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Ventura to Host Stage 2 Start of Amgen Cycling Tour of California for First Time
10/31/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / bike trips, cycling trips, special interest travel, sports travel	/ Amgen cycling tour, Amgen Tour of California, California cycling tour, Ventura
Ventura, Calif. — The City of Ventura is proud to be the host city for the Stage Two Start of the 13th annual Amgen Tour of California on May 14, 2018. The premier cycling race will take place May 13-19, 2018, during which the world's best cyclists will compete for 600+ miles along roadways, highways, and coastlines making up the seven-stage race from Long Beach to Sacramento.
"Nestled along the Pacific Ocean with marvelous rolling hills as its backdrop, Ventura is an outdoor enthusiast's dream and offers the most stunning landscape for the 2018 Amgen Tour of California. We are excited to host the tour and share our favorite sights in this beautiful city we call home," said City of Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko.
The annual professional cycling events (men's and women's races) carry the distinction of being the only U.S. races on the UCI WorldTour calendar and attract some of the most renowned cyclists and teams in the world. With seven new courses between them, this is the 11th consecutive year the event has featured an international platform for both men's and women's racing.
The Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau (VVCB) first set its sights on increased engagement with the Amgen Tour of California in 2016 when it organized a memorable community event to welcome and cheer on race participants as they passed through Ventura.
"Visit Ventura only had 20 seconds to make an impact in 2016 and with the help of hundreds of students who lined up to spell the largest rendition of Ventura's brandmark ever made, we made it count. To hear that Amgen Tour of California took notice of our small beach town and felt charmed by the way our community embraced the event is a compliment we celebrate and uphold as a challenge to plan something even more special for 2018," said VVCB President & CEO Marlyss Auster. (Video of the event in 2016 for which VVCB has since won a Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International award is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWMdkEHrVNY.)
Though the Amgen Tour of California has passed through Ventura in the past, this is the first time the City of Ventura will host a Stage Start. Details on the route have not been revealed but Stage Two, also known as the Queen Stage from Ventura to the summit of Gibraltar Road in Santa Barbara County, is considered a highlight of the men's race. This challenging mountain stage with an uphill finish at 6,500 feet elevation takes place on day two of the seven-day race.
"The Amgen Tour of California has always shone a spotlight on some of the state's most picturesque and enjoyable destinations. We're thrilled to bring one of the world's most prestigious cycling races to Ventura for the first time – we remember the warm welcome from the community when the race passed through in 2016. We look forward to partnering with a city as progressive and cycling friendly as the City of Ventura and to creating a memorable experience for the teams and fans," said Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and executive vice president of AEG Sports.
Ventura's host city information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/host-cities/ventura and a highlight video of all host cities is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxfHJyTpjkY with a downloadable HD broadcast press version available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/media-resources.
More information about the Amgen Tour of California and the full 2018 race schedule is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. More information about Stage Two, Ventura's commitments, the Local Organizing Committee, and how to get involved will be made available at a later date.
L'Étape du Tour Gives Amateurs a Chance to Ride a Stage of the Tour de France
10/31/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / bike trips, cycling trips, special interest travel, sports travel	/ biketrips, biking, cycling, cycling trips, L'Etape du Tour, Sports Tours International, Tour de France
Sports Tours International is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L'Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
MANCHESTER, UK– Sports Tours International, the UK-based provider of vacations built around nail-biting, world-class cycling and running competitions, is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L'Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.
L'Étape du Tour 2018 is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Annecy, France. The finish is at Le Grand-Bornand, a resort in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This finish was used in the 2009 Tour de France on Stage 17 when Alberto Contador famously went against team orders and left Lance Armstrong on both the Col du Romme and the Col de la Colombière.
Riders experience highs and lows while traversing a distance of 169km and climbing to heights of up to 4,000km, just like the pros when the 2018 Tour de France begins on July 7 and runs through July 29. For example, the Col de la Colombière will be the final climb for Stage 10 (Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, 159km) on July 17.
Riders and their guests will enjoy a festival of cycling over the weekend in Annecy. Lake Annecy is a focal point of Annecy, an alpine town known for canals and cobbled streets. Annecy is well known for the heritage of its buildings and natural landscape. It is situated beside one of the purest lakes in Europe, at the foot of the Alpine massifs of the Aravis and the Bauges, but close to Switzerland and Italy.
Sports Tours International's L'Étape du Tour 2018 four-day/three-night tour package includes guaranteed entry when booked through Sports Tours International. With direct-to-the-public entries nearly sold out, Sports Tours will become one of only a handful of operators who can guarantee entry to the event. Also included in the package are accommodations at a range of hotels, roundtrip airport transfers from Geneva, overland bike transfer, bike rental and storage, complimentary coach accommodations for traveling companions to witness the excitement, three breakfasts, and, depending on the hotel, three dinners, staff support along the race course and more. Per person, double occupancy rates begin at £519 and go up to £699 for four-star accommodations. Self-drive packages are also available. While guaranteed, an additional cost is the actual entry fee to L'Étape du Tour 2018.
For non-riders, a free coach from Annecy to the finish in Le Grand Bornand is offered with return to Annecy later in the day.
For more information see https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/etape-du-tour/.
Sports Tours International (https://www.sportstoursinternational.com) suggests booking Tour de France event-viewing packages early to guarantee being in the heart of the action. For more information on available packages and to book visit: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/event-categories/tour-de-france/.
For more information on competitions worldwide visit online: www.sportstoursinternational.com, email: sales@sportstoursinternational.co.uk, or call: (+44) 161 703 8161.
Sports Tours International is one of Europe's leading specialists in sports travel. Since the company's launch in 1973, it has hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. With the tagline, Fanatical about Sport, the company's initial roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company has embraced international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality. Clients often can participate in events with the pros and are encouraged to "unleash your inner hero" or when it's not possible to compete, there's the ability to be active spectators along the routes and "watch your heroes."
Follow Sports Tours International on Social Media
Twitter: @sportstoursint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sportstoursinternational/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sportstoursint
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SPORTS_TOURS_INTERNATIONAL/
Ride & Seek Offers New 1,550 Km Bike Tour Across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily
10/31/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / bike trips, cycling trips, international travel	/ bike trips, BikeTours, biking, biking Corsica, biking Sardinia, biking Sicily, cycling, cycling tours, Ride and Seek
SRide & Seek is offering a new cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily.
(Sydney, Australia) — Ride & Seek is offering a new cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. Split into three weeklong stages, the "3 Islands Tour" is a journey through the history, food, architecture, and traditions of these Mediterranean jewels. Guests ride from north to south, beginning in Corsica, home of Napoleon. Its mountainous north contrasts beautifully with the idyllic beaches and fishing villages. Next, riders head to Sardinia, an island of towering cliffs, beach coves, and history. The final stage is spent biking Sicily where rolling farmland, volcanoes, and a stunning coastline is sprinkled with classical sites in exceptional settings. The 21-day, 1,550 km tour is slated for April 28-May 19, 2018 and starts at $10,440 USD. Weeklong stages start at $3,820 USD.
"The exceptional diversity of these islands is represented through the numerous civilizations and cultures that have left their mark, amazing gastronomic variations, strikingly rugged interior landscapes, stunning coastlines of white beaches and emerald waters, and locals with an incredibly strong sense of place," said Ride & Seek President Dylan Reynolds.
The average daily riding distance will be around 80km, and extra loop rides will be available for those wanting more hills and ride time. Meals are a centerpiece of the "3 Island Tour," with an emphasis on local cuisine and wine. Lodging consists of 3 and 4 star boutique hotels.
Other Highlights:
· Ride through UNESCO listed Calanques de Piana.
· Cycle down Corsica's Costa Verde – one the most stunning coastal roads in the world.
· Visit Tharros – a sacred site for the Phoenicians in Sardinia.
· Explore UNESCO listed Valle di Templi in Agrigento.
· Discover the city of Syracuse – home to Archimedes and a rich Greek heritage.
For more information, visit http://www.rideandseek.com/epic/3islands.
Day of the Dead in Lithuania: Where Pagan and Christian Traditions Meet in Enchanting Cemetery Settings
10/25/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / European travel, fall festivals, festivals & events, heritage travel, Historic Places, Historic Preservation, international travel	/ Day of the Dead, heritage travel, historic cemeteries, LIthuania, Lithuanian cemeteries
During Vėlinės in Lithuania, ancient cemeteries are afloat with flowers and sinking in the sea of candles. People come to remember dead heroes and prominent poets of the nation, but they also don't forget the unknown graves of dead people whose relatives might not be around anymore to light a candle.
Looking for a unique experience this Halloween? Head to Lithuania, where Day of the Dead is celebrated by the whole nation, and the country offers unique glimpses into the world of crypts, crosses and ancient cemeteries.
Take one of the special tours – visit old cemeteries of Vilnius, adrift in flowers and candles; take a tour of the underground crypts of Vilnius Cathedral; head to the old pagan Lithuanian capital, Kernave, and see pilkapiai – ancient cemeteries with no crosses; take excursions to the seaside and southern Lithuania, visit national parks and local cemeteries with UNESCO-recognized cross-making traditions; head to the extraordinary Hill of Crosses – a site of pilgrimage in northern Lithuania with over 200,000 of crosses of all shapes and sizes. The first crosses were put on the hill by the relatives of the dead rebels of 1831 revolt against the Russian tsar.
On the first day of November, Lithuanian offices, shops and schools close, roads become packed with cars, families reunite, and everyone heads to one special place – the cemetery.
