I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to stay focused on work this time of year. With nighttime falling earlier and the temperature getting chillier, all I want to do is log off the computer and curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, my grouchy but lovable cat at my feet, and a book.
I need to stock up on books for winter. How about you?
Eleven authors (including me) have joined forces to keep you entertained at rock-bottom prices. Below, you'll find all the goodies on offer.
Before I get to all the wonderful authors and their books, I should get the basics out of the way. First, this sale ends on October 27th. Second, before you click any buy buttons, please ensure the sale price matches.
While Jade Winters has been putting words together since she was a child, it wasn't until 2010 that she became a full-time writer.
Today, she has published a number of novels in the lesbian fiction genre as well as several short stories. Jade was born and educated in London where she studied journalism for three years at a London University.
Twenty-five years after a young girl goes missing from her home in South-East England, most have given up hope of ever finding closure. But when a renowned psychic has visions of a murder the police reopen the case, placing the puzzle of the 'woodlands killer' in Detective Ashley McCoy's capable hands.
MJ Duncan traded her surfboard for hockey skates when she moved from Southern California to Minnesota in 2009. When she's not busy writing fluffy stories about lady-loving ladies, MJ enjoys reading, yoga, climbing, and spending time with her family.
Sparks fly the moment Bryn Nakamura lays eyes on Anna Fitzpatrick, and not in a good way. Driven, reserved, and recovering from another encounter with a life she would rather leave behind, all Bryn wants is to forget about Anna and focus on her beloved vineyard—but Fate has other plans. No matter where Bryn goes, Anna seems to be there, and despite how annoyed she is by this development, she can't help but be charmed by Anna's warm smile and easygoing charisma. But as carefully constructed walls come down, new obstacles take their place, leaving Bryn to question who she is and what she truly wants out of life.
Nicolette Dane landed in Chicago after studying writing in New York City. Flitting in and out of various jobs without finding her place, Nico decided to choose herself and commit to writing full-time. Her stories are contemporary scenarios of blossoming lesbian romance and voyeuristic tales meant to give you a peep show into the lives of sensual and complicated women.
When Brooke Nilsson takes on the task of cleaning out her family's old cottage, this city girl has a difficult time adjusting to life on the lake. But when she discovers her neighbor is famous songbird Hailey Reed, a singer Brooke herself admires, her tune begins to change. Can a new appreciation of family history and a burgeoning love affair change Brooke's mind about selling her cottage?
Adan Ramie writes romance, suspense, and speculative fiction about strong women who love other women. She lives in a small town in Texas with her wife, kids, and cats.
Rison Ecks has been sentenced to live out the rest of her life doing manual labor on a prison planet in a dark corner of the galaxy for attempting to assassinate the man who killed her lover. When her prison transport crash lands on an unplotted planet, Rison is flung into the middle of a deadly competition that no one escapes with their lives.
Novelist and playwright, EA Kafkalas is a true Renaissance woman, having worked in the theatre as an actor, director and a producer, and as a mixed media artist with clay and acrylics as her medium. She lives on a farm in upstate NY, with two of her best friends, her vast library of books, movies, and art supplies. She spends time with Milo, her best four legged friend, and a dog named Boo. When she's not writing about the characters living inside her head, she can be found in the kitchen whipping up some new plant-based treat or with her circle of actual friends, who have become her family and greatest support network.
Kelli Jae Baeli is the author of 57 books, 29 of them bestsellers. In her pages, you will find strong female characters, ethical dilemmas, realistic romantic storylines often filled with adventure and intense pacing, tempered by witty dialogue, and happy endings. All are hallmarks of her work.
Two women. One, a freelance writer, editor and sci-fi author, who is also an emotionally unavailable and closeted lesbian. The other, a disabled romantic lesbian fiction writer, who believes no one will ever love her. In a writing cabin outside the tourist town of Rain Falls, Colorado, the two struggle with the temptation and absurdities their situation inspires.
The shine isn't even starting to wear off when things go wrong. Not everyone is happy that India and Tegan are living in sweet lesbian bliss and not everyone thinks they should be left alone to wallow in it. Christmas is just around the corner, and its largesse this year is unparalleled.
It's up to India and Tegan to decide if these forced changes are gifts, or just dirty lumps of coal.
Amid some wildly comic moments and the witty repartee Baeli is known for, Rain Falls welcomes the return of one of its favorite citizens, family secrets are revealed, mysterious events are explained, and for some, karmic payback is at hand.
Cecily and Rorie found each other in college, but it ended in heartbreak. When a production at a community college reunites them almost twenty years later, can they leave the past behind to find happiness again? Two captivating novels celebrating one lifelong romance, at a great price!
In this satisfying conclusion to the heartfelt trilogy that began in A Road Through Mountains, Rorie and Cecily are just settling down and looking forward to a quiet and predictable life together when unexpected news changes the course of their future forever. Can the twists and turns of fate finally lead to a happy ending?
Women and Healing Embrace; mostly sweet with a little spice. What's it like to be a women loving woman in Sweetwater Texas, Birmingham Alabama, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Perryville Missouri or Salt Lake City Utah?
Anika takes the long way home up soul mountain is the third lesfic title I have authored as Eliza Andrews. The first, To Have Loved & Lost, is a story about grief, growing up, and women's basketball, and was a runaway best-seller on Amazon in the first few months after its release. Together, To Have Loved & Lost and Anika takes the long way home up soul mountain form the Rosemont Duology. Paradise, written between To Have Loved & Lost and Anika, is a short and quirky novella that reimagines the Book of Genesis as a lesbian love story. Don't read it if you lack a playful imagination or an irreverent sense of humor.
My name is Bridget Essex, and I write love stories. Many are about werewolves, vampires and lady knights; but always, they're about two strong, courageous women who fall deeply in love with one another, living love stories that transcend time. I'm married to the love of my life, author Natalie Vivien.
Elizabeth Grayson doesn't want a bodyguard. She's worked hard for her normal life, but her father, the founder of a booming seafood empire, is a prime target for his unethical competitors. When her father hires a bodyguard for Elizabeth, she's less than enthusiastic…that is, until she meets the mysterious Layne O'Connell. Sarcastic, charming and secretive, Layne is hired to keep Elizabeth safe. But protecting her heart wasn't in the job description.
Elizabeth's father has been keeping secrets from her, and she's soon going to find out that her family is stranger than she could ever have imagined: she's descended from vampires. When Layne reveals her true nature, Elizabeth's world is thrown upside down.
Because Elizabeth has fallen for the one person she can't be with: the brooding werewolf who was charged with keeping her alive.
She also runs I Heart Lesfic a place for authors and fans of lesfic to celebrate and chat about lesbian fiction.
JJ returns to her Colorado hometown after she's promoted to turn around a dying newspaper. The only problem? She'll be forced to work with the woman she secretly loved during her college years. Both are keeping secrets that could ruin everything. Must JJ lose everything in order to gain a life more fully her own?
Okay, I know I just threw a lot of names, prices, and links at you. Take a deep breath, and scroll back up to see which of the above titles you need to add to your library. I don't want you to miss out on getting all these fab books before the sale ends on October 27th. Act fast! Time is running out.
This entry was posted in I Heart Lesfic Sale and tagged A Walk Into Darkness, Adan Ramie, Anika Takes the Long Way Home Up Soul Mountain, Anne Hagan, Banquet, Briget Essex, EA Kafkalas, Eliza Andrews, Fifty Percent Illusion, Floats Her Boat, In Absentia, Jade Winters, Kelli Jae Baeli, Lesbians in Space, Love's Encore Series, Loving Blue in Red States, Miranda MacLeod, MJ Duncan, Nicolette Dane, Pariahs and Prodigals, Rain Falls, Spectrum, TB Markinson, The Miracle Girl, The Protector, The Second Heart. Bookmark the permalink.
1 Response to Lesfic sale starting today!


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Q: How to delete the record from mysql if the user did not update his availability for more than 10 seconds I have created a MYSQL database which has table available_users that track its user movement using android app
this table contain.

user_id,position_x,position_y,created_at

If the user has a record it is mean he is available or online but when the user go offline the record must be delete so I need to detect that the user did not update his current location more than 10 seconds
and delete its record to mark it as unavailable
How can I detect that?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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class CreateProtectiveItems < ActiveRecord::Migration
  def change
    create_table :protective_items do |t|
      t.string :name
      t.integer :acBonus
      t.integer :weight
      t.string :specialProperties

      t.timestamps
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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NYC composer Phil Kline's beautiful mix of electronica and holiday caroling is performed all over the world during the December holidays. It's non-denominational caroling for the masses. Participants need only download a free mobile device app or free music tracks via unsilentnight.com.
We'll gather in the OtB lobby, simultaneously press "play," and hit the streets in a wash of shimmering electronica. The holiday walk lasts around 45 minutes and will conclude back at OtB with cocoa and snacks.
We especially invite families to this event: children of all ages are welcome. No musical experience necessary.


