Implementing single sign-on (SSO) - either on a standalone basis or integrated into an IdM system - solves these password-related problems and reduces IT support costs, improves enterprise security, and simplifies password management. An SSO system enables users to access all their applications through a single authentication event. Depending on the solution selected, the SSO could also enable the network administrator to assign and control passwords from a single console, eliminating the need to personally set passwords at each user's workstation. There are several variations on SSO available.
Web Single Sign-On A Web based access management solution can include an SSO capability for Web-based applications. With Web-based SSO, the user supplies a credential. The Web server then validates the password with a central credential server. If a match is found, then the user is granted access to the Web-based application or system. With users accessing more and more applications over the internet from application service providers and other sources, Web-based SSO is critical. However, Web-based SSO does not cover password sign-on for non Web based applications such as mainframe and client/server applications. A separate ESSO is often needed for such applications. Password Synchronization Some IdM solutions offer password synchronization, where all applications that the IdM supports share the same password. In password synchronization, a change to a password on a connected system is automatically replicated to all other integrated or supported systems. For end users, synchronization does provide some simplification for their password issues. Even though they still have to type in their user credentials for each application, they can for some applications use the same password. However, relatively few enterprise applications have the interfaces needed to support synchronization. Another weakness of synchronization is that the password to which the applications are synchronized must be set at the weakest capability among all the supported applications. Therefore, all supported applications are susceptible to a security breach based on exploiting this weak password. Hackers can choose to attack the system with the weakest security controls, knowing that the password they obtain can be used on all other synchronized systems, regardless of their security controls. Thus, the security controls of all synchronized applications are reduced to that of the weakest system. In addition, applications that lack the necessary interfaces or are hosted on other networks cannot be supported. Users are still required to log on to all unsupported applications.


text:
©2021 Green Matters. All rights reserved.
Home > Food > Coronavirus and the Environment
Source: Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/picture alliance via Getty Images
To Prevent Food Waste, Berry Company Calls on Government to Provide Financial Aid
By Sophie Hirsh
With U.S. unemployment rates at an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic — more than 17 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last month — more people than ever are struggling to put food on the table, and the demand at food banks is increasing.
On the flip side, many of our nation's farmers are currently overwhelmed with excess food, since the demand from restaurants and schools is decreasing. Many have even been throwing away and pouring out surplus products. A natural solution for this imbalance would be for producers to divert their extra food to food banks, so it can feed people in need. However, without government aid, it's impossible for many companies to do so.
One such company is Driscoll's, which is responsible for about one-third of the country's berry market. As the major berry seller's president Soren Bjorn told Business Insider in an interview this week, the company will have to toss 10 to 15 percent of crops from its upcoming peak harvest season if the government does not financially help Driscoll's pay for the labor and transportation required to divert its berries to food banks. Driscoll's hopes to hire 10,000 seasonal field workers in California next month to help with the summer harvest, as well as drivers to transport the berry donations.
"As we hit into the peak berry production in May," Bjorn told Business Insider, "That could be berries that would not get picked and never make it to the market. We think that by far, the best thing that could happen is that that product makes its way to the food banks. And that will require some financial assistance from the government."
As Bjorn explained to Business Insider, he is in conversation with the USDA about making these subsidies happen for crop farms across the country. Without government aid, Bjorn predicted 10 to 15 percent of the Driscoll's summer harvest "will end up in the ditch. It gets wasted."
Source: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
This plea for government assistance comes a week after Driscoll's announced plans to donate a total of $4 million to health clinics and food banks in the U.S., Canada, Central Mexico, Baja, Europe, and Morocco; additionally, the company will be donating about $500,000 worth of fresh berries to frontline health care workers in New York City. In March, Driscoll's donated a total of $1 million to four health care centers located in California's biggest berry-growing regions.
"While our hope is that our donated resources positively impact communities in which our berries are grown and harvested, it's going to take a commitment from the entire agriculture industry in order to properly support growers, farmworkers and their families and ensure families have access to fresh produce," chairman and CEO J. Miles Reiter said in a statement. "We're pleased that members of the produce industry have been committing resources during this time of need to support local food banks, healthcare providers and workers across the entire food supply chain."
We're thankful for our harvesters who work hard to supply the fresh food that people need. Their health & safety are our top priority, which is why independent growers are hyper-focused on COVID-19 specific training & following protocol set by the CDC. https://t.co/B7cUjnJCsr
— Driscoll's Berries (@driscollsberry) April 11, 2020
Most U.S. government agricultural subsidies go (directly and indirectly) to the animal agriculture industry: directly by subsidizing producers of meat, dairy products, and eggs; indirectly by subsidizing farmers of corn and soy, most of which is fed to animals being raised for meat, dairy, and eggs. For instance, in 2015, the U.S. government directly and indirectly gave about $22.2 billion in subsidies to the U.S. dairy industry, according to Markets Insider. (Sugar, wheat, cotton, and rice are also significantly subsidized, according to the EWG.)
Throughout coronavirus quarantines, the dairy industry has been making headlines for dumping milk farmers can no longer sell down drains and into fields — and that's an industry with massive government subsidies. Maybe the coronavirus pandemic will finally convince the government that the farmers who produce nutritious fruits and vegetables deserve the same subsidies as the farmers who produce the foods that are hurting human health, animals, and the planet.
The best way to prevent contracting or spreading coronavirus is with thorough hand washing and social distancing. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, which include persistent cough (usually dry), fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue, please call your doctor before going to get tested. For comprehensive resources and updates, visit the CDC website. If you are experiencing anxiety about the virus, seek out mental health support from your provider or visit NAMI.org.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
import io.restassured.RestAssured;
import io.restassured.http.ContentType;
import io.restassured.response.Response;
import juiceshop.JuiceShopBasic;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;
import restsec.Evaluator;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.net.InetSocketAddress;
import java.net.Socket;
import java.util.Properties;
import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;

import static io.restassured.RestAssured.given;

@Disabled
class BasicSecurityHeaderTests {

    private static String serverIP = "";
    private static int serverPort = 0;
    private static String proxyIp = "";
    private static int proxyPort = 0;

    private static String email;
    private static String password;
    private static final String resource = "rest/user/login";

    //TODO: Safely remove this class

    @BeforeAll
    static void init() throws IOException {

        System.out.println("Loading properties from file ...");

        loadProperties();

        if (!proxyIp.equals("") && proxyPort != 0) {
            if (isOnline(proxyIp, proxyPort)) {
                System.out.println("Proxy online.");
            } else {
                Assertions.fail("Proxy unreachable.");
            }
        }

        if (isOnline(serverIP, serverPort)) {
            System.out.println("Target online.");
        } else {
            Assertions.fail("Target unreachable.");
        }

        System.out.println("\nInit sequence complete. Starting test suite ...\n");

        initTarget();

    }

    private static void loadProperties() {
        Properties properties = new Properties();

        try (InputStream stream = JuiceShopBasic.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("config.properties")) {
            properties.load(stream);
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

        Pattern r = Pattern.compile("(?:[0-9]{1,3}\\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}");
        Matcher m = r.matcher(properties.getProperty("base-uri"));
        //noinspection ResultOfMethodCallIgnored
        m.find();
        serverIP = m.group(0);
        serverPort = Integer.parseInt(properties.getProperty("port"));
        System.out.println("Target: " + serverIP + ":" + serverPort);

        if (!properties.getProperty("proxy_ip").equals("")) {
            proxyIp = properties.getProperty("proxy_ip");
            proxyPort = Integer.parseInt(properties.getProperty("proxy_port"));
            System.out.println("Proxy: " + proxyIp + ":" + proxyPort);
        } else {
            System.out.println("Proxy: -");
        }
    }

    private static boolean isOnline(String ip, int port) {
        Socket s = new Socket();
        try {
            s.connect(new InetSocketAddress(ip, port), 1000);
            s.close();
            return true;
        } catch (IOException e) {
            return false;
        }
    }

    private static void initTarget() throws IOException {

        Properties properties = new Properties();

        try (InputStream stream = JuiceShopBasic.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("config.properties")) {
            properties.load(stream);
        }

        // Load config
        RestAssured.baseURI = properties.getProperty("base-uri");
        RestAssured.port = Integer.parseInt(properties.getProperty("port"));
        RestAssured.basePath = properties.getProperty("base-path");

        if (!properties.getProperty("proxy_ip").equals("")) {
            RestAssured.proxy(properties.getProperty("proxy_ip"), Integer.parseInt(properties.getProperty("proxy_port")));
        }

        email = properties.getProperty("username");
        password = properties.getProperty("password");
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("Reflecting back any given Content-Type Header")
    //NOTE: Does the server copy the clients Accept-Header in the response Content-Type? 401/406 expected.
    public void invalidAcceptHeaderReflected() {