Lithuanian cemeteries are already different from what you'd find in other countries – they rather resemble a botanical park, sinking in the sea of trees, adorned with flowers and beautiful tombstones. On November 1st, Lithuanians celebrate Vėlinės (vėlė means "soul" and ilgėtis means "to long") – the Day of the Dead, which is not as joyful an occasion as El Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico, but rather the day of remembrance and reunion that bears deep traditions. Cemeteries become the place of family gatherings, where young and old arrange flowers and light candles. When the sun sets, the cemeteries become enchanting, alive and mysterious from the sea of flickering candlelights and the aroma of thousands of fresh flowers.
When golden trees and low-hanging sun create special autumn atmosphere, it's a perfect time to visit Lithuania and to get enchanted by the scenery and traditions, to explore some off-the-beaten track activities, and to see some old Lithuanian customs put into action.
According to the old Lithuanian tradition, this is the time to remember the ancestors and to re-think one's place in the world. When Lithuania finally accepted Christianity (last country to be "baptized" in Europe), pagan and Christian traditions blended into one over time, giving special significance and depth to the Lithuanian Day of the Dead.
The Old Cemeteries of Vilnius
The Old Vilnius Cemeteries belong in the list of European historical cemetery heritage.
There are three main cemeteries in Vilnius city center: the first one, Rasų Cemetery, was founded in 1796, and is the eternal home to famous Lithuanian poets, artists and politicians, such as the activist and folklorist Jonas Basanavicius, and composer and painter M.K. Ciurlionis. This was the first cemetery that was founded outside of the city, on a hill surrounded by old oak trees. The name of the place – Rasos – suggests this used to be an ancient pagan ceremony site.
The Bernardine Cemetery was established in 1810 by the Bernardine monks of the the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. As most cemeteries in the city center, it was closed by the Soviets and remained mostly unchanged from that time, with burials allowed only in existing family graves.
Antakalnis Cemetery is commonly referred to as the Military Cemetery. 12 of the 14 Soviet Union protest victims from 1991 TV tower attack are buried here, as well as the victims of Soviet Medininkai Massacre. Among other perished soldiers there are graves of Polish soldiers from 1919-20, Lithuanian, German and Russian soldiers who have fallen in World War I and thousands of French soldiers of Napoleon's Army, whose remains were found in Vilnius and reburied in Antakalnis in 2001.
During Vėlinės, these old cemeteries are afloat with flowers and sinking in the sea of candles – people come to remember the dead heroes or prominent poets of the nation, but they also don't forget the unknown graves of dead people whose relatives might not be around anymore to light a candle.
Lithuanian Cross-Making and the Hill of Crosses
If you feel like venturing outside of Vilnius, Southern Lithuanian region of Dzukija and Lithuanian seaside will offer a special glimpse into the culture of Lithuanian cemeteries, with their distinctive crosses and breathtaking nature that surrounds them.
The Lithuanian art of cross-making was recognized to be unique and added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Since Lithuania was the last country of Europe to abandon paganism and convert to Catholicism in the 14th century, pagan and Catholic elements intertwine in Lithuanian crosses – which were forbidden by Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union.
Lithuania's Hill of Crosses, located in the northern Lithuania, is a unique and enchanting place, with over 200,000 of crosses of every shape and size, and attracting thousands of Catholic pilgrims as well as curious tourists. People started leaving crosses on the hill after the 1831 uprising against the Russian tsar – relatives put crosses to commemorate dead rebels, since they had no bodies to bury. During Soviet occupation, the KGB bulldozed the hill twice – but today, the Hill of Crosses stands tall again as the symbol of resistance and faith.
Pre-Christian Cemeteries
You can also find cemeteries in Lithuania that have no crosses – these are pre-Christian pilkapiai dating from 12-13th century – abandoned in the 14th century – but still reminding everyone of pagan Lithuania. The most prominent site of pilkapiai is in Kernave, whose first residents arrived in the 9th century BC, and which later became an important pagan city.
Similarly, you wouldn't find any crosses in the ethnic Jewish cemeteries, or the cemeteries of Lithuanian Turkic minorities – Tatars and Karaites.
Lithuanian Cemetery Excursions by Vilnius in Love:
Royal Mausoleum. A visit to the crypts of Vilnius Cathedral
Uzupis neighborhood. The Bernardine Cemetery
The old Military Cemetery of Antakalnis
Rasu Cemetery
The pagan capital Kernaveand pilkapiai
The Hill of Crossesin Northern Lithuania
National Park of Dzukija
National Park of Curonian Spit
Jewish Vilnius
Trakai Castleand old Karaites cemetery
Vilnius in Love is a tour guide company that offers customizable and personalized tours across all regions of Lithuania. Hiring guides who are very well versed in local history, they are able to offer trips to unique destinations and rare attractions. Contact VilniusinLove.com to learn more.
The Broadmoor, Amway Grand Plaza Among 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Winners
10/25/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / Best in Travel, Historic Hotels, Historic Preservation, Hotels & Resorts	/ Best 2017 Historic Hotels, best hotels, best hotels and resorts, best in travel, grand hotels, historic hotels, historic hotels and resorts, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, historic resorts
Mohonk Mountain House, the grand resort in New Paltz, New York, was honored with a 2017 Historic Hotels of America Award for Excellence for Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year, the Smiley Family © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
The Broadmoor of Colorado Springs, The Dunhill Hotel of Charlotte, Mayflower Park Hotel of Seattle, West Baden Springs Hotel of Indiana, Amway Grand Plaza of Grand Rapids were among the winners of Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence for 2017 by Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide®. The winners were announced at a special ceremony and gala at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia. Honors were given in multiple categories ranging from Hotelier of the Year and Hotel Historian of the Year to Best Historic Resort, Historic Hotelier of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.
Each year, these Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence honor, encourage, and recognize the most exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and leadership practices. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence are presented to historic hotels and hoteliers demonstrating innovative leadership, stewardship, and contribution to furthering the recognition, preservation, and celebration of these preeminent historic hotels and their histories.
From more than 200 nominees, the following Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide hotels and hoteliers were honored with these prestigious annual awards for 2017:
Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms): The Dunhill Hotel (1929) Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Historic Hotel (76-200 Guestrooms): Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington
Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms): West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden Springs, Indiana
Best Historic Hotel (Over 400 Guestrooms): Amway Grand Plaza (1913) Grand Rapids, Michigan
Best City Center Historic Hotel: Marriott Syracuse Downtown (1924) Syracuse, New York
Best Historic Resort: The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado
Best Historic Restaurant in Conjunction with a Historic Hotel: Penrose Room at The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado
Historic Hotels of America New Member of the Year: The Georges (1789) Lexington, Virginia
Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel: The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
Sustainability Champion: Inn at the Presidio (1903) San Francisco, California
Hotel Historian of the Year: Jim Hewes at The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
Ambassador of the Year (Quarter Century of Service): Woodrow "Woody" Pettus at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) Hot Springs, Virginia
Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Europe: Hotel Waldhaus Sils (1908) Sils Maria, Switzerland
Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Asia/Pacific: Alsisar Haveli (1892) Jaipur, India
Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in the Americas: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1893) Québec City, Canada
Historian of the Year: Chef Walter Staib, author, twelve time Emmy Award winning TV host of A Taste of History©,and chef and proprietor of City Tavern Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stewards of History and Historic Preservation Award: R.D. (Dan) Musser III at Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan
Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year: The Smiley Family at Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
Historic Hotelier of the Year: Philip Wood at The Jefferson, Washington, DC (1923) Washington, DC
Lifetime Achievement Award: Duane and Kelly Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
"The winners of the 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence represent more than 231 years of history and include the finest iconic and legendary historic hotels from across the United States of America and from around the world," said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. "We applaud these magnificent historic hotels and their hoteliers for their dedication, passion, stewardship and success in preserving these treasures and their stories for future generations of travelers."
Award recipients are selected from nominees received from historic hotels, historic preservation supporters, prior award recipients, and leadership from Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. As official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide provide the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage, and historic travel market that member hotels are among the finest historic hotels across America and around the world. The Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence program recognizes the pinnacle of this distinct group of nominees in a range of categories.
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 member historic hotels which have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States, including 46 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world's finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
Historic Hotels Worldwide® is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including historic hotels, castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries. Historic Hotels Worldwide represents the finest global collection of more than 260 historic hotels in more than 36 countries. Historic Hotels Worldwide is dedicated to promoting heritage and cultural travel to prestigious historic treasures. Hotels inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide are authentic historic treasures, demonstrate historic preservation, and celebrate historic significance. Embracing luxury hotel brands, chains, collections, and the finest independent historic hotels, participation is limited to those distinctive historic hotels that adhere to the following criteria: minimum age for the building is 75 years or older; historically relevant as a significant location with a historic district, historically significant landmark, place of a historic event, former home of a famous person, or historic city center; hotel celebrates its history by showcasing memorabilia, artwork, photography, and other examples of its historic significance; recognized by national preservation or heritage buildings organization or located within UNESCO World Heritage Site; presently used as historic hotel. To learn more visit www.HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Adds Cuba Calls for 2018-19 Caribbean Season
10/25/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / cruises, Cuba Travel	/ Cruises to Cuba, Cuba Travel, Regent Seven Seas, Regent Seven Seas calls in Cuba, Regent Seven Seas Cruisees, Regent Seven Seas sails to Cuba