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Tag Archives: David Frost
Deaths on August 31
1968: Dennis O'Keefe, Actor (Suspicion) dies of lung cancer at 60
1973: John Ford, American director (Stagecoach, The Searchers) dies at 78
1997: Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, age 36. Died in a car crash in Paris. Global attention and mourning was extensive and 2 billion people tuned in to her funeral on September 6. Diana Spencer is buried at Althorp, the Spencer-family estate in Northhampshire, England. Her final resting place is said to be on an island in the center of a lake called Round Oval. From the lake's edge you can see an urn but not a headstone or a grave site. Once a year, between July and early September, visitors are allowed to visit the shrine near the island, but no visitors are allowed to set foot on the island itself.
1999: Marguerite Chapman, American actress (The Seven Year Itch, Spy Smasher, Flight to Mars) dies at 81
2002: Lionel Hampton, American Jazz vibraphone player and actor, dies at 94
2008: Jerry Reed, American country music singer and actor (b. 1937)
2013: David Frost, British broadcaster, dies from a heart attack at 74
2017: Richard Anderson, American actor (Oscar Goldman-the 6 Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman television series), dies at 91
By Midniteinmke • Posted in Celebrity Deaths, Taphophile, Uncategorized	• Tagged Althorp, David Frost, Dennis O'Keefe, Diana Spencer, Jerry Reed, John Ford, Lionel Hampton, Marguerite Chapman, Richard Anderson
@ATTHelp I did what 35 minutes of CSR support told me to. I took my AT&T modem to a Fed-Ex store so it can be retur… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 2 months ago
I did what 35 minutes of CSR support told me to. I took my AT&T modem to a Fed-Ex store so it can be returned to yo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 2 months ago
oh yeah, it's my birthday...and @noosayoghurt remembered! Totally cool to get #noosabirthdaywishes sot.ag/bK6qC 4 months ago
@Rob_Haswell Here's what the weather looked like as I was driving to work in BD this morning. Can you define the cl… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 6 months ago
@bryanpolcyn Did you see the email I sent to Fox 6 about Tent City - the entrance of 6th St Viaduct heading south?… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 7 months ago

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE peanut butter so I thought I would do a fun peanut butter recipe roundup before the holiday's. For you chocolate and peanut butter lovers, this one's for you. You can thank me later.
Here's to some simple baking inspiration for the holiday season! If you haven't finished coming up with your Thanksgiving dessert menu, these ideas would be awesome and if they turn out why not make them again for Christmas.
How about this Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake? Yes please.
I love mug cakes. Probably because they are so simple for me to make. I don't cook lol there are so many these days that come in boxes (unhealthy ones ha) like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines and more. It's become a huge hit!
OK this is not that healthy but totally adorable. This would make a cute Fall or Thanksgiving treat.
This one needs no words! Looks like a delicious peanut butter pie. And served in this stunning Pioneer Woman stoneware pie dish would make it even better! I'm going to have to show this to our 13 year old granddaughter who LOVES to bake.
I absolutely love the sugar free Russell Stover peanut butter chocolate cups AND Justin's dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
If you're looking for an all natural peanut butter try Teddie's All Nautral. Or Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator, gluten free/vegan peanut butter. And there is always Justin's peanut butter spread. Yum!
Now I do understand that a lot of people are allergic to peanuts so here are some options for you too!
Happy National Peanut Butter Lovers Month! Now go enjoy you some peanut butter. Yum!
What is your favorite peanut butter? Do you have a delicious peanut butter recipe to share?


Are they a fracking industry funded agency or a government funded oil and gas lobby? Either way, they are helping the fracking industry write their own regulations.
Sponsorship page from recent IOGCC meeting.
The IOGCC is made up of appointees from the 30 oil and gas producing states. The Governors of these states select two or more people for IOGCC. These people are usually the top oil and gas regulator from each state.
IOGCC portrays itself as a group of state regulators trading best practices. In reality however, only one-third of IOGCC's membership are actually regulators. Another one-third are oil and gas lobbyists and executives.
These lobbyists and regulators meet at least twice a year at conferences funded by the fracking industry, where they drink and attend fancy dinners together. They also write legislation together, which the state regulators take back to their states and pass into law.
IOGCC passed the message to its state government members, who quickly answered the call. Nick Tew, the state geologist and oil and gas supervisor of the state of Alabama, promised support. Five days after CEA's request went to IOGCC, the Governor of Alabama sent a letter to BOEM with the same language, supporting offshore drilling, and naming Nick Tew as point of contact.
CEA underscored IOGCC's importance to pro-oil and gas campaigns calling IOGCC "critical" to winning its campaign to open up the Atlantic to oil drilling. The IOGCC's power is two fold, they use the title of "government agency" when commenting on federal and state regulations, while offering the oil and gas industry the opportunity to "teach" state regulators how to talk about oil and gas issues. For example, CEA provided messaging and media trainings for state regulators in a 2014 annual meeting.


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Leftwing Evangelicals: An Oxymoron?
by Susan Stamper Brown, December 4, 2017
Rick McKee / Augusta Chronicle
By Susan Stamper Brown
No one should be fooled by Democrats' sudden "concern" about women and sexual harassment.
It's nothing more than a public relations move to keep them from becoming known as the party of sexual predators.
It's too late for that.
Every time an election nears, Democrats remind us they are the champions of women.
I don't buy it for moment.If they really were, they wouldn't have ignored the sexual misconduct of their heroes like JFK and Bill Clinton.
The Democratic Party was already on the endangered list and headed for extinction, then, Harvey Weinstein happened. Do a Google image search for Democrats and Harvey Weinstein and you'll see why they opted for a fake "come to Jesus" moment.
Now they are eating their own.
No matter how guilty, Democrats never eat their own unless their own are eating away at their chances to win elections.
It's about 20 years too late hammering on Bubba, but they are doing it anyhow, as a last-ditch effort to save themselves from going the way of the dinosaur.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is hungry for some Clinton too. She says former president Willy the Weasel, who had an affinity for blue dresses and used his political positions to put young women in questionable positions, should have resigned.
Of course, Gillibrand was OK with the former Philanderer-in-Chief's support of her back when she was an infant politically.Now that she's grown up and has eyes on filling the Oval Office Clinton defiled, it's time to conjure up a whole lot of that fake concern Democrats are so good at.
Yeseree, Bob, Democrats are now also woke enough to notice what's happening with their resident jokester Senator Al Franken (D-MN).
Democrats thought Franken was awesome until a scummy picture of the Minnesota senator with journalist and model Leeann Tweeden hit the Internet.
Democrats loved that funny guy who gave them a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Yup. They had no problem overlooking that he had a verifiable history of making perverted remarks about sexually assaulting women, like the old piece in the New York Magazine where he was quoted pitching a television skit about drugging and raping CBS reporter Leslie Stahl. He also made some X-rated comments not worthy of repeating in a Playboy column that Democrats overlooked.
Now, some are calling for the clown who never should have been in office in the first place to go. It's funny how that works.
They have also turned against creepy, old, touchy-feely Uncle Joe Biden who always seems to find his hands in the wrong place when the camera clicks. Leftwing news and opinion websites like the Huffington Post and the Daily Beast are now saying Biden is "a terrible idea" for 2020.
Until recently, Democrats loved the guy, despite all those video clips and photos of him gently snuggling, rubbing and smooching on females who weren't all that into it. One can only hope former Vice President Lingering Hands was chewing on Tic Tacs the day he invaded former Defense Secretary Ash Carter's wife's personal space.
Don't believe that any of this has to do with conviction and repentance, folks. Democrats are scrapping to keep themselves from extinction.
Mark my word, they are also hoping that flapping their jaws with fake concern will be convincing enough to gain the political support they need to take down a sitting president whose own sexual misconduct allegations from decades back did not stop him from winning the White House. And don't be surprised if they offer up a female president hopeful like Gillibrand to fill that void in 2020.
Most hilarious is that Democrats have no idea that we can see right through their sidesplitting antics when they switch from complete indifference to fake moral outrage in the blink of an eye to supposedly uphold the moral high ground. Democrats don't know it, but we're woke too.
2017 Susan Stamper Brown Susan lives in Alaska and writes about culture, politics and current events. She is a regular contributor to Townhall and The Christian Post. Susan's nationally syndicated column is published in scores of newspapers and publications across the U.S.She writes about politics, culture and media and was selected as one of America's 50 Best Conservative writers for 2015 and 2016. Contact her by Facebook or at [email protected]
Susan Stamper Brown
Susan Stamper Brown is an op-ed columnist, motivational speaker, military family advocate and grief counselor who writes about politics, the military, the economy and culture.


