramatic poems belong to this middle period. And when The Ring and the Book appeared, in 1868, he had given to the world the noblest expression of his poetic genius. The third period shows Borrowing’s power of revealing the hidden springs of human actions, but he often rambles most tiresomely, and in general his work loses in sustained interest. 1. 2 Origin of love in the poems of Robert Browning Browning was an ardent lover.
The nucleus of his poetry, the enthusiastic love, has en reflected into almost all his poetic creations. The inertia of love was fully bloomed into a lovely rose of optimism, with its two sub-ordinate leaves, his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning and his child Robert Weidman Barrett Browning. Perhaps, it was Browning passionate and forceful love for Elizabeth Barrett that has endowed him great success almost in all the fields, he attempted; “There is nothing sickly or dreamy in him: he has a clear eye, a vigorous grasp, and courage to utter what he sees and handles. (George Eliot 1974). This attitude gave him the confidence to establish an optimistic attitude to life, to the oral, and to almost all existing things, which was the extract of his uncircumcised love. All these contribute a lot in making him the chief exponent of what has been called Victorian Optimism. ‘ This gave Browning recognition in poetic sphere and ranked him as a great poet and esteemed highly as Tennyson, thus he became the voice and spirit of his age, the Victorian era.
Elizabeth Barrett came from a prominent and wealthy family and she was already a well established poet before she met fellow poet Robert Browning. Their relationship began in his admiring her poetry. His audacious first letter moves from loving her books to loving her . Robert had been an admirer of Elizabethan work for some time, and with the help of a friend, John Kenyon, met Elizabeth in 1845. The two quickly fell in love and thus, began one of the most famous courtships in literature.
Her father disapproved of Robert, who believed he was an unreliable fortune hunter, so the couple kept their relationship a secret. Together, they exchanged hundreds of love letters, and by 1846, the couple eloped. Her father disowned her and she faced disgust from her brothers, who believed she had married a low-class gold digger. However, Elizabeth stood by her husband, and shortly after their wedding, they fled to Italy.
These Victorian writers had some aspects in common in their lifestyles as, for instance, the extraordinary education they received at home, their early devotion to learning and writing or a life mostly developed at home due to different reasons as we will see (in Elisabeth case, due to her father’s tyranny as well as her sickly health; in Roberts case, due to his indoor education and his dislike to public life becoming his house his shelter) but we will also point out the differences which exist between them: they belonged to efferent social classes, they were educated in different values and they didn’t succeed in the same way.
However, after getting to know each other through correspondence, they decided to make a new start together in a foreign country in spite of some problems. They represent the triumph of love; a love which started with Roberts admiration to Elizabethan verses and a love which made her leave her paternal prison forever. Such sweet and melodious outpouring of over brimming love was the result of that unprecedented and unrivalled, history-making relationship that Browning shared with Elizabeth Barrett.
Actually, she was the permanent shower of inspiration for Borrowing’s spiritual and intellectual strength. She was the real and only thundering force behind the full-ripe and mature genius of Browning, Cohen writes- “Browning did not write great poetry until he had attained emotional maturity, and this he lacked till the years of his marriage”. (Cohen 1964) This meeting and marital- unions of Browning with Elizabeth Barrett was the peak of pleasure for Browning in comparison of other ecstasies of his life.
This was the supreme experience of Browning whole life feelings supreme experience did not make him a poet rather; Elizabeth Barrett made him a love poet. Through the love that she endowed to him, the man of supreme love experience became the supreme love poet. Her reward was-” By the Fireside”, which could be treated as a poem which treasures Brown almost all romantic feelings, which are kept with the final lock of memory in the heart. This poem could be called the greatest love poem in the English language the other language that has dealt with the topic love.
In this poem we may name glimpse of almost all the real feelings of love, of Browning heart that can be regarded as the real and supreme feelings of Borrowing’s love. Thus, Browning whole life achievement rests on his love which served him as a stepping stone t success and which ultimately became a mile-stone of his success in the both the fields-personal or literacy. Love is not only a success bringer for Browning rather everyone, who loves truly and passionately, becomes successful in almost all the corners of life.
Some one has rightly said that behind every successful man, the woman, and this is the lady, Elizabeth, who works as an abrupt force behind the potentially of this love poetry, and thus, with the help of her loving inspiration, t man succeed in life. Chapter II . Concept of love in literature Love is the most cherished thing in the life of every human being. We all think a it, dream about it, sing about it, and even lose sleep worrying about it. Love is us small word paired with a vital meaning. It’s universal, easy to spell, difficult Todd but impossible to live without.
When we don’t have it, we search for it, when we it, we don’t know what to do with it, when we have it, we fear losing it. Love is the constant source of happiness and sorrow. Love is a feeling for another person s pure, so deep that no one can define it to its true extent. Since the initial period iterate love has been the most dominant theme of writing. This theme has be exercised and celebrated in almost all the fields of literature such as poetry, n drama and so on. And in all periods of all literature love is the most influential theme.
Even in Victorian Age, which is a period of doubt and unrest then also I remains as a prominent theme. Special aspects of love, approaches to love, reach to the torments and delights of romantic love, have been sung with greater pop Shakespeare, Sidney, Done, Andrew Marvel, Burns, Hardy, Yeats and some twentieth century poets . After John Done, Browning is the greatest exponent o hem of love in English poetry. Unlike other poets who always combine love wit sorrow and death, Browning sings of the Joy of love.
His love for his wife also ca considered as his inspiration behind his love poems. The subject of ‘Love Poet given rise to some of the most beautiful and fascinating poetry. The poets illus.’s their feelings, or the feelings of the people concerned with them through the us of figurative language. A love poem is not necessarily a poem about romantic I about romance, marriage and commitment; it could be something else entirely. Seems to be universal timeless. Yet, it’s also very individual, filtered by poets owe lives and expectations. Love can be a different thing for each one of the poets.
N love poems deal with happy positive sides of love but there are also the negative sides such as pain, sadness and loss. There are endless ways in which love can portrayed and occur. There are numerous types of love, whether it’s physical, emotional or romantic love. And in the poems of Robert Browning we get the indictment of various kinds of passions and emotions related to love. Chapter Ill 3. Robert Borrowing’s philosophy of love Robert Browning has a three- fold appeal. He is, first, a passionate singer of love and the world of sense-the lyrical Browning.
Secondly, he is a psychological poet, the subtle delineated of the devious mental processes of human beings. Thirdly, he is a firm believer in the philosophy of optimism. But in the treatment of love he is second to none. Special aspects of love, approaches to love, reactions to the torments, and delights of romantic love, have been sung with greater power by many poets. But, so far matter, depth and touchy-feelings are concerned about the love between a man and a woman, the everlasting knot of love with timeless union, Browning has no impetigo and stands alone rather, becomes the beacon-light for his successors.
The profound love with intense feeling of severe passion, a life that includes lives of love in it, and all its indefinable, link with the infinite reality that is God, one’s complete and intimate understanding for other, the quality of self-abnegation and ennobling, an unspeakable faith and a concrete philosophy, and the perfect way of life that takes two persons to the level of their unlimited and impossible best. In such kind and quality of love, Browning stands as a perfect lyricist. After John Done,
Browning is the greatest exponent of the theme of love in English poetry. Browning considers love to be the basic principle of the universe. Love is the governing force of the universe. For Browning, love is the name of God. He talked of love as the only force that could unify mind with God. Though many phases of love between man and woman are depicted by Browning, he is a matter of particular kind of love poetry. Unlike other love poets who always combine love with sorrow and death, Browning sings of the Joy of love.
Browning has written two kinds of love poems- personal and dramatic. His personal poems are very few, because his bent of mind was fundamentally dramatic. Browning love poetry is both complex and comprehensive. His love poems deal with case of successful as well as unsuccessful love. Of the poems which treat of physical love, about two third, represent feelings of man and one third express the feelings of women. In love poems where a woman’s passion dominates there is less intellectual elements.
When a poem deals with love of a man it shows greater intellectual depth. Moreover, the tragedies of woman in love appear more interesting to the poet than the tragedies of men. Love, for Browning was the peak of activities, of which human beings are capable, thus, he devoted his most intense and perfect consideration to it. Unlike the romantic poets, he created his world of love- lyrics like a practiced lover and he did not stick to a specific subjects rather he touched and treated almost all the colors of love emotion.
Browning subject was neither happy nor unhappy love but love as an experience, a love that includes both the ends of ideal, spiritual and physical love and seers a line of horizon, whose reality was bound up with its permanence; his greatest love poetry is tutee reflective of idealism in love as well as the physical charm of love. His treatment of love is bold, realistic and unconventional. Whereas other Victorian considered the body as an obstacle in the path of spiritual emancipation, Browning frankly allows importance of body.
He believes that physical pleasures are as important for a successful married in this world, as for heavenly bliss in the next. Browning feels the way to develop the human soul lays in love and the love has to be complete. It is to involve physical as well spiritual. Through human love it is possible to achieve divine love. Love is a complete experience in which the body, the mind, and the soul have their equal share. The sphere of Browning love poems have left no stone unturned.
As Wordsmith has recorded each flattering of flower’s petal, doing the same, Browning thinks finds-out, and gives an unmatched analysis of psychology of love, recording the each pulse of love emotion. Browning is not only the poet of normal psychology, rather, at some places, he expands his limit and goes beyond, discovers some specific but still hidden aspects of abnormality in lover’s love-emotion unapproachable by the poetic-eyes of other writers. Apart from Browning bulk of love-poems, his analysis of abnormal psychology of love, he is first and foremost.
