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Tag Archives: Arte Profumi
Arte Profumi Fumoir: Campfire Smoke & Promises
Posted on February 21, 2014 by Kafkaesque
The promise of Russian leather, birch tar, smoke, ambergris, and velvet-covered, opulent smoking rooms in gentlemen's clubs lies at the heart of Fumoir, a new and expensive eau de parfum from the Italian perfume house, Arte Profumi. From the company's elegant description right down to Fumoir's notes (which also include pepper, cumin, and rose), the perfume sounds glorious on paper.
Fumoir, via First in Fragrance.
Arte Profumi, whose name translates to The Art of Perfume, is based in Rome and seems to have been founded around 2013, the year when it launched all its fragrances. Fumoir is classified as a leather scent, but its name refers to smoking rooms at a gentleman's club, as well as to a smoke house. Arte Profumi's website has little by way of description for the scent, and absolutely no notes:
… conversations among men,
in reserved rooms,
covered by wood, leather and velvet
surrounded by smoke.
Source: Wingtip.com
First in Fragrance has much more information, and describes Fumoir as follows:
"Fumoir" by Arte Profumi is dedicated to a very special world – the world of gentlemen's clubs and the pleasures of tobacco.
The quite, intense and distinctive fragrance takes no prisoners. Pepper and cumin are the strong vanguard. The fragrance bites wonderfully with smoky and leather notes, the rose in the heart is known only by hearsay and ambergris stays firmly in the background. The rest is pure and driven to extreme masculinity.
"Fumoir" doesn't rely on hints. Whoever enjoys assertive smoky notes and old, creaking leather, or prefers a statement to diplomacy, will love "Fumoir". The name in French not only means gentlemen's room or smoking room but also smoke house.
The notes, as compiled from First in Fragrance and Fragrantica, are:
pepper, cumin, birch tar, tobacco, russian leather, rose and ambergris.
Talisker, an Islay single malt. Photo: Savuista at the Savuista blog.http://savuista.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html
Fumoir opens on my skin with beautiful birch, manifesting itself as campfire smokiness infused with a peaty, somewhat salty, single malt, Islay Scotch. I'm quite serious when I say that I actually murmured out loud, "Laphroaig on steroids!" which is a huge compliment, as I love Laphroaig the most out of the all the Islay malts. Here, the Scotch is amplified with that gloriously burnt wood, campfire smokiness that is such a core component of birch.
Birch Tar pitch via Wikicommons.
Birch tar is more than just smoky, though. It is often a key element in creating the impression of leather, especially Russian leather. Back in the old days, Russian tanners cured hides with the tar, and something in the popular imagination (or perhaps just in my imagination) tends to associate the leather aroma with dashing, fierce, or untamed Cossacks. (As a side note, Chanel's Cuir de Russie probably helped in creating this association.)
Here, in Fumoir, the campfire aroma of scorched birch wood is soon followed by a definite note of blackened, tar-encrusted leather. At this point in the perfume's evolution, the leather very much feels like its own distinct, individual element. Unfortunately, it later ends up being subsumed into the birch tar, which drives Fumoir from its very first moment until its end.
Source: lamag.com
The leather is really lovely at this point. It is so black and sultry in its smoky, rugged heft. Yet, there is an odd meatiness about it that continuously reminds me of a mesquite-smoked barbecue. Fiery black pepper thoroughly covers it and the overall effect is… well, you may call me crazy, but I keep thinking of Steak au Poivre. Perhaps it's the result of the cumin with the pepper and birch, creating a combination which my mind is translating into a big, fat, meaty steak, covered with walloping amounts of pepper, and thoroughly infused with smoke from a campfire that is burning mesquite wood. The cumin really isn't visible in its usual way, apart from that odd impression, and I detect no rose at all at this point.
Four members of the Tsar's Imperial Russian Cossack bodyguard. Source: Pinterest.
Instead, Fumoir is a bonfire of darkness, singed woodiness, tar, peaty whiskey, and leather. The latter slowly takes on a slightly animalic touch, a raw, butch quality. For the first time in a long time when smelling a birch leather fragrance, I'm really transported to the steppes of Imperial Russia with its Cossacks. It never really happened with Cuir de Russie, but then, Fumoir is not as refined as that scent and it lacks the avalanche of soapy aldehydes that dominated the Chanel scent on my skin. In short, the Italian perfume has a very untamed, fierce element that the Chanel never did. At the same time, both the campfire smoke and the leather are stripped of the forest or chilly pine aroma that other fragrances with birch often carry.
My favorite part of the scent, though, is definitely the Laphroaig single malt aspect that I noted earlier. As the opening minutes pass, the note grows stronger, and its peaty smokiness works incredibly well with the meatiness of the leather, the pepper, and the birch. Scotch and a campfire steak, how perfect is that?!
Photo: Savuista at the Savuista blog. http://savuista.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html
Alas, my overall enthusiasm is suddenly tempered exactly 15 minutes into Fumoir's development when a synthetic note stirs in the base. It smells of very dry tobacco but, also, of an ISO E-like aromachemical. It is wrapped up in an extremely arid woodiness, as well as with a touch of very, amorphous golden… something. I can't pinpoint what it may be. My first thought was Givaudan's tobacco synthetic, Kephalis, that is often used for its leathered undertones. Later, though, I wonder if it's Givaudan's Ambermax with its peppered, ISO E Super-like notes? The dry, ambergris substitute, Ambroxan? A combination of Kephalis and one of the ambers seems most likely. Whatever the real cause(s) may be, there is definitely something that is not right and very fake in Fumoir's base.
As a whole, the perfume's overall bouquet in the opening stage is of tarry birch wood charred in a campfire and infused with mesquite, pepper, Laphroaig whiskey, and meaty Cossack leather, all lightly flecked by a dry tobacco whisper and a good dose of aromachemicals.
Source: speckyboy.com
Then, Fumoir slowly, very slowly, starts to shift. 40 minutes in, the perfume starts to gradually turn warmer and fractionally sweeter. The peaty whiskey fades away, while a kernel of "amber" in the base begins to bloom, seeping over the tarred leather and birch smoke. It creates a small dot of goldenness in the pitch black, but it is an abstract amber, an impression more than a clearly delineated, crisp note.
And it most certainly is not actual, very expensive ambergris, no matter what is listed in the notes. This is nothing like the scent that dominates a fragrance like Profumum's Amber Aurea. This is a wholly abstract construct that is nebulous, dry, and, increasingly, subject to a chemical taint, just like the equally nebulous tobacco note. The "amber" is actually why I mentioned those particular aromachemicals up above. Neither its ISO E-like jangly sharpness nor its excessive dryness is a joy.
The problem is that far too much of both synthetics have been used for them to blend well into Fumoir, though they certainly seem to help with the perfume's projection. The perfume is very potent in the opening hour, and with good sillage that wafts out about 3-4 inches above the skin before eventually dropping at the end of the first hour. Despite the forcefulness of the birch smoke, Fumoir is quite airy in feel, and it grows thinner with time. Actually, it feels rather like an eau de toilette in nature, one which has a powerful start, but little actual body or depth.
"Gold smoke" by etafaz on deviantART.
At the end of the first hour, Fumoir is largely a two-note symphony centered on the main aspects of birch: burnt campfire smoke and leather. The pepper, whiskey, and vaguely abstract cumin element have faded away. However, the "tobacco" is finally starting to emerge in its own right, along with the "amber" in base. I don't mind synthetics in fragrances if they are well-blended, in balanced proportions, and don't render the scent into something that is heavily chemical in nature, but I have enormous issues when the quantity is high, especially at Arte Profumi's prices. (More on that later.) Plus, Fumoir gives me a faint headache whenever I smell it too deeply for too long up close. That is a telltale sign that the aromachemicals are in a large quantity, as I don't have such a reaction otherwise. Needless to say, I'm feeling rather grumpy at this point, and it only gets worse.
At the end of the 3rd hour, Fumoir smells of aromachemical amber, burnt wood in a campfire, and birch tar that is vaguely leathered, all in a warm blend infused with abstract, peppered, tobacco tonalities. It feels richer than it actually is, and it also reminds me of a very synthetic version of Naomi Goodsir's Bois d'Ascese, though not as interesting. Fumoir's sillage has dropped to about an inch above the skin, but the notes aren't hard to detect up close.
Source: Theatlantic.com
Fumoir is largely linear in nature, which is fine if you like the notes in question. Obviously, I don't, but it doesn't help that the simplicity of Fumoir's bouquet is becoming increasingly boring. From afar, it really is nothing more than the birch tar's burnt woods and some extremely arid relative of ISO E Supercrappy. For a brief period about 6.25 hours in, the rose appeared, turning Fumoir into a dry, woody rose and birch tar scent on an abstract amber base. It feels like a very distant cousin to Le Labo's Rose 31, only the nebulous rose is massively dominated by campfire smoke and an amber synthetic, instead of cedar woods and actual ISO E Super.
Campfire ashes. Source: dansdepot.com
The resemblance doesn't last long, and Fumoir returns to its core scent of birch tar smoked woods with aromachemical amber and aromachemical tobacco. By the middle of the 8th hour, the notes veer between acrid, smoked, and ashtray-like in their nuances. There is a subtle vein of dirtiness that lurks underneath, like really old, stale cumin, mixed with mesquite. The whole thing makes me feel incredibly dirty — in an unclean way, and not in the good, sexy, skanky way.
I'd suppressed the urge for a very soapy shower for hours, but, finally, towards the end of the 10th hour, I gave in and washed off Fumoir. It was exactly 9.75 hours into the perfume's development, and Fumoir would probably have endured even longer as my skin holds onto synthetics like mad. In all honesty, I think it was the monotony which got to me even more than the acrid, burnt, stale, fetidness of the final hours. Fumoir is all about the birch tar first and foremost, then the two other aromachemicals. The remainder of the notes are hardly key players, and the lovely Cossack Russian leather subsumes itself into the overall scorched woods aroma in a way that renders it a mere undertone in the perfume's overall scent.
I tested Fumoir twice, increasing the amount of fragrance that I applied, and the overall result was largely the same in both instance. The only difference is that I didn't detect any rose note with larger quantity of Fumoir. It was just more linear, aromachemical laden, and boring. And I washed it off even sooner.
I couldn't find any blog reviews for Fumoir, and the fragrance has no comments listed on its Fragrantica page. There isn't even a Basenotes entry for it. However, Parfumo (which is like a European Fragrantica) has some votes for the quality, sillage and longevity of the scent. So, even if there are no actual comments posted, perhaps you may find 3 people's numerical assessment of the fragrance useful:
3 votes each for Longevity and Sillage, each coming in at an 83% ranking;
3 votes for the scent as a whole, which puts it at 2.5 stars or a 50% ranking.
I think the 2.5 out of 5 rating for the fragrance is generally fair, though perhaps a bit high for me personal. Still, it's telling that 3 people who may not be as annoyed as I am by massive amounts of aromachemicals don't think highly of the scent either.
It doesn't help that Fumoir is neither cheap nor easily accessible. It is exclusive to Europe at this point, though you can easily find samples at Surrender to Chance. Even if you were to order it from First in Fragrance in Europe (or Jovoy for EU-based customers), Fumoir costs €225 for the 100 ml bottle. At today's exchange rate, that comes to roughly $308. This is not a scent worth $308 or €225! It simply is not, even if you don't share my disdain for aromachemicals. There is none of the rich body, nuanced complexity, or interesting development that would warrant such a price. I generally liked Arte Profumi's Ecclesiae incense fragrance, though I thought the price for that one was too high as well, but Fumoir lacks its sibling's quality.
Photo: Narinder Nanu via washingtonpost.com
More to the point, if you're an ardent fan of campfire birch scents, there are much better alternatives out there at a much better price. There is the richer, deeper, piney Arso from Profumum Roma; there is the drier, more austere, interesting Bois d'Ascese from Naomi Goodsir (which is hardcore birch, campfire smoke!); and there is also Jovoy's Private Label with its heavy vetiver focus amidst the peaty birch campfire smoke and Mad Max leather. They're all significantly better fragrances.
In short, Fumoir fails to live up to its promises, and I would skip it.
Cost & Availability: Fumoir is an eau de parfum that comes in a 100 ml/3.4 oz size and costs €225. There are no American distributors for the Arte Profumi line that I could find. Arte Profumi has a website, but not an e-shop or a Stockist/Retailers list, so your best bet in obtaining the scent is from two big European perfume sites. Paris' Jovoy and Germany's First in Fragrance both carry the scent. The latter also sells samples and ships internationally. I couldn't find any retailers in the UK, the Netherlands, or outside of Europe. If you're in Italy, however, the company has two boutiques in Rome. Samples: Surrender to Chance now sells Fumoir starting at $4.50 for a 1/2 ml vial. There is also an Arte Profumi Sample Set starting at $12.99 for 3 of its fragrance (including Fumoir and Ecclesiae which I previously reviewed) in a 1/2 ml size.
Posted in All Other Perfume Houses, Arte Profumi, Leathers, Perfume Review, Smoky or Incense Fragrances	| Tagged Arte Profumi, birch tar fragrances, Fumoir, Fumoir fragrance, leather fragrances, perfume review
Arte Profumi Ecclesiae
Posted on February 3, 2014 by Kafkaesque
There is a small church nestled in a pine forest clearing, a church whose wooden pews are covered by the dust of ages and whose stony floors echo the footsteps of monks swinging a thurible censer. White smoke from myrrh fills the air like a thin wall of purification, but that is not unexpected in such a traditional place. What is different is the bridge outside, a bridge made of creamy, honeyed beeswax and sweet myrrh. It links the stony, dusty Catholic church to its polar opposite on the far side of the world, an oriental temple filled with black smoke, not white olibanum. It is a temple where spicy patchouli sweetness and dry woods are offered to the gods alongside the frankincense, swirling together in a haze of great warmth. Two sides of the same coin, two very different worlds, and two very different perfumed aromas. But they've been bottled into one fragrance, Ecclesiae.
The Arte Profumi line. Source: Profumo.net
Ecclesiae is an eau de parfum from the Italian perfume house, Arte Profumi. The company, whose name translates to The Art of Perfume, is based in Rome and seems to have been founded around 2013, the year when it launched all its fragrances. I first encountered the line at Jovoy in Paris, though I never gave them a proper testing. The name stuck in my mind, however, so when Surrender to Chance suddenly started to carry a few of the scents, I seized the opportunity. Arte Profumi's website isn't very detailed or helpful, but the one thing that it makes clear is that its founders are passionate about art:
The passion for modern art and, at the same time the world of essences, as well as the need for combining them has led to the organization of multi-sensorial events.
By extraction, you get the concept of perfume as works of art, capable of replacing visual impressions through the perception of olfactory consent.
A source of inspiration for this implementation was the distant recollection of an old dressmaker's shop where the choice of cloths, original patterns and precious trimmings stood for a lifestyle.
Source: Profumo.net
Arte Profumi's website doesn't provide the official description or notes for Ecclesiae, but I found the details on First in Fragrance:
A touch of eternity in the hallowed stone halls of a medieval cathedral where prayer and hymns along with incense soar heavenwards – in fragrant clouds of smoke, circling choirs of angels in reverence and devotion.
Arte Profumi pays homage to frankincense with their sacred scent aptly named "Ecclesiae". Spicy elemi paves the way for the protagonist frankincense and a heart of sandalwood. Smoky, earthy patchouly and vetiver lend the composition depth and volume, a choir with many voices that intone the same harmony.
