Book an appointment with our Vancouver car detailing experts. We'll inspect your vehicle and make recommendations.
Car detailing means different things to different people. Unlike some Vancouver and Richmond auto detailers, who superficially vacuum, dust and damp-wipe interior surfaces, and wash and wax your vehicle, Gleamworks provides extensive exterior and interior cleaning and conditioning, compounding and polishing. Our detailing process is methodical and exhaustive, and we use scientifically tested, industry-leading products, such as Optimum polishes and compounding, fabric, leather and vinyl conditioners. Our detailing services will make your automobile look great and last longer. We named our company "Gleamworks" because our goal is to make your automobile gleam, both inside and out.
As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, interior surfaces and upholstery, and the automobile's clear coat and paint begin to slowly, but surely, deteriorate. Over time, repeated washing, waxing, environmental pollution, road grime, chemicals, rain, snow, harmful UV rays and normal use age paint, fabric, metal, plastic and glass. This aging will become increasingly noticeable over time. Your automobile's clear coat will become faded, dull and scratched; and, interior fabric, leather, wood laminate, and plastics will break down and show wear and stains.
Our Vancouver car detailing services will make your vehicle look great and slows this process of decay.
Car detailing is the automobile equivalent of a face-lift, but more importantly, it's also the equivalent of preventive medicine for your car. An automobile that is detailed regularly (every year or two) will look new for a longer period of time. The car's interior and exterior materials will also last longer. Whether you just love a great looking vehicle, want to protect your investment in a luxury or exotic car, or want to increase your vehicle's resale value, Gleamworks signature detailing services will help.
Hand car wash Car must be washed. Car must be washed.
Interior detailing and coatingIncludes: vacuuming, fabric and leather cleaning, OPTI GUARD protection.
Ceramic car waxHyper sealing with quick ceramic coating (protection for 1-2 month). Super shine and hydrophobic.
Chemical decontaminationClay towel chemical decontamination. * Not recommended without polishing.
1-cut compoundingRemoves hard water. spots.
* Vehicles must be clean prior to service. Car wash is an additional $50.
** Prices listed are rough estimates. Please book a free assessment for an accurate estimate.
HUGE SAVINGS on detailing if you buy an Opti-Coat ceramic coating package!
A touchless hand car wash is included in our Auto Detailing Standard package. For our Car Polishing, Paint Correction and Opti-Coat Ceramic Coating packages, a hand car wash is available for an additional $50. Gleamworks uses No Rinse™ Wash & Shine - the most technologically advanced car wash system on the market today. It requires only 1-2 gallons of water to wash an entire car and leaves no soap residue. Its advanced polymers bond to paint, lubricate and protect it during the wash. The result is a clean, gloss finish. Waste water is safe for the environment and the product is water-soluble and biodegradable.
We pride ourselves in providing among the most comprehensive interior detailing in Vancouver. Interior detailing includes: vacuuming and pet hair removal; carpet and upholstery cleaning with Optimum Power Clean; leather and plastic cleaning; and, dashboard, console, door panel and floor mat cleaning. Ask about additional conditioning treatments such as Opti-Guard Fabric and Opti-Guard Leather and Vinyl - highly effective, hydrophobic conditioners that safeguard interior fabric and leather against spills and stains, fiber breakdown, drying and cracking.
Compounding or "cut polishing" is the process of polishing your car's surface with a compounding paste or spray that contains microscopic abrasives to "cut" through your vehicles marred, deteriorating clear coat to remove imperfections. We use Optimum Hyper Compound - an advanced spray compound. Compounding cuts out these surface scratches, swirl marks and hazing. Each cut of compound removes 5 to 10 microns of clear coat. We ensure that at least 20 microns of clear coat are left intact, so paint remains protected against harmful UV rays and environmental chemicals. Compounding helps your vehicle look newer for longer.
We apply polish with a soft waffle pad attached to a high-speed rotary buffer and painstakingly polish every inch of the car exterior in a two-step polishing process. First, we polish the vehicle using Optimum Hyper Polish - an ultra-light combination cutting compound-polish - that improves or removes remaining micro-scratches, hazing and particles. Then, we apply "Optimum Finish" that results in a mirror-like, ultra-gloss finish that enhances colour richness and depth.
How much does detailing cost?
View our auto detailing pricing table above. Prices listed are estimates. The cost of detailing will be determined during an assessment.
Book an inspection and receive an estimate.
Detailing takes from 1/2 day to a full day depending on the size of the vehicle and the condition of the interior and exterior.
Ceramic wax is a hard, transparent coating that is much more durable than regular car wax, offering more protection and greater sheen. Ceramic wax lasts for approximately 2 months. While some car owners have detailing and a full Opti-Coat ceramic coating package done at the same time, others don't want a full coating package. Ceramic wax offers similar protection and a superior gloss finish, but for a shorter period of time.
Will detailing eliminate the odour of tobacco smoke or pets?
Yes, cigarette smoke and pet odours can be eliminated. We use cleaners and processes that deep clean upholstery and other interior surfaces made of vinyl, plastic, and leather are cleaned.
My car's upholstery has stains. Can they be removed?
In many cases, light to medium fabric and leather upholstery stains can be eliminated and most stains can be reduced dramatically, so they are much less noticeable. We use steam cleaners and state-of-the-art cleaning solutions, such as Optimum Carpet & Fabric Cleaner, which unlike many cleaners, doesn't contain surfactants – oily residue that attracts soils, dust and dirt. Optimum Fabric Cleaner contains polymers that trap and remove dirt and bond to fabric fibers to protect them.
Do you detail luxury and exotic cars?
Gleamworks specializes in providing auto detailing for luxury and exotic cars. However, we do detail a broad range of vehicle types, sizes, makes and models from family sedans to Ferraris. Detailing improves and protect all cars and our customers come from all walks of life.
Where is your car detailing shop located?
Gleamworks car detailing shop is in Vancouver, but our customers come from all over the Lower Mainland, including: Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and Surrey.


text:
Community Charter School of Paterson
Paterson, NJ | http://www.ccsp.org
Se unió en noviembre 2010
The mission of the Community Charter School of Paterson is to inspire and empower its children, families and staff with opportunities to positively shape and transform their lives by becoming successful, life-long learners who possess critical thinking, academic, advocacy, and leadership skills required to open new doors in their lives and the lives of others. Children will be inspired and empowered as a result of specific strategies which encourage them to feel good about themselves and their ability to learn.
The mission of the school identifies six characteristics that are important in life, not just in school. These are excellence, integrity, dedication, respect & self-esteem, success, and partnerships.
The mission of the Community Charter School of Paterson is to inspire and empower its children, families and staff with opportunities to positively shape and transform their lives by becoming successful, life-long learners who possess…
75 Spruce Street, Paterson, NJ 07501, United States

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Ally Angula, Group Managing Director and Chief Strategist of Leap Holdings, talks about her business and the challenges she faced when building a sustainable agribusiness. And what fashion has to do with it? Watch the video and learn more.