He places his lovers in various situations and examines their psychological implications. His strong feeling in the ennobling power of love entitle him a place of distinction among the love poems. Chapter IV 4. Reflection of different types of love in Borrowing’s selected poems 4. 1 “My Last Duchess”: A study of illusive love Synopsis of the poem: “My Last Duchess” is narrated by the duke of Ferreira to an envoy (representative) of another nobleman, whose daughter the duke is soon to marry. At the poem’s peeing, the duke has Just pulled back a curtain to reveal to the envoy a portrait of his previous duchess.
The portrait was painted by Far Pandora, a monk and painter whom the duke believes captured the singularity of the duchess’s glance. However, the duke insists to the envoy that his former wife’s deep, passionate glance was not reserved solely for her husband. As he puts it, she was “too easily impressed” into sharing her affable nature. His tone grows harsh as he recollects how both human and nature could impress her, which insulted him since she did not g to the “gift” of his “nine-hundred-years-old” family name and lineage sign to “lesson” her on her unacceptable love of everything, he inset commands” to have her killed.
The duke then ends his story and asks rise and accompany him back to the count, the father of the duke’s I and the envoy’s employer. He mentions that he expects a high dowry, happy enough with the daughter herself. He insists that the envoy w “together” – a lapse of the usual social expectation, where the higher would walk separately – and on their descent he points out a bronze Neptune in his collection. Historical background of the poem: The poem is preceded by “Ferreira:”, indicating that the speaker is MO
II detested, the fifth Duke of Ferreira (1533-1598), who, at the age of 25, did Cosmic De’ Medici, the 14-year-old daughter of Cosmic I De’ Medici, of Tuscany, and Eleanor did Toledo. Lucrative was not well educated, a could be considered “nouveau richer” in comparison to the venerable distinguished Est. family (the Duke’s remark regarding his gift of a “n years-old name” clearly indicates that he considered his bride bane She came with a sizeable dowry, and the couple married in 1558. He her for two years before she died on 21 April 1561, at age 17. There w suspicion of poisoning.
The Duke then sought the hand of Barbara, ii f the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I and Anna of Bohemia and Huh sister of the Count of Tyro, Ferdinand II. The count was in charge of a marriage; the chief of his entourage, Nikolas Madras, a native of Inn courier. Madras is presumably the silent listener in the poem. The to named in the poem, painter FRRГ Pandora and sculptor Claus of Inns fictional. Love as an illusion My Last Duchess,” published in 1842, is arguably Borrowing’s most FAA monologue, with good reason. It engages the reader on a number of historical, psychological, ironic, theatrical, and more.
Browning has pr an exceptional way in this poem. This poem shows Borrowing’s Knowles different aspects of human nature and his analysis of human character motives. The poet makes the Duke talk about his ‘last duchess’ in a dry and the Duke thus throws light not only on the character of the Duck his own mind also. In attempting to describe her, he has succeeded a his own narrow and hideous heart. He was proud, haughty, snobbish, tyrant. But the Duchess was a kind-hearted, amiable and lovable lad pride or vanity or haughtiness which women of high rank usually have whatever she looked on, and smiled at everybody who passed her.
As She had A heart- how shall I say? Too soon made glad Too easily impressed ; she liked whatever She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. (line: 21-24) But her amiable and gay disposition was intolerable to him. He was possessive person. He used to give costly gifts to the Duchess and took it as a symbol of his love towards him. He was proud of belonging to a family of nine-hundred- years-old name and therefore took a patronizing attitude towards his wife. He thinks that he has conferred a title of a nine-hundred-years old name upon the Duchess and she should be grateful towards him.
The Duke thinks that he loves his wife a lot UT fails to understand the lacking of mental attachment which is the core of a happy conjugal relationship. He says- She thanked men,-good! But thanked Somehow-I know not how-as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody gift. (line: 31-34) It also indicates the Jealous and suspicious mind of the Duke. His Jealousy and suspicion have ruined his love and turned it into an illusion. She was not at all a flirt and therefore the Duke’s Jealousy on account of her amiable nature is totally unjustified.
We feel sympathy for the lady who, has fallen into the clutches of a tyrant ho could not understand or appreciate her and who froze her smile with his commands. His cruel and tyrannical nature reflects through these lines when he says- together. (line: 45-46) I gave commands; Then all smile stopped Actually, the Duke suffers from superiority complex. Name, fame, vanity and status were prior to him than his wife. He considers himself far superior to what she was. But we can understand that the Duchess must have been very gentle and innocent while the Duke was a conceited, self-opinionated high-brow.
The Duke tries to represent her having beneath dignity to marry but we can guess that he did not serve her. He has strange notion of dignity. What we would call gentleness in the Duchess, he considers stupidity. What we think arrogance and snobbery in him, he considers dignity or high breeding. Thus it depicts the pathetic consequence of an unmatched relationship. Browning considers love to be a condition of moral enlistment of the human soul. And the Duke is hollow and mean because he has never known how to love and never realized the innocence and purity of his wife. Duke’s love for the Duchess is fake, showy and an illusion.
It is not love at all as he fails to accept her with all her natural qualities both good and bad. Rather he wanted her to behave in the way he wishes. Undoubtedly, it is a proper indictment of illusion disguised in the veil of love. Love for art One can also understand this poem as a commentary on art. The duke remains enamored with the woman he has had killed, though his affection now rests on a representation of her. In other words, he has chosen to love the ideal image of her rather than the reality, similar to how the narrator of “Porphyry’s Lover” chose a static, dead love than one destined to change in the throes of life.
In many ways, this is the artist’s dilemma, which Browning explores in all of his work. As poet, he attempts to capture contradiction and movement, psychological complexity that cannot be pinned down into one object, and yet in the end all he can create is a collection of static lines. The duke attempts to be an artist in his life, turning a walk roger down the hallway into a performance, but he is always hampered ideal that inspires his performance cannot change.
Picture of mall society – In order to critique the oppressive male dominating society of his voice to villainous characters each representing the antithesis of Browning does not eliminate all his personal virtues from all his arraying Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems become more open unveiling the truth and the benevolent nature of the poet. Perhaps Borrowing’s willingness to present the subject of love in a less con transcending, and nurturing way that lead to her husband’s evolve Here, we find the Duke as a dominating character.
And the fatal e Duchess is nothing but a sacrifice to the free will of male domino male people always think themselves superior to the female. The and female are bound to obey those commands. A woman is Just hands of a man and is forced to behave in the way a man demand thinks that it is below his dignity to rectify the behavior of the Du cause he doesn’t take his wife as his soul mate. If he would take half in the truest sense, he would be able to understand the purr matter of great pity that only because of vain superiority complex the ecstasy of true mutual bond of love and relationship.
Physical attractions To Browning lovers, the lady physical charms are not main attar needs not to be an embodiment of loveliness with pearly teeth a Browning did not believe in the idealization of women’s physical of physical appearance are rare in his poetry. He concentrates on woman can exert in the relationship of a man. That man may be over. In this poem ” My Last Duchess” when the Duke refers tot his dead wife, he shows the annoyance and Jealousy of the Duke: no doubt, When I passed her, but who passed without Much the same smile? (line: 43-45) 4. “The Last Ride Together”: A study of optimistic love Synopsis The poem “The Last Ride Together” appeared in Browning Men It is one of his better-known love-poems. This poem is the soliloquy has been courting a woman but who has in the long run been reek love for her has proved futile and his whole life seems to have FAA might have broken his heart but , instead of scolding and reproach ere in pride and thankfulness, and says that he would be satisfies company for a last ride with him. The lady considers his proposal the lover awaits her decision with almost suspended breath.
She conflict between her pride and her pity, but her pity wins and SSH lover’s last request. The lover is delighted by the prospect of riding once more in his life. His last thought has not at least been vain. That the world might end the same night! He might have won her tackled her differently; but he might have earned her hatred too. Now at least she doesn’t hate him and has been agreed to go on a last ride with him. He consoles himself for his failure as all men strive in the world and few succeed. The lover is therefore , not the only one to have failed in his ambition.
There is always a wide difference between a man’s aspiration and his achievement. The lover then compares his achievement with that of certain other categories of individuals, and finds that his lot is better than theirs. The lover has compared himself with a statesman, a poet, a soldier, a sculptor, and a musician. He finds out that the achievement of these different individuals is nothing as compared to that of the lover who is at least enjoying the pleasure of his mistress’s company on a last ride. He also argues that the rejection of his love by his mistress is a blessing in disguise.
Having failed on earth, the lover can now die with an anticipation of love’s fulfillment in heaven. Finally, he thinks that there is a possibility that this last ride may continue forever and ever, and that this moment may become eternal. Emotional intensity of the lover “The Last Ride Together” sings the glory of failure in love. Although the poem is dominated by intellectual analysis, it yet shows Browning as the singer of passionate love. The intensity of emotion characterizes many of the lines in the poem.
As the lover’s heart overflow with Joy, some of his statements become highly charged with feeling and emotion. For instance when his beloved is considering his final request for a ride he feels that there is life and death in the balance for him and as if the circulation of his blood has stopped. When she agrees to his proposal, he feels that the circulation of his blood has started again and he experiences a feeling of elation: The blood replenished me again : My last thought was at least not vain : I and my mistress, side by side
Shall be together, breathe and When she leans against him, he feels as if he is in contact with heaven. There is a passionate quality in the whole of the third stanza in which he describes how a lover’s passion might draw cloud, sunset, moonrise, and star shine down on himself, near and yet more near, till flesh must fade for heaven was here! The lover experiences intense Joy, and intense fear when the beloved leans against him and lingers. It is a moment of ecstasy for him. This poem is a proper example of romantic love. Though the lover is in an emotional and romantic mood, he is not totally devoid f reality.