Friends of church fragrances and frankincense, but also lovers of oriental fragrances will welcome this creation from Arte Profumi as a blessing.
Top Note: Elemi
Heart Note: Frankincense, Sandalwood
Base Note: Patchouly, Vetiver
Judging by what appeared on my skin, I think those notes are a bit incomplete or lacking in detail, because Ecclesiae opens with a heavy amount of myrrh. The white smoke is infused with elemi that reflects both its piney and its lemony characteristics. The patchouli arrives quietly on the sidelines, casting a tiny millimeter of spice to the cool, dusty, chilly notes. An equally muted hint of woodiness lurks in the base, evoking the pews in an old church. Much more significant, however, is another element not mentioned on the list — sweet myrrh or opoponax — which adds a honeyed touch to the bouquet. The overall effect evokes a cool, austere church in the middle of a forest and one whose wooden pews haven't been dusted in months (or years).
Yet, even from the start, Ecclesiae may be the warmest, churchy, olibanum fragrance that I've ever tested. This is no brittle, High Mass fragrance with soapy, dusty, cold notes like Heeley's Cardinal, a fragrance that I personally found to be well-nigh unbearable with its piercing white musk and cotton. I haven't tried the seminal Commes des Garcons' Avignon to compare, primarily because I generally find the "High Church" coldness, dustiness and soapiness of myrrh to be extremely difficult to handle. It doesn't help that my skin often turns the note into soap by the end of a fragrance's development as well.
The large incense thurible at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Source: catholicpilgrim.org
So you can imagine my surprise at the difference here with Ecclesiae. This is a dusty, cool, white incense, yes, but there is something really lovely about how the notes are handled. It's never too cool or barren, never too ancient and aloof in feel. There is the merest touch of warmth that ensures I never feel as though I were about to join some monks in a vow of silence in a very isolated, ancient church. At the same time, there is something honeyed about Ecclesiae that goes far beyond the usual waxy touches provided by sweet myrrh.
On the other hand, I don't detect any sandalwood, and the patchouli isn't at all distinct in its usual way at first. However, a few minutes in, there is a muted earthiness wafting around, along with the faintest flicker of something nuttied and vaguely chocolate-y. It wasn't apparent in my first test when I only applied a small quantity of Ecclesiae, but 3 big dabs definitely bring out the perfume's sweeter, richer undertones. As the warmer elements rise to the surface, the elemi's lemon facets fade away, and its smell of chilled, fresh, pine needles soften.
Ten minutes in, Ecclesiae is primarily an olibanum and sweet myrrh fragrance, lightly infused with muted patchouli and abstract woodiness. It hovers in a moderate, extremely lightweight, airy bouquet that wafts about 3 inches above the skin. I really like the scent, and find it to be very refined. There is a polished feel to Ecclesiae but, more importantly, it's been perfectly calibrated so that the incense never feels ponderous, overly somber, or gloomy. My favorite part is the honeyed beeswax of the sweet myrrh which cuts through the dusty aspects of the myrrh, and thereby ensures that the perfume is never stony or icy.
"Javascapes" by Photographer Daniel G. Walczyk. Source: http://devidsketchbook.com
Ecclesiae starts to slowly, very slowly, transform. The perfume grows warmer with every passing minute; the patchouli's sweetness becomes more noticeable; and Ecclesiae takes on a creamy, beeswax softness as the sweet myrrh starts to build the bridge to the perfume's second stage. Ecclesiae is also turning more indistinct and hazy in feel, as the notes start to overlap, and its sillage drops. At the end of 25 minutes, the fragrance is only about 1-2 inches above the skin.
Sometimes, I think I can detect patchouli proper, as there is an extremely subtle vein of earthiness that darts about. Most of the time, though, I wonder if it is my imagination, as the secondary, non-incense notes really lack clear delineation. There is something in the base that gives me a little bit of a temporary head twinge if I take really deep, prolonged sniffs, though it's very minor and brief. It may be the slightly clean, soapy undertones to the myrrh, but perhaps it stems from the supposed "sandalwood." I doubt it is the real stuff; I certainly smell nothing remotely like the Mysore wood in Ecclesiae. At best, the perfume has a generic creaminess in the base, though I think it results more from the truly lovely sweet myrrh.
Source: Robert.Maro.net
The bridge that I mentioned at the start takes full shape at the end of the first hour, when the sweet myrrh starts to transform Ecclesiae. The perfume becomes creamier, smoother, and warmer, while the olibanum incense loses much of its remaining dustiness. Ecclesiae now feels like a very cozy church filled with candlelight from tapers dripping sweetened, creamy wax on soft floors, instead of a stony, barren, dusty place set in a forest. The sweet myrrh feels like a gateway into another world with a very different church dominated by entirely more oriental smells.
Beijing incense burning on Buddha's birthday. Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters via the Wall Street Journal.
90 minutes in, Ecclesiae has suddenly turned into a spicy fragrance dominated by oriental frankincense smoke. It is thoroughly infused with an abstract woodiness, a peppered spiciness, and earthy touches. There is also something that most definitely smells like either bitter nutmeg or cloves, though I can't explain why. The patchouli adds a reddish hue to the colour palette, while greenness arrives with the first hint of a dry, woody vetiver. The olibanum remains, but, as a whole, though, Ecclesiae is now dominated by black frankincense and warmth. It is a startling volte-face from the initial notes centered on white, dusty myrrh, to the point that you feel as though you're in a very different place of worship. The notes are still blurry around the edges, but there is no mistaking that spicy, woody quality.
Incense stick. Source: Stock footage and Shutterstock.com.
In fact, Fragrantica labels Ecclesiae as an "Oriental Woody" fragrance, something that initially perplexed me when I smelled the perfume's opening notes on my skin. "Oriental" carries a very different connotation in my mind than that created by the "High Mass" churchy olibanum note with its cold facade. But Fragrantica is absolutely right in its assessment. Ecclesiae has a warm oriental heart, dominated by woody notes as much as it is by frankincense. In truth, Ecclesiae is really like two perfumes (and churches) in one, with the honeyed beeswax acting as a bridge between the two.
Ecclesiae remains largely the same for the next few hours. It is a warm, oriental, spicy, woody fragrance dominated by frankincense, with patchouli spices and earthiness, followed then by lingering strains of olibanum smoke and sweet myrrh. The vetiver is never really more than a muted flicker on my skin, while the sandalwood never shows up at all. What does appear, however, is a powdery quality that creeps in at the end of the third hour. The sillage drops even further, and Ecclesiae becomes a complete skin scent about 2.75 hours into its development.
Source: Wikicommons.
Ecclesiae eventually turns into a blur of lightly powdered myrrh and frankincense after 4.25 hours, and it stays that way until its very end. There are growing touches of soapiness flitting about, but that may be simply the result of what my skin always does to olibanum. Either way, Ecclesiae is pretty linear, and very soft — both in feel and sillage. It is one of those fragrances that is so intimate in its projection that you're constantly surprised when you see that it is still hanging on. All in all, it lasted just short of 9.5 hours, though I had to put my nose right on my skin in order to detect it by the middle of the 6th hour.
I couldn't find any blog reviews for Ecclesiae, and the fragrance has no comments listed on its Fragrantica page. There isn't even a Basenotes entry for it. In fact, Ecclesiae is not a fragrance that is carried in the U.S. at all. Generally, I try to avoid reviewing scents that are so limited in distribution or unknown, but I liked Ecclesiae quite a bit. Given my usual leeriness about olibanum, how painfully soapy it can become on my skin, and my dislike of dusty, cold "High Church" fragrances, I think that says something.
Alas, even if one were to order Ecclesiae from First in Fragrance in Europe (or Jovoy for EU customers), it is very expensive. The 100 ml bottle costs €225 which, at today's exchange rate, comes to roughly $304 — and this is not a perfume worth $304, in my personal opinion. The perfume is too lightweight and sheer, the sillage is too weak, and the longevity iffy unless you apply a lot. That's not merely my perception, either. On the Parfumo website (which is a bit like a European Fragrantica), Ecclesiae has no reviews but I was interested to see some votes for sillage or longevity:
2 votes give the Longevity a 63% ranking;
2 votes give the Sillage a 38% ranking.
It's obviously not outstanding as a whole, but it's a lot more troubling for $304 or €225.
Source: Fragrantica.
I cannot tell you how much I wish Ecclesiae had more heft, weight, projection and richness. It is a thoroughly enjoyable take on incense fragrances, and feels extremely polished. Something about it reflects Italy's inimitable, elegant, refined style, though I'm less enthused about the quiet discreetness that goes along with it. I would definitely wear Ecclesiae on occasion if a bottle ever fell into my lap, but I would never consider buying it. Then again, I'm not one who loves white incense passionately, so perhaps things might be different if I were a hardcore olibanum fan. Price is a subjective matter, after all.
So, if you truly love Churchy fragrances, then I encourage you to order a sample of Ecclesiae from Surrender to Chance or First in Fragrance. It's very lovely, and nicely done.
Cost & Availability: Ecclesiae is an eau de parfum that comes in a 100 ml/3.4 oz size and costs €225. There are no American distributors for the Arte Profumi line that I could find. Arte Profumi has a website, but not an e-shop or a Stockist/Retailers list, so your best bet in obtaining the scent is from two big European perfume sites. Paris' Jovoy and Germany's First in Fragrance both carry the scent. The latter also sells samples and ships internationally. I couldn't find any retailers in the UK, the Netherlands, or outside of Europe. If you're in Italy, however, the company has two boutiques in Rome. Samples: Surrender to Chance now sells Ecclesiae starting at $4.50 for a 1/2 ml vial. There is also an Arte Profumi Sample Set starting at $12.99 for 3 of its fragrance (including Ecclesiae) in a 1/2 ml size.
Posted in All Other Perfume Houses, Arte Profumi, Orientals, Perfume Review, Smoky or Incense Fragrances	| Tagged Arte Profumi, Arte Profumi Ecclesiae, Ecclesiae, Ecclesiae fragrance, Incense fragrances, Myrrh fragrances, perfume review
Perfume Reviews - Tocca Liliana & Florence: Variations on Gardenia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
8 Questions for Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau (aka Dimo): Out-of-the-box pizza creator, Iowa native, socially conscious entrepreneur
If you frequent Chicago's bar scene, chances are you've walked, ran or stumbled to Dimo's Pizza at some point. Or perhaps their famous mac n' cheese pizza has long been a staple of your weekly late night diet. But did you know that Dimo is Jewish?
Iowa native Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau brought Madison Wisconsin's famous Ian's Pizza to Chicago about five years ago, much to the delight of Badger alumni and everyone on Clark Street (and just recently at Six Corners!) looking for a quick slice. The restaurant specializes in radical toppings, adapting every comfort food you can imagine to fit on a large, flat and crispy crust, or as Dimo says, "we've always seen pizza as a delivery vehicle for the best foods imaginable."
So why change to Dimo's? If you were confused by last year's name change, be assured that it's the same company, same people and same pizza. Syrkin-Nikolau explains:
"I felt a disconnect was growing between what Ian's stood for and what I stood for. I'd opened Ian's in Chicago as a local and independent business and operated it as such for the period of four years. Ultimately, that freedom provided us with the opportunity to do everything that we saw fit to best serve those who entered our doors. I choose to retain that freedom and in doing so was forced to rebrand as Dimo's."
But Dimo's is more than a name, and Syrkin-Nikolau aims to do more than satisfy people's cravings. He is equally as passionate about the community role that local business can play in making a difference. So whether you're hungry for cheesy potato pizza or social change, Dimo is A Jew You Should Know.
1. You have quite the last name. What's the story there?
Syrkin is my mother's middle name and my grandmother's maiden name ... still with me? I've come to this name via a man named Nachman Syrkin, an eccentric fellow known for—amongst other things—being one of the founders of Labour Zionism. He dedicated his life in an all-consuming manner to developing this theory and doing all that he could to propagate it throughout the Jewish sphere. So I suppose, my mother, being the feminist that she is, decided that if she didn't pass Syrkin onward (My grandmother had no brothers), the name would die in this lineage. My father is 100% Greek and from him I received Nikolau. I sometimes joke that he's lucky to have gotten anything into my name at all.
2. What is the best pizza you've ever created (in your opinion) and why?
We made a pizzaa couple months back that has roasted poblano peppers, grilled shrimp, pineapple and pico de gallo. That slice was absolutely incredible! With pizza, it's always the balance of the flavors in combination with the perfect distribution upon a crust that is content to sit at the bottom and out of the way, but still be able to deliver a crunch with every bite.
3. Dimo's is known for appealing to the late-night crowd. What's the weirdest/funniest story you can tell us?
We certainly are a popular late night destination given our location within Wrigleyville. One time, years ago, I took a delivery to a woman who tried to pay in sticks of Trident gum. I had to figure that out. Another time, after we were closed, a guy came to the door begging for pizza. He looked desperate and instead of turning him away, I went to the door. He said his wife was pregnant and in labor and wanted a Mac N' Cheese pizza after she delivered their baby. I smiled, let him in and made the pie. We took a photo on the way out. A few years later, in he walked and we got to reminisce about the night. Apparently it won him big points and I was happy to be able to make it happen for him. I wonder what they named the kid...
4. Owning a pizza place in Chicago is like selling candy in Candyland. You make it look easy, but describe the work that it takes to succeed.
Well I think that depends upon what you think the relationship is between candy and Candyland. The simple answer is that success must be your only option. When you want success as much as you want to breathe, you'll be successful. I know that sounds like a cop-out answer because it doesn't describe the work that it takes to succeed, but that is because success, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
5. Dimo's is really community oriented. Why do you feel it's important to go beyond making good pizza?
Well, generally speaking, my philosophy revolves around the idea that if you make a product that people absolutely love and provide an experience that is so personal you develop relationships (not that kind) with your customers, you're going to make money. And it's what you do with that money that matters. I think we're at the beginning of a huge movement going on to start to operate for-profit businesses with for-profit efficiencies but with non-profit goals. You see this increasingly with social enterprise, Internet startups, and more and more in the small business world. I just recently visited plantchicago.org. They're a great example of a company that realizes that there's a way to make money, make a living, and contribute to the betterment of society. I think if we do it on a large enough scale, I think it's something that can be used to help solve many of the problems our society faces today.
6. What do you love most about what you do?
It's new every day!
7. In an alternate universe where you couldn't be a food service entrepreneur, what would you do?
Who says I'm not? Less importantly, who says I'm a food service entrepreneur? I just happen to be selling pizza. It could be widgets. Make the best possible product, make an incredible experience and I mean magnitudes above the rest, use those profits for the things you truly believe in and what's the difference does it make what business you're in? Does that answer the question?
8. What's your favorite Jewish thing to do (or how do you Jew?) in Chicago (and why)?
That's easy. I eat! Favorite quick deli is The Bagel. I've been there enough times for them to know me by name.
Last Edited by Lindsey_2 at 7/31/2013 9:53 AM