text:
Eudistylia polymorpha
By Suzanne McGaugh
E. polymorpha can been spotted all along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to San Pedro. It is especially common in the Pacific Grove. (Ricketts, et al 1985)
E. polymorpha lives in its translucent greyish, tannish tube that is attached to rocks, pilings, harbors, floats, and wharves along the Pacific coast. This tube is often encrusted with bits of shell or sand. They anchor the tubes deep into the rocks to prevent "uprooting" and it is known to take a great deal of effort to pry an entire animal froms its location. Some have even been found anchored in sponges.
They may be found near the low-tide line to water 1400 feet deep. However, more often they inhabit tide pools in large numbers giving the appearance of a flower garden. (Snook and Johnson, 1967; McConnaughey and McConnaughey, 1986)
The Giant Feather Duster Worm is usually 10" long and about 1/2" wide. The body of E. polymorpha is encased in a translucent, tannish tube which is often encrusted with sand and bits of shell. Its large plume of 30 feather like gills on each side of the tube is 2 1/2" across when expanded. They may be maroon, reddish, orange, or brown and usually have cross bands of lighter and darker shades. The gills have numerous eyespots which aid them in sensing when to retract into their tubes.
There are two key characteristics in distinguishing E. polymorpha from E. vancoveri, a very similiar organism and possible hybridizing partner. The dorsal edge of the the branchial crown of E. polymorpha is deeply cleft, and the gills are usually deep maroon with orange tips. On E. vancoveri the gills are red with white tips and the crown has no cleft. (Snook and Johnson, 1967; Ricketts, et al 1985; McConnaughey and McConnaughey 1986)
Fertilization is external. The anatomy of the reproductive system includes gonads that are in back of the abdomen, bulging into the anterior part of the coelomic compartments, and two ciliated gonoducts which exit the coelom of each segment and open ventrally via gonopores near the abdominal fecal groove. Gametes accumulate in the coelomic spaces of the abdomen where they mature.
When mature, gametes enter the gonoducts, leave via the gonopores and are carried forward by cilia of the fecal groove. Palps with cilia, next to the first branch of each brachial stalk, transport gametes from the fecal groove to be released into the sea.
Sperm receptacles are known to occur at the base of crown tentacles in females of three species. In addition, free spawning also occurs in which individuals produce oocytes 140-200 um in diameter. (Brooding species produce oocytes over 200 um in diameter.) These are deposited in gelatinous masses on the tube or on sediment surface and are retained in a membraneous capsule tube.
Development to non-feeding pelagic trochophores and setigerous (segmented) larva is rapid. Settlement occurs in three to four weeks.
Many individuals have been found with characteristics of both E. polymorpha and E. vancoveri, implying that hybridization between the two species may occur.
(Fox 1994; Strathmann, 1987)
E. Polymorpha is a colonial animal living in large groups in tide pools. They are passive animals and not very motile. However, their eyespots on their gills alert them of danger and they are best known for their remarkable quickness of retracting their gills back into their tubes. This "shadow reflex" occurs when they are touched or a shadow passes over them. (McConaughey and McConnaughey, 1986; Snook and Johnson, 1967)
E. polymorpha is a member of the family Sabellidae which are suspension feeding polychaetes. These animals are active suspension feeders in that they create a current to direct food particles. Their location in moving water is vital to their survival because the current must bring a continous flow of food particles.
The network used to direct these food particles begins with spiral bundles of pinnately branched, ciliated branchiaeon arising in a row around the branchial stalk. These are located on each side of the head. Posterior to the two branchial stalks is a large funnel-like mouth. The branchiae groove is responsible for transporting food to the mouth in that it leads to a large stalk groove that spirals down the brachial stalk and empties into the mouth.
Food collected by the meshwork of ciliated pinnules is sorted and transported to the mouth by this system of grooves. These pinnules have a groove on their medial surface with two types of cilia that further aid in capturing food by creating a feeding current. These cilia also lead food to the branchial groove on the branchial axis.
In the digestive system of the E. polymorpha, a gut tube which fills most of the space in the coelem, includes the mouth and anus. Its epithelium is ciliated. The stomach epithelium is ciliated and has secretory cells, but the intestine lacks these. (Fox, 1994)
E. Polymorpha is a special delight to scuba divers and snorkelers of the Pacific Coast. This is also an easy species to dissect to learn more about the Phylun Annelida. This worm has a few variations from the regular segmented worms that may make it interesting to those studing invertebrate anatomy. (Fox, 1994)
E. polymorpha has adapted its habitat to fit wharves, harbors, and floats along the Pacific Coast. The worms' habit of adhering to these man-made structures could be bothersome to marine workers. These worms are also considerably hard to remove, anchoring deep in crevices of their substrate; it has been thought that "one might need the help of a crow bar to pry the enitre animal from its ground." (Snook and Johnson, 1967)
To see a great picture of Eudistylia polymorpha go to http://www.oceanlight.com/html/bryozoans_tunicates_hydroids_w.html.
or to this site http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/pgallery/pgchannel/living/living_12.html
Suzanne McGaugh (author), Southwestern University, Stephanie Fabritius (editor), Southwestern University.
body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. This is the world's largest ocean, covering about 28% of the world's surface.
the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.
Fox, .. 1994. "Invertebrate Anatomy: Eudistylia vancouveri" (On-line). Accessed Feb. 18, 2000 at http://www.science.lander.edu/rsfox/eudistyl.html.
McConnaughey, .., .. McConnaughey. 1986. Audubon Society Nature Guides. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc..
Ricketts, .., .. Calvin, .. Hedgpeth. 1985. Between Pacific Tides. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
Snook, .., .. Johnson. 1967. Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast. New York, NY: Canada General Publishing Company.
Strathmann, .. 1987. Reproduction and Development of Marine Invertebrates of the Northern Pacific Coast. Settle, Washington: University of Washington Press.
Class Polychaeta
Polychaeta: information (1) Polychaeta: pictures (31)
Order Canalipalpata
Canalipalpata: pictures (15)
Family Sabellidae
Sabellidae: pictures (4)
Genus Eudistylia
Species Eudistylia polymorpha
Eudistylia polymorpha: information (1)
To cite this page: McGaugh, S. 2000. "Eudistylia polymorpha" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 20, 2022 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eudistylia_polymorpha/


Incorporating supply chain capability into an effective marketing plan is as important as product and channel strategy. Supply chain is an important element of competitive advantage where the business seeks to develop multiple distribution channels in order to diversify the customer base and reduce customer concentration risk. A diversified channel approach is an important enabler to deliver profitable revenue.


text:
#include "application_manager/commands/hmi/on_find_applications.h"

namespace application_manager {

namespace commands {

OnFindApplications::OnFindApplications(const MessageSharedPtr& message,
                                       ApplicationManager& application_manager)
    : NotificationFromHMI(message, application_manager) {}

OnFindApplications::~OnFindApplications() {}

void OnFindApplications::Run() {
  LOG4CXX_AUTO_TRACE(logger_);

  // TODO(PV): add UpdateAppsOnDevice to ApplicationManager
}

}  // namespace commands

}  // namespace application_manager

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


For about two months, Dalits in Garagaparru, Andhra Pradesh have been suffering under a social boycott enforced by upper caste locals in the village. The economic isolation of the Dalits began after they installed a statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar in Garagaparru village in 24 April.
The situation has degraded since April, with the Dalit community becoming increasingly isolated and caste tensions dangerously high. Officials initially denied the existence of a boycott, alleging that the entire incident was politically motivated. However, officials of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes visited the region this week and confirmed the existence of a boycott.
Garagaparru was always deeply segregated on a caste basis. A Y-drain segregates different communities in the village, with upper caste Kshatriyas occupying the more posh region while the Dalits inhabit the more dingy region.
A three-acre freshwater tank in the village is a centre of attraction as it adorns a row of statues honouring Andhra Pradesh's icons. These statues include those of Potti Sriramulu (the man who laid down his life for formation of a Telugu state), Sir Arthur Cotton (architect of delta irrigation system), freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, and war hero Tandra Paparayudu.
Since all the statues were statues of upper caste icons, the Dalit citizens of the village approached the village sarpanch Unnabatla Elizabeth and local Member of Territorial Constituency (MPTC) Siringula Venkata Ratnam requesting for a statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar to be erected in the area.
Both Elizabeth and Ratnam hail from the Mala community and were elected to their posts on the TDP ticket under the SC quota. They were allegedly in favour of building the statue but were met with resistance by party members and village elders from the upper-caste community.
According to The Hans India, the attempts for a due place for the Ambedkar statue were allegedly viewed by upper-caste people as an assertion of Dalits to establish their identity in the village.
Frustrated by the upper-caste community's adamancy, the Dalits took it upon themselves to erect the statue. They installed the Ambedkar statue late at night on 24 April. However, it was removed by unknown persons, though the suspicion is on the upper-caste community, which was unhappy about an Ambedkar statue in the village.
Enraged, the village's Dalit men and women staged a dawn-to-dusk rasta-roko protest on the Bhimavaram-Tadepalligudem road near the tank. 20 protesters were allegedly detained by the police, though the local authorities did not try to alleviate the tensions between the communities.
In retaliation, the upper-caste community of Garagaparru initiated a social boycott of the Dalit community. The Dalits lost their livelihoods, their farms, and were not given any jobs, labour or otherwise, by the others in the village, leaving them to fend for themselves in a precarious situation.
On Tuesday, 27 June, Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes K Ramulu visited the affected regions to interact with the Dalits. He confirmed that the Dalits were subjected to social boycott by the upper castes and the bone of contention was the proposal to build an Ambedkar statue. Since the beginning of the boycott, the isolation of the lower castes had spread to neighbouring villages as well.
On the day of Ramulu's visit, police forces were on duty round-the-clock in the village and Section 144 CrPC prohibitory orders came in force. Police did not allow anyone to enter the village without proper identity card and Aadhaar card.
The National Commission directed the West Godavari district administration to initiate action against the accused besides taking steps to ensure the prevalence of normalcy in the village and the victims get back their agriculture works.
"They should get back their farms and able work in the village as usual. There is an immediate need to restore normalcy in the village. Legal action should be initiated against the accused," Ramulu was quoted by The Hindu as saying.
Meanwhile, Dalit activists and groups are gathering in the region to demand action; if the boycott is not lifted, they say they will launch a national agitation.
There is no denying that the caste system has shaped Indian society for a long time. This has given rise to widespread oppression and hereditary entitlements that continue to this day. It is to be ensured that the steps taken to undo the harm done by such medieval practices are made more effective and do not create further inequality in the society.
In the Garagaparru case, readers may question why the peoples' castes have been highlighted so frequently in this article. It is because caste is the central theme to this boycott that has been in place for the past two months in the village. The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one. Avoiding a conversation on caste will only make things worse, blinding ourselves to the prevalence of caste in our society is all the more damaging.
The Logical Indian community hopes that the investigation by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes yields positive results. We hope that the perpetrators of this injustice are brought to justice and that the Dalits who have suffered for so long are rehabilitated immediately.


Connecting with local businesses and creating long lasting friendships. From old hats to newbies, all are welcome. Gain trust, create friendships and get referrals. All are welcome!
Are you looking for the right piece of the puzzle to make your business grow? Do you realize 90% of good referrals come from people you've previously met? Want to make this year rock? Then join us! Meet like minded business professionals, share thoughts, make new friends, and get referrals! Bring your business cards and be prepared to share a bit about yourself and your business.