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Woodbury, Bicton, East Budleigh and Aylesbeare commons are just a few of the areas that form the beautiful and historically important East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. In this richly illustrated book, BBC wildlife film maker Andrew Cooper traces the heaths’ geological, natural and social history from the Triassic period to the present day and uncovers myths, monsters, drama and the scars of war.
Commissioned by the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, the book also discusses the heaths’ futures and their management in the context of climate change, to safeguard them for future generations.
‘A fascinating book that charts the very long history of a naturally beautiful place with an epic geological past.’ – Devon Life
‘The heaths here have such an amazing story to tell.’ – BBC News

domain: literature


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Council veteran Kyle Rae won't run for re-election
Kyle Rae, Toronto's first gay city councillor, is calling it quits. In an email sent to supporters Friday, Rae announced he will not run in next year's municipal elections and thanked everyone for the support.
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Kyle Rae, Toronto's first gay city councillor, is calling it quits.
In an email sent to supporters Friday, Rae announced he will not run in next year's municipal elections and thanked everyone for the support. He didn't give a reason for the decision but fondly talked about the transformation of the downtown's landscape in the almost two decades he has been a councillor.
He also sang paeans to heritage preservation in the city, making a special mention of a TD Canada bank – with the work of Mies van der Rohe – that has been designated as a city heritage landmark.
"I look forward to challenges and new opportunities but will certainly not miss parking complaints, oversized fences, noisy neighbour issues, garbage questions and dogs in parks," Rae said.
The 55-year-old was first elected councillor from Ward 27 – Toronto Centre-Rosedale – in 1991.
A longtime member of the New Democratic Party, he left it in 1993 because of the failure of the NDP government to pass reforms on gay rights issues.
Before becoming a politician, Rae was executive director of the Church Street Community Centre in the heart of the Church St. and Wellesley Ave. area.
- Video Toronto police launch investigation into Jian Ghomeshi allegations
- Twitter fan drawn into online tumult over Jian Ghomeshi
- NEW Funeral to be held near Montreal today for warrant officer Patrice Vincent
- Wynne’s China mission brings $1B in investment and 1,800 jobs to Ontario
- One World Trade Center re-opens
- NEW Islamic State group lines up, kills 50 tribesmen, women in Anbar province
- ‘Crack mom’ conviction tossed out
- With Susan Fennell gone, Brampton looks to repair its image

domain: politics


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The demo for latest title in the Need for Speed series has sneaked onto Xbox LIVE Marketplace. It’s a 654.64MB download and is available in all regions.
Demo description: Compete at the highest level of street racing. Experience the intense rivalry of Grip Racing and prove yourself in the all-new Speed Challenge – the ultimate test of speed and control.
Need for Speed: ProStreet will be released on November 14th on Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PC, DS and Wii. The PSP version will be released a few days later, on the 18th.
Also, the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock demo that Microsoft announced yesterday is available now as well.
[See also: Need for Speed: ProStreet gallery]

domain: entertainment


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Untitled (3rd Place)
You came into my life like a boulder -
Came isn't the right word;
You crashed, you plowed, you smashed into my carefully crafted house.
Your eyes sparking like a flint, ready to set those walls I built around my heart ablaze.
They say that a rolling stone gathers no moss,
And you were always moving -
To stop you would have been a Sisyphean task, pointless as trying to stop the planet from spinning.
You crashed into my life, broke down my walls, and took me along for a ride, and for a while I could forget the avalanche that you signalled.
I could ignore the rumbling of boulders, the cackle of granite, the screeches of pebbles crushed in your wake.
Always will be,
A force of nature;
And I am a simple human who got caught up in the wonder of your strength.
After all, one can be a fool enough to love a mountain, but one would be even greater of a fool to hope that the mountain would love one back.

domain: artistic


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Washington State House Committee Approves Gay Marriage Bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A measure to legalize same-sex marriage has passed a House committee, and the Senate is expected to vote on its companion bill as early as Wednesday.
Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who is sponsoring one of the bills, said Monday that he expects a floor vote on gay marriage in the Senate on Wednesday. A Senate committee voted to approve Murray's bill on Friday. The House Judiciary committee approved its gay marriage bill on Monday on a 7-6 party line vote.
Opponents of same-sex marriage have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot if the Legislature passes the bill and it's signed into law.
Washington state has had a domestic partnership law since 2007, and an "everything but marriage" expansion of the domestic partnership law since 2009.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - A Pierce County woman was terrified over the weekend when she woke up to a stranger in her house rubbing her face. She ran to her neighbor's house and the neighbor contacted the Pierce County Sheriff's Office at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. Arriving deputies spoke with the neighbor who called 911.>>
SPOKANE, Wash. - An urgent care clinic in north Spokane has closed. The MultiCare Rockwood Urgent Care Center located at 9001 N. Country Homes Blvd. closed its doors on April 17. Patients looking for immediate services are being asked to use one of the other clinics listed here. According to a spokesperson with MultiCare, the lease for the building expires on April 30. MultiCare did not renew the lease. While the Urgent Care is closed,>>
SPOKANE, Wash. - A Spokane mother is heartbroken because what a thief took from her family was so much more than just a piece of mail. One of her sons serving in the military, stays connected with his little brother through video games, so he sent him one as a gift. However, the little brother never got it because the thief took it right off their front porch.>>
STREETSBORO, Ohio (AP) - Authorities say a 13-year-old boy has fatally shot his 11-year-old brother in suburban Cleveland, and police are describing the shooting as an apparent "premeditated act." Streetsboro police say officers were called to a home around 9:30 p.m. Monday. The 11-year-old died at a hospital. Police say the 13-year-old has been charged with aggravated murder in Portage County Juvenile Court.>>


Hunter’s Hill Council is committed to preserving and maintaining the unique natural environment and heritage of the local area. The many sites are situated amongst quaint residential and productive commercial areas that make this diverse Sydney Harbour peninsula a great place to live.
With the help of the community, the Council takes pride in managing, enhancing and maintaining its areas of bushland and waterways for residents to enjoy. Council is working on programs to increase knowledge and respect for environmental services amongst the community, ensuring they are used in a sustainable manner for our future generations and beyond. Get involved in helping make our environment the best it can be for both our and future generations.