        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        header("Accept", "myHeader").
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (response.getHeader("Content-Type").equals("myHeader")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "Content-Type: myHeader", "Reflected invalid header type.");
            Assertions.fail("Fake Request Accept-Header was reflected in Response Content-Type. Missing server-side validation?");
        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("Mismatching Content-Type Header with actual content accepted")
    //NOTE: Gives a Content-Type Header, but sends other data.
    public void mismatchingContentTypeHeader() {

        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.URLENC).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        int statusCode = response.getStatusCode();

        if (statusCode == 200) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "Content-Type: URLENC", "Server accepted Content-Type: URLENC when sending different Content-Type.");
            Assertions.fail(">>> Server accepted Content-Type: URLENC when sending different Content-Type.");
        }

    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff")
    //NOTE: Checks for common security header X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff
    public void securityHeader_XContentTypeOptions() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeader("X-Content-Type-Options").equals("nosniff")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff", "Security-Header \"X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff\" not found.");
        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN")
    //NOTE: Checks for common security header X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN
    public void securityHeader_XFrameOptions() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeaders().hasHeaderWithName("X-Frame-Options")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "X-Frame-Options", "Security-Header \"X-Frame-Options\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"X-Frame-Options\" not found.");
        }
        if (!response.getHeader("X-Frame-Options").equals("SAMEORIGIN") || !response.getHeader("X-Frame-Options").equals("deny")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "X-Frame-Options: \"SAMEORIGIN\" OR \"deny\"", "Security-Header \"X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN\" OR \"deny\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN\" not found.");
        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("X-XSS-Protection Header")
    public void securityHeader_XXSSProtection() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeaders().hasHeaderWithName("X-XSS-Protection")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "X-XSS-Protection", "Security-Header \"X-XSS-Protection\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"X-XSS-Protection\" missing.");
        }
    }

    @Disabled
    @Test
    @DisplayName("Request with no Content-Type Header at all accepted")
    //JUnit 4: (expected = AssertionError.class)
    //NOTE: No Content-Type header at all. 401/406 expected.
    //TODO: rest-assured always adds a content-type header (text/plain)
    public void noContentTypeHeader() {

        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        int statusCode = response.getStatusCode();

        if (statusCode == 200) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "No Content-Type Header", "Target accepted not using a content-type header at all (200 OK).");
            Assertions.fail(">>> Server accepted not using a content-type header : 200 OK");
        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("Always using HTTPS (Strict-Transport-Security)")
    public void strictTransportSecurityHeader() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeaders().hasHeaderWithName("Strict-Transport-Security")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "Strict-Transport-Security", "Security-Header \"Strict-Transport-Security\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"Strict-Transport-Security\" missing.");

        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("Content-Security-Policy")
    public void contentSecurityPolicyExists() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeaders().hasHeaderWithName("Content-Security-Policy")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "Content-Security-Policy", "Security-Header \"Content-Security-Policy\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"Content-Security-Policy\" missing.");

        }
    }

    @Test
    @DisplayName("X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies")
    public void permittedCrossDomainPoliciesExists() {
        Response response =
                given().
                        request().
                        body("{\"email\":\"" + email + "\",\"password\":\"" + password + "\"}").
                        contentType(ContentType.JSON).
                        when().
                        post(resource);

        if (!response.getHeaders().hasHeaderWithName("X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies")) {
            Evaluator.writeVulnerabilityToResultsFile("Insecure HTTP Header", resource, "X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies", "Security-Header \"X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies\" missing.");
            Assertions.fail("Security-Header \"X-Permitted-Cross-Domain-Policies\" missing.");

        }
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We don't want to brag, but it's hard to take our eyes off the professionally applied finish we put on these signed Paul McCobb end tables. The gorgeous right angles and clean lines of these mid-century tables were a worthy partner for this gorgeous lacquer. The color is a very dark cordovan that looks more like a black in most lights, but at certain angles surprises with its rich eggplant undertones. The durable glass-like finish shines like a mirror. They are 100% restored and structurally sound, made of solid maple, with original McCobb solid brass conical pulls. If you're looking for the ultimate wow factor, these have it.


I was tempted by this treatment after my superb in-water massage at Blue Lagoon in Iceland, however this doesn't quite match up to that experience. It's more in line with actual flotation, but it's a much cosier, tactile experience that hopefully won't have you freaking out about sensory deprivation as I did in my first flotation session.
I tried the treatment at Spa London in Bethnal Green where the dry flotation room is in the thermal spa opposite the steam room, so when you are having your treatment the door is locked and your privacy protected by a hospital style curtain to prevent anyone wandering in thinking it's another part of the thermal experience.
To start with you lay on a bed, and the spa attendant tucks you up in a heated blanket, pops on some heavy duty headphones, shows you how to escape should the need arise and starts the experience. This is when water surges in from beneath you, lifting you up and giving you that lovely floating feeling, and then you're free to spend either a half hour or an hour, drifting, surrounded by relaxing music and warm in a snugly sort of way.
My friend had half an hour and said it was far too short. I got a bit bored after twenty minutes and started wriggling around and finally freed myself after 50 minutes, partly so I could get back into the steam rooms and partly so I could use the loo.
I think the effectiveness of this particular treatment depends on the type of issue you might be having in your body. My friend had lower back pain and found this supportive and relaxing, whereas I had shoulder muscle pain and this wasn't as effective for me as lying on the heated hammam, but I did really enjoy the first 20 minutes, so maybe I'll just stick to half an hour in future.


text:
Home Truces Cessation of Hostilities No less than 28 Breaches on the First Day following Ankara Ceasefire...
No less than 28 Breaches on the First Day following Ankara Ceasefire Agreement
All the Breaches were Committed by the Syrian-Iranian Regime
SNHR has published the report: "No less than 28 Breaches on the First Day following Ankara Ceasefire Agreement" which documents the breaches that were recorded in the first 24 hours following the commencement of Ankara Agreement.
The report draws upon the monitoring and documentation processes in addition to speaking to survivors, victims' families, or with eyewitnesses to some of the incidents.
The report sheds light on every breach committed by the parties that are bound by the truce agreement (Government forces, Russian forces, and armed opposition factions) in areas under the control of armed opposition factions and areas under a joint control (armed opposition factions and Fateh Al Sham Front). The report doesn't include any combat operations in ISIS-held areas.
The report monitors 28 breaches – 19 combat operations and nine arrest operations all of which were committed by the Syrian regime forces. Most of the breaches took place in Damascus suburbs governorate where 14 breaches occurred followed by Hama governorate with six breaches, and then Homs and Idlib with four breaches each.
The report stresses that all the breaches taking place on the first day were committed by the Syrian regime and its ally on the ground the Iranian regime, which the report considers to be the most affected by any political agreement that aim towards a comprehensive settlement. Furthermore, the report calls on the Russian regime, being a primary sponsor of the agreement, to apply pressure on the Syrian-Iranian regime in order to compel it seriously commit to the agreement's provisions. Otherwise, the ceasefire will ultimately fail.


Palmetto Apparel & Embroidery was founded in 2005 by Wayne Strawbridge. Debbie Sproles joined a year later. Before founding the company, both Wayne and Debbie worked in the corporate world of apparel. In this environment, it seemed that every customer was treated as a revenue target instead of a person or business that had needs and expectations. Debbie and Wayne created Palmetto Apparel & Embroidery with the idea that the customer comes first, not the revenue stream. This gives us the flexibility to really explore our customers' needs and, hopefully, exceed them with high-quality, custom apparel and uniforms. It also means that we don't shy away from the smaller orders and we do everything in our power to satisfy the customer. It's truly about making our customers happy.
What makes Palmetto Apparel & Embroidery different?
Not only are we locally owned and operated, we create artwork, screen print and embroider all of our apparel in house. This gives us flexibility AND the ability to complete most custom orders in 10 days or less. Our staff have been with us for years – we have some of the best screen printers in town! Owners Debbie and Wayne bring their years of corporate experience to the table enabling them to handle the big orders just as well as the smaller ones. We enjoy creating real, long-term relationships in partnering with our customers and our customer service is second to none. Did we mention we deliver? If you're in the Greater Columbia area, we're happy to deliver your order to your home or business.