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Supes squash bid to revive Sunday parking meters
A bid failed this week to overturn the decision to stop enforcement of parking meters on Sunday.
Jerold Chinn June 18, 2014
Transit advocates Tuesday were unsuccessful in overturning a decision by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to stop enforcement of parking meters on Sunday.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to reject a California Environmental Quality Act appeal of the SFMTA's two-year operating budget specifically targeting the decision to stop enforcement of Sunday parking meters.
Attorney James Birkelund, representing transit advocacy groups Livable City and San Francisco Transit Riders Union who filed the environmental appeal, said decision to disband Sunday parking meter enforcement is not exempt under the rates, toll, fares and charges CEQA provision.
Birkelund argued that the exemption only applied to meeting operating expenses. He said the SFMTA's board decision back to April to stop enforcement of Sunday parking meters between noon to 6 p.m. lowers the revenue for the transit agency.
The transit agency had projected to earn about $11 million per year if Sunday parking meter enforcement continued.
He also cited a study by the SFMTA last December that showed the benefits of Sunday enforcement including more parking turnover and less congestion.
Mario Tanev, a member of the transit riders union and named in the appeal, said supervisors should treat this as narrow exemption by just focusing on the Sunday parking meter enforcement decision and not on the entire SFMTA budget.
The Planning Department determined that SFMTA's board decision to bring back free parking on Sunday was part of the overall transit agency's budget.
The department and transit agency said the budget falls under the statutory exemption — which does not require projects such as the SFMTA's budget — to go through a CEQA review despite any environmental impacts.
Supervisor John Avalos, who voted in favor of the appeal, said the statutory exemption for the SFMTA was to help the transit agency to meet budget challenges, not to reduce funding:
"We're actually reducing the amount of money and preventing the MTA from meeting its operational needs, which was the exemption was built for."
Supervisor Scott Wiener said voting to approve appeal would set a very broad precedent:
"We would start to see appeals around all sorts of decisions around fees and reductions. We would probably end up with high level of CEQA review."
Wiener, who voted to reject the appeal, said supervisors should focus on the appeal and not on whether or not they agreed with the SFMTA's policy decision:
"Rejecting a correctly applied statuary exemption because one might disagree with the underlying policy decision and trying to force it into a higher level of CEQA review has profound implications not just for this issue but for the many, many other situations that MTA and other agencies deal with situations fees, fines and fares."
Supervisor Eric Mar, who joined Avalos in dissent, disagreed with Wiener's assessment and referred to Mayor Ed Lee's call to the SFMTA to get rid of Sunday parking meter enforcement back in January during his State of the City address:
"I think the precedent set by tucking a bad decision by the MTA board within their full budget without any analysis… it's a bad precedent to hide the political elephant in the room which is a mayoral decision to roll back a policy that was to protect the environment and lots of important benefits without any discussion and without a thorough review of the environmental impacts, which I think are significant."
Parking at meters in The City will become free again starting July 1.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors SFMTA sunday parking meters
Moraga school district settles sex abuse lawsuits
The Moraga School District will pay $7 million each to two women allegedly abused by a former teacher.
Kevin Weston, 1968-2014
Jesse Garnier
Man shot near Mission Dolores
A man was shot multiple times near Mission Dolores church early Wednesday morning.


Rotaract | SLO is participating in the 36th Annual Strike Out Stigma Bowl-a-Thon benefitting Transitions-Mental Health Association and such programs like SLO Hotline and Growing Grounds. These programs are in need of extra funding and that is where this Bowl-a-Thon comes into play. Please consider supporting me and ultimately mental health in our community. Thank you for your support!


Did you know that you can give to NSUMC in a variety of ways, not just through Sunday morning plate offerings, but in creative ways that allow you to use your assets in addition to income? Thanks to our Permanent Endowment fund, NSUMC members can make charitable contributions to the church in just the same way they might donate to any other charity.
With planned giving, you decide what to give and how to give it. Many planned gifts offer certain advantages to both the donor and the church. You may designate your gift to benefit a certain ministry area. A list of our designated funds include: general endowment, mission, property, and scholarships. Income from the fund provides both immediate and perpetual funding for projects above and beyond the church operational budget.
A planned gift to the endowment fund will help ensure that the ministries that have meant the most to you in your lifetime will continue in the future. You do not have to be wealthy to give. You may make gifts in memory or in honor of friends and family. Planned giving is the perfect opportunity for you to be in ministry beyond your lifetime.
It's difficult and confusing sometimes even to address the legal issues surrounding one's death, but it's important to record your intentions so that your loved ones have direction. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you can still be in ministry beyond your lifetime.
Cash: There is no easier way to support the work of your church and obtain a charitable deduction at the same time. Simply write a check made out to the church, clearly noting Legacy of Love, and your dollars will be put to work according to your wishes.
Securities: Giving long-term appreciated stocks or bonds potentially offers you a two-fold savings. You avoid capital gains on the increased value and you qualify for a tax deduction equal to the fair-market value of the security.
Retirement Plan: Avoid taxation on retirement plan assets (such as IRA or 401K) by naming your church the beneficiary.


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Patrick Singleton has been named to an influential commission within the International Olympic Committee.
The Bermuda Olympian will take over as the World Olympians Association representative on the IOC athletes' commission for an initial term running through to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo when Amadou Dia Ba, who presently holds the post, finishes his term after the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Singleton, a three-time winter Olympian, who represented the island in luge in 1998 and 2002, and in skeleton in 2006, was the sole representative for Bermuda at the Nagano, Japan, Salt Lake City and Torino Olymic Games, and was the first Bermudian to win medals in any winter event.
He also serves as the treasurer on the WOA's executive committee and credits his successful athletic career for his latest appointment.
"This is a real honour and I would just like to say a big thank you to the IOC president Thomas Bach, and the WOA president Joël Bouzou, and to all the people in Bermuda who have helped support me as an athlete over the years," Singleton said.
"Without their support to get to the World Championships, to get to the Olympic Games, to be able to compete and win medals at elite competitions I wouldn't have been able to get to where I am today in sports administration. Now it's my time to give back to athletes.
The Bahamas has been awarded the 2017 edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games, it was announced today, aiming to unite 1000 young athletes aged 14-18 in a Caribbean carnival of impactful competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships.
The 6th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place from 19-23 July 2017 in the nation's capital, Nassau and seven sports are proposed: Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics (Track and Field), Boxing, Cycling (Road), Judo, Rugby Sevens and Tennis. It will be the first time Judo has been presented at a Commonwealth Youth Games.
As part of the Federation's commitment to partner and support peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Commonwealth communities, it will be the second edition of the Youth Games to be held on a Small Island Developing State, following the hugely successful Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in September last year. It will also be the first Commonwealth Games event to be held in the Caribbean for over 50 years, with Commonwealth athletes last participating in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.
Speaking after the CGF's Executive Board meeting in Gibraltar, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: "It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation has unanimously voted to award the upcoming edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to the Bahamas.
Almost all events will be held in the same sporting precinct, the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, which includes the world-class 15,000-seat Thomas A Robinson stadium, host to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Athletics. The sporting action will also reach out to the communities and streets of the island, with the Cycling competition to be held on the streets of New Providence.
With just over 500 days to go to the Opening Ceremony, the Youth Games partners across the Bahamas plan to draw on their experiences successfully coordinating the 2014 and 2015 IAAF World Relay Championships. The island is also a former host of CHOGM (1985) and the most recent Commonwealth Education Ministers Meeting (2015).
Welcoming the announcement, Bahamas Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) Secretary General Romell K. Knowles said: "We jubilantly thank the executives and members of the Commonwealth Games Federation for the confidence placed in our country by the award of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games to The Bahamas. We also thank the CGA of St. Lucia, who first had the vision to bring the Games to the Caribbean. Additionally, The Bahamas CGA expresses enthusiastic solidarity with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in the regional Commonwealth Games Associations as we will all be hosts to our fellow athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth.