First studio album in over 9 years (and first original material in 17 years). Featuring Shannon Forrest as producer and drummer and special guest appearance by the one and only David Paich!
Release September 15! Michael McDonald wrote 'Wide Open' over several years and recorded the tracks at his Nashville studio together with TOP producer and drummer Shannon Forrest (TOTO, Tim McGraw)!
The album includes a who's who of excellent players, including bassists Willie Weeks and Marcus Miller, guitarists Warren Haynes, Michael Landau and Robben Ford, saxophonists Branford Marsalis and Tom Scott and keyboardist David Paich.


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HARRISBURG, IL (KFVS) - It's not easy to get a job. That's the word from job seekers in southern Illinois. That's why many say they turned out for job fair in Harrisburg.
"At least 30 or so," said job seeker Jenah Luna.
Luna says that's the number of resumes she's submitted for jobs in just the last six weeks.
"Sams Club, Menards, Target, Home Depot," Luna listed off.
They are all places Luna applied but says she's heard nothing back.
Tuesday, Luna walked the job fair in Harrisburg with her resume in hand and the hopes of a job.
"I didn't know who might be here and they might need a resume," Luna said. "The only thing I'm sorry I, should have printed off more."
Luna moved from Nashville to Harrisburg. The mom of three says with her work experience and technical degree she didn't expect the job search to be so difficult.
"It is frustrating, because I feel like if I was in Nashville, I would have had a job yesterday," Luna added.
Meanwhile, Tonya Tate visited with possible employers. Tate says she wants to get off public assistance, but a past run in with the law seems to hold her back.
"I am able to work," Tate said. "Why, should I be sitting around drawing public aid when I am able," Tate said. "It will come a time in day when I am not going to be able, I wouldn't mind then, but I am able and willing, just that's holding me back."
Tate says she lost her job a few months ago.
Ashlee Church with Extra Help Incorporated says that's a reality they see every day. But church says when it comes to getting hired, flexibility is key.
"They may have to take a dream job that's not their dream job in order to get some work experience in order to prove to employers," Church said.
Still Luna continues to make her case at this job fair, with the hope she'll hear the words, you're hired.
"Somebody's going to call me, I have to have faith," Luna said.
Church adds holiday openings could be your ticket to something permanent. She says even if it that doesn't happen, the holiday job is still a boost for your pocketbook and resume.

domain: news


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Luxury apartment of the highest quality for a holiday of your dreams, 3 bedrooms, Jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, 5 minutes walking to Dona Ana beach
1 bedroom with double bed; 2 bedrooms each with 2 single beds; 2 bathrooms; Living room with gas fireplace and dining area; Open kitchen; Terrace with sea views
Fridge; Cooking area with oven; Dishwasher; Washing machine; Microwave; Coffee machine; Toaster, Freezer; 2 WLAN flat screen TVs; Teufel sound system, Gas BBQ; WLAN, Cooling in the sleeping areas; Underfloor heating
Dona Ana beach 100m; Town center 300m; Restaurant 300m; Shopping 100m; Golf 4 km; Faro Airport 85 km
Casa Sara, the ultimate in luxury apartments, sits above the beautiful Praia Dona Ana beach, and offers unlimited sea views. The property looks out over the Atlantic, towards Lagos town and the 6km long Meia Praia beach and down to the stunning rock formations of Dona Ana beach below.
The bedrooms and bathrooms are located in the back part of the apartment, luxuriously appointed, with comfortable beds, quality mattresses, tailor-made bed linen and more chic-kitsch decor.
A Car is not essential. Parking in the complex
Prices per day per property and the indicated number of persons - prices including electricity, gas, water, as well as cleaning (2x / week): change of linen: 1x / week; Towels: 2x / week, including final cleaning
Underfloor heating according to consumption; Baby cot - EUR 5,00 / day; Free child's chair; Jacuzzi 120‚ā¨/week
NON-SMOKING APARTMENT - please smoke outside, no pets

domain: travel


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Last week, eight Indiana counties received permission to switch time zones. Starting April 2, they will be on Central instead of Eastern time.
Can such a time shift just happen? And why would anyone want it to?
The federal Department of Transportation has authority over America's time zones, so it granted the Indiana counties' request. But the answer to the second question is more complicated, and is rooted in a history of arguments Hoosiers have had among themselves over how to keep time.
Before 1966, said David Prerau, author of "Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time," all American localities could adopt or ignore daylight saving, and set their own calendar for using it. This forced broadcasters, railroads and the like to publish different schedules for every time and calendar scheme.
In 1966, Congress required each state to adopt one policy for daylight saving and to follow one federal calendar. At this point, the line between the Eastern and Central time zones ran through the middle of Indiana. But in 1969, amid heated local debate, the Department of Transportation moved the line westward, so that only 12 of 92 counties -- in the north- and southwest -- remained on Central time.
The counties on Central time wanted daylight saving, because they were oriented toward Chicago, and Illinois shifted to it every spring. The rest of Indiana, on Eastern time, was divided. Business wanted daylight saving, which saved energy and would align the state with the East Coast. But farmers, early to rise, were against it.Continue reading the main story
In 1973, Congress passed a law allowing regions occupying separate time zones in the same state to adopt daylight saving or not. Eventually, Indiana had 10 counties on Central time with daylight saving; 77 on Eastern Standard time year round; and five southeastern counties that unofficially (and illegally) adopted daylight saving to align with nearby Louisville and Cincinnati.
"In those counties," said Mr. Prerau, "only the county courthouse clock was set to Eastern Standard time."
Indiana's current governor, Mitch Daniels, a Republican, argued that this was bad for business. So in 2005, he barely pushed through a law mandating statewide daylight saving, but allowing every county to petition for a shift to Central time. That way, when their clocks moved forward for daylight saving, they would retain their old Eastern Standard time summers.
Indiana's clocks still aren't synchronized, the new law means there will only be two times to worry about. PETER EDIDINContinue reading the main story