The Nov. 11, 2018 sailing of Seven Seas Navigator, the Regent Seven Seas' most intimate ship with just 245 suites, also will immerse guests in Cuban culture on the 14-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itinerary © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has just announced the addition of Cuba calls to six itineraries in the line's 2018-19 Caribbean season. Travelers can visit Havana on select itineraries aboard Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, which depart Miami from October 2018 through March 2019. Guests on these voyages can choose among a variety of free and unlimited shore excursions to learn firsthand about the lives, history and culture of the Cuban people during their visit. The only North American luxury cruise line approved to visit Cuba, Regent Seven Seas Cruises first called on Havana in April 2017 with Seven Seas Mariner.
"There is so much culture and history in Cuba, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is delighted to expand our itineraries with calls on Havana to provide our guests a more complete Caribbean experience," said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "Three of the six itineraries feature midnight departures from Havana Harbor, so guests have ample time to personally learn about Cuba's authentic nightlife."
Travelers can visit Havana on a 22-night voyage, sailing on Oct. 10, 2018 from Miami to Honolulu aboard Seven Seas Mariner. On this itinerary, guests also will transit the Panama Canal and call at some of the most beautiful, ecological destinations of Central America and the Mexican Riviera along the way.
The Nov. 11, 2018 sailing of Seven Seas Navigator, the line's most intimate ship with just 245 suites, also will immerse guests in Cuban culture on the 14-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itinerary.
For its part, Seven Seas Voyager will sail four round-trip, Caribbean voyages that include calls on Havana from December 2018 through March 2019. The Dec. 6, 2018 voyage takes guests on a 10-night Western Caribbean itinerary, while the Dec. 16, 2018, 12-night voyage throughout the Eastern Caribbean will celebrate Christmas on board. A seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, sailing Feb. 6, 2019, will also take guests to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán, Honduras, while a similar Mar. 5 itinerary replaces Costa Maya with Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Dec. 6, 2018, and Feb. 6 and Mar. 5, 2019 sailings feature midnight departures from Havana to offer time to experience the city's evening culture.
As part of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises' most-inclusive luxury experience, guests have a wide selection of expertly crafted shore excursions, offering an authentic Cuban experience that explores the people, music, art, history and culture of the city and are in compliance with the Office of Foreign Assets Control's (OFAC) regulations. To provide guests with even greater insights into Cuba and its people, guest scholars and expert lecturers will deliver compelling presentations about Cuba's past, present and future.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world's most inclusive luxury experience with a four-ship fleet that visits more than 450 destinations around the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is currently undergoing a $125 million fleetwide refurbishment that will elevate the level of elegance found throughout the fleet to the standard set by Seven Seas Explorer, which entered service on July 20, 2016, and has since been recognized as the most luxurious ship ever built. The cruise line's next industry game-changing ship will launch in 2020.
A leader in luxury cruising, the line's fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip domestic air or business-class air on intercontinental flights from U.S. and Canada, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing excursions in every port, gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact a professional travel agent, visit www.RSSC.com, or call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-473-4368).
Regent Seven Seas Cruises to Donate $750 for Hurricane Relief for Bookings Thru Oct 31
10/04/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / cruises, travel philanthropy	/ Hope Starts Here, Hope Starts Here hurricane relief, hurricane relief, hurricane relief fund, Norwegian Cruise Line HOldings, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
To do its part to help reach Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' goal of raising at least $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is donating $750 per new suite booking made now through October 31, 2017, aboard eight select 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer.
MIAMI, September 28, 2017 – To do its part to help reach its goal of raising at least $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, an inclusive luxury experience, announced that it is donating $750 per new suite booking made now through October 31, 2017, aboard eight select 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer, one of the most luxurious ships ever built. Additionally, travelers making those new bookings will enjoy a savings of $750 per suite.
"We are deeply moved over the devastation that the hurricanes left in their wake, but thankful that many islands were spared the storms' full force," said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "We have been in contact with our friends and business partners who were severely impacted and they have all said the same thing, 'we will rebuild.' Their resilience and strength is truly inspirational and they are already working hard to return their towns to their radiance and charm — now it's up to us to give them the well-deserved help that they need."
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' donation and savings offer will contribute to Hope Starts Here, the hurricane recovery campaign of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which has committed to match up to $1.25 million in donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners. The applicable 2018 Caribbean voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer are:
January 3 11-night Eastern Caribbean
January 20 10-night Western Caribbean
January 30 10-night Eastern Caribbean
February 9 10-night Western Caribbean
February 19 10-night Eastern Caribbean
March 1 10-night Western Caribbean
March 11 10-night Eastern Caribbean
March 21 14-night Bermuda & Transatlantic
For more information about Hope Starts Here or to make an immediate donation that will be matched, visit www.RSSC.com/HopeStartsHere.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the world's most inclusive luxury experiences with a four-ship fleet that visits more than 450 destinations around the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is currently undergoing a $125 million fleetwide refurbishment that will elevate the level of elegance found throughout the fleet to the standard set by Seven Seas Explorer, which entered service on July 20, 2016, and has since been recognized as the most luxurious ship ever built. A leader in luxury cruising, the line's fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip domestic air and business-class air on intercontinental flights from U.S. and Canada, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing excursions in every port, gratuities, ground transfers and a pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in concierge-level suites and higher. For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, or to make a reservation, please contact a professional travel agent, visit www.RSSC.com, or call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-473-4368). For the latest news about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, please visit www.rssc.com/news; like the line's Facebook page; and follow @RegentCruises on Twitter.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Partners with All Hands Volunteers for Hope Starts Here Hurricane Relief
10/04/17 / MoralCompass /	Leave a comment / cruises, travel philanthropy	/ All Hands Volunteers, Caribbean hurricane relief, Happy Hearts Fund, Hope Starts Here, Hope Starts Here hurricane relief, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, hurricane relief, Norwegian Cruise Line, Puerto Rico hurricane relief, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Cruise Company sets goal of raising $2.5 million and commits up to $1.25 million in matching donations to help reconstruct schools and critical infrastructure in the Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway. In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. immediately deployed Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, USVI to bring 35 pallets of much-needed supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors. Additionally, one of the company's newest ships, Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights home due to hurricane closures. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
MIAMI, Florida – September 26, 2017 – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announced a partnership with All Hands Volunteers, the world's leading disaster relief organization powered by volunteers, and set a goal to raise $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program. Under Hope Starts Here, the company is committing to match up to $1.25 million of donations from its valued guests, team members, suppliers and partners in order to substantially help All Hands Volunteers (hands.org), a 501(c)3 non-profit relief organization, and Happy Hearts Fund (happyheartsfund.org) deliver early relief response for the Florida Keys, and rebuild safe, resilient schools in the Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
"We are heartbroken to see the devastation that Hurricanes Irma and Maria have inflicted on the Florida Keys and several Caribbean islands, where our ships have been visiting since the beginning of our 50 years in business," said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "The Caribbean is part of our family, and we are grateful to work with All Hands Volunteers and Happy Hearts Fund to create the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program and do our part in giving back to these destinations. We're proud to start our campaign with a $600,000 donation to help begin the rebuilding efforts."
"We are incredibly grateful for this support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and for our continued partnership with Happy Hearts Fund to provide their support and expertise," said David Campbell, Chairman and Founder of All Hands Volunteers. "As the single largest donation in our organization's history, this funding could not have come at a more crucial time as we work to rebuild communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands after the destruction brought by recent natural disasters, Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All Hands Volunteers will work together with the local communities to meet their long-term needs and rebuild hope."
"We are thrilled to receive this donation from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and to work in partnership with All Hands Volunteers with their hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean islands and the Florida Keys," said Petra Nemcova, Founder of Happy Hearts Fund. "This funding will allow us to together rebuild safe, resilient schools in areas most impacted by recent natural disasters to keep children safe, but also to ensure that these communities are not forgotten when the emergency response efforts are complete. Children often wait four or more years for schools to be rebuilt, and I hope that more companies will take the same thoughtful actions for long-term recovery."
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. immediately deployed Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas, USVI to bring 35 pallets of much-needed supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts to evacuate residents and visitors. Additionally, one of the company's newest ships, Norwegian Escape, also housed approximately 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights home due to hurricane closures. The company is continuing to collect essential items, including medical supplies, diapers, baby formula, water, food, construction materials, blankets, sleeping pods and more, and is working with partners on the ground to support disaster relief efforts. To help hurricane relief and recovery, and to make a donation that will be matched by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., visit http://www.ncl.com/hope-starts-here.


