Fire Agate is a brilliant multicolored gemstone that combines a deep brown base hue with flashes of orange, red, green and gold that look like tongue of living flame. The iridescent colors are produced by light interference at thin layers of regularly spaced iron oxide crystals within the agate. Agate is the name given to numerous varieties of banded chalcedony. Chalcedony is the cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, meaning the crystals are too small to even be seen by a microscope. The banding, or stripey appearance, is the result of rhythmic crystallization. Beneficial for: Fear; insecurity; cravings; destructive desires; addictions; stomach; nervous and endocrine systems; circulation; eyes; night vision; triple heater meridian; hot flushes; energy burnout; emotional trauma; self-confidence; concentration; perception; analytical abilities; aura stabilization; negative-energy transformation; emotional disease; digestive process; gastritis; eyes; stomach; uterus; lymphatic system; pancreas; blood vessels; skin disorders; lethargy; depression; sexual imbalances such as impotence or fear or sexual intimacy; bowels; fertility; vitality; digestion Fire Agates vibrate with the vitality of the physical world and are ideal tools for those who need to have an 'in-the-body experience.' Among the spiritually inclined segment of the population, there are many who attempt or wish to avoid the messy and painful difficulties of life by escaping into the upper realms. Unfortunately, the price one pays is often high, and once can become a spacey, low-energy person who glows with spiritual light but doesn't generate enough heat to get anything done. For those of us who lament that they don't much like the Earth and they want to go home, Fire Agate is an ideal remedy. It has a deep connection to the Earth and can help us remember why the lines of people waiting for the chance to be born on this planet were so long. The shifting flame-like colors of Fire Agate awaken the Earth, base, sacral and solar plexus chakras, and fill one with the zest for living. It lights one's inner fires of life force, creativity, sexuality and will. It revitalizes the exchange of spiritual and physical energies through the membrane of the self; since all is flow and process, the enhancement of this exchange is energizing to the soul as well as the organism. It opens the channels so that Divine inspiration can flow through one into all one's activities and artistic expressions. This stone puts one in touch with the zest for living, and with this, one experiences an increase in passion, an intensification of all emotions and reconnection with one's deepest desires. It helps one find the courage to take risks in order to fulfill the inner promptings which call one more fully into passionate involvement with life. In helping one come fully into the body, Fire Agate assists one in making real the divine blueprint of one's life purpose.


A brown sauce over carp.  Take a good carp and boil it until it is nicely  soft. Then take it from the fire and let it stand in  its broth. Take peperkoek or lebkoek and set  it to soften in the fat broth of the carp, which you will  then ladle off from the kettle with a spoon. And  when it is softened so you shall rub the peperkoek  into very small pieces with the same spoon, at least as small as  is possible. Then thin it with vinegar and wine. Then  set it over the fire and let it boil until it thickens. Then add to it  ginger, cinnamon and a good amount of sugar  some salt and throw a handful of raisins in. One pours this over  all carp in fasting time.


Millions are ignoring basic gas safety laws by bringing lit barbecues inside caravans, porches and awnings because of the rain and in order to stay warm.
A survey of 1,000 holidaymakers by CORGI HomePlan revealed a shocking lack of understanding of the risks involved when using gas cookers, barbecues and heaters - that can all emit deadly carbon monoxide, even when flames are extinguished.
In June last year a couple holidaying in Somerset narrowly escaped death by carbon monoxide poisoning and there have been several attempts by authorities to boost people's awareness of the issue.
More than one in five of those surveyed (22 per cent) said that when it rains, they will bring a barbecue into their caravan or awning.
Mark Leslie, CEO of CORGI HomePlan, said: "People leave their worries at home when they go on holiday and are not applying the same safety rules as they would in everyday life.
"However, fewer than one in four people are having their camping or caravanning gas appliances serviced regularly, according to our research.
"This compares to the 43 per cent who have domestic appliances such as boilers and gas fires serviced annually.
"Every gas appliance needs regular servicing by a registered engineer to ensure it operates safely.
"By packing a simple CO detector in your luggage and setting it up in your caravan, it leaves you free to enjoy a worry-free break."
Worryingly, nearly two thirds of people (63 per cent) did not know that CO continues to be produced after a flame has been extinguished. Caravanners were also confused as to what 'well ventilated' is.
Just over a third (38 per cent) thought a caravan with an open door was enough.
The reality is fumes can blow from lit and extinguished appliances into - rather than out of - confined spaces, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate to toxic levels.
An overwhelming three-quarters of caravanners admitted they have not had their caravan's gas appliances check in the last year.
A shocking 18 per cent of caravan owners have never had their vehicle's boiler serviced in the past five years.
Of the 1,000 people surveyed today, one in 10 have first hand experience of carbon monoxide poisoning, admitting they personally know someone who has, or suspects they have, been poisoned.


James Franco stars in The Disaster Artist as Tommy Wiseau, the man who produced and directed 2003's cult film The Room. It's been called "one of the worst films ever made." Franco, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, spoke with Pete Carroll about the movie and its legacy.
I used to. But this year I only acted for two weeks—I worked on a Coen Brothers project called The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. But other than that, just been promoting [The Disaster Artist]. I was very productive before. When I stared acting at age 17, I learned early on if I put in a lot you get a lot out of it. It's like an athlete learning to play a sport. I learned the principle of working harder than I thought I could.
And it also worked out for directing—not only for the acting.
It paid off for the acting and I thought when I got into directing that the same principle would apply. Some of my work is more successful than others. And I got a lot of experience. I don't think I would have been able to direct on the HBO show The Deuce if I hadn't put in that time and effort. Nor could I have made this movie.
Your movie is about Tommy Wiseau, he did the movie The Room, sometimes referred to as the worst movie ever.
It is called "the best worst movie." It stands apart from all the bad movies for several reasons. You can think about those thousands of thousands of bad movies you would never watch again. But people watch this movie now for over 14 years at the Prince Charles Theatre in London. That says something about this film. OK, for conventional standards it had horrible sets, bad acting, the writing—everything—if we compare it to Dunkirk. But my guess is they won't be playing Dunkirk in a movie at midnight screens for 14 years. So there is something about it that people are getting from it.
When did you see it the first time?
I came to it through the book. The book came out about four years ago.
What does Tommy Wiseau think of you?
That's what I asked him. What about the .1 percent? And you'd think he go like, "That scene did not happen or that is not true," or something similar. But instead he says, "Well, you should think about the lighting in the film at the beginning. It is a little bit off." (laughs) And then we realized that he was wearing his shades. (laughs) Bottom line: he has seen the film three times now and he loves it.
Could this movie be a second chance for him?
Oh, for sure! I think this movie will give The Room a whole new life.
And he is still friends with Greg Sestero?
Yes, he just said that to me last week. They still talk every day.


text:
Man finds 2.12-carat diamond on vacation at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park
The brandy-colored diamond was the size of a jellybean.
Kelly McCarthy
Inside the state park where visitors dig for diamonds"It's not actually finding the treasure," one digger said. "It's the quest."Arkansas State Parks
A Nebraska man found a diamond in the rough that weighed just over 2 carats on a recent family vacation to a famous gem-filled state park in Arkansas.
Josh Lanik spent nearly two hours searching Crater of Diamonds State Park on July 24 and walked away with the largest diamond of 2019, according to a press release.
Lanik, 36, discovered the brandy-colored gem near the West Drain, a trench that runs along the southwest border of the park's 37.5-acre diamond search area.
(MORE: Man finds 2.78-carat diamond at Arkansas state park )
"We took the kids to look for amethyst on Canary Hill, and I was walking through an area where it looked like a lot of water had washed when I saw it," Lanik told the state park.
Lanik showed the unique stone to his wife and held onto it in a brown paper bag along with other rocks and minerals.
A 2.12-carat diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
A 2.12-carat diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.Arkansas State Parks
"It was blatantly obvious there was something different about it," Lanik said. "I saw the shine, and when I picked it up and rolled it in my hand, I noticed there weren't any sharp edges."
The family had their collection identified at the Diamond Discovery Center, where Lanik found out from a park employee that his brown gem was in fact a diamond and that it was the largest to be found this year.
Lanik said the employee who took the gem in a pill bottle to a back office for a closer look "wouldn't tell us whether it was a diamond, but we were pretty sure from her reaction that it was."
The park staff informed him that he had discovered a 2.12-carat diamond. Park interpreter Waymon Cox said the jellybean-sized diamond had a "dark brown color, similar to brandy."
Josh Lanik finds a 2.12-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
Josh Lanik finds a 2.12-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.Arkansas State Parks
"It has a beautiful natural pear shape and smooth, curved facets that give the gem a metallic shine," Cox said in the press release.
Cox also explained that recent record-breaking rainfall could have been a key factor in the find.
"About 14 inches of rain fell at the park on July 16. In the days after the rainfall, park staff registered numerous diamonds found right on the surface of the search area, including two weighing over one carat," Cox said.
According to Cox, "About one of every 10 diamonds registered by park visitors is found on top of the ground."
(MORE: Bison injures 9-year-old girl at Yellowstone National Park: Officials)
The ancient, diamond-bearing volcanic crater is periodically plowed by park personnel to loosen soil and help with natural erosion.
"Diamonds are a bit heavy for their size and lack static electricity, so dirt doesn't stick to them. When rainfall uncovers larger diamonds and the sun comes out, they sparkle and are often easy to see," according to the Arkansas State Parks.
As of the date of Lanik's discovery, 296 diamonds had been registered at Crater of Diamonds State Park so far in 2019, weighing a combined total of 53.94 carats.
Lanik first learned about the state park from a co-worker and this was his first visit.
Jul 30, 12:09 PM

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: how to make a button to sort alphabetically (what could be wrong) I'm consuming the github api showing my repos, I made an input to search the repos and it's ok
my problem is when I made a button to sort from A-Z it just doesn't do anything, what could I have done wrong??
enter image description here

A: Your button is basically doing nothing since it's calling a function that sorts an array, then returns it. But you're not doing anything with that sorted array.
Try changing it to something like this:
const [repos, setRepos] = useState([]) // This is your state

...

