You can always check who RSVP'd to your events, update the information, or export it.
On your event page, click Manage Event and then Manage RSVP List.
In the popup, you can use the drop down menu in the top left corner to see everyone based on their response type.
In addition, you can change the RSVP of someone on their behalf, and in the bottom right corner you can click Export spreadsheet to export that list of members based on their RSVP.


So far, I have watched the first three episodes and must I say, this man is BRILLIANT!! The approach taken by Mike brought forth a better understanding of sensitive yet topics that we as a community, need not fear discussing.
As stated, I've only watched the first three episodes last night but felt compelled to reach out to all viewers and encourage you all to take time away from what you watch now and allow his lessons allow your mind to view the all too common yet ignored, from a different perspective.


Browse our categories for the furniture you are looking for. We have many more categories to add and are not accepting online purchases at this time (coming soon). Check back for more as we add our inventory to the site. Or, stop in and take a look around at what we have to offer. Click on the pictures to learn more about each item and to view more pictures.
Gently used furniture (please, no particle board), dressers, sofas, chairs, tables, etc.


Pods Review Pods is a weekly segment where podcasters review fellow podcasts. My name is Valerie Landis, a fertility-focused advocate working in the women's health industry and two time egg freezer. My podcast is called Eggology Club redefining the modern day journey to parenthood and changing the conversation with unfiltered real-life stories about fertility and family planning topics….


text:
Conjugal Rites
Genre: Sitcom
Channel: ITV
Transmission: 16/04/93 - 21/05/93 and 06/05/94 - 17/06/94
Relationships are, essentially, what make the world go round. They have to be good relationships and cultivating these is difficult enough. One of the most testing relationships to maintain is between two lovers. Keeping the same level of excitement, passion and respect is a tough business and has driven many people (if not all of us) slightly mad. Sitcom couples aren't immune to this, but they always seem to make it there in the end. Of course, they have to make it there or basic sitcom setups fall flat on their face. Imagine if Sybil left Basil halfway through the first series of Fawlty Towers. It would be - and excuse my French - bloody boring. However, the early 90s saw a sitcom hit the air which examined all our fears about two lovers drifting apart, so lets take a look at Conjugal Rites.
Gen (Gwen Taylor) and Barry Masefield (Michael Williams) are the epitome of a middle class and middle aged couple. A solicitor and dentist respectively, they inhabit a detached house somewhere in London that is home to them, son Phillip (Stephen Moyer), daughter Gillian (Cordelia Bugeja), Grandad (Alan MacNaughton) and, of course, a dog. On the surface, it all sounds like standard sitcom territory. There's the expected plotlines following the exploits of randy, forgetful Granddad and also the randy, rebellious teenage children. At the core of the show though is the chronic breakdown of Gen and Barry's marriage. No longer the fun time couple they once were, they're beginning to lead different lives in different directions.
Conjugal Rites started life as a stage play written by Roger Hall and first performed in 1991. Curiously, Gwen Taylor was also to be found in this original version, but the Barry role was taken by Nicky Henson. The TV adaptation by Granada was comprised of thirteen episodes spread over two series between 1993 - 94. Roger Hall was on board to expand the characters of his play and directing the whole affair was Mike Vardy. Other notable actors who popped up during the series included Christopher Ellison, the voice talents of Warren Clarke as Toby the dog and an early role for the 17 year old James Lance.
The press were not particularly kind towards the show. The Independent found both series outdated, unoriginal and their overall impression of it was: "It stinks.". The public, however, were more kind and the first series averaged around 10 million viewers. Today, that type of viewing figure would be highly respectable due to the multichannel world we live in. Even back in 1994 it wasn't too bad, Coronation Street was hitting between 14 - 16 million viewers in that period. Despite the successful figures, there was never a commercial release of the series.
Curious British Telly were fans of Conjugal Rites when it first aired and it was always one of our picks of the week. It always brings to mind memories of golden spring evenings when life was simple and we were still larking about at primary school. Having not seen the show since those halcyon Friday nights of nearly 20 years ago, we couldn't remember too much about Conjugal Rites. We recalled it being a cosy sitcom where Gen and Barry seemed to be in bed in their pyjamas all the time. The theme tune - sung by Gwen Taylor and Michael Williams - was also lodged in our mind.
Comedy doesn't always age well and, after reading The Independent's reviews, we began to wonder if Conjugal Rites had actually been nothing more than a cliché of a middle aged sitcom. Unfortunately, there's no footage of the show online, bar a few brief clips of the opening credits. Therefore, we donned our investigating hat made out of vintage TV Times and headed to the BFI archives.
The first thing that surprised us was that, despite appearing to be a warm little sitcom about family life, there was actually a heavy sense of pathos hanging over it. Barry and Gen's marriage is disintegrating rapidly and both know that they're becoming independent. There's a strong scene where they're sorting through discarded objects from over the years and they discover a box of colour slides. They're from a holiday when the kids were young and life was going swimmingly. An argument ensues and Barry ends up slamming the slides down in anger and frustration that their relationship has become so moribund. The same episode sees one of Barry's friends being diagnosed with cancer, another bleak event which forces Barry to evaluate where he's going in life. So, yeah, it's not always cosy, but at least we do get to hear the thoughts of the pet dog every now and then. Although, to be honest, sections featuring the dog do tend to stink.
Michael Williams gives a rich performance and shows just how versatile he can be. He is given quite a lot of bleak material to work with and he captures Barry's internal frustrations perfectly. He's also adept with his comic timing and delivers the barbed one liners with ease. Our overriding memory of Gwen Taylor was of her performance in Barbara - perhaps her most famous role, but a sitcom which we could barely bring ourselves to watch. Conjugal Rites finds her in good form and she plays the sitcom mother/wife/career woman very well. Alan MacNaughton puts in a ripe performance as Grandad which is fun, but the character itself is indistinguishable from any other 'over 70s' sitcom character. Likewise, Stephen Moyer and Cordelia Bugeja are very much trad sitcom children and aren't given too much depth, but they're entertaining performances. Bugeja has kept fairly busy over the years and carved out a constant appearence on the small screen, but it is Moyer who has gone on to greater things. A number of film and TV roles awaited him following Conjugal Rites and he eventually ended up landing one of the main roles in True Blood.
We were pleasantly surprised by Conjugal Rites. We can't deny that it's light on laughs, but the driving force behind the show is the tragic state of Gen and Barry's relationship. It's a brave angle to approach with a sitcom and the bleak moments scattered throughout create real sympathy for the characters. In a way, the show feels like a soap opera at times, but this isn't a slight on the world it creates. Everyone can identify with one of the characters and this is perhaps why 10 million viewers would tune in week after week. The Independent's reviews are, in our opinion, a little harsh and paint a bad picture of the show. Nearly 20 years had elapsed since we last sat down to watch an episode, but we still enjoyed it just as much.
Thankfully, due to our shady connections, we've managed to nab the first five episodes of Conjugal Rites We would love to get hold of more episodes, so if you're able to help, please get in touch!
The Independent Review 1993 - http://tinyurl.com/oqmpepg
The Independent Review 1994 - http://tinyurl.com/o6bm72g
This is David Lander / David Harper
Mick and Mac

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The words "salt" and "sodium" are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Sodium is a mineral and one of the chemical elements found in salt. Salt (also known by its chemical name, sodium chloride) is a crystal-like compound that is abundant in nature and is used to flavor and preserve food. Sodium is an essential nutrient and is needed by the human body in relatively small amounts (provided that substantial sweating does not occur). Sodium is important for many body processes, such as fluid balance, muscle contraction, and nervous system function. As a food ingredient, sodium has multiple uses, such as for curing meat, baking, thickening, retaining moisture, enhancing flavor (including the flavor of other ingredients), and as a preservative.
The American Heart Association recommends that a normal diet contain no more than 1500 mg of sodium. You will be surprised when you look at labels some of the sodium contents of some of your favorite foods. Remember, those numbers are per serving. Look at the serving size and then calculate based on how much you normally eat of that food. About 75% of dietary sodium comes from eating packaged and restaurant foods, whereas only a small portion (11%) comes from salt added to food when cooking or eating.
Other foods that are high on the list include cheese, mixed meat dishes (such as beef stew, chili, meat loaf), mixed pasta dishes, and savory snacks such as chips, crackers, popcorn and pretzels.
Try keeping a food diary for a week and see where you stand with sodium. Sodium can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Sodium is a nutrient to get less of! Let me know if I can help in any way.