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That turnaround proved to be an aberration, and the Pistons won just 20 games in each and every of the following two seasons. The game became a bit sloppy in the opening 4 minutes of the fourth with the Sixers ahead by 17. De'Anthony Melton scored 12, Georges Niang added 11 and Montrezl Harrell had 10 for the Sixers, who continue to play with this page no Tyrese Maxey . The Detroit Pistons are coming off one of the worst two-year stretches in franchise history, but No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham could be the important to a speedy bounce-back to relevance.
Person tickets for games in the second half of the season will go on sale beginning Jan. five, according to the Pistons. Tickets also will be accessible for sale at the Pistons' open-to-the-public practice Saturday at Oakland University. Sales there will be at the university arena's box workplace through the noon-1 p.m. If your occasion is canceled, we will notify you as soon as feasible. "Super Saturdays" – Super Saturdays presented by United Shore at The Palace concentrate on the entire Palace practical experience. "Made in Michigan Mondays" – Produced in Michigan Mondays will be about celebrating the terrific state of Michigan.
Some of the greatest involve Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Dave Bing, Vinnie Johnson, and Bob Lanier amongst a lot of others. The Detroit Pistons compete in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. Since 1941 the Pistons have been competing with a really high level of success. From 1941 to 1957 the team was known as the Fort Wayne Pistons.
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While they started the season 4–20, they won half their remaining games to finish a lockout-shortened season with a record of 25–41. The group continued to develop its young core with the drafting of the talented center Andre Drummond. At the start look here off of the 2007–08 season, Rasheed Wallace became the Pistons' new center.
The team advanced to face the Chicago Bulls, marking the initially time that the Central Division rivals had met in the postseason due to the fact 1991. After winning the very first two games by 26 and 21 points, the Pistons overcame a 19-point deficit to win Game 3, 81–74. The Bulls avoided elimination by winning Games 4 and 5, but the Pistons closed out the series, 95–85, in Game six to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth consecutive season.
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IDW Publishing is teaming with Paramount Pictures, J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions, Kurtzman/Orci Productions and CBS Consumer Products to publish a four-issue comic book series tied to next summer's Star Trek. The first comic in the series, Star Trek: Countdown #1, will be released in January 2009. The story is written by Mike Johnson (Superman/Batman) and Tim Jones, featuring art from David Messina (Star Trek: Mirror Images). Messina will also be providing the covers for the series. Check out a promotional image on the right hand side (click to enlarge).


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In August of 2009 I was for more than two weeks in the western parts of Norway on the road. Besides the many imposing impressions of the way there were two major natural landscapes particularly noteworthy: the remote peninsula of Stadlandet with the Vestkapp of Norway directly on the Atlantic and the plugged stone block Kjeragbolten at Kjerag next to Lysefjord.
The trip north took us by car to Hirtshals, Denmark, and from there by fast ferry to Kristiansand in southern Norway. Later we took some more ferries, such as by the Hardanger Fjord. After two nights we finally reached the peninsula Stadlandet and the westernmost point of the Norwegian mainland: the Vestkapp.
Stadlandet is part of the municipality of Selje, which is the northernmost in the Norwegian province Sogn og Fjordane. The Stadland is very sparsely populated and forested only in the valleys. Some of the 500 meters high mountains offer an excellent view. Also the many sheep on the green slopes enjoy the view. We have lived in the small settlement Honningsvåg.
Omnipresent is the wide Atlantic who is very upset. But occasionally he can be quite quiet. Stadlandet is the area of Norway which is closest to Iceland. You see this in the cemetery of Ervik where the older names are still written like in Iceland (for example Paulsdatter = Paul's sister). And the last name is the former name of the current location (Aarvig = Ervik).
Although I had traveled in the year 1995 for the first time to Norway, on this tour in 2009 I made my first glacier hike. The weather was moderate and the experience just great. Going as a small human on a large icy glacier tongue which is only a small part of a much more powerful glacier.
For several days we were in the western part of the Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway. The Låtefoss thundered down powerfully into a valley on our way back to the south.
A very worthy completion of the Norway trip was the day hike to Kjerag. Along the Lysefjord (west of Stavanger) you find the mountain range Kjerag which is more than 1000 meter high. The rock is smooth, polished, but very rugged - and of course not covered by plants.
In one of the crevices a about 5 m³ large egg-shaped stone is plugged between two rocks. Below him is a small, but 715 m high waterfall (Kjeragfossen). The Lysefjord is located almost 1000 meters diagonally under the stone. The cliffs drop up to 900 meter vertically. An extreme place.


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WD Lewis gets attached to Hill hitches
Digger Blogger | 09:11, Wed August 10 2016
Welsh civil engineering contractor WD Lewis has signed a deal worth more than £100,000 with attachment manufacturer Hill Engineering for 20 Tefra quick couplers and 60 Titan buckets.
Northern Ireland-based Hill Engineering has been supplying WD Lewis with Tefra for the last six years but these are its first Titan buckets.
Based in Mid Glamorgan, William D Lewis (Aberdare) was established in 1972 and today turns over more than £25m a year from its groundworks operations and the manufacture of concrete blocks.
WD Lewis group plant & transport manager Graham Ponsford says: "We were introduced to Hill Engineering and the Tefra six years ago – one of Hill's area sales managers visited us to show us the new Tefra hitch as we were looking for a new supplier as our current supplier in Tredega was closing down. We liked the design – it was new and very different to other designs we had seen and very well made. The price was right and also Hill Engineering offered a very good back-up service."
Mr Ponsford continues: "We went on to buy 20 hitches to fit to our fleet of JCB machines ranging from 13 to 21 tonnes. I showed the new Tefra hitch to our old supplier – the rep said the Hill product was excellent and gave it thumbs up. It was good to hear the opinion of what was a rival manufacturer's dealer."
"Three-years later we replaced our fleet again with another 20 machines and bought a further 20 new hitches from Hill. We have recently replaced our fleet once more, 2.5 years on, with 20 new Case machines, comprising nineteen 13-tonne machines and one 21-tonne machine, we also bought an additional 20 new Tefra hitches.
"The buckets we had were ten years old and they had been repaired many times so we decided that as we had renewed our fleet and hitches we decided on replacing our existing buckets with Hill's Titan HD buckets. We have purchased three buckets for each machine – so 60 in total."
Graham Ponsford goes on: "We are often asked why we replace the hitch every time we replace the machine? Well, it's my view that it's pointless putting an old bit of kit on a brand new machine, despite the fact that the hitches would probably go on to last another three years.
"The operators can't fault Hill's Tefra and are equally as happy with the new Titan HDs. When we first bought Tefra there were a few teething problems as the product was so new," he admits. "However, Hill Engineering quickly sorted this out and since then the hitches have been excellent. As a company we have used rival manufacturers hitches – but the Tefra is by far the best one out of the lot – and we have had plenty of time to test them!"


This bowl is easy to transport. It is easy to clean. It even contains a clip for travel convenience. The Fold-A-Bowl was built for food or water. No matter if you are using the small kibble or large chunks of raw food, this traveling bowl is the perfect match for eating and drinking on the go.


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North York General Hospital is one of the most popular training sites for University of Toronto Family Medicine Residents (students). Our program stresses working in both the community and the hospital. Residents get grounding in the care most commonly needed in the community while working one-on-one with a staff physician.
Each year, about 32 family medicine residents receive their core training at our hospital. Residents are from the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, and are medical school graduates who are training to specialize in family medicine. The two-year program leads to eligibility for certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Residents in the postgraduate program work with a family physician a half-day per week throughout their two years, and for two to four months on an intensive basis. They receive training in community-based family practice settings as well as hospital-based specialties, including obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, geriatrics, psychiatry and emergency services.
Residents take part in a variety of community-based experiences including palliative care, nutrition, dermatology, social work, sports medicine and substance abuse. Residents from other hospitals and other programs also do core and elective rotations at North York General.
Sally Principio
Family and Community Medicine
Email: sally.principio@nygh.on.ca
Dr. Allyson Merbaum
Email: allyson.merbaum@nygh.on.ca


When a loved one dies there are so many questions to be answered, but none are quite so difficult as this: What is next? What happens if there is no will or estate plan? Families struggling with a loss have many decisions to make, and they want to have legal advice they can trust.
The attorneys of Medure Bonner Bellissimo, LLC, are deeply connected with the communities we serve. From that commitment stems our promise to guide our clients past the difficult moments that come after someone they love has died. In estate administration law, the best outcome is one that eases the burdens for our clients.
Even if your loss was expected, there will be many pieces of business to tie up. The fact is that there really is no resolution, only hard work. Our practice works to take away your stress.
Inventorying the assets: We review and document all of the assets of the deceased, as well as all the debts and reconcile them in the probate process.
Duties as executor: We can advise you on the steps to take in estate administration to minimize the difficulty that your family is facing.
Distribution: Once debts are paid, the estate will be distributed to the beneficiaries either according to the decedent's will or Pennsylvania law.
We are here to help make this transition as easy on your family as possible. These legal burdens should not have to fall solely on you. Our decades of experience can help you move forward.
We are a hands-on firm, and we take pride in that. Our lawyers will meet with you on the terms that work for you. We have four locations, including our main office in New Castle, and you can call to schedule an appointment at any of them by calling 724-653-6906 or using this online form.