According to a recent report from eBay, the online auction giant, they sell more than three million vinyl records each year. It is also reported that eBay users buy and sell six vinyl records every minute (or an average of one every ten seconds). It seems the vinyl record, just a few years ago an afterthought as an audio format, is alive and well. So what is all the fuss about? First and foremost, if you ask any record collector, it is the sound quality they love the most about vinyl. The music isn't compressed into ones and zeros or "binary sound." Then of course, there is the element of "collectibility," people may buy vinyl as an investment, in hope that, over time, the records will appreciate in value.
Furthermore, people collect vinyl because they may want a piece of their past, so nostalgia is also an important element for the record collector. People are also drawn to actually owning a physical product and may enjoy the ritual that is involved in listening to the records. And a new generation has discovered the special allure that vinyl records have, the limited editions, colored vinyl, picture discs, "audiophile" records (a 180-220 gram), the album cover artwork and the sound have all lured youngsters in the hobby of collecting vinyl records. But, there are more reasons people collect vinyl. Besides the aforementioned elements, it is also big business.
The old vinyl records on the auction sites, as well as the hundreds of other vinyl related web sites, are not selling their collectible vinyl for rummage sale prices. In fact, at any given moment, there may be more than six thousand collectible Beatles' albums for sale on eBay. Some have sold for thousands of dollars and it is reported that the album that is bought and sold the most in vinyl format is the Beatles' "White Album." But it is not only the Beatles that sell well and are highly collectible. Artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley and even newer artists like Nirvana, Radiohead and many more are all highly sought after. There is also a keen interest in "Northern Soul," Motown records, old blues recordings as well as jazz, punk and indie vinyl records. Furthermore, recording artists themselves are reported to own vast and eclectic record collections. Just as creating music is their passion, finding rare and collectible vinyl is sometimes just as important. It is reported that John Lennon was an avid collector of all the Beatles' bootlegs he could find. Peter Buck, of the rock band R.
is an avid collector as well and there is a long list of musicians who get the same thrill as all collectors get when they find a specific vinyl record at an estate sale that may have eluded them for years. However, it is not just the garage sales, rummage sales, estate sales, record conventions that carry collectible vinyl. The online community has responded as well, and besides the auction sites, there are literally hundreds of web sites that sell vinyl exclusively, in any musical genre that a person may have an interest in. People also collect vinyl for the album cover art or the 45-rpm record sleeve and some may be more valuable than the vinyl record that they hold. There are many businesses that frame these marvelous pieces of art and audio history for display and preservation. So just as there has been a resurgence in the sale and visibility of vinyl records, along with this is an increase in the hobby of vinyl record collecting and album cover art. This hobby is as old as the format itself, and a wonderful hobby that will continue to thrill its participants for decades to come.


Iceland's history is inextricably bound with that of fishing, for sustenance as well as for export. As these two paintings hanging in our hotel depict, while the men fished, the women processed — dried cod in earlier days, salted herring later.
On our last day in Reykjavik, we headed for Vikin, The Reykjavik Maritime Museum to learn more about Iceland's fishing culture. Situated at the furthest edge of the harbor, it's easy to overlook this gem of a museum. The museum traces Iceland's relationship with the rich fishing grounds surrounding it through an engaging array of artifacts, dioramas, and videos. We allowed only part of the morning to spend there, and could have easily spent the rest of the day absorbing this living history.
The story of fishing in Iceland wouldn't be complete without including that of Þorskastríðin, the Icelandic Cod Wars. As we toured the Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn, one of the museum's main exhibitions, we heard of the Óðinn's illustrious history. It was the first ship built specifically for the Coast Guard, which was founded in 1926. With no standing army, Iceland relies on a defense agreement with the U.S., with the Icelandic Coast Guard responsible for coastal defense, and maritime search and rescue.
The Cod Wars were a series of confrontations primarily with Britain, as Iceland sought to extend it's fishing limits. The first occurred in the 1958, when Iceland, out of concern for overfishing, increased their territorial waters from 4 to 12 miles. The limit was again expanded to 50 miles in 1972, then to 200 miles in 1974. Each time these restrictions were met by hostility; Britain continued to fish within these zones while the Icelandic Coast Guard actively enforced the boundary against them.
This history came even more alive when we encountered the last captain of the Óðinn, who happened to be onboard ship. He told us stories of boats deliberately ramming one another at sea, and showed us their secret weapon — the trawl cutter used to cut British fishing nets. He spoke also of the Coast Guard's other duties, of icy rescues that gave us an appreciation for how much remote communities rely on their presence.
Next, with the sun still high in the sky, we joined the throngs for lunch at Cafe Paris, which had the particular advantage of an outdoor patio. We continued on afterwards to the concert hall and conference center, Harpa. Noted for its architecture, the facade was designed by the Danish-Icelandic artist, Ólafur Elíasson. Though its design clearly bears the influence of Buckminster Fuller, it was serendipitous to find a photo of drying cod juxtaposed in-camera with that of the pattern pattern made by the building's windows.
Just a few blocks from our hotel, we came across Frú Lauga, a shop specializing in locally-produced food. We were informed that use of agrochemicals in Iceland is still low, with the cool climate keeping it relatively free of plant and animal disease. As a protective measure, imports of live animals, raw meat, and plants are strictly limited or forbidden. There's demand though, to a certain degree, the shortage of organic fertilizers hinders the growth of organic production.
What there's plenty of is geothermal heat, which is employed in greenhouses to produce mostly cucumbers, tomatoes, and red and green peppers. These serve to supplement the potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips, and rhubarb more commonly grown.
With the exception of berries, fruit is mainly imported, as were these Cox apples from England — a little tired from the journey but as flavorful as their reputation makes them out to be.
Passing through the central city on our way to dinner, around 8 pm — it's the night before a national holiday, and streets are beginning to fill with the revelers. Surprising how fast one adjusts to long days and to wearing sunglasses at night.
Down by the old harbor, the restaurant Höfnin featured summer dishes on their menu. Sumardagurinn fyrsti, or first day of summer, traditionally begins the first Thursday after April 18th, and is based on the old Norse calendar containing only two seasons, summer and winter. It was pointed out to us, in a display of sly Icelandic humor, that it often snows that day.
For starters, we had the bowl of lamb soup (above, right), which was a more dressed up version of what we had in Gullfloss. The roasted langoustines with pickled celery root and oranges (below, left), was served on a homey crocheted doily.
A bowl of beer-steamed mussels (above, left) was accompanied by home fries and a herb sauce packed with dill, while a summery platter (right) featured cured salmon, smoked mackerel, apple-curry herring, smoked lamb and the Icelandic flatbread, flatkökur.
The Blue Lagoon overshadows the fact that Reykjavik is home to seven public thermal pools. Our 48-hour city pass, Reykjavik Welcome Card, included free entry to them all, a rather different way to experience daily life there. Remember to bring your bathing suit, it's a quite wonderful way to start off the day.
By our third visit to Mokka Kaffi, we were beginning to feel at home. Opened in 1958 as Iceland's first coffeehouse, the lack of wi-fi is more than compensated by our berry muffin. We were more than delighted to be offered the option of whipped cream with it.
Definitely worth seeking out, this all-Icelandic hotdog is made partially of lamb, and is piled high with condiments — a creation of textures and flavors deserving of its own postage stamp.
True to their Nordic roots, Icelanders know how to make a great sandwich. We were able to squeeze in one more meal by picking up a couple of them from the bakery Sandholt to take with us on flight.
While heading out, we met up at the airport with the Gardener's ski touring chums, Matt and Helen. They pass through often on their way to Greenland, and it was a treat to spend some time with them, however brief. In answer to your lovely question, Matt, the most special thing about Iceland was all of the personal encounters we had there. As much as Iceland is about nature, from the captain of the Óðinn, to the twinkly smiles of recognition that greeted us at Mokka Kaffi, what we remember most were the people and a culture very much shaped by place.
On the flight out, we binged on Icelandic movies, and thought about the many things to see, do and taste the next time around. As they say in Iceland, bless bless!
Hey cool. I ate in Höfnin restaurant last summer, too. It was delicious. Thanks for sharing so many pictures. Have a nice day!
Hofnin was a delicious way to end the trip!
I love your posts on your vacation!