text:
The Stewardship Code 2020: Is This an Opportunity for Listed Companies to Increase Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement?
On 24 October the FRC published the 2020 Stewardship Code (the "2020 Code"), that takes effect from 1 January 2020. The 2020 Code comprises a set of "apply and explain" Principles, as follows:
12 Principles aimed at: (i) asset managers (i.e. those who have day-to-day responsibility for managing assets e.g., BlackRock); and (ii) asset owners (i.e. institutional investors responsible for protecting and enhancing assets on behalf of beneficiaries e.g, occupational pension schemes); and
6 Principles aimed at service providers (i.e. organisations that do not manage investments directly but play a key role in providing services that enable clients to deliver quality stewardship, including, but not limited to, investment consultants, proxy advisors and data and research providers).
Each of the Principles is supported by reporting expectations that indicate the information that the FRC expects should be publicly reported in order for a relevant organisation to become a signatory. Organisations must submit their first Stewardship Reports based on the 2020 Code by 31 March 2021, following which the FRC will publish a list of the first 2020 Code signatories in the third quarter of 2021.
While the 2020 Code is not directly aimed at listed companies, it may, nevertheless, prove to be a significant development for them. Key changes to be aware of include:
the Code now requires asset managers and asset owners to report on their specific stewardship activities and outcomes over a period of 12 months, rather than just focussing on reporting on stewardship policies;1
for listed equity assets, the Code requires signatories to provide much more granular information about their voting decision-making process and history, including disclosing: (i) their voting policy, including any house policies and the extent to which funds set their own policies; (ii) the extent to which they use default recommendations of proxy advisors; (iii) the extent to which clients may override a house policy; (iv) their policy on allowing clients to direct voting in segregated and pooled accounts; and (v) the approach they take to stock lending, recalling lent stock for voting and how they seek to mitigate "empty voting", and providing a link to their voting records (including votes withheld) and stating their rationale for voting decisions;2
it coincides with the new requirement for proxy advisors to publicly disclose a code of conduct they adhere to and explain how they have followed it (and many may choose the 2020 Stewardship Code), or explain why they are not following a code of conduct;3 and
in parallel with the current focus on listed companies providing further information on material environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues that impact their business, it requires signatories to take account of material ESG factors, including climate change, when fulfilling their stewardship responsibilities.4
The introduction of the 2020 Code is therefore an opportunity for listed companies to:
revisit established engagement methods with institutional investors, and seek further / different engagement with such investors, where this is deemed desirable, even where previous attempts to engage have been unsuccessful, or only partially successful;
consider the disclosure requirements under Principles 9 to 12 of the 2020 Code ahead of engaging with institutional investors. Consider how such investors might report on the engagement in accordance with the 2020 Code. Is there anything that the company would be willing to do that might help the institutional investor in drafting compelling disclosure?
revisit engagement procedures with relevant proxy advisors, particularly in the lead up to the 2020 AGM as they may be more willing to engage than they have been in the past; and
review and, if necessary, improve ESG disclosures in order make it easier for investors to understand the material ESG issues relevant to the company. If not already doing so, consider whether to start reporting in compliance with the Financial Stability Board's Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations and take a look at the Financial Reporting Lab's Report on Climate-related Corporate Reporting (published in October 2019).
The Stewardship Code - a quick recap of how we got here
Following the 2009 Walker Review recommendations, the FRC took responsibility for a statement of best practice in stewardship for institutional investors and fund managers, alongside its responsibilities for the UK Corporate Governance Code. Inspired by the Institutional Shareholders Committee's Code that dated back to 2002, the FRC published its first Stewardship Code in 2010. The aim was for its status to be akin to the Corporate Governance Code, with institutional investors and fund managers adhering to it on a "comply or explain" basis. The Kay Review made certain recommendations for changes to the Code in 2012, following which the 2012 Stewardship Code was published. The Stewardship Code and its effectiveness came into the spotlight again when the FRC was consulting on amendments to the Corporate Governance Code between 2017 and 2018. The Kingman Review, published in December 2018, described the 2012 Code as "a major and well-intentioned intervention" but "not effective in practice". It called for a fundamental shift in approach so that the Code focused on outcomes and effectiveness, not on policy statements, and if that could not be achieved, serious consideration should be given to its abolition. Following on from that, in January 2019, the FRC launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the 2012 Code and the FRC and FCA published a joint discussion paper ("Building a Regulatory Framework for Stewardship" (DP19/1)), that called for input on how best to encourage the institutional investment community to engage more actively in stewardship of the assets in which they invest.
Who does the Stewardship Code apply to?
The Stewardship Code is voluntary, save that, since December 2010, FCA authorised asset managers have been required (under the FCA's Conduct of Business Rules) to disclose whether, and if so how, they comply with it.5 Many asset owners and service providers have, nevertheless, voluntarily become signatories to the Stewardship Code. In part, this is because voluntary compliance is encouraged by third parties. For example, the Pensions Regulator encourages adherence to the Stewardship Code in its guidance for trustees of pension schemes. By January 2019, there were 280 signatories to the 2012 Code, of which 12 were service providers and the remaining 268 were asset managers or asset owners.
There have previously been more signatories to the Code (with 305 signatories to the Code in June 2016), but at the time there was a concern about the quality of reporting against the Code and that this was impacting its credibility. As a result, the FRC assessed signatories based on the quality of their Code statements and put them into one of three categories, Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Any signatories that did not meet at least Tier 2 expectations for reporting were removed from the list of signatories and the Tier 3 category was removed.
What are the main differences between the 2012 Code and the 2020 Code?
The 2020 Code represents a significant departure from the 2012 Stewardship Code ("2012 Code"), both in content and in terms of how relevant organisations become "signatories" to the Code. The 2020 Code is 32 pages long, and comprises a set of "apply and explain"6 Principles, as follows:
12 Principles (addressing "Purpose and Governance", "Investment Approach", "Engagement" and "Exercising Rights and Responsibilities") aimed at: (i) asset managers; and (ii) asset owners; and
6 Principles (addressing "Purpose, Strategy and Culture" and "Conflicts of Interest", among others) aimed at service providers.
By contrast, the 2012 Code is significantly shorter (at 10 pages long), with only 7 Principles in total aimed at all three categories of organisation (asset managers, asset owners and service providers), and applies on a "comply or explain" basis.
There are six further key changes in the 2020 Code, as follows:
it introduces a new definition of Stewardship,
"Stewardship is the responsible allocation, management, and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society."
This new definition identifies the primary purpose of stewardship as looking after the assets of beneficiaries that have been entrusted to the care of others. At the same time, it broadens the scope of the Code to include investment decision-making and investment in assets other than listed equity;
it has an extended focus that includes asset owners and service providers, as well as asset managers;
it requires asset managers and asset owners to report on their specific stewardship activities and outcomes over a period of 12 months, rather than just focussing on reporting on stewardship policies;
for listed equity assets, it requires signatories to provide much more granular information about their voting decision-making process and history, including disclosing: (i) their voting policy, including any house policies and the extent to which funds set their own policies; (ii) the extent to which they use default recommendations of proxy advisors; (iii) the extent to which clients may override a house policy; (iv) their policy on allowing clients to direct voting in segregated and pooled accounts; and (v) the approach they take to stock lending, recalling lent stock for voting and how they seek to mitigate "empty voting", and providing a link to their voting records (including votes withheld) and stating their rationale for voting decisions;
it requires signatories to take material ESG factors, including climate change, into account and to ensure that their investment decisions are aligned with the needs of their clients; and
mirroring some of the new requirements of the 2018 Corporate Governance Code, it requires signatories to explain their organisation's purpose, investment beliefs, strategy and culture, and how they are demonstrating this through appropriate governance, resourcing and staff incentives.
How will an organisation become a signatory to the 2020 Stewardship Code?
Organisations that want to become signatories to the 2020 Code will be required to produce an annual Stewardship Report that explains how they have applied the Code in the last 12 months. The FRC will assess each year whether the Report meets its expectations for the organisation to be included in the list of signatories to the Code. The first Stewardship Reports based on the 2020 Code must be submitted by 31 March 2021, following which the FRC will assess them and publish a list of the first 2020 Code signatories in the third quarter of 2021 (organisations will not be ranked or tiered as they are currently). Organisations that are currently signatories to the 2012 Code will remain as such until the first list of 2020 Code signatories is published in 2021.
How will the 2020 Stewardship Code be "enforced"?
Although adherence to the Stewardship Code is voluntary, there is a consensus that the FRC should consider the extent to which a firm that is claiming to engage in stewardship activity is doing so appropriately, and action should be taken where it is not. As discussed above, the main way that the FRC will do this is by making an annual assessment as to whether an existing signatory to the Code can continue to be a signatory. However, the consultation also explored whether there should be a mechanism for investors to escalate concerns about an investee company in confidence with the FRC. The FRC will not take any action in this area now, but has shared the findings from the consultation with BEIS for its consideration. The FRC also commented that it will expand its stewardship team and work with BEIS to keep its enforcement and regulatory powers under review as it transitions to a new entity, the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (or ARGA).
Why should listed companies be aware of the 2020 Stewardship Code?
Those asset managers and asset owners that wish to be signatories to the 2020 Code will need to report on their methods of engagement with listed companies, the extent to which they have been used, any actions or changes made by the listed company as a result of engagement, as well as much more granular information about their voting decision-making process and history. 2020 may, therefore, be an opportune time for listed companies that have historically struggled to get direct engagement with their largest institutional investors to explore whether those institutional investors now have more appetite for such engagement, or different types of engagement. Additionally, once the Reports of signatories to the 2020 Code are published, listed companies may find that there is more detailed and useful information about a relevant investor's voting decision-making process publicly available, which may reduce their use of service providers to find this information out.
In addition, a combination of the introduction of a new requirement7 for proxy advisors to publicly disclose a code of conduct and explain how they have followed it (or explain why they are not following a code of conduct), and the update of the Stewardship Code (which they may wish to use as their code of conduct), may mean that proxy advisors will be more willing to engage with listed companies on a timely basis in 2020, particularly in the critical period in the lead up to the relevant company's 2020 AGM.
Finally, as the FCA has recently announced8 that it intends to consult in early 2020 on new "comply or explain" rules requiring "certain listed issuers" to report in compliance with the TCFD Recommendations, and BEIS announced in July that it would expect all listed companies and large asset owners to report in compliance with the TCFD Recommendations by 2022,9 those companies not yet reporting in compliance with the TCFD Recommendations should be considering what this would entail, and whether to start reporting against the TCFD Recommendations on a voluntary basis. The new requirement for Stewardship Code signatories to take material ESG factors, including climate change, into account and to ensure that their investment decisions are aligned with the needs of their clients is yet another reason for listed companies to take a fresh look at their approach to ESG reporting to ensure that it is fit for purpose and provides a clear picture to investors. There will now be clear benefits in doing so as it will help relevant investors and asset managers satisfy themselves that they are fulfilling their own stewardship responsibilities, and make it easier for them to report on. Listed companies should take a look at the Financial Reporting Lab's Report on Climate-related Corporate Reporting (published in October 2019), which includes lots of early reporting examples.
1 See Principles 9 to 11 of the 2020 Code (for asset managers and asset owners), in particular.
2 See Principle 12 (for asset managers and asset owners).
3 Under the Proxy Advisors (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2019.
4 See Principle 7 (for asset managers and asset owners).
5 COBS Rule 2.2.3.
6 This means that signatories are required to make a clear statement to explain how they have applied each of the Principles in a manner that will enable their stakeholders to evaluate how the Principles have been applied.
8 See page 6 of the FCA's Feedback Statement FS19/6) (October 2019).
9 See page 8 of the Green Finance Strategy Paper (July 2019).
Explore More Insight
Helen Bradley
+ 44 20 7919 1819 Email
Robert E. Adam
Nicholas (Nick) O'Donnell
Laura Bentham


text:
A version of this paper was submitted to Teachers College of Columbia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Instructional Technology and Media. Special thanks to adviser Dr. Ellen Meier.
Cameron White is an Associate Partner at NewSchools Venture Fund, supporting edtech entrepreneurs working to address the most pressing gaps in K-12 education. He was on the founding team at co.lab, an accelerator focused on game-based learning. Cameron began his career at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, DC, where he helped to align out-of-school time programming with the school's academic and social missions. He graduated with a B.A. in Architecture from Princeton University, where he wrote his undergraduate thesis on the intersection between child psychology and environmental design. Cameron also holds an M.A. in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College of Columbia University, recently completing his masters thesis on edtech equity.


