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November 5, 2019 By Tera Kelley
Are you fascinated by the climate crisis leadership of Greta Thunberg? What does it take to turn an ordinary person into an environmental hero?
If you've noticed that young people in your lives are waking up and paying attention, now is a great time to share about other heroes who have led the way in changing our relationship to nature and the earth. From Jane Goodall to Jacques Cousteau, Wangari Maathai to Henry David Thoreau, these charismatic heroes grew up (for the most part) just like you or me. What made them stand up for wild things?
It turns out, each hero has their own path and their own answer. In Girls who Looked Under Rocks, we meet visionaries, scientists, and artists who dared to dream big when women were seen as less than competent. They explored, investigated, and spoke out on behalf of nature and animals.
In the three-part Earth Heroes series, we meet Teddy Roosevelt who preserved the West, Rachel Carson who spoke up when others were silent, RD Lawrence who changed attitudes about wolves, and Sylvia Earle who dived deep into the mysteries of the sea. The most fascinating facts about these heroes are collected in concise chapters that explore how they became environmental leaders.
The three books in the series are Champions of the Wilderness, Champions of Wild Animals, and Champions of the Oceans.
And, finally, in John Muir: My Life with Nature we are carried along by the great conservationist's own words about the awe he felt in America's wild spaces and his calling to preserve them. Revised from the original by nature educator Joseph Cornell, this slim picture book has been carefully edited to speak to a younger audience.
Filed Under: Connecting Children and Nature, Nature Books For Kids
Previous Gobble Gobble–A Wild Turkey Read aloud
Next Quiet Books for Noisy Times