After this watch two front loaders battle it out in the street. Also, be sure to watch this video on the proper way to refill your blinker fluid.
Drink beer in the shower? Then you probably need this koozie.


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Vipera Sapiens è un EP della band heavy metal brasiliana Viper. Fu pubblicato sotto il nome di Viper Brazil.

Tracce

1. Acid Heart - 3:16

2. Silent Enemy - 3:58

3. Crime - 4:06

4. Wasted Again - 3:21

5. Killing World - 3:08

6. The Spreading Soul (acoustic version) - 4:50

Formazione
Pit Passarell - voce e basso
Yves Passarell - chitarra
Felipe Machado - chitarra
Renato Graccia - batteria

Altri musicisti
Sascha Paeth - cori
Thomas Rettke - cori

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


For pre-sales information, a demonstration or for volume order discounts, please contact your authorized CSI:360 dealer for your country below. To learn more about becoming a CSI:360 dealer / distributor, please contact us.
It's an amazing product. From before & after shots of commercial buildings hit by damage, VPiX CSI:360 is the only product we use and highly recommend.


With all due respect to every department store around the world and every Sephora outlet there is, the fact is that Beauty.com has amazing gifts with purchases. Where are you going to get a gorgeous designer collaboration bag with some 15 deluxe samples? Sephora Dubai has a very generous card programme, as you can see here and here, but you need to watch out for the offers to turn up, and only Black Card (equivalent to Sephora USA's VIB) or Gold Card (VIB Rouge) owners are eligible for the best gifts. On the other hand, anyone buying from Beauty.com can avail of the generous GWPs they have.
These are not random vinyl pouches with a dozen sachets. I am talking about designer bags exclusively made for Beauty.com, by Richard Chai, Cynthia Rowley, Lela Rose, EDUN, Tess Giberson and others. Today's post features the Miss Baby backpack, which has a print from Adam Selman's Fall 2014 collection. Adam Selman, for the uninitiated, is Rihanna's costume designer.
Check out the Adam Selman Miss Baby Backpack and the deluxe beauty treats inside, further below.
Check out the pattern on the backpack, which itself is a decent size. This is a great travel makeup bag, or a gift for the toddler starting kindergarten.
The total value of this bag is $130 and I got it free on purchase of products worth $100. The haul post is for another day! Some big-name brands in this bag - I am already loving the BareMinerals 5-in-1 BB cream eyeshadow, the Oscar Blandi Thickening Mousse and the Caudalie Micellar Water, which I have used before. And, I used up the 10% off coupon on another haul, thereby getting myself another gorgeous GWP which I will show off next week.
The good news is, if you run quickly enough, you can get yourself an EDUN Wool Felted Pouch with some great samples here from Beauty.com, free with purchases of above $150. The pouch is made in Kenya, with the same felt that featured in EDUN's diamond runway. Samples in the bag include Jurlique, Peter Thomas Roth, Jane Iredale, Origins, a full-sized Nails Inc. polish and more! You cannot tell how long these offers are valid for, and they run out of stock soon, so do run!
If you want to buy from Beauty.com but don't really know what to add to your cart, I highly recommend the Miracle Skin Transformer, the Tanda Zap (for acne-prone skin), and all products from NUXE. All this and more were part of my recent haul - stay tuned for the haul post! Have a great weekend, everyone!


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Preseason in Photos: Chicago Bears Prepare for 2018 Season
Published at 5:26 pm on August 25, 2018
The Chicago Bears are preparing for the 2018 regular season, and we're following along as they get ready for their Week 1 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
Javon Wims #83 of the Chicago Bears looks on while warming up prior to the Hall of Fame Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the Hall of Fame Game against the Baltimore Ravens at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Chase Daniel #4 of the Chicago Bears gets sacked by Kamalei Correa #51 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 02: Kamalei Correa #51 and Chris Board #49 of the Baltimore Ravens are called for an illegal hit while tackling Tanner Gentry #19 of the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 09: Chicago Bears players lock arms during the National Anthem before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 09: Alex Erickson #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a move while returning a punt in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Paul Brown Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears points to the bench area to celebrate after throwing a second quarter touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Running back Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Chicago Bears scores a fourth quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Chase Daniel #4 and offensive guard Will Pericak #73 of the Chicago Bears jump on to tight end Ben Braunecker #84 to celebrate what would be the game-winning touchdown against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears (L) talks with head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs before a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Chicago Bears is stopped by Breeland Speaks #57 and Mike Purcell #93 of the Kansas City Chiefsn(R) during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Photos: Chicago Women's March 2020
Photos: See Inside the New Cruise Ships Heading for Great Lakes, Antarctica
Olas y potentes vientos destrozan tramos del sendero frente al lago

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


First, can I get a little applause for my success in getting a building permit for our renovation? I was so nervous, but it was really no big deal and it only took about 20 minutes of palm wringing and nervous leg shaking (as I wondered if they'd kick me out of the office because I'm not a "professional" contractor.) Plus, I was also able to interview the director of Building and Planning of Wake County and asked him a ton of questions about permits. I'll be sharing his answers to my inquiries soon.
First I built a hutch from an old table top. And I gave this ReStore desk a Frankenstein style revamp with free table legs (thanks to my good friend Holly of Storywood Designs) and a free kitchen table! Check that little green sticker there…$35 bucks baby! The drawers are in excellent condition and have ball bearing slides. Good bones I tell you, good bones.
Can you believe that's the same desk? This is going to be our family command center where I can keep track of all the school papers and forms that need signing. I think a family calendar might look swell on the wall under the hutch — Don't you think? The electrician will be wiring a sconce into the lower center cubby so I can flip it on for extra light.
I also framed out the window seat and moved a floor vent to the front of the seat. The electrician has to wire an outlet into the front of the seat to meet code requirements (that there be at least one wall outlet within 12′ of wall space.) No big deal, I just don't want to fail our inspection. Before you ask, yes, a tutorial for building a window seat will be forthcoming.
Our good friend Bob came over with his BIG drill and a hole saw to show me how to move the plumbing vent stack back into the wall. You gotta love having good friends with good tools!
Pretty Handy Boy #2 has been keeping busy working on his own projects. This is supposed to be a house for his stuffed animals, but right now I think it is just a condo. Hopefully he won't need a building permit when it comes time to add on to that dwelling.
The wall where the fridge and new cabinets will go got a few new holes today.
Sheetrock and insulation also came down on the opposite walls so the electrician could work more efficiently. The sheetrock was damaged anyway and was slated to be replaced, so this wasn't too big a deal.
That would be two walls studs that doubled as an "All You Can Eat" buffet for a family of termites. Luckily the damage was limited to the two studs and base of the wall. We should be able to replace the toothpick lumber tomorrow.
On Facebook and Instagram I asked which cabinet color scheme you liked better. It was a 50/50 split, but you helped me decide that white upper cabinets would really make my heart thump louder.