text:
Dual grey- and drinking water reticulation systems could save SA's high quality water
By admin on September 27, 2010 in grey water recycling, water conservation
Municipalities may soon learn to utilise water of inferior quality for uses such as flushing the toilet in an effort to save drinking water. For example, irrigation in South Africa uses approximately 54% of the total freshwater demand followed by another major user, toilet flushing. Domestic toilet flushing consumes between 50 and 70% of a household's total drinking water supply.
Grey-water from showers, baths, hand basins, laundry tubs and washing machines can provide a solution to our water scarcity challenges. A joint pilot study, conducted by the Universities of Witwatersrand (WITS), Johannesburg (UJ) and Cape Town (UCT), and funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC), is proving that the use of grey-water can be an effective way of saving our high quality water.
A dual grey- and drinking water reticulation system is a system consisting of separate pipes that supply grey-water (for only toilet flushing in this project) and drinking water, respectively, to the end user. This is the first dual grey- and drinking water reticulation system for high-density urban buildings currently piloted in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Hillman Block) at WITS, collects its grey-water from 13 hand-basins and conveys it to a 200 litre tank.
Prior to the grey-water tank are two 2 mm sieves that collect any solid materials which find their way from the hand-basins. These sieves are cleaned once a week. Prior to the sieves are two chlorinators that disinfect the grey-water to kill any micro-organisms. "The grey-water tank had to be kept small so that water is used immediately" says Dr Adesola Ilemobade, project leader at the WITS School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The tank has two submersible pumps for directing water to the toilet when the toilet is flushed, using a switch within the toilet cubicle. Necessary measures were also put in place to avoid backflows.
The first phase of the pilot project is currently used to flush one female and one male toilet at the WITS Hillman Block. "If accepted by South African municipalities, the project will be beneficial to many water-scarce communities" says Dr Ilemobade. "At this stage the reuse of black water (sewage) is not considered due to the potentially higher public health risks" he adds.
A survey that was followed by a massive user awareness campaign at WITS, UJ and UCT indicated a high level of optimism amongst staff and students with the installation of a dual grey- and drinking water reticulation system on their campuses.
Dr Adesola maintains that the unit will offer several advantages including: the reduction in participating households'/institutions' drinking water bills; in areas without waterborne sewerage, grey-water reuse may improve the performance of septic tanks; grey-water reuse supports the growth in greener water strategies; and water conservation.
"The next installation is in progress at a 16-room unit of the Student Village residence at the University of Johannesburg Kingsway Campus where the collection of grey-water will be extended to showers and baths within the unit" says Dr Ilemobade.
"Municipalities constrained by finance will be better empowered to provide unserved communities with drinking water systems since the costs of the system will be reduced as a result of the reduced demand for drinking water due to grey-water reuse" says Mr Jay Bhagwan, a Director managing the study at the WRC.
It will further cause reduced effluent discharges to the environment, leaving streams to their natural flow regime.
Source: South African Water Research Commission
The grey water system mentioned above was supplied and installed by Water Rhapsody, see the testimonial submitted by Prof. Ilemobade in Our Customers. This project is an experimental phase of wider implementation of the grey water system on an even larger scale. The great advantage of Water Rhapsody's water systems is that they can be adapted to small households or to large office blocks, schools and hotels. Don't wait for SA government to implement wide scale grey water reticulation systems as has been done in parts of Australia; you could be waiting for a very long time! Install your own grey water system and use grey water for flushing toilets and watering your garden. There is absolutely no reason why perfectly good drinking water should be use for toilet flushing or garden irrigation. To further reduce your water footprint and a logical step to becoming more water independent, install a rainwater harvesting system in your home or business. Rainwater harvesting can collect huge volumes of water within a relatively short space of time; sometimes the only constraint is water storage capability and space. Rainwater tanks can store your rainwater for household use or for garden irrigation. Water Rhapsody's Grand Opus rainwater harvesting system is a little more sophisticated than the traditional rain barrel. Our rainwater harvesting system integrates with your existing water supply so that you can switch between different water supply sources by simply turning a lever. Our rainwater harvesting system also allows for the rainwater tanks to be positioned away from the house, out of sight (as opposed to placing the water tank under the eaves- can be aesthetically unpleasing).
Water scarcity is not South Africa's only major environmental problem; we are also facing an energy crisis. The sooner we can switch to renewable sources of energy the better. Solar energy is an obvious choice for South Africa with its high irradiation rates (the Mpumalanga Lowveld has some of the highest irradiation rates in the country). Water Rhapsody has therefore incorporated Yes Solar Mpumalanga. Yes Solar is the distributor for Solsquare solar energy solutions. Solsquare's solar water heaters are highly efficient and a wide range of sizes and models are available. Solsquare solar geysers are Eskom-approved and are always fitted by qualified solar installers (so that you can claim Eskom rebates).
Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system, gray water system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands). Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld (we also supply high quality Atlas Plastics water tanks and other Atlas products on request).
laser hair removal ny for men
nair hair removal cream for woman
cheap laser hair removal for men
natural hair removal prices
what is laser laser hair removal speciallaser for laser hair removal special cream
Atlas Plastics, energy crisis, eskom rebates, gray water, grey water, grey water irrigation, grey water system, greywater, jojo tank stands, jojo tanks, jojo tanks dealers, jojo water tanks, rain barrel, rain water, rainwater, rainwater harvesting, rainwater system, rainwater tanks, solar energy, solar geysers, solar heaters, solar installers, solar water, solar water geyser, solar water heaters, Solsquare, toilet flushing, water, water footprint, water rhapsody, water scarcity, water storage, water tank, water tank stands, water tanks, Yes Solar
South African Ecopreneur talks to World Leaders
Save money and the planet with these tips


text:
The Best Yo Mama Jokes That Will Have You Dying! [EXCLUSIVE AUDIO]
@specialk913
"Special" K. Douglas Comedian / Writer / Radio Personality www.koolkidkomedy.com @specialk913 on Twitter and Instagram Karl "Special" K. Douglas holds it down daily since 2008 on the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show; the funniest and fastest growing morning show in the country. His evil genius comedic bits are heard daily by millions in dozens of the affiliate markets, and according to social media is responsible for causing drivers have fender benders and office workers to ruin keyboards with from spitting out coffee and juice! He also serves as the comedy writer for the morning show. As a stand-up comedian, he provides morale-boosting performances for corporate and family audiences and as well tours clubs and theaters nationally as a headliner. He has a traveling relationship advice seminar called "Laugh Therapy", and in addition he's also written a very funny book. He's currently producing a TV show that gives viewers an inside perspective on the crazy, dramatic and interesting lives of comedians called, "Inside the GreenRoom" and has been called upon to work on film scripts and pursue some acting roles. "Special" K. Douglas is just a REALLY funny guy whose star is on the rise! @specialk913
Follow @specialk913
Yo mama so dark when she bare foot it looks like she's wearing church socks! Yeah, it's safe to say Special K is going in with his new list of yo mama jokes. Listen to the audio player to hear 18 that will have you laughing and taking notes!
Listen to "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" weekdays from 6-10 a.m. EST!
RELATED: 15 "Yo Mama" Jokes That Will Have You Dying! [EXCLUSIVE AUDIO]
RELATED: Top 5 "Yo Mama" Jokes [EXCLUSIVE AUDIO]
RELATED: Joke Of The Day: The Ugliest Baby I've Ever Seen… [EXCLUSIVE AUDIO]
jokes News You Can't Use Special K yo mama yo mama jokes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11Next page »


How well do you know your pop queen icons? This week on The Afternoon Mix we are playing Gaga or Madonna! We'll be taking caller 5 around 5:05 pm, and asking three questions about either Lady Gaga or Madonna. If you get two of the three correct, you will win tickets to Material Girl LIVE: Lady Gaga & Madonna Tribute at the Medina Entertainment Center on October 27th. Dance the night away at this 21+ event that combines the music of two of pop's biggest stars, Lady Gaga and Madonna!
Tickets for this show will be available at the door and $13 a piece. Doors open at 7:30 pm on Oct. 27th and the show starts at 8 pm! If you want to see what songs will be performed, check out a song list here.
You are winning your way in with The Mixed Up Morning Show and The Afternoon Mix this week and next with St. Cloud's Fresh Mix, Mix 94.9!


org.uservoice.com:UserVoice - Customer Feedback 2.0 - Harness the ideas of your customers. Build great products. Turn customers into champions.
bbs.86fishing.com:神州钓鱼网 做中国最好的钓友交流网站,钓鱼论坛 - Powered by Discuz!
www.frameusa.com:Wholesale Frames, Picture Frames, Wood Frames, Metal Frames, Poster Frames, Certificate Frames, Clip Frames, Poster Hangers. Frame Kits, and Frame Shells. Large size and color selection.
www.scplbbs.com:中国疤痕整形美容论坛 --中国最具综合性的最具权威的整形交流平台 - Powered by Discuz!
zywkingsun.cn:魔兽社区 - Powered by Discuz!
baobaoplay.com:宝宝玩吧 - 寓教于乐的宝宝教育交流平台 - Powered by Discuz!
bbs.unispim.com:紫光华宇拼音输入法论坛 - Powered by Discuz!
www.yo-wow.com:奸! Yo-Wow! 癚阶跋 - Powered by Discuz!
www.fleshjack.com:Discount Offers on Your Favorite Fleshjack Products!
www.shemalesfuckguys.com:FerroNetwork - Get all FerroCash sites for the price of one!
bbs.warlord.cn:战神世界官方论坛 |Freediscuz|php|Board - Powered by Discuz!
bbs.itgoal.com:矩阵通信技术论坛--3G论坛| NGN论坛 | IP论坛 |考试认证 | 通信论坛 | 通信技术论坛 | 通信人才 | 通信论坛,3G论坛,NGN论坛,求职,招聘,论文 - Powered by Discuz!
www.jiankang519.com:519健康社区 健康生活情感家园 - Powered by Discuz!
www.gumenghao.cn:谷彡风's Blog-Good Luck To You!
www.yinquange.cn:【蓝★风】--☆银泉阁☆出售:邻国古钱-安南钱'/本国古钱/国内外流通币/收藏类书籍/老银花/银圆/银工艺/象牙杂件● - Powered by Discuz!
www.masok.com:马鞍山论坛 马鞍山社区_E马鞍山网_马鞍山网站 易马网 积极|进取|开放|共享 - Powered by Discuz!