domain: geography


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Semi Feral Kittens - Rufus and Rosie
Rufus and Rosie were born in a disused greenhouse of a garden centre; their mother had three kittens. When CP were called in, the mother was in the process of moving them; their brother was caught when they were about eight weeks old but the mum and the other two kittens (soon to be Rosie and Rufus) remained wild for about a month. When they were finally trapped, the kittens were about three months old. We got them in early February 2013.
They were feral when we adopted them and they wouldn't go anywhere near humans. They lived in a cage for about three weeks in a quiet side room and when they thought you weren't looking they would come out and play. We invested in some serious play equipment and over the weeks we spent hours and hours playing with them to gain their trust, all the time in their safe room. Whilst they would trust us enough to play they still didn't like contact with humans so picking them up was a very slow process, lots of short bursts.
By late February, they eventually came out of their room on their own accord, enticed by yet another exciting toy. They were definitely feeling very at home by mid-March. Rosie discovered 'cat TV' also known as my fish tank. Rufus had bonded with Alfie, our really old cat; Rosie on the other hand had bonded with Harry the tortoise!
By April they had definitely settled in; we still couldn't hold them for long periods of time but they were feeling more comfortable. From here they came on leaps and bounds, Rosie got furrier and furrier (I had always said that I wouldn't have a long haired cat!) and she definitely became 'my cat'. Rufus took a big shine to my eldest son and slept on (and often in) his bed every night. But they still loved each other as well.
Often it got overwhelming, they were occasionally caught in places where they shouldn't be; it was obvious that they enjoyed a challenge! But they still love their toys and you would never know that once they disliked humans. They now live happily with a whole bunch of chickens and are an important part of our family.
The joy of adopting a nervous cat - Jamie's Story by Vicki Maynard
I volunteer with Cats Protection and I’ve seen that potential adopters often seem to want the same type of cat – the friendly, sit on your lap type; they don’t even consider the nervous cats. The problem is, although some of the cats that come into care are obviously gentle and loving, others are frightened or depressed, sometimes hissing because they are in a strange place with the smell of other cats. But we have had nervous cats go to their new homes and within a short time they have totally changed personality – back to a gentle loving cat. However, some cats need time and patience. I’ve experienced the joy of taking on a frightened, nervous cat and watching them change into a loving pet.
When Billy’s half-brother sadly died, Billy was only four years old. He’s a gentle, sweet little cat and we knew we needed to find a friend for him, so I looked at the cats in care.
Jamie was a gentle, nervous little tabby boy aged three years old. His owner had found a new partner who did not like cats – so Jamie was given up. He was lovely with Rosemary and those of us who worked at the shelter, but as soon as someone came in looking to adopt a cat, Jamie rushed away to hide – so he was passed over. Rosemary feared he would be there for months unless someone was prepared to spend time to get to know him. One day when stroking Jamie, I asked Rosemary if he would be a good friend for Billy. Rosemary knew Billy as he had also come from the shelter and she agreed that it could work. So my husband came around to meet Jamie and surprisingly, he was able to stroke him and we decided to bring Jamie home.
We gave him time to settle, in a separate room with a bed, a litter tray, his favourite food and somewhere he could “hide”. He was extremely nervous at the beginning and continually went behind the sofa. Both my husband and I spent many hours with him, stroking him when he would let us and trying to make him feel safe. Our other cat, Billy, often stopped outside the door as he knew there was another cat on the other side. After about a week we opened the door and let Jamie explore more of the house. The cat flap was locked so he could not get out but he was able to see the garden from various windows. We took things slowly and let the two cats get to know one another; there were no arguments, both seemed to accept one another and eventually became devoted – as if they’d always been together. Both cats are the same height although Billy is a little heavier. They share food bowls, walk side by side up the garden and sometimes sleep next to one another.
We love them both dearly, and had we not spent the time and effort to make Jamie feel he belonged, Billy would not have had such a wonderful friend.
Cats come into care for all sorts of reasons – but the cat does not have a choice. Many seem to accept the situation and are easy to home but please don’t overlook those who find it harder to cope – they could be your perfect cat – given the chance.
From feisty and angry to a devoted loving cat. By Paul and Gill.
I saw Beany's face in the local paper and couldn't get him out of my mind. A week later I was compelled to ring Rosemary and ask about him. My opening line was "I am not sure I really want a cat but......."
Beany (then called Oliver) had been with Rosemary for more than six months. He was stunning. Large, white and chunky, with amber eyes and the most glorious fluffy coat. Why did no-one want him? Rosemary left me with him, and I tickled his cheeks with both hands and played with his ears. He quickly showed me that he wanted to play fight but I didn't see that as aggressive. Rosemary was worried that I would say ‘‘No’’ at that point as he was very feisty, and this put people off – they couldn’t see past his angry manner. But I felt a connection with Beany that surprised me. He seemed to like me - I already loved him.
Rosemary was soon dropping him off at my home. Beany was an angry cat with some serious attitude problems. I learned that he didn't like men or anyone who smoked or drank alcohol…. Oh Dear... nor would he answer to his name of Oliver.
However, very quickly Beany learned to trust me and my friend. The change in Beany from when he found us was incredible. From trying to take my friend’s arm off - to waiting by the door for him when he came in and using him as bed. Beany became very playful and very affectionate. He had bags of personality; he really was quite unique. I didn't know that cats could give so much love or were such great company. He was truly special. Within weeks of his arrival, he'd chosen his new name which he was more than happy to answer to.
He knew he wasn't allowed into the front garden or anywhere near the road so he didn't venture that far. A couple of times I had to leave him when I went to France but I missed him so much.
Beany came to France with me about 18 times. We stayed at my friend’s house where he had lots of room to play. He showed me wildlife I hadn't been fortunate enough to see before - slow worms, shrews, voles etc. He would come for walks around that garden every evening with me and sometimes with my friend. On route we would have games of chasing the windfall apples and zooming up the trees. Once he saw a young hare charge from one end of the garden to the other. He took off after it like a Greyhound. I’ve never seen a cat run so fast in my life - amazing.
Beany never wanted to come back from France and would sit in the garden next door about 3 meters in. He knew I couldn't go in to get him as it was so overgrown but after re- arranging the ferries countless times, he eventually agreed to come back. He couldn't live without me or my friend any more than we could live without him.
He loved his cuddles. During the night I'd wake to find him settled on me and that was very comforting. He was a devoted and loyal friend. He loved us. He fought Pancreatitis and survived. He fought liver cancer for almost a year but we lost him on 2.1.2014. It broke our hearts. There will never be another Beany.
There is a reason that some cats are angry and hostile. With a little love and understanding they can put all that behind them and show caring people what they are really like. Beany was a truly special and wonderful cat.
Here at Cats Protection we believe for every cat there is a perfect home. Sometimes cats can stay a little too long in our care but often it’s because they are waiting for the “right” owner to come through the door and that’s exactly what happened to Cheeky.
A young and lively black and white male cat that had no tail, Cheeky was very friendly – if he liked you! – but could be a little unruly if he didn’t. He was very playful but didn’t like other cats. Cheeky had been in our care for a long time, almost a year, and he hated it. He needed to find a good home, without other feline company and with a nice garden to run around in.
One day his now new ‘mum’ Kim was in the vets with her then cat who was receiving treatment for a brain tumour. Whilst in the waiting room, Kim noticed our ‘Cat of the Month’ poster featuring Cheeky and it really caught her eye. Sadly the cat she had taken to the vet passed away and she felt that without a cat, her house was somehow empty. So she decided to go and see Cheeky at the fosterers.
Unfortunately Cheeky was not on his best behaviour that day; he was scratchy and snarly and less than appealing. Indeed that behaviour had seen off a few earlier prospective new owners. However as an experienced cat owner, Kim knew he wasn’t bad, he just needed love and a home and told our fosterer Rosemary that she’d take him.
It must be said that all were quite nervous when Cheeky arrived at his new forever home, as no-one knew if grumpy or gorgeous Cheeky would come out! As fate would have it gorgeous and playful Cheeky emerged that day – and he has stayed that way ever since. He popped out of his basket so pleased to be out of the pen and played for ages with Kim’s daughter. That night he even jumped into bed and snuggled up to Kim, happy and grateful to be in his new forever home.
Grumpy, scratchy Cheeky was not a bad cat he was just frustrated – as any of us would be if cooped up or months with no-one to play with or cuddle. He is now so at home and very settled. Kim describes him as good fun, wilful and playful and she loves him to bits. In fact so much so that she has said she would urge anyone wanting a cat to adopt a rescue cat as they really do make truly wonderful loving pets.
Natasha Parry and Scruffy
I adopted Scruffy at the end of September. He is a ten year old lovely black tomcat who was very nervous - he seemed to have been roughed up by the neighbourhood cats at his last home.
The first couple of days we had him, he hid out in the spare room, only coming out when we were asleep, but he soon started coming out for cuddles and strokes. Now, after a couple of months of getting used to us he is regularly snuggled up in his bed by the radiator and on our laps at every possible moment. He even comes to the door when he hears the keys in the lock!
He is a gorgeous boy - very loving and affectionate and adores our company - if he can get into the bedroom he jumps into bed with us for cuddles! He has really blossomed in the last few weeks and loves being fussed over. This is a photo of Scruffy in one of his favourite spots – our bed! So, another happy ending.
Jennifer Taaffe and Harry & Archie
During 2010 my partner and I began the search for a cat, we wanted to rescue one as there are so many out there that need a home. However we knew that finding the perfect cat would be challenging as we live in a flat, albeit a large one. So we set out with a slightly older cat in mind, maybe one that had enjoyed being an indoor cat previously.
We got in touch with Cats Protection and were invited to see two brothers who it was felt may be suitable. We knew that we wanted Harry and Archie to come home with us as soon as we saw them; however, these were not the older cats that we were expecting. They were two 18 month old cats, who were just so nervous that they would not be suited for outdoor life just yet. Both my partner and I have experience with cats and felt that we were able to give these two lovely cats a home.
Cats Protection was fantastic in assisting with moving the two cats. We were provided with a large pen for them to live in at first to ensure that we were able to go to them and handle them. We had prepared ourselves for a long road of helping the cats become comfortable with human company, but within six weeks both Harry and Archie were happily playing and wandering around the flat, demanding fuss and food! It has taken no time at all for them to develop from nervous animals, to the most loving pets you could have. We would not be without them!
Our advice to anyone thinking of re-homing a cat would be not to ignore the ones that are shy or maybe hide away as they may be the ones with the most love to give!

domain: pet


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Peep Azealia Banks "Harlem Shake (Remix)" Video, the latest visual from Azealia Banks. It dropped on Saturday, February 16th, 2013.
Azealia Banks releases new visuals for her version of âHarlem Shakeâ that dropped few days ago. Video directed by Rony Alwin.Â Can you dig it?
Azealia Banks's odds keep getting better with each new leak, and Azealia Banks "Harlem Shake (Remix)" Video will undoubtedly improve his chances of winning. It's a worthy addition to a respectable catalogue that has seen a lot of growth since Azealia Banks debuted in this game. We're looking forward to the follow-up.
Hit up Azealia Banks's profile page for the latest info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Check out Azealia Banks's Twitter.