As a teacher, I love finding ready to use resources to send home with my students to help prevent the dreaded "summer slide." As a mom, I really appreciate easy ideas to keep kids busy during the summer without over reliance on a screen or my over involvement, but with cheap materials that I probably already have on hand.
Here are 30 relatively cheap and easy ideas that will engage elementary age kids in STEAM activities over the summer. Keep reading, or get this fun, free printable in your email to send home with students or to hang on your fridge.
Mix 4 cups very warm water, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and 2/3 cup liquid dish soap. Bend pipe cleaners to make bubble wands.
Search for different design ideas online. Use plastic wrap and aluminum foil to trap heat inside a box.
Use travel websites to plan a trip anywhere in the world. Create an itinerary and a budget. Where will you stay? What will you eat? What fun activities will you do? How much will the whole trip cost?
Create a table and a line graph to record and track the daily high and low temperatures for a week or the hourly temperature throughout one day.
Inside or outside, use your creativity and materials you can find to engineer a fun hideout. Can you make a roof, a door, and windows? Enjoy a snack and a book inside your fort.
Collect lots of cardboard tubes. Use painters tape to attach them to a wall in a zig-zag pattern. Release a marble into the top tub. Can you make it land in a bucket at the bottom of the marble run? Look online for lots more fun marble run ideas, like in these videos!
Learn how to make the most of the functions on your digital camera or the camera on your electronic device. Try turning the flash on or off, locking the focus, and changing the exposure. Learn about composure techniques like leading lines and the rule of thirds. Then use the camera app on your device or another online app like Snapseed or Pixlr to enhance your photos.
What's your favorite way to move? Make a chart or a graph to track activities like how many minutes you walk each day, how many pushups you can do without stopping, or how many times you visit the pool each week.
Place a new sheet of dark construction paper inside a clear plastic bag. Use another piece of paper to cut different shapes. Tape or glue those shapes to the outside of the plastic bag. Hang the bag in a very sunny window with the shapes facing outside. Leave the bag there for several days or weeks until the paper begins to fade. When you remove the paper from the bag, you should see "shadows" of the shapes.
Handwrite a letter or make a card for someone special. Write the recipient's address on an envelope and send it via "snail mail" as a special surprise.
Use recycled materials to design and make your own musical instrument. Can you make an instrument that can play at least three notes? Can you create a new percussion instrument?
Mix 1 part salt, 1 part warm water, and 2 parts flour. Add food coloring. You can harden your creations by baking them at 200° F for 1-3 hours, or until they are dry.
Invite friends or family members to compete in events like a water balloon toss, three-legged race, or obstacle course challenge. Use your measurement and math skills to keep score and crown an ultimate champion.
Build a model of a fun new water park attraction. Make a miniature model with recycled materials or a larger model to test outside.
Host a bake sale, start a lemonade stand, do some yard work, or think of another way to provide goods or services to paying customers. Keep track of your business costs, earnings, and profits!
Can you create works of are that are -made from only one material? -taller than you? -weather proof?
Look for the moon each day or night. Can you predict when you'll be able to see it and what shape it will appear? Use an app like Night Sky or Sky Map to identify planets and stars. Summer is a great time to see meteors and comets!
Go to scratch.mit.edu to program your own game.
If you've earned some money, how will you spend it? When you make a purchase, can you calculate how much change you'll receive?
Adapt a favorite story, or write your own plot. Make fancy costumes, scenery, and props, or keep things simple. Perform for a live audience, or produce a video recording.
Track your movements and plan your route around town, at an amusement park, or on a long trip. Can you determine how far you've traveled?
Stand outside in a large, sunny spot in the morning. Use chalk or stones to mark your standing spot and your shadow. Stand in the same spot and mark your shadow several times throughout the day.
Fill an entire piece of paper with colorful shapes using crayons. Then color over your entire design with a black crayon. Press hard! Finally, use the end of a popsicle stick to scratch off some of the black. You can create beautiful pictures or abstract designs.
Does "best" mean farthest distance, longest flight time, or something else? Look up several patterns for paper airplanes, or create your own. Set up a fair experiment to see which design flies best.
Plant seeds in small cups to keep on a window sill, or care for plants in pots or in the ground outside. Keep a journal of observations about your plant.
Put your measurement and fractions skills to use in the kitchen!
Visit your local library to check out some books. Enjoy reading your favorites, but also try something new, like historical fiction or graphic novels. Ask a librarian to recommend something you'd like!
Explore a new place in your community or visit a new park. Look for places where humans have impacted the environment in both positive and negative ways. Is there anything you can do to take care of nature?
Choose a hiding place for a special treasure. Make a map and write some riddle clues that lead to your treasure. Can a friend or family member find it?
Ask a friend or neighbor to teach you to count to 10 in a different language, or look up the words online. Practice anytime you count or add.
Click here to have a free printable and an editable version delivered to your email now!
You might also like to follow my store on TpT for more STEAM ideas, like this Weekly Summer STEAM Tic-Tac-Toe pack!
I'd love to hear in the comments below if you use any ideas from this bucket list! Happy summer!
I am (in some particular order): wife to S, mom to three-year-old W, dog mom to the ever adventurous and trouble seeking Indy (our last name is Jones...), lover of coffee, chocolate, and red wine, wannabe hobbyist photographer and yogi, and 5th grade teacher turned work-while-I-stay-at-home-mom.
There are some amazing deals on TpT today! Search #sbdollardeal for $1 steals and #halfpriceuntilhalftime for 50% off some bigger products. Swipe to see what I've got on sale!
This is what happens when I have way too many thoughts swarming around inside my brain! Oops!


Edna "Lorraine" Jungers, 88, of Stewartville, died on Monday, April 8, 2019, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 19, 1930, to Lawrence and Cecelia (Reinert) Waddell in Mott, N.D.
She and her family moved 35 times before she graduated from St. Marys in New England, N.D., at the age of 16.
After graduation, she earned her certificate and began teaching at Cherry Butte country school.
She married Luke P. Jungers on July 10, 1950, in Regent, N.D. The couple resided in North Dakota until moving their family to Stewartville in 1966.
Arnold Edward Severson, 90, of rural Hayfield, died on Friday, April 12, 2019, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 1, 1929, in rural Byron to Edward and Alma (Jensen) Severson.
He was baptized and confirmed at Evanger Lutheran Church in Sargeant.
On Sept. 7, 1951, he married Doris Witzel.
Gerald "Jerry" Leon Steinkamp, 62, of Grand Meadow, died unexpectedly on Monday morning, April 8, 2019, at his home.
He was born on Aug. 8, 1956, in Carroll, Iowa, to Leon and Dorothy (Klocke) Steinkamp. He was the oldest of eight children, growing up on his family farm near Grand Meadow.
He had a playful nature and loved to joke and laugh with everyone who knew him. He grew up playing football and basketball, was an avid bow hunter and loved fishing in any season. He was a devoted husband, loving father, affectionate grandfather and dedicated friend.
Gayle Richard Erickson, 82, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at his home in Rochester.
He was born to Arnold and Marcella "Sally" (Means) Erickson in Spring Valley on March 7, 1937.
His youth was spent in Spring Valley and he graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1955.
He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958 as a medical specialist stationed at the military hospital in Chinon, France. Rather than coming stateside for leaves, he traveled through Europe beginning his love of travel.
William "Bill" Charles Bicknese, 90, of Wykoff, died on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Ostrander Care and Rehab Center.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1928, the son of William Henry and Hollis (Silker) Bicknese at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was a 1946 graduate of Pillsbury Military Academy in Faribault, Minn.
On Dec. 6, 1946, he married the love of his life, Constance "Connie" Mosher in Winona.
He went on to attend Winona State University from 1946 to 1948 earning a degree in business.


text:
Number screened for Hepatitis C up to 9.8mn: minister
Al-Masry Al-Youm
Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed announced on Friday that 9.8 million Egyptians have been screened within the second stage of the "100 million healthy lives" presidential initiative against the Hepatitis C virus and other noncommunicable diseases.
Zayed added that the total number of screened persons reached 22.7 million until December 27, clarifying that the ministry would treat all patients at no charge.
Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed revealed that the ministry has screened 505,049 students in the secondary stage since October 2018.
Alexandria governorate ranked first after the number of screened students reached 110,226, followed by 103,453 persons in Beheira, 81,638 persons in Asyut, and 80,252 persons in Qalyubia.
The survey on secondary school students began on December 1, 2018, and ends with the end of the third phase of the initiative in April 2019, Megahed said.
The "Tahya Masr" (Long Live Egypt) Fund claimed in an August statement that the Hepatitis C virus in Egypt would be completely eradicated by 2020 through one of the largest medical examinations in human history.
It added that 45 million people will be screened in collaboration with the United Nations's World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the disease and tackle the country's list of endemic diseases.
Egypt has the highest rate of Hepatitis C in the world, first surfacing in the 1950s due to unsterilized injections. The highly-infectious blood-borne virus kills an estimated 40,000 Egyptians a year, and at least 1 in 10 of the population aged 15-59 are infected, according to the WHO.
In February, Barcelona player Lionel Messi praised the success of Egypt's program to treat the hepatitis C virus.
"Having cured more than one million patients, Egypt is leading the world in the fight against hepatitis C," Messi said in a Spanish and English post on his Facebook page, which is followed by 90 million people around the world.
"Finally there is an effective and affordable cure, what are you waiting for to join us to eradicate the disease?" Messi said.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Tags "Tahya Masr" 100 million healthy lives" Egyptian Health Minister Health Ministry Spokesman Khaled Megahed Hepatitis C virus
6.5 million Egyptians screened for Hep C, in stage 2 of campaign: Minister
15.5 million Egyptians screened for Hepatitis C: Health Minister
Egypt's Health Minister announces 14.2 million citizens screened in Hepatitis C initiative


Above: "Classic" playing cards designed by Paul Mathison and printed by Heraclio Fournier S.A., 1959 & 1970. The four aces (shown above) incorporate both French and Spanish suit symbols. 52 cards + 2 jokers + leaflet in box. This is the second edition of 1970. The four of clubs has the black exportation tax stamp used after 1964.