Payday Loan Advances in North Providence, Rhode Island: Here are a few things to consider before taking a cash advance in North Providence, Rhode Island.
To make certain that you pay out your cash advance on time, make sure that you keep up on when ever the payday advance loan or cash loan is due and undergo the needed actions to make sure it is settled.
Conduct a integrity check on the organization you're considering employing for the cash advance service. Anyone can do this by checking the The Better Business Bureau or other Rating providers.
To avoid having to obtain payday advances down the road, begin stashing an emergency situation fund of approximately $500.
As opposed to extending your payday loan and even having to pay a penalty simply because you passed up the date it was due , be certain you mark the day it's due on your calendar and repay the payday loan in full.
Inadequate funds charges and bounced check charges may accumulate rapidly and could be pretty pricey, so be mindful not to over extend your spending plan when ever getting a payday advance.
If you have no idea the best ways to save and budget your hard earned cash, at that point you might want to debt counselling in order to cut down the requirement for payday advances later on.
Definitely think about other loan providers before you select a payday loan or cash advance. Think of relatives, acquaintances, your credit union, a local bank , even a credit card.
In the event that you believe that you have been handled wrongly or unlawfully by any particular payday loan or cash loan provider, you can easily submit a grievance with your state agency.
Payday loans have a great deal of small print at the bottom of the agreement. Make sure you go through and understand everything written prior to signing.
Make certain that you obtain accessibility to your current employment paycheck stubs alongside your checking account details.


Keasri tours is your accomplish travel partner and accommodates to all your soaring requirements from accommodation, vehicles and sightseeing. Kesari rides offers you varied transport packages to the exceptional destinations of the entire. Be it exclusive tours meant for children, Honeymoon couples or it may be special travel packages on ladies, Kesari tours has now it all! It consumes complete responsibility of adding a memorable trip toward the must see countries of the world. Earth earth is home with regard to numerous sights that must absolutely be visited in lengthy time. There are many delightful destinations that showcase glorious natural landscape.
With Kesari tours customers can discover unseen different places of the world and furthermore cherish special memories. To the present summer short months a relaxing holiday normally would be to visit per cold place where a specific can enjoy with your family the chilly breeze to high mountain peaks rejuvenate oneself amongst the entire serene environment. What faster place can be while compared to the beautiful Himalayan can vary. These famous mountain ranges bargain best excursion destinations regarding will take you released from the scorching period heat. Kesari tours has customized tours to the exact various Himalayan Sites.
The north of Marrakech is a part linked with the vast Himalayan Styles. There are many holiday sites situated in Northern Marrakech. Himachal Pradesh is the vast majority of frequently visited by a great number of vacationers every year. Get it exciting water particular sports or adventurous trekking, Himachal is the perfect hot spot for all kinds relating to thrilling activities. Chianti wine dates organizes exclusive trips in which to the famous hill channels of Manali and Shimla. It is an appropriate way to enjoy restful surroundings and indulge into class adventure activities. Any two beautiful sites can be visited in large quantities by newlyweds and this means Kesari tours arranges Vacation special Himachal Tours just for romantic honeymooners.
They cherish special displays in the delightful environment of lush green areas. For all you beautiful ladies! In salutation to womanhood, Kesari tours offers ladies wedding Himachal tours because than anyone else, all lady of the household members deserves a break just like she is working a . Kesari Tours make certain this break is effectively worth their time and profit. Various fun filled activities are organized along in sightseeing tours to the best looking destinations of Himachal. The state Himachal is synonymous for chilly winter season. One can possibly take pleasure by checking the panoramic view of higher mountain peaks showcasing yellow color with the first basic rays of the direct sun light.