<button onClick={() => {setRepos(sortedListRepo())}}>Sort</button>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Series: New Testament Survey
Presentation Date
Full Lesson
729 Lesson 1 - Intertestamental: The Roots of the New Testament - Part 1 08/25/2012 W. Mark Lanier
The Christian Bible contains the Old Testament (which contains texts writen prior to ~400 BC) and the New Testament (which contains texts that were written from ~100 AD forward).
What was going on during this 'intertestimental period'?!
In a multi part series on "Roots of the New Testament", in Lesson 1, Part 1, Mark Lanier begins the New Testament Survey summarizing the historical facts and contributing events during this period.
In a continuation from last week, Lesson 1 Part 2 examines the roots of the New Testament through the Jewish writings during the Intertestimental period.
What are the Apolcrypha and the Pseuodopigrypha and what do they have to do with you, you ask?
While not part of the Christian Bible, they provide important context for both the Old Testament and New.
In Lesson 2 Part 1 Mark Lanier poses the question, how accurate is the New Testament?
Critics like Bart Ehrman, the scholar and best selling author and a previously-faithful-turned-agnostic casts doubt on the legitmacy of the New Testament. Is he right?
Where do the facts come down on the New Testament as not only the truth but the inspired word of God?
A continuation of Lesson 2, in Part 2 gives Mark Lanier a chance to dissect the differences found in over 5500 texts that have bearing on the accuracy of the New Testament as we have it today.
How many of the estimated 300,000 differences make a difference?
Check this lesson to find out!
737 Lesson 3 - The Canon - Part 1 09/26/2012 W. Mark Lanier Why is the "canon" of Scripture considered the closed collection of documents regarded as Holy Scripture? Do you know how to judge the value of ancient texts, such as the "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" with regards to the "canon"? Mark Lanier takes you through the reasons you can have confidence in the Christian New Testament. 81
738 Lesson 3 - The Canon - Part 2 10/03/2012 W. Mark Lanier Do books that are written to make you doubt whether or not the Bible is God's revelation. Won't want to be scared? Read this lesson to know how you can be certain of the Canon! 80
739 Lesson 3 - The Canon - Part 3 10/07/2012 W. Mark Lanier 79
740 Lesson 4 - The Gospel of Mark 10/13/2012 W. Mark Lanier Did you know that Mark isn't written in chronological order? Are you familiar with Mark's writing style? Explore the gospel of Mark, considered the earliest written gospel, and find out where it differs or is similar to Matthew, Luke, and John.Find out what Mark says as he paints the picture of Christ's life.
745 Lesson 5 - The Gospel of Matthew - Part 1 10/20/2012 W. Mark Lanier What portrait of Jesus does Matthew paint? How does he tell the Good News story? Mark Lanier answers these questions through each of the 28 chapters in Matthew. Beginning with the first chapter where "Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" is identified as the one conceived by the Holy Spirit, and called "Immanuel" – God, to the last chapter when Matthew ends with the words of the resurrected Christ assuring his followers that he – the I am- and is with them always, to the end of the age. 77
747 Lesson 5 - The Gospel of Matthew - Part 2 11/03/2012 W. Mark Lanier Matthew was a gospel written for the Jewish mindset. What does that mean? Why is that important? Mark Lanier explains how the author of this gospel tailors his writing and the recollection of Christ's sacrifice to the Jewish audience of his day. In doing so, he hoped to spread the Good News. Find out how understanding the message of a Jewish savior two thousand years ago is applicable today in our secular world. 75
746 Series Special Events - The Sermon on the Mount 10/28/2012 Jared Richard
We are called to be discplies and to usher in the kingdom of Heaven. The Sermon on the Mount gives three pinciples on how to achieve this. Guest teacher, Jared Richard provides insight on the New Kingdom as described by Christ.
748 Lesson 5 - The Gospel of Matthew - Part 2, continued 11/12/2012 W. Mark Lanier What do idioms have to do with the gospel of Matthew? Do you have a healthy eye? Mark Lanier continues to breakdown the Jewishness of this gospel by explaining not only the idioms but the gematria and Hebrew story line that Matthew used to explained the good news to his Jewish audience. 74
751 Lesson 5 - The Gospel of Matthew - Part 2, finished 11/18/2012 W. Mark Lanier There has been a steady decline in self-identified church going Christians in the last decade. At the root of this is academic pursuits that have attempted to show that the Bible is not the Holy revealed word of God. Mark Lanier addresses the integrity of the Gospel of Matthew and what it means to our faith and the generation after us. If you are worried about the integrity of God's word or doubt that He would speak to His creation, listen to this lesson. 73
753 Lesson 6 - The Gospel of Matthew - Miracles 11/25/2012 W. Mark Lanier
Do you wish you knew of a present day miracle? Why was Jesus in the business of doing miracles during his day? Mark Lanier explains why Christ performed the miracles, as He set about the kingdom work of this time and the Kingdom that is to come.
754 Lesson 7 - The Synoptic Problem 12/01/2012 W. Mark Lanier How do a lawyer's rules of court and the knowledge of how to recognize a good witness give information on the synoptic phenomenon found in Matthew, Mark and Luke? Follow along as Mark Lanier tackles why these three gospels each tell their story of Jesus in their own words. 71
758 Lesson 8 - The Parables 12/13/2012 W. Mark Lanier 70
759 Lesson 9 - Jesus in the Old Testament 12/16/2012 W. Mark Lanier
The Incarnation refers to God emodied in Christ. Did you ever wonder what verses in the Old Testament point to the coming Messiah? Find out! Mark Lanier uses the beautiful illustrations from the Stone Chapel to guide evidence of the coming Incarnation through Old Testament prophecy.
760 Lesson 10 - The Gospel of Luke - Part 1 01/06/2013 W. Mark Lanier
Luke was highly educated, a doctor, and traveled with Paul. How do these attributes testify to the validity of Luke's account of the Good News about Christ?
In this introduction to the Gospel according to Luke, find out why there are differences in this account compared to Mark, Matthew, and John; discover the relevance of 'why' Luke penned his account; and decide for yourself how valid Luke's choice of eyewitnesses to the Christ.
Thirty five percent of content of Luke is not found in any of the other three gospels. Does this mean Luke made it up? In part 1, Mark Lanier discusses the Magnificat, Benedictus, Gloria, and Nunc Dimittis, songs that only Luke recorded. Listen to the beauty of them and understand their importance for Christians durings Luke's time and in ours! See if he convinces you that that Luke had a reason for the inclusions. See if you can have confidence in God's revelation of the greatest moment in earth's history through Luke's account, a physician with a unique perspective.
766 Lesson 10 - The Gospel of Luke - Part 3 01/27/2013 W. Mark Lanier Thirty five percent of content of Luke is not found in any of the other three gospels. Does this mean Luke made it up? In part 2, Mark Lanier discusses the parables and events that are unique to Luke. See if he convinces you that that Luke had a reason for the inclusions. See if you can have confidence in God's revelation of the greatest moment in earth's history through Luke's account, a physician with a unique perspective. 66
771 Lesson 11 - The Gospel of John - Introduction 02/11/2013 W. Mark Lanier The Gospel of John was written when John was an old man, in Ephesus, and decades after the physical events of Christ's life, death, burial, and resurrection. It is considered a spiritual gosple, different than the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Follow along with Mark Lanier as he introduces this beautiful gospel and why the maturity and wisdom of John provided a continuing revelation of God's plan, one that has impact on our lives today. 64
770 Lesson 10 - The Gospel of Luke - Part 4 02/09/2013 W. Mark Lanier 65
773 Lesson 12 - The Gospel of John - Part 1 - The Seven Miracles 02/24/2013 W. Mark Lanier
In John's gospel, he details seven miracles. Only seven. Why? Are you curious as to why of all the miracles Christ performed, John in his wisdom of advancing years, picked the seven he did for his 'spiritual' gospel?
775 Lesson 11 - The Gospel of John - Part 2 03/04/2013 W. Mark Lanier In a continuation of the introduction to the Gospel of John, Mark Lanier traces the Hebrew themes that John used to reach his audience. John linked familiar old testament ideas including themes of creation, the tabernacle, the Jewish festivals, and the bread of life to Christ as the Messiah and the Son of God. You might be familiar with Passover, but find out the role that the Festival of Sukkot plays in John's gospel. 63
774 Lesson 12 - The Gospel of John - Part 2 - The Seven Miracles 03/03/2013 W. Mark Lanier The term "Son of God"... how did John link the seven miracles he describes in his Gospels to understand that Christ was the true, unique, Son of God? Do you wonder about the Trinity? Listen to this continung lesson of the Gospel of John and the miracles he uses to understand Christ, the Messiah. 61
780 Lesson 12 - The Gospel of John - Part 3 - The Seven Miracles 03/10/2013 W. Mark Lanier 60
781 Series Special Event - Passover 03/17/2013 Stephen Trammell 59
In the last installment of the Gospel of John and the seven miracles, Mark Lanier emphasizes the beauty and reason that each of the 'sign's were chosen, so that we might have everlasting life in communion with our Father. Watch, listen, and learn in one of the best, most clear lessons yet on how wonderful the Messiah, Christ Jesus is in His gift to us, redemption.
783 Lesson 13 - The Gospel of John - Part 1 - Some Final Thoughts 04/07/2013 W. Mark Lanier
Listen as Mark Lanier builds a case for John having the letter of Paul to the Ephesians as John writes his Gospel. See if he can convince you that careful study reveals Paul's influence and takes you back to the city of Ephesians only a few decades after Christ's Resurrection.
784 Lesson 13 - The Gospel of John - Part 2 - Some Final Thoughts 04/14/2013 W. Mark Lanier In this last installment for the gospel of John, Mark Lanier strengthens the case that John used Paul's circulating letter to the Ephesians when he wrote his gospel account. Why do we care about this? Listen in and find out and be blessed by God's words to us! 56
785 Lesson 14 - Acts of the Apostles - Part 1 - Acts of the Holy Spirit 04/21/2013 W. Mark Lanier
Mark Lanier begins the study of the Acts of the Apostles with the acts of the Holy Spirit. What is your view of the Holy Spirit? In part 1, Mark examines what Jesus' words revealed concerning the paraclete using the synoptics Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and then examines John's gospel for further revelation. Find out if this fits with your understanding of how the Holy Spirit worked in the lives of the early Christian church, as detailed in Acts, and how the Holy Spirit works today.
In part 2 of the Acts of the Holy Spirit, Mark Lanier begins the lesson with revelations from the Old Testament concerning the Holy Spirit, using passages in Psalms and Isaiah and references as early as the creation story in Genesis. The Old Testament scripture testifies to the Spirit of God descending on people at different times but in a temporary capacity, unlike the dwelling promised by Christ. Did early believers understand the way the workings of the Holy Spirit occured at the time of Christ? Listen to the lesson to know learn if believers are promised a permanent indwelling of the spirit to assist their walk with God.
In part 3 of the acts of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts, Mark Lanier focuses on a "check list' from John that precisely demonstrates Jesus' teaching on what the Holy Spirit would give His followers. Does the Holy Spirit's activity fullfill these promises? Go verse by verse and see the work of the Holy Spirit and find out if as Bob Dylans sings, "God Don't make promises that He don't keep" is a promise that God has made you if you believe in the saving Grace of the Messiah and God's plan.
In this lesson we continue the study of the perfect parallel between John's Gospel account of Jesus promises concerning the Helper He will Send and the Acts of The Holy Spirit.
The cross reference between the teachings of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Acts shows the complete manifestation of the Holy Spirit exactly as Jesus promised.
The Holy Spirit fulfilled the purposes Jesus had set out. The Acts of the Apostles were carried out through the Holy Spirit, who "Helped" while keeping the focus on Jesus Christ the Savior.
792 Lesson 15 - Acts of the Apostles - The Growth of the Church 05/19/2013 W. Mark Lanier
God's timing was perfect. He chose the perfect moment to send His Son the Savior. Several factors were required to allow the church to establish and grow into the worldwide influence it became almost overnight, at least in the historical sense of "overnight." Without the Roman peace, the Roman roads, the Jewish dispersion, the temple worship, the key people in the key places, the church would have never made it. Only God's divine intervention could allow this movement to conquer the world. Again, only by the hand of God!
793 Lesson 16 - Acts of the Apostles - Part 1 - Purpose and Overview 05/28/2013 W. Mark Lanier
People generally do things for reasons, especially if it is something that takes a significant amount of time. The reason may not be well thought out, but if you are going to a great deal of effort, you likely have a reason for doing so!