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Reenacting the sublime on Palm Sunday: Holy Week begins
Gwen Orel
Gwen Orel Published: March 23, 2018
The Rev. Hasselbrook leads a procession from St. James' Episcopal Church, with donkey, on Palm Sunday. COURTESY AUDREY HASSELBROOK
By GWEN OREL
orel@montclairlocal.news
Palm Sunday is a joyous holiday: it includes palm fronds, singing, and sometimes donkeys.
The holiday commemorates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem. This year it will be Sunday, March 25.
It's a day that uses symbols to deepen religious observance.
But it's also a solemn holiday, say Montclair clergy. Some of the people who cry "Hosanna" with palm fronds are the ones who cry "Crucify him" a few days later. Palm Sunday begins Holy Week for Christians.
Having the actual palms in hand is very important, Montclair clergy say.
"Holding a palm is a way of placing yourself in that crowd. It's an invitation to put yourself on the side of the road and imagine what it must have felt like to feel this person offering you hope," said Ann Ralosky, senior minister of First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Ave.
The way in which Jesus entered Jerusalem during the week of Passover could be considered "a little counter-protest street theater. Passover is the story of the Jews' liberation from tyranny. Pontius Pilate, the governor, was staging his own military parade into Jerusalem," Ralosky said.
Palm is placed on the altar in prepartion for Palm Sunday, March 25 at First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Ave.
DEBORAH ANN TRIPOLDI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Instead of clashes of swords and military trappings, people on the sidelines waved palms at him. He rode on a donkey, a humble animal, rather than a war horse. When Ralosky holds a palm and sees her congregation doing the same, she feels hopeful and celebratory.
"It's beautiful, like being part of any kind of group experience where people are sharing an emotion together, like singing at a concert or being at a game united by an emotion," she said. "This is more sublime and spiritual. It's not 'our guy scored a goal,' but 'We hope and pray this story of Jesus' liberating love is actually going to win this time'."
The Rev. Campbell Singleton, senior pastor of Union Baptist Church, 12-14 Midland Ave., agreed that the reenactment is powerful. "A lot of people talk about changing the narrative, and they don't know God's narrative. They don't know how God intervened in human affairs to transform people. In lifting up palms, we are the griots, the storytellers. We are telling the story so people know it. We are that fickle crowd," Singleton said.
"We're with the crowd. The text says the whole crowd was with Him. Right before that, Lazarus was raised from the dead. They were seeing all these signs and wonders. The palm represents the hope with the powers that be, that the great liberator has come to free us from marginalization."
Along with palms, some churches use donkeys as part of their Palm Sunday service. "We do 'Hosanna' and a palm parade, and we have a donkey," said the Rev. Melissa Hall, rector of St. James' Episcopal Church, 581 Valley Road. It's the fourth year St. James has had a donkey. Having a donkey means something to children.
"When you have things in your hands, like a palm or a beautiful donkey, that experience ties you to the moment more than just listening," she said. "The Passion story [Jesus' story of his last days on earth] is lengthy. It goes on for a while. People can zone out."
At St. James, the congregation walks in a procession to Anderson Park, where everyone gets palms. "It takes great courage to walk through your town in front of neighbors, with the cross in front, in choir garb and the priest, and step forward and say 'This is something I believe in,'" she said. 'It's a little easier with a donkey in your hand.".
FATIGUING AND PROMISING
As joyous as Palm Sunday begins, it ends solemnly, Hall said. "It's probably the most liturgically complex service we do. It starts out 'Hooray! Here comes Jesus!' and by the end of the service we've nailed Him up."
For Singleton, Palm Sunday demonstrates "the fickle nature of the crowd. In this political
Palms are part of the welcome of Jesus to Jerusalem.
JAIMIE WINTERS/STAFF
climate, nothing much has changed."
When something terrible happens, people are in shock, then "we go right back to what we've been doing. The challenge to me with Palm Sunday is how do we find a movement that sustains us to a right direction, that keeps us going in that path, and not being distracted?" He's inspired by what he's seen the teenagers from Parkland do, he said, and what simplicity can accomplish. He intends to preach about how with teenagers during Freedom Summer gave their lives to integrate the vote.
Hall, at St. James, also connects recent events to moral conviction. The church currently has 17 T-shirts with the names of the students slain in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine's Day at the front of the church. On the side, there are 26 T-shirts with the names of children slain in the massacre at Sandy Hook in 2012.
At many churches, the palms used on Palm Sunday are burned and used the following year for Ash Wednesday. St. James will also burn the T-shirts, Hall said.
The Rev. Marc Vicari of St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church, 187 Bellevue Ave., said that on Palm Sunday he goes through a spectrum of emotions. "We all have a place in Palm Sunday. We could be the people cheering 'Go get 'em.' We could be the people in the Passion who denied Christ. We recognize that because of us, He died. I feel all of those things. It's emotionally fatiguing," Vicari said. "But at the same time, it's promising, because Holy Week has begin. There is light at the end of the tunnel pointing towards Easter and the great joy it promises."
Filed Under: First Congregational Church, Gwen Orel, Palm Sunday, Rev. Ann Ralosky, Rev. Campbell Singleton, Rev. Marc Vicari, Rev. Melissa Hall, St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church, St. James Episcopal Church, Union Baptist Church
Categories: Community, Holidays, Top Stories