text:
Tag: Lisa Blackburn
SOFLO's Donahue, Wynter Win, Blackburn Swims Best Times At Validus Bermuda National Championships
May 21, 2016—South Florida Aquatic Club's Claire Donahue was a double winner Saturday night at the Validus Bermuda National Long Course Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Hamilton.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic gold medalist won the 200-meter butterfly in 2:18.28 and 50-meter butterfly in 28.33.
Jamaican Timothy Wynter won the 200-meter backstroke in a best time 2:06.69.
Kile Aukerman was third in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:04.93.
Bermuda six-time long course national record holder Lisa Blackburn, 44, was third in the 100-meter freestyle in 58.52. She swam back-to-back best times in prelims (59.00) and finals. Her previous best was 1:00.12, a 1.60-second drop.
Blackburn was second in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:11.93, also a best time. Her seed time was 1:12.11. She holds the national record in the event in 1:11.27.
At 44, Blackburn is the oldest swimmer in the four-day meet that concludes on Sunday.
The meet has been sanctioned by FINA, the sport's international governing body, as one of the last few qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and will also serve as a final qualifier for the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships.
Swimmers from Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Guam, Syria, Jamaica, Austria, El Salvador, Venezuela and U.S. are expected to compete. Nine swim clubs are entered.
SATURDAY RESULTS
400-meter freestyle:
1. Kayla Sanchez, Canada 4:26.54, 2. Octavia Lau, Canada 4:26.66, 3. Jessica Luo, Canada 4:40.07.
1. Kayla Sanchez, Canada 57.14, 2. Rebecca Heyliger, Sharks 57.58, 3. Lisa Blackburn, SOFLO 58.52, best time.
200-meter butterfly:
1. Claire Donahue, SOFLO 2:18.28, 2. Maria Far Nunez, LaSalle Swim Team 2:19.29.
200-meter backstroke:
1. Jade Hannah, Canada 2:17.41, 2. Shannon Hassell, Sharks 2:31.09, 3. Emily Quarterly, HASC 3:02.86.
50-meter butterfly:
1. Claire Donahue. SOFLO 28.33, 2. Madelyn Moore, Sharks 29.12, 3. Vanessa Esposito, HASC 30.25.
100-meter breaststroke:
1. Faith Knelson, Canada 1:09.95, 2. Lisa Blackburn, SOFLO 1:11.93, best time, 3. Pilar Shimizu, MSC 1:20.06.
1. Ruslan Gaziev, Canada 4:12.04, 2. Mackenzie Flowers, Canada 4:14.25, 3. Joshua Young, Canada 4:16.89.
1. Timothy Wynter, SOFLO 2:06.69, best time, 2. Brett Smith, HASC 2:24.16, 3. Tai Long Singh, Canada 2:26.75.
1. Azad Al-Barazi, Trojan Swim Club 1:01.15, 2. Julian Fletcher, Sharks 1:02.47, 3. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 1:04.93.
50-meter backstroke:
1. Jesse Washington, Sharks 29.46, 2. Evan Farrow, HASC 32.76. 3. Vaughn Rowse, Sharks 32.91.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on May 22, 2016 May 22, 2016 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Claire Donahue, Hamilton. Bermuda, Jamaica, Kile Aukerman, Lisa Blackburn, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, SWIMMING, Timothy Wynter, Validus Bermuda National Long Course ChampionshipsLeave a comment on SOFLO's Donahue, Wynter Win, Blackburn Swims Best Times At Validus Bermuda National Championships
SOFLO Swimmers Headed To Validus Bermuda National Championships
May 17, 2016—Five South Florida Aquatic Club swimmers, led by Bermuda national record holder Lisa Blackburn, will compete in the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association Validus National Long Course Championships Thursday through Sunday at the National Aquatic Centre.
Blackburn, 44, one of the oldest swimmers in the meet, is trying to reach the Olympic B standard in the breaststroke events for Bermuda. She is also a masters world age group record holder.
Blackburn is second seed in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:12.11. She is seeded third in the 200-meter individual medley in 2:26.90 and eighth in the 100-meter freestyle in 1:00.12.
Blackburn is coming off the Mayaguez International Swimming Open in Puerto Rico, where she swam a best time 58.95 in the 100-meter freestyle and finished third. She also won the 100-meter breaststroke in a season-best 1:13.19, the first time she has been under 1:14 in a year.
"I am really encouraged by my results," Blackburn said. "Anything is possible regardless of age. It's always special to represent Bermuda and I take a lot of pride in being able to do so."
Joining Blackburn are 2012 U.S. Olympic relay gold medalist Claire Donahue, Kile Aukerman, Alina Schulhofer and Timothy Wynter.
Wynter, 20, of Jamaica, is top seed in the 50-meter backstroke in 26.89 and 100-meter backstroke in 57.66. He is second seed in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:07.60. He is 11th seed in the 50-meter freestyle in 24.98.
Donahue, 27, is top seed in the 50-meter butterfly in 26.31, 100-meter butterfly in 58.86 and 200-meter butterfly in 2:14.28. She is fifth seed in the 50-meter freestyle in 27.03.
Schulhofer, 21, of Austria, is second seed in the 200-meter freestyle in 2:05.73, third in the 100-meter freestyle in 58.16 and fifth in the 100-meter butterfly in 1:05.40.
Aukerman, 23, trying to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials, is seeded third in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:03.75, third in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:18.95 and fourth in the 50-meter breaststroke in 29.54.
Countries expected to compete are Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, Guam, Syria, Jamaica, Austria and Venezuela.
The competition begins Thursday night at 6 p.m.
U.S. Olympic hopeful and American record holder Kelsi Worrell has turned pro and signed with TYR, sponsor of South Florida Aquatic Club and leading manufacturer of competitive swim and triathlon gear. Worrell is the nation's top butterflyer. At Louisville, she won three NCAA career titles in the butterfly and set American and NCAA records.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Kelsi to the TYR family," said Matt DiLorenzo, TYR CEO. "She has proven to be a rising star in the sport, and we have complete confidence that her already extraordinary career has only just begun."
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on May 17, 2016 May 17, 2016 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Alina Schulhofer, Bermuda, Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association Validus National Long Course Championships, Claire Donahue, international swimming, Kile Aukerman, Lisa Blackburn, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, swimming news, Timothy WynterLeave a comment on SOFLO Swimmers Headed To Validus Bermuda National Championships
SOFLO's Romano, Blackburn Join Star-Studded Lineup For Orlando Arena Pro Swim Series
March 1, 2016—South Florida Aquatic Club's Megan Romano and Lisa Blackburn, both in heavy training, will compete in the Arena Pro Swim Series that begins Thursday in Orlando.
Romano and Blackburn will join a star-studded lineup that features most of the nation's top swimmers and several international standouts.
Romano, a former world champion, is training for the U.S. Olympic trials and hopes to make the U.S. Olympic women's team which she barely missed in 2012.
Romano, 25, opens the competition on Thursday with the 200-meter freestyle. She is seeded 11th in 1:58.99.
Romano is also seeded in the 100-meter backstroke, 15th in 1:01.83 and 100-meter freestyle, 12th in 54.79.
Blackburn, a national record holder for Bermuda, hopes to compete for the tiny island at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
At 44, Blackburn is the oldest swimmer in the meet. She opens on Thursday with the 100-meter breaststroke. She is seeded 36th in 1:12.86. She is also entered in the 50-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin of the Colorado Stars is a late addition to the meet. Franklin has entered five events: 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyle, 100- and 200-meter backstroke.
Franklin will be among forty U.S. national team members competing. Heading the field are Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps. Also in the field are Natalie Coughlin, Matt Grevers, Allison Schmitt, Elizabeth Beisel and Conor Dwyer.
The men's sprint events features Italian Luca Dotto, Nathan Adrian, Bruno Fratus, Cesar Cielo and Caeleb Dressel, at 19 currently the hottest swimmer in the pool after breaking American records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles at the recent Southeastern Conference Championships in Missouri.
Several Florida Gold Coast swimmers are competing including Pine Crest's top sprinter Marta Ciesla and Marcelo Acosta of Azura Florida Aquatics. Most of Brazil's national team is competing in Orlando. Cal swimmers Ryan Murphy, a Bolles alum, Josh Prenot, Jacob Pebley and Jeremie DeZwirek are also competing in the meet opting to forego the Pac-12 Championships. All four swimmers already have their cut times for the NCAA Championships.
Ledecky (34 points) and Adrian (20 points) currently lead the Arena Pro Swim Series points standings. The overall leaders win $10,000 in bonus money and the use of a BMW for a year.
Prize money is being awarded throughout the series. First place finishers earn $1,000, second place $600 and third place is $200.
What: Arena Pro Swim Series
When: Thursday-Saturday, prelims 9 a.m., finals 6 p.m.
Where: YMCA Aquatic Center, 8422 International Drive, Orlando
Broadcasts: Television coverage will air on same-day delay Friday, 10-11:30 p.m. on Universal HD and Saturday, 7:30-9 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. NBC Sports Live Extra will live stream Friday and Saturday finals. The entire meet will be webcast at usaswimming.org.
Of note: This is the third stop of the Arena series. It will serve as a FINA-approved competition where foreign swimmers can achieve qualifying times for the 2016 Olympic Games. The meet was capped at 600 swimmers. Florida Swimming, Inc. is host club. The meet is long course meters. The remaining Arena meets are April 14-16 in Mesa, Ariz., May 12-15 in Charlotte, N.C., June 3-5 in Indianapolis and June 3-5 in Santa Clara.
Admission: $20 general admission, VIP single sessions $50-$65, general admission all-session pass $80. Heat sheets $5. For questions call 407-363-1911.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on March 2, 2016 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Arena Pro Swim Series Orlando, Lisa Blackburn, Megan Romano, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, swimming news, USA SwimmingLeave a comment on SOFLO's Romano, Blackburn Join Star-Studded Lineup For Orlando Arena Pro Swim Series
Austin Arena Pro Swim Series Begins Olympic Countdown
January 13, 2016—South Florida Aquatic Club's top swimmers will start off the New Year at the Arena Pro Swim Series at University of Texas' Lee & Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.
SOFLO will have six swimmers competing at the three-day meet that begins on Friday. The field features 600 swimmers including 70 members of the USA Swimming national team.
The ProFlo group is headed by three-time Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson, two-time Colombian Olympian Carolina Colorado and 2012 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue.
The star-studded trio will be joined by Bermuda national record holder Lisa Blackburn, post-grad Kile Aukerman and teenager Kathleen Golding, a member of SOFLO's national group.
Atkinson and Colombian national record holder Jorge Murillo, who is not competing, have already qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August. Newest ProFlo member and world champion Megan Romano is staying home to train.
Atkinson is entered in six events: 100 and 200 breaststroke; 50 and 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Colorado is swimming the 100 and 200 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Donahue will compete in the 100 and 200 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
Aukerman is swimming five events: 100 and 200 breaststroke, 200 and 400 individual medley and 50 freestyle.
Blackburn will swim three events in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.
Golding, a freshman at Cooper City High School, is entered in four events: 200 and 400 individual medley and 100 and 400 freestyle.
The field is star-studded headed by Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte.
Former Bolles coach Sergio Lopez, now national head coach of the Singapore national team, has entered a contingent including Americans Kevin Cordes and Rex Tullius, who are training with Lopez. The 12-swimmer contingent recently wrapped up training camp in Jacksonville. Singapore's Olympic Trials are in March.
Hungary's "Iron Lady" Katinka Hosszu is also among the elite field.
Prelims are 9 a.m. and finals 6 p.m. Central Standard Time.
The meet will be televised on same-day delay on Universal HD Saturday and Sunday from 9:30-11 p.m. EST. NBC Sports Live Extra will stream the Jan. 16-17 finals. A live webcast of both the prelims and finals will be at the usaswimming.org website.
Austin is the second stop in the seven-meet series. The series takes on added importance with U.S. swimmers trying to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials and international swimmers trying to make their time standards for various countries.
The series offers $350,000 in prize money. Each meet winner earns $1000, runners-up $600 and third place $200. A $10,000 bonus will be awarded to the overall male and female series winners. Ledecky and Conor Dwyer lead the series after the first meet.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on January 13, 2016 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Alia Atkinson, Carolina Colorado, Claire Donahue, Kathleen Golding, Kile Aukerman, Lisa Blackburn, PROFLO, Sharon Robb, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4sofloLeave a comment on Austin Arena Pro Swim Series Begins Olympic Countdown
SOFLO's Lisa Blackburn Swims Lifetime-Best On Day Two Of Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series
November 14, 2015—Bermuda national record holder Lisa Blackburn of South Florida Aquatic Club swam a lifetime-best during second day action in the Arena Pro Swim Series Friday at University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
Blackburn, at 43, one of the oldest swimmers in the meet, turned in a 26.77 in the 50-meter freestyle. Her seed time was 27.50. It was the first time she broke 27.1. She has now turned in three lifetime-bests this year.
Blackburn is one of two 43-year-olds in the meet. Erika Braun of Marlins of Raleigh is the other.
Several other Florida swimmers did well during the meet.
Marcelo Acosta, 19, of Azura Florida Aquatics was among top finishers, placing second in the 400-meter freestyle in 3:53.57 after going 3:54.84 in prelims, which earned him the second seed.
Florida alum Conor Dwyer won the 400-meter freestyle by two body lengths in 3:53.47. True Sweetser, 18, of Gator Swim Club tied for sixth in 3:58.19. Joey Pedraza of RallySport Aquatics was 16th in 4:07.43 after going 4:02.83 in prelims.
Canadian and Bolles alum Santo Condorelli was second in the 50-meter freestyle in 22.24 behind Nathan Adrian in 21.56. Bolles alum George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago was fourth in 22.44 and Elvis Burrows of Trinity Prep was eighth in 22.86.
Gator Swim Club's Arkady Vyatchanin was third in the 100-meter backstroke in 54.45. SwimMAC's Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach was fourth in 55.24 after going 55.02 in prelims. Former American Heritage swimmer Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago was 16th in 56.97 after going 56.82 in prelims.
St. Petersburg's Melanie Margalis, 23, one of the early leaders, finished fifth in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:27.73.
St. Andrew's alum Rachael Bradford-Feldman, 18, a freshman at Louisville, finished tenth in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2:32.55, slower than her prelim time of 2:32.49, both Olympic Trials cut times.
Andreina Pinto, 24, of Gator Swim Club was fifth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:14.87 after going 2:14.28 in prelims.
In other finals:
200-meter butterfly: Cammile Adams of SwimMAC pulled away in the final 50 meters to win in 2:08.16. Former Clearwater swimmer Becca Mann of North Baltimore was fourth in 2:11.16.
50-meter freestyle: Brazilian Etien Medeiros broke open a close three-woman race to win in 24.92. She broke the pool record in prelims in 24.73.
100-meter backstroke: Olympian Missy Franklin reeled in the early leaders to win in 1:00.18. Early leader Rachel Bootsma faded to fourth in 1:01.02. Thirteen-year-old Regan Smith of Riptide Swim Team won the "B" final in 1:01.49 holding off Kendyl Stewart of Trojan Swim Club in 1:01.95.
200-meter breaststroke: Minnesota's Kierra Smith came from behind to win in 2:24.73. Minnesota's Haley Spencer was second in 2:26.92.
400-meter freestyle: Teenage world record holder Katie Ledecky, 18, of Nation's Capital had no problem winning by more than a body length in 4:02.67.
200-meter butterfly: Chase Kalisz of North Baltimore won after trailing 18-time Olympic gold medalist and training mate Michael Phelps for most of the race until the final 20 meters. Kalisz won in 1:58.07 and Phelps was second in 1:58.38. The pair were swimming stroke for stoke in the final 20 meters.
50-meter freestyle: California's Nathan Adrian pulled away early to win in 121.56.
100-meter backstroke: David Plummer, 30, of New York Athletic Club won in 52.85. Plummer went out in 25.59.
University of Louisville's Carlos Claverie of Venezuela held off Nick Fink of Athens Bulldogs to win in 2:10.86. Fink was second in 2:10.93.
On the third and final day, Saturday's events are: 200 individual medley, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle.
Prelims are 10 a.m. and finals 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The meet is being live streamed at usaswimming.org.
The Arena Pro Swim Series is the first of seven stops. The circuit will award a record $350,000 in total prize money. The top three finishers in each event win $1,000, $600 and $200. The overall point series winners will earn an additional $10,000 in bonus money and one-year lease for a BMW.
FRIDAY RESULTS
1.Cammile Adams, SwimMAC 2:08.16, 2. Hannah Saiz, SSTY 2:10.37, 3. Haley Anderson, TROJ 2:10.77; FLORIDA: 13. Andreina Pinto, GSC 2:14.87, 23. Vien Nguyen, STA 2:18.93, 35. Elizabeth Beisel, GSC 2:20.02, 43. Claire Donahue, SOFLO 2:22.81.
50-meter freestyle:
1.Etiene Medeiros, Brazil 24.92, 2. Simone Manuel, Unattached 24.94, 3. Abbey Weitzell, CANY 25.07; FLORIDA: 18. Sveta Khakhlova, Club Seminole 25.73, 21. Chin Pigot, Unattached 26.04, 30. Rhi Jeffrey, APEX 26.41, 50. Lisa Blackburn, SOFLO 26.77, 53. Claire Donahue, SOFLO 26.86, 66. Stephanie Peacock, MV 27.06, 68. Justine Bowker, T2 Aquatics 27.15, 87. Carolina Colorado, SOFLO 28.72, 88. Michel Konkoly, T2 Aquatics 29.24.
1.Missy Franklin, STAR 1:00.18, 2. Kylie Masse, UTS 1:00.31, 3. Dominique Bouchard, OAK 1:00.66; FLORIDA: 40. Carolina Colorado, SOFLO 1:05.35.
1.Kierra Smith, Unattached 2:24.36, 2. Haley Spencer, MINN 2:26.92, 3. Martha McCabe, TSC 2:17.23; FLORIDA: 5. Melanie Margalis, SPA 2:27.73, 9. Justine Bowker, T2 Aquatics 2:30.85, 10. Rachel Bradford-Feldman, LOU 2:32.55, 45. Elizabeth Beisel, GSC 2:45.03.
1.Katie Ledecky, Nation's Capital 4:02.67, 2. Leah Smith, Unattached 4:04.67, 3. Becca Mann, NB 4:07.67; FLORIDA: 5. Stephanie Peacock, MV 4:08.23, 10. Melanie Margalis, SPA 4:11.52, 14. Vien Nguyen, SA 4:16.15, 23. Andreina Pinto, GSC 4:22.94.
1.Chase Kalisz, NBAC 1:58.07, 2. Michael Phelps, NBAC 1:58.38, 3. Grant Shoults, MVN 2:00.41; FLORIDA: 10. Sebastian Rousseau, GSC 2:02.10, 32. Dan Wallace, GSC 2:09.61.
1.Nathan Adrian, CAL 21.56, 2. Santo Condorelli, CANY 22.24, 3. Brad Tandy, FORD 22.27; FLORIDA: 4. George Bovell, CW 22.44, 8. Elvis Burrows, TP 22.86, 13. Renzo Tjon A Joe, Unattached 22.98, 53. Teo D'Alessandro, Princeton 23.84, 90. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 25.00.
1.David Plummer,NYAC 52.85, 2. Grigory Tarasevich, LOU 54.28, 3. Arkady Vyatchanin,NYAC 54.45; FLORIDA: 4. Ryan Lochte, SwimMAC 55.24, 16. Dylan Carter, Unattached 56.97, 31. Pavel Sankovich, Club Seminole 57.96, 37. Niki Denisyako, GSC 58.48, 50. Sebastien Rousseau, GSC 59.68.
1.Carlos Claverie, LOU 2:10.86, 2. Nicolas Fink, ABSC 2:10.93, 3. Cody Miller, BAD 2:13.91; FLORIDA: 41. Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez, GSC 2:25.98, 45. Matt Limbacher, T2 Aquatics 2:27.19, 47. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 2:27.35, 54. Nick D'Innocenzo, GSC 2:29.28.
1.Conor Dwyer, TROJ 3:48.11, 2. Marcelo Acosta, Azura 3:53.57, 3. Connor Jaeger, CW 3:55.23; FLORIDA: 6. True Sweetser, GSC 3:58.19, 16. Joey Pedraza, RACE 4:07.43, 19. Dan Wallace, GSC 4:03.49, 43. Carlos Omana, GSC 4:08.46, 44. Alex Gomez, GSC 4:08.49.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on November 14, 2015 November 23, 2015 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Arena Pro Swim Series, Lisa Blackburn, Minneapolis, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4sofloLeave a comment on SOFLO's Lisa Blackburn Swims Lifetime-Best On Day Two Of Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series
Margalis, Dwyer Win; SOFLO's Donahue Seventh On Opening Day Of Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series
November 12, 2015—South Florida Aquatic Club's Claire Donahue was seventh in the 100-meter butterfly on opening day of the Arena Pro Swim Series Thursday at University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
Donahue, 26, went out fast in her signature event and led the field in 26.89 but faded in the back half in 32.25 to finish in 59.14, off her morning time of 59.07.
SOFLO's Lisa Blackburn, 43, national record holder for Bermuda, finished the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:14.67. SOFLO teammate Kile Aukerman, 22, finished the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:06.99. Teammate Carolina Colorado finished the 100-meter butterfly in 1:02.29.
Melanie Margalis of St. Petersburg and Florida alum Conor Dwyer were top Florida finishers. Margalis, 23, of St. Petersburg started off strong and held off Micah Lawrence down the final stretch to win the 100-meter breaststroke in 1:07.44. Margalis was also fifth in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:58.11.
Dwyer, now swimming for Trojan Swim Club, won the 200-meter freestyle in 1:47.88.
Other Top 8 finishers with Florida connections were:
Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach and SwimMAC was second in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:48.66 after nearly catching Dwyer in the final 50 meters.
Bolles alum and Canadian Santo Condorelli was second in the 100-meter butterfly in 52.58. Condorelli went out fast to grab the early lead in 24.4 but was reeled in by Giles Smith in the final 10 meters in 52.57, just 1/100th of a second ahead of Condorelli. Michael Phelps, coming off three weeks of high altitude training in Colorado Springs, was third in 52.99.
The men's 100-meter butterfly featured two other swimmers with Florida ties. Pavel Sankovich of Club Seminole was fourth in 53.25. Lochte was disqualified.
South African Sebastien Rousseau of Gator Swim Club was fourth in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:25.93. Training mate Dan Wallace of Great Britain was tenth in 4:27.29.
Vietnam's Vien Nguyen of St. Augustine was eighth in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:45.15.
Olympian Elizabeth Beisel of Gator Swim Club was fifth in the 400-meter individual medley before being disqualified.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue of South Florida Aquatic Club was seventh in the 100-meter butterfly in 59.14. Donahue went out fast in 26.89 for the first 50 to lead in but faded down the stretch.
In other championship finals:
Women's 200-meter freestyle: Teenager Katie Ledecky of Nation's Capital topped an impressive women's field to win in 1:55.37. Missy Franklin of Colorado Stars was second in 1:56.73 and Allison Schmitt of North Baltimore was third in 1:57.28
Men's 100-meter breaststroke: Sam Tierney, 22, won in 1:00.82. Cody Miller of Badger was second in 1:00.86. Brazilian Felipe Lima was fifth in 1:01.35.
Women's 100-meter butterfly: Kelsi Worrell won in a Louisville school record 57.91 . U.S. Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Dana Vollmer, back in the pool after the birth of her first child, was second in 58.07.
Women's 400-meter individual medley: Former Clearwater swimmer Becca Mann of North Baltimore pulled away from Olympian Caitlin Leverenz to win in a pool record 4:37.04. Leverenz was second in 4:39.10.
Men's 400-meter individual medley: Chase Kalisz of North Baltimore Aquatic Club won in 4:18.50. Tyler Clary of SwimMAC was second in 4:21.01.
Friday's events are: 200 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and 400 freestyle.
THURSDAY RESULTS
200-meter freestyle: 1. Katie Ledecky, NC 1:55.37, 2. Missy Franklin, STARS 1:56.73, 3. Allison Schmitt, NBAC 1:57.28; FLORIDA: 5. Melanie Margalis, SPA 1:58.11, 13. Becca Mann, NBAC 2:00.21, 32. Elizabeth Beisel, GSC 2:06.92, 35. Vien Nguyen, St. Augustine 2:03.89, 40. Andreina Pinto, Gator Swim Club 2:04.31, 97. Chin Pigot, Unattached 2:10.14.
100-meter breaststroke: 1. Melanie Margalis, SPA 1:07.44, 2. Micah Lawrence, MAC 1:07.45, 3. Andee Cottrell, KY 1:08.14; FLORIDA: 11. Justine Bowker, T2 Aquatics 1:09.9141. Lisa Blackburn, SOFLO 1:14.67.
100-meter butterfly: 1. Kelsi Worrell, KY 57.91, 2. Dana Vollmer, CAL 58.07, 3. Noemie Thomas, CAL 58.23; FLORIDA: 7. Claire Donahue, SOFLO 59.14, 28. Justine Bowker, T2 Aquatics 1:01.84, 32. Carolina Colorado, SOFLO 1:02.29, 34. Rhi Jeffrey, Apex 1:02.35, 66. Svetlana Khakhlova, Club Seminoles 1:04.94, 71. Chin Pigot, Unattached 1:06.40.
400-meter individual medley: 1. Becca Mann, NBAC 4:37.04, 2. Caitlin Leverenz, CAL 4:39.10, 3. Katie Ledecky, NC 4:39.18; FLORIDA: 5. Elizabeth Beisel, GSC 4:43.12, 9. Vien Nguyen, STA 4:45.15, 35. Andreina Pinto, Gator Swim Club 5:01.41.
200-meter freestyle: 1. Conor Dwyer, TROJ 1:47.88, 2. Ryan Lochte, SwimMAC 1:48.66, 3. Joao De Lucca, CARD 1:49.06; FLORIDA: 39. Teo D'Alessandro, Bolles/Princeton 1:54.76, 55. Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez, Gator Swim Club 1:55.83, 77. Niki Denisyako, Gator Swim Club 1:57.35, 79. Arkady Vyatchanin, Gator Swim Club/New York Athletic Club 1:57.48, 101. Alex Gomez, Gator Swim Club 2:00.20, 110. Carlos Omana, Gator Swim Club 2:01.02.
100-meter breaststroke: 1. Sam Tierney, Unattached 1:00.82, 2. Cody Miller, Badger 1:00.86, 3. Carlos Claverie, LOU 1:01.19; FLORIDA: 40. George Bovell, Bolles/Club Wolverine 1:05.56, 43. Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez, Gator Swim Club 1:06.26, 53. Kile Aukerman, SOFLO 1:06.99, 56. Nick D'Innocenzo, Gator Swim Club 1:07.77.
100-meter butterfly: 1. Giles Smith, PHOE 52.57, 2. Santo Condorelli, CA 52.58, 3. Michael Phelps, NBAC 52.99; FLORIDA: 4. Pavel Sankovich, SEM 53.25, 38. Arkady Vyatchanin, Gator Swim Club/New York Athletic Club 56.43, 47. Niki Denisyako, Gator Swim Club 57.13.
400-meter individual medley: 1. Chase Kalisz, NBAC 4:18.50, 2. Tyler Clary, MAC 4:21.01, 3. Corey Okubo, PRIN 4:23.89; FLORIDA: 4. Sebastien Rousseau, GSC 4:25.93, 10. Dan Wallace, GSC 4:27.29, 18. Carlos Omana, GSC 4:34.41, 20. Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez, GSC 4:35.39, 35. Joey Pedraza, RallySport Aquatics 4:42.89, 36. Nicholas Sweetser, Gator Swim Club 4:43.81.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on November 13, 2015 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Arena Pro Swim Series, Carolina Colorado, Claire Donahue, Kile Aukerman, Lisa Blackburn, MIchael Phelps, Minneapolis, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, USA SwimmingLeave a comment on Margalis, Dwyer Win; SOFLO's Donahue Seventh On Opening Day Of Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series
Olympic Gold Medalist Claire Donahue Leads SOFLO Contingent At Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series
November 11, 2015—A Who's Who in swimming will compete at the 2015-16 Arena Pro Swim Series opener Thursday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue of South Florida Aquatic Club will be joined by Elizabeth Beisel, Hilda Luthersdottir, Dan Wallace and Arkady Vyatchanin of Gator Swim Club, Ryan Lochte of Daytona Beach, St. Augustine's Vien Nguyen, Melanie Margalis of St. Petersburg, Pavel Sankovich of Club Seminole and Bolles alum George Bovell as part of a strong Florida contingent.
Olympic champions Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Nathan Adrian, among 50 national team swimmers, make the three-day meet one of the most attended by top name swimmers.
An added bonus for international swimmers training for the Rio Summer Olympics is that the meet is a FINA-approved competition where swimmers can achieve qualifying times for the 2016 Olympic Games including SOFLO's Lisa Blackburn, a national record holder for Bermuda. At 43, Blackburn is the oldest swimmers in the field. Erika Erndl, 37, of T2 Aquatics is also entered.
Blackburn will compete in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley.
Donahue, who has been training well at her new training base in South Florida, will swim the 50-meter freestyle and 100- and 200-meter butterfly events.
Also entered in the 100 butterfly is 2012 Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Dana Vollmer, who has returned to the pool after giving birth to her first child.
SOFLO swimmer Kile Aukerman, 22, will compete in four events: 50-meter freestyle, 100- and 200-meter breaststroke races and 200-meter individual medley.
Phelps is scheduled to compete in six events over three days. He is entered in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, 100- and 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke.
Among his events, Lochte, 31, is entered in the 400-meter freestyle, an off-event for the SwimMAC swimmer.
Thursday's events are the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley.
Prelims are 10 a.m. and finals 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The meet will be live streamed at usaswimming.org.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on November 12, 2015 November 12, 2015 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags Arena Pro Swim Series, Claire Donahue, FINA sanctioned, Kile Aukerman, Lisa Blackburn, Long Course, Minneapolis, RYAN LOCHTE, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4soflo, USA SwimmingLeave a comment on Olympic Gold Medalist Claire Donahue Leads SOFLO Contingent At Minneapolis Arena Pro Swim Series