Review Board is an open source tool used to help with the peer review process for source code, documentation, images, and more. It's web-based, extensible, and built to work with a wide variety of environments and source code management systems using pre-commit review and post-commit review methods.
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Even Jesus found the going hard. He met with ridicule, slander, and hostility. He was therefore qualified to tell His followers to endure.
Last night my sleep was continually interrupted by leg cramps. Apparently my daily exercise routine had conditioned my legs to need this painful exercise I had introduced it to. So this morning I was back into it. I am enduring the pain and discomfort for a goal I prize. I hope that my endurance is sustained throughout this year.
This Sunday I am going to draw upon one of the most inspirational stories of endurance I have ever heard. As a result the remarkable endurance shown by the leader of the small band of men who feature in this true story, he is now regarded as "the greatest leader in human history ever". See you Sunday for an inspirational time and don't forget our church BBQ after the morning service.
The Gospel's central offer is not - Heaven. Heaven is not even a side benefit to receiving the Gospel. In fact, Heaven is virtually irrelevant to the Gospel. To be sure there is no other way a person can enter Heaven than to accept the Gospel. And it is certainly true that Heaven can only accept those who have been transformed by the Gospel. No doubt Heaven is s place of sublime bliss that will give the Gospel believer the ideal environment for our eternal rewards, But the Gospel is not about Heaven!
The Gospel is about Jesus, not Heaven. Consider this shocking question: If you died and went to Heaven and then discovered that Jesus wasn't there, would you want to be there?
The greatest benefit of the Gospel is that brings a believer into a fellowship with Jesus. This doesn't start in Heaven, it starts here..
Am I besotted with Christ?
Do I read the Scriptures to gain a more intimate understanding of the One who loves me more than any other can or could?
Is my obedience to Christ because l love Him more than any other treasure?
Do I believe Christ because He can give to me - would I still love Christ if He never gave me another thing?
Do I start my day, live my day, and end my day with devotion to Christ?
Does my praying reflect a heart that accepts that God demands of me and not the other way around?
Philippians 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Phil. 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Consider Jesus today and this year.
Father, help us to treasure Christ as our Supreme Treasure. Cause us to delight ourselves in knowing Him and being known by Him. May we pray, pray, pray to be in constant union with Christ. May our love for Christ be the single greatest delight of our lives. Help us to be so besotted with Christ that we are transformed by His life, His words, His mission, His cause, and His goals. May we as a church each behold Christ this year together in our community of brotherhood.
The first Sunday of 2009 I was privileged to speak in a great Tongan church- Westgate Christian Fellowship, in Braybrook Melbourne. The pastor is Salesi Kanongataa and is a great friend. My whole family was with me for this Sunday. I shared with the church on the unique authority of God's Word and the need (especially for Pentecostals) to "test" so-called 'prophecies' by the Scriptures and proven brothers and sisters.
The following Sunday our family was two children lighter (Tyrone was now in Queensland and Zoe in Geelong). The church in Benalla is "Life Church" and it was one of the most impressive churches I have been in for a while. The pastor of Benalla Life Church is Daryl Marshall and he is a great guy.
The folk at Benalla warmly received us and made me and the girls (Kim, Ebony and Ruby) feel right at home. I shared with the folks of Benalla an exposition of Ephesians 4:17-21 and emphasised the classical principles of Biblical hermeneutics from this text. We look forward to building the connection with Daryl and Pam and their church.
The third church I spoke at this year was Shepparton Assembly of God. I served in this church back in 1989 as a youth leader.
We return to Tasmania this weekend where I will be speaking at the Mersey Christian Church in Latrobe and then Legana Christian Church the following Sunday. The Sunday after this (February 1st) I will ministering in Annapolis, Maryland (USA). I would appreciate your ongoing prayers for these preaching engagements.
Just a few weeks ago I spoke with a teacher from Lillydale who told me a touching story of a European exchange student who was allocated to this unlikely school. She was a very studious girl who had come to Australia to learn. Yet most of her adopted fellow students did not consider learning the reason they went to school. At the Leavers' Dinner she gave her farewell speech. She shared how that back in her own country education was the most prized acquisition a person could have. As such, she shared, her parents had been making huge sacrifices all her life to ensure that their daughter received the best education that they could nearly afford. Her trip to Australia was a part of her quest to acquire this most valued possession. She then turned her focus off herself and directly toward her temporary fellow students. In Australia, your government gives you an education and most of you have refused to take it! In my country this same education costs two and possibly three lifetimes to repay. If we do not value education and learning we are not going to be able to compete in the marketplace or job-market, and we are consequently looked down upon and considered for the most menial jobs. Her Australian peers listened in stunned silence. They had never considered the enormous privilege that they had just spent the last few years squandering. They had valued amusement (a+muse=no thinking) over education.
What do you value most? The other day Kim asked me what I would quickly grab from our house if I only had a few seconds before it burnt down. It's an interesting question. Would you grab your wallet or your photo album? Would you grab your favourite device or a piece of art?
What would you have if you could have more of one thing?
Jesus said, "Do not lay up treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). Jesus went on to explain- "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) The problem from Christ's perspective isn't 'treasure' but rather, what is 'treasured'. It's not about what things you have- but about what things have you.
For some people, money is their most prized possession. But the Scriptures give us a list of things worth far more than money, and better yet, often don't initially cost money either.
Romans 13:8 ¶ Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
I hope that in the year ahead we value our spiritual growth and all that is associated with it- fellowship, Bible Study, prayer, worship, assembling, serving, contemplating God and His Word, seeking God's supernatural provisions, evangelism, and the opportunity to help someone else to grow spiritually.
Father, help us to value your treasures. Help us not be obsessed with material wealth or things. Help us to avoid debt but to always live as though we have a debt of love toward others. Lord, I pray that we can prize the riches of fellowship, the wealth of wisdom, the gems of insight and correction from others, the joy of Your grace toward us.
Pastorally, one of the more frequent issues that I have tried to help people with over the past year related to their disappointment with God due to seemingly unanswered prayer.
As I look at Scripture, I see several clues that God gives us that helps us to understand what seems to be unanswered prayer.
1. "No" is an answer.
2. Matthew 6:33 advises us what to do before we pray.
3. First John 5:14 is our prescription for guaranteed answers to pray.
The next time you think that God is not listening and consequently not answering your prayers, remember these three truths.
Here's some additional interconnected insights from Scripture.
1. Pray with faith (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24).
2. Pray with perseverance and patience (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18).
3. Pray with at least another believer (Matthew 18:20; James 5:16).
I pray that we will all be pray-ers who are not easily detered from petitioning God for Him to outwork Matthew 6:33 and 1John 5:14 into our lives.
Father, help us to pray and never give up pouring our heart out to you. Cuase our hearts to yearn for Your greatness to be demonstrated in our our lives. Cause us to prayerfully rest in your will. Help us to pray without ceasing with our minds, our words, and our lives. Help us to pray together. Help us to pray for your Word to be fulfilled in every life. Lead us by Your Spirit into intercession and fruitful praying.


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Void Bastards interview: A game inside a living comic book
From sound effects that come with "KABOOM" and "SQUELCH" text to animated panels and black outlines, Void Bastards offers the ultimate comic book visuals.
Void Bastards' visual art style is unlike anything else released in recent years. Though your first instinct might be to compare its style to the likes of Borderlands or Crackdown, Void Bastards actually doesn't use any cel shading for its visuals. At GDC 2019, Shacknews got to speak with Ben Lee, the Art Direct at Blue Manchu, about cel shading, art styles, and exploring a sci-fi comic book.
Void Bastards: not actually cel shading
Lee was quick to correct us about likening Void Bastards' art style to cel shading. The decision for the art style stemmed from needing to figure out a way to create a game based on the lineage that's come before it (System Shock, BioShock) without blowing the budget of an indie studio. To the layman, cel shading might appear as a "cheaper" style but it can actually be just as costly as others.
Due to his background in comics and animations, Lee naturally shifted toward that style. Blue Manchu took this idea and ran with it. From the way animations pop up in tiles to how sound effects appear as written words, Void Bastards just oozes comic books. There should be no confusion about the fact you are playing and exploring inside a comic book world.
Void Bastards' comic book art style is unlike anything out there at the moment.
Personally, I've not seen this type of comic book styling in years. The last time was likely 2003's XIII, which utilized a similar comic book style of action. Headshots were punctuated by three quick panels showing a close up of the kill and grenades were coupled with a "BLAM". It's good to see another title, some 16 years later, sticking with such a unique style.
Though Lee could offer no release date for Void Bastards, he did state that it would be out this year. The main bulk of the game has been finished and the team has shifted into localization and ironing out the kinks. For more information, head over to the Void Bastards website to see more of this incredible art style. The site actually shows Void Bastards drawn up as a comic book, and now I want that, too, along with the game. For the latest news out of GDC 2019, you're already in the right place.
Blue Manchu
Void Bastards
ShackStream: Big Team Building in Deep Rock Galactic - Episode 42
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Elden Ring & Stray lead Game Developers Choice Awards 2023 nominees
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Sam Chandler posted a new article, Void Bastards interview: A game inside a living comic book