The Associated General Contractors of South Dakota, Building Chapter has named their 2018 incoming officers, elected by the board of directors. They are: 2018 President, Bob Heibult – Gustafson Builders, Rapid City; vice president, Randy Hanson – Mills Construction, Brookings; secretary/treasurer, Marlyn Bergeson – Journey Group, Sioux Falls; board member: Rusty Fiegen – Fiegen Construction Co., Sioux Falls; AGC 2018 Associate Division president, Georg Olson – Tessier's Inc., Rapid City; and AGC 2018 associate vice president, Bob Jarding – Electric Supply Co., Sioux Falls.
Sara Lum, located in JLG Architects' Sioux Falls office, has earned her architecture licensure. The Brandon native completed a design degree at the University of Nebraska and a masters of architecture degree from Rice University on full scholarship. She is currently participating in the EmBe Women's Leadership Program.
Amy Larson joins the Dave & Co. Team. She has been in education for 15 years, with degrees in math and administration from University of South Dakota.
Christine Liberko joins the Tyler Goff Group. She has a psychology degree from South Dakota State University, along with prior customer service and sales experience.
The SDSU Foundation has promoted two staff members, expanding their roles and responsibilities within the organization.
Brittany Peterson was promoted to executive assistant to the president. The Brookings native has served as an administrative assistant and executive assistant since joining the Foundation staff in 2013.
Arian Bunde is now the vice president for Strategy and Innovation, a newly created leadership position with the organization. Bunde, a 2008 SDSU graduate, joined the Foundation in 2015.
The following local retailers were named state business delegates at the South Dakota Retailers Association's recent annual meeting and awards banquet in Pierre: Lisa and Travis Hellvig of Hartford Building Center, Hartford; Nicki Ellerbroek of McNally's Irish Pub, Jim Entenman of J & L Harley Davidson, Debbie and Gerard Faini of Faini Designs Jewelry Studio, Amanda Feldkamp and Melissa Johnson of Oh My Cupcakes!, Joseph Herst of Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center, and Matt Sawyer of WR Hospitality all of Sioux Falls.
The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems awarded The East Dakota Water Development District with the "Friend of Rural Water" Award at their annual Technical Conference in Pierre. This distinguished honor is awarded to agencies, organizations, or individuals who have lent a hand in supporting rural water. EDWDD has been in existence since 1963, and consists of all of Grant, Codington, Deuel, Hamlin, Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, Moody and Minnehaha Counties, the eastern half of Miner County and that portion of the City of Sioux Falls that is located in Lincoln County. EDWDD is headquartered in Brookings and managed by Jay Gilbertson, with a staff of four employees, and a nine-member board.
The National Corn Growers Association honored Steve Hagena of Davis, for setting a new state corn yield record with 312 bushels per acre using Pioneer P1366AM brand corn. In total, the NCGA awarded nine national and 191 state awards to growers using Pioneer brand products who entered the annual yield contest.
SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development company, has noted its anti-MERS immunotherapy (SAB-301) appears safe in a Phase I Clinical Trial. Results of the study, sponsored, funded and conducted by National Institutes of Health were published recently in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Kim Hefner-Hines of Allen Homes, Inc., was installed as the 2018 president of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire. She succeeds Corey Johnson of G.A. Johnson Construction, Inc., with her term ending Dec. 31, 2018. A member since 1984, she has chaired many committees, was the association's treasurer from 2001-2004 and 2006-2011 and honored with several awards. She was inducted into the SDHBA Hall of Fame in 2015.
•The following join Hefner-Hines on the 2018 HBASE board of directors: First vice president, Dusty Rallis, Rallis Construction; second vice president; Brad Mair, A-Plus Construction; associate vice-president; Jerry Cook, Audio Video Integrations LLC; secretary, Chane Patten, Builder's Millwork & Window LLC; treasurer; Michele Rislov, First Bank & Trust; immediate past president; and Corey Johnson, G.A. Johnson Construction, Inc.
•Directors include: Justin Anderson, Hebron Brick Supply; Jon Beatch, Beatch Construction LLC; Cissy Buhler, Keller Williams Realty; Sunshine Cady, JamesDugan, Inc.; Justin Driscoll, Driscoll Construction; Colleen Elcock, First Bank & Trust; Dale Goetschius, StarMark Custom Cabinetry; Tom Hines, Frisbee Plumbing, Heating, A/C, & Electrical; Ryan Jansa, Van Buskirk Company; Tom Jarding, Jarding Construction; Lydell Larson, Falls City Construction; Preston Mettler, First Choice Development; JJ Myott, Jeren Homes, Inc.; S.D. associate national director, Candi Menke, Black Hills Federal Credit Union; S.D. state rep and national life director, Duane Bickett, Bickett's Construction; and national directors – Alan Amdahl, Amdahl Construction Co.; Brad Mair, A-Plus Construction; Preston Mettler, First Choice Development; Russ Pies, Builders FirstChoice; with alternate national director, Chane Patten, Builder's Millwork & Window LLC.
Sioux Falls marketing and public relations agency Epicosity has added a new staff member to join its client relations department: Chris Bohlen started at Epicosity in February and serves as an account executive, joining the account management team and bringing with him a background in sales and client relations. He previously worked in the field for KeyMedia Solutions and Midcontinent Communications.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota has expanded their office with the addition of four new positions. Jen Petersen was promoted to communications director, Adam Jorgensen was named communications associate, Noah Smith-Drelich was named staff attorney and Kadyn Wittman was named administrative coordinator. The addition of staff nearly doubles the ACLU's presence in the state. All positions report to Heather Smith, executive director of the ACLU of South Dakota, which has had an office in the state since 2008.
Upper Iowa University president Dr. William Duffy and Northeast Iowa Community College president Dr. Liang Chee Wee have agreed to a Letter of Understanding to create a Bridge to Success Program for first-year students to share mutual benefits for first-year students enrolled in the new program. The partnership is a unique collaboration in the state of Iowa between a four-year private university and a community college.
The Sioux Falls Tennis Association has named the following as their new board members: Lydia Healy, executive director, Hegg Realtors; Carissa Dice, president, Fiserv; Jessie Daw, vice president; Pip Ong, treasurer, Thrive Pilates; Virginia DeBoer, secretary, freelance writer; David Peterson, past president, The First National Bank; Marc Kurtz, GreatLIFE Woodlake and Augustana University; Jennifer Wiese, Avera Behavioral Health; Thomas Chiu, CareTrends Pharmacy; Richard Thomason, Nelson Commercial Real Estate; John Schreurs, Maverick Recruiting; Cara Lovrien and Beth Stoutamire.
South Dakotans, Kevin and Brianna Deinert and Jordan and Samantha Scott, were named to the 34th class of American Soybean Association DuPont Young Leaders for 2018.
A Sioux Falls company, OmegaQuant, LLC has reached an agreement with the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration that allows OmegaQuant to market its Omega-3 Index test as an over the counter, general health and wellness product. The Omega-3 Index is a blood test of omega-3 fatty acid nutritional status that can be measured from a dried blood spot.
The South Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee honored several individuals at its recent SDFB Centennial Convention.
•An award of high esteem was given to former SDFB president and board member Richard Kjerstad of Wall.
•The "Richard Kjerstad Friend of YF&R" for 2017 went to Paul and Carol Shubeck of Centerville. Paul has served on the SDFB board of directors and been involved with other state ag organizations. He was recently named the new Farm Services Agency director for South Dakota. Carol is actively involved in their farming operation.
•Excellence in Ag Award winners were Matt and Kristy Smith of Hitchcock. The Smiths represented SDFB YF&R at the national Excellence in Ag contest during the American Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville in January. They are also the incoming YF&R chairmen for 2018.
•Also honored were Nick and Rebekah Ihnen of Tulare, as outgoing YF&R chairs and Tom and Katy VanderWal of Brookings, as outgoing vice-chairs. Riley and Kailee Schwader of Howard, are the incoming vice-chairs.
Four state organizations have joined forces to create a new workforce development program designed to benefit students, area businesses and the state. The four core partners: Dakota State University, Southeast Tech, the Sioux Falls School District and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, will collaborate with businesses to create a South Dakota Partnership for Student Success, or SDPaSS, to enhance workforce development within the state.
April 18, 2019, 11:29 a.m.
April 18, 2019, 9:09 a.m.
April 17, 2019, 4:16 p.m.
April 17, 2019, 10:57 a.m.