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AA VP
Posted in Uncategorized on May 29, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Commentary wants former Vice President Joe Biden to pick U.S. Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. During this pandemic it makes perfect sense and sends a powerful message. The African American community is being disproportionately targeted by COVID-19. We also see what is happening in Minnesota. We need an African American female on the ticket. It is the right and best thing to do.
Minnesota is having a bad week. An African American male was killed by a Minneapolis police officer Monday evening and the whole world has watched the murder. The police officer was fired but has not been arrested. Parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul have been looted and burned down. Then this morning, an African American male CNN journalist and his crew were arrested on live TV for doing their job. Way to go, Minnesota.
The CNN crew was later released, and the Minnesota Governor apologized.
A white CNN reporter was nearby and wasn't arrested.
Nobody needs to explain to Commentary why there is unrest.
Commentary is thinking that U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota just officially saw her hopes of joining the ticket get flushed down the toilet.
Meanwhile, Twitter called out another Donald Trump tweet this morning and Trump's folks are starting an all-out war with Twitter. Good. Maybe, Twitter is setting Trump up to kick him off their platform.
Meanwhile, Trump's punkarse, Ted Cruz, wants Twitter investigated. Somebody needs to investigate why Cruz is Trump's lapdog after Trump insinuated that Cruz's wife was ugly and Cruz's father was in on the JFK assassination.
In the continuing saga of voting in person is hazardous to your health, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that he will extend the Early Voting in Person period for the November General Election. In other words, the State of Texas has no problem if you are under the age of 65 and apply for a mail ballot. Gov. Abbott just doesn't want to tell us directly because he is scared Trump will call him out.
Gov. Abbott also said that fans could now attend pro sporting events that are held outdoors at 25% capacity and six feet apart. Think about this for a second. Even if you have 25% capacity at six feet apart at The Yard in the summer with the roof open – duh, the sweat factor in H-Town's heat. I really don't believe they think these things through.
What a crazy Friday!
Have a safe weekend and wear a mask if you are out and about.
100,000 COVID-19 USA deaths and growing daily.
We have no idea when this will end.
The public health experts are advising us to wear masks.
The Texas Supreme Court has a virtual hearing on mail ballots because they are afraid of COVID-19.
Fu_k them! Vote by mail.
Commentary will say it again. Here is how to do it. Let's go back to the Texas Secretary of State's April 2 Election Advisory on COVID-19:
Upon reviewing the Advisory, State Rep. (Anna) Eastman directed me to work with the Harris County Clerk's election officials to develop a vote by mail application to send to all voters based on the Secretary of State's Advisory. After a few drafts and revisions, that the Secretary of State's office saw and reviewed, we came up with one that they said, "looks fine to us." The last thing we wanted to do was make an investment in an application that would subsequently be rejected by the Harris County Clerk's and the Secretary of State's elections folks.
Rep. Eastman's application included the exact same language on disability from the Secretary of State's Advisory.
Here is the language again:
One of the grounds for voting by mail is disability. The Election Code defines "disability" to include "a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health." (Sec. 82.002). Voters who meet this definition and wish to vote a ballot by mail must submit an application for ballot by mail.
Commentary has posted recently on my Commentary the Rep. Eastman campaign application for folks to see.
Let me repeat. The Chief Election Officer of the State of Texas, the Texas Secretary of State said Rep. Eastman's Vote by Mail application "looks fine to us."
The Rep. Eastman campaign did it the right way.
Here is from the Statesman on the Supreme Court hearing yesterday:
The court, however, rejected Paxton's request to order county election clerks to reject applications for mail-in ballots from voters who fear exposure to the coronavirus.
County officials lack the authority to question or investigate claims of disability, Hecht noted, adding that clerks are expected to faithfully convey the ruling's outcome to voters.
"The Clerks have assured us that they will fully discharge their duty to follow the law. We are confident that they will follow the guidance we have provided here," Hecht wrote. "Accordingly, we conclude that (ordering) them to do so is unwarranted."
From Trib on the hearing:
Although the court sided with Paxton's interpretation of what constitutes a disability, it indicated that it is up to voters to assess their own health and determine if they meet the state's definition.
"We agree, of course, that a voter can take into consideration aspects of his health and his health history that are physical conditions in deciding whether, under the circumstances, to apply to vote by mail because of disability," the court ruled.
The high court also rejected Paxton's request to prevent local election officials from sending mail-in ballots to voters who were citing lack of immunity to the coronavirus as a disability. Those officials denied they were operating outside the law and argued they cannot deny ballots to voters who cite a disability — even if their reasoning is tied to susceptibility to the coronavirus.
When voters cite disability to request an absentee ballot, they're not required to say what the disability is. The voters simply check a box on the application form, and if their application is properly filled out, locals officials are supposed to send them a ballot. The state ultimately conceded that officials can't reject those voters.
And from Kuffer on the hearing:
Now for that caveat. The Supreme Court has made it clear what the law is, and what is – or, more to the point, is not – a disability. Your county clerk will send you a mail ballot if you ask for one, but Ken Paxton could have you arrested, or some wingnut activist like Alan Vara could file a complaint against you, if you request one because of COVID concerns. I think the risk of the former is small unless you make yourself a target, but the latter is non-trivial since who gets a mail ballot is a matter of public record. That doesn't mean that your local DA will agree to press charges, or that they would be able to get a conviction, but who wants to deal with that? We know how vindictive the legal system can be to people charged with violations of the electoral code, especially to voters of color. I'm planning to vote in person regardless, but if I had been thinking about applying for a mail ballot, this would definitely make me reconsider. You have to decide for yourself what your risk of exposure is.
Here is all of today's Kuffer that has nothing but good takes today: http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/.
It is all about today's Chron front page headline: 100,000.
It is a fu_king pandemic.
Go to Harrisvotes.com and fill out a mail ballot application, check the Disability, annual, and Democratic Primary boxes, sign it, stick it in an envelope, slap a stamp on it and mail it. It is a lot safer.
We need to encourage folks to vote by mail. Get a lot of folks to do it and when it is all said and done, folks will see that it is not a big deal.
63 years ago today, MLB's National League owners gave permission to the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants to move to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The MLB owners and MLB players can't agree to terms on compensation for a short season if we have a season at all. If this dispute heats up and forces fans to pick a side, you know it is going to be players. They never have owner bobblehead day.
State of Texas to Voters: Vote by Mail
Here is what is on the Texas Secretary of State's main webpage:
COVID-19 – As recommended precautions continue to increase for COVID-19, the James E. Rudder Building will be closed to visitors and customers beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Office of the Secretary of State is committed to continuing to provide services to ensure business and public filings remain available 24/7 through our online business service, SOSDirect or use the new SOSUpload. Thank you in advance for your patience during this difficult time. Information on Testing Sites is now available.
Here is what is on the Harris County Clerk's webpage:
Harris County Clerk offices remain closed to the public until further notice. Employees will continue serving the public by email and phone, but residents are reminded that they can access most services online.
If you want to visit the elections folks, you have to call and make an appointment.
Let that sink in for a minute. These are the folks that are in charge of the elections in Texas and in Harris County and for the most part they are closed to the public – thanks to COVID-19.
It is pretty clear to Commentary and it should be pretty clear to you that despite what Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is saying, the folks in charge of running the elections would not have a problem with those under 65 years of age applying to vote by mail using the Disability excuse because they don't want to risk exposure.
Think about it. Do we need to be discussing health protocols for voters in an eight-page document that was put out yesterday by Texas' Chief Election Officer? The Texas Secretary of State put out a "Health Protocols for Voters" and here are parts:
Voters should consider bringing their own marking instruments such as a pen, pencil with eraser, or stylus to use when checking-in to vote and for marking their ballot. Voters should contact their county election office to determine what type of marking devices are appropriate to use for the ballots in their county.
Voters should bring their own hand sanitizer into the polling location and should use hand sanitizer to disinfect their hands after leaving the polling location.
Here is the scariest one:
If the election judge is not able to determine the identity of a voter wearing a face covering, the voter should be prepared to lower or remove their face covering when checking-in at a polling place.
Here are the entire protocols: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/health-protocols-for-voters.pdf.
You don't want to tell the election judges to fu_k themselves if they ask you to remove your mask. Vote by mail.
Think about it. You are asked to bring your own pen to sign in, hand sanitizer and you might have to remove your face mask. Why? Because voting is risky. You could get real sick and it is a serious health concern. Voting in Person, it turns out, is hazardous to your health. Think about that?
Read between the lines, please. The Texas Secretary of State wants you to go look at her April 2, 2020 Election Advisory on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Voting and Election Procedures.
Here is the first line of the advisory:
The purpose of this advisory is to assist election officials in facilitating voting for individuals that may be affected by COVID-19, and in preparing for the conduct of elections in the context of this public health issue.
On page two of the Advisory, Voting by Mail was addressed, and the four excuses were listed but only the disability excuse was addressed with this:
Look. This isn't a Democratic Party Primary thing. The Secretary of State is also talking to GOP voters who still have key runoffs in some parts of the state.
The Secretary of State and the Harris County Clerk, the folks who are in charge of elections, want us to pursue the Vote by Mail option. They just don't want to say it outright.
Go to Harrisvotes.com and fill out a mail ballot application, sign it, stick it in an envelope, slap a stamp on it and mail it. It is a lot safer.
State Rep. Anna Eastman demonstrated outstanding leadership by sending HD 148 Dem voters a mail ballot application.
Royko responded to my take yesterday on H-Town not being interested in a GOP National Convention in three months. Here is Royko:
Houston would benefit having the Republican National Convention at the GRB.
The Mayor would love the extra hotel and sales tax revenue, and this type of windfall economic activity would help the airports, car rental companies, restaurants, and all sorts of small businesses. The local Pravda and TV stations will get additional advertising revenue. Even those businesses owned by zealot Democrats.
This would make a great turn-around story. Exactly 3 years after the Hurricane Harvey destruction, and trying to recover from the economic shut-down, Houston would be host to both the Republican State Convention (July) and the Republican National Convention, bringing world-wide attention to Houston. Just think, more riders for the 3rd-world-class METRORail.
I can think of no better optics than Texas Governor Abbott welcoming the President to Houston at Ellington Field (now a Space Port).
It is not the kind of worldwide attention H-Town needs right now.
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Donald Trump was an "absolute fool." Good.
Last night was Dollar Dog Night.
No Thanks, Mike
Posted in Uncategorized on May 26, 2020| 1 Comment »
Donald Trump threw a temper tantrum yesterday and threatened to pull the Republican National Convention out of North Carolina unless he was guaranteed a packed convention. Mike Pence then said Texas would be one of the states that could host the convention. No thanks, Mike. Not in H-Town. We aren't in the hate importing business. You are not going to come to H-Town, pack NRG or Toyota, and talk sh_t about immigrants who are the backbone of our community. We also wouldn't take too kindly to host a few thousand mask eschewing guest arseholes in our fine city for a week or so this August.
In these times, I probably shouldn't mind if 20,000 or so hard core GOP leaders gather in a packed convention hall and yell like crazy for four straight days. That is not how it works though. We have the folks who would be working at the convention hall and hotels that I worry about.
Fox News personality Brit Hume kind of poked fun at former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a face mask. You have leave it to Fox idiots to poke fun of someone for doing the responsible thing.
Here is what is puzzling. If the November election is going to be about how Donald Trump handles the pandemic, shouldn't it make sense for all of his supporters including Trump himself, to be all wearing masks, so we can get through this quickly?
Back to Biden and the mask thing. If he is going to be wearing a mask, I would advise his campaign to devote a little effort into developing custom theme masks that showcase issues, locales he's visiting – you get the picture. It would also add a little personality.
Commentary signed up to be a delegate to the Texas Democratic Party State Convention. The past couple of weeks I have gotten a bunch of emails from Democrats wanting my vote for DNC, National Delegate and other Party positions. I need to figure out who is running in each race.
Ulysses S. Grant was our 18th President. The History Channel is currently airing "Grant." He is also on the $50 bill. Care to know when he first appeared on the fifty? 1913.
MLB players are going to start working out. There will be protocols in place like all coaches have to wear PPE. Pitchers will have their own baseballs. There will be limits on how many players can work out at one time. No media will be allowed. Sigh.
I wonder which Astros will show up at The Yard?
Today is my little sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Aida Garza!
I wonder if Siete is selling face masks?
Stephen Zepeda tested negative. Nice.
Commentary thinks some folks are overdoing it this weekend. I might be wrong, but I don't think you take a weekend off on the social distancing and expect Señor COVID to do likewise.
Governor Greg Abbott jumped the gun and wanted stuff to open up. It is his call. Abbott and other GOP leaders don't take this seriously, so why should folks who went partying this weekend?
Former Vice President Joe Biden said something dumb the other day and then he came around and apologized. Then some Donald Trump supporters pounced on Biden's dumb remarks. I didn't pay attention to these arseholes because Trump says racist mean dumb sh_t on a daily basis, never apologizes, and his arsehole supporters are uniformly silent. F_ck these arseholes.
From the ghoulish news department, I wonder if CNN is having internal meetings on which anchor will be on the air when we hit 100,000 COVID-19 deaths in the USA? Wolf, Erin, Brooke, Jake, Poppy, Kate, Brianna, AC360, John K, John B, Chris or Don? I didn't include the weekend anchors because it will happen in the next couple or so days.
Former H-Town Council Member Bert Keller and former Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart will be seeking the Harris County Republican Party nomination for County Clerk. Commentary still hasn't heard of a Democrat running.
Commentary is doing most of my groceries via online ordering and curbside pickup. I don't want to spend my time going up and down the aisles. It is easier to go up and down my computer screen. There are still hassles though. For my latest order the site wouldn't display some products like whole bean coffee and fruit preserves. Substitutions sometimes miss the mark. I always order the cheapest napkins because they really don't have a whole lot of meaning to them. Yesterday, instead of getting the cheapies, they substituted with the really fancy napkins, like I am going to reuse them. They charged me for bananas, but when I got home, there weren't any bananas. When I got home, I saw some things that I didn't think I ordered. I checked my online receipt, and sure enough, I didn't order them. I wasn't charged, so, it was a wash, I guess. You can't really go through every grocery bag there curbside when you make the pickup.
I had the golf match on the flat screen yesterday. It was entertaining. I had CNN on my phone at the same time.
We have missed 53 regular season games. 26 of them at The Yard.
We were supposed to play at Fenway this past weekend. Last night's game was also an ESPN Sunday Night Game.
Stay safe this Memorial Day and wear a mask because dumbarses won't.
Underlying Health Condition
This is scary and something I hope doesn't happen. Here is from the Chron:
Using cellphone data, national study predicts huge June spike in Houston coronavirus cases
Houston is one of several cities in the South that could see spikes in COVID-19 cases over the next four weeks as restrictions are eased, according to new research that uses cellphone data to track how well people are social distancing.
The updated projection, from PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, found that traffic to non-essential businesses has jumped especially in Texas and Florida, which have moved aggressively to reopen.
In Harris County, the model predicts the outbreak will grow from about 200 new cases per day to more than 2,000 over the next month.
"Some areas—particularly in the south—that have moved more quickly to reopen are showing a higher risk for resurgence," the researchers wrote in a blog post. "If people in Houston and Palm Beach, Fla., for example, aren't being cautious with masking in indoor crowded locations and with hygiene and disinfection, local governments may need to intervene again should they lose control of the epidemic."
Thank you, knuckleheads!
My old pal Keith Wade left us way too soon yesterday. He was taken by the virus. I first met him when he was working for my friend Mickey Leland way back then. We worked together a few times including in 1991, when we handled the state representative special election win by Garnet Coleman. Our conversations were always thoughtful. I last saw him at the GLBT endorsement meeting earlier this year. Keith will be missed.
Underlying Health Condition is the term I often see next to a death caused by COVID-19. I guess to let folks know that a lot of those that are dying were sick to begin with. And? It will say like AA. Male. 80s, Underlying Health Condition. So? If COVID-19 were not around. It would be AA, Male, Underlying Health Condition, went to go see his grandkids earlier today.
I am sure Donald Trump never maskers are going to be let down big time when they see the photo of Trump wearing a mask. They will call it fake photojournalism.
Yesterday was also Baseball Hall of Fame great Bobby Cox's birthday. My best friend told me yesterday that Bobby Cox holds the record for most times being ejected by an ump in MLB games. 161 ejections. For those who don't know, Cox was a skipper.
Yesterday was also one of my best friend's birthday. I texted Julie Luna a happy birthday yesterday.
Stay safe this Memorial Day weekend and wear a mask.
Rubber Soul
Today is my Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! Of course, she left us three years ago next month. She probably wouldn't be missing what is going on these days. She left us just in time with plenty to spare.
The public health experts say wearing a mask reduces the spread of COVID-19. Commentary wears a mask if I have to be out among the public. I have a few that I will be wearing throughout the summer. I am part of the face mask wearing community who are being responsible and want to get through this sh_t with not that many more folks getting infected. Those who don't wear masks don't give a rat's arse about nobody but themselves, and because of them, more folks are going to get sick and die, and it is going to take us longer to get through this sh_t.
That sums it up in my book.
If you folks continue to go barefaced during the pandemic, you can't be opposed to those under 65 years of age wanting to vote by mail. I encourage those under 65 to fill out a vote-by-mail application, check the annual box, the Democratic Primary box, and the Disability box. I can pretty much guarantee you that AG Ken Paxton is not going to pay a visit to you and ask to explain your Disability. That's the VBM strategy, folks.
As of this morning, no one has filed an Appointment of Treasurer for Harris County Clerk according to the Harris County Clerk's webpage on filings. Someone has to be thinking about running.
I wore my Beatles Rubber Soul t-shirt the other day.
What tune from the "Rubber Soul" album would definitely not be cool if it were to be released today? "Run for Your Life" for sure would not be cool.
Stay safe, wear a mask, and show some respect.
The Houston Food Bank distribution that co-sponsors State Rep. Anna Eastman and Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle help put together served close to 3000 families yesterday evening. Good job!
This is what the federal judge said yesterday when he ruled that all folks could vote by mail during the pandemic here in the Lone Star state:
"One's right to vote should not be elusively based on the whims of nature. Citizens should have the option to choose voting by letter carrier versus voting with disease carriers."
Here is the deal. In Texas, there are four ways you can vote by mail. I call it the four excuses: you are 65 or older, you are in jail but have not been convicted of a felony, you are out of the county, or by disability.
On April 2 of this year, just over seven weeks ago, the Texas Secretary of State put out an Election Advisory with this in the subject line:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Voting and Election Procedures
Upon reviewing the Advisory, State Rep. Eastman directed me to work with the Harris County Clerk's election officials to develop a vote by mail application to send to all voters based on the Secretary of State's Advisory. After a few drafts and revisions, that the Secretary of State's office saw and reviewed, we came up with one that they said, "looks fine to us." The last thing we wanted to do was make an investment in an application that would subsequently be rejected by the Harris County Clerk's and the Secretary of State's elections folks.
Commentary has posted recently on my Commentary the application for folks to see.
The Texas Election Code says the Texas Secretary of State is the Chief Election Officer of the State of Texas. The Code does not bestow that title to the Texas Attorney General.
The Secretary of State is also one of the Governor's more important and high-profile appointments. I really don't think that they would have issued the April 2 Advisory without giving the Governor's folks a heads up of sorts.
Commentary's opinion is the Chief Elections Officer of the State of Texas wants to give all voters the option to vote by mail during this pandemic.
Commentary stayed up last night to watch online who Harris County Commissioners Court would pick as the Interim Harris County Clerk. I was surprised by the selection. This was out of the blue so to speak. Here is from the Chron today:
Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday appointed an attorney and Texas Democratic Party official as interim county clerk.
Christopher Hollins, vice finance chairman for the state party, will serve until a new clerk can be elected in November. Incumbent Diane Trautman, who was elected in 2018, announced May 9 she would step down because of health issues.
The court voted 3-2 along party lines to approve Hollins. Five public speakers urged court members to choose Teneshia Hudspeth, Trautman's chief deputy. County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said Hollins' pledge to serve only on an interim basis factored in their decision.
Hollins was selected after 10 p.m., more than 12 hours after Commissioners Court convened, and was unavailable for comment.
Here is the entire read from the Chron: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-Democratic-Party-official-appointed-interim-15282265.php.
A handful of folks spoke yesterday in favor of Teneshia Hudspeth, Trautman's deputy, for the interim position. I don't recall anyone speaking for Hollins.
My takeaway on this. By not picking someone from within, the Democrats on Commissioners Court are signaling that they had no confidence in how Trautman ran her shop. That's sad.
Bringing in a new Interim County Clerk in the middle of one of the most important elections in our lifetimes is interesting to say the least. Good luck!
Like I said. Out of the blue for sure.
On another matter. Do Commissioners Court meetings have to last more than 12 hours?
I saw some Trump 2020 face masks online. They are not selling. Trump folks don't wear masks.
Stay safe today and wear a mask for others.
State Rep. Anna Eastman and her office help put together and co-sponsored a food distribution event today that is also being co-sponsored by the Houston Food Bank and Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle. It is from 4 to 8 pm at the old Park and Ride at Pinemont and Federal Plaza off of Highway 290 in HD 148. In Northwest Houston I might add.
The frontpage headline of today's Chron, pretty much sums things up here in the Lone Star State.
Here is what it says:
Key benchmarks not met as Texas reopens
You are on your own as we head into Phase Two. Even though we are still trying to get through Phase One.
I did notice that at Governor Greg Abbott's press conference yesterday, most of the participants reminded folks to wear face masks. They need to get the word out to their followers.
I will be sticking to my face mask and be very selective on where I go these days.
Donald Trump said yesterday he is taking hydroxychloroquine. He's lying. They put out a statement from his doctor and nowhere in the statement did the doctor say he's taking the drug. Commentary has to question the ethics of his doctor for going along with this falsehood and endangering the lives of a bunch of folks, err suckers.
Here is what U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said about Trump:
"He's our president and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and in his, shall we say, weight group, morbidly obese, they say."
Here is from the Chron:
According to the CDC, for an individual to be morbidly obese, his or her BMI must be over 40. Trump's 2019 White House physical revealed he has a BMI of 30.4, which is defined as obese, but not morbidly obese.
Now that is what I call a morbidly correction.
We will probably have an Interim Harris County Clerk selected today and have an idea if a Harris County Elections Administrator is headed our way.
I still have not heard who is seeking the County Clerk nomination from the Harris County Democratic Party Executive Committee. Have you?
MLB.com has a take today on each team's weirdest promotions of all time and this is what they said about the Astros:
Astros: Beers with which to troll Mike Schmidt
With Houston's attendance numbers sagging in the mid-70s, Tal Smith came up with an idea. It was pretty simple: A large lightbulb near a digital clock in right field would light up on every even-numbered minute. If an Astro homered while that light was on, it meant one free beer for every adult in the park. For one night in 1976, though, Smith threw in a wrinkle.
Mike Schmidt had already established himself as a superstar, MLB's two-time reigning home run champ en route to a third-place finish in NL MVP voting. Such a superstar, in fact, that Smith altered the rules of his own promotion — if Schmidt struck out with the light on, everyone would get a free beer. At exactly 9:12, Mike Cosgrove got to two strikes on Schmidt, and after staring in for the sign for what seemed like an eternity — the entire Astrodome crowd begging him to hurry up — he threw a fastball by for strike three. In the words of writer Roger Kahn, "grown men sprinted up the aisles."
I wasn't there.
I thought they might name the Brad Ausmus with the surfboard bobblehead.
Stay safe because there are a bunch of knuckleheads out there.
Harris County Elections Administrator
Amid all this, my great friends James Rodriguez and Melissa Martinez got married last week. He told some of us yesterday. Congrats to the newlyweds!
At the same time, it's sad that we couldn't be there with them and celebrate.
My Dad finally got his stimulus check in the mail. Finally! Donald Trump's name is on the check. I asked my Dad if he wanted to write arsehole under Trump's name and he laughed. He reached over to grab a pen, but I said nah.
Former First Lady of Kentucky Phyllis George left us last week. She was only 70. She was a native Texan and was born in Denton. She was also a Miss America. She was a trailblazer when CBS named her as a Co-Host of "The NFL Today" back in 1974. I actually got to spend a day with her and her husband, Governor John Brown, when they campaigned for Governor Mark White back in the 1980s. She was the real deal for sure.
This is the start of an article that is the lead story from the latest edition of The Leader:
To help ensure that her supporters cast a vote for her, Anna Eastman's election campaigns have historically provided ballot-by-mail applications to potential constituents who are at least 65 years old. That demographic is among the groups allowed to request absentee ballots in Texas, which requires most of its citizens to vote in person.
Two weeks ago, though, Eastman said she sent vote-by-mail applications to every voter in her campaign database. The state representative for District 148 said she did so after receiving an advisory from the Texas Secretary of State's Office, which indicated that absentee balloting could be expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic based on language in the Texas Election Code.
"We thought that was something we should do," Eastman said.
Here is the entire Leader story: https://theleadernews.com/mail-in-voting-question-lingers-over-upcoming-election/.
Regarding the primary runoffs on Tuesday, July 14, Early Voting in Person begins on Monday, June 29 and runs through Friday, July 10. There will not be Early Voting in Person on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The holiday thing.
This was part of an email from Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis from a few days ago:
Another priority for Harris County's electoral process involves choosing an election administrator who is committed to the protection of free and fair elections. This will also be discussed at the upcoming Commissioners Court on Tuesday because generations of people have fought for the right to vote and our community entrusts us to carry out elections that uphold these values. This role of election administrator is critical and must be selected with great consideration to guarantee elections move forward as planned.
If you want to know about the County Elections Administrator – how it is created and duties, go to the Texas Election Code, Title 3: Elections Officers and Observers, Subchapter B. It is a very informative read. If Harris County gets an Elections Administrator, this new office will conduct the elections and even handle voter registration. Plus, they get their own seal. The Elections Administrator also can't make financial political contributions.
A County Elections Commission made up of the County Judge, County Clerk, County Tax Assessor-Collector, the Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, and the Chair of the Harris County Republican Party, will select the Elections Administrator.
If you are going to make a major elections department change within Harris County government, you might as well do it when you have a lame duck Harris County Clerk.
If Commissioners Court goes through with this and goes with an Elections Administrator, the Interim County Clerk will have to agree if she, yes, I said she, wants to be appointed. Whoever decides to seek the Harris County Democratic Party Executive Committee nomination will also have to agree with this. How would they get nominated if they are opposing the Democrats on Commissioners Court? Nice play, if it happens.
Sara Sidner from CNN had a pretty cool mask on the air yesterday. I will tweet it out with today's Commentary.
We were supposed to host the Yankees this past weekend. Last night's game was an ESPN Sunday Night Game.
Stay safe and keep wearing a mask to help us get through this if you are out and about.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Leadership, Policy
Jobs Climate Encouraging Social Entrepreneurship
Michelle Shumate
June 19, 2012; Source: Washington Post
A Washington Post article suggests that the current jobs climate may be spurring a new crop of social entrepreneurs. Struggling with either job loss or increased hours in the wake of permanent layoffs at their company, a greater number of people are trying to bring their work and social community life together, according to David Hodgson of the private equity outfit General Atlantic and Echoing Green, one of many foundations offering fellowships to new social entrepreneurs trying to launch new hybrid ventures.
In addition to Echoing Green, the new crop of hybrid organizations is being pushed by a variety of different groups, including George Soros' Open Society Foundations and USAID's recent partnership with the Skoll Foundation. What we don't know is if, as Hodgson suggests, there will be a continuum of social enterprises, with some being profitable enough to attract venture capital, or if, as Muhammad Yunus has argued, social enterprises are best left as social businesses with little expectation for financial return on investment and greater focus on the social mission of the business. In either case, what seems certain is that the lines between nonprofit and for-profit organizations will continue to be blurred. –Michelle Shumate
Michelle Shumate is director of the Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact. Shumate is also an associate professor in the School of Communication and a faculty affiliate at the Institute for Policy Research, both at Northwestern University. The Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact is dedicated to answering the question: How can nonprofit networks be rewired for maximum social impact?
Nonprofits as Agents of Tension and Democracy
By Jon Pratt
Could Hybrid Forms of Worker Ownership Shape the Economy of the Future?
Doing More with More: Putting Shared Leadership into Practice
By Michael Allison, Susan Misra and Elissa Perry
The Absurdity of Blaming One's Own Bureaucracy: Leadership Requires More
By Erin Rubin
Courageous and Ethical Leadership in a Polarized World
By Grant Oliphant
Think Fast! Ignite Lincoln's Grant Rewards Creativity and...
By Michelle Shumate
Harvard Professors Raise Concerns over MOOCs' Threat to...
Some Professors Want Brakes Put on MOOCs