For those of us who work with graphics, knowing the sizes of images and elements is critically important. It is quite easy to find out what the resolution of an image is. However, picture this scenario. You may want to find out the size, in pixels, of a particular section of an image. On the other hand, you may be doing something along the lines of designing a graphic that needs to fit in a certain space on a website or blog. In this situation, knowing the measurements of this space would be crucial. This is where pixel ruler applications come in.
Note: As the name suggests, this type of program allows for the measurement of a user specified area on your computer's screen. The readout is given in pixels.
Pixel Ruler 3 is a no-frills application which allows users to quickly measure images/elements. The user interface consists solely of the ruler.
The ruler is laid out horizontally by default but it can easily be switched to a vertical position with the quick push of the rotate button which is highlighted below.
With this, you can measure both length and width. This tool would have been quite useless without this functionality, to be honest.
In order to make a measurement, place the ruler in your desired position, making sure that it's origin lines up with the origin of the desired portion of the element you are trying to measure. Then, hover your cursor over your desired ending point and note the reading that is given in white on the surface of the ruler. This is the measurement in pixels.
Finally, the color of the ruler is blue by default but it can be changed to orange or green. This could be convenient depending on the color of the environment you are using the ruler in.
Using this program is a breeze and it will let you quickly average the length and width of a given area.
PicPick is quite a versatile tool and is made up of many components, including a screenshot capture module. However, for the purposes of this article, we will focus solely on the pixel ruler.
On selecting PicPick's ruler, you will notice that PicPick's pixel ruler is transparent. This is awesome since it facilitates faster and more accurate measurements. With this, you can see exactly where you need to measure.
It seems that a transparent ruler is best both in the physical and virtual world.
After, placing the ruler in the desired area with the aid of the transparency, you can easily place the ruler's starting point at pretty much the exact beginning of the image/element you are attempting to measure.
The ruler gives a read out in red text of the value the distance of the cursor from the starting point. Hover over your desired end point and note the reading.
The reading is also displayed in the secondary window which accompanies the pixel ruler. The true beauty of the secondary window, however, is that it magnifies the area that your cursor is over and also displays crosshairs. This provides yet another bonus in terms of accuracy as it allows for accurate selection of end points and even accurate selection of beginning points.
In order to make the most accurate measurements, you should make use of the secondary window. When selecting your beginning point, you should avoid trying to place the ruler exactly at the beginning of the element you are trying to measure without the use of the secondary window and it's magnified image and crosshairs.
Instead, place the ruler in a position where the origin of the ruler is behind your desired starting point and then use the crosshairs in the secondary window. Do the same for your end point. For example, in the screenshot below, I wanted to measure from the 'G' in Google. The magnified image and crosshairs of the secondary window made this quite easy.
Make note of the value you got for the starting point as well as the end point then subtract the value for the starting point from the value for the end point and you will have your desired measurement.
You can also decrease or increase the size of the ruler depending on how big the element you're trying to measure is. This ensures that the ruler isn't more cumbersome than it has to be. Of course, you can also change the orientation of the ruler in order to take vertical measurements.
PicPick is quite the versatile tool. I guess that is to be expected for a tool that is found within a program which is quite versatile to begin with. What needs to be stressed, however, is not only the versatility of this particular pixel ruler tool but also its high quality. It works and it works well, to put it simply.
PixelRuler 3 is quick and easy while PicPick's pixel ruler allows for quite accurate measurements. I suppose that depending on what you're trying to achieve, either one could work for you. On the other hand, you could also just use PicPick for everything and ignore the crosshairs when you're just trying to get a quick idea of a measurement. This is what tips me in the direction of PicPick's tool.
However, both are effective, so you should give them a try and see which one works best for you.


It doesn't matter which IIT stream you take. Once you in IIT your future is bright. This is the common saying among the people in India.
But the truth is quite surprising. The top rankers of JEE-Advance are changing their prior streams according to the Institute. This Sound funny, but it is true. While the top rankers looking to opt for the institute like IIT-B, IIT-D.
have not even managed to get the decent amount of student.
When 2015 JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) result came out. The admission process started within a week. Surprisingly again the top 60 of the IITians chooses IIT-Bombay over any other IIT's in India.
Another interesting fact is, these top rankers is choosing the field of Computer Science and Engineering(CSE) and Electrical Engineering (EE). This two field are the top priority among the IITians, but most of them choose to settle at IIT-B.
The top 28 rankers of IIT-Madras zone also opted for IIT-B upon IIT-Madras. While only 3 among them result to settle at IIT-Madras.
This is not the first time students opting for IIT-B. You will be surprised to see the stats of previous 4 years of college preference.
This year cut-off for the top fields like Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) for IIT-Bombay were 1-59. And most of them chosen for it. While for IIT-Delhi cut-off started from 31 and closed for 102.
The rank for this streams at IIT-Kanpur started at 26, and for IIT-Madras 61. Besides, Electrical Engineering (EE) rank for IIT-Bombay started at 9 and closed at 240.
This clearly states the top choice of Institutes by the top ranker of JEE-Advance is Mumbai and Delhi.
What is the reason behind choosing IIT-Bombay?
One may think of why the top young scholar of the country chooses IIT-B & IIT-D over the old Institute.
We cannot say these Institutes doesn't provide the best academics and campus life. Neither these institutes failed to give the best placement around the World. Then what is the reason that such old institutes are failing to attract the best students?
The reason is not inside the campus, the actual reason is outside it. Both top 2 Institutes are based in the top metropolitan city i.e. Mumbai and Delhi.
Talking about IIT-Bombay, the area resides in the posh area of Powai. Student experience best of city life. Mumbai has also been a best cosmopolitan city of India. This attracts best of the companies around the World.
Also, the tech-fest conducted at IIT-Bombay is famous and attracts the majority of people around. This gives a great boost for the students to come with better ideas. The same goes with the IIT-Delhi.


Thursday nights at the indoor beach is a great way to socialize and be active! With the music pumping, and the facility full of awesome beach volleyball people, it is arguably the best way to spend your Thursday night. All skill levels are welcome. Come on your own or with friends, ladies are free!


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Tag: Ryan O'Connor
Ryan O'Connor named COO of Ixonia Bank
Ixonia Bank announced that Ryan O'Connor has been named its new senior vice president and chief operations officer. O'Connor has 23 years of banking industry experience. Previously, he was senior vice president and director of operations for Franklin Synergy Bank, based in Franklin, Tennessee. He will serve as a member of the bank's executive leadership team and will be directly responsible for the management of deposit and loan operations, customer solutions and information technology. O'Connor also will be a participant in the development and execution of the bank's operational and strategic initiatives, the bank said. Read the March 8 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee here:


At Southern Boone High School our mission is excellence in learning for all.
Southern Boone High School serves students in grades 9 to 12. If you have questions regarding our school or the opportunities here, feel free to contact our office at 573-657-2144.
and dinner for you and guests with the leadership of AT&T, the MPA and local newspaper publisher.


This was the opening statement of one participant at my recent attended WHO conference about innovation in healthcare in Barbados. He was right. I could see all the other people present looking down with their heads bowed. His reaction prompted us all to think.
That night we all spoke in a group about the words that hit us so hard that morning. The ignorance in things we all know but are seemingly too difficult to face, or maybe we don't see the economic gain. What roles do the government, the business community, knowledge centers and also we as individuals have in this? We all talk as a group to let them know what initiatives the islands are all working on, how it goes, where the challenges lie and especially where the win-win opportunities are. The 17 SDGs (sustainable development goals) of the United Nations have been placed very nicely as a good start.
This was two weeks ago. Last week the Aruban kick-off took place of the research 'De Zaak is Rond'. I told you about it in a previous column. Research into a company with circular business cases in both the Netherlands and Aruba focused on the consequences for the entrepreneurial spirit, circular and sustainable business operations. Companies open to abandoning linear ideas and thinking about things circularly. Companies willing to invest, take risks to better our planet. Companies we all should learn to embrace and learn from.
The kick-off of the research on Aruba was good and hopeful. Almost all stakeholders within their ecosystem of the circular economy were constructively concerned about their own business operations. As it is often said: change starts with you and the right mindset, from there on everything is possible. The recognition that we really do not have all the knowledge to address these kinds of big issues just like that, is a big start for further collaborations.
Antilla Energy and Ecotech have dared to let them learn and do what they want in a circular way.
I write this column while the dushi Aruba is being blessed with heavy rainfall. Rain our nature is so terribly hungry for. You see the plants becoming greener with the hour. Next to me I hear people complain, they have not come to Aruba to have this terrible weather. I cannot suppress a smile and wonder when we will really live in balance with each other and nature.


I'll note upfront that I've never seen the original sudser on which this new reincarnation is based. To me, it doesn't seem like be a rip-off or a lacking re-envisioning of a series with the same name. Instead, it feels like a whole lot of the other fare I've been seeing lately on one of the broadcast networks…the CW.
Regardless of what the actual inspiration for this show was, it fits neatly in with the current and recent slate of the CW's programming. The promotional posters were nearly identical to the ones for "90210" last year, and while the show isn't about high schoolers, it may as well be. It boasts the same quality of dialogue and same kind of preposterous characters with inane drama ruling their lives. It fits in perfectly with "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill" in its treatment of gossip and sexual entanglements as fodder for its every plotline. It's not nearly as entertaining as "90210," however, though it's also not as bad-as-can-be-awful as "One Tree Hill." Still, neither of those things are a compliment. The show's likely trying too hard to pay tribute to its predecessor and therefore highlighting characters and events that aren't terribly interesting. I can't say that with certainty, but even if that's not the case, the show isn't very worthwhile.
Each of the characters is equally dull and unexciting. Ella's trying desperately to be carefree and edgy by mixing it up with both sexes. Jonah's filmmaking dream would be a bit cooler if he weren't so utterly lame, and his convenient filming fiasco at the party seems highly illogical and unlikely to actually occur. Sydney's just sort of hanging out by the pool cruising for a friend, and her presence at this point is nothing but ominous since she's likely a villain of some kind. The men are each more successively stupid, and it's almost not worth commenting on them. The mystery of who killed the landlord isn't very enticing either, and having it drive the season probably isn't a good idea. This is no "Twin Peaks," and even that show tanked after Laura Palmer's killer was revealed.
It's obvious that not much should be expected quality-wise for this show. Nonetheless, this is far inferior to what it could have been. A few summers ago, the CW aired a show with a similar rich people/murder mystery premise called "Hidden Palms." While it only lasted eight episodes, it was one hundred times more entertaining than this first hour. Last year's debut season of "90210" was also much more fun. This show was never going to be good, but if it's not even entertaining, then what's the point?
How will it work as a series? Well, with the mystery dominating and the characters, my bet it not very well. Feeling like it needs to pay tribute to the original show may severely hinder its development, and the characters here don't seem like they would provide fodder for a more substantial series. Keeping the action at the Melrose Place address may also limit the potential of the show.
How long will it last? It being like other CW shows is a good thing in this case. I'm not sure it will catch on as well as "90210" has since it's not about high school and it's not really about much. I think it should be given the rest of the season to play out, but I think that may be it. The CW doesn't have a whole lot of shows though, so they may grant it an undeserving second chance just to keep their slate full.
The CW hasn't had a good show... EVER. Why is that network still in business?