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As expected, it was a great first weekend of high school football. Upsets. Tight games down to the final seconds. Other teams showing tremendous firepower.
One of those teams showing off its high-octane offense was Deer Creek-Mackinaw. The Chiefs rolled up 348 yards on the ground and another 88 in the air — mostly in the first half of a 55-6 thumping of El Paso-Gridley. Ten different Dee-Mack players ran the ball and six scored touchdowns.
But Dee-Mack wasn’t just good on the field. They were gracious off the field, making this fledgling small-school football writer feel right at home. Athletics director Scott Krause went out of his way to make sure I was taken care of, from securing a spot in the pressbox to making sure I had a place to file my story after the game. Props also to the press box crew and Dee-Mack coach Job Linboom and his staff for their help and hospitality.
As for the players, Brandon Evans showed his humility by giving big props to his offensive line after the senior back ran for 145 yards (140 in the first half).
Here’s what Evans had to say: “I was running behind my great offensive linemen J.R. (Lester, right guard), Charlie (Busse, center), Logan Stoops (left guard), Adam Vandervort (left tackle), Brandon Stiers (tight end). Man, I couldn’t ask for a better line.”


From being a level 10 gymnast in Indiana to becoming one of the biggest names on TikTok, 18-year-old Avani Gregg isn't slowing her role any time soon.
The Internet star is giving her followers a behind-the-scenes look at her life in her memoir, Backstory, to be published on September 28.
Avani shared the cover reveal of Backstory exclusively with Seventeen and if you thought your favorite TikToker couldn’t get any cooler, look here:
Known for her viral “clown face” makeup videos, Avani is a small-town girl from Indiana who made a name for herself.
At this point in her life, she was expecting to train for the Olympics until a back injury led her to retire from gymnastics. Thanks to her TikTok videos, she's now a Seventeen cover star, social media personality, actor and self-taught makeup artist who's partnered with brands ranging from Walmart to Louis Vuitton. How did she do it?
"Finally, you guys can really understand me and my backstory. I'm so excited for you all to learn a little bit more about me," Avani tells Seventeen.
In this eye-opening memoir, Avani paints both the highs and lows of her life that led to her joining the acclaimed Hype House in Los Angeles. She opens up about her journey as she covers topics like mental health, relationships and bullying.
Backstory, the revealing and deeply inspiring memoir by Avani Gregg, hits book stores on September 28. We can't wait to learn about Avani and her life beyond TikTok!
Sam is the editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, celebrity news, health, and beauty. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.


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I agree with Devon's reply, but I also wonder of you are looking for a gene burden test. That is, are there more rare variants in gene X (possibly damaging or not) in my cases compared to the number of rare variants in gene X in my controls (possibly damaging or not).
Take haemophilia A for example; a group of cases would have more rare variant in the Coagulation Factor VIII gene than controls would (it's a monogenic disease and almost all cases are explained by mutations in FVIII). It doesn't tell you which of the variants are pathogenic, but collectively, rare mutations in FVIII gene are more numerous in cases than controls.
Since you have a variant file (presumably vcf) of cases, and controls, you should have a look at plink/seq.
they have an awesome tutorial to work through some example data and you should to work towards the burden tests (under association tests)
Having said that, and with a nod to Devon's caution, you need to be sure the cases and controls are ethnically matched, and that the variants been called within the same exome (exomic?) regions, and sequenced using the same method, and have sufficient power to detect a significant enrichment, and boldly go where no man has gone before...
Thanks Devon for the explanation and the suggestion. I also want to ask you one additional query. If a gene has 7 SNP both in case dataset and control dataset; but the number of individual is different; then how should I do the association study. I think I cant do it SNP by SNP.
Am sorry for asking such basic question; but I am very new to human genetics.
By "the number of individual is different", do you mean between cases and controls or by SNP even within the cases and controls? Having different numbers of cases and controls is extremely common and not an issue at all (usually you have a LOT more controls than cases, since controls are easy to come by). Depending on the exact nature of the disease and data, you can sometimes test things as a group, as we did here (see supplemental table S4). You could also test SNPs individually, but that often makes more sense when you're looking at complex diseases and I assume you're working on a more Mendelian disorder.
Thanks for sharing the paper. Yah I am working on Mendelian disorder and will try to follow your advice.

domain: biology


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Choosing a Mortgage
Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.
Have A Question About This Topic?
When should you take your Social Security benefit?
Every so often, you’ll hear about Social Security benefits running out. But is there truth to the fears, or is it all hype?
It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful.

domain: economics


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A tennis academy in Mysuru is among the four new sports academies to come up in the state at a cost of Rs 1 crore each. All the four academies will come up in the next financial year, according to the state budget in which a total of Rs 285 crore has been allocated for the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
The basketball academy will be established in Vidyanagar, Bengaluru, swimming in Udupi and mountaineering in Chitradurga. In addition to these four academies, badminton and golf academies are proposed to be established in the state under Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The Aqua Sports Centre at Varuna Lake in Mysuru is also to be developed under the PPP at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
State-of-the-art gymnasium facilities in four sports hostels are to be created at a cost of Rs 8 crore. An additional Rs 4 crore has been earmarked for setting up modern gymnastic facilities in Mysuru and Belagavi.
Meanwhile, from 2017-18, the Karnataka Kreeda Poshaka Prashasthi will be instituted for awarding Rs 5 lakh to 10 sports promoters annually. -NGB

domain: finance


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Kelly’s first project was turning this front bedroom into a home office. She made a built-in desk from bamboo plywood and new wall shelves of formaldehyde-free Medite medium-density fiberboard. Here, too, she began to experiment with wall finishes; over a coat of light-colored acrylic paint she used a dry brush to apply tinted acrylic glaze. Salvaged French doors open the room to the cozy front patio.
Photos By Barbara Bourne

domain: design


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President Trump's Enemies List
Richard Nixon’s enemies list was a black-tie affair. What a party! The twenty original names included such luminaries as film star Paul Newman, Congress member Ron Dellums, and journalist Daniel Schorr. Some powerfulVIPs almost felt slighted not to make The List.
The Nixon people later added scores of other individuals, as well as groups, but they could conveniently amass only so many names, given how primitive the technology was compared to today.
Of course, there was also the earlier McCarthy era, with its less exclusive blacklists of scads of subversives. But at least Sen. Joseph McCarthy didn’t sit in the Oval Office. Nor could he track ordinary Americans to the extent that law-enforcement and intel agencies can today—if nothing else, by monitoring social media postings on Facebook and elsewhere.
Now flash ahead to the possible presidency of one Donald Trump and consider the need within the bounds of ethics to pull out all stops to prevent him from sullying the White House. We already understand how vindictive and litigation-minded The Donald can be—just look at his dreams of using the presidency to make antitrust trouble for Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post, to name one of many examples. But did you know that Trump has his own indirect McCarthy ties, by way of the late Roy Cohn?
Having served as one of McCarthy’s most vicious aides, Cohn went on to eventually become a thuggish lawyer for Trump, as documented in The Truth about Trump, a well-researched biography by Michael D’Antonio, a veteran journalist who helped Newsday win a Pulitzer.
Cohn tutored Trump in press manipulation and during the Nixon administration did his best to bully a young Justice Department attorney working on an anti-discrimination suit against The Donald.
Might Trump and his allies give us a turbocharged reinvention of McCarthyism, using databases to track his enemies with far more than Stasi- and KGB-level efficiency? And could an outspoken ebook, pbook or blog turn into a genuine threat to your health—maybe even a fatal one, if Trump emulates his hero Putin, under whom so many Russian journalist have died under suspicious circumstances? Keep in mind Trump’s own love of violence, as demonstrated by his incitement of it at his rallies.
The conventional wisdom among establishment Republicans is that the usual suspects would tame Trump rather than the other way around, one excuse that major GOP politicians have used to justify their party’s bizarre nominee for President. I’m not so certain of that. If you read the D’Antonio book, you’ll find a recurring pattern in The Donald’s life—a grotesque swollen ego and a hair-trigger temper mixed with an eagerness to inflict pain on others. “At Kew-Forest,” D’Antonio writes of his subject’s elementary school days, “Donald Trump was a bit of a terror. He once said that he gave a teacher a black eye ‘because I didn’t think he knew anything about music.’ According to Trump, he was then already the person he would always be. ‘I don’t think people change very much,’ Trump would tell me. ‘When I look at myself in the first grade and I look at myself now, I’m basically the same. The temperament is not that different.'”