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Charoset's many variations
Ashkenazi-style charoset: apples, walnuts, cinnamon and red wine. (photo by Yoninah via commons.wikimedia.org)
What Passover seder symbol is common to all communities but is not mentioned in the biblical passage that enjoins us to eat the paschal offering, matza and bitter herbs? Charoset.
Charoset is loosely defined as a paste of fruit, spices and wine, symbolic of the mortar used by the Hebrews when they were slaves in Egypt.
The word is of unknown origin but may be from the word heres, meaning clay, because of its color. The custom of eating charoset is thought to have come from the time of the Babylonians, who dipped food in relishes or sauces to add flavor.
Some years ago, I surprised all my seder guests by serving both the traditional Ashkenazi version and a Sephardi version of charoset, which everyone loved and wanted in future years.
The New York Times Passover Cookbook, edited by Linda Amster, says that the Iraqi version of charoset is one of the oldest and most time-consuming recipes, dating back to the Babylonian exile of 579 BCE. Made into a jam from dates, grapes, pomegranate and honey, it was a sweetener in the ancient world and is still used by Iraqi, Burmese, Syrian and Indian Jews.
The Talmud says charoset must be sharp in taste and similar to clay in substance and color. Differing geographies is one of the reasons there are differing charoset recipes.
Ashkenazim tend to use apples, chopped almonds, cinnamon, red wine and perhaps even matza meal; sometimes walnuts or other nuts are used. Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews tend to use fruits that grew in Eretz Israel in biblical times, such as grapes, figs, dates, almonds and pomegranates. Israelis often turn charoset into a dessert by adding bananas, dates, orange juice and/or sugar.
Abraham Chill, author of The Minhagim (The Customs), writes that each ingredient symbolizes something different from the Egypt experience. The mixture as a whole stands for the mortar used by the Jews in making bricks, and the cinnamon resembles the color of the bricks they made. Wine represents the blood of the Jewish infants thrown into the Nile. Almonds are used because the Hebrew word for almond, shaked, is also a word that means to accelerate, as G-d accelerated the end of slavery. Apples are used because it was said that Jewish women during that time gave birth to their babies under apple trees in order to avoid detection by the Egyptians.
In her book The Jewish Holiday Kitchen, Joan Nathan states that charoset is "one of the most popular and discussed ritual foods served at the seder." She says the fruits and nuts refer to verses in the Song of Songs, which mention an apple tree and the garden of nuts; the red wine recalls the Red Sea.
Because the maror or bitter herb is so strong, some say that the real purpose of charoset is to allay the bitterness. As part of the seder, the charoset and maror are placed between matzot to make a sandwich, which is said to have been invented by the first century CE Rabbi Hillel, hence, its name, the "Hillel sandwich."
There are as many variations on the ingredients of charoset as there are Jewish communities.
Jews from the island of Rhodes use dates, walnuts, ginger and sweet wine. Jews of Salonika, Greece, add raisins. Other Greek Jews use walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, raisins, cinnamon, cloves and red wine and spread it thickly on matza. Turkish Jews include orange.
A Moroccan friend told me she used some of the seven species from the Bible in her charoset: dates, almonds, nuts, pomegranate seeds, figs, wine and cinnamon. Jewish Daily Forward Food Maven columnist Matthew Goodman once wrote in the Forward that Moroccan Jews sometimes make charoset paste and roll it into balls. He says this is a legacy from Jews of medieval Spain, who made the balls of apples, dried fruit, almonds, cooked chestnuts, sugar and cinnamon (but no wine) and then drizzled the balls with white vinegar before serving.
Jews of Venice use chestnut paste, dates, figs, poppy seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, orange peel, dried apricots, raisins, brandy and honey, while Jews of Bukharia use nuts, almonds, dates, raisins, apples and wine. Egyptian charoset contains dates, nuts, banana, apples, wine, cinnamon and pomegranate seeds.
An Iraqi woman told me that instead of a paste type of charoset, they would buy a special date honey and sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Goodman, again in the Forward, explained that its foundation is a syrup, halek, made by boiling dates, straining the liquid and then reducing it over a low flame until thick. Halek is one of the earliest of all sweeteners and may be the source of the reference in "land flowing with milk and honey." Chopped walnuts or almonds are then added to the syrup. Jews of Calcutta also follow this custom.
A Dutch woman told me that she makes a chunky mixture with more apples and only a few nuts, plus cinnamon, sugar, raisins and sweet wine. Jews from Surinam in Dutch Guiana use seven fruits and coconut.
Following the injunction to have a sharp taste, Persian Jews use dates, pistachios, almonds, raisins, apples, orange, bananas, pomegranate seeds, sweet wine, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, vinegar and black pepper. Likewise, Yemenite Jews use dates, raisins, almonds, nuts, figs, dates, sesame seeds, apples, pomegranate seeds, grape juice, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper. Jews from Afghanistan pound charoset in a mortar with a pestle and use walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, apples, sweet wine, pomegranate seeds, dates and black pepper.
One exception I have found to Ashkenazim following the strictly sweet version was a friend whose father's family came from Galicia. He recalled that their charoset was made from apples, nuts, wine, cinnamon and horseradish.
Here are but a few recipes.
CLASSIC ASHKENAZI CHAROSET
6 chopped apples
1/3 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup red sweet wine
Combine apples, nuts and raisins. Add cinnamon, sugar and wine. Depending on your preference, this can also be made in a food processor.
DATE CHAROSET
1/2 cup seeded, finely chopped dates
1/2 apple, grated
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/8 cup red wine
1/4 tsp ginger
Combine dates and apple. Add nuts, wine, cinnamon and ginger.
SEPHARDI CHAROSET
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped raisins
Combine dates and raisins. Add walnuts, almonds, wine, lemon juice and cinnamon. Form into balls.
SPICY CHAROSET
12 figs
1 1/2 cups pitted dates
2 seeded oranges
In a food processor, coarsely chop figs, dates, raisins, oranges and almonds. Try to keep the fruit chunky unless you prefer it pureéd. Pour into a bowl. Add wine, cayenne, cinnamon and blend.
Sybil Kaplan is a journalist, foreign correspondent, lecturer, food writer and book reviewer who lives in Jerusalem. She also does the restaurant features for janglo.net and leads weekly shuk walks in English in Jerusalem's Jewish food market.
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Format ImagePosted on March 27, 2015 March 26, 2015 Author Sybil KaplanCategories Celebrating the HolidaysTags Ashkenazi, charoset, Passover, recipes, seder, Sephardi
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Client AR Kennedy, the author of a mystery series and the recently released Saving Ferris, discusses how a musical can teach us about "show, not tell."
I'm late to the party but The Greatest Showman has recently become my favorite movie.
But I'm not a big fan of musicals so I didn't see the movie until well after it's theatrical release.
My favorite song from the soundtrack is "Never Enough," sung by Loren Allred. It's a beautiful song but my favorite scene of the film is another one. It's a class on "Show Don't Tell." The only words in the scene are the song. Yet each character (P.T. Barnum played by Hugh Jackman, Charity played by Michelle Williams, Phillip played by Zac Efron, and Anne played by Zendaya) shows us so much without saying a word.
P.T.'s nervousness displayed by his fussing with his tux, looking up to heaven, and taking a deep breath.
The smiles his wife and daughter exchange as they wait excitedly for the concert to begin.
The way Charity fiddles with her hands as Jenny begins signing.
The surprised smile P.T. gives as Jenny Lind gives him a coy look.
The tentativeness with which Phillip and Anne hold hands.
P.T.'s shock realizing how talented Jenny is and looking to the audience to see if they are hearing what he is hearing.
Anne's disappointment as Phillip pulls his hand away.
Phillip's sadness at the end of the song.
Charity's worry as she watches her husband watching his new talent.
Small movements, glances, and breathing patterns told us what each character was feeling without any of them saying a word.
To refresh your memory, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkRoIMyqFo.
Rewatching the clip makes me want to sing, dye my hair red again, and write a great scene!
WHEN GRAMMAR GETS IN A MOOD!
I hope you're celebrating National Grammar Day, because if you're not—well, let's just say that grammar can get a little moody.
She is a prize-winning author.
Have a great Grammar Day!
Did you have a good Grammar Day?
We would throw a grammar party every day if we had the time.
I should study my grammar book a bit more.
Finally, there's the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishful or hypothetical thinking. It is also used to indicate that something is being suggested or demanded.
I wish I were a better author.
It was suggested that he study grammar.
If I were in charge, I would declare every day Grammar Day.
Now go forth and celebrate on this fourth.
Years ago, I started my writing practice like many other authors by crafting short stories. One of our most prolific short story writers, Anton Chekov, published 568 stories during his brief lifetime. I'll never reach his level, but I try to write every day, one story at a time. I enjoy the short form because it forces me to ask what is really important to the story. Trying to squeeze setting, characters arcs, and a compelling plot within 3,000 to 5,000 words is an excellent exercise in minimalism. Writing great scenes is a craft that improves with practice, especially with short stories—all scenes need to pull double duty. Every scene in a short story needs to propel the plot forward. Every scene also needs to either reveal character or deepen the conflict.
After writing "The Wayfinders," a short story about a Polynesian navigator sailing across the Pacific in 1054 CE, I came back to it over and over again. It eventually became the prologue of my first draft of Mauna Kea Rising, my debut novel published this month. I had thought it might offer a great context for the science fiction book. One of my favorite authors, Arthur C. Clarke, did this to great success. He took his 1948 short story, The Sentinel, and developed it into the screenplay for Stanley Kubrick's 2001, A Space Odyssey. He then adapted and expanded the 1968 film into an award-winning novel.
Sometimes novels need a prologue, even at the risk of damaging a little of their subtext. These may be scenes that offer complicated backstories that must be explained upfront in order for readers to understand what's going on later in the book. They may also add to world-building in science fiction and fantasy novels. In Clarke's 2001, A Space Odyssey, the prologue takes place thousands of years before the main event. It works because it provides the subtext for the story's premise: human encounter with alien technology in the 21st century. The introduction also provides an important setup crucial to the main character's arc.
Yet, "The Wayfinders" didn't fit well into my novel for many reasons. The 15,000-word prologue was bloated and forced readers to begin the story twice. The prologue started with two characters a millennium before the main plotline for Mauna Kea Rising and had little to do with the novel's premise, a single mother's struggle to survive the aftermath of an epic solar storm. It grabbed readers with a "fake" hook, wasting their time with extraneous material instead of allowing them to get into the real story right away. Despite my love for the story, I had to cut it. "Kill your darlings," right?
Well, not so fast. Although I dropped the prologue, I included a few of its ideas in Mauna Kea Rising as part of a frame-story technique—a story within the story. It became a plot device that prophesied the dangers faced by the main character. I also went back and edited the story, adding more conflict, shortening it to 5,000 words, tightening the character arc, and adding a twist at the end. This month, Torrid Literature Journal accepted "The Wayfinders" for their Spring edition. So, never throw anything away. You just don't know when your old material might become useful.
Client Jodi Rath is releasing her first mystery, Pineapple Upside Down Murder, later this month. Below she discusses how she has planned out the entire series already!
Many indie writers who are new to the profession get so caught up in writing that first book that it becomes daunting to think about an entire series. I mean, we get to the point where we feel like it will be a miracle to finish the first book. I was that way for the first seven years I attempted to write Book One. Excuse me while I clear my throat . . . Yes, you heard correctly, ONLY seven years. Why seven years? Well, I could go on and on about everyday life, a full-time teaching job, and having no clue what I was doing, but the truth is I had zero direction. Does this mean you have to be a planner to write a book? Heck no, but if you have a destination and don't know how to get there, you do need a map.
It's the same with writing a series. I would contend that it is immensely important to go into writing a series with a direction. I feel like I could be scaring some of you at this point. You may be thinking, "Well, I can't even figure out Book One, so how on earth am I going to plan an entire series?" Excellent question! BTW: I would have hated the person who wrote I needed to plan out an entire series seven years ago when I started, so permission to cyberslap me!
In all seriousness, though, don't be afraid or discouraged. Can you think back to your high school English class when your teacher taught you about the elements of the story? You remember that triangle? (I was a high school English teacher, so no teacher jokes please.) I taught the triangle as a roller coaster ride, telling my students that when reading or writing a story to start with the foundation at the bottom, where they are boarding the ride and beginning to understand the story, with the exposition of who the characters are, where the story is happening, and what the initial problem is that they find. Once that ride starts rolling, they need to brace themselves, as they slowly chug up and up and up with the rising action, learning more about those characters and their faults, successes, and failures. Also, don't forget that initial problem. That will help in understanding the plot as the rising action leads to the tippy-top of the ride, where we all find ourselves waiting in anticipation for the big climactic moment—we feel like we are hanging on by a thread and NO we aren't sure we want to fall over that hill, but too late! We are now over the highest point of the ride and are going forward into the falling action, where we now know our characters and setting better. We are rooting for some and hating others and enjoying the little village they live in, wishing we lived there too, but there is still that dang problem from the beginning back at the exposition, when the ride started. That problem is like a bullet that penetrates the body and expands and explodes, with fragments of that problem flying everywhere, and we need our protagonist to figure this out. We need a satisfying resolution.
See what I mean? A story is a wonderfully exciting ride we choose to go on when we read or when we write. Now, you are probably asking, "What does this have to do with planning out an entire series?" Again, great question! You were obviously a top-notch student in school!
The first thing I had to figure out was what type of cozy series I was writing. My grandma gave me her seventy-year-old cast iron skillet for Christmas, and she had only ever made pineapple upside down cake in it. So that helped me determine the title of my series and the title of my first book. Once I had both of those, that gave me even more direction. I had a blast playing with titles that tied into food made in cast iron skillets, murder (and other malicious habits some humans obtain), and my characters.