Desert Willow Golf Resort is located in Palm Desert, California and offers two championship golf courses called the Firecliff Course and the Mountain View Course. This review is for the Firecliff Course, and you can also check out my review for the Mountain View Course.
The first thing you'll notice when pulling into Desert Willow is that it's a beautiful property. From the rolling fairways you catch glimpses of while driving in, to the large pro shop and enormous patio overlooking the 9th and 18th greens. They've set things up proper, and you'll be greeted by extremely friendly staff.
The Firecliff Course, which can play as long as 7056 yards from the back tees, is rated the more difficult of the two courses.
They have a large practice area which includes a grass tee range, a chipping green and a large putting green. It seemed to adequately satisfy the warm-up needs of two very busy tee sheets without any hassle.
As you set out onto the course, the design feature likely to first catch your eye is the consistently deep bunkers both along the fairways and green-side.
Solid driving of the golf ball is a great start on any golf course, but particularly on the Firecliff Course. Although pretty to look at, you want nothing to do with the deep fairway bunkers which, in many situations, could prevent you from advancing your ball too far.
The par 3's were all very fun and provided a good mix of different distances, while all demanding well placed shots.
Several of the par 4's are gently uphill and play longer than the card says, making driver the usual club of choice off the tee. However, there were a couple holes where some other strategies could be considered.
All in all, if you're up for a challenge, The Firecliff Course at Desert Willow provides everything you need for a fun day on the links.
The course is difficult but very fair. If you strategize your way around the course and leave your ball in the proper spots, it will reward you. If you find a lot of fairway bunkers and miss greens on the wrong side, you will be firmly punished and struggle to score well.
The course has a consistent feel throughout, yet each hole has its own character. As is with a lot of desert golf, you don't see adjacent fairways while you're playing and you certainly can't bail out on to other holes. The surrounding desert is heavily vegetated so keeping it in play is a must, but they certainly give you a fair amount of room to do that.
From my understanding, the prices can fluctuate online and they often advertise specials, so keep on eye out and you might get on for a steal. I highly recommend stopping in at Desert Willow to play The Firecliff Course on a trip to Palm Desert/Palm Springs, it won't disappoint!
gotta like a good Cali course review right?
Great looking course. Sounds like you had a blast. How is winter golfing affecting your game?
Had a great time indeed. Jury is still out regarding the effect of winter golf on my game. I had some golfers elbow off the start which held me back a bit. Now that I'm back to nearly 100% I'll need some more reps to get a better idea. My goal is to just try and stay focused as I've had a tendency in the past to be a bit sloppy with my winter "vacation" golf, not a habit I want to get into on a 3 month winter trip. Will be a lot of fun, and a good topic for a blog post.


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Rachel Saint Reaches the Auca Indians in Ecuador
January 2, 2009 by Chris Field 1 Comment
Rachel Saint was born in Pennsylvania on January 2, 1914.
As a young girl Rachel had a dream of dark skinned natives in green jungles. She worked for over a decade in outreach to alcoholics in New Jersey and then joined the Peru branch of the Summer Institute in Linguistics (SIL) in 1942. For the next decade she worked with several different remote tribal groups.
When Rachel made contact with a run-away Huarani woman named Dayuma she became convinced that she had found the native tribe the Lord had given her a vision for as a child.
As a skilled linguist working with Wycliffe Bible Translators, Rachel learned the Auca language and saw Dayuma converted. This remarkable convert later appeared as a guest on the platform of Billy Graham`s 1957 Madison Square Garden Crusade, New York.
The Huarani Indians (also written Waorani) were a warlike tribe, known for their ferocity, living in the Ecuador jungles near the Andes Mountains. They were so violent and murderous they were known by the title "Auca", which means 'savage'. The Christian world knows the tribe best as the Aucas.
It was Rachel's interest in the Huarani Indians that prompted her younger brother, Nate Saint, to take interest in reaching the tribe and to fly over a remote Auca village many times over a four month period, dropping gifts to them, in preparation for the missionary visit.
When Rachel was 42, Nate Saint, piloted his Piper aircraft with four other missionaries aboard, onto a small beach in the Ecuadorian jungle. Their aim was to befriend and evangelise the Huarani Indians. On 8 January, 1956, the five daring missionaries were massacred on the beach where their plane had landed. News of this tragedy shocked Christendom. The five Brethren missionaries were speared to death. Their names are: Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Peter Fleming and Ed McCully.
Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, organised a whirlwind USA tour for Rachel and Dayuma (the Huarani convert), including television interviews which stirred the hearts of the American nation. Rachel Saint became one of the best known American missionaries overnight.
By 1958 Rachel and Dayuma joined forces with two widows of the Auca massacre who were ready to carry on the ministry their husbands had commenced.
With the assistance of Gospel Recordings, another missionary organisation, Rachel Saint produced messages in the native tongue. This was followed by a friendly confrontation with these people who had killed her brother. Conversions took place as the Gospel was preached to them. Six of those who had taken part in the massacre were among the converts. One of them, Kimo, even became pastor of the church that was established and baptised Steve & Kathy Saint, Nate's children.
Less than three years after the five missionaries had gone Through Gates of Splendour, Rachel Saint and Elisabeth Elliot (widow of Jim Elliot) had established permanent residence in a Huarani settlement, where they practised basic medicine and began the process of developing a written form of the language.
Rachel lived for two decades with the tribe and saw great fruit. She also translated the Gospel of Mark into the Huarani tongue.
Rachel Saint died on 11 November, 1994, in Quito, Ecuador at the age of 80… but her nephew Steve Saint continued to serve the Lord as his parents had done among native tribes in this same Ecuadorian jungle.
(References: Christianity Today, December, 1994; Evangel, March, 1996)
Note from Chris Field – Yet another member of the Saint family is working in South America, Evelyn Saint-Jimenez is working in Cordoba, Argentina and translated my book, Family Horizons, into Spanish for me.
Tags: auca indians, ecuador, elisabeth elliot, martyrs, missionary, nate saint, rachel saint, south america, wycliffe, wycliffe bible translators
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: auca indians, ecuador, elisabeth elliot, martyrs, missionary, nate saint, rachel saint, south america, wycliffe, wycliffe bible translators
Another Saint Who Lived Her Dream in Ecuador | Living in Ecuador Blog says:
[…] As a young girl, Rachel Saint dreamed her own special dreams. She dreamed of natives in a green jungle. […]


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The Belize Defence Force (BDF) is the military of Belize, and is responsible for protecting the sovereignty of the country. The BDF is under the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, which is currently headed by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr.; the BDF itself is commanded by Brigadier General Azariel Loria. In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

History
The military of Belize dates back to 1817, when the Prince Regent Royal Honduras Militia, a volunteer organization, was founded. Between 1817 and 1978, the military force in Belize has had ten different names:
The Prince Regent's Royal Militia (1817-1866)
The Belize Volunteer Force (1866-1868)
The Belize Volunteer Corps (1868-1883)
The Belize Light Infantry Volunteer Force (1897-1905)
British Honduras Volunteers (1905-1916)
British Honduras Territorial Force (1916-1928)
British Honduras Defence Force (1928-1944)
British Honduras Home Guard (1942-1943)
British Honduras Volunteer Guard (1943-1973)
Belize Volunteer Guard (1973-1977)

The BDF was founded in 1978 following the disbanding of the Belize Volunteer Guard and the Police Special Force the year before.

After Belize achieved independence in 1981 the United Kingdom maintained the deterrent British Forces Belize in the country to protect it from invasion by Guatemala. During the 1980s this included a battalion and No. 1417 Flight RAF of Harriers. The main British force left in 1994, three years after Guatemala recognised Belizean independence, but the United Kingdom maintained a training presence via the British Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and 25 Flight AAC until 2011 when the last British Forces left Ladyville Barracks, with the exception of seconded advisers. The BDF Maritime Wing became part of the Belize Coast Guard Service in November 2005.