I only wish I'd read this book when I was 16. Instead, I picked it up in Charlie Byrnes at the age of 23 and instantly fell in love.
I Capture the Castle is the perfect Christmas gift for the teenage sister or cousin in your life. Although first published in 1949 and set in the pre-war era, Cassandra Mortmain is the kind of narrator that speaks to anyone. In her, we see the confusion, boundless potential and upheaval that coming of age brings to us all.
Author Dodie Smith later went on to write the classic A Hundred and One Dalmatians and I Capture the Castle was her first novel. Living in LA, she was homesick for her native England, and throughout there are evocative descriptions of the British countryside.
Cassandra lives in a crumbling old castle home with her family. Her father has suffered from writers' block since publishing his successful Joycean-style novel a number of years previously. Due to this, and Cassandra's stepmother's erratic career as a model, the family are stony broke.
There's also her highly intelligent brother Thomas and the family's sole remaining servant, Stephen, who has a crush on Cassandra. Into the mix come the family's American landlords, Neil and Simon. The lonely Mortmain girls find themselves becoming attracted to the brothers, but first love rarely runs smooth.
Smith's prose grabs the reader and takes them into Cassandra's world. Then there's Cassandra herself, an unforgettable character and truly special narrator. She's sometimes naïve, more often perceptive and often the only sane woman in an increasingly mad situation.
While social values have changed since the 1930s (a young girl like Rose pining for marriage would be very much the exception nowadays) the thrill of being young and in love for the first time has not changed a jot.
Finally, without giving anything away, the novel's ambiguous ending has divided readers. If you like neat, wrapped-with-a-bow conclusions, I Capture the Castle might frustrate you. For me though, it's a believable and realistic conclusion to Cassandra's tale.
A book for all ages, and one for the unsure and dreamer teen in all of us.