Since the dawn of mankind, animals have been deeply significant to humans. This is evident in the ancient relics that have been left behind, such as paintings, totem poles and sculptures.
Our ancient predecessors held belief systems that used animals to symbolize their gods, or they believed that a god could appear in the form of an animal. Each of these animal gods had different religious and spiritual meanings, and each one was worshipped for different purposes.
Animal worship was prevalent in Ancient Egypt dating back to the pre-dynasty times (before 3100 B.C.). The Egyptian pantheon included cats (Batset), jackals (Anubis), crocodiles (Sebek), bird (Horus), and several others. Egyptians even buried carefully wrapped remains of dogs, cows and sheep along with humans in their graves to serve the dead in the after-life.
Animals also had spiritual significance in the shamanic belief systems of old tribal sects. This reverence stems from Animism, a belief that all natural things such as animals, plants, thunder and rocks have an effect on human conditions. Animals were seen as a source of wisdom and guidance, and they symbolized traits, qualities and strengths that they could aspire to.
The Native Americans, who viewed themselves as caretakers of Mother Earth, saw kindred spirits in all animals, and respected them as equals in rights to humans. Although animals were hunted for food, the hunted would first ask the permission of the animal spirit before killing it. They believed that all living things are connected and each has a spirit, none lesser than others.
Our attitude towards our fellow earthlings has drastically shifted since then because of how we've separated ourselves from the natural world. We now sit in offices and homes that are fenced away from wildlife and natural beauty. Our collective culture view animals as inferior to humans and as wild, uncivilized creatures that need to be tamed, controlled and contained.
This disconnect has perpetuated careless, selfish and unkind acts towards the animal kingdom. Corporate greed and hidden political agendas now hinder any attempts made to maintain the balance that exists on our planet, even though scientists and environmentalists have solid proof that our policies and ignorance are having a seriously damaging impact on the environment.
Polar bears are losing their homes because the ice caps in Arctic regions are rapidly melting due to global warming. Forest animals have no place to live as trees are being cleared for human activities such as farming and building real estate. Oceans are getting polluted with toxic waste that's killing marine life. Poaching and hunting has caused the extinction of numerous species.
What we fail to realize is that we are all part of a collective energy field and any harm done to the planet and the creatures that live on the planet in turn will affect us. We need to hold ourselves accountable and re-establish our connection to animals by educating ourselves about various species and engaging in eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
For most of us, the only animals that we're exposed to are the ones that we keep in our homes, such as dogs, cats, birds, and perhaps some rodents and reptiles. Even having these domesticated pets is a heart-opening experience that's therapeutic for us, because of the loyalty, companionship, gratitude and unconditional love that they show us.
If we're willing to go beyond our boundaries and reach out to other animals, imagine what else we could experience? There are approx 8.7 million creatures in world, with 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans! The world is filled with awe-inspiring bio-diversity of creatures with various shapes, colors and sizes waiting to be explored and celebrated.
You can get better acquainted with animals by visiting zoos and animal sanctuaries or finding volunteer opportunities in places like animal shelters or rescue facilities. You can also widen your horizons by watching documentaries on channels such National Geographic or The Discovery Channel, or reading any material that will educate you about the natural world.
The objective is for you to acknowledge that animals are inherently valuable and deserve our respect just as other humans do. When you open yourself up to their splendor, you'll find deeper meaning behind the archetypes that each of them represent. You'll have access to a unique form of wisdom that you would not be able to acquire from human beings.
2. Listen to your instincts: Humans are incredibly intelligent because of their ability to engage in rational thought processes and self-reflection. However, our analytical mind can go into overdrive and get in the way of us accessing our deeper intelligence. Animals don't have to deal with this mental chatter and are therefore highly attuned to their instincts, which they rely on for their survival. If we can learn to trust our instincts and remain alert and attentive to signs and messages about the events, people and circumstances around us, we will open ourselves up to a world of opportunities. When you avoid over-rationalizing and you follow your intuition, you'll be able to make choices that are based on love and wisdom.
3. Be one with nature: One of my favorite Disney songs is Circle of Life from the movie The Lion King. It's a poignant piece that reminds us of how we're all connected through the common collective experiences of life and death on planet Earth and the need for us to co-exist in harmony to maintain the delicate balance that exists amongst all creatures on the planet. Animals adapt to their environment by learning to live within the limitations of their natural surroundings. Most humans are not in touch with nature and aren't conscious of the impact of their behaviors on the environment. We need to reconnect with nature so we can preserve it.
4. Stay present and savor the moment: Unlike humans, animals don't get stuck in the past and don't worry about the future. They have a natural ability to live in the now and savor the moment. The fast and hectic pace of our lives tend to distract us with thoughts about our to-do lists, places to be, people to meet while simultaneously harboring past hurts, emotional encounters and regrets. Let's get inspired by the eagle that's perched on top of a hill, taking in majestic vistas, or our pet dogs and cats' blissful expressions as they stretch and take naps, or a horse's magnificence as it gallops through forests. Slow down and step away from the craziness of your daily routines to rest and give yourself the space to be present.
5. Be self-sufficient: An instinctual awareness of its needs drives an animal to do whatever it needs to do to sustain itself. Sometimes they get help from each other, as in the case of wolves and lions that tend to go hunting in packs, yet most of them tend to rely on their own abilities to feed, defend and take care of their young ones. Bears and squirrels, for instance, prepare for long, harsh winters by gathering food when the weather is warmer and then storing it. Most animals quickly teach their young ones the survival skills they need to exist in the world within a short span of time. Now this doesn't mean that we should isolate ourselves and refuse help or assistance from others, but we should take responsibility for meeting our own needs by engaging in regular acts of self-care. This will prevent us becoming over dependent and needy.
The next time you find yourself in nature, pause and take a good look around you. Look at the first creature that you see and ask yourself, "What could life possibly be like for this creature? What can this animal teach me about being a better person now?" You can be sure that the animal will have a personalized message that's relevant and meaningful for your life's journey.
Question for you: What other pearls of wisdom do you think animals can teach us? How do you take inspiration from it?
Hey Seline! i have always loved nature and I think it is interesting the balance that exists between extremes. Good and bad, happy and sad, life and death-it all comes in cycles and is balanced out.
I think that is one of the best lessons we can learn from nature- to be adaptive and to not resist change when it comes our way.
I've always felt a stronger connection to animals than I do to people. I will say hi to every dog and cat I see but will avoid eye contact with any person I walk by! LOL, I just don't trust people, I've been stabbed in the back too many times but I have never been hurt by an animal.
Maybe I am odd, but there has to be someone out there that feels the same right? I know you do.


Meet Maki Honda, Operations Manager for World Campus – Japan 2015 Program!
My name is Maki Honda from Japan and I am the Operations Manager of World Campus International.
I met the World Campus – Japan program when I was a university student in my hometown, Kumamoto, and I never expected it would change my whole life! Started as one of the host families, worked as a staff of the Local Organizing Committee, then after a couple of times of traveling as one of the program counselors, I decided to get involved in World Campus International in a long term.
And also I currently work at a university in Kumamoto city as an advisor of English study. I'm so happy that I've got this wonderful opportunity to share my experiences which I've gained in such a unique environment.
I always enjoy meeting new people and learning new cultures by traveling and working with the international group of people. Even though I was born and raised in Japan, traveling with the World Campus – Japan program allowed me to rediscover so many things about my own country and it has given me great opportunities to learn about the world. I am so proud to have those valuable experiences which not many people could experience.
This summer, I'll be traveling with you and working for all the logistics and the translation/interpretation needs. I can't wait to meet you all and have amazing adventures together!
Japan is ready to welcome you!! See you soon!
Previous PostMeet Nicole Tolman, Program Counselor for World Campus – Japan 2015 Program!Next PostMeet Espen Auseth Nielsen, Program Counselor for World Campus – Japan 2015 Program!


Gumball Machine Warehouse just added two new items to the 2" Toy Capsules section. The first of the items are "Dinosaur Skeletons in 2" Toy Capsules" . They are an assortment of different dinosaur skeletons and come 250 per box.
The second of the items are "Sticky Tongue Slapperz" . They are bright colored frogs with a long sticky tongue to catch things with and come 250 per box.
These 2" Toys can be used in our large Toy Vending Machines . If you have a smaller machine and would like to vend the smaller capsules, head over to our 1" Toy Capsules page.


In July, nominal retail sales grew 10.2% year-on-year, which was below the 10.6% increase tallied in June and in line with market expectations. July's print was the result of softer sales for automobiles, food and beverages, as well as for household appliances. Prices for oil and related products continued to fall in July, mainly reflecting lower gasoline prices.
Compared to the previous month, retail sales expanded a seasonally-adjusted 0.75% in July (June: +0.91% month-on-month). As a result of July's healthy print, annual average growth in retail sales remained stable at the previous month's 10.6%.
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast participants expect retail sales to increase 10.5% in 2016, which is unchanged from last month's estimate. In 2017, the panel foresees retail sales expanding 10.4%.