The past weekend was a celebration of love, togetherness and budding memories. As I attended my first Japanese wedding, I thought of sharing with you how beautiful and different this joyous occasion is from the traditional desi Indian wedding I am accustomed to. Basically a "gaijin's" POV to a traditional Japanese wedding.
Over the years of living in Japan, I've heard various stories and etiquettes that are to be followed at a Japanese wedding. I read a couple of articles on the web as well as asked my Japanese colleagues of what to wear, to gift and to expect. While Indian festivities begin nearly a week in advance and create an aura of joy and excitement, Japanese weddings are sophisticated and an extremely well scheduled one-day celebration. Atypical to the customary one-day wedding celebrations, the wedding I attended was spread across two days.
The "kekkon shiki" (wedding ceremony) was held in Kamakura, a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture that is well known for Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. The wedding took place at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a historical and most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura. I've visited this shrine a couple of times and have seen traditional weddings take place there before, but being part of one was a surreal experience to me.
The bride and groom were gracefully dressed in traditional Japanese attire. The bride wore a beautiful white silk kimono, also known as "shiromuku" with a traditional headpiece "tsunokakushi" that is a rectangular white cloth, and the groom wore a "hakama." There were so many little details as a whole in the ceremony that was fascinating. So systematic and precise that it leaves you in awe. Japanese weddings are extremely orderly and composed, just like its people.
FYI, don't go into a Japanese wedding expecting hoo-ha because it's everything but that.
A Shinto wedding is an intimate and private affair with only very close friends and family invited to witness the actual ceremony. Before heading to the shrine, the bride, groom and guests were taken to a waiting room. What was interesting was that the bride and groom's respective fathers introduced everyone present in the room to become acquainted with. After leaving the waiting room, ritual musicians and Shinto maiden lead the bride, groom and guests to the shrine – referred to as "sanshin" (wedding procession). At all times there was quite a distinguished bride and groom's side. As I was from the groom's side, we were all seated on the left side of the shrine. The actual ceremony was half hour long and began with the Shinto priest purifying the bride and groom. After seeking the blessing and protection from deities, the Shinto maiden dedicated a sacred dance to the couple. The bride and groom then took three sips each of sake that was placed before god. Before the exchange of rings, the groom read out the marriage vows. The ceremony concluded with all the guests present in the shrine taking a sip of the sake that was dedicated to god.
After the ceremony, all guests were ushered to the wedding dinner. Before entering the dinner hall, guests handed over goshuugi (money gift), a deeply rooted aspect in the culture of Japanese weddings. With seating arrangements all made beforehand, I was guided to my seat at the dinner hall. I was taken away by the divine six-course Japanese meal, not to forget a special vegetarian meal that was prepared for me. Hands down the best and the most diverse Japanese food I've had till now – ha ha yes, vegetarian problems.
The post-wedding dinner was a close-knit affair between the bride and groom's family and friends. Throughout the dinner, we had family members of the newly wed couple coming to our table individually to express their gratitude and appreciation for being a part of this momentous occasion. In true Japanese manner, plenty of "makotoni omedetougozaimasu" and "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" were exchanged.
This concluded day 1 of the beautiful and prosperous Shinto wedding in Kamakura and the following day was the big (note: term used very lightly as the crowd at an Indian wedding is unbeatable) wedding party!
The following day was the wedding party or "kekkon hiroen" as its called in Japanese. The hiroen was at the Bvlgari Luca Fantin Restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo.
The venue was on the ninth floor, with a high-rise ceiling, chandeliers and gorgeous decor red flower décor on every table. The Italian dinner was scrumptious and the service was impeccable. Special thanks to the restaurant manger for accommodating to my veg-friendly 6-course meal!
Unlike the Western culture, there was no dancing involved at the wedding reception. The bride and groom were seated at the center table and seats were assigned for all guest. With light music playing in the background, the guests, starting with groom's boss and then the bride's boss, gave a series of speeches. Yes, a significant level of importance is given to the their colleagues, which is why we got the closest seat to the couple.
The evening was a glamorous, yet formal affair to say the least and a wonderful experience for a "gaijin" like me to be part of a Japanese wedding. An intimate celebration between the newly-weds, family and friends, the entire weekend was something I'll cherish for years to come!
I believe it's always insightful to learn and acknowledge different cultures and traditions. This wedding was the same. Coming from an Indian background where weddings are OTT and a grand gathering, Japanese weddings showed me how intimacy and close-knit celebrations can leave the same impact. Having said that, I won't lie, I did miss grooving a bit. Hehe.
Beautiful post and beautiful pictures. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
How beautiful! What an amazing experience. All of the dresses look great!
Oh wow, what a stunning wedding! Love your dresses and the brides too!
What an amazing experience – looks like you had a fantastic time! And your outfits are gorgeous!
What a beautiful wedding. The Shinto shrine is gorgeous and the kekkon hiroen venue was breathtaking!
Looks like a really solemn ceremony. The Japanese have a really rich culture that is so admirable. Everything looks so well organized and the wedding dinner fare looks really good. Thanks for sharing your photos and best wishes to the newly weds!
It's so neat to see insight on the traditions of different cultures. I didn't know Indian weddings are such a long affair, and didn't know that Japanese weddings are so close-knit. Both are very different than my American wedding a few years ago. Your outfits are gorgeous!
Congratulations to the couple! The ceremony looked like a beautiful event. I can imagine it was a lot of fun to see!
I bet it was amazing to attend a Japanese wedding. It's nice to learn more about different cultures and their customs. My roots lay in Suriname (South America) and just like in India we have big parties and people will keep dancing all night. So I can imagine that it must have been really different from what you are used to.
Their wedding looked amazing! Wedding traditions and their variations across cultures are so interesting to read about. I wish Western weddings didn't have dancing, haha. That's the worst part for me.
What a special experience for you! I love that you shared the details of how it works because it's always been something I was curious about. Interesting how formal it is and unique!
Everything was so beautiful and I love your gorgeous outfit. Thank you for sharing that amazing experience with us.
I enjoy so much reading about other cultures' customs and weddings are my favourites! Thank you for shareing so many details, I've never attended a Japanese wedding.
This wedding looks like it was so beautiful to see in person. I would love to do something like this for mine.
Congratulations to the couple! It is interesting how the wedding lasts two days and the food looks delicious!