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Views From Inside a Modern Male Sanctuary By Derrick Gaitér
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Views From Inside a Modern Male Sanctuary
Derrick Gaitér
Josh McNey
Outlined by the shadows of hotel room decor, he awakens from an evening of tête-à-tête. You are ruminating over an earlier conversation featuring Mediterranean comfort food as he prys your lips away from a bottle of merlot—a stunning improvement from the previous night's trick. When executed well, representations of masculinity can be both savory and sweet. This fall, Josh McNey proffers a reflection of this dichotomy with "Olympia: Volume I," the first in a three-volume monograph on the beauty of American masculinity, published by Casa de Costa.
The photographer succeeds in building upon the legacy of erotic male capture found in Bruce Weber's "Chop Suey Club" and in Bruce Bellas and Bob Mizer's representations of bare male musculature. The 140-pages receive inspiration from attractive and well-developed young men, colloquially regarded as "beefcake," and highlight actor Joe D. Martinez—as a cowboy in one instance and entirely nude in another—throughout the continental United States, including New York, Las Vegas, and Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.
Based out of New York and Los Angeles, McNey works bi-coastally as an artist and creative director. A native of California and former US Marine, he attended Columbia University.
"Olympia: Volume I" is now available for online order and in select bookstores worldwide.
Above the FoldArtJosh McNeyPhotography
Barrio Chino: meet the Chinese-Cubans fighting to keep their culture alive
Who is Turkmenistan's dictator and why is he always holding puppies?
Great, now global warming is causing woolly mammoth poaching
Alex Israel launches the Bat Signal into the Marseille sky
Joe D. Martinez photographed by Josh McNey in Torrey, UT.
Joe D. Martinez photographed by Josh McNey in New York, NY.
Joe D. Martinez photographed by Josh McNey in Laguna Beach, CA.
Joe D. Martinez photographed by Josh McNey in Stanhope, NJ.
Joe D. Martinez photographed by Josh McNey Saylorsburg, PA.
Cover of "Olympia: Volume I" by Josh McNey.
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Liquidator: A person appointed to wind up the affairs of a company or individual who have been liquidated.
Rodel Risk Solutions can assist Liquidator clients with their Bond of Security requirements following an appointment by the Master of the High Court.
We will lodge the Bond at the relevant Master and then follow up (where possible) on Certificates of Authority.
The Rate for a Liquidator Bond is 0.5% of the Bond Amount, plus VAT per annum.
Rodel Risk Solutions' average turnaround time for Liquidator Bonds is 3 days.