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Ryan Weiner
2020 March Sadness Bracket
Well, March Madness has been cancelled due to COVID-19; and as much as we hoped to see it happen, it was the best decision in order to keep student athletes, coaches, and fans safe. However, I can't let the cancellation of March Madness stop me from creating a bracket, as that would be a sin to not at least make a hypothetical. So, without further a do, here is Let's Talk Sports' 2020 March Sadness bracket. Note: The team winning each matchup is bolded.
Pictures from previous March Madnesses: Left- Mo Wagner celebrates with teammate D.J. Wilson during a career high, 26 point game against Louisville in 2017. Center- Marvin Bagley dunks while on a fast break vs Rhode Island in 2018. Right- Jalen Smith dunks over Dylan Windler during a comeback win in 2019.
First Four:
11. UCLA vs 11. Texas, 12. NC St. vs 12. Richmond
16. Robert Morris vs 16. Boston University, 16. Siena vs 16. NC Central
In the higher seeded games of the first four, we see Mick Cronin's Bruins take down Shaka Smart's Longhorns in an underrated matchup that would've been worth watching. Despite the game being close, it was really just catch-up for Texas, as UCLA jumps out to a quick lead and never lets it up. Also, the Spiders and the Wolfpack face off in a grudge match. But in the end, Blake Francis hits the game winning shot with just a few seconds left to send Richmond to the next round. In the next game, we see the Colonials from Robert Morris beat Boston's Terriers in a game that feels over by the end of the first half. In the second half, the Terriers try to mount a comeback, but never come within nine of the Colonials. In similar fashion, NC Central takes down Siena with ease behind Jibri Blount's 27 points and 12 assists.
1. Gonzaga vs 16. North Dakota St., 8. Arizona vs 9. Florida
4. Oregon vs 13. Bradley, 5. Auburn vs 12. Stephen F. Austin
2. San Diego St. vs 15. Little Rock, 7. Illinois vs 10. Texas Tech
3. Maryland vs 14. UC Irvine, 6. West Virginia vs 11. UCLA
Gonzaga wastes no time in dispatching North Dakota St., and they win by a solid 26 points. Looks like there's not going to be any 1 vs 16 upsets this year. However, we technically get our first upset when the Florida Gators "upset" the Arizona Wildcats. This is largely due to a great game by Kerry Blackshear Jr., and the ejection or Arizona coach Sean Miller. Unfortunately, there are no upsets in the next two games as Oregon and Auburn roll over Bradley and Stephen F. Austin, respectively. For Oregon, Wooden award nominee Payton Pritchard lives up to his nomination and scores almost 30 points. But, despite pulling upsets off earlier in the season, Kevon Harris and company can't pull it off against Auburn. As predicted, San Diego St. keeps their impeccable season alive against. Little Rock, while seven seed Illinois beats the reigning runner-up Red Raiders (like the alliteration?) behind strong performances from Ayo Dosumnu and Kofi Cockburn. For the final games in the West, three seed Maryland overcomes a bad start, which has been a commonality for their season, in order to beat the Anteaters of UC Irvine. Also, the UCLA Bruins win their second game of the tournament over a West Virginia team that ended the season on a rough string of losses.
1. Gonzaga vs 9. Florida, 4. Oregon vs 5. Auburn
2. San Diego St. vs 7. Illinois, 3. Maryland vs 11. UCLA
In the second round in the West, top seeded Gonzaga defeats another opponent, this time the Gators from Gainesville. Gonzaga will next face Auburn, who ended the college career of Payton Pritchard, and the season of the Oregon Ducks with a strong eight point win. On the other side, the first two seed falls as the Fighting Illini fight hard enough to beat the Aztecs of San Diego St., despite 26 points from Malachi Flynn. The Illini now have to play Mark Turgeon's Terrapins, after they win a tight game over UCLA. Jalen Smith finished the game with his second double-double of the tournament, while Anthony Cowan put up 18 points against the Bruins.
1. Gonzaga vs 5. Auburn, 7. Illinois vs 3. Maryland
In the Sweet 16, Killian Tillie leads the Zags to the next round with a double double as Gonzaga beats Auburn 83-76. They will face Maryland, who beats conference opponent Illinois by five. Aaron Wiggins comes up big this time for the Terps, having 16 points off the bench and hitting five three pointers.
1. Gonzaga vs 3. Maryland
In the final round before Atlanta, it is the battle of the Marks. One, a well respected coach of a blue blood program. The other, a coach who finally let, "a 1000 pound gorilla off [his] back," by narrowly winning the Big Ten regular season. And, in the end Mark Few and Gonzaga advance to the Final Four after beating the Terrapins 72-63.
South:
1. Baylor vs 16. Robert Morris, 8. Providence vs 9. USC
4. Louisville vs 13. Akron, 5. Ohio St. vs 12. Yale
2. Florida St. vs 15. Northern Kentucky, 7. Colorado vs 10. Rutgers
3. Seton Hall vs 14. Hofstra, 6. Iowa vs 11. Arizona St.
In the first round of the South we don't see many upsets, with the exception of 12 seed Yale defeating Kaleb Wesson and the Ohio St. Buckeyes. But, stars like Myles Powell, Jordan Nwora, and Luka Garza, and their teams (Seton Hall, Louisville, and Iowa respectively) advance after wins by at least 10 points. While some may count USC topping Providence as one, an eight vs nine "upset" is quite common. Florida St. actually struggled to pull off the first round win over the Northern Kentucky Norse, but Leonard Williams's Seminoles pull off a two point win in dramatic fashion, as Tyler Sharpe's last second shot barrels off the front of the rim.
1. Baylor vs 9. USC, 4. Louisville vs 12. Yale
2. Florida St. vs 7. Colorado, 3. Seton Hall vs 6. Iowa
While the first round went pretty chalk down South, the second round is quite different. For starters, Myles Powell's senior year comes to an end when Big 10 player of the year Luka Garza and the Iowa Hawkeyes win by a whopping 16 points. Then, Yale defeats Louisville 82-78 behind a 24 point effort from Paul Atkinson. However, the two favorites, Baylor and Florida St., stay alive. Baylor's win against USC comes with ease as the Bears only fall behind for the first few minutes of the game. But for Florida St., a win over the Colorado Buffaloes requires a comeback effort and a ten points in the last two minutes from star Devin Vassell.
1. Baylor vs 12. Yale, 2. Florida St. vs 6. Iowa
In the Sweet 16, the Cinderella story of the Ivy League champs comes to an end as the top seeded Baylor Bears advance on to the Elite Eight. The same can be said for Iowa, as they drop a close game to Florida St, despite 18 points from bench star Ryan Kriener.
1. Baylor vs 2. Florida St.
In the Elite Eight game, the two top teams in the region face off in a gritty game. Baylor's defense allows them to form a six point lead at the half. But, it doesn't hold for the full forty minutes, and allows for a comeback effort. In the end, the small lapse of defense is enough for the Seminoles to overcome Baylor and end the Bears' remarkable season.
1. Dayton vs 16. Prairie View A&M, 8. Marquette vs 9. Utah St.
4. Michigan St. vs 13. New Mexico St., 5. Butler vs 12. Richmond
2. Villanova vs 15. Eastern Washington, 7. Michigan vs 10. Oklahoma
3. Duke vs 14. North Texas, 6. Penn St. vs 11. East Tennessee St.
In the East, top seeded Dayton rolls past Prairie View A&M as sophomore Obi Toppin drops 35 points on the Panthers. The Flyers will face off against Sam Merrill and the Utah St. Aggies after they end Markus Howard's career along with Marquette's season. In a turn of events, another senior's season is over after Jabari Rice's game winning floater over Cassius Winston sends the other Aggies, the ones from New Mexico, into the next round. Likewise, the A-10 goes 2-0 in the East as 12 seed Richmond pulls off the upset over Butler behind double doubles from Grant Golden and Nick Sherod. Villanova avoids being upset as they power past a weak Eastern Washington team. Michigan overcomes an eight point deficit in the first half to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 71-65. Despite upsets to the four and five seeds, Duke is able to survive due to 20+ point performances by Matthew Hurt and Vernon Carey Jr., and a poor defensive effort by the Mean Green of North Texas. Lastly, the Buccaneers from East Tennessee defeat Penn St. despite a 28 point performance from Lamar Stevens and a double double from Mike Watkins.
1. Dayton vs 9. Utah St., 13. New Mexico St. vs 12. Richmond
2. Villanova vs 7. Michigan, 3. Duke vs 11. East Tennessee St.
In another upset from the East, Sam Merrill and the Aggies pull off another upset as they defeat Obi Toppin and the Dayton Flyers despite a 28-5-12 performance from the future top five pick. In the Cinderella game, as I'll call it, between Richmond and New Mexico St., the Spiders advance yet again after a 76-71 win. Next, in a rematch of the 2018 National Championship game, we see the same result, as the higher seeded Villanova Wildcats defeat the Michigan Wolverines. While the margin of victory isn't as large as the 17 point win the Wildcats had two years ago, it is enough for Jay Wright's team to advance to the Sweet 16. Lastly, after a few years of staying safe, Duke is finally upset as the Pirates' Cinderella run carries on, largely due to Tray Boyd III's scoring tear.
9. Utah St. vs 12. Richmond, 2. Villanova vs 11. East Tennessee St.
Although they were able to beat one off the Aggies, Richmond falls to the Aggies of Utah St. in a close 68-66 game. Sam Merrill is now looking like a possible Final Four/Tournament MVP candidate. Utah St. will face the Wildcats of Villanova after they defeat Cinderella East Tennessee St. by a whopping 18 points.
9. Utah St. vs 2. Villanova
In a pivotal match to decide who advances to the Final Four, the Aggies show up strong again. This time however, the hero is Justin Bean, who put up a solid 21 point performance that included a shot with 4.2 seconds left to put the Aggies up by three. Is should be noted however that Villanova's Saddiq Bey had 29 points in the loss.
1. Kansas vs 16. North Carolina Central, 8. Houston vs 9. LSU
4. Wisconsin vs 13. Vermont, 5. BYU vs 12. Liberty
2. Creighton vs 15. Winthrop, 7. St. Mary's vs 10. Indiana
3. Kentucky vs 14. Belmont, 6. Virginia vs 11. Cincinnati
The First Round of the Midwest goes largely chalk, as there's only one upset. To start, the Kansas Jayhawks plow through NC Central, ending their hopes of a UMBC esc win. Houston takes care of business... barely. Down by two with three seconds left, Quentin Grimes nets a three to top the Tigers. Oh well, at least they have football. The same can be said for Wisconsin, as they get upset by Vermont, who is lead by an 18 point game from Everett Duncan. The Catamount's next game will be against BYU, who defeats the Liberty Flames handily behind a strong game from Yoeli Childs. On the other side, Creighton takes care of Liberty despite losing for the majority of the game. St. Mary's plays a similar game, as Rob Phinisee and the Indiana Hoosiers hold the lead for most of the game over them until a 13-2 run at the end saves the Gaels. The last matchup in the round of 32 is Kentucky vs Virginia, which happens after both teams win solidly over their opponents. For Kentucky, they took the lead 2-0 and never looked back. For Virginia, they face some resistance from Jarron Cumberland and co., but in the end the Bearcats can't overcome the strong Virginia defense.
1. Kansas vs 8. Houston, 13. Vermont vs 5. BYU
2. Creighton vs 7. St. Mary's, 3. Kentucky vs 6. Virginia
The Jayhawks continue to look like championship contenders after they destroy Houston by 18 behind a 23 point game by Devon Dotson. The Jayhawks will play BYU, after they shut down Anthony Lamb and Vermont. On the other side of the region, Creighton takes care of business in a nine point win against St. Mary's to move on to the Sweet 16. They'll matchup with the reigning champion Virginia Cavaliers after they upset John Calipari's Wildcats.
1. Kansas vs 5. BYU, 2. Creighton vs 6. Virginia
Rock Chalk Cougars? Well that may not fit, but a BYU win fits right in as they take down Kansas 81-75 in overtime. Despite Udoka Azubuike's 18 point double double, Yoeli Childs still tops him in the paint with 21 points and 14 rebounds. BYU will face Virginia in an intriguing 5 vs 6 matchup after Virginia's defense does the trick to defeat 2 seed Creighton. Virginia held the Bluejays to just 20 points in the first half, and despite a small slip in the second half, the Cavaliers were able to win by eight.
5. BYU vs 6. Virginia
The Virginia Cavaliers are victorious again as they defeat BYU handily. Mamadi Diakite puts up a 15-15 double double and Braxton Key scores 18 in a classic Tony Bennett low tempo game.
Final Four:
1. Gonzaga vs 2. Florida St., 9. Utah St. vs 6. Virginia
In Atlanta, Final Four gets up and heated. In the first game, Filip Petrusev propels Gonzaga into the lead at the half with 14 points in that span. But the Seminoles aren't done yet, as they launch a 14-3 run to start the second half that puts them at a six point advantage with four minutes to go. Gonzaga doesn't give up however, and they slowly chip away in those four minutes until they're only down one points with 15 seconds left. Then, guard Ryan Woolridge puts up a shot just outside the paint after driving coast to coast. The shot goes around the rim once, twice, thrice, and then sinks in to give Gonzaga the lead. The win becomes secure when a last second heave from Devin Vassell goes short of the basket. In the other game, Virginia takes control early of the game and has a ten point lead at the half over the Aggies. But, the determined Aggies refuse to fall and narrow the lead to two with just over seven minutes to play. However, Braxton Key goes on a scoring tear in the last minutes of the game to take Virginia back to the NCAA Championship for the second year in a row.
National Championship:
1. Gonzaga vs 6. Virginia
In the final game of the season, the top seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs, headed by Coach Mark Few face off with Tony Bennett's Virginia Cavaliers in a matchup that features several future NBA Draft prospects. While Virginia's defense was enough to get them to this game, it is not enough to contain the Zags, and Virginia is in a 12 point deficit by the end of the first half. Although the cut the lead multiple times, the Cavaliers never cut Gonzaga's lead within 9. In the end, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are your 2020 National Champions.
How to Beat the Blue-Chip Rule: The Story of TCU Football's Incredible 2022-23 Run
New Year's Let's Talk Sports Bracketology 1/3/23:
Ronaldo's Downfall, Korea's Starpower and an ageless Croatia: What to watch from Groups E-H at Qatar
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Education is a means of forming human civilization, if we are able to manage it well, we will be able to prepare fair and conscious Muslims, Insha Allah to be righteous Khalifahs in this world.
In so doing, education is aimed at building well rounded individuals to carry the Amanah with the hope they'll be able to safeguard the world from destructions.
to compete and be admitted to International and National Institutions to further their educations with excellence.
Such graduates can only be produced when all the learning elements (input, process, and output) are integrated on an ongoing intellectual basis. The founders are positive, through putting Al-Qur'aan and Hadiths as the core of the students' lives, and their source of knowledge and skills to be combined with the Islamic Teaching System, Insha Allah, a genuine Insan Rahmatan lil'alamin can be erected.