The apostles chose to obey Christ, and the Spirit came. Listeners chose to respond to Peter's teaching, and they were saved. The apostles continued to choose following God with their lives, and when the power structure threatened to cut their lives short, they pressed on with what God called them to do. People were saved, their lives were spared, and the church grew.
Choices and decisions - we make them all day, every day. How do we do so when we want to follow God's will? In the case of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit fell in a miraculous way on the gentiles before their baptisms. This is very rare in Scripture. Earnest prayer and seeking the direction of God provides the guidance needed to make the proper decisions to advance the Word.
God is able to take every autonomous decision by independent humanity, and integrate it into the final perfect puzzle that expresses his will. We see that incredibly clearly in the apostle Paul. Integrating Scripture with our other historical knowledge provides us a view of Paul as the perfect piece of the puzzle that not only holds together other pieces, but also fills in the picture. Paul could go to synagogues throughout the Greek/Roman world and attend services as a man who had studied under the great Gamaliel. Paul had impeccable rabbinical credential so every synagogue offered Paul the resurrection believing Pharisee, a chance to teach the resurrected Christ!
801 Lesson 17- Acts of the Apostles - Part 2 - Paul and the Spread of the Church 06/30/2013 W. Mark Lanier The Holy Spirit staked claim on Paul and Barnabas at the church in Antioch, "Set apart for ME Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2) On Cyprus Saul and Barnabas presented the Word of God in the synagogues, and began using his Roman Name Paul, and the first miracle God performed through Paul showed that God planned more for Paul than Paul could imagine. 45
800 Lesson 17- Acts of the Apostles - Part 1 - Paul and the Spread of the Church 06/18/2013 W. Mark Lanier
God's plan is perfect, we make choices and act based on our will. God uses our decisions and actions to complete his plan. Take Paul, persecuting the Church in Jerusalem caused the faithful to disperse to other cities. There they preached the Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus. This changed Christianity from a fringe Jewish faction to a belief being taught throughout the world.
God's plan is like a divine puzzle. It fits together perfectly, even though the pieces chose their shape and color. His pieces exercise their human choice, but the puzzle is always complete. Look at Paul, he chose his actions, from a Pharisee persecuting the early church to spreading the Word throughout the world as an apostle, he chose his path.
After a return trip through the Galatian towns reinforcing the churches, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. Paul continued his efforts to strengthen the churches in Galatia, fearing that that the churches were following a different teaching, a distortion of the true gospel. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reiterated the message that all are saved by faith in Christ, not attempting to live under the Law of Moses. Paul and Silas decided return to Galatia to encourage the fledgling churches. In Lycra they added Timothy to the group and in Troas, Luke joined the mission effort. The Holy Spirit rerouted the apostles to Philippi, and after Paul drove out a spirit of divination from a slave girl in Phillipi, he and Silas were arrested, beaten and jailed.
Persecution followed Paul and Barnabas, and actually promoted the spread of the Word in the same way Saul's persecution of the believers in Jerusalem promoted the spread of the faith. Persecution by non believing Jews in Pisidian Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Iconium where they went to the synagogue and a great number of Greeks and Jews believed. There the non believer Jews chased them out to Lystra and Derbe. Then when within walking distance of Tarsus, Paul and Barnabas went back through the towns they were chased from just to encourage and strengthen the new believers.
After leaving Philippi, Paul, Silas and Timothy, went through Amphipolis and Apollonia arriving in Thessalonica – on the road toward Rome. In Thessalonica Paul preached in the synagogue telling the Jews of Jesus, proclaiming him as the Messiah. Some Jews and many Greeks were persuaded.
Disbelieving Jews, jealous of the success of God's work among the Greeks, worked up a crowd. The church sent Paul and Silas away to Berea, but the Thessalonian Jews followed, found Paul in Berea and worked up a threatening crowd. Paul left Silas and Timothy in Berea and was ushered by boat to Athens by Berean brothers.
Athens was birthplace of philosophy, theatre, and democracy, the cradle of European civilization. Paul was alone but went daily to the marketplace to reason with the Greeks. The Athenians took Paul to the Areopagus where Paul spoke to the philosophers where Paul delivered his message and some believed.
807 Lesson 17- Acts of the Apostles - Part 6 - Paul and the Spread of the Church 07/28/2013 W. Mark Lanier Paul went to Corinth from Athens. Corinth, by all accounts was a wealthy and vibrant city, mostly due the unique location for trade and travel. Positioned with two harbors, one that faced Italy to the west and another facing Turkey to the East the route through Corinth was the safest way to sail from Italy to Troas, Ephesus, or other key cities in the eastern Mediterranean. While in Corinth, one night Paul had a vision from God where God told Paul not to fear, for in Corinth he would neither be attacked nor harmed. God was true to his word, and Paul stayed in Corinth for a full year and a half, longer than any city up to that point on his missionary trips. Corinth was the safest route for ships, and God used Corinth as a safe harbor for Paul to continue his missionary work without the violent persecutions that had marked the earlier Journey. 41
808 Lesson 18 - 1 and 2 Thessalonians - Part 1 08/03/2013 Stephen Trammell
While in Corinth, Paul wrote 2 letters to the church in Thessalonica. Because he had to leave Thessalonica so suddenly, and flee to Corinth, due to the threatening crowd, he was concerned about the new followers he left behind. He wrote them letters encouraging them to continue in the church's faith and steadfastness. He told them he was proud of them for accepting his message as the very word of God, and encouraged them to continue in faith and service of the living and true God.
809 Lesson 18 - 1 and 2 Thessalonians - Part 2 08/11/2013 W. Mark Lanier
In Paul's 2nd letter to the Thessalonians, he identifies God as our Father, showing the commonality of all believers before God. He is thankful to God for the church's ever growing faith and love and steadfastness in light of persecutions.
Paul wrote about the 2nd coming of Jesus in more detail, reminding the Thessalonians not to be confused about a false letter claiming to be from Paul, trying to deceive them that Jesus had already come.
At close he asks the church to pray for his missionary team, and to work and pay their own way. Paul said, "No work, no food!" He urges the church to stay fresh in living right and doing good.
810 Lesson 18 - 1 and 2 Thessalonians - Part 3 - Escatology 08/19/2013 Jared Richard
While in Thessalonica Paul won some converts, but his message was considered a threat to the Romans. Paul was forced to leave the city under duress. He was prohibited from finishing his teaching to the early church. They were confused regarding "the Last Things".
Paul's letters focused on cleaning up this confusion. Paul's aim was to encourage the early church as to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of his eternal kingdom.
811 Lesson 19 - Paul's 2nd and 3rd Missionary Journey - Part 1 09/01/2013 W. Mark Lanier
During Paul's second missionary journey he stopped in Ephesus and reasonsed with the Jews in the sysnagogue. He didn't stay there long but left, his friends and fellow believers Aquila and Priscilaa stayed behind. A learned and eloquent man from Alexandria, Apollos, came into the town teaching about Jesus. Apollos's teachings had notable holes! Apollos understood the baptism taught by John the Baptist, but failed to grasp the full import of Christ's death and resurrection. He was not teaching about the Baptism of Christ and the subsequent gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank goodness Priscilla and Aquila were there. In this lesson you find out how they attempted to fill in Apollos knowledge about Christ and the reaction Apollos exhibited when they did!D
During Paul's third missionary journey, he again returns to Ephesus, a place known for it's magic! They even worshipped a meteroite (not knowing what it was they built a temple to it!) The Holy Spirit through Paul works real magic in healings and life changing events. Learn how in this lesson!
814 Lesson 20 - 1 Corinthians - Part 1 09/08/2013 W. Mark Lanier
Paul wrote letters to the Corinthians from Ephesus. This lesson includes the entire book of 1st Corinthians – all 16 Chapters.
It is important to remember the context in which Paul's letter was written. The church had numerous major problems – sex, food, idolatry, lawsuits, divisions, bad theology, women's issues. Prior letters had already been sent back and forth between Paul and the Corinthians. When we read 1st Corinthians we are in the middle of an ongoing conversation.
In Chapter 1, Paul reminds the Corinthians they are called to a common fellowship with a common destiny. He appeals to them to drop their petty groups where they labeled themselves as "following Paul", or "Peter", or "Apollos". They should all fellow Christ!
In each of the subsequent chapters, Paul preaches, teaches, admonishes, praises, and explains concepts to them. And before Paul closes, he reminds them of the core of our faith. Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected. Death has lost its ultimate power over believers!
If you really want to know Paul, study 2 Corinthians. Paul's world was falling apart. He cared deeply for the church in Corinth. While in Ephesus, in an effort to help the Corinthian church, Paul wrote Corinthians "A". The Corinthians wrote Paul back. He then wrote 1 Corinthians (Corinthians "B"). He sent Timothy and Erastus to work with the church … to no avail. In order to "fix things" he then made a painful visit to Corinth – that didn't work either. Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians (Corinthians "C"). He then sent Titus to help.
Meanwhile Paul was run out of Ephesus. While on the road he was criticized and minimized. He endured a painful "thorn in the flesh" – possibly something in his eye. He asked God repeatedly to remove it. God didn't. The thorn remained to keep Paul from becoming conceited. Paul never saw the healing of his own infirmity. God said to him "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
How did Paul handle it when his world was crumbling? He finds an ability to rejoice in the Lord. He found purpose for his life before the Lord.
Paul planned to visit Corinth; instead, he went directly to Macedonia. He could have washed his hands of the Corinthian Church. They were awful to him, even joking about how short he was. From Macedonia he wrote to them, explaining that he decided not to come see them because he felt he could not be the "aroma of God" he needed to be in order to be a God-like influence. Instead, he would cause them more pain. Paul told them that the Old Testament covenant was etched in stone and brought death because no one could follow it but that the Holy Spirit brings life and glory. God changes us little by little to reflect his image. Paul learned from Titus that the Corinthians are moving back toward Paul's teachings.
820 Lesson 22 - Romans 09/29/2013 W. Mark Lanier
In Paul's letter to the thriving Roman Christian community at the time, he begins his letter as a "servant of Christ" whom god called into the role of an apostle. Paul's desire is to come to Rome to preach Christ's death and resurrection as God's means of forgiveness for everyone's sins. He condemns the reign of sin over Jew and Gentile and reinforces the fact that God's judgment is simple for Jew or Gentile. If you do right, you live eternally in his care. But if you sin you are condemned. Only through faith in Christ as Savior to all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, do we have the grace that saves us. Paul then gives practical examples of Christian conduct: do not get arrogant; love genuinely; hate evil. In closing he tells them he is still hopeful to come to Rome and that God will eventually crush Satan.
821 Lesson 23 - Acts of the Apostles – Paul's Third Missionary Journey Concluded 10/06/2013 W. Mark Lanier
In the conclusion of Paul's third missionary journey, he leaves Ephesus, traveling back towards Corinth. He stayed in Greece for 3 months planning to sail back through Syria when a plot against his life caused him to change plans. Instead of a sea route, Paul took an overland route through Macedonia. A young man, Eutychus (whose name means Lucky), fell asleep while listening to Paul's teaching and fell out of the window to the ground three stories below. Paul went to the street and cradled Eutychus in his arms; God restored Eutychus' life. At Miletus, about 30 miles from Ephesus, Paul summoned the church elders and gave an incredible "good-bye" speech. He told the elders he was going to Jerusalem, under no illusions as to what he would face. God had prepared him for imprisonment and death. Paul wanted to finish the course God had set before him testifying to the good news of Christ's death for humanity's sin.
823 Series Special Event - Argument for God 10/13/2013 W. Mark Lanier
Do you believe in God? Not sure if you do? Do you work with people who wonder why you believe in God? Want to hear how a trial lawyer addressed those questions from a group of his non believing piers? Find out what takes more faith and sense: to be a believer or something else. This is a real life account of how to interacet with Grace and love to ALL around us. It's a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit in a life that is governed by Him.