Day 1: Arrive at Paro (2250M).
A flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see Mt. Everest, Kanchen Junga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Khang. The first gift from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. You will be received by Lakhor representative and escorted to the hotel.
Afternoon visit to Ta-Dzong built in the 17th century, as watchtower to defend Paro Dzong below. This Ta-Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968, and it is filled with antique Thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and Armour. Driver to the Rinpung Dzong built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Every Dzong has dual system together with the religion section.
In morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger Nest). The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 3 hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century, and meditated here for three months. And following Guru's foot steps lot of great saints meditated here. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. Overnight Paro.
Day 3: Paro – Shana (17 Km. Walking time 5-6 hours).
Drive to Drugyal Dzong (15 km), at the end of the valley and the trek begins here. It goes upstream of the Paro River, through villages, gradually ascending to Shana. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 2870m.
Day 4: Shana – Soi Thangthangkha (22 Km. Walking time 7 -8 hours).
The trail again follows Pa-chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. Hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. After lunch follow the river climbing up through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, and reaching to the camp. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 3630m.
Day 5 : Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang (19 Km. Walking time 5 hours).
The path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line enjoying the stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak herder's camp. A short walk in the valley reaches you to the camp at Jangothang. The view of Mt. Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey is superb. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 4090 m.
Day 6: Rest day at Jangothang (Optional walk around).
It is rest day and free. But clients love to take hike to Tshophu, walk towards the glacier lake of Chhomolhari base or to the Jichu Darkey base glaciers lake.
Day 7: Jangothang – Lingshi (18 Km. Walking time 5- 6 hours).
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Gang. Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyele la pass at an altitude of 4,890 meters. After the pass it's a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 4010 m.
Day 8: Lingshi – Shodu (22 Km. Walking time 8 -9 hours).
The path follows the stream up towards the valley opposite the Dzong, gradually ascending through the valley for 4 hours, until the stiff climb to the Yelela pass (4800 meters), the highest pass on this trek. After the pass it is along and gradual decent to the Shodu. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 4110 m.
Day 9: Shodu – Barshong (16 Km. Walking time 5 -6 hours).
This is the place where one comes back to the tree line. The path follows the Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper and other alpine forest. The view of the cliff facing rocks and waterfalls are stunning. At the riverside you will be served hot lunch. After lunch the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of the Barshong dzong, reaching the camp at the altitude 3680m.
Day 10: Barshong – Dolamkencho (15 Km. Walking time 5-6 hours).
The road descends through alpine forest and we once again join Thimphu River for a while. Rest for lunch then climbs up to Dolamkencho is patch of meadow. Where the yak herders use for make shift camp. When they bring their Yaks in summer season here and if you were in month of April. You will encounter with full swing bloom of rhododendrons through this way to Dodana. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 3430m.
Day 11: Dolamkencho – Dodena -Thimphu (8 Km. walking time 3 – 4 hours).
The path descends through bamboo forest all the way to Dolamkencho, finally joining Thimphu River again. Arrive at Dodana where you will be picked up by your vehicle to drive Thimphu (15km). Overnight hotel.
Day 12: Thimphu sightseeing (2350M).
Visit to the National Library. It has a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and religion art facts. Visit the Institute of Art & Painting school. Visit the Indigenous Hospital. Where the traditional medicine are made. Visit Textile museum.Drive to sangyegang viewpoint from here you could see the entire Thimphu valley. Way back, stop at the mini zoo to see the Takin (Bhutan's National Animal) after drive further down and turn to left and visit the Zilukha Nunnery – the only nunnery in Thimphu & Paro region.
Day 13: Thimphu – Punakha (77KM. 3 Hours. 1350M).
Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (altitude 3050 meters). From here on a clear day one can see superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan, such as Gangkar Puensum, Table Mountain, Jeje Khang, Masangang and Gangchey Ta. From here drive is all the way descend down till you reach to your hotel for lunch.Visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 between the two Rivers called PHO – CHU and MO CHU, (Male & Female Rivers) This place is consider as a old capital of Bhutan and the first hereditary Kingship of Bhutan has started from her in 1907. 17th December. Every consecutive year on 17th December is observed as national day in Bhutan.Drive further up road to make small hike to Khansum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten built by Present queens. Hike is through villages and here it is allowed to get inside. Where Buddha in installed in dome and from here you will enjoy the beauty of Punakha valley far down and you will see winding of Mo-Chu River slowly following down. Overnight Punakha.
Day 14: Punakha – Paro (5Hours).
Drive to Thimphu. Visit the Handicraft Emporium and spend time for shopping. Afternoon drives to Paro (2 hours) for stay overnight at the hotel.