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2014 Matchmakers & Dating Coaches Conference
Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Florida | February 27 - March 3, 2014
Conference Speakers:
Julie Ferman
The Matchmakers Alliance is absolutely thrilled to announce our Master of Ceremonies for the 2014 Matchmakers & Dating Coaches Conference, Julie Ferman!
JULIE FERMAN is one of the leading relationship experts in the country, and is regarded as a fantastic mentor and personality among the dating industry. With over 1,100 marriages to her credit, Julie knows the love business and is eager to share her secrets! We're so excited to have her join us!
Meghann Novinskie
MEGHANN NOVINSKIE is COO of Mixology - Matchmaking with a Twist, an offline matchmaking agency working exclusively with LGBT clients, in ten cities nationwide. Meghann's experience in the matchmaking industry spans nine years, and has received numerous awards for her work, which have been recognized internationally. Meghann was recruited to help launch Mixology in DC in 2009, and in 2011, successfully launched Mixology's west coast headquarters in Los Angeles.
She is a regular contributor to a number of media outlets dishing out dating and relationship advice to her followers. Her audience is broad, as she has worked with both hetero and homosexual singles in her career. Meghann's expertise has been featured in various publications, including Washington Life Magazine, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Washington Blade, Refinery29, SheWired, Frontiers, andWest Hollywood Patch.
Anson Alexander
ANSON ALEXANDER began to develop a love for teaching others about technology, and thus created AnsonAlex.com, which specializes in software tutorials, videos and informative articles. With millions of visits and tens of thousands of subscribers, his community has grown tremendously.
In 2012, Anson was published in his first professional software tutorial series onDocStoc.com and, since, has published 3 additional tutorial series for the organization - including a 40 part video series on SEO. In 2013, Anson began to work with SEOcial to hone his own skills in the web industry and learn from a dynamic and innovative team.
SUSAN BOYD is the Director of Marketing & Business Development of YourTango Experts. Her expertise lies in all things marketing. From PR to content creation, audience development to branding, Susan provides her clients with the unique and intuitive insights necessary to convert an audience into customers.
Many of Susan's clients are new to marketing and she easily leads them through the education process to understand what the modern online market requires to rise above the noise and connect with real people online. For her more savvy clients, Susan has been instrumental in facilitating connections to large media brands like Huffington Post, Ladies Home Journal and Harper Collins.
Louie Felix
LOUIE FELIX is the CEO of Elite Matchmaking, a highly personalized Matchmaking Company and recently founded Q Introductions. For almost a decade, Louie was the CEO of one of the Nations largest personalized matchmaking companies with 20 locations and a client base of well over 20,000 active clients. Louie is an expert on lead generation, sales and customer service techniques.
Sarah Kathryn Smith
SARAH KATHRYN SMITH, a 14-year veteran of the dating industry, is one of the most respected names in matchmaking. Her businesses (Eight at Eight Dinner Club andOne on One Matchmaking) have sustained steady growth, no debt, and she now manages 8 full time employees. A stickler for excellence in matchmaking, Sarah Kathryn is committed to constant improvement and entrepreneurial ideals. Learn from Smith how to hire, train, and manage a staff to grow your business and make your life easier.
Sarah Kathryn has been profiled as an authority on relationships and singles issues by The Wall Street Journal, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, and many others.
Maria Avgitidis
MARIA AVGITIDIS is the founder and head matchmaker at Agape Match, one of the top matchmaking firms in New York City, which services singles from Philadelphia to Boston, and Greeks all across North America. She's also the co-founder and CEO of AgapaMe.com, an online dating site for Greek singles and the Co-Founder of the Matchmakers Alliance, a place where dating professionals share ideas and collaborate to best serve their clients.
Her success as a matchmaker has gained national recognition and awarded best matchmaking service in New York City by CBS News. She was also awarded as a finalist for most innovative company and best dating site design at the 2012 iDate Awards and best matchmaker at the 2012, 2013 and 2014 iDate Awards.
Maria absolutely loves the dating industry. She has a background in international business, global affairs and economics, with a B.S. from the American College of Greece and a M.S. from New York University.
Yvonne Allen
Yvonne Allen and Associates was established in Australia for discerning singles seeking to partner in 1976. Given her background in psychology and her experience working with couples and families in distress, Yvonne wanted to provide more than just a way of meeting. From the outset her consultancy has been educative, encouraging clients to become more aware of their real needs when it comes to a relationship and a partner.
As a matchmaker, author, social commentator and futurist, Yvonne has won international recognition for her approach to the challenging area of human relations. In 1992 she was registered as a psychologist on the basis of her pioneering work.
Rachel DeAlto
RACHEL DEALTO is a communications and relationships expert, life, love & business coach, matchmaker, flirting expert, keynote speaker, media personality, and the author of the bestseller, Flirt Fearlessly. Rachel is dedicated to helping people achieve their goals in love and life. Rachel works one-on-one and in workshop settings to develop goals and remove blocks that are preventing success.
Rachel has been featured on a multitude of media outlets including: The TODAY Show, CNN/HLN, Access Hollywood, The Steve Harvey Show, Fox News, BetterTV, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, iVillage, Redbook, Yahoo Shine, YourTango and is a featured expert with Howcast.com.
Jeremy Bluvol
JEREMY BLUVOL is an innovator, entrepreneur, and business leader. He has held numerous roles in the biomedical industry, primarily specializing in the R&D of medical devices and robots for the detection and treatment of cancer. Jeremy as a deep understanding and appreciation for science and technology and the required paths to commercialize, grow, and build long-term value. He is committed to creating valuable technologies and bridging the chasm between science and business. He is the co-founder of Instant Chemistry - a leading biotechnology company involved in the commercialization of pairomic technologies. Jeremy obtained a degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in bioengineering and mechatronics and an MBA from the University of Toronto.
Peggy Wolman
PEGGY WOLMAN is a successful matchmaker and effective dating coach. With a Masters degree in Social Work, and over twenty-five years teaching and directing theatre, her professional background is rooted in helping people find their own voices. After leaving teaching, Peggy entered the field of matchmaking and dating coaching by taking intensive training with Rachel Greenwald, New York Times best selling author, and America's renowned matchmaker and dating coach. This training helped Peggy redirect her skills and talents and gave her the tools, knowledge, and enthusiasm to help people find love.
George N. Zapantis
GEORGE N. ZAPANTIS is a born, raised, and educated New Yorker. A dynamic NYC based attorney, George is deeply involved in the political, social and business communities. He is the co-founder of the popular Greek online dating site, AgapaMe.com, and an active collaborator of the Matchmakers Alliance. His legal expertise in the dating industry has advanced many matchmakers' business knowledge in customer relationship management.
Elaine Manios
ELAINE MANIOS is the Global Director of Social Media at Bloomberg LP. A 14-year veteran of global marketing and former digital strategist for American Express and the International Trademark Association, her expertise lies in helping companies solve business, brand, and communication problems using the latest platforms and cross-channel marketing strategies.
Michelle Jacoby
MICHELLE JACOBY is a matchmaker, dating and relationship expert and the owner of DC Matchmaking, a high-end boutique matchmaking and coaching company for commitment-minded singles in The Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Michelle has gained national recognition and was awarded finalist for Best Matchmaker in the US at the 2011 iDate Awards and was a featured speaker at the 2010, 2011 and 2012 National Matchmaking Conferences and the 2012 and 2013 National iDate Conferences. She is the cofounder of The Matchmakers Alliance, an organization that brings together top matchmakers and dating coaches from all over the world to collaborate and learn from one another.
Michelle has appeared in The Washington Post, The Northwest and Georgetown Currents, The Washington Examiner, Bethesda Magazine, WUSA Channel 9, News Channel 8 - Let's Talk Live, and NBC Washington, Huffington Post, ABC, and FOX. Her articles have been featured in Washington Life Magazine, Fairfax Woman Magazine, Southern Woman Magazine, YourTango.com and EHarmony Advice. Michelle, a native Washingtonian, lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband and four children. Michelle is very excited to see everyone at the 3rd annual Matchmakers Alliance Conference in February!
Thomas Levi
THOMAS LEVI started out with a doctorate in Theoretical Physics and String Theory from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. His post-doctoral studies in cosmology and string theory, where he wrote 19 papers garnering 600+ citations, then took him to NYU and finally UBC. In 2012, he decided to move into industry, and took on the role of Senior Data Scientist at POF. Thomas has been involved in diverse projects such as behaviour analysis, social network analysis, scam detection, Bot detection, matching algorithms, topic modelling and semantic analysis.
Richard N. Wolman, Ph. D
RICHARD N WOLMAN, Ph.D. is an experienced clinician, mediator, teacher and researcher. A faculty member of Harvard Medical School for over 25 years, he is a clinical psychologist with expertise in psychotherapy with individuals and families.
Dr. Wolman also serves as parenting coordinator and Guardian ad Litem for custody disputes and consults with family law attorneys, parents and children experiencing the divorce process. He is an Affiliate of Boston Law Collaborative.
Dr. Wolman teaches a course entitled "Why People Change: the Psychology of Influence" at Harvard. His research topics include spirituality, dreams, psychotherapy and personality styles in relationships. He has extensive experience with personality testing (over 16,000 since mid-nineties) in relation to the dating and matchmaking process where he currently applies theory to practice in coaching singles of all ages searching for meaningful relationships at peggywolmanmatchmaking.com.
Nancy Wall
Lisa Darsonval
DR. NANCY WALL is a certified Life Coach and Matchmaker, is President and Founder of Tampa Bay MatchMakers. She is passionate about helping singles connect, and through her targeted relationship advice and singles' introductions, numerous life-long partnerships and marriages have resulted.
Dr. Wall has dedicated herself personally and professionally to help others discover and create what they want most from their lives and relationships. As a noted international speaker, she has inspired thousands of singles and couples. She has been seen on ABC Action News, Tampabays10, myFox Tampa Bay, The List and featured in the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Times, duPont REGISTRY, South Tampa Magazine, Tampa Bay Wellness, and Let my People Grow.
Dr. Wall earned her PhD in Adult Education from the University of South Florida, an MBA from Crummer Graduate School/Rollins College, a BS in Psychology from Duke University. She holds certifications in Matchmaking from the Matchmaking Institute in New York, Life Coaching from Coach Training Alliance, and Project Management from George Washington University.
LISA DARSONVAL is a matchmaker, dating coach, public speaker and dating and relationship expert, and founder of Santa Barbara Matchmaking; a discreet, upscale boutique matchmaking company for successful commitment-minded singles in Santa Barbara, Central, and Southern California. Her personal and innovative approach towards matchmaking has won rave reviews from happy couples throughout the region.
Lisa's imaginative techniques have invigorated the Santa Barbara singles scene, best exemplified by her well-attended Lock and Key Events at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, a recurring highlight of the summer social season. Lisa is an expert relationship writer for both YourTango.com and LavaLife.com and was a speaker at the 2013 iDate (Internet Dating Conference) in Las Vegas.
Carmelia Ray
CARMELIA RAY is an author, blogger, speaker, IDCA dating coach, matchmaking and attraction expert. Carmelia has been working in matchmaking for over twenty-two years and is a business development consultant in the online dating and matchmaking industry. She is also the CMO of Instant Chemistry; a bio tech company focused on Pairomics.
Carmelia is a sought after dating and relationship expert based in Toronto, who has appeared nationally in the media as a "go to" expert for matters involving online and offline dating. She has worked with multiple companies in the dating industry and has helped to develop some of the largest matchmaking firms across North America.
She has personally interviewed over 60,000+ singles and helped over 7,000 clients with their search to finding someone special. She is the co-founder of DatingLoveandSexTips.com. For more information be sure to visit her site
www.carmeliaray.com
Matthew Hensrud
MATTHEW HENSRUD is a proud startup engineer and expert in most things technology. He's taken roles including Producer, Project Manager, Lead Developer, Technology Strategist, and Chief Product Officer. He currently works as technology lead for SoundStreak, the Internet recording studio. His expertise ranges from What that Bright Star is (usually: Jupiter), to platform choices, launch planning, and user experience design. He's currently working on a book on helping anyone create their dream website. As an avid (and successful) internet dater, he is keenly interested in how the Internet can facilitate meeting that special someone. Matthew advises companies and individuals on expanding their digital audience, website enhancement, and social media strategy.