824 Lesson 24 - Acts of the Apostles – Paul's Arrest 10/20/2013 W. Mark Lanier
This lesson is about Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. Despite Paul's innocence he didn't not attempt to win his freedom. Instead he maintained a focus on serving the Lord and winning people to Christ. While Paul was in Roman custody, God came to him in a special way. Luke records: The Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." (Acts 23:11)
Would you have the courage to act as Paul did, to continue to serve the Kingdom, and spread the Good News? Be encouraged as you follow Paul's journey to Rome.
825 Series Special Event - Songs and Interview with Michael Card 10/27/2013 W. Mark Lanier Mark Lanier interviews Michael Card, the theologian's songwriter, as he plays
Come Lift Up Your Sorrows, In Memory Of Her Love, and This Is Who You Are. Listen and be blessed by the beauty of music that seeks to glorify the Word and a discussion of how the Bible informs Mr. Card's life and art.
826 Lesson 25 - Acts of the Apostles – Paul Before Governor Felix 11/03/2013 W. Mark Lanier This lesson recouts the story of Paul's very bad day in Jerusalem. On the way to worship and fellowship at the Temple, he is almost killed until a tribune intervenes. Through the day he is beaten, slapped, interrogated, and hauled off to the barracks. He will be incarcerated for years, evenutally being brought to trial before Felix in Caesarea. The charges against Paul? He is accused of being a troublemaker, a ringleader, and a desecrater of the temple. And Paul's trial begins! Find out how Paul defends himself! Watch or listen! 28
827 Lesson 26 - Acts of the Apostles – Paul Before Agrippa 11/10/2013 W. Mark Lanier Paul's Jewish enemies wanted him dead. Pursuing their vision resulted in the opposite result. Instead of ending Paul's ministry, Paul was able to spread the gospel into the halls of the powerful, all the way to Rome. Paul had faith in God's promise, so Paul walked by his faith in God's sight rather than faith in his own. God's sight proved right. 27
828 Lesson 27 - Acts of the Apostles – Paul to Rome 11/17/2013 W. Mark Lanier. This lesson is about Paul's journey, as a Roman prisoner, from Caesarea to Rome where he would stand trial. It showcases his setting sail from Caesarea, the storm at sea which blew them off course from Crete to Malta, his 3 months at Malta healing the sick and telling about Jesus, and the final leg to Rome where Paul, for 2 years, paid for his own rented room and taught about Jesus. Paul saw his imprisonment in Rome as something God was using to further God's mission. 26
830 Lesson 28 - Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi 11/23/2013 Jared Richard
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul thanked them for remembering him in his ministry with their gifts. Paul had known plenty and poverty and Paul had reached contentment with however much he had. Having explained that, however, Paul wanted the Philippians to know his appreciation for all they had done for him. Paul told them his contentment came from his confidence that he could achieve all God wanted him to do through Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it was God who supplied all of Paul's needs, just as God did for the Philippians and all his children.
831 Lesson 29 - Paul's Letter to the Colossians 11/30/2013 W. Mark Lanier 24
833 Series Special Event - Christmas Challenge 12/17/2013 W. Mark Lanier 23
993 Lesson 32 - Paul's Letter to Titus 01/19/2016 W. Mark lanier
New Testament Survey – Lesson 32: Paul's Letter to Titus
Titus is both a pastoral letter and it is a thorough to-do list for Titus to follow in the churches Paul expected him to minister within. Titus was a Greek convert of Paul's who traveled extensively with him; as such he was well versed and shared much of Paul's understanding of doctrine. And he used him as his agent or representatives to the churches. The letter to Titus provided details of what Titus needed to do to get the churches in order. He gave Titus a list of traits for those Titus would appoint to the Eldership as well as strong words of guidance on how to deal with some of the difficult situations and people he would encounter.
Titus, Timothy, 'To-do' list, Pastoral Epistle, Jerusalem council, un-circumcised, Crete, Cretans, 'a servant of God', 'apostle of Jesus Christ', 'faith', 'knowledge', 'true son' in the faith, Jesus' messenger, Elders, traits, 'insubordinate empty talkers', Epimenides, 'corrupted their consciences', 'sound doctrine', 'grace of God', 'predicate adjective', self controlled, upright, righteous, subject to rulers, 'normative', submissive, obedient, ready for every good work, avoid quarreling, gentle, perfect courtesy, justified, Zenas the Lawyer
994 Lesson 33 - Paul's Last Letter and Last Days 01/23/2016 W. Mark Lanier
New Testament Survey – Lesson 33: Paul's Last Letter (2 Timothy) and Last Days
A quick review of what we know of Paul in the book of the Acts is recounted followed by what took place after events in the Acts. In 2 Timothy Paul is again under arrest in Rome only this time the conditions are much worse and Paul sees the coming of his death. This gives him a special perspective on his hope of salvation, which was based on in whom his faith was placed and not as much on what the doctrine was about. In his ending comments he instructed Timothy to ready in season and out of season to preach the Gospel.
Death, imprisonment, dying, Paul, Timothy, Titus, Acts, Clement, Spain, Rome, Caesar Nero, 'substituted as culprits', Suetonius, house arrest, persecution, 'apostle of Christ Jesus', 'spirit of timidity', confidence, faith, suffering, Onesiphorous, endure hardships, disown, faithful, approved, workman, noble instrument, 'evil desires of youth', stupid arguments, pursue righteousness, 'last days', denial of God, 'God-breathed', martyr, Origen, Eusebius, Gaius, Ostian Way, 'The Acts of Pau;,
991 Lesson 30 - Ephesians 01/08/2016 W. Mark Lanier
New Testament Survey – Lesson 31: Paul's Life After Acts and 1Timothy
Paul's letter to the Ephesians begins with 10 English sentences that show his thankfulness to God for all He's done through Jesus Christ. Paul is overwhelmed and overjoyed with God's blessings. Mark points out how Paul experienced the mystery of Jews and Gentiles united as brothers and sisters in Christ. What a grand call to unity! But in being believers, saved by grace, we have a responsibility to fight the spiritual battle for truth. Have you ever questioned what true obedience means in our world? How can we put on the full armor of God?
992 Lesson 31 - Paul's Life after Acts and 1 Timothy 01/13/2016 W. Mark Linear
A number of scholars believe Timothy was serving in Ephesus when he received the first of Paul's two letters that bear his name. The rise of false teachers and leaders that had lost their way in the Christian life were focal points of Paul's instructions. Timothy was to train for real godliness. He clarified the qualifications for overseers and deacons. And he urged him to pursue godliness so he could be found blameless.
Something on a stick, pastoral advice, house arrest, Rome, appealing, King Agrippa, Festus, Eusebius, pastoral epistles, instruction, missionary journey, Ephesus, my true child in the faith, false teachers, myths, genealogies, vain discussions, lawless, disobedient sinners, vilest sinner, mercy, prayers, youth, elders, overseers, deacons, leadership, dignified, social club, self-deprivation, holy, widows, slaves, sound doctrine, fight the good fight of faith, prayer
995 Lesson 34 - Hebrews - Overview 01/30/2016 W. Mark Lanier 18
996 Lesson 35 - Hebrews - Listening to God 02/09/2016 W. Mark Lanier
New Testament Survey – Lesson 35: Hebrews – Listening to God
The writer of the book of Hebrews used numerous references from the Old Testament to demonstrate the 'voice' of God through the prophets is consistent with His actions of love in the New Testament. His speaking to us is one long event, and not only by His Word but also by His deeds. Jesus was never a new idea or a new dialogue. He is the voice and continued conversation from the beginning. He is the embodiment of an unchanging God with a constant purpose. He was prophetically one who would not only be God's voice to us, but would bring us into relationship with God.
He has spoken, laleo, God spoke, prophets, long ago, at many times, in many ways, Jesus Christ, crucified, sermon, begotten, echoed, embodiment, loving righteousness, hating wickedness, continued conversation, unchanging God, constant purpose, prophetically, Moses, receptive hearts, Aaronic priests, appointment from God, Melchizedek, Christ's covenant, Christ's sacrifice, persevere, live right, speak, listen 17
997 Lesson 36 - Hebrews: Melchizedek 02/17/2016 W. Mark Lanier
New Testament Survey- Lesson 36: Hebrews: Melchizedek
Ever wonder where the origin of the priesthood began? Does the name of Melchizedek jar your memory? He's mentioned in only three places in the Bible: Genesis, Psalms, and Hebrews. What can Believers today learn from the Priest Melchizedek, and how does Jesus relate to him? Are you curious about the first instance of tithing. Mark addresses these questions and more in this week's lesson.
998 Lesson 37 - Hebrews: Faith 02/21/2016 Brent Johnson
New Testament Survey- Lesson 37: Hebrews: Faith
Hebrews 11 gives us an overview of Old Testament historical figures who walked by faith. But what did faith mean to them, and what does faith mean to us today? Mark shows us through the range of meanings of the Greek word pistis how faith is woven with trust to provide a dynamic witness to God. Can our faith translate to what we give back to God?
999 Lesson 37 - Hebrews: Faith Part 2 03/03/2016 W. Mark Lanier
New Testament Survey- Lesson 37: Hebrews: Faith Part 2
Mark's lesson this week concluded Hebrews 11. The stories of faith in this chapter confirm the power of God working through frail man destined for divine purposes. God desires our faith to move beyond salvation to obedience, and faith deals with real consequences. Study Mark's lesson to discover what God says about the how and why of faith.
1000 Lesson 38 - Hebrews: A lesson on Prayer 03/07/2016 W. Mark Lanier
Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases
New Testament Survey – Lesson 38: Hebrews – A lesson on Prayer
How do we pray? Is there a formula for prayer? Does God even care or listen? How can we be certain God wants to hear from us and speaks to us? Mark's lesson on the power of prayer uses Hebrews as well as other Scripture passages to offer hope and reassurance in God's desire to be in constant communication with believers.
1001 Lesson 39 - The Book of James 03/28/2016 W. Mark Lanier
Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 39:
The book of James gives us a fresh perspective on how to find encouragement and practical ways for the Christian to live in an imperfect world. Brent's teachings give us insight into how God uses life's trials, maturity, good works, and actions to show our faith in Jesus Christ.
1002 Lesson 40 - 1 Peter 04/04/2016 W. Mark Lanier
Did the apostle Peter write 1 Peter? Although the beginning words indicate Peter is the writer, some disagree with his authorship. Marks gives us the arguments for and against with insight into the world during the first century church. Weigh the arguments and explanations then choose who wrote 1Peter.
1011 Lesson 44 - 1 John 05/20/2016 W. Mark Lanier
Mark begins the first of three lessons covering 1 John. The overview show us the Apostle John's concerns for Christians nearly three decades after Jesus' resurrection. John was an eye witness to Jesus, and he wanted believers to know without a doubt that Jesus was really the Son of God who came in the flesh. Mark teaches about the questions plaguing Christians then and now, and the challenges we all face.
1012 Lesson 45 - 1 John, Part 2 - Themes 05/20/2016 W. Mark Lanier
1 John focuses on the metaphors related to light and darkness, good and evil. Too many early believers were using their freedom in Christ to sin, not grasping that sin is darkness. Mark says, "God's light makes the sun look like a 20 watt bulb."
1013 Lesson 46 - 1 John, Part 3 - Final Thoughts 05/26/2016 W. Mark Lanier
In this third and final lesson of 1 John, Mark shares some of his favorite passages. The first one is how the Disciple John explained love and feelings, with the understanding that faith is not a feeling but a decision of faith. John also deals with heresy, the progression of love, and love's transforming power.
1008 Lesson 41 - 2 Peter: Enduring Faith 05/20/2016 W. Mark Lanier Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 41: 10
1010 Lesson 43 - Jude 05/20/2016 W. Mark Lanier
1009 Lesson 42 - Finishing James 05/20/2016 Brent Johnson Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 42: 9
1014 Lesson 47 - Revelation - Introduction 05/31/2016 W. Mark Lanier
This week Mark gave an introduction to Revelation. The writer is widely believed as Apostle John while imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The book is unusual, complicated, a puzzle, filled with imagery, ideas, and symbolism. Mark explains why we should study Revelation in the context of apocalyptic literature.
1016 Lesson 49 - 2nd & 3rd John 06/21/2016 David B. Capes
David Capes taught 2 and 3 John. The writer, the Apostle John, identifies himself as the elder. John warned the readers of antichrists, gnosticism, and false teachers by telling the readers that Jesus is God made flesh. John encourages believers to grasp the Truth of Jesus and to show His love and humility to others, even strangers.
1015 Lesson 48 - Revelation - Structure 06/12/2016 W. Mark Lanier Biblical-Literacy Lesson Paraphrases New Testament Survey- Lesson 48: 3
1019 Lesson 50 - Special Series Event Revelation 07/07/2016 David Fleming 1