text:
Death toll from capsized migrant boat rises to 16
[INTIME]
Derek Gatopoulos
December 25, 2021 25.12.2021 • 15:51
At least 16 people died after a migrant boat capsized in the Aegean Sea late Friday, bringing the three-day death toll from such shipwrecks in Greek waters to at least 30.
The deadly accidents came as smugglers who arrange sea crossings for Europe-bound asylum-seekers increasingly favor a perilous route from Turkey to Italy, avoiding Greece's heavily patrolled eastern Aegean islands that were a prime destination for years.
The Greek coast guard said Saturday that 63 people were rescued after a sailboat capsized late Friday some 8 kilometers (5 miles) off the island of Paros, in the central Aegean. The coast guard reported 13 deaths as of late Friday, but three more bodies were found early Saturday.
Survivors told the coast guard that about 80 people had been on the vessel. The boat was towed to a nearby port, and authorities said the search for survivors and victims continued.
Earlier, 11 people were confirmed dead after a sailboat struck a rocky islet some 235 kilometers (145 miles) south of Athens, near the island of Antikythera, on Thursday. The coast guard said Friday that 90 survivors ‒ 52 men, 11 women and 27 children ‒ were rescued after spending hours on the islet.
[AP]
Migration Accident
Vehicle carrying migrants crashes; seven dead, eight injured
Woman dies after her car is swept away by waters in northern Greece
North Macedonia says goodbye to 45 killed in Bulgaria bus crash
Remains of bus crash victims returned to North Macedonia
Man in Ilia swept by floodwaters found dead
Man dies after being hit by train in central Athens