Former Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak, has filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board chairperson, Tavengwa Mukuhlani. Mukuhlani allegedly threw 'slanderous statements' directed at Streak.
According to Streak's lawyer Gerald Mlotshwa, the board chairperson's intention was to "deliberately tarnish the plaintiff's reputation".
Mukuhlani said in his defence, "Streak was the coach and selector, he was entitled to change the team as he found fit but the question is: why did he change the team in the manner that he did?
Heath Streak had been sacked as the head coach after Zimbabwe failed to reach the 2019 World Cup. He furiously denied charges of racism and went ahead with the lawsuit.
"The defendant knew fully well or ought to have known at the time he uttered the words that his words were baseless. His words were malicious and deliberately intended to tarnish the plaintiff's reputation," said Streak's lawyer.
"Further, the defendant deliberately and maliciously failed to verify the accuracy and truthfulness of his wrongful and malicious utterances before dishing such words to journalists for the attention of the general public.
". . . . as a result the defendant's defamatory utterances and resultant publication thereof, the plaintiff's standing as a professional cricketer and a patriot has been diminished and soiled and soiled locally, regionally and internationally. His chances of getting employed elsewhere as a coach have been thwarted.
"By reason of the defamatory words, the plaintiff has suffered damage to his name and reputation and in all has suffered damages in the combined amount of USD 10,00,000," He noted.
In the aftermath of Streak's dismissal as well as the entire management team, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have begun to look for a new coach.


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Educational Administration
K-12 Leadership
Educational Administration (MED)
About EDAD
Professional Education Advisory Boards
The Seattle University EDAD program brings a unique theory of action toward preparing educational leaders for districts, schools and not-for-profits. Our graduates serve as thought leaders for organizations across the region that fight for educational justice, institutionalize cultures of learning and innovate in the service of educating each and every child.
Toward that end, our exceptional faculty bring a wide range of academic and applied experiences to the program. They are former and practicing building and district leaders nationally recognized for their work in guiding, improving and turning around schools and educational organizations.
Who Our Program Is For
Future K-12 administrators and organizational leaders who are passionate about the importance and impact of education in our communities, and who see themselves as transformative in leading schools and organizations that make a difference in the lives of each student they serve.
Program Design & Duration
Designed as a part-time program specifically for working professionals
Weekend and summer courses
Program can be completed in just four or five quarters
Built around inclusive and collaborative cohorts
Tuition for EDAD programs is highly competitive with our peer programs in the region. Learn more here.
Program Focus
A foundation of equity and social justice
Theories of action, leadership and change
Personalized internships and problems of practice
Community engagement and service
Instructional leadership and data fluency
Application Deadlines and Requirements
Students enter the EDAD programs with at least three years of professional experience. Applicants for the post-masters Principal's certification must hold or have held a regular teaching, ESA, or CTE certificate, and must have three years of successful school-based instructional experience in an educational setting
The priority deadline for Spring Quarter is December 15, 2022.
The priority deadline for Summer Quarter is February 1, 2023.
The deadline for international students is December 1, 2022.
Learn more about deadlines here.
Admissions Requirements:
Bachelor's degree and/or master's degree for post-master certification applicants from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Calculated from the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor's degree and any post-baccalaureate course work.
Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA and/or a degree from non-graded bachelor's programs will be evaluated and considered for probationary admission. Applicants will be required to submit an additional academic writing sample.
Official academic transcripts (sent directly from all prior schools attended)
Statement of Purpose (500 words or less)
Recorded video submission
Educational Administration (K-12 Leadership)
edadmin@seattleu.edu


Is there any chance everspace will run on intergrated graphics (Intel HD graphics 530)? Im still waiting for my video card (gtx1070) to arrive and that might take another week and the game got early released today (and Im really hyped).
I don't think you're going to have any problems with epic settings even before your gtx1070 arrives; nice specs dude.
I used it on a Console PC I built with an AMD A10 and R7 Integrated Graphics and it worked fine.


F&T electrolytic capacitors are designed for use in tube amplifiers and hi-fi applications. They are more compact than Sprague Atoms and other vintage capacitors, and are a great choice for repairs or new construction. They are the same 1 3/8" diameter as the original LCR dual section can capacitors used in vintage amplifiers. Made in Germany.