Match the picture on the card with the picture that rhymes, or match words on the reverse side of the picture. The rhyming part is colour coded red. Suitable for up to 5 players. Contains boards and 24 double sided cards.


This past week, we travelled south to our neighboring country of Namibia. The first leg of the trip took us to the largest city, Windhoek, where we spent the night at a lovely B&B called the Olive Grove Guest House. The next morning, we caught a hopper flight to the Sussusvlei area of the Namib Desert, which is located about an hour south of the city. When I say a hopper flight, what I really mean is that we flew there in a wind-up toy.
Truly, I have never been in a smaller plane. It was a four seater – including the pilot. Looking back at the photos, I am amazed that I crawled into the back seat and strapped myself in without being sedated first. Take a look at the photo. Would you get into this thing?
Thankfully, our pilot seemed very competent and professional, and had been flying in the area long enough to know the peculiarities of flying over desert thermals. He was young (no danger of heart attacks) and jovial (no anger management issues) and Scottish (just all around good folks). Once I got over the initial shock of flying in a tin can – and not exactly a shiny new one at that – I relaxed and prepared to enjoy the flight.
We had been given a baggage limit of twenty kilograms per person, and the pilot stuck firm to that number – with good reason. With only three small duffel bags, there was not an inch to spare in the tiny cargo hold!
The third passenger was a lovely lady of about sixty-five who hailed from San Antonio, Texas – of all places. Her retirement gift to herself had been a several months long vacation across Africa. Surprisingly, she had traveled much of it by boarding cargo ships – something we did not even know was possible. Imagine spending weeks on the open ocean with only the ship's officers and a mostly Filipino crew as your companions. She had nothing but good things to say about her cabins on the various vessels she had boarded, and seemed outgoing enough to make friends in any situation. I'm sure she saved a few pennies by traveling this way – and made some amazing memories as well.
By the way, her bag was smaller than either of ours and she had been traveling for three months. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, packing light is something neither of us have mastered!
The flight turned out to be great fun, as we flew very low and close to mountains, all the while skirting the scattered thunderstorms.
The area was unusually green due to some recent rainfall.
Nearby thunderstorms mean rainbows, too!
A few little bumps along the way weren't enough to rattle us, and the beautiful scenery was our own in-flight entertainment. The landing was perfect, and a jeep was waiting when we arrived to take us to our lodge, the Little Kulala.
A short drive across the stunning desert landscape provided our first game sighting, when an ostrich ran across the road right in front of the jeep. That ostrich was speeding along, kicking up dust in the process. I'm not sure our jeep could have out run him!
Just an ostrich in a big hurry to get somewhere!
Little Kulala Lodge. A lovely setting, friendly staff and wonderful food!
Our private patio with a great view of passing springboks, ostriches, and oryx – and an ice-cold plunge pool!
View from the top of our bungalow, which featured a "star-bed" where one can literally sleep under the stars.
Now, this is the place to write a blog! No writer's block here!
They served up a lovely afternoon tea and then we headed out with our guide Simon for a private sundowner. The rain stayed in the distance and provided for another gorgeous rainbow and a beautiful sunset.
Incredibly vivid rainbow, which was visible all the way to the ground. Can you spy the pot 'o gold?
A Sociable Weaver's nest. These little birds build very complicated nests that can house eighty or more birds.
Simon found the perfect spot for us to enjoy our sundowner drinks. Not another sole in sight!
After a delicious dinner, and a few animal sightings around the lighted watering hole just beyond the open-air dining area, we headed back to the bungalow, intent on sleeping under the stars. We were surprised to find a nearly full moon made for a too-bright setting. It was a bit like sleeping with a flashlight shining in your face, so reluctantly we gave up and headed inside.
Hubby had purchased a special lens to take some star photos, but the bright moon nixed that as well. Undeterred, we set the alarm for 4:00 am in order to catch a few shots after the moon went down and before the sun came up.
We awoke to find the moon was still up, but managed to get a few shots anyway.
The Southern Cross. Click on the image to enlarge.
Orion as seen just before sunrise.
We had a big day ahead of us, so there was no going back to sleep after taking photos. A hot-air ballon ride was planned for sunrise – if the weather cooperated, which it often did not.


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Home/entertainment/Remo D'Souza will work with Manoj Bajpayee in preparation for his new project after Street Dancer 3D
Remo D'Souza will work with Manoj Bajpayee in preparation for his new project after Street Dancer 3D
Renowned choreographer and director Remo D'Souza is all set for his next directorial venture. After Street Dancer 3D (2020), D'Souza is coming with his next film and Manoj Bajpayee's strong acting will be seen in it.
This project stopped in search of lead actor
According to the Hindustan Times report, Remo D'Souza was about to direct a dance-based digital series, making his debut on the digital platform. Actress Avneet Kaur was almost finalized for this project. The search for the lead actor was on. The studios backing the project were looking to bring actor Ishaan Khatter on board, but were at a dead end. Because of this the project is currently stalled.
Remo D'souza will work with Manoj Bajpayee
Now Remo D'Souza has turned to another project in which National Film Award winning actor Manoj Bajpayee will be seen. Talks have been going on between the two for a long time about the film. Bajpai has been associated with it since day one. It is likely to go on floors in the first half of this year.
After Sofia Di Martino, now Robin Baker praised Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi, said this
it won't be a dance film
The website quoted a source as saying, "This is a special film for Remo. It is not a dance film and is based on real life. The film is in very early stages. The first meeting for pre-production will happen this week." On the other hand, when Remo D'Souza was asked about this, he denied the news about his digital series and said that it is "not true". He did not comment on directing Bajpayee.
Manoj Bajpayee Manoj Bajpayee and Remo D'Souza Manoj Bajpayee Instagram Manoj Bajpayee movies Manoj Bajpayee News Manoj Bajpayee upcoming movies Photos of Manoj Bajpayee Remo D'Souza Remo D'souza news Remo D'souza next project
Nora Fatehi and Terence Lewis's dance chemistry sets the stage on fire
Happy Birthday Dharmendra: Dharmendra turns 87
When Malaika Arora did such an act of moving train, that blood started flowing
Sumona Chakraborty of The Kapil Sharma Show charges so much per episode, you will be shocked to know
From Allu Arjun, Superstar Yash to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, these are the biggest newsmakers of 2022!


SIXX:A.M, the modern rock band featuring Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, Guns n' Roses' DJ Ashba and vocalist James Michael, have released "Stars," the first track from their forthcoming album Modern Vintage. LINK.
Slipknot has unveiled the title, cover and track listing for their new album, their fifth record and first without late bass player Paul Gray and former drummer Joey Jordison. LINK.
Rock n' roll photographer Gene Kirkland photographed the biggest names in rock and metal throughout the 80s and 90s (and still shoots to this day). Twelve months ago he unearthed a stash of shots that had been unseen since those glory days; images that hadn't been seen in 20 years – even ones that he hadn't seen himself! LINK.


The Comedy Club Cambodia is back from its summer holidays to bring some hilarious international comedy masters to the stage of Pontoon Club on Wednesday August 22.
Thanks to sponsors Ezecom, Tequila Blu, Monument Hotel, Fatboy Sandwiches and NIDO, we offer the chance to see top stand-ups Imran Yusuf and Allyson June Smith for just $8 per person.
Tickets can be bought at Pontoon Bistro beforehand or on the door on the night from 7pm. The show slated for an 8pm kick off. Local funnyman Evan Handed will resume MC duties for the night.