text:
Rick Perry Attacks Rand Paul On Iraq
By Catherine Thompson
July 12, 2014 2:06 p.m.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Friday blasted Sen. Rand Paul's "isolationist" foreign policy, calling the Kentucky Republican "curiously blind" to the threat Iraqi militants pose to U.S. national security.
Perry wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that he found it "disheartening to hear fellow Republicans, such as Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), suggest that our nation should ignore what's happening in Iraq." That argument is flawed, he wrote, because "it means ignoring the profound threat that the group now calling itself the Islamic State poses to the United States and the world."
The Texas governor wrote that the Islamic State, formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, was "well-trained, technologically sophisticated and adept at recruitment" and equipped with passports that could allow militants to show up in the U.S. without a visa and potentially wreak havoc, a threat "to which Paul seems curiously blind."
Perry also slammed Paul for invoking former President Ronald Reagan in the Kentucky senator's own op-ed advocating against military intervention in Iraq. Paul was "wrong" in writing that Reagan wouldn't have intervened in Iraq because he "conveniently omitted Reagan's long internationalist record of leading the world with moral and strategic clarity," the governor argued.
"In the face of the advancement of the Islamic State, Paul and others suggest the best approach to this 21st-century threat is to do next to nothing," Perry wrote. "I personally don't believe in a wait-and-see foreign policy for the United States. Neither would Reagan."
Both Perry and Paul are considered possible 2016 presidential contenders, and the Washington Post op-ed makes clear how each falls into opposite camps within the GOP with respect to foreign policy. It also wouldn't be the first time a fellow Republican with presidential ambitions challenged Paul on that ground — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicked off a long feud with the Kentucky senator last year when he called the Republican Party's libertarian strain "dangerous" for foreign policy.
Catherine Thompson (@kt_thomps) Catherine Thompson is a senior editor for Talking Points Memo in New York City. She came to the site in 2013 and reported on national affairs. Previously, she worked as a research assistant to investigative reporter Wayne Barrett. She can be reached at catherine@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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Among the many things I do, I write fiction, teaches English, and read about anything useful whenever I have time. I also enjoy comics, cartoons and movies.
Is your blog starving? Is it so painful to feed it with good content on regular basis? Then, consider outsourcing your blog! Successful bloggers resort to it and they can't be wrong. So why not you?
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Building your mobile application is no longer a dream. Today you can really do it without any programming skills.
Tired of false promises about making money online? You sure are, as many others. However, you can make an extra income with your current skills if you simply write from your own experience.
When your dog falls sick without warning, chances are he ate something he wasn't supposed to, so making your dog throw up quickly could save his life.
The process of re-making mankind is a total fiasco. The species proved to be hard to change. So, in this final chapter , will the first post human prototype succeed?
Now that the first prototype is participating in mankind recreation. How is he going to change them? Will he make them better or worse?
What if you witness the rebirth of all mankind? And what if you are made an accomplice? Would you let this new race to be similar to us? Or would you make radical changes?
A lot of people love writing unusual stories like fantasy and science fiction stories which fall in one genre called speculative fiction. However publishing them is another story itself.