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Our 2018 Poetry Competition
Home	/ Press / Our 2018 Poetry Competition
03 October 2018 by SecuriCare_Team
Earlier this year we launched our poetry competition in celebration of National Poetry Day. Every so often we receive a poem from a happy customer so we thought this would be the ideal opportunity to invite all SecuriCare service users and CliniMed customers to show off their creative writing skills, whilst also raising awareness for the ostomate community. The theme was 'change' and we suggested that poems could relate to anything from how surgery has changed your life, to how a particular product has changed your routine.
We were not disappointed! The competition ran over a 5 week period and we received 20 entries from a diverse group of people. Every entry was a high-quality piece of poetry and we have no idea how our guest judge, Rachel Piercey, managed to pick her winners!
Rachel is a London-based poet who writes for children. She's the editor of the Emma Press and winner of the 2016 Michael Marks Publisher Award. Rachel also has family ties to the owners of CliniMed and SecuriCare, and used to work for CliniMed, so she was familiar with the competition's audience and theme. All poems were submitted to her anonymously and she spent a week carefully reading through, before letting us know who had won.
1st place went to Rakhee Patel and her poem, Technicolour. Rakhee is from Loughborough and regularly writes about ostomate life and raising awareness. We contacted Rakhee to let her know she'd won and she thought it was great news, "It's lovely to know the poem was heard and appreciated" she said. Rakhee won a poetry book bundle and a £30 Waterstones voucher, which she can't wait to spend!
2nd place was awarded to Gabi MacEwan and her poem, Something Inside. Gabi is from Teignmouth and was very pleased to hear she'd won a prize of £20 Waterstones vouchers and a poetry book, "I love books and have some long hospital visits to get through so it's made me very happy."
3rd place went to Nick Axtell and his poem, That's My Bag. Nick is from Wirral and was our most surprised winner. He told us, "Coming third is a complete shock, especially when up against 19 other people. I'm a Poet and I didn't know it. It's nice to reinforce to myself that I should always try something new or different, sometimes I shock even myself."
When first considering writing poetry Nick had thought, "Nope, not for me." However, he soon had a change of heart, "I would find myself laid in bed thinking of how I could do it… drawing inspirations and ideas from musical influences, and things that inspire me. The trouble was that when I woke up all those ideas had gone. It was 3 weeks before I put finger to keyboard, typing down random phrases and experiences that the poem came into being."
If you'd considered entering the competition but didn't feel confident enough, perhaps you can take some inspiration from our winners and give it a shot next time – we loved reading everyone's work and we really appreciate the time and energy that was given.
As we were so impressed with the entries we received, we've decided to publish every single one of them in a booklet that will be available on our website later in the year. These poems deserve to be heard! Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you can keep up to date with the anthology's progress, and be the first to hear about any new competitions we launch next year.
Team Colostomy UK - The Start Of Something Special!


I'm an amateur photographer who makes his living as a product manager, project leader and software developer. Velumenous Notes started as a place to share a stream of recent photographs pretty much just for myself. Then I discovered I just couldn't shut up about a lot of other stuff too. So subjects have multiplied to just about anything that I'm obsessing on. Sorry 'bout that.


Tire cutting machine is the important step before tire pyrolysis and recycling.tire cutting machine is applied to cut the whole tire with diameter more than 1200mm into appropriate blocks.
We have delivered the waste tire cutting machines including tire ring cutter, hydraulic tire cutter, tire steel wire draw and tire shredder for our customer from Senegal. Our customer visited us in December 2016 and placed order for the tire cutting machines with us in early March 2017 after China Lunar New Year Festival.
Within one month, we get all the tire cutting machines ready and arranged the machine loading in our factory. The purpose of our customer purchasing the tire cutting machines is to remove the steel wire out of waste tire and shred tire into rubber crumbs before feeding them for pyrolysis, thus he can not only get fresh steel wire but can also reduce the tire pyrolysis time.
Loading of tire cutting machines finished. One 40ft High Container is needed to load our tire ring cutter, hydraulic tire cutting, steel wire drawer and tire shredder.
The above four tire cutting machines can work together to make a rubber crumb production line, which can be used as auxiliary devices of our continuous waste tire pyrolysis plant and waste tire recycling to rubber powder plant.


These are additional photos for item #1396559. Photos number 2, 3,4 has more contrasted to show the detail works on the scroll painting. Other photos set is little more accurate the contrast wise.
Additional photos #1 for Seifu Yohei IV 10 cs Chawan Set with Tomobako, Tomonuno.
Very impressive Vintage Native American sterling silver men's buckle with many turquoise stone. The size of Buckle 3 1/2" L x 2 5/8" W x 1/2" Thick. Buckle has 6 turquoise stones which is more deeper blue than I have seen. It weighs 90 Grams. It is marked ZUNI, EMY. Condition of Buckle excellent. Please note buckle need clean. I leave up to the buyer to decide.


What really happens when you turn on a pump? Why do pipe sizes affect pump performance? This training manual takes on the complex world of water systems and presents the basics in a straightforward style.
The handbook includes the basic hydraulics of a pump, the controlling factors involved in a water system such as atmospheric pressure, vacuum, and friction loss, and discusses pump sizing examples.
Designed for both newcomers and old hands.


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Isis takes Iraqi city of Ramadi
Iraqi military forces flee and hundreds reported dead as militants overrun city to west of Baghdad
A car is engulfed by flames during clashes in the city of Ramadi. Photograph: Reuters
Kevin Rawlinson and agencies
Mon 18 May 2015 03.58 EDT First published on Sun 17 May 2015 14.26 EDT
Isis fighters have driven Iraqi government forces from the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. The fall of the city, which lies to the west of Baghdad, came only hours after Iraq's prime minister called for the area's defences to be reinforced.
Bodies, some burned, littered the streets as local officials reported the militants carried out mass killings of Iraqi security forces and civilians. Online video showed soldiers gripping on to the sides of Humvees, trucks and other equipment speeding out of the city. Muhannad Haimour, a spokesman for the governor of Anbar province, said about 500 people – civilians and Iraqi soldiers – are estimated to have been killed over the past few days.
Haimour said had been taken by Isis fighters over the weekend. They also took the military's operational command in the city, he said. "The city was completely taken ... It was a gradual deterioration," said Haimour. "The military is fleeing." Isis later released a statement claiming its troops had full control of the city.
By late Sunday, a large number of Shia militiamen had arrived at a military base near Ramadi, apparently to participate in a possible counter-offensive, said the head of the Anbar provincial council, Sabah Karhout. A spokesman said on Monday that more militiamen were preparing to deploy to Anbar.
"We welcome any group, including Shia militias, to come and help us in liberating the city from the militants. What happened today is a big loss caused by lack of good planning by the military," a tribal leader, Naeem al-Gauoud, told the Associated Press.
Map - Iraq showing Ramadi
He said many tribal fighters died trying to defend the city, and bodies had been thrown in the Euphrates river. Ramadi's mayor, Dalaf al-Kubaisi, said dozens of police and other government supporters were shot dead in the streets or their homes, along with their wives, children and other family members.
On Monday, John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said he was confident the Isis takeover would be reversed in the coming weeks. "I am convinced that as the forces are redeployed and as the days flow in the weeks ahead that's going to change, as overall [Isis] have been driven back ... I am absolutely confident in the days ahead that will be reversed."
Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, ordered Shia militia to prepare to enter the fray after reports that the Islamic extremists had driven government forces from a key military base on the outskirts of Ramadi and that some security forces had laid down their weapons, abandoned their vehicles and fled.
Haider al-Abadi, the prime minister of Iraq, runs the risk of igniting sectarian hostilities by sending Shia forces into a Sunni-populated region. Photograph: Jean-Philippe Ksiazek/AFP/Getty Images
By ordering the Shia militia into a Sunni-dominated region, Abadi runs the risk of their presence sparking sectarian hostilities.
Sunday's retreat recalled the collapse of Iraqi security forces last summer in the face of the Islamic State group's blitz into Iraq during which it captured a third of the country. It also calls into question the Obama administration's hopes of relying solely on air strikes to support the Iraqi forces in expelling the extremists.
Police and army officials said four near-simultaneous bombings targeted police officers defending the Malaab district in southern Ramadi on Sunday, killing 10 and wounding 15. Officials said that among the dead was the Malaab police station's chief, Col Muthana al-Jabri.
A statement by the Iraqi military called on its forces not to abandon Anbar province. "Victory will be in the side of Iraq because Iraq is defending its freedom and dignity," the military said.
Iraq security forces withdraw from Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province. Photograph: Uncredited/AP
Police said three suicide bombers drove explosive-laden cars into the gate of the Anbar Operation Command, the military headquarters for the province, killing five soldiers and wounding 12. Fierce clashes erupted between security forces and Isis militants following the attacks. Isis militants eventually seized the Malaab area after government forces withdrew.
A police officer, who was in Malaab and who spoke on condition of anonymity, said retreating forces left behind about 30 army vehicles and weapons, including artillery and assault rifles. He also said about two dozen police officers went missing during the fighting.
Iraqi warplanes also launched air strikes on Isis positions inside Ramadi on Sunday, the Iraqi defence ministry said.
Last week, Islamic extremists swept through the city, seizing the main government headquarters and other key sites. It marked a major setback for the Iraqi government's efforts to drive out the militants from areas they seized last year.
About 24,000 people had been forced from their homes in three days of violence in the Ramadi area, said the International Organisation for Migration.