Marvel Entertainment, which licenses comic book characters like Spider-Man, posted a higher third-quarter profit, helped by worldwide licensing operations and growth in its publishing segment, and raised its 2007 outlook, sending shares up more than 20%.
Net income for the quarter rose to $36.3 million, or 45 cents a share, from $13.2 million, or 16 cents a share, a year ago.
Net sales rose 3% to $123.6 million.
Analysts had expected earnings of 28 cents a share, before exceptional items, on revenue of $90.52, according to Reuters Estimates.
Net sales at its licensing segment, which benefited from strong contributions related to Spider-Man 3 consumer merchandise licensing, rose 13% and sales at its publishing segment rose 1%.
"The publishing segment continues to benefit from strong sales of event-driven imprints such as World War Hulk and Stephen King's Dark Tower series," Marvel's chairman, Morton Handel, said in a statement.
For 2007, Marvel now sees earnings of $1.60-$1.65 a share, on revenue of $455 million-$475 million. It had earlier forecast earnings of $1.30-$1.55 a share, on revenue of $375 million-$435 million.
Analysts on average were expecting a profit of $1.44 a share, before items, on revenue of $431.8 million.
Marvel shares rose $4.69 to $28 in early electronic trade, after closing at $23.31 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.


Weddings are big business for this newly opened Rowley, Massachusetts, resort, where the staff is balancing its events roster while still ramping up.
ROWLEY, Massachusetts—The Briar Barn Inn is ramping up to be a complete wedding resort for couples looking for a location outside of Boston for their special day.
Teresa McKillop, GM at the Briar Barn Inn, said the hotel partially opened on 5 January with just the hotel and not the spa or 100-seat barn restaurant, The Grove.
The spa is awaiting final finishes and the restaurant will launch in mid-April, she said. The first three weddings at the property will be hosted in the restaurant space in March.
The farmhouse-style hotel has faced some challenges with being in a more remote location, but McKillop said guests who want to try out the property before the spa and restaurant are fully up and running understand that the nearest restaurant or movie theater might be 30 minutes away.
Briar Barn's parent company, Bramble Hospitality, formed to carry out weddings and other events simultaneously at the Briar Barn Inn and its sister property, Willowdale Estate, which fully functions as an events space, McKillop said. Willowdale Estate used to have guestrooms upstairs, but that space turned into office space once Briar Barn Inn opened.
The Briar Barn Inn is still figuring out its business mix, but one thing is for sure: The property is a wedding hotel.
The hotel opened with 15 rooms out of a wedding block in January, and McKillop said the hotel has 40 weddings on the books for 2019 and already has 18 scheduled for 2020. Business for the hotel fell a little differently this year because it was offering special promotions to some of the first guests staying at the hotel and booking weddings, but McKillop said she expects the hotel's peak season will fall during traditional wedding season from May to October.
Once the spa is fully up and running, the GM said she expects wedding parties to take advantage of manicures and pedicures before the wedding. The hotel also hopes to hire a makeup artist to handle makeup looks for bridal parties.
Aside from spa business from weddings, McKillop said she thinks the spa will become a place locals will visit as part of their weekly routines for manicures, pedicures and other spa treatments.
The Grove restaurant at Briar Barn, which is located in a big barn on-property, will also serve as event space at the hotel. The restaurant has two separate areas, and the space on the right-hand side of the restaurant can hold 32 people and has a standalone bar, McKillop said. That area will function as the restaurant if there is an event going on, but if the space is free, the entire barn will serve as the hotel restaurant.