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Indeed, even in warm summers, if your child needs to go out and play, you can just advise him to play arcade games. Theories are free web based games for your site as well. Only login to the site and look at a detail of arcade games on the web. You will unquestionably find an assortment of arcade games on the web and simple playing as well. On the off chance that your processor is a quick speed one, the game download doesn’t take a lot of time. The download time would be more under a sluggish Processor.
You would likewise find the most famous games and play arcade games now. The PC can be utilized for playing such games in a blistering and moist climate. You will positively very much want to play such games even in chilly climate as well. Partake in some hustling and case addressing and play arcade games now. The free hustling games incorporate games like road contender and grid warrior, and an internet based war tank game. It relies upon your decision and game way what games you like to play on the web. Regardless of whether you own another Nintendo or a play station, you can involve your PC for playing these internet games.
A few sites even take into consideration free 카지노사이트 enrollment for a little while to partake in your free games. The participation can lapse inside a couple of months and you can again take the enrollment by taking and filling a web-based enlistment structure. What advantages could you are escaping these? Assuming you are crippled or handicapped, you can partake in these games while sitting and playing as well. Regardless of whether you feel exhausted after your retirement, you can play arcade games now. Regardless of whether you mess around in an extra energy after your office break or office tiring everyday practice, you can play arcade games.
Certain individuals imagine that games must be delighted in by youngsters and more youthful children. Who says as much? The games are planned by programming trained professionals and any one can appreciate them, any time. Age isn’t a worry for playing internet games. Age might turn into an obstacle while playing some intense and out entryway games like cricket or tennis. The arcade games are accessible in various assortments and decisions on various sites. It’s as indicated by your decision what enrollment you need to take and how lengthy the participation exists

domain: hobby


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Drone Photographers in St Charles, IL
Drone photography has been sweeping the nation, making aerial photos some of the most sought-after shots for all kinds of events. Imagine capturing a moment that’s as stunning as the soaring landscape views in Hollywood films! With drone photography, you get a full view of beautiful venues and creative event locations. You could have the same breathtaking shot of your wedding, grand opening, or corporate event by hiring a drone photographer on GigSalad! Search for Drone Photographers in St Charles, Illinois above.
Please note that these Drone Photographers may also travel to Wayne, Campton Hills, Wasco, Lafox, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Elburn, Lily Lake, Winfield, Warrenville, Plato Center, Eola, Pingree Grove, Fox Valley, Sleepy Hollow, Sugar Grove, West Dundee, Dundee, Kaneville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Medinah, South Barrington, Montgomery, Maple Park, Itasca, Bristol, Burlington, Hampshire, and Barrington Hills.


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Modifier 77 is used to indicate that the same procedure was performed on a patient, but the service was done by a different physician than the first procedure. Use this modifier on the same day or during the global period of the first service.
Use the same CPT® code.
The procedure report should show the medical necessity for the repeat procedure.
If you have questions or comments about this article please contact us. Comments that provide additional related information may be added here by our Editors.
On November 10, 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced the addition of two new codes which will be used for the new COVID-19 vaccines along with 4 new administration codes to be used when reporting the administration of these vaccines.
Each year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes the Star Ratings System Updates for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Prescription (Part D). This rating system was developed to help beneficiaries identify and select the health plans that best meet their needs, specifically addressing main issues:
Quality of ...
It is no secret that Medicare and Medicaid are steadily moving towards their goal of value-based health care. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) identifies and rewards payers, and subsequently their providers, for increasing the efficiency and quality of care they provide to Medicare...
On October 14, 2020, CMS announced further changes to expand telehealth coverage. Eleven (11) new codes have been added to their list of covered services bringing the current total to 144 services. The new services include some neurostimulator analysis and programming services as well as some cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

domain: medical


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Who Is Adam Foster?
Adam Foster was a state trooper in Toledo, Ohio.
Former Ohio state highway patrol trooper Adam Foster is accused of raping a female state trooper. Foster allegedly asked the woman to come over to his house for some paper work, and that is when he attacked her.
Police say Foster taught the woman when she was at the academy.
Foster was fired in September 2016 for conduct unbecoming of an officer.
Another woman says foster did the same thing to her while he worked as a self defense instructor in Columbus, Ohio.


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Adrienne Rich, who died in March, will be remembered chiefly as a poet who was part of the radical movement.
Her writing recorded the personal impact of the struggles of the 1960s, such as those against racism and the war in Vietnam. Rich came out as a lesbian and depicted love between women in her poems from the mid-70s on. In her seventies she continued to be politically active – opposing the war in Iraq – and to publish poetry.
But Rich’s death also made me think back to a long feminist article she wrote in 1980, “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”, which was hugely influential. Its strong argument touched a nerve for many women – yet its political impact was almost completely negative.
It is vital to understand the piece’s context. The movements of the 60s and 70s had seen huge riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King. The revolutionary Black Panthers had patrolled the streets carrying arms in California. Conscripted US soldiers in Vietnam killed dozens of officers rather than obey their orders to fight. But by 1980 this movement was on the wane. Struggles continued, but a watershed had been reached, marked by the election of Ronald Reagan in the US and Margaret Thatcher in Britain. Revolution, it seemed, was no longer on the agenda.
This combination – the radical experiences of the previous decade meeting the wrenching disappointment of the present – is at the heart of “Compulsory Heterosexuality”. The article starts from two positions, both entirely valid. Firstly, women are oppressed, and have been oppressed in many different ways for thousands of years. Second, women are constantly encouraged to form relationships with men, and assumed to desire men. This is the compulsory heterosexuality of the title. Sexuality is not simply a matter of personal preference: it is a part of a system of ideas which encourages appropriately “masculine” and “feminine” behaviour and oppresses same-sex desire.
Rich’s account of women’s oppression is wide-ranging, referring to class and race, and in some ways resembles a mirror-image of Engels’s attempts to explain how women were first oppressed. But it also reflects the bitter disappointments of the 1980s. Rich lists many examples of women’s oppression, including rape, prostitution, foot-binding, arranged marriage and the burning of witches. Each example is valid in itself, but the overall effect is to suggest that women’s oppression is age-old and inescapable. And, while Rich mentions workplace issues and equal pay, the list is dominated by examples of oppression from women’s personal lives.
This stress on personal experience fits an understanding of women’s oppression as the result of “male power”. Rich’s account implicitly denies that working-class men have, like working class women, few opportunities to shape the values which dominate society. Rather she claimed that all men, because of their inner psychological inadequacy, depend emotionally on women and seek to oppress them.
Women should therefore withdraw from men, practically and emotionally. Women should concentrate on developing practical, political and emotional links of solidarity between themselves. To all these supportive connections between women – not just overtly sexual ones – Rich applies the term “lesbian”. The political strategy of undermining women’s oppression through personal and political withdrawal from men is lesbian feminism.
Thousands of women – like Rich herself – had made a journey from marriage to life as a lesbian. Lesbian feminism was a utopian vision – a society could be transformed in the same way.
Yet it was hugely divisive. Political work involving men and women – such as campaigning together against Tory cuts – was to be rejected. Gay men were no better – too fond, Rich explained, of impersonal sex. Bisexual women were literally sleeping with the enemy.
Lesbian feminism even divided lesbians. Bitter conflicts broke out between committed feminists who had rejected men as a political strategy, and women who simply desired sex with other women, some of whom were into leather or sadomasochism.
Related currents within 1980s feminism had a similar negative impact. The camp against American missiles at Greenham air force base, for example, was a women-only protest, because women were peaceful while men were violent. Gender stereotypes were thus reinforced by feminists. US feminists like Andrea Dworkin sided with the Christian right to ban pornography.
Lesbian feminism had faded away by the year 2000. The trauma of Aids brought lesbians and gay men together, and a renewed level of struggle undermined separatism – for the last ten years there has been a strong desire in the movement for unity. But it’s important to be clear about our ideas to avoid similar disasters in future. As Rich argued, sexism and homophobia are structured into society.
But that means they are not created by individual men or straight people. Women and men, LGBT and straight, can and must unite to fight oppression, while separatist strategies have shown themselves to be a dead end. Rich’s article, so influential 30 years ago, is by now a historical curiosity. Her poetry, let’s hope, will be remembered for much longer.
In November of last year, there was a brief moment of light amid the darkness that was 2020. Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all. Just as the weekend and the eight-hour-day are now regarded by many as a given, future generations may be in disbelief that...
On 4 November last year, when many of us were watching the aftermath of the American presidential election, the US formally left the Paris Climate Agreement. Written in 2015 at the United Nations’ COP21 climate conference in Paris, the agreement is often considered to be the most significant document of international climate cooperation. Back then,...
To say 2020 was dramatic would be an understatement. The world situation has been completely transformed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the inadequacy of governmental and state responses. As we head into 2021 it feels like we are entering uncharted territory. To make specific predictions would be unwise. But the Covid-19 crisis raises fundamental questions...