On November 11, 2011, the BDF announced that they have changed their issued military uniforms from American-based to digital versions since October due to concerns that criminals can easily acquire them.

In October 2015, due to rising tensions between Belize and Guatemala and the British cutback on military bases worldwide to focus on the War On Terror in 2011, Belize asked the UK to bring BATSUB back; the British Government brought BATSUB to Belize once again.

Organization

The BDF consists of:
Two infantry battalions, each comprising three companies
First Battalion

The First Infantry Battalion came into existence in 1993. This was as a direct result of the British Government decision to withdraw British Forces from Belize and handing over the Defence of Belize to Belizeans.
Since that time, the battalion participated in extensive military exercises in Belize as well a selected part of its staff going abroad to participate in United Nations Peace Operations in Haiti.
The battalion consists of three infantry companies and a small HQ staff. It operates in the entire country alternating from the south to the north of the country. Presently, it is stationed at Fairweather Camp, Punta Gorda in the Toledo District with its two companies and in Belize City maintaining a presence to accomplish its task as stipulated in the Defence Act. Every February, the battalions alternate between Ladyville and Punta Gorda. The Battalion is equipped with small arms, a fleet of transportation, its integral logistics slice, and its own signalers. Other support is received from the Logistics unit in Price Barracks. Recruiting for the unit is done by the BDF Headquarters and its leaders are trained by the Logistics Company's sub-unit, Training Company. The leaders then train their subordinates to maintain its training standards. The companies also conduct live firing in the Mountain Pine Ridge Training Area periodically.

Second Battalion

Second Infantry Battalion, a combination of men and women soldiers, was formed on 1 October 1994. The Battalion at that time had three Infantry Companies: Sierra, Alpha and Echo Company. For the period 31 October 2000 to 31 August 2002, the Battalion nomenclature was revoked and redesignated a Land Command. Becoming either Land Command South (LCS) or Land Command North (LCN) depending on the rotation. LCN comprises the Cayo District, a partition of the Hummingbird Highway, Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. LCS comprises the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts and a portion of the Hummingbird Highway. These are now presently designated Battalion Tactical Areas of Responsibility (Bn TAOR) and Command HQs were based on rotation between Price Barracks and Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda.
On the 31 August 2002, LCS and LCN was reverted to being Second Infantry Battalion. This was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds Lewis. However, this time the Coys were Hotel, Gulf and Sierra Companies. During the tenure of Lieutenant Colonel R J Lewis, the idea of a Battalion Logo and Flag was originated. The idea was presented out within the Battalion and as a result produced the logo and Bn Emblem. The finished product was the result of the combined efforts of RSM 2 Bn, WO1 D O Castillo then a WO2, Pte August G, Pte Coc J and the artist Pte Cho D, not to overlook the efforts of Sgt L Sho and Sgt A Sho (Button) then Cpl for final graphics.
The Battalion Logo depicts all the colors of the Companies in the Battalion. Red and Green for Hotel Company, Red and Orange for Gulf Company and Black and White for Sierra Company. The grey background was the original Battalion color, which was changed to blue as seen on the Bn Flag. The Cross Rifles signifies that we are Infantry personnel. The Jabiru was chosen as the Battalion Bird. The versatility of the Jabiru is what Second Battalion stands for. She nests high above the others both male and female incubate eggs thereby having an overview of all situations. She has one of the widest wing spans which produces ease in her soaring and a quick and graceful stream line for the attack. Her long legs support her and enable her to work in any terrain and conditions

One volunteer Battalion
The history of British Honduras would not be complete without the story of the part played by the volunteer soldiers who banded themselves together and fought to preserve their lands, their homes and indeed, their own existence.
In 1866, the detachment of the 4th West Indian Regiment was defeated in battle by the Indians near Orange Walk. Volunteers were enrolled at Belize and sent to the Hondo to deal with Indian raids locally. In January 1881, the volunteers were formed into four companies, A, B, C and D. In 1897, the Belize Light Infantry Volunteers was formed. On the 25th November, 1904, a mounted Infantry Company was formed. This Company justified very early its existence by providing the volunteers with a valuable mobile force during the Indian disturbances in the Western District.

On the 4th August, 1914, the astounding news reached Belize that Great Britain had declared war on Germany in defence of Belgium. The force was immediately called out for active service. Later when another offer of men was accepted, 100 men under Lieutenant R. H. Furness was dispatched to England. These men made so good an impression that more men were asked for and a second contingent of over 400 men was sent over.

Men eager to serve but debarred from going overseas for one reason or another joined the volunteers and swelled the strength to over 1000. Companies were formed in Corozal, Stann Creek, El Cayo and Orange Walk, and detachments at Benque Viejo and Hill Bank.
In August 1928, this force was disbanded and a new force of four platoons renamed the British Honduras Defence Force was formed. This force made its first public appearance on the 4th February 1929, immediately after the great hurricane of 1931 which destroyed the City of Belize. The defence force rendered most valuable services. Some of the finest examples of discipline, loyalty and esprit de corps were demonstrated when men had lost their homes and in some cases their families quickly made their way to the drill hall before the fury of the devastating winds had abated in answer to the "Fall in" call of the bugle. The force was organized into rescue squads and all sorts of services were performed, from rescuing trapped persons, collecting the injured and the dead, to caring and feeding of babies. Men of all walks of life in Belize, members of the legislature, Heads of Government, department clerks and the ordinary laborer, seeing what organization and discipline could do, joined the defence force.

One Support Battalion

The Support Battalion commands the specialist platoons of the force. They are the Administrative Company, Mortar Platoon, Signal Platoon, Reece Platoon and the Combat Engineer Platoon. The Combat Engineer Platoon, formerly referred to as the Assault Pioneers in the early days of the BDF, has heavy equipment at its disposal and is trained to renovate and erect buildings as well as engage in construction. Part of the engineer unit is an Explosive Ordnance Device Team. Its role is to defuse or destroy bombs and engage in demolition work.

Air Wing

The Belize Defence Force Air Wing is the aviation branch of the Belize Defence Force, formed in 1983 it is based at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. The main tasks of the Air Wing are Reconnaissance, SAR, CASEVAC, aerial resupply and troop transport. Furthermore, they assist the Belize Police Department in drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations.

Special Boat Unit
The special boat unit is the Belize Defense Force maritime component that falls under the airwing. Their mandates includes mainly the entire country of Belize, all the rivers, and the coast lines. The people at the special boat unit are in charge of making sure that no illegal activities occur within the country of Belize in the rivers and the coastline. They have a variety of boats which includes outboards and jet drive, however they are moving more into the riverine capabilities because their mandate includes mostly rivers. To distinguish them from the Belize Coast Guard, because their uniform is similar, people from the special boat unit, wear blue digitals whereas the coast guard use full blue. The coast guard are mainly found along the seas whereas they restrict their presence to mainly the riverine areas.

Belize Defence Force Band
The BDF Band was formed on 1 January 1978 from the former Belize Volunteer Guard Band, under the mastership of the late Warrant Officer Class 1, Walter P. Lamb. The band was originally formed in 1947 from the North Caribbean Force (Battalion of Belize) fundamentally as a Drum & Bugle Corps, at Mount Pleasant Creek, Central Farm in the Cayo District. In 1952, it added the brass section to the Drums & Bugles Corps that was the nucleus of what would evolve into the existing BDF Band.
Three reserve companies

As of 2012, there are also 40 British Army personnel stationed in Belize.

Special Operations Team

Belize Special Assignment Group (BSAG)
Is an elite unit of the B.D.F., tasked with undertaking high-risk operations which require specialized military skills and capabilities. Not much is known about the group, which is probably intentional, since it is designed to handle covert operations as well.

BDF Special Boat Unit
"The special boat unit is the Defense Force's maritime component, the unit patrols the rivers, and coast lines of Belize. They have a variety of boats which includes outboards, 43 foot  interceptors , and eight U.S. donated Seabee reconnaissance boats.