From there, that duh—or AHA—moment sunk in with Freytag's pyramid. Fourteen books, a nice even number, allowed me to start with Book One, in which the village setting and the main characters take the stage. Then Books Two through Six have an overarching theme that has rising action leading to a climactic moment that happens in Book Seven. Can you guess what Books Eight through Thirteen do? That's it, again—gold star for the best student—falling action, leading to Book Fourteen, in which there is the resolution for the story. Once I had that overarching theme and the titles, I created a document in which I listed out the titles and wrote a quick sketch (two to three paragraphs) about possible plots for each book while building on that overarching theme. Keep in mind I use the word "possible." I still have to write each book, and there is room for changes as I move from one book to another. At least, at this stage, I have a detailed map that helps to hurl me forward at the end of each book.
That was a general description of how I moved from writing Book One to planning for a fourteen-book series. Feel free to contact me at jrath@columbus.rr.com if you have more questions or go to my website at https://www.jodirath.com to sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media.
When I'm editing, one of the issues that often arises is the size of both a manuscript and of individual chapters.
If you're writing a novel for the first time, make sure you know the expectations of your genre. Dana Isaacson, an editor and ghostwriter, has some genre word counts here. Writer's Digest also has the same here. You may have written a brilliant novel, but if the word count is double or triple the size of regular novels, and your name is not Stephen King, chances are you'll have a difficult to impossible time finding an agent or publisher. Big novels are costly to publish; each page equals a certain amount of money. Yes, Stephen King writes huge doorstoppers, but he's guaranteed to bring in sales—big sales. The same can't be said for an unknown author—or even a previously published author whose sales have been decent, but not spectacular.
If you are a newer author, experts say a safe bet is in the 90,000-word range. Literary agent Paula Munier has a good post about that, including how many words should be written per act.
If you are self-publishing, you can bend these rules. Of course, publishing a print book that is 500 pages will be much costlier than publishing a 300-page book. To make money on a lengthy print book, you'll have to raise the price. Ask yourself some hard questions: Will readers buy a print book that costs this much from an author they have never read? Will you be doing book signings and other events with print books (which necessitates you first paying for these books)? Or will you be mostly promoting the ebook, which is not affected by length?
Another place where size comes into play is chapters. I'm often asked about chapter lengths. If you are writing a thriller, or any other fast-paced story, you might want to keep your chapters very short—what editor Shawn Coyne calls "potato-chip scenes." Most of us can't eat just a couple of potato chips. You start and, before you know it, the whole bag is gone.
Don't worry too much about these lengths during the writing process. But, once you are revising, go back and reconsider long scenes and chapters, as well as the overall length of the manuscript, especially if it is too short or too long. Make sure you have the appropriate number of words in each act. Keeping to the right lengths often fixes issues of pacing and will keep readers hooked.
Do you create a character bible or character style sheet when writing your story? As an editor, I find these invaluable and create one myself if I don't get it from the client. More than a few times, creating one has shown me duplicated names or inconsistencies in the story. You may want to create one as a writing tool, especially if you are writing a series.
Names, obviously. Sometimes, authors use the same name for two characters without realizing it (maybe one is a minor character, who only appears once or twice). Similar-sounding names also can be tricky. I've found reviewers who have chastised writers for using sound-alikes: Bibi, Bobby, Bonnie, and Beca in one book, and Braddock, Brewer, Breyer, and Butler in another book. For the reader, who has to memorize all these new names as they enter your fictional world, this can be confusing.
Their bio. Here, you may want to note the characters' backgrounds and ages. Maybe the description doesn't even get into the finished manuscript, but it will inform how you portray this character. Include where they were born, siblings, pets, jobs, and how they are related to the other characters.
Physical characteristics. You don't want a character who has blue eyes on page 3 to suddenly have brown eyes on page 123. Noting the physical description helps. Some of my clients have added photos of actors to illustrate what their character looks like—almost like you would do if pitching a film.
What they wear. The sketch included here is from books by client Jillian Wiseman-Bald, who has written a wonderful historical fiction trilogy. She had an artist, Jeff Meyer, complete the sketches and she uses them in a character list included in the books. The character list she provided was incredibly helpful when it came to this series, but I also loved looking at the sketches, which depict how the different classes dressed. A piece of clothing can also be an important thread throughout a series—Sue Grafton's protagonist, Kinsey Millhone, is not one to dress up and owns only one all-purpose, wrinkle-proof black dress, which was used to great effect throughout the series.
One of my copyediting students noticed that in a published book a character was suddenly wearing different clothes in the same scene, without any mention of a clothing change. So you may want to make note of this as well.
What they eat. Is your character a gourmet home cook, like Robert Parker's Spenser? Or do they only have time to drive through the fast-food lane? Do your characters often meet over chicken fried steak at a neighborhood restaurant?
Character goals, wants, and fears. This is important for the main characters, as their narrative arc usually drives most stories.
This may seem like a lot of work, but you'll be happy you did this, especially if you're writing a series. You don't want to mess up and say your protagonist has a dog named Fido when she really has a cat named Fluffy.
And, if you're writing a longer book, these can be condensed into character lists for your readers. They'll thank you, too!
DO YOU NEED A PROLOGUE?
Should you or shouldn't you have a prologue? This is a question I'm asked often.
Although some in the industry advise writers to avoid prologues, I like them—when they are done right. A prologue should be intriguing, something to hook the reader. It should not be written only because the first chapter is dull. Oftentimes, I hear authors say they want a prologue in order to start the story with something exciting, and I think that's the wrong approach. The first chapter should grab readers as much as any prologue would.
The right approach is to use the prologue as something that is essential to the story, or something that will become important later on.
It was still dark when the first three or four of them sidled out of the hovels, quiet as cats in their felt boots. A thin layer of fresh snow covered the little town like a new coat of paint, and theirs were the first footprints to blemish its perfect surface. They picked their way through the huddled wooden huts and along the streets of frozen mud to the silent marketplace, where the gallows stood waiting.
As the first line indicates, this prologue is about the hanging of a man in a public square. The sense of dread increases in the second paragraph through Follett's word choices—the darkness, the blemish on the snow, the silent marketplace, and the waiting gallows.
The people shrank from her in fear: everyone knew that the curses of those who had suffered injustice were particularly effective, and they had all suspected that something was not quite right about this hanging. The small boys were terrified.
Not only does the prologue open with great narrative tension, but the reader immediately knows the curse will be important to the story. In fact, this opening is crucial to Follett's epic historical novel. And the prologue is only two pages long. Another tip for prologues: keep them short!
At some point in our lives, we all face rejection—whether in love, a job we really wanted but didn't get, or that time we ran for student government president and lost. We tend to pull back for a while and lick our wounds.
But for writers, rejection may be constant, especially if they are sending out query letters. The odds are against you from the beginning—some agents only take on two to five new clients a year, yet receive tens of thousands of queries a year.
Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, was rejected 30 times (I bet those agents and publishers are kicking themselves now). Even J.K. Rowling has famously published rejection letters she got as Robert Galbraith, her alter ego. One of the letters even recommended she take writing classes! I could go on and on; there are dozens of other examples.
1. Don't give up too soon. Nora Roberts, who has now published more than 130 novels, submitted manuscripts for over a year. New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke, who has 37 books published, was rejected 111 times over nine years when he queried with The Lost Get-Back Boogie. When it was finally published by Louisiana State University Press in 1986, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
2. Follow the rules. If the word count for your genre is from 60,000 to 80,000, don't send in a 180,000-word manuscript. Agents will automatically assume you can't write tight or don't want to cut your darlings. And a debut novelist is not likely to have such a behemoth of a novel published. It's costly for publishers to put out big books—they don't have an unlimited budget, so the big bucks are going to the Stephen Kings of the world (and even King advises to cut your darlings).
4. Learn from the rejections. If you aren't getting requests for partial or full manuscripts, ask yourself some hard questions—or have beta readers or an editor look at your manuscript, if you haven't already. If there's a theme running throughout those rejection letters, then it's time to revise the manuscript.
For more on queries, see my book, Publishing for Beginners: What First-Time Authors Need to Know (free if you sign up for my newsletter).
Don't make fun of obvious typos, especially in a public forum. Everyone makes them, including editors. Recently, someone sent out an email to a group, making fun of a typo as she attacked someone. Interestingly, her own professional website has a huge, glaring, and ridiculous typo. Pointing out typos makes you look petty and obnoxious. I feel so strongly about this that I made it No. 1.
Be patient, be helpful, and be kind. This may be hard, especially when you are dealing with a difficult client—believe me, I know and I've lost patience at times. But, as an editor, there are times you may need to put yourself in a writer's shoes. See it from their perspective.
Push your writers to be their best, but not in an assertive, I-know-it-all manner (see No. 2). One of my clients once told me that her previous editor made her cry. She was happy that I was tough, but also gentle.
Be flexible. Language is always changing, and an editor must bend with those winds. Dictionaries and style manuals are constantly updated, so a good editor is always learning and growing. Holding on to those old style "rules" is an ineffective use of one's energy, as is insisting on a certain style decision that makes little difference to the prose—even The Chicago Manual of Style, in the preface to its 16th edition, wrote: "Rules and regulations such as these, in the nature of the case, cannot be endowed with the fixity of rock-ribbed law. They are meant for the average case, and must be applied with a certain degree of elasticity." It's more important to make the writing clear, accurate, and accessible.
Remember the reader. While an editor may work for a publisher or individual author, the end process is producing something the reader will want to read and will understand. In many ways, we are an advocate for the reader.
As an author, you are always juggling. Not only are you writing the next book, but you are promoting your latest book, writing a monthly newsletter, keeping up with your blog (or other blogs), and updating your website. And that's just for starters.
Marketing, from writing press releases and newsletter to coordinating contests and giveaways. Some virtual assistants have graphic artist experience and can create the promotions for you.
Social media management. VAs will handle social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube, etc., creating content and replying to comments.
Scheduling. An assistant can help you with whatever you need to schedule, from speaking events and book signings to blog tours.
Website and blog management. VAs may update websites as needed (new books, events, photos of you, etc.). They can also write content for your blog, or help you by brainstorming ideas.
Database administration. If you need to maintain any sort of database—for NetGalley requests, Goodreads giveaways, newsletter signups, etc.—an assistant can keep track of these.
Online research. Some assistants do research and fact-checking.
Other assistance. This can include monitoring email, sending out cards and letters, ordering supplies, and making travel arrangements. Depending on their skills set, some offer book formatting services.
Most authors seem to use virtual assistants to develop marketing plans and run promotions. You could, as an author, do this on your own. But experienced virtual assistants have already done this for other clients and know how best to promote your book.
Most virtual assistants charge $25 to $50 an hour for their services. You don't need to hire them full-time, although you can. You may need them just for a few hours a month, or to work on a specific project.
If you know that you will have to promote your book (because your traditional publisher only does so much, or you are self-publishing), then your VA can help you come up with creative promotions. For example, Looney, who works with mystery author Kate Carlisle, designed a custom deck of cards for one of Carlisle's books. Each face card held a different murder weapon. It was used for a giveaway for members of Carlisle's mailing list. In addition, Looney created a video revealing each day's random winner. It was so popular that "she had a lot of readers asking if they could buy the cards," Looney said.
Another assistant, Amanda West Kassis, who also works as an editor, focuses on publishing weekly newsletters and growing subscribers. "I am in the publishing industry, which gives me unique skills and knowledge," she said. She will help an author post on social media, write newsletters, and do other marketing.
Is it worth hiring a VA?
You may have written a wonderful book, but it won't go anywhere without marketing. And marketing may take away time spent writing the next book, which is crucial in a series.
Most virtual assistants said this is the beauty of having help—the author can concentrate on the writing.
She can't say how much her work has helped with sales, but pointed to a recent Facebook promotion she did for an author. Her work resulted in an immediate increase in clicks.
An author first needs to consider the budget and her priorities, said Jolly. Most of her authors only need her for five or so hours per month.
"We all wish we could outsource SO MANY THINGS, but the reality is that we have to start small and outsource just one or two things at first," Jolly said. "That's best for a small budget and for building trust.
"Quickly, let's talk quickly about math. Let's say an author can afford to hire an assistant for 10 hours/month. That's 120 hours per year. How many more words can that author produce with an additional 120 hours per year? Let's estimate low and say that's one additional novella per year.
One author, Susan Mallery, has worked with Looney for nine years and considers her indispensable. As an example, she mentions her latest book, Secrets of the Tulip Sisters. Looney created the content for TulipSisters.com, sent 200 copies of the book to a "Review Crew," created a sign-up form for mailing list members to receive bookmarks, then sent out the bookmarks to 30,000 fans (Looney also designed the bookmarks). In addition, she created quote-of-the-day shareables with quotes from the book, created videos and graphics to use in Facebook ads, and executed the Facebook campaigns. During all this, she coordinated with Harlequin's PR and digital marketing departments on the book promotion.
All of the virtual assistants agreed that you should have a conversation with potential hires about what you need, as VAs have different specialties.
Special thanks to the following virtual assistants for their help: Naomi Cowan Eaton (eaton.naomi@gmail.com); Mel Jolly (www.authorrx.com); Sarah Merchant (www.workadayservices.com); Jenel Looney (www.jenellooney.com); and Amanda West Kassis (www.awestediting.com).