domain: sociology


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Generic Name: salsalate (SAL-sa-late)
Brand Name: Disalcid
Salflex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal heart and blood vessel problems (eg, a heart attack, stroke). The risk may be greater if you already have heart problems or if you take Salflex for a long time. Do not use Salflex right before or after bypass heart surgery.
Salflex may cause an increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal stomach ulcers and bleeding. Elderly patients may be at greater risk. This may occur without warning signs.
Salflex is used for:
Treating pain and inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Salflex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking several different chemical processes within the body that cause pain and inflammation.
Do NOT use Salflex if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Salflex
- you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or another NSAID (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib)
- you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery
- you have severe kidney problems
- you are more than 24 weeks pregnant.
- you are taking another salicylate medicine (eg, aspirin)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Salflex:
Some medical conditions may interact with Salflex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney or liver problems, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)
- if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation
- if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders (eg, porphyria), bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease (eg, in the brain or heart), or if you are at risk of any of these diseases
- if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, or if you smoke, drink alcohol, or have a history of alcohol abuse
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Salflex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (eg, enalapril) or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Salflex and the risk of kidney problems may be increased
- Other salicylate medicines (eg, aspirin) because they may increase the risk of Salflex's side effects
- Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), lithium, methotrexate, other NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), penicillin, phenytoin, sulfinpyrazone, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) the risk of their side effects may be increased by Salflex
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Salflex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Salflex:
Use Salflex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Salflex by mouth. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.
- Take Salflex with a full glass of water (8 oz [240 mL]) as directed by your doctor.
- If you miss a dose of Salflex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Salflex.
Important safety information:
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Salflex before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with Salflex. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Salflex with food will NOT reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
- Salflex is an NSAID. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen) in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not take aspirin while you are taking Salflex unless your doctor tells you to.
- Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have happened with Salflex. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Do not give to children and teenagers who have or are getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections due to the chance of Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome causes very bad problems to the brain and liver.
- You may need to have your blood pressure checked often. Talk with your doctor.
- Salflex may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Salflex.
- Lab tests may be performed if you use Salflex for a long time. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Salflex with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially stomach or bowel bleeding and kidney problems.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Salflex may cause harm to the fetus. Do not take it if you are more than 24 weeks pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Salflex while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Salflex, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Salflex:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); black, bloody, or tarry stools; blood in the urine; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; fainting; hearing loss; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, flu-like symptoms, pale stools, persistent loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.Proper storage of Salflex:
Store Salflex at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Salflex out of the reach of children and away from pets.
- If you have any questions about Salflex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Salflex is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Salflex or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Salflex. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Salflex. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Salflex.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.


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LEED Gold Certified
The Bluffs | Jupiter, FL
Bandon Blue Designs in conjunction with Kevin P. Carter Construction, has completed a Gold certified LEED for Homes redesign of a single family home in the Ridge Community of The Bluffs in Jupiter, FL.
The total square footage is 2,528 sf, with 1,889 square feet under air with a view of the preserve behind.
Year Built: 1985
Year Redesigned: 2013
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED certification provides third-party assurance to owners and/or residents that their home complies with rigorous technical requirements for energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, non-toxic materials, and environmental performance. Homes that are certified through LEED compete a technically rigorous verification process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections. Developed and administered by USGBC, LEED for Homes awards points to projects in seven categories of environmental performance: Locations & Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy & Atmosphere, Homeowner Awareness, and Innovation and Design. To date more than 14,000 homes have been LEED-certified and over 35,000 have been registered and are under development. For more information, visit www.thegreenhomeguide.org.
The residents of this home moved to Florida after living in Arizona for eight years. They were familiar with both LEED and USGBC, so this was a natural progression from their last small scale ReGreen remodel. Both homeowners live and work at home so they wanted a healthy atmosphere that would translate into a healthy lifestyle. They understood that the benefits of LEED include everything from lowering their carbon footprint, in terms of electricity and water usage as well as waste creation, to knowing what they are and are not breathing in through their indoor air quality. For the couple, the best part of the process lies in the reduction of their carbon footprint and having the knowledge that their home is now free of toxins and other potentially harmful materials.
This project qualifies for the LEED for Homes Gold Certification based on the following criteria:
- Innovation and Design Process
- Location and Linkages
- Sustainable Sites
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Awareness and Education
Innovation and Design Process
By using an integrated team approach, the project team consisted of the LEED provider, General Contractor, Interior Designer, Energy Evaluator and Homeowner. All team members were involved in an initial Design Charette to establish feasibility of the project and set project goals. The team also competed the Durability checklist which helps guide and insure the sustainability of the site and building. Strategies were developed to address durability issues like pest control, standing water on the site and renovation procedures within a LEED project. The project also qualified for a Innovative Design Credit, HO-05, with homeowner direct involvement in all phases.
Location and Linkages
The project site was carefully selected by the homeowners for being built above the 100 year floodplain, proximity to the beach and its outstanding community resources. The site is conveniently located within one half mile walking distance to over 14 community services including grocery, open space, retail shops, public schools and other conveniences. Residents are more likely to live near their workplace and shopping thus reducing or eliminating the need for a car and the expenses associated with it. In addition, since the homeowners both work from home, their costs related to transit shall be significantly lowered and the number and length of daily trips shortened.
The project is fairly dense at 7 units per acre in an effort to conserve land and promote community livability. This was another attractive selling point for the homeowners for this site. Any invasive plants were removed from the existing landscape and any issues with standing water were eradicated. Erosion control measures were employed during renovation to protect site disruption. Drought tolerant landscaping was used to limit the need for irrigation. Being in a moderately high pest environment, pest control was also a priority. Diatomaceous earth barrier was employed at openings and cracks, joints and leaks were sealed with non voc/ non toxic caulking.
Indoor water use in this project was also a high priority once again trying to reduce the amount of potable water usage. The project was able to achieve points in water efficiency by installing very high efficiency fixtures and fittings. The average flow rate of lavatory faucets is <= 1.50gpm and the average flow rate for all toilets is <= 1.10gpf. In additional all fixtures meet EPA WaterSense specifications as well. The community the project is located employs a recycled irrigation system that uses from retention ponds that conserves water used for irrigation.
Energy and Atmosphere
Energy and how it is used was also a priority for the project team. The initial goal was to achieve a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating of 70 or better. Like golf the lower the score the better. Since this was a renovation and not new construction, there were limits of what could be achieved in some areas. All exterior windows and doors were replaced with low e tinted and impact rated glass units. Insulation was upgraded and HVAC ducts were changed from flexible to rigid with extra insulation. The HVAC system was also changed out to include an extra dehumidification program and non-HCFC refrigerants were used in the system as well. The system is also programmable and has MERV 13 filters for the air handler.
Materials and Resources
An important part of building and designing any LEED project is the materials and resources chosen and how the waste is diverted to complete the project. This project was able to divert nearly 95 percent of the demolition construction waste and over 93 percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills. All interior doors were manufactured within 500 miles of the site which means less carbon footprint in delivery and transportation. Trim moldings were FSC certified wood and cabinetry, flooring and countertops were produced with recycled content which are environmentally preferred products. Windows and doors were also locally produced.
Indoor Environmental Quality
People in America spend, on average, 90 percent of their time indoors in unhealthy environments that are full of pollutants. Many Americans are just starting to understand the connection between their living environment and their health. A much better indoor air quality was very important in this project because of several medical conditions and life style choices of the homeowners. The central HVAC system equipped with additional dehumidification mode and intermittent ventilation. It also has MERV 13 air filters in the air handler. Occupancy sensors are included in bathroom ventilation and all ventilation goes directly outside. Shoe removal areas and storage spaces were designed near primary entryways to reduce particulates being introduced into the home. A central vacuum system with exhaust to outdoors was installed as well to help improve indoor air quality.
Awareness and Education
As part of this project, we were able to hold a USGBC Chapter meeting/presentation during the construction phase that was beneficial to attendees. The project team has also provided the homeowners with an operations manual and instructional operational walk thru of the completed project. Once the certification is complete the project will also be open for an additional chapter meeting and presentation as well as be featured in the local newspaper.
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, interior designers, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since USGBC's founding in 1993, the council has grown to more than 14,500 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED green building systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.com) and a network of 77 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. For more information visit www.usgbc.org.