text:
historical dividends
12/5/2019 12/30/2019 12/31/2019 1/14/2020 0.285 U.S. Currency
7/30/2019 9/27/2019 9/30/2019 10/14/2019 0.285 U.S. Currency
5/15/2019 6/27/2019 6/28/2019 7/12/2019 0.26 U.S. Currency
2/7/2019 3/28/2019 3/29/2019 4/12/2019 0.26 U.S. Currency
Total dividends in 2019: 1.09
12/6/2018 12/28/2018 12/31/2018 1/14/2019 0.26 U.S. Currency
7/25/2018 9/27/2018 9/28/2018 10/12/2018 0.26 U.S. Currency
12/12/2017 12/28/2017 12/29/2017 1/11/2018 0.22 U.S. Currency
8/2/2017 9/28/2017 9/29/2017 10/12/2017 0.22 U.S. Currency
5/21/2013 6/27/2013 7/1/2013 7/15/2013 0.13 U.S. Currency
10/2/2012 Spin-off (in shares of another issue)
8/16/2012 10/2/2012 9/19/2012 10/1/2012 0.333333 Spin-off (in shares of another issue)
8/14/2012 9/17/2012 9/19/2012 10/15/2012 0.189741 U.S. Currency
5/23/2012 6/27/2012 6/29/2012 7/16/2012 0.189741 U.S. Currency
Total dividends in 2012: 1.032556
12/13/2011 12/28/2011 12/30/2011 1/13/2012 0.189741 U.S. Currency
3/12/2009 3/23/2009 3/25/2009 4/8/2009 0.189741 U.S. Currency
9/9/2008 9/22/2008 9/24/2008 10/8/2008 0.189741 U.S. Currency
12/7/2007 12/21/2007 12/26/2007 1/4/2008 0.176656 U.S. Currency
8/28/2007 9/6/2007 9/10/2007 10/5/2007 0.176656 U.S. Currency
6/15/2007 6/26/2007 6/28/2007 7/6/2007 0.16357 U.S. Currency
3/5/2007 3/13/2007 3/15/2007 4/4/2007 0.16357 U.S. Currency
12/8/2006 12/22/2006 12/27/2006 1/5/2007 0.16357 U.S. Currency
8/29/2006 9/7/2006 9/11/2006 10/6/2006 0.16357 U.S. Currency
8/23/2005 9/2/2005 9/7/2005 10/5/2005 0.150484 U.S. Currency
8/24/2004 9/10/2004 9/14/2004 10/8/2004 0.134127 U.S. Currency
8/26/2003 9/11/2003 9/15/2003 10/6/2003 0.11777 U.S. Currency
3/4/2003 3/12/2003 3/14/2003 4/4/2003 0.098142 U.S. Currency
The historical dividend information provided is for informational purposes only, and is not intended for trading purposes. The historical dividend information is provided by Mergent, a third party service, and West LLC does not maintain or provide information directly to this service. Total dividends per year is based on the dividend ex-date.
Dividend U.S. Tax Treatment – IRS Form 8937
The U.S. tax treatment of Mondelez International, Inc.'s distribution (dividends vs. return of capital) is reported to U.S. shareholders on Form 1099. The tax treatment of the distributions for the current year is not determined until after the end of the calendar year.
The following discussion summarizes the U.S. tax treatment of the four distributions made during the 2016 calendar year:
For U.S. tax purposes only, Mondelez International, Inc.'s distribution to shareholders that was payable in January of 2016 is classified under the U.S. Tax Code as follows:
· 100% is a dividend pursuant to Section 301(c) of the U.S. Tax Code.
For U.S. tax purposes only, Mondelez International, Inc.'s distributions to shareholders that were payable in April, July, and October of 2016 are classified under the U.S. Tax Code as follows:
· 100% is a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder's U.S. tax basis pursuant to Section 301(c) of the U.S. Tax Code.
While our reasonable assumptions throughout 2016 were that each of the 2016 distributions to our shareholders were expected to be a dividend for U.S. tax purposes, we determined after the end of our fiscal year that the 2016 distributions in the second, third, and fourth quarters were a return of capital to our shareholders.
Pursuant to Section 301(c) of the U.S. Tax Code, that portion of the distribution which is not a dividend, to the extent that it exceeds the shareholder's adjusted basis of the stock, shall be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property.
Please also note that pursuant to U.S. Treasury Regulations there is a completed Form 8937 for each distribution characterized as a return of capital in 2016, which you can download below.
· Form 8937 : Distribution payable on April 14, 2016
· Form 8937 : Distribution payable on July 14, 2016
· Form 8937 : Form 8937: Distribution payable on October 13, 2016
You should consult your tax advisor regarding the applicable tax consequences to you in connection with any of these distributions under the laws of the United States (federal, state and local) and any other applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