text:
Одиша (; ; по-рано – Ориса) е щат в източна Индия. Столица и най-голям град е Бхубанешвар. Населението е около 41 947 358 млн. души (11-о място в Индия 2011 г.). Площ – 155 707 km². На 4 ноември 2011 г. името на щата официално е променено от Ориса на Одиша.

Граничи с Индийския океан, но поради релефа почти няма пристанища с изключение на Парадипа. Течението и делтата на река Маханади се отличава с високо плодородие. В условията на обилни валежи, реколта се прибира по два пъти в година.

Одиша се слави със своите храмови комплекси, като тези в Конарк, Пури и Бхубанешвар.

Туристи посещават предимно храм "Джаганатх" в Пури и храм "Слънце" в Конарк. Знаменит е също и храм Лингараджа в Бхубанешвар.

В плътно населените крайбрежни райони се говори предимно на езика одия (ория). В Одиша често има силни циклони. През октомври 1999 г. от тропическия циклон "05B" загиват десетки хиляди хора, а поради множеството и силни разрушения хиляди остават без покрив.

Източници

Щати в Индия

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu had a meeting on Monday, in Bucharest with his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova Andrei Galbur, a meeting in which they agreed, among others, to resume the Inter-Governmental Mixed Committee between Romania and the Republic of Moldova for European integration.
According to a release the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES on Monday, Teodor Melescanu had a meeting in Bucharest with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Andrei Galbur, the first counterpart welcomed in Bucharest by the new head of Romanian diplomacy.
The quoted source reveals that, on this occasion, the two ministers made an assessment of the current stage and prospects regarding the bilateral relations, reiterating the mutual interest in further developing the cooperation on all levels, in the spirit of the Bilateral Strategic Partnership for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova.
"Minister Teodor Melscanu underlined that the relationship with the Republic of Moldova is a major important priority of Romania's foreign policy and confirmed the strong will of Bucharest to further endorse the European path and the reforms promoted in Chisinau, in accordance with the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the EU, the objective of which is to respond to the prosperity and security aspirations of all citizens in the Republic of Moldova.
According to the MAE, Minister Andrei Galbur reiterated the firm determination of the Government in Chisinau to fully accomplish the European agenda of reforming and upgrading the society and thanked Romania's Government for the support granted to the Republic of Moldova in promoting its development programmes, including through implementing the infrastructure projects and the ones regarding the population's support.
The two ministers agreed on resuming the meetings of the Romania — the Republic of Moldova Inter-Governmental Mixed Committee for European integration, establishing the next meeting in Chisinau, in the first half of 2017.
Moreover, the two dignitaries voted in favor of organizing, in the spring of 2017, in Brussels, a meeting of the Group for the European Action of the Republic of Moldova (GEARM), within which a comprehensive analysis to be carried out on the development of Moldova's European path.
"The ministers exchanged opinions on the regulation process of the conflict in the Transnistria region. The two ministers pleaded for continuing the efforts in order to identify a political solution within the negotiations in the "5+2" format, by observing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and adopting a special statute for the Transnistria region," the MAE release points out.


Dammam Airport Pools is a good birding site near to Dammam, Dhahran and Al Khobar and is a large reedbed created by run off, I ssume, from the airport and holds water all year around. The surrounding Sabkha (salt pans) is also good for birds with breeding Black-crowned Sparrow Lark and Greater Hoopoe-Lark. The sparse vaegetaion around the sabkha is also good for migrants in the migartion season.
The site is easily reached by car by following directions to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Continue past the airport, which will be on the left hand side of the road if coming from Dhahran, until the road takes a sharp bend to the right. Continue on for about two kilometres and then take the first 'U' turn and start coming back towards the airport. After a hundred metres or so you will see a track off into the desert on the right hand side of the road. Take this track and head towards the reed beds. There are quite obvious tracks around the edge of the entire reed bed as well as a single track through the reeds that is driable. It is best to have a four-wheel drive vehicle for this site as the sabkha and sand is sot in places and it it possible to get stuck. Getting out and walking into the reed beds affords views of the waters edge but the water birds are very flighty due to the amount of shooting that can go on at this site.
Good roads lead to the airport from all directions and it can be rached in about fourty minutes from Dhahran. There are a couple of police checkpoints on the road but you very rarely, if ever, get stopped at these. Take your identity card or passport with you just in case you are stopped.