Equipment

Infantry weapons

Vehicles

Aircraft

Facilities
 Mountain Pine Ridge Training Area - south of Belmopan used for jungle warfare by Belize, US, German, Dutch and British forces
 Price Barracks - Ladyville - Air Wing HQ and former British helicopter base; it is named for the country's first Prime Minister George Cadle Price
 Fairweather Camp - Punta Gorda Town - HQ for 2nd Bat and former British military base
 Orange Walk Airport (Army) - Orange Walk District
 Belizario Camp - San Ignacio - border area base
 Corozal Training Centre - Corozal Town
 Dangriga Training Centre - Dangriga
 Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport - main airbase
 Hector Silva Airstrip - small base located south of the airstrip; this is a secondary airstrip and was used by the British Army
 Punta Gorda Airport is a secondary airstrip
 St. George's Caye (Army)
 Holdfast Camp (Army)
 Baldy Beacons (Army)
 Rideau Camp (Army)
 Salamanca Camp (Army)
 Militia Hall- Belize City

References
Notes

External links
 Belize Defence Force

Government of Belize
Military of Belize
1978 establishments in Belize


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Opinions|Vladimir Putin
Putinism and Putin's retirement plan
The Russian president is making early preparations for his retirement. What does this mean for Russia?
Leonid Ragozin
Leonid Ragozin is a freelance journalist based in Riga.
A screen at a shopping mall shows an image of President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on January 15, 2020 [Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina]
In this year's state of the nation address delivered on January 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin made some bold proposals about changing the Russian constitution. With this unexpected move, he ushered in a new political cycle which will culminate in the rearrangement of the power vertical after he steps down as president in 2024 (or even before that).
His speech left many questions unanswered and we are nowhere closer to understanding what this new arrangement might be. The only thing that remains fairly certain is that Putin is not planning to retire from politics when his term ends in 2024.
In his speech, the president admitted that Russian society demands change. A number of polls over the past couple of years have detected a clear shift in public sentiments from the desire for stability to eagerness for change. A November survey showed that some 60 percent of Russians want "major changes" in the country.
A classic majoritarian, Putin built his popularity on telling people what they want to hear and striving to be everything for everyone – from nationalists to liberals – in a highly diverse society. He is also a master of imitation with a post-modernist penchant for historical re-enactment. For many years, he was successfully imitating the ambience of the Brezhnev era, which millions of Russians associate with political and economic stability.
Now the people demand change, so he seems to be offering a faux Gorbachev-styled perestroika. But as before do not expect Putin's imitation to come close to the original.
The amendments to the constitution the Russian president proposed would increase the power of the prime minister at the expense of the president and boost the authority of the State Council, currently a consultative body consisting of top officials and regional governors.
Just hours after the speech, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev handed in his resignation and was replaced a day later by the little-known head of the Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin, a man with a reputation for being a competent if uncharismatic technocrat.
As the news settled in, Russian and foreign political analysts came up with such a plurality of interpretations that it became clear that Putin has not really shown his cards yet.
The first and seemingly most obvious theory is that by weakening the presidency and strengthening the role of the prime minister, Putin is preparing to remain in charge of the country as the head of the cabinet with a pocket president at his side. That, in other words, means a remake of the tandem arrangement which he and Medvedev had between 2008 and 2012.
The weakness of that theory lies in the fact that even after these constitutional changes are made, the prime minister will not have that much power, so it will be hard to talk about Putin being the same omnipotent ruler he has been for the last two decades. It is also unclear whether he has sufficient enthusiasm to deal with the day-to-day economic and social problems of the country. He felt visibly tired of that towards the end of the tandem period, while Medvedev appeared more and more presidential, even allowing himself to reprimand his premier on some occasions.
Many analysts suggest that instead of that, Putin might become the head of the State Council, the body which he proposed a special clause for in the constitution. This could pave the way for a type of succession, which is now being tested in neighbouring Kazakhstan by Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has stepped down from the presidency but seemingly retained power.
It is unlikely though that this model will work in Russia, which has strong and vocal opposition, led by Aleksey Navalny, and an equally vocal cluster of independent media. Putin's regime hinges on his very genuine, but dwindling popularity which will be difficult to maintain if he blatantly changes the constitutional arrangement to fit his personal interests. In fact, his ability to go around the constitution through the tandem scheme without losing power was admired by some of his supporters.
This is why other commentators say Putin is eyeing the post of the State Duma speaker in a country which will shift from a strong presidential state to a parliamentary democracy – or non-democracy, as one would expect with him in charge. A pocket technocratic prime minister would fit neatly into this picture.
As ever with Russia and Putin, one should allow for a certain degree of ambivalence. Yes, the very fact that a president, who has already tricked the constitutional arrangement to stay in charge for an extra 12 years, is amending the constitution during his last term is a perfect illustration of the regime's authoritarian and personalised nature.
But Putin, who like many other ageing gentlemen spends an excessive amount of time discussing historical matters, does not necessarily wish that his sole legacy would be a dictatorial state that would collapse as soon as he is gone – in the absence of an equally strong and popular figure.
It is therefore not inconceivable that he might be envisioning a more impersonal state with a functioning system of checks and balances. In fact, one of the Kremlin's best-known narrative architects, Vladislav Surkov, has already formulated this arrangement in the most flattering terms for his boss.
He suggested that future Russia should be united not so much by Putin, a man of flesh and blood, but by Putinism as an ideology of collective coexistence and survival.
It sounds very much like Argentina's Peronism, which means it is not necessarily incompatible with democracy.
Ultimately there is one thing which Putin understand perhaps better than all Kremlinologists, both Russian and Western: It is that he is the product of the ever-changing Russian political culture, not otherwise. He is the living embodiment of what Russian experts often call "the collective Putin". He can adapt as a politician to tectonic cultural and social shifts, but he hardly has the power to precipitate them or change their direction. Perhaps he can slow them down at best.
Covered by the dirty film of Russian foreign policy, these shifts remain invisible to outside observers. But they do exist and are powerful. They go in the direction of globalisation and greater convergence with the West – in lifestyle as well as the cultural products and ideas people consume, especially online.
It is these shifts, not Putin, that will define Russia's future political setup.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
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Point Pleasant sophomore Sami Saunders (6) goes up for a spike attempt during Game 2 of Tuesday night's volleyball match against Hannan in Point Pleasant, W.Va.
Hannan freshman Tonika Coleman hits a serve during Game 3 of Tuesday night's volleyball match against Point Pleasant in Point Pleasant, W.Va.
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — The post-match punch wasn't spiked, which was more than the opposition could say.
The Point Pleasant volleyball team celebrated Senior Night in style after posting 31 kills Tuesday night during a convincing 25-7, 25-2, 25-8 victory over visiting Hannan in a battle between Mason County programs.
The Lady Knights (17-3) never trailed in the match as the hosts recorded at least eight kills in each game en route to the wire-to-wire triumph.
The Red and Black picked up their fifth straight win and also claimed a season sweep of the Lady Cats (3-16) after posting a 3-0 decision in Ashton back on Sept. 21. The Blue and White, conversely, dropped their fourth consecutive overall decision.
Point Pleasant honored four seniors — Gracie Cottrill, Brenna Dotson, Mackenzie Freeman and exchange student Maria Da Costa — before the contest, then the hosts rode that momentum into Game 1 after jumping out to early leads of 4-0 and 9-1.
The Lady Cats were never closer than 9-2 from there as PPHS reeled off 16 of the final 21 points — including the final four points — en route to an 18-point win and a 1-0 match advantage.
After recording 13 kills in the opener, the Lady Knights had their lowest output of eight kills in Game 2 — but it had more to do with their efforts at the service line.
Cottrill served up 16 consecutive points — which included eight aces — before HHS managed to break serve. The guests found themselves in an 18-2 hole before Peyton Jordan served up the final seven points as Point Peasant wrapped up the 23-point win and a 2-0 match edge.
Hannan cut the Game 3 lead to 2-1 early on, but Freeman reeled off 13 consecutive service points after Point broke serve — allowing the hosts to secure a 16-1 cushion.
The Lady Cats rallied back to within a dozen points at 17-5, but the Lady Knights followed by scoring eight of the final 11 points en route to the straight-game decision.
The night couldn't have gone much smoother for Point Pleasant, something that made PPHS coach Marla Cottrill very proud of afterwards.
As she noted, it was a night that her upperclassmen deserved after years of battling to get better as a program.
"The seniors, I just cannot say enough about them," Cottrill said. "It's my third season with them at the high school level and they've been really good leaders. They've been a big part of our program's growth over the last four years and I'm very happy that they could enjoy their final home match. They've been a pleasure.
Conversely, interim HHS coach Frankie Hudnall didn't have anything to add about the evening — except noting that Point Pleasant has a fine team and played very well on Tuesday night.
Cottrill led the Point Pleasant service attack with 23 points and nine aces, followed by Freeman with 17 points and Jordan with 12 points.
Madison Hatfield was next with four points, while Olivia Dotson and Brenna Dotson respectively chipped in two points and one point.
Jordan and Hatfield each recorded two aces, while Freeman and both Dotsons added an ace apiece.
Lanea Cochran led the net attack with 16 kills, with half of those coming in Game 3. Brenna Dotson was next with six kills, while Olivia Dotson contributed five kills.
Tristan Wilson was next with two kills, while Haley Milhoan and Sami Saunders also had a kill each. Cochran recorded a team-high two blocks and Olivia Dotson also had a block for the victors.
McKenzie McQueen led Hannan with two service points, the only points the guests produced in the match. Josie McCoy also had one block in the setback.
Both teams complete regular season play on Thursday at 6 p.m. Point Pleasant travels to Parkersburg Catholic, while the Lady Cats head to Buffalo.
Hannan will open Class A sectional play on Monday when it travels to Buffalo High School for a 5 p.m. opening-round match against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
Point Pleasant will host the Class AA Region 4, Section 1 tournament next week and opens postseason play at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Nitro.