It was the Baltimore Orioles at the Texas Rangers. 770 dogs of all sizes and ages paraded around the perimeter of the field during pre-game. Rex was pulled aside by a Ranger rep and asked to wear the dog cam. Rex had some great footage on Rangers Insider on Fox Sports SW the following evening. More of the excitement was with me having an exclusive with Susannah Moreland (hubby is Mitch, first baseman of the Rangers) for my 'Lotta Sports monthly column in Hill Country Happenings magazine.
This entry was posted on June 10, 2014, 8:02 pm and is filed under Baseball. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


These pieces are frankly little more than pastiche exercises, and as such they may not be the ideal introduction to the work of a pianist-composer who was regarded with respect and affection in his adopted Ukraine (though born in St Petersburg and trained in Warsaw and Moscow, Kosenko's family background was Ukrainian, and he spent the second half of his life, 1919-38, in Zhitomir and then Kiev, dying of cancer shortly before his 38th birthday).
Composed 1927-29, the 11 Etudes are in the olden style but without an atom of the charm, wit or grandiloquence that countless other pianist-composers were able to invest in that manner. The Passacaglia sounds like an attempt - an embarrassing one, it has to be said - to bask in the reflected glory of the Bach-Busoni Chaconne. Most of the other pieces have the air of tasks that might have been carried out by gifted composition students in the middle of their studies. Top marks for correct harmony, but zero-comma-zero (to borrow Prokofiev's assessment of such works) for having anything to say.
Not that there is no value in having in the public domain such a document of academic music-manufacture, and it also throws into relief the work of scores of other composers more deserving of rescue from dusty library shelves. Bravo to Natalya Shkoda for putting her accomplished playing at the service of this music and for supplying an informative and unapologetic essay to accompany it. Recording quality and presentation leave nothing to be desired.


text:
Q&A with Lobster Club
By Aoi Senju | Sep 25, 2013
Street Staff Writer Aoi Senjuschlepped himselfinto Frist Campus Center this Tuesday to meet Lobster Club founders, Nicky "Fapfap" Robinson and Preston "Public Kemeny" Kemeny, who got him better acquainted with "the funniest crustaceans under the sea."
DP: What was the idea behind founding an audition-free comedy club?
NR: Most of our founding members were people who had originally auditioned for Fuzzy Dice and/or Quipfire, made callbacks and didn't get in. At the callbacks, we were told, "We had 120 people trying out this year, and we could only take two to three people. There are a lot more people on campus that want to do improv than there is space. You guys should start your own improv club or something." They tell that to every group every year, but we're the first group to actually take it to heart and make a new group.
PK: We founded the club originally just inviting friends and people we met through the audition process, but eventually, we saw that more and more people were interested in joining, so we decided to make our club audition-free.
DP: What do you think the advantages are of such a club?
NR:Being in an audition group of any kind takes a lot of time, and there are a lot of people who are really funny but can't make the level of time commitment required. In Lobster Club, people can choose their own level of commitment, so that anyone can choose their own level of involvement.
PK: But while we are a non-audition group, we aren't a no-commitment group. If people actually want to perform with us, people have to come to our workshops every week, and they have to put time into the club. We just give people who've never done improv the opportunity to try it.There's an impression that Lobster Club just shows up spontaneously to events, but we've practiced every single game we perform for a long time and very extensively.
DP: Why does improv interest you?
PK: The thing about improv is that you can literally just show up and jump into it immediately. You're simultaneously writing, directing and acting, you're working with incredible people and anything can happen.
DP: Do you think you are setting a standard for future clubs at Princeton?
NR: There are a lot of audition clubs and non-audition clubs at Princeton, but it just so happens that a lot of performing arts clubs do auditions. But while there are a ton of dance groups and a cappella groups, improv's always been in a position where a lot of people wanted to do it, but there was never enough space.There are also a lot of groups that audition frosh week and the week after, so for a lot of the people, the moment they walk onto campus, they're sucked into a group, and that becomes their year, two years or their entire Princeton career. That's probably the biggest problem: that audition groups restrict your ability to try something else.
PK: There's a lot of talk about the nature of selectivity at Princeton, be it eating clubs or extracurricular activities or whatever, and I think it's important that there's an alternative to that, like non-bicker clubs or non-audition clubs. Performing arts don't have to be selective. Anyone can sing, or dance, or improv.
DP: Are there any clubs you'd be interested in collaborating with?
PK: We're very interested in working with other improv groups for performance reasons. I think there's a lot other groups can teach us, and we've developed a lot of interesting games that they may be interested in playing. There's a lot we could do if we worked together.
DP: Tell me about the name.
NR: When we started, we had a brainstorming session, and we came up with the name Shruggers. At one of the activities fairs, we decided we would attract attention by advertising ourselves as fake groups, so we held up different signs with group names like Students Against Drunk Skydiving, the Students for the Ancient Egyptian Freedom Movement and Lobster Club. Lobster Club ended up being really popular, and we thought, "What if we changed our name to Lobster Club?" We also have a huge lobster suit lying around.
DP: Any shows coming up that we should all look out for?
PK: We have a performance in the Whitman Class of 1970 Theater, November 21-23rd, with an intermission by the Princeton Magic Club.
DP: Anything you want to say to interested freshmen or other potential members?
PK: Whitman Class of 1970 Theater, Monday nights, 10-11:30 p.m. We want you there. Anyone can do improv.
A ramen tour of Princeton
Abolish sign-in clubs
A Trip Down Princetoween Pasts


"I wanted to be the queen bae of this drab hive."
Halsey dropped by SNL this past Saturday (Feb 9) as the musical guest and host of the show. The star took on double duty, appearing in sketches and performing live on the NBC mainstay. Riverdale fans will certainly recognise one of the characters Halsey played on SNL. Halsey was transformed into Betty Cooper for one sketch and her impression was uncanny.
Halsey played a ponytailed Lili Reinhart playing Betty in the scene and even got her very own Jughead. Pete Davidson was on hand as an overly active corpse as was Keenan Thompson as the scene's frustrated director.
Watch Halsey playing Betty Cooper on SNL below.
In the sketch, fake Lili and fake Cole are trying to perform a dramatic scene as Betty and Jughead but they keep getting interrupted by the corpse of Betty's dead cousin. The corpse refuses to stay still and goes on and on about needing to expel gas while the director becomes increasingly annoyed.
Eventually, even the actors side with Pete Davidson's corpse character and things descend into madness. The scene even featured lines like "I wanted to be the queen bae of this drab hive." Ripped from the scripts, I tell you.
Halsey playing Lili playing Betty was the cross over event we didn't realise we needed in our lives.
In addition to the Betty Cooper impression, Halsey also performed "Without Me" and appeared in other great sketches like "The Women of Congress".
What did you guys think of Halsey's turn as Betty Cooper on SNL?


Is definitely the overhead fixture out of the question, washed out, or in danger of dropping? Replace it with monitor light or fluorescent lights to make the space brighter. When starting out just, you may only desire some of the fundamentals.


