When I just gave birth, I thought I will never ever sign up for such baby gym. They are so freaking expensive, I think is a total waste of money. Well, never say never and here I am, a baby gym's consumer. I have research almost every baby/toddler gym in the Klang Valley, but I only went for trial for two, the Gymboree and The Little Gym.
Gymboree trial class at Bangsar Village.
Trial class - First of all, the trial class is free for play classes only. They don't let me try for Music or Art classes.
The environment/equipment - My daughter loves their wooden equipment. She was walking and climbing all over the equipment. I would have paid to have her play there alone without an instructor.
The instructor - The girl seems young, like fresh out of high school, extra cheery and all that. My daughter was more than happy to play on her own, she dislike teacher talking to her. The instructor was quite understanding and she did let me daughter do her own thing.
Class structure - There are a lot of singing with Gymbo the clown, free play time with the instructor guidance, the parachute and the bubble time. What's up with toddler's fascination with bubbles, every class seems to have them.
Verdict - My daughter loves their equipment, but not the class. I think there is too much singing in a circle and she was a little freak out by Gymbo and the parachute. From what I gather, every class will have them. The fee packages are too expensive for short term and I don't dare to commit for long term. One year is a long time for something that I'm not sure whether my daughter will outgrow from.
The environment/equipment - The space are mostly filled with padding and mini gymnastics equipment. No wooden climbing equipment, but my daughter still loves it.
The instructor - I know I'm biased, but the English native speaking instructor does leaves a great impression for me. He is an older man, maybe American, mid 40s? Not sure. He's not overly cheery, instead he looks professional and knowledgeable. In fact, I saw for the next class, there is a Malay man instructor, he also looks like a qualified teacher, instead of some high school grad working a part time job.
Class structure - They started off with circle time and songs. My daughter was fascinated with the bells she was holding. Then the instructor showed some gymnastic moves that we can practice with our little ones. Next came the inflatable bed, the parent was told to roll and do the kangaroo hop with the child. My daughter was laughing so hard during this activity. We also have some ball activities whereby the kids suppose to roll the ball down a slope, but my daughter was holding her ball for dear life. The instructor told me every week they will introduce set of equipment to stimulate the child. Then we move on to explore the gym. During this time, the instructor will move around and give some ideas and pointers. We end the session with a song and of course bubbles! My girl was running all around chasing the bubbles.
* if you're unable to complete the plan, they will refund the value of classes remaining. T&C applied.
All class comes with a complimentary 'Practice time', which is similar to OpenGym concept. You can attend the OpenGym for 45mins to 1 hour once a week for free play. Please refer to their schedule.
Promotion - I believe currently they are promoting their new Bugs class which is for 4 to 10 months babies. Is free! You only need to pay the annual fee to attend the class. Please check before signing up though.
Verdict - I ended up signing up for The Little Gym, although their weekend crowd seems huge. There are almost 10 toddlers in my class. But since this is more physical rather than educational, I don't mind the crowd. I like their peers, the instructor and the environment. The parking at Hartamas is also much cheaper compare to Bangsar Village. Last of all, I like the monthly payment scheme. Is easier to part with RM299 per month compare to the huge amount that I have to pay for Gymboree.
Flykidz Gymnastics @ Solaris Mont Kiara - I didn't visit them, just look through some pictures. Their place seems less cherry, but still well equip. Their fees are much cheaper at RM393 for 10 classes and RM85 one time registration. If not because I'm too tired to try out any more trial classes, I might try this one as well.
Beebop Circus @ JayaOne - They are the nearest to my place, but I didn't visit them. I email them for the fees, but they refuse to divulge unless I attend their trial. But from what I read in an old blog, is about RM320 per month.
Young Explorer @ 1 Mont Kiara - I visit them once. I find their gym too small and less cheery. Although I'm sure the older kids loves the Adventure Maze next to the gym. Their fees are RM95 for registration, RM795 for 12 classes (below age 3).


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Published June 19th, 2016 by cpadmin
20 Facts About Sunflowers
All facts about sunflowers :
Sunflower is the only flower with flower in its name!
"Helianthus" is the scientific name of Sunflower, Helia for Sun and Anthus for Flower.
Sunflowers are the symbol of faith, loyalty and adoration.
They follow the movement of the sun across the sky from east to west, and this process is known as heliotropism.
Sunflower oil was able to soften leather, condition hair, wounds, and also used as cooking oil, medicine paint, animal feed and bio-diesel.
Oil of sunflower is rich in minerals like calcium and iron and contains vitamin A and Vitamin D.
Sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and is the state flower of Kansas.
Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing plants and they grow tall. On an average they grow up to 8-12 feet within six months.
The Guinness world record for the tallest sunflower is 25 feet 5 ½ inches, grown by M Heijims in Oirschot, Netherlands in1986.
Sunflower with largest flower head is 32 ¼ inches in diameter (measured from the outer tip of the petal on one side to the outer tip of the petal on the opposite side), was grown by Emily Martin in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada in 1983.
Facts about sunflowers:
837 flowers were grown on a single plant by Melvin Hemker in saint Charles, Mi. in 2001.
Bonsai technique was used to make the shortest mature sunflower record with 2 inches in height.
The spiral formation of seeds in a sunflower almost always follows the Fibonacci sequence.
A single sunflower can have up to 2000 seeds.
Sunflower head is made up of 1000 to 2000 individual flowers which are joined at the base.The large petals which are found around the edge are individual ray flowers, which do not develop into seeds.
Cultivated sunflowers have a single stem and a large seed head, while in wild they are highly branched with small heads and seeds.
More than 60 varieties of sunflowers are found around the world in different shades. Some varieties also have striped petals.
Not only we can find different colored petals, but also their centers vary in different shades.
Sunflower seeds are found in two ways black and striped.
Black seeds are used to make oil and snacks are made out of striped seeds.
– See more at: http://www.spinfold.com/20-facts-about-sunflowers/#sthash.pkSlyRne.dpuf
Comforting Promises/9:10am
Uncategorized Web Links
Tight Eyez At Debbie Allen Dance Academy
Debbie Allen PLEASE bring your dance studio to Atlanta. I'm sending this lady a letter today. I love what she is doing. These girls are a duplicate of her excellence.
Be The Best You Uncategorized video
Published May 11th, 2015 by cpadmin
Possible presidential candidates, 2016
http://ballotpedia.org/Possible_presidential_candidates,_2016
Top potential and declared candidates
Based on media attention and public comments on the 2016 election, Ballotpedia expects the following candidates to be involved in the 2016 presidential election. When a candidate officially declares, it is noted on the list below.
Lincoln Chafee
Martin O'Malley
Brian Schweitzer
Jim Webb Republicans
Kelly Ayotte
Mitch Daniels
Susana Martinez
Brian Sandoval
Declined to run
Community Awareness Uncategorized
Published April 25th, 2015 by cpadmin
I'm sitting here thinking about NASA and how they are preparing a new place for human existence to live – Mars.
I must admit