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I'm not sure what to make of this place. Although I never got anything pierced here, some of my friends have. Some had good experiences and got what they wanted. Others did not like it or the piercing did not heal properly and they had to take it out after some time. Check this place out before you commit to the piercing.
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 * You may obtain a copy of the License at
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 */
package com.facebook.presto.operator.aggregation.state;

import com.facebook.presto.spi.block.Block;
import com.facebook.presto.spi.block.BlockBuilder;
import com.facebook.presto.spi.block.BlockBuilderStatus;
import com.facebook.presto.spi.block.VariableWidthBlockBuilder;
import com.facebook.presto.spi.type.Type;
import io.airlift.slice.Slice;

import static com.facebook.presto.spi.type.VarbinaryType.VARBINARY;
import static com.facebook.presto.type.TypeUtils.buildStructuralSlice;
import static com.facebook.presto.type.TypeUtils.readStructuralBlock;

public class ArrayAggregationStateSerializer
        implements AccumulatorStateSerializer<ArrayAggregationState>
{
    private final Type type;

    public ArrayAggregationStateSerializer(Type type)
    {
        this.type = type;
    }

    @Override
    public Type getSerializedType()
    {
        return VARBINARY;
    }

    @Override
    public void serialize(ArrayAggregationState state, BlockBuilder out)
    {
        if (state.getBlockBuilder() == null) {
            out.appendNull();
        }
        else {
            BlockBuilder stateBlockBuilder = state.getBlockBuilder();
            VARBINARY.writeSlice(out, buildStructuralSlice(stateBlockBuilder));
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void deserialize(Block block, int index, ArrayAggregationState state)
    {
        Slice slice = VARBINARY.getSlice(block, index);
        Block stateBlock = readStructuralBlock(slice);
        BlockBuilder stateBlockBuilder = new VariableWidthBlockBuilder(new BlockBuilderStatus()); // not using type.createBlockBuilder because fixedWidth ones can't be serialized
        for (int i = 0; i < stateBlock.getPositionCount(); i++) {
            type.appendTo(stateBlock, i, stateBlockBuilder);
        }
        state.setBlockBuilder(stateBlockBuilder);
    }
}


Used FACScan wanted Bruce H. Davis, M.D.
Papers... Question... David L. Haviland, Ph.D.
Detection of GFP bacteria in feces David L. Haviland, Ph.D.
apoptosis detection Echeagaray, Patricia L.
Scientist/Director Flow Cytometry Ericksen, Lu E.
Back on the air, new Molecular Cytometry Course website up Leary, James F.
Syndey's Water Moss, Delynn M.
Pediatric normal values Nebe, Thomas C.
Fas Ligand antibodies Newsom, Brian S.
Flow Position in Houston, TX Newsom, Brian S.
EPICS C data Robert C. Leif, Ph.D.


text:
Review: Illuminate
by Ikhlas // 5 May, 2013 // 2 Comments
Haven is a regular, nerdy high school student when she's chosen along with two of her classmates for an internship at an upscale hotel in Chicago.
As Haven becomes acquainted with Aurelia, the hotel's young, stylish owner, Lucian, her devilishly handsome right hand man, and their glamorous, gorgeous staff, called The Outfit, she discovers that things aren't exactly as they seem.
When she starts receiving strange instructions in an old notebook, Haven discovers that her and her friends weren't just recruited for an internship, but to join an evil organization, one that is dead-set on recruiting them to their efforts. But as Haven's time at the Lexington Hotel runs out, she has to make a decision between an easy life or one filled with hardship.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from Illuminate. I expected it to be like so many other YA angel novels, filled with teenage angst, a brooding, rude love interest, and some shiny wings. But I was pleasantly surprised.
Unlike so many other YA angel books, Illuminate doesn't start off by showing Haven discovering that she's an angel, and then dealing with her new-found powers. Instead, the story starts off with Haven and her friends being recruited by a powerful group of individuals, one who promise the young, naive group of teens everything they could ever want. Instead, the book is more about Haven's discovery of herself and her strength. The angel discovery doesn't happen till much later in the book, and I really enjoyed the detective style of the story, as Haven struggles to put all the pieces together.
The pace of Illuminate is quite slow. While this can also be considered a negative factor, for me, it was a plus factor. Like I mentioned before, the book isn't so much about becoming an angel or discovering all sorts of magical powers. As an outcast at school, the book is more about overcoming that awkward stage of being teen, where you don't like anything about yourself. It's about Haven embracing herself, flaws and all, and finding a place in the world for herself. It's about discovering strength where you didn't think any was possible. It's about being offered the possibility of everything you could ever want, right now, and making that hard decision. While the actual plot of the story might be considered slow, I loved Haven's road of self-discovery.
Haven is a pretty awesome character. At sixteen, she isn't really interested in partying or having a good time; she's a forward thinker and spends a lot of time thinking about how her actions will impact her future. She reminded me a lot of of myself, and I liked seeing how her caution served her well. As she becomes submerged in the luxurious life of the hotel and starts receiving the attentions of handsome Lucian, she doesn't suddenly change or start ignoring her friends, like so many other flaky YA heroines. She's loyal, a hard worker, and perseveres. She isn't perfect, and is filled with doubts about herself and about her feelings, and this makes her a well-rounded, believable character.
The romance, as well, was one of my favourite parts. From the cover copy, it sounded pretty typical; Lucian, the handsome, older guy, would come in and sweep Haven off her feet, and at the beginning of the story, it seemed like that would happen. But Haven's a smart girl, and as soon as she becomes suspicious of Aurelia and the hotel, she starts seeing things differently. She doesn't get swept away or let her feelings consume her; they're still there, but Haven has more important things to worry about: like staying alive and getting her friends out of the hotel alive.
There's a lot of action at the end, which sort of makes up for the slower plot, and things wrap up nicely. But as Haven discovers the nature of her powers, there's also a hint of more adventures to come.
All in all, Illuminate was a highly enjoyable read, filled with a slow, simmering plot, a cast of great characters, and a sweet romance. I can't wait to read the sequel!
So for that: 4.5/5.
This entry was posted in Book Reviews and tagged book reviews, YA.
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Natalie says: 9 May, 2013 at 8:03 pm
I never would have guessed that this was an Angel novel! The synopsis definitely doesn't hint at it. It's been on my reading this for months now, and I almost picked up a copy of it at work this week. I'll have to make the time to check it out now.
Natalie recently posted…Book Review: Revealed
Ikhlas says: 9 May, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Yeah, it's a sort of mild spoiler. The synopsis doesn't hint at it, but you can see the outline of wings on her on the cover so I think a lot of people made the connection. If you read it, let me know how you like it!


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text: The Al Badie group of companies is owned by the Al Badie Family and it is reputed, renowned, well established and the multi discipline group based in the UAE. The Vice President of Al Badie Group is Mr. KhaledAl Badie. In his career, he has held a number of key positions in the banking and other financial investment sectors. He also worked in the Abu Dhabi National Bank and held the other key positions i.e. Secretary of the Board of Directors, Deputy General Manager of the Investment Banking Division, and Head of Asset Management Group. Apart from this, he also worked in the private sector. He started his career with ABG in his early age and start playing an active role at the time of his peak career point. He worked in different levels of professions and with his hard work and efforts, he achieved the managerial level and become a VP of Al Badie group. At the present time, he is serving a position of the Vice President in a very famous and renowned Al Badie group. He is supported by the highly qualified professionals to become the VP of a company. He did a lot of hard work to achieve the success in his life.