Global Rice production is raised this month on a larger crop in India, partially offset by a reduction in the crop in Egypt. Nonetheless, production is still forecast lower than the prior year's record.
Global consumption is forecast marginally higher. Ending stocks are raised from last month. Trade is largely unchanged as higher imports for the Philippines are mostly offset by lower imports for China.
Global Rice production and consumption are both adjusted marginally lower this month. Global ending stocks are raised. Global trade is nearly unchanged with offsetting changes.
Over the past month, Indian quotes have become more competitive at $375/ton on slow buying interest. This is the lowest Indian quote in more than a year and a half. Thai quotes continued to climb to $409/ton, supported by the currency and improved prospects to export large volumes to the Philippines. Demand from Southeast Asia was also a key factor in supporting Vietnamese quotes, now at $398/ton. Pakistani quotes are relatively steady at $385/ton.


text:
Blackburn man jailed for raping girl with learning difficulties
Michael McQueenie admitted the crimes in November
A man has been jailed for the rape and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl with learning difficulties.
Michael McQueenie, from Highbury Place in Blackburn, was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court to nearly 12 years after pleading guilty in November.
Lancashire Police said the 28-year-old assaulted the teenager on 5 June last year after he "lured the girl" into a wooded area.
Det Ch Insp Dean Holden described it as "a callous attack".
"Her ordeal only came to an end when her dad came to find her and McQueenie ran off for fear of being caught," he added.
He said the victim's family were grateful to witnesses who helped identify him.
McQueenie was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and will be subject to a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
English Defence League
Michael McQueenie
Sexual Offences Prevention Order


text:
Anna Deavere Smith's Love All to Make World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2023
Lempicka Completes Its Run at La Jolla Playhouse July 24
Lempicka Opens June 25 at California's La Jolla Playhouse
Abigail and Shaun Bengson Launch Sovereignty Hymns at La Jolla Playhouse June 3
Regional News Idina Menzel Will Return to the Stage in World Premiere of Redwood Musical
Tony winner Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked, Frozen) will return to the stage in the new musical Redwood, which will make its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse after nearly two decades of development. The show has been slated as the final production of the regional theatre's 2023-2024 season, according to Variety.
Menzel will play Jesse, a woman who travels cross-country to Northern California's redwood forests. There, she finds "unexpected connections and healing." Redwood's book writer Tina Landau (The SpongeBob Musical) will direct the musical.
Influenced by Menzel and Landau's own experiences, Menzel told Variety, "I subscribe to this feeling very often in my life of wanting to just escape. I'm more of a recluse than people think I am…I definitely grapple with that a lot in my life, just like, 'Can I just put it all down and leave and do something different?'"
Redwood features music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau.
Menzel also said in the interview, "What's so exciting working with Tina is that she definitely knows how—and she's guiding Kate in this as well—to write for me, but also how to challenge me and to put me in places that are not formulaic or not my typical go-to. It's opening my vernacular and forcing me to find new colors and places in my voice that I think are just fun, and have different emotional connections for me to the character and hopefully open up different chakras, if you will, for other people when they're listening."
The musical rounds out the previously announced season, which features the world premieres of Anna Deavere Smith's Love All; Is It Thursday Yet? from Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh; Joe Iconis and Gregory S. Moss' The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical; Lisa Sanaye Dring's SUMO; and Tony winner Joe DiPietro's Babbitt starring Matthew Broderick.
Disney+ recently released a documentary about the Broadway favorite titled Which Way to the Stage? in which Menzel opens up about her career, being a mother, and her artistic happy place.
Visit LaJollaPlayhouse.org.
From Rent to If/Then: Celebrating the Career of Tony Winner Idina Menzel
Fredi Walker, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin in Rent
Idina Menzel in Rent
Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker in Rent
Joan Marcus
Idina Menzel and the original cast of Rent
Idina Menzel in The Wild Party
Brian d'Arcy James and Idina Menzel in The Wild Party
Ryan Driscoll and Idina Menzel in Summer of '42
Idina Menzel and Ryan Driscoll in Summer of '42
Idina Menzel in the Encores! production of Hair
Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal and Maya Days in Aida
Idina Menzel in Wicked on Broadway
Idina Menzel in the Broadway production of Wicked
Joel Grey and Idina Menzel in the Broadway production of Wicked
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in the Broadway production of Wicked
Idina Menzel in See What I Wanna See
Idina Menzel and Henry Stram in See What I Wanna See
Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr in See What I Wanna See
Marc Kudisch and Idina Menzel in See What I Wanna See
Idina Menzel and Helen Dallimore in the London production of Wicked
Idina Menzel in the London production of Wicked
Adam Garcia and Idina Menzel in the London production of Wicked
Idina Menzel and Patrick Dempsey in Enchanted
Josh Groban, Idina Menzel and Adam Pascal in Chess in Concert
The curtain call for Chess in Concert
Jeffrey Carlson and Idina Menzel in Nero
Idina Menzel and Lea Michele on "Glee"
Photo by Adam Rose/FOX
Eike Schroter
Idina Menzel and Nia Long
2016 A&E Television Networks, LLC
Idina Menzel in If/Then
Tamika Lawrence, Jenn Colella, LaChanze, Idina Menzel in If/Then
Idina Menzel and James Snyder in If/Then
Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel perform A Celebration of the Music of Frozen, 2014
Amanda and Idina Menzel
Eli Gelb, Idina Menzel, and Will Brittain
Jack Wetherall, Idina Menzel, and Eli Gelb
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
Eric Liebowitz/NBC
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
26 Actors You Want to See in Upcoming Wicked Film
From Gypsy to Eliza: Celebrating the Career of Laura Benanti
La Jolla Playhouse
Tina Landau


Pvt. John Duncan Scott, M.M.
Nov. 11, 2017 7:45 a.m.
The Royal Canadian Legion Castor Branch # 119 has been engaging the public in a new way recently, in an effort to get war veterans more known in the community.
Each year the Castor Legion members make special displays for the hall area that recognize three or four war veterans who were known in the Castor region. Biography information was submitted by the Castor Legion.
Guy Poitry was born on December 29, 1911 near Alliance, and enlisted for service on October 22, 1941. He originally joined the Calgary Tanks but became a wireless operator with the First Canadian Division signals. Arriving overseas in October of 1942, he landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943 and served in Italy and northwest Europe. Having earned the Good Conduct Badge, he was discharged on January 7, 1946.
Having previously earned the Military Medal during service in the First World War, Jack Scott lied about his age and joined the Loyal Edmonton Regiment on September 8, 1939 (he was 52 at the time). Receiving postings at Calgary and Port Arthur, he served in Canada until his discharge in 1945 and was awarded two Good Conduct stripes.
John Morris served in the British army as a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps from 1915 to the end of the war. After his service in the war he emigrated to Canada and came to the Castor area. A bachelor his whole life, Lance Corporal john Morris passed away on April 6, 1962.
Having served in the First world War, Pete Wood joined the Army once again on April 7, 1941 in Calgary at the age of 45. Stationed in Calgary, he was assigned to the A 16 CITC Band at Currie Barracks. He traveled with this band all over Alberta with a recruiting station as well as being on parade for all events. Having earned one Good Conduct stripe, he was discharged on May 2, 1944 on compassionate grounds.