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Johnny Prime
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Tag Archives: beef 101
Meat 201
December 9, 2015 Johnny Prime	4 Comments
Meat 201 is an advanced examination of the four major cuts of beef that you're likely to see at a steakhouse. The four major cuts are Filet Mignon, Strip Steak, Porterhouse and Rib Eye. For more general information about these cuts, and for information about other cuts of beef, please see my MEAT 101 and MEAT 102 posts.
1. Porterhouse
Etymology: There is some difference of opinion on the origin of the word "Porterhouse," with several restaurants and cities claiming to have created the name. For example, Martin Morrison served large T-bones in his Pearl Street (Manhattan) "Porter House" around 1814. This history was popular in the late 1800's, but some say a Cambridge, Massachusetts proprietor by the name of Zachariah B. Porter added his name to the steak. Still, others argue that the Porterhouse name stems from various 19th Century U.S. hotels or restaurants called Porter House, such as the Porter House Hotel in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Anatomy: The Porterhouse is a cut of steak from the short loin portion of the animal that contains both strip loin and tenderloin meats. See the highlighted portion in the diagram below:
It is cut from a lumbar vertebra that is sawed in half through the vertebral column.
The downward prong of the "T" is a transverse process of the vertebra, and the flesh that surrounds it (spinal muscles) makes up the meat of the Porterhouse.
Essentially, it is a large T-bone steak from the rear of the animal that has two different types of meat (tenderloin and strip loin), one on either side of the "T." In the picture below, the strip loin or Strip Steak is on the right, and the tenderloin or Filet Mignon is on the left.
The small semicircle at the top of the 'T' is half of the vertebral foramen, which is the name of the hole that passes through each vertebra for housing and protecting the spinal cord. They run the whole way up the back, all the way up to the brain of the animal.
The anatomy of a Porterhouse differs from that of a T-bone only in that the Porterhouse contains a larger portion of tenderloin than its T-bone counterpart.
This is primarily due to the fact that Porterhouse steaks are cut from further in the rear of the animal, from lumbar vertebrae, where the tenderloin is much thicker. Experts differ, however, on how large the tenderloin must be to differentiate a Porterhouse from a T-bone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications state that the tenderloin of a Porterhouse must be at least 1.25 inches thick at its widest, while that of a T-bone must be at least 0.5 inches.
Here is a shot of a short loin with multiple vertebrae still intact and not portioned out into individual Porterhouses and T-bones.
You can see on the left there is a good sized, thick portion of tenderloin. That thins down as you move the the right, and seems to disappear by time your eyes reach the far end of the cut.
Just to drive home the anatomy a little more, here is a great excerpt and image from Russ Cooks:
"Up close and personal, this is where the T-bone fits.
photo credit: http://www.russcooks.com/images/t-bone-illustration.png
The black line across the top of the two T-bones pictured here is the outside (top of the back) of the steer. You can see the T-bone in the schematic illustration higher up on this page as the topmost part labelled Rib. Above the ribs, what you touch if you pat the steer's back, is the New York strip. Beneath the ribs is the tenderloin from which a filet mignon is often cut. T-bone steaks cut closer to the shoulder are known as Porterhouse while those cut closer to the loin are just T-bones."
Preparation: Most times, T-bones and Porterhouses are either grilled, seared in a pan, broiled or blasted with high heat in specialty steak ovens made for charring the outside of the meat without over-cooking the inside. Butter is essential, and heavy seasoning is important as well. Herbs and garlic help boost the flavor too.
Flavor: Since this cut contains both the Filet Mignon and the Strip Steak, I refer you to the flavor sections for those cuts below, with a notation that the bone being left in often adds a more robust flavor while helping to retain tenderness and juiciness. These are very popular items at steakhouses because they can be cut large enough to feed anywhere from two to four people. Additionally, with two different types of meat in one steak, one can vary the flavors that one experiences with each bite.
2. Filet Mignon
Etymology: Filet, in culinary terminology, means boneless. Mignon, in French, means dainty or small. As such, this is a steak ideally suited for chicks: small/dainty, and with no bone.
Occasionally on a steakhouse menu you will see a "bone-in filet." Given what I just mentioned above, that phraseology is completely self-defeating and confusing, as it simultaneously means both "bone-in" and "boneless." However, it seems this sort of language is becoming commonplace. If it were up to me, I would prefer "bone-in tenderloin" to be listed on menus instead. There is no wording conflict with that phrasing, and it is an accurate description of what is being presented. In other words: all Filet Mignon is tenderloin, but not all tenderloin is Filet Mignon.
Anatomy: Traditionally, a Filet Mignon was cut from the anterior end of the tenderloin. In the beef chart image below, you can see a portion of the tenderloin section highlighted in red.
That is where Filet Mignon was typically located, though most butchers label all steaks cut from the tenderloin as Filet Mignon (this allows for larger portions). The tenderloins run along both sides of the spine. They taper from thick, in the posterior of the animal, to thin in the front.
In their unbutchered form, they contain what's called the "silver skin" still attached to the flesh. This is a thick connective tissue that is pretty much inedible. When butchering the full tenderloin, you will want to slice that off (it is NOT tender).
While this next photo is a repeat shot of a lamb vertebra Barnsley chop (the mutton chop from Keen's), the anatomy is exactly the same for beef. This will illustrate exactly where the filet comes from. Essentially this is a double porterhouse, with a filet and a strip on each side. In addition to understanding the Filet Mignon, this image is useful in demonstrating the anatomy of the Strip and Porterhouse cuts as well, since they all come from the same place – the vertebrae of the animal:
Preparation: Preparations of this cut vary greatly. You may see this cut sliced thin and pounded flat, served raw for carpaccio. You may also see it finely chopped for tartare. A simple pan sear with butter and herbs, however, is probably the most common preparation.
Yet another style is Chateaubriand, which is a large section of the thick portion of the tenderloin that is roasted boneless, then sliced and served with a reduction sauce.
There is also Beef Wellington, which is a portion of tenderloin that has been coated with pate and then wrapped in puff pastry dough prior to cooking.
Flavor: Widely considered the most tender and least fatty cut of beef on the animal, the flavor should be uniform from one end to the other, with very tender and soft texture the whole way through. There is hardly any fat content in the standard cut of Filet Mignon. Some chefs will wrap the filet in caul fat (a lacy, fatty, web-like membrane that surrounds the stomach of an animal) before cooking. The webbing melts away during cooking and imparts a fat flavor into the meat. But it is more common to use things like butter, or to wrap a filet in bacon to add the fat flavor into the meat.
3. Strip Steak
Etymology: According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, this steak is marketed under various names, including Ambassador Steak, Club Steak, Hotel-Style Steak, Veiny Steak, Kansas City Steak and New York Strip Steak. Delmonico's offered Strip as a signature dish way back in the early 1800's. Due to the cut's association with NYC, the New York Strip Steak name was born.
Anatomy: The Strip is cut from the other side of the tenderloin, across the vertebra on the T-bone or Porterhouse.
Also known as strip loin, the Strip Steak is cut from the short loin part of the animal, from a muscle that does little work, like the Filet Mignon. It is generally more tender than the similarly situated but more posterior-located sirloin section of the animal. While it is essentially the same kind of meat as sirloin, the muscles in the rear do a bit more work than the short loin, so can be a bit more tough.
Preparation: For me, the Strip is best at medium rare, to preserve the tenderness and reduce any mealy or grainy textures that can develop from overcooking. It is always best to get a really great quality cut for this chop, something prime+, as all the intra-muscular fat, or marbling, will become soft and the muscle will tenderize all over. You will often see it marinated or rubbed with spices, to impart additional flavors, but grilling and broiling in the traditional style is fantastic as well, especially with butter and herbs. It can be served bone-in or boneless. Leaving the bone in will impart more flavor and help with the cooking process, since the bone conveys heat into the center of the meat while locking in juices. At home, marinade this puppy in something like soy sauce and garlic, and slap it on the BBQ for a few minutes on each side and you will have the perfect home-cooked steak.
Flavor: This cut contains fat in levels that are somewhat in between the tenderloin (virtually none) and the Rib Eye (plenty of good, melty fat). Like the tenderloin, there is little variation throughout the cut, so the flavors and textures are more uniform for the Strip Steak, unlike the Rib Eye which has varying textures and flavors from one end of the cut to the other. The texture of a Strip can sometimes be a little bit grainy or mealy, and a bit more tight than a Filet Mignon or a Rib Eye – especially if it's cooked too much.
4. Rib Eye
I've saved the best for last. The Rib Eye is the most ultimate of steaks, period. It is an awesome cut of beef.
Etymology: The etymology on this is pretty self-explanatory. The "rib" part of the name is because this cut of meat is connected to a rib bone. The "eye" part of the name is a reference to the circular, more centrally located portion of the cut that is more uniform than the outer portions of the cut. You will likely see the Rib Eye steak, or rib chop, called by many names.
For example, the Cowboy Rib Eye is a bone-in version of the cut:
There's also the Tomahawk Rib Eye, which is so named for its resemblance to a Tomahawk-style hatchet. When butchered, a long "handle" of rib is cut clean to expose the bone (it is "Frenched," as they say), and the steak meat is left at the end of the handle to form the hatchet blade:
Here's a shot of my buddy; he's about to get clobbered with a Tomahawk Rib Eye by Chef Josh Capon at Bowery Meat Company:
There's also the Delmonico cut, otherwise known as a Scotch Filet. Applying what you've learned here, you can probably guess that this cut is boneless (filet means "boneless" in French). Delmonico's claims this cut as their own because they named a house special boneless cut Rib Eye steak after their restaurant, way back in the early 1800's when they first opened.
Anatomy: The rib section of beef spans from ribs six through twelve, and, obviously, hails from the rib section of the animal.
Rib Eye steaks are mainly composed of the Longissimus dorsi muscle (the "eye" portion of the steak) and the Spinalis dorsi muscle.
The more anterior your cut, the more Spinalis you'll find in the steak. The Spinalis is the coveted cap of meat that wraps around the fatter end of the steak and usually has much more marbling than the rest of the Longissimus eye, or interior of the steak. That "fat cap" is also sometimes butchered away from the remaining eye.
photo credit: http://www.acookblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7574.jpg
Highly skilled butchers know how to remove it from its position across an entire standing rib roast section of ribs, so as to keep it all together as one giant cut. But then that ruins the rib chop, in my opinion, since you're taking away the best part. Some steakhouses have taken to tying several Spinalis cuts together in a spiral formation to create an all-fat-cap steak. Bowery Meat Company has one such cut, which they call the Bowery Steak:
STK also offers one on special from time to time:
The Spinalis has a more intense marbling, and, thus, much more flavor and tenderness. If you are so bold, the next time you order a Rib Eye at a steakhouse, ask for an anterior "chuck side" cut that has more of this fantastic Spinalis muscle.
Preparation: There are a ton of ways to prepare a rib steak. The most comon forms are searing in a pan, grilling, or broiling. Another common method of preparing this kind of meat is roasting. A "standing rib roast" is a section of Rib Eye steaks that has not yet been portioned into individual steaks.
When this rack of ribs is roasted slow and low to a pink medium rare, the end product is called Prime Rib.
It then gets sliced out into portions for individual consumption. This is a mammoth cut that we got from Burger & Barrel:
I know what you're wondering, and the answer is Yes: Prime Rib and Rib Eye steak are the same exact thing. They are just prepared differently, using different cooking methods.
Cheaper cuts of rib steaks are actually the most common type of beef found in Philly Cheesesteaks as well. The meat is cut super thin and then cooked on a flat top with cheese, onions and other toppings, then shoved into long sandwich bread (incase you're an asshole who has no fucking clue was a cheesesteak is).
Side Bar: is a Philly Cheesesteak better than a Cheeseburger? I think so… Man… Now I'm hungry for both…
Flavor: This steak has a high fat content, and that makes it very important to have a quality cut of beef, or an aged cut of beef. In high quality and aged cuts, this fat will render out or melt away much easier during the cooking process. This will impart a tremendous amount of flavor into the steak, and it will leave the remaining flesh with a very tender and soft texture. Don't be afraid of the fat. Fat is not the same as gristle. Fat is good. Fat is your friend. Any good butcher will get the gristle off and leave the good fat behind. And when that good fat is REALLY good, it's like having a delicious beef jelly with each bite of steak.
As discussed above, the Rib Eye is really like having two steaks in one (The small Spinalis or fat cap, and the larger Longissimus eye). The Spinalis is soft, tender, has lots of fat flavor and sometimes develops a crisp during cooking. The eye is more dense, but still well marbled so that it retains intense flavor. The eye is more uniform than the Spinalis. So: two steaks in one, kind of like the Porterhouse. Plus, there's a nice, meaty beef spare rib to gnaw on at the end, if you order a bone-in chop.
Since there is generally more fat and marbling in this cut across its entirety, you will get better flavors than with the tenderloin or Strip, in my opinion. Clearly, high fat content is not for everyone. If you want to avoid fats in your diet, then go with the tenderloin. I actually really enjoy the flavor of fat. Fat, now, is sometimes referred to as the sixth flavor sensation. There were always four: (1) savory, (2) sweet, (3) bitter and (4) sour. "Umami" claims to be the fifth, and is meant to encompass the earthy, funky, fermented flavor sensations that you experience with mushrooms, truffles, aged beef and blue cheese. I just dislike the word "umami," so I use "earthy" instead. The sixth is "fat," apparently, as decreed by various food people who get paid to sit around and do these things. I'm not sure how it works, but I seem to be able to recognize a distinct sensation on my tastebuds, along with a buttery flavor and slippery feel, whenever I eat shit like pork bone ramen or a Rib Eye steak. Maybe there's something to it?
Anyway, I hope this was an informative and educational post for you meat minions out there. Knowing this shit, I think, is very important.
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YouTube and MTV Try to Shut Down New Cheney Indictment Film
Posted: January 30, 2012 in Joan Brunwasser
Tags: advertising, censorship, Dick Cheney, movie, prosecution, torture, US government
By Joan Brunwasser
Film Website and Action Page
JB: My guest today is the Pen. Welcome to OpEdNews! Before we get started, can you please tell our readers a little about the Pen, who you are and what you do?
P: The Pen happens to be my full, legal name. But people call me just Pen, and I like that. I started my life as an internet policy activist, and have worked many years to facilitate the voices of others to speak out for policy advocacy. And I have also been responsible for creating various creative media projects in the past relating to policy issues. In this case, I had a vision of producing a full feature length film, The Last War Crime, about what it would have been like if Dick Cheney had already been indicted for torture, if justice had already prevailed, and at the same time produce an entertaining and suspenseful movie. At the end, there is a classic movie race against time, will the heroine succeed in getting Cheney served live with the arrest papers, or will they intercept her before she can do that?
JB: Is this your first effort, Pen?
P: For a full length feature film, yes. But I have worked closely with actors before to get performances. I wrote and produced a 40-minute radio play that got some exposure, and when the health care reform debate was happening, I wrote some video spots addressing that, and produced those with a full camera crew, so that gave me the confidence to tackle a larger project like this. And with the valiant help of many extraordinarily talented cast and crew members, we pulled off the production.
A Schizophrenic Hypocrisy in Hollyweird?
Posted: January 26, 2012 in -
Tags: downloading, Hollywood, hypocrsy, pirating, studios, torrents
Busted: BitTorrent Pirates at Sony, Universal and Fox
With increasing lobbying efforts from the entertainment industry against BitTorrent sites and users, we wondered whether these companies hold themselves to the same standards they demand of others. After some initial skimming we've discovered BitTorrent pirates at nearly every major entertainment industry company in the US, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Entertainment and NBC Universal. Busted.
Read the whole piece. And get mad. Really mad. Don't take it anymore.
"ACTA" is SOPA's Pimp Daddy
Tags: ACTA, AUTHORITARIANISM, free speech, INTERNET FREEDOM, PIPA, SOPA
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a proposed plurilateral agreement for the purpose of establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement.
Like the WTO this supra-national treaty aims to clamp down on the global internet in the same way that SOPA/PIPA would have clamped down inside the United States.
See the Wikipedia page for ACTA.
The bad news: Obama's henchmen have already signed the treaty:
Signed	1 October 2011
Location	Tokyo
Signatories	United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea
Opponents have argued that the treaty will restrict fundamental civil and digital rights, including the freedom of expression and communication privacy.[7] "The bulk of the WTO's 153 members" have raised concerns that treaty could distort trade and goes beyond the existing Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.[8] Opponents also criticize ACTA's removal of "legal safeguards that protect Internet Service Providers from liability for the actions of their subscribers" in effect giving ISPs no option but to comply with privacy invasions.[9] According to an analysis by the Free Software Foundation, ACTA would require that existing ISPs no longer host free software that can access copyrighted media, and DRM-protected media would not be legally playable with free or open source software.[10]
MPAA's Fraudulent Data About Piracy
Tags: con congress, fraud, inflated numbers, Lies, PIPA, SOPA
This is pretty huge, the alleged "huge problem" of lost revenue due to internet piracy:
Finally, in 2010, the Government Accountability Office released a report noting that these figures "cannot be substantiated or traced back to an underlying data source or methodology."
How Copyright Industries Con Congress
Of the total $6.1 billion in annual losses LEK estimated to MPAA studios, the amount attributable to online piracy by users in the United States was $446 million—which, by coincidence, is roughly the amount grossed globally by Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales Debates Copyright Alliance
Tags: copyright, PIPA, SOPA, Wikipedia
I would never label someone a Copyright Nazi Bitch, but if some viewers got that vibe…
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks the Internet (Action Needed)
Tags: censorship, INTERNET FREEDOM, PIPA, SOPA
http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/
Sign petition today and pass it on. The internet is rebelling against these authoritarian censorship measures.
Saving Private Perez (2011)
Posted: January 17, 2012 in Joe Giambrone
Tags: family, Iraq, Mexico, war
Saving Private Perez
A Mexican action-comedy that delivers a solid story. I loved this movie. It remained true to itself throughout and it brought some unlikely characters into the middle of the American invasion of Iraq, while keeping a distance from the American propaganda about that fiasco.
Crime boss Julian Perez, the most feared man in Mexico, is given one chance at forgiveness by his dying mother. Julian's brother, a US soldier, has been captured in the initial stages of the Iraq War (crime). Julian must assemble a crack team of Mexican badasses to infiltrate Iraq and locate the captured brother before those holding him decide to execute him.
With the classic ticking clock, the blood is thicker than water theme, and the hilarious stylistic choices particularly the costumes, Julian accepts his mission to become an unlikely hero. A near impossible task pits his clearly out of place pistoleros against the Iraqi fighters as well as the American army. In order to find the secret location where the prisoners are kept the Mexicans go through hell. They choose no sides, and they remain focused on the one goal of bringing Juan Perez back to his mother in Mexico.
For such an obvious comedy, the film was actually played straight with deadly serious action and some plausible tactical situations. They did get silly every now and then to mix it up and let you off the hook, but all in all a very gripping tale that would have played US theaters if Americans could read subtitles.
It's out on DVD now where it can be rented or bought and likely will be a hit with Mexican-American audiences. Viva Mexico!