UNWORN, in delivery stickers! 18ct Rose Gold Rolex Sky-Dweller model 326135 with chocolate dial on brown strap, as per the one illustrated here. To have boxes, Sky-Dweller booklet, swing-tags and international Rolex warranty card. The NEW RRP is now £30,450!
Stock Number: 22-39-HMS Shop: Liverpool St. J.
Stainless steel and white metal Datejust model 116234 with lovely dark blue / diamond dot dial on Jubilee 63200 bracelet. This 2007 model comes with Rolex boxes, Datejust booklet, red swing-tag and our own warranty card. Priced keenly to reflect some superficial marks on the winding crown and glass. The NEW equivalent is now £6,650!


I feel compelled to blog every time I post some new work. I don't know why... it's just addictive.
New image posted in the solitude series, called Abyss. This one took a bit of math to get the angles and elevation right. What fun.
During a shoot the other day, I had a spark of an idea, sort of resulting from a combination of having the camera set too open, and the particular model that I was using. So, I had another shoot last night with the same model, and started in on this new series of concepts.
I have been in the ethereal planes for many years but never had or knew how to use a computer so you can only imagine my sense of discovery.


Then consider writing an article for Wpliving.
All guest articles include an author bio section with links to your website and social media profiles. I promote all guest articles through my social media channels over a week-long period. Guest articles can contain an affiliate link on condition that it is disclosed in the post.
If you're interested in pitching a new piece, use the contact form on the left to get in touch.
You can either submit a proposal for a new article or if you have a piece already written, submit the title and text.
I will be in touch about images, bio info and links after agreeing to publish the piece.
Thanks for your interest and I look forward to reading your article!