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text:
Adreesh Ghoshal
The S5 Ballistic Missile Nuclear Sub: 30 Key Facts
When India's Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu visited the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory, he formally handed over the "Sahayak", a new air-droppable container with a 50-kg payload that would enable the Indian Navy to supply operations within a 2000-km range from the Indian coastline. Before the official press conference, he, along with his entourage, was taken on a tour of the high-tech facility.
When the photos were released on Twitter, the Vice President of India unknowingly revealed the existence of one of the most powerful weapons systems currently being developed, the S5-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Whether it was done on purpose remains a question, but this so-called 'leak' seems to be incredibly well-timed, especially since Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement that India will most probably discard it's "No First Use" policy if pushed hard enough.
In 2014, the Indian Navy received a rude shock when a Chinese Shang-class nuclear-powered submarine was detected in the Indian Ocean. In response, India test-fired a dummy B-5 missile from the INS Arihant, the newest nuclear submarine to be inducted into the Indian Navy. In 2016, the Arihant was commissioned. And then, in 2018, the INS Arighat, the second Arihant-class submarine began sea trials, as part of the Advanced Technology Vessel project.
Now, reports have surfaced of the new, larger, much more powerful S5-class nuclear submarine, which will be equipped with up to 12 K5 ICBMs with multiple independent re-entry-type nuclear or conventional warheads.
Well, here's what we do know about the S5 class submarine:
1. It will be a successor to the INS Aridhaman, an enlarged version of the INS Arihant
2. The class will be populated by 3 units in the beginning, with another 3 planned over the next decade (6 separate submarines)
3. Each one will weigh about 13,500 tonnes
4. It will be equipped with submarine-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and torpedoes
5. The subs will be built as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicle project, with an overall cost of almost INR 90,000 crores, making it one of the costliest defense programs to date
6. Bhabha Atomic Research Center will be building the nuclear power plants for the S5 subs
7. The project work will be carried out at New Delhi, with the hull being built at Gujarat, missile R&D at Hyderabad, while the nuclear reactor will be built in Tamil Nadu.
8. The final assembly will be done at Vishakhapatnam
9. The submarine will enter service by 2030
10. The S5 SSBNs will carry 12–16 K-6 MIRV submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of 8000 km and a 2–3 tonnes of explosive payload
11. These missiles will have three stages of propulsion, all of which use solid fuel
12. The K-6 missiles are intended to be 2.5 meters wide and 12 meters tall
13. The MIRV missiles will have 3–6 warheads that can be navigated independently
14. These missiles are smaller than the K-15 Sagarika mounted in the INS Arihant, although with more than double the range
15. As seen in the image leaked on Twitter, the missiles will be carried in a hump behind the sail
16. The 83-mega watt pressurized water nuclear reactor used in the Arihant will be upgraded, or a twin-reactor setup will be used to provide the planned power output of 190 mW
17. The submarine will most likely be propelled by a ducted pump jet propulsor which emits less noise and is thus more difficult to detect via sonar
18. The steam turbine is to be linked to one single shaft to improve mechanical efficiency and reduce the number of working parts
19. A new material for the hull is being developed by the Mishra Dhatu Nigam, and this will be able to withstand the tremendous amounts of pressure and with anti-sonar properties key to the S5's performance
20. The mast, as seen in the tweet, is a little shorter than that of the INS Arihant and also has a diving rudder
21. The hydroplane, or the fin-like structure, is not placed on the mast but is flush with the rest of the body
22. The hump, in the scale model, is where the missile silos will most likely be placed
23. The speed will be around 25 knots submerged and 15 knots when surfaced
24. The S5 will be housed in a submarine pen at Rambilli, 50km south of Vishakhapatnam
25. This base, called the INS Varsha, will be home to all nuclear submarines (ballistic and attack) and nuclear-powered ships
26. It will have underground pens to hide their assets from drones and satellites
27. The submarine can be concealed the moment it travels a distance of 2 nautical miles from land and can achieve diving depth after sailing another 80 nautical miles
28. Each S5 will take 8 years to build
29. A minimum of 4 S5s will have to be built to ensure presence both in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean
30. The S5 is reported to be similar to the American Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines
Along with the S5, the INS Varsha, the heavily fortified submarine pen, is a very closely guarded secret. What is not a secret, though, is the fact that the Navy has finally gotten around to beefing up its submarine fleet. Contrary to what others have done, the Navy is focusing more on SSBNs, instead of diesel-electric attack submarines. The message to China is very clear.
If you liked this, you may also like to read —
Astra Missile — All you need to know
The K-30 Hanhwa Air Defense Vehicle: 30 Key Facts
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft: 30 Key Facts
Vikramaditya: The Cursed Carrier?
Vidyut Class Missile Boats: All You Need To Know
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Written by means of knowledgeable within the box, this booklet is ideal if you happen to want to understand what occurred on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear energy Plant. half 1 of the booklet reviews how middle melts happened in Fukushima Daiichi devices 1, 2, and three, respectively, in keeping with facts from the Three-Mile Island middle soften coincidence and gasoline habit experiments played within the Nineteen Seventies below the cooperation among the USA, Germany, and Japan. this knowledge explains the coincidence approaches with out contradicting facts from Fukushima, which used to be released within the TEPCO record. The hydrogen explosions in devices 1, three, and four also are defined logically along with the above middle soften method. half 2 clarifies how the history radiation point of the positioning doubled: the 1st upward push used to be only a leak from small openings in devices 1 and three linked to fire-pump connection paintings. the second one upward push ended in direct radioactive fabric unlock from unit 2. Evacuation dose adequacy and its timing are mentioned near to the coincidence strategy, and the need for embankments surrounding nuclear strength vegetation to extend safeguard opposed to usual mess ups is additionally mentioned. New proposals for defense layout and emergency preparedness are prompt in keeping with classes realized from the coincidence in addition to from new studies. eventually, an idea for decommissioning the Fukushima web site and a restoration plan are introduced.
Contemplating the global bring up of curiosity in fusion learn during the last decade - the popularity that an enormous variety of new, environmentally beautiful, sustainable strength assets can be had to meet ever-increasing calls for for electricity, is apparent. This ebook serves up the newest curiosity in substitute strength.
This ebook used to be conceived via Professor ok. H. Ephraim, the previous director of the Institute for Nuclear medication of the college sanatorium of Utrecht. regrettably, because of a major sickness, he used to be unable to complete the paintings he all started. he's, in spite of the fact that, very happy to understand that the e-book is, however, being released.
Extra resources for A Study of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident Process: What caused the core melt and hydrogen explosion?
Obviously they were not too confident of what they were doing. " I am sure they were scared to turn on the switch. They must have done it so very tentatively. It was because they had to stop the pump due to the terrible cavitation vibration, and then when they turned it on again, the reactor pressure rose sharply with a violent change of neutron flux. However, this very tentative switching on ended up, a big success. As the big pump began to run, the core temperature started to drop sharply. The circulation of the primary coolant was achieved when the pump began to run.
1), made contact with the baffle plate made of a thin stainless steel piece surrounding the reactor, and made holes in the baffle plate by melting a part of it. It is said that about a half of the molten core was pushed out through this melted hole, and moved to the bottom spherical part of the pressure vessel. 1 Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station Accident 24 (MPa) Block valve open Closed Block valve of pressurizer relief valve open Reactor pressure 15 4 Site emergency declared 3 10 Collapse of core upper portion Closed 5 Operate Operate 6 Stop High pressure 7 2 Block valve open injection system operated Core relocation 1 5 Reactor coolant pump operated Stop Stop Operate 0 100 200 Elapsed time (minute) Fig.
The most interesting is the existence of the debris remaining on the molten core. After the fuel rods that used to stand straight up collapsed when they were exposed to cooling water, the debris was cooled on the shell of the molten core. Instead of being rolled up inside the molten core, the debris stayed outside of it maintaining its shape. Without the existence of the debris, we cannot prove the relation between the PCM-1 test and the TMI accident. We would have never been able to explain the mechanism of the core melt as well.


Image Title: Bentwood Counter Stool Inside Decor 6. Filename: bentwood-counter-stool-inside-decor-6.jpg. Image Dimension: 600 x 600 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Reginald Schneider. Uploaded Date: Friday - January 18th. 2019 17:28:12 PM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: homedit.com.
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Q: Seeking Help in Understanding Spring / Hibernate Datasources and Transaction Managers My project uses Spring and Hibernate to manage the database and its transactions. I used HibernateTransactionManager to manger the transactions along side with Hibernate's SessionFactory. Everything works very well.
I want to experiment using other transaction managers e.g. Spring's DataSourceTransactionManager. The experiment failed. Then I layered Spring's TransactionAwareDataSource on top of the C3P0 data source and everything was working again.
The short answer, as I read in the Spring Tx docs, is to make the datasources tx aware. Why do we need to make the datasource transaction aware then only the tx managers can manage them which is not in the case with Hibernates SessionFactory and HibernateTransactionManager?
Thanks

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In stative aspect, this verb means 'know'. Otherwise, it means 'meet' or 'recognize'. In habitual aspect, it is probably restricted to 'recognize'.
La niī nyaʔayu nakwę chuʔuntooyu jiʔį̄ nyatę̄ tāká ntē nakwę.
Kwitūsúʔwą kwítī kixę̄ʔ tatīyá nu nchuʔuntoo lákwiʔwą.


As a small business or nonprofit, you know how important a first impression can be. And with the end of the year fast approaching, those impressions are vital in order to finish out the year strong.
Whether it's the first time someone walks into your store, the first time someone calls your office, or the first time someone looks up your organization online — you work hard to make sure customers and supporters walk away thinking positively about your brand.
Have you put any thought into the type of experience you're giving your customers or supporters when they receive an email from you for the first time?
Like when someone decides to hop in their car and visit your location, they do so with certain expectations. The same goes for when someone decides to sign up to receive your emails. More often than not, those expectations will come from the initial experience that reader had with your business or cause.
That's why it's such a surprise that the value of the Welcome Email is often overlooked.
Welcome emails are the automated messages subscribers receive when they sign up for your email newsletter.
Because welcome emails are automated and most email services provide stock content for businesses to put into them — many business owners don't even know what the first experience they're providing their readers looks like.
The fact is, even customers who love your business can be reluctant to offer up their email address — especially if they are new to your business and haven't built a strong relationship with you.
b) Let them know they're part of a community: Don't be afraid to showcase your success as an email marketer. Letting readers know just how many people are receiving your newsletter each month is a great way to reaffirm their decision to subscribe to your list.
c) Make them feel safe: People are protective of their information online — and for good reason. Letting your customers know right from the start that you plan to protect their email address is a great way to make them feel safe and secure.
Once you've reaffirmed the reader's decision to subscribe to your mailing list, offer some preview of what they can expect next.
It's important that what you tell your reader in the Welcome Email is consistent with what you promised at the point of sign-up.
Take the time to revisit what you're offering people at the point of sign-up. Remember to include details about the type of content you plan to send, how frequently you plan to send it, and the expertise you plan to share.
But you should also use your Welcome Email as a way to avoid getting flagged as spam, and to improve your chances of getting noticed in your readers' inbox.
A great way to do that is by asking them to "whitelist" or add your business to their trusted contacts. That way, your emails will not only end up in the inbox (and out of the spam folder), but will also be more likely to be recognized by the reader.
It's likely you made an offer of a download or coupon in exchange for your contact's email address. After all, special offers are one of the reasons why people sign up to email lists. The Welcome Email is where you should fulfill on that offer. Since the Welcome Email is typically sent immediately after a new contact joins your list, you'll be able to provide instant gratification to your new contact.
Personalizing your Welcome Email will not only improve the first impression you're able to make on your readers, it will also help set you apart from your competition.
While most businesses are sending welcome emails with static and un-engaging messaging, you'll be providing an experience that will shape the way customers and supporters think of your brand.
Take the steps provided for you in this post and remember this is your welcome email. It's your opportunity to introduce your email marketing and reintroduce your business or nonprofit to your target audience. Make sure it's written in your words and that it reflects the personal experience you plan to provide your readers.
Make it memorable, and finish the year out strong with quality subscriber relationships. It's time to get back to business!