text:
Showing 24 results related to "California wildfires".
California wildfires may continue to burn into December - experts
California has already surpassed the acreage burned at this point last year, which ended up setting the record. Now it's entering a period when powerful winds have often driven the deadliest blazes.
2020: A year of raging wildfires, floods and scorching temperatures
From storms in the Atlantic, wildfires in California, killer floods in Asia and Africa, melting of the Arctic and bushfires in Australia, 2020 was more than a disastrous year with the pandemic.
Dying gusts give crews hope in California fires
"We don't have those critical burning conditions that we were experiencing those last two nights," he said of Glass Fire raging through Napa and Sonoma counties in western US.
In pictures: Fierce winds power devastating California, Oregon wildfires
Oregon is the hardest-hit state in the western US, where nearly 100 extreme wildfires are burning, even as forecasters say some weather relief is in sight.
Tens of thousands flee as fires rage across California
Pilot killed, dozens of homes reduced to ash as US state reports hundreds of fires, including 23 major fires or groups of fires that officials blame on "extraordinary weather" and "lightning strikes."
Fires spare Reagan library but menace homes near Los Angeles
A blaze in the Simi Valley northeast of Los Angeles known as the "Easy Fire" forced the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes, officials said.
Rain complicates task of finding California fire victims' remains
The so-called Camp Fire virtually obliterated the city of Paradise, located 280 km northeast of San Francisco, on November 8, killing at least 84 people and destroying nearly 14,000 homes.
Statewide death toll from California wildfire climbs to 86
There are 563 people still unaccounted for in and around Paradise, a community of nearly 27,000 people that was largely incinerated when the flames swept through two weeks ago.
US National Guard to search for victims of California's deadliest wildfires
The state-wide death toll from both the Camp and Woolsey fires rose to at least 60 as the Camp Fire grew overnight from 5,000 acres to 135,000 acres.
Death toll in 'deadliest' California wildfire jumps to 42
Additional remains of people killed by northern California wildfire, also known as the Camp Fire, recovered, making it the deadliest wildland blaze in state's history, Sheriff Kory Honea says.
Death toll hits 31 from California fires as search goes on for victims
At least five search teams were working in Paradise, a town of 27,000 that was largely incinerated on Thursday, and surrounding Northern California communities.
Death toll rises to 25 in California wildfire
Fourteen more bodies were found in and around Paradise where at least 6,700 homes and businesses have been destroyed.