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Some people choose to make a donation in memory of their loved ones, while others collect donations at a funeral, create a special online tribute page, or include a gift in memory in their Will. However you choose to donate, giving in memory is an important way to honour a life and create a lasting legacy that will impact generations to come.
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Oregon Coast and Northern California Coast Travel Radio.
Welcome to our Oregon Coast and Northern California Coast Travel Radio Podcasts! In this Podcast we will be explaining how we will be sharing all the info on the Oregon and Northern California Coast. Lots to See and Do and Explore and Play and Stay and Eat! We are excited to share with you! Music provided by bensound.com Track: "All That", "Hip Jazz" For a list of our Podcasts click Here.
Click Here to check out all of our awesome podcasts!
Do you want beaches and sand to explore? How about that perfect day of golf and beer? Maybe it's a romantic getaway or spa day? Or do you like the thrill of zip lining through the trees or catching a salmon on the ocean? Take our quiz and find out your perfect beach getaway! Take our quiz. Click Here.
Circles in the Sand. A labyrinth experience on the beach.
If you want a beautiful experience, walk the labyrinth and share the moment with others just like us!
One can find all kinds of treasures on Oregon Coast beaches: agates, shells, fossils, and rarely, glass fishing floats. Lincoln City makes it a little easier to find these rare, glass treasures during Treasure Hunting Season. Throughout the winter, round 3,000 total handcrafted glass floats and other locally crafted items are distributed for our visitors' enjoyment. Experience the Oregon Coast and have fun and find a treasure at the same time!
Save money at the beach! If you would like us to promote you with a coupon just contact us and we will give you details!


Note - The trails leading to Laem Singh Beach has been closed to the public by the owners of the land surrounding it from April 20, 2017. In Thailand private beaches are unlawful, but if the entire land around it belongs to someone, that someone has the right to give access or not. Therefore, nowadays the only possible access to the beach is by the sea with longtail boats.