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"""
MySQL utility functions.
"""

from __future__ import absolute_import
from warnings import filterwarnings
import MySQLdb
import MySQLdb.cursors
from untraceables.utilities import query as query_utility

filterwarnings('ignore', category=MySQLdb.Warning)

def get_connection(host, user, password, database):
    """
    Gets a mysql connection to given database.

    :type str
    :param host: A host
    :type str
    :param user: A username
    :type str
    :param password: A password
    :type str
    :param database: A database name
    :rtype MySQLdb.connections.Connection
    :return A mysql connection
    """

    return MySQLdb.connect(host=host, user=user, passwd=password, db=database, cursorclass=MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor)

def get_cursor(connection):
    """
    Gets a cursor from a given connection.

    :type MySQLdb.connections.Connection
    :param connection: A mysql connection
    :rtype MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :return A mysql cursor
    """

    return connection.cursor()

def close_connection_and_cursor(connection, cursor):
    """
    Closes a given connection and cursor.

    :type MySQLdb.connections.Connection
    :param connection: A mysql connection
    :type MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :param cursor: A mysql cursor
    :rtype bool
    :return: Success
    """

    attr = 'close'
    for to_be_closed_o in (cursor, connection):
        if hasattr(to_be_closed_o, attr):
            getattr(to_be_closed_o, attr)

    return True

def split_file(file_pointer, delimiter=';'):
    """
    Splits a SQL file by a given delimiter so it can be executed statement by statement.

    :type file
    :param file_pointer: The file pointer to an unsplitted SQL file
    :type str
    :param delimiter: A delimiter
    :rtype generator
    :return A splitted SQL file
    """

    buf = ''
    while True:
        while delimiter in buf:
            pos = buf.index(delimiter)
            yield buf[:pos]
            buf = buf[pos + len(delimiter):]
        chunk = file_pointer.read(4096)
        if not chunk:
            yield buf
            break
        buf += chunk

def get_show_columns(cursor, table):
    """
    Gets the results of SHOW COLUMNS for a given table.

    :type MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :param cursor: A mysql cursor
    :type str
    :param table: A table name
    :rtype tuple
    :return The results of SHOW COLUMNS
    """

    return _fetchall(cursor, query_utility.get_show_table_columns(table))

def get_show_tables(cursor, database):
    """
    Gets the results of SHOW TABLES for a given database.

    :type MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :param cursor: A mysql cursor
    :type str
    :param database: A database name
    :rtype tuple
    :return The results of SHOW TABLES
    """

    return _fetchall(cursor, query_utility.get_show_columns(database))

def get_max_id(cursor, database, table, column, order=None):
    """
    Gets the maximum id for a given table / column.

    :type MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :param cursor: A mysql cursor
    :type str
    :param database: A database name
    :type str
    :param table: A table name
    :type str
    :param column: A column name
    :type str
    :param order: A column name to order on
    :rtype long|bool
    :return: The maximum id or False on failure
    """

    for row in _fetchall(cursor, query_utility.get_max_id(database, table, column, order)):
        return row[column]

    return False

def _fetchall(cursor, statement):
    """
    Fetches the results of a given SQL statement.

    :type MySQLdb.cursors.SSDictCursor
    :param cursor: A mysql cursor
    :type str
    :param statement: A SQL statement
    :rtype tuple
    :return The results of the MySQLdb statement
    """

    cursor.execute(statement)

    return cursor.fetchall()


Cinnamon Honey Popcorn | Naturally.
Over the past months, I've stockpiled a list of tv shows and movies I wanted to watch in anticipation of the first few weeks after the baby is born. I'm normally don't spend a ton of time on either, but usually one weekend evening is reserved for movie time with M. We grab all the pillows from the house, curl up on the couch, grab a few snacks, and settle in for a movie (this has become even more of an affair since we purchased and actually started using a 3D tv- I was skeptical at first but it's actually really cool).
The snacks for the evening usually revolved around our favorite tapas meal of olives, cheeses, and fruits but I always make sure we have a big bowl of popcorn ready to go as well. Who ever paired popcorn and movies together was pretty much amazing (and it turns out, there's quite a story behind popcorn/the movies).
Heat oil over medium-low heat with 3-4 kernels. When the oil and kernels begin to sizzle, add the remaining kernels and toss to coat. Once coated, sprinkle sugar on top and cover with a lid.
Every few seconds shake the pot back and forth so that no kernels burn (give it a good shake!) Continue to do this through the popping.
This popcorn also keeps well in a plastic bag for a couple of days!
This looks great! My youngest loves popcorn it is his go to snack and he also loves cinnamon! We are going to have to give this a try!!
Oh, this recipe sounds like a good one. I could get kids to eat this and it's vegan. Btw… How is Erin doing with her brand new baby?
I LOVE fresh popcorn – my favorite snack (and sometimes I make a meal of it I'll admit). Usually my go-to is lime and chili powder but this would be a great alternative if I have a sweets craving. Does the honey make it impossibly messy?
Amazing! Took awhile for the popping to start but it was worth the wait!
Wow I deffo wanna try some new popcorn flavours! I love popcorn, my fave snack for sure! And thanks for posting the article about popcorn and the movies, so interesting!
This looks to die for! Obsessed with popcorn! I recently posted a non-GMO organic caramel popcorn recipe. I can't wait to try this recipe for another sweet popcorn.
This looks amazing. I will try this soon.
YUM! I love cinnamon popcorn!
Thanks for the idea of using cinnamon and honey on my popcorn – I regularly make it using coconut oil, and the more I think about adding sweetness and warmth with cinnamon and honey, the more I want them right now!
I was convinced I was doing it wrong when it took a while to start popping, but I'm glad I stuck it out. This is delicious!!
sounds awesome! Have you tried adding the cinnamon at the beginning with the honey and sugar? I'm wondering if that would allow it to disperse better. Can't wait to try this!
Do you know these days when you insanely crave something yet you have no idea what that is? I experienced it today. I couldn't even decide if I wanted something sweet or salty. It turned out, I wanted both. This popcorn was exactly what I needed.
So I made this again and decided to switch up the instructions. I must have this recipe down to an art that I don't get the burnt bottom but since it seems like it's a reoccurring issue for some- I've changed it up!
Hi Ella, putting the honey on after made it awfully sticky, and quite hard to stir in.. But delicious!


text:
PIANJ elects eight to board of directors
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey today elected eight independent insurance agents from around the state to its board of directors, at the association's annual business meeting at Harrah's in Atlantic City.
The following individuals were re-elected to serve for a three-year term, expiring in 2022:
Robert Davies, CPIA, of Chatham, N.J. Davies is vice president of Davies & Associates in Murray Hill, N.J. An active member of PIANJ, Davies is a member of the Bait & Switch and Business Issues/Communications Committee. Davies also is vice chairperson of the Northwest N.J. Advisory Council and is a member of the Carrier Advisory Council.
Mario Fernandez of Ridgefield, N.J. Fernandez is president and owner of M&F Insurance Agency Corp. in N. Bergen, N.J. Fernandez serves as chairperson on PIANJ's Northeast Advisory Council. He also is a member of the Bait & Switch and Business Issues/Communications Committee.
Jocelyn Rineer, CIC, CLP, CIIP, of Tinton Falls, N.J. Rineer is vice president of field operations for ANE, Agency Network Exchange in Monmouth Junction, N.J. An active member of PIANJ, Rineer is chairperson of the Women's Business Forum and is membership vice chairperson of the Membership Services/Programs Committees. She also is a member of the Glenmont National Alliance Committee and the Special Olympics Golf Committee.
Thomas Wilkens of Belford, N.J. Wilkens is Branch Manager & Director of McGowan Risk Specialists in Eatontown, N.J. Active in the association, Wilkens will serve as vice president in 2019-20; served as treasurer in 2018-19 and secretary in 2017-18. He is a member of the Membership Services/Programs and Executive/ Budget & Finance Committees and he is a member of the NJ Agents Justice Task Force. Wilkens also is a member of the PIANJ Political Action Governing Committee and is a member of the association's Carrier Advisory Council. Additionally, Wilkens is an active past president of the New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals, an organization dedicated to the professional and personal growth of newcomers to the insurance industry and he is co-chairperson of the Special Olympics Golf Committee.
Newly elected to serve on the board:
Lydia Bashwiner, Esq., CWCP, NJWCP, of Verona, N.J. Bashwiner is general counsel/claims manager for Otterstedt Insurance Agency Inc., in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Active in PIANJ, Bashwiner is a member of the Government Affairs Committee and the Legislative Legal Review subcommittee.
Chris Gonzalez, CPCU, CIC, CRM, ChFC, AU, AAI, CISR, of West New York, N.J. Gonzalez is chief executive officer for Gonzalez & Co., in N. Bergen, N.J. Active in PIANJ, Gonzalez serves on the New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals board of directors. NJYIP is an organization dedicated to the professional and personal growth of newcomers to the insurance industry. It is an affiliate of PIANJ.
Lisa Hamm, CIC, of New Providence, N.J. Hamm is president and owner of Clyde Paul Agency Inc. in N. Arlington, N.J. An active member of the association, Hamm serves on PIANJ's Business Issues/Communications Committee.
Logan True, CRIS, of Jersey City, N.J. True is producer for True & Associates in Westfield, N.J. Active in PIANJ, True currently is president of the NJYIP. He also is the NJYIP liaison to PIANJ's Business Issues/Communications and the NJPIAPAC Committees.
PIANJ is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout the state.