This means it will work on T-Mobile 3G/4G on launch day - no waiting for the 1900MHz spectrum swap!
I would like to correct my previous statement about the new iPad and T-Mobile data. As @davidj points out - it needs the 1700MHz band.
But since T-Mobile is switching 3G/4G data from 1700MHz to 1900MHz this year anyway - it's pretty much irrelevant if they have the 1700MHz band or not.
March 7, 2012 by Ben Pike.


text:
LGBT+ Friends and Families Hub
Twice Monthly LGBT+ Coffee Posse
Every Thursday between
6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
In 2018, we started a multi-agency steering group to research activities and support for the local LGBT+ community. After several meetings, we joined with the Healthy Living Centre and last year we were offered an area of the centre to run an additional Coffee Posse, for those who were unabl
In 2018, we started a multi-agency steering group to research activities and support for the local LGBT+ community. After several meetings, we joined with the Healthy Living Centre and last year we were offered an area of the centre to run an additional Coffee Posse, for those who were unable to attend our twice monthly Saturday Coffee Posses
THIRD-PARTY HATE CRIME
We will soon become one of the first Third-Party Hate Crime Reporting Hubs, a new project developed by Buckinghamshire Council, in conjunction with Aylesbury Vale LGBT Social Group, Aylesbury Vale Transgender Community and Friends, and the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office
We are hopefully going live, in April 2022, following further instructions from the Hate Crime Reporting Hub Steering Group
However, you can still book appointments, on our Online Appointment Booking System here
Appointments will be available every Thursday evening, between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, alongside the LGBT+ Friends and Families Hub
Ultimately, "The Hub" will provide our valued members with a full program of activities specifically designed and tailored towards Buckinghamshire's LGBT+ Community, their families, friends and allies.
Wherever possible, we will fully consult our members about which services they would like us to provide
USUAL VENUE
Walton Court Community Centre
Unit 11 Hannon Road
HP21 8TJ
LGBT+ Youth Group
We are currently in negotiations, with Mermaids, LGBT Bucks and SupportU, to provide a much needed LGBT+ Youth Group in Aylesbury.
Further Details to Follow
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month
between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm
We run a monthly LGBT+ Coffee Posse, for the LGBT+ Community, their friends, families and allies
Come and meet fellow members of YOUR local LGBTIQ+ Community in a relaxed, safe and socially enhancing atmosphere, at our Monthly Coffee Posses or any of our other eve
Come and meet fellow members of YOUR local LGBTIQ+ Community in a relaxed, safe and socially enhancing atmosphere, at our Monthly Coffee Posses or any of our other events that we organise throughout the year
😊 COME ALONG AND SAY HELLO 😊
The Hop Pole Craft Beer & Grill
83 Bicester Road
HP19 9AZ
OTHER LOCAL SERVICES
Aylesbury Vale Transgender and Friends Community
This group is for anyone who is transgender and anyone who supports transgender people who live in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire
To be able to keep in touch with what is going on in the area and to be able to make friends and hopefully, we will be able to arrange some social events and meet up
To Be Confirmed
R-Trans
Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month
between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm
A group for Transgender Persons and Their Allies
R-Trans is the only support group covering Reading, Berkshire and the surrounding areas for those who seek support and friendship through transitioning.
As Reading's longest-running Trans inclusive support and social group,
As Reading's longest-running Trans inclusive support and social group, we've built a trusted rapport with our members based on trust, sensitivity and respect, being a fully inclusive and supportive service.
What is R-Trans?
R-Trans is Reading's only social and support group for like-minded people who identify under the Trans* umbrella as Transgender, Transsexual, Transvestite or as Gender Fluid.
The Rising Sun Arts Centre
30 Silver Street
RG1 2ST
LGBT+ Gay2Grey
A group specifically aimed at members who are LGBT+ and Retired, Semi-Retired and over 50+
Expect Tea/Coffee Biscuits, sometimes cake, and sometimes outings together.
Anything you want to do as a group will be considered.
Support U LGBT+
RG1 7SB


text:
KANDAHAR: At least 16 people were killed and 32 others injured in a blast at a Shia mosque during Friday prayers
A bomb blast near a Shi'ite mosque in the Afghan city of Kandahar during Friday prayers has killed at least 16 people and injured 32 others.
The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a mosque. Qari Saeed Khosti, a spokesman for the Taliban government's interior ministry, said authorities were gathering details about the blast.
The nature of the blast has not yet been determined, but it is being speculated that it was a suicide bombing.
According to Tolo News TV, the blast took place during Friday prayers in Kandahar City's Police District One. According to a report published on the news channel's website, "eyewitnesses say that the death toll is very high. So far no official figures have been released.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. A suicide bomber killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 100 during a Friday prayer gathering at a Shia mosque in the Afghan city of Kunduz October 8. The so-called Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. Islamic State has targeted Afghanistan's Shiite community several times in the past.
Bodies and debris could be seen at the Syedabad Mosque in Kunduz in images that went viral after the suicide attack. The Islamic State suicide bomber blew himself up as people gathered at a mosque for Friday prayers. More than 300 people were inside the mosque during the attack in Kunduz.
Pakistan condemned the attack in Kunduz and said, "The government and people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with their Afghan brothers. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and hope that the injured will recover soon.
#AFG Massacre of worshippers inside the BiBi Fatima mosque in PD1, Kandahar city. Afghanistan's Shia community continues to pay a very heavy price and they remain extremely vulnerable . #NOTJUSTNUMBERSLIVES pic.twitter.com/G9g5Z1aeRR
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) October 15, 2021
A Blast At A Mosque In Afghanistan's Kunduz Province Has Killed At Least 60 people
Recent attacks by the Islamic State of Khurasan
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar, but the Islamic State of Khorasan has been involved in most recent attacks on Afghanistan's Shia community.
The Islamic State of Khurasan, a local branch of the so-called Islamic State, is opposed to the Taliban, and has carried out a number of recent bombings, most of them in the eastern part of the country.
IS targeted a funeral prayer in Kabul last week attended by several senior Taliban leaders. There were also reports of casualties in the attack. The group has also claimed responsibility for several small-scale attacks in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar. These areas of Afghanistan used to be strongholds of IS.
The Taliban have said in the recent past that they have arrested dozens of IS members from Afghanistan and it is believed that many people have been killed on suspicion of links to the group. The public doesn't care.
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, many Afghans hoped that the Taliban would bring in a dictatorial government but also bring relative peace to the country. But Islamic State has emerged as a major threat to the Khurasan Taliban's promise of peace.