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An Extremely Gratifying Triathlon Journey
Meet Ken V. He is a dad, husband and triathlete. He is also a 3 x Half IRONMAN finisher and soon to be IRONMAN.
He first became involved in triathlon about 7 years ago and has been a member of Team RTA triathlon club for most of that time.
Ken has slowly worked his way up in distance and improved his times over the years. Most recently Ken finished his 3rd IRONMAN 70.3 distance race in Atlantic City, NJ.
Shortly after, he "pulled the trigger" and signed up for IRONMAN Maryland, which will take place in the fall of this year. It will be his first "full" IRONMAN triathlon. He will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles all in one day and in less than the 17-hour time limit.
So how does a regular guy get caught up in these crazy "shenanigans" (LOL)?!?!? Find out why and how by reading about Ken's triathlon journey below.
Sweet IRON Redemption
SUCCESS, Women in Triathlon
Becoming an IRONMAN
In 1990 Jeanne first dreamed of becoming an IRONMAN, but she never really thought it was actually possible.
In 2015 she toed the line at IRONMAN Maryland, but she was ultimately disqualified for an innocent mishap during the run portion of the race.
In 2018 Jeanne got sweet redemption and finally became an IRONMAN!
Her journey wasn't easy, but no one's IRONMAN journey is easy. Everyone has a story. And everyone has obstacles they need to overcome along the way. Perhaps that's why they say, 'the harder the battle, the sweeter, the victory.'
Virtual Group Rides
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIKE
Zwift: Structured Group Workouts
We are proud to announce we will be 1 of just a handful of Triathlon Clubs / Triathlon Coaching Organizations in the WORLD to offer virtual structured group rides on Zwift.
What the heck does this mean?


Handmade by a professional collections manager, the Hangerbee Wooden Core Padded Hanger with Chrome Hook is ideal for long-term storage of uniforms, costumes, wedding dresses and other valuable garments. Made from a solid wood core padded with polyethylene padding and 100% polyester needlepunched batting, wrapped in 100% cotton stockinette that has been prewashed with artifact-safe Orvus soap. Hanger features a chrome swivel hook.
Each Hangerbee hanger is padded by hand, so no two hangers will be exactly alike.


With the sun shining down and a fresh layer of snow the telemark competition was hard fought over two runs. Congratulations to all the athletes and in particular the medal winners. Thank you to our sponsor BT and our Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex and Bob Seymour from BT for presenting the prizes.


We flew in from Amsterdam with SAS which was an incredibly comfortable flight and people under 25 (us) can fly on the youth ticket price which was fabulous as it about half the price of a full adult ticket, meaning we flew from Amsterdam to Stockholm for about £50 instead of £100. All of Stockholm's airports are pretty far out of the city but accessible by bus so we were soon in this beautiful city.
We flew into Arlanda and out of Vasteras and managed to get to and from without much ado. To get back to Glasgow we chose to fly first to London Stansted and then from there onto Glagsow. Direct flights are available in the summer months but it was so much cheaper for us to do this even if did extend our travelling period by about four hours.
In the city itself the easiest way to get about is by the subway but if you are just focussing on the city centre then everything can be done on foot!
Accommodation in the centre of Stockholm is quite expensive but thanks to amazing subway system we stayed a little further out. It took us six minutes to get from our Airbnb to T-Centralen which was so good and it allowed us a chance to escape to full-on nature of Stockholm on an evening.
Our Airbnb was the most adorable place ever. It was a studio flat so Tori and I did have to share a bed with Rach on the sofa-bed but it was beautifully decorated and didn't feel too snug at all. The kitchen had all the appliances for us to make breakfasts and packed lunches and our lovely host said we could eat anything in the fridge which was so kind of her – saved us buying butter that we would only need for a few days.
It was ground floor so we did have to be careful with leaving the windows open but it felt so spacious and airy. The bathroom had a walk-in shower that was so powerful and we spent our evenings drinking into the early morning on the sofa and laughing at profiles we'd found on Tinder.
The one blip in our Stockholm stay was the hostel we stayed in on the first evening. It wasn't anything it didn't advertise to be but it was a horrible underground room with about 12 beds (bunkbeds), far too hot so I spent most of the night sweating and the wifi didn't reach down there!
Thankfully our experience in the Amsterdam hostel was so positive so it hasn't put me off hostels for good but I'll definitely be more sensible with accommodation next time and not leave it until the last minute.
Our Stockholm adventure was a slower paced than Amsterdam – which was good as it was incredibly hot whilst we were there. One of my travelling companions used to au pair there so she knew the city really well and was full of recommendations for what to do. Our first stop was the Vasa Museum to see the shipwreck Vasa.
I didn't know what Vasa was before I visited but it is incredible. I can't remember how much it cost for us to visit but we got student discount so I definitely recommend taking yours along. It is a super cool museum and pretty big as there is plenty to see so give it a couple of hours at least in your itinerary.
After the Vasa we were wandering around the shore front and came across the Ships Museum. It is free entry and you get to explore three different types of ships: a lighthouse boat, a pleasure ship and a naval ship. It was super interesting and lots of fun to clamber around them – especially for free.
Another highlight of Stockholm for me was the ABBA museum. I adore ABBA's music (like billions of other people) and this museum is the perfect tribute to them. You get to see their musical beginnings, how they came together, their Eurovision win, their recording studio and oh the outfits. The outfits! It is lots of fun and you get to do karaoke, a dance routine and lots more immersive things.
We spent a lot of time in Kungsträdgården as well. It has a beautiful fountain and grassy areas in the middle of city so perfect for basking in the sun, cooling off your feet and soaking up the city atmosphere. We also wandered around the shops in the city centre including Brandy Melville where I picked up an adorable gold ring to add to my ever-extending ring collection.
Gamla Stan is the old town of Stockholm which is on a little island in the middle of the city and it is adorable. It reminded me of Edinburgh's Old Town and is filled with quaint cobbled streets with tall old buildings and narrow passageways. There are plenty of restaurants, gift shops and cafes on the island and we spent a lot of time wandering around with an ice cream in our hands. The Royal Palace of Sweden sits on Gamla Stan as well which we didn't go into but if I had more time (and money!) I would have done. You can also see the narrowest street in Stockholm on Gamla Stan – a passageway called Mårten Trotzigs grand.
A great place to look out over Stockholm (for free!) is at the Katarinahissen on Södermalm which gives you sweeping views over the whole city including old town Gamla Stan.
Our first evening in Stockholm was spent in the TGI Fridays at Kungsträdgården I try not to eat in chain restaurants when I'm away unless it is McDonalds or I'm in the US but this TGIs is situated right at the head of Kungsträdgården with a beautiful outdoor seating area. It was the perfect meal to end our day of travelling and thankfully got us through that awful night at the hostel which I think I have PTSD from.
As we were staying in an Airbnb we opted to eat breakfast there and make packed lunches for exploring Stockholm to save money. We did have ice cream however from the Ben & Jerry's shop on Gamla Stan and a Swedish delicacy called kladdkakan which is a type of chocolate cake from another café on Gamla Stan called Café Kladdkakan. Gamla Stan is filled with tourist trap restaurants but there a few cheaper options and plenty of ice cream parlours!
We also ate at Vapiano on our second evening. Vapiano have recently opened in Glasgow and I was impressed then but visiting it in Sweden was perfect. There was lots of choice for us all and thanks to the fast food approach it didn't take long us to be fed and watered. The branch we went to was on Gamla Stan but they were spread across the city. It is very well-priced as well which is a huge bonus and had vegan options too!
We also ate a Mexican restaurant one evening. I can't remember the name of the place but it was a chain in Stockholm as we saw several whilst walking around including one on Gamla Stan. It was super cheap, filling and quick and they had vegan options as well which was great.
Sweden also has its one variant of McDonald's as well – Max – which I had to try. We had it at about 11am on our final morning before the bus to the airport and it was heavenly. Whilst it doesn't topple McDonald's for me it was delicious and I would 10/10 go again. Max also had vegan options!
Stockholm was a glorious city that was filled with adventure, good food and lovely people. I am desperate to go back!


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{mds} law - Barristers and Solicitors in Christchurch, New Zealand
News: {mds} law has moved!
Please note that from 25 March 2019, we will be working from our new offices at Level 1, 153 High Street, Christchurch (entry from Little High car park off St Asaph Street). Our phone number remains the same 03 379 1930.
{mds} law > News & Publications > 2014 > Changes To Commercial Lease Agreements
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Changes To Commercial Lease Agreements
By Sarah Fields, published on: 6/05/2014
The Auckland District Law Society's commercial Deed of Lease and documents (Agreement to Lease and Deed of Sublease) have undergone further changes (particularly as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes).
In this article, MDS Law property Associate, Sarah Fields examines some of those changes and the key points to consider before entering into a new agreement with a tenant using the ADLS form.
Download document[PDF Format]
Don McBeath
Mark Tutty
Vaughan Taylor
Dan Crossen
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May 29, 2015 Rather than spend $37+ each, to re-sling my patio chairs, I resurfaced them with wood slats for about $11 each.
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The hand illustrated, red Telephone Box magnet celebrates a British cultural icon. It serves as a nostalgic reminder of times before the mobile phone and has become so associated with Britishness that tourists can often been seen posing beside one for a photo. Whether you're from London, have been or just have it on your bucket list this magnet is a perfect little trinket to remind you of our capital!