Ladies in the Nambucca Valley are you looking for fun and friendship, while raising awareness and funding for disadvantaged Aussie children. Come along to the Nambucca River VIEW Club.
VIEW Club is a women's organisation dedicated to helping disadvantaged Aussie kids pursue a good education through their work with The Smith Family and their Learning for Life suite of programs.
For all enquiries call Janne on 0403 588 230 or Shirley 0402 206 336 or visit www.view.org.au for further information.


MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The son of Mexican drug kingpin Damaso Lopez Nunez has handed himself over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), said a security official from the border state of Baja California.
"What we know is that he handed himself over yesterday (Wednesday). The case is now with authorities over there," said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and so declined to be identified.
Damaso Lopez Serrano, heir to Lopez Nunez, who was himself arrested by Mexican authorities in May, voluntarily surrendered to the DEA in the Mexican city of Mexicali on the border with California's Calexico, local press reported.
The elder Lopez Nunez at the time of his arrest was believed to be fighting for control of the Sinaloa Cartel against the sons of its captured leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.


text:
Mini-states Down Under are sure they can secede
By Nick Squires in Sydney 24 February 2005 • 12:01am
You won't find them on any map but, in the minds of their creators at least, they are as real as Brisbane or Bondi Beach.
As Australia wrestles with the issue of whether to become a republic, it faces a constitutional challenge of its own as a growing number of mini-states declare their "independence".
The trend started in 1970 when a West Australian farmer, Leonard Casley, announced his property's secession as a protest over grain quotas, proclaiming himself Prince Leonard of Hutt River Province.
Prince Leonard and his wife, Princess Shirley, continue to run their tiny principality, issuing passports and welcoming thousands of tourists a year.
Australia boasts about 20 "nations", each undeterred by the fact that their existence has no legal foundation. Some are motivated by ideology, others by a grudge against the local council or a reluctance to pay taxes.
"There's a long tradition in Australia, borne of our convict heritage, of showing disrespect for authority," said His Imperial Majesty George II or George Cruikshank, a sales manager from Sydney. "We've inherited the English love of eccentricity."
Mr Cruikshank, 38, has set himself up as the Emperor of Atlantium, which consists of his one-bedroom apartment in the harbourside district of Potts Point. It claims nearly 1,000 "subjects" from Azerbaijan to Peru, with citizenship open to anyone prepared to fill out an application form and pay £3 for an embossed certificate.
A few miles away, on the north side of Sydney Harbour, lives Prince Paul of Wy, who seceded from his local council in November after 11 years of arguing over permission to build a driveway to his home.
He declared his property to be an independent principality on which he could build what he liked - an assertion yet to be tested.
The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea is founded on loftier principles and consists of a handful of tiny islands scattered over thousands of square miles of ocean off Queensland. It is billed as a "homeland" for gays and lesbians and was founded last year as a protest at the government's refusal to recognise same-sex marriages.
No one lives on the islets of the Coral Sea but the kingdom boasts a high court, chief justice and an absolute ruler, His Majesty Emperor Dale.
While some mini-states come and go, Hutt River Province celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Princess Shirley, 76, claims to have government documents that, she says, recognise the province as a legal entity.
Constitutional lawyers beg to differ. "These states have no recognition or status under Australian law whatsoever," said Prof George Williams of the University of New South Wales.
"It's a nice way of thumbing your nose at authority but ultimately it's just a fantasy."
Linguine with prawns, fried breadcrumbs, parsley and lemon recipe
By Diana Henry 18 Jan 2022, 2:49pm
Climate change and congestion forces Indonesia to build brand new capital 1200 miles away


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Mari Carmen Aponte still remembers the woman who came to her, tears in her eyes.
"You validate me," the stranger told Aponte, "because you call me a Puerto Rican."
For the director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, the woman has come to symbolize the yearning of Puerto Ricans from the U.S. mainland to be accepted by those on the island.
"She wasn't talking about me," Aponte said. "She was talking about herself and her search for dignity. . . . That's all they're asking for."
Their voices are growing. After decades of migration, the number of Puerto Ricans living on the mainland has surpassed the number living on the island, according to a new report issued by the Federal Affairs Administration.
Leaders of the community in both places hope official recognition of the long-anticipated milestone, a phenomenon without precedent in the Western Hemisphere, will spur new communication between the two halves of the Puerto Rican diaspora.
"This study is a way of really uniting, because that's where the future is," Aponte said. "When you have a population that is that big in both places, there's only one way, and that's to find, in dialogue, a way of belonging one to another."
As a way of starting that dialogue, the first-ever Atlas of Stateside Puerto Ricans compiles information on the 3.9 million who live in the United States -- a population that may be little understood by the 3.6 million on the island.
"There is a longstanding concern that the people of Puerto Rico are not as informed as they should be about the history and challenges faced by their compatriotas who have ventured stateside," writes Angelo Falcon, senior policy executive at the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund in New York.
Puerto Ricans in the United States, he writes, are "often seen as poor and apathetic, concentrated in the poor barrios of the older cities of the Northeast."
That perception may be a legacy of the mass migration of the 1940s and '50s, when hundreds of thousands of poor, mostly rural laborers left the island for low-paying work on the mainland.
Falcon, a political scientist, describes a more complex community, growing in size, variety and influence as it spreads from its traditional base in the Northeast and Midwest to establish new centers in the South, Southwest and West.
Drawing on census and other data, he affirms the continuing challenges of poverty, residential segregation and linguistic isolation, areas in which Puerto Ricans on the mainland continue to lag behind other Hispanics in the United States. But he also details an increasingly diverse community with a growing potential for economic and political clout.
With an average individual income second only to Cubans among Hispanics, total earnings greater than those on the island, a growing middle class and an enduring identification with the island, the stateside population constitutes an important new market for Puerto Rican businesses to consider, Falcon writes.
Remittances -- money sent by Puerto Ricans on the mainland to family and friends on the island -- may exceed $1 billion annually, he estimates.
Meanwhile, the size of the population living in the Boston-New York-Washington corridor, the center of American economic and political power, offers a "locational advantage" that could be leveraged if the community were able to develop leadership and infrastructure comparable to those of already influential groups there.
And the comparatively low level of education attained by stateside Puerto Ricans -- 9.9 percent of adults 25 and older had a four-year college degree in 2000, compared with 24.4 percent of those in Puerto Rico -- suggests a potential recruiting ground for island universities.
"One of the purposes of this report is to see if we could generate some consciousness in Puerto Rico about the role of Puerto Ricans in the United States," Falcon said. "Ways in which the government might act that would be to mutual benefit of both sides . . .; I'm hoping we can get some discussion going on the island."
The project is one of several attempts by the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration under Gov. Sila Calderon to reach out to stateside Puerto Ricans. A voter-registration drive signed up more than 300,000 voters. Leadership workshops have trained mainland-based activists and organizations. And recruitment has brought mainland students to the University of Puerto Rico.
"You do see a shift in paying more attention to the community here and finding ways to partner with some of the institutions that have been involved here on behalf of the community," said Felix Matos Rodriguez, director of the Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos at Hunter College in New York. "I think there is a recognition that the Puerto Rican diaspora is a part of the Puerto Rican nation, and as a result of that, there needs to be a level of communication about dialogue, empowerment and institution-building."
Jorge Duany, a University of Puerto Rico anthropologist and author of The Puerto Rican Nation on the Move: Identities on the Island and in the United States, called the fact that the report was commissioned by the island government "significant."
"It's actually the first time in many years that there has been any kind of sustained attention to the issues of Puerto Ricans in the U.S.," Duany said. "This may advance a kind of conversation."
With Calderon leaving office in January and election officials yet to declare the winner of the closely fought election to replace her, whether that conversation will continue is unclear.
"This is a blueprint," Aponte said. "It embodies some realities put forth by a recognized political scientist and scholar that really need to be taken seriously as new policy is put forward."
Falcon hopes the report points the way to more scholarship. Much remains to be learned, he says, about such issues as migration patterns, voter participation and remittances.
"Our reality is getting much more complex than ever before," he said. "I hope the report starts to point a different way of looking at the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. I hope it generates more work -- more research and more thinking."


The Free Church Orchestra has existed in various forms for a number of years. There is a small music group which plays regularly almost every Sunday, but the slightly larger orchestra currently plays at family services about four times a year. Numbers have always fluctuated as our young people move on and currently we are quite a depleted group. We need new recruits, and whilst all instrumentalists are welcome we currently have no bass instruments at all with the departure of our remaining cellist to university!
The orchestra is made up of musicians of all standards (children or adults) who play violin, viola, clarinet, flute, descant and tenor recorder, guitar and drums, and we would love you to come along too. The only requirement is the ability to read music as most music can be adapted to suit your standard as required.


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