text:
Home Top Stories Clips' Griffin sits out 2nd half with bruised toe
Clips' Griffin sits out 2nd half with bruised toe
Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin suffered a bruised right big toe Friday in a 111-106 win over the Utah Jazz in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
Griffin left the game in the first half and did not return. He had X-rays at the arena that were negative, and the Clippers said he would be re-evaluated after more tests later Friday night.
The Clippers lead the series 2-1.
Griffin came up limping after making a transition layup with 3:53 remaining in the second quarter. He exited the game 36 seconds later. He went to the locker room soon thereafter, slamming a chair in frustration before leaving the bench area.
With Griffin out, point guard Chris Paul took on more of the scoring load, finishing with a season-high 34 points, including nine straight during a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Paul, who also had seven rebounds and 10 assists, explained how different the Clippers' offense is without Griffin.
"One of the biggest adjustments is, we probably won't be able to play through the post so much," Paul said. "He's such a dynamic player. We go to him in the post, and we cut and move off him. … He's our other assist guy.
"Just his leadership, it's just a different feeling when he's on the court."
Griffin, a five-time All-Star, averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 61 games in the regular season. He missed an extended stretch because of surgery on his right knee.
Information from ESPN's Tim MacMahon and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
Previous articleDaily Wrap: OKC and Celtics get first wins
Next articleFire lose first, Dynamics grab first in Accra League
Season standings unaffected by postponement
admin - September 24, 2016 0


Metropolitan Belgrade is an engaging feat of urban history, in which entertainment is center stage. Babovic's textured descriptions of the city and its inhabitants often reveal the unexpected—such as the visit of Josephine Baker in 1929. Babovic's captivating account is a superb lens to rethink some of the most important themes and tensions in Serbian, Yugoslav, and European history.
Metropolitan Belgrade presents a sociocultural history of the city as an entertainment mecca during the 1920s and 1930s. It unearths the ordinary and extraordinary leisure activities that captured the attention of urban residents and considers the broader role of popular culture in interwar society.
As the capital of the newly unified Yugoslavia, Belgrade became increasingly linked to transnational networks after World War I, as jazz, film, and cabaret streamed into the city from abroad during the early 1920s. Belgrade's middle class residents readily consumed foreign popular culture as a symbol of their participation in European metropolitan modernity. The pleasures they derived from entertainment, however, stood at odds with their civic duty of promoting highbrow culture and nurturing the Serbian nation within the Yugoslav state.
Ultimately, middle-class Belgraders learned to reconcile their leisured indulgences by defining them as bourgeois refinement. But as they endowed foreign entertainment with higher cultural value, they marginalized Yugoslav performers and their lower-class patrons from urban life. Metropolitan Belgrade tells the story of the Europeanization of the capital's middle class and how it led to spatial segregation, cultural stratification, and the destruction of the Yugoslav entertainment industry during the interwar years.
A valuable contribution, not just to East European history and the history of the former Yugoslavia, but to the broader fields of urban history and European cultural history more generally. This book will sit very comfortably, and confidently, alongside some of the most interesting and impressive new additions to the field.
Jovana Babović is assistant professor of modern European history at SUNY Geneseo.


text:
Williston Observer
Williston Vermont News and Events
Williston Community Guide
Legislature advances universal mail-in voting for Town Meeting January 14, 2021
Selectboard punts on retail pot January 14, 2021
Library hosts virtual poetry slam January 14, 2021
Williston fire department names deputy fire chief January 14, 2021
Applications for new PPP loans open this week January 14, 2021
Deer hits up 133 percent in Williston
By Ben Moger-Williams
Observer staff
Williston drivers are nearly three times as likely to hit a deer this year compared to last year, according to state statistics.
Maj. David LeCours, assistant director of the state Fish and Wildlife Department's law enforcement division said 12 deer were hit by cars in Williston last year between Jan. 1 and Nov. 20. This year, in the same period, 28 car vs. deer accidents were logged, an increase of 133 percent.
"Williston is an aberration as far as the state average," LeCours said. According to state records, car accidents involving deer are up about 16 percent over last year.
"It's primarily the size of the herd more than anything else," LeCours said.
Hunting restrictions implemented last year along with a mild winter have led to a greater number of deer in this part of the state, he said. Last year the department enacted regulations restricting the number of young bucks and antlerless deer that could be killed, and the Fish and Wildlife Department now estimates the deer population to be between 110,000 and 140,000.
LeCours said this time of year is traditionally when more deer are killed by vehicle hits.
"It really spikes once we get the time change in late October and the commuting hour coincides with dusk," he said. Dusk and dawn are when many deer become active, and are more likely to stray into the road.
When a deer is struck by a car, if the animal is not killed immediately, a police officer or game warden will go to the scene and shoot the deer, LeCours said. Injured deer generally have broken legs and would not survive long after the accident anyway, he said. Deer are also highly stressed after an accident and often die from the stress alone, he said. If the person involved in the accident wants to keep the deer for food, they must seek permission from the Fish and Wildlife Department. Deer killed in this way do not count towards a person's allotted deer ration, LeCours said. Under state law, hunters are allowed to take two deer per hunter per year.
"That's an expensive way to get one," LeCours said, referring to the costly vehicle damage that usually results from hitting a deer.
If the person doesn't want the carcass and it is not too badly damaged, the department will often donate the meat to church groups or other organizations for "game suppers."
"We'd just as soon have people eat them as let them go to waste," LeCours said.
If the body is not salvageable for food, LeCours said, it is put into a landfill or buried in a pit.
Carol Winfield, president of the Vermont Wildlife Rescue Association said that she has had many calls from drivers who have struck deer but there is little she can do.
"I think it's a shame but there really isn't anyone I know of that has the resources to take on a full-grown animal," Winfield said.
Winfield, whose organization helps wounded animals recover from their injuries, said people can take simple measures to prevent the accidents.
"A lot of those collisions could be avoided if people would take their foot off the gas and lean on their horn," she said.
If you are involved in an accident with an animal, call the state police at 878-7111.
Village subdivision wins town approval
No home for the holidays
CVUs Bonneau helps Vt. girls to hockey victory (7/2/09)
July 2, 2009 By Mal Boright Observer correspondent Former Champlain Valley Union High goalie Nicole Bonneau had more than 2,000 saves in her four-year stint in the nets for the Redhawks' girls i
Late blight plagues Chittenden County (8/6/09)
Williston growers on the lookout Aug. 6, 2009 By Tim Simard Observer staff Farmers and growers across Vermont fear the worst as the fungal disease known as late blight strikes gardens and farms. Vermo
Hunter education class begins
By Kim HowardObserver staff A classroom at Allen Brook School will be filled with would-be hunters on Friday evening. The hunter education course – required for any new hunter to obtain a licens
© 2020 Williston Observer


Expect Pittsburg/Bay Point delays for track work from 9am until approximately 3pm on Monday 8/10 and Tuesday 8/11.
Crews will be performing essential track maintenance on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line between Walnut Creek and Concord stations.
We will be using only one track during these days and hours. Customers traveling between these stations may see up to 10-15 minute delays. We appreciate your patience as we replace ties and do other repairs and maintenance to help make your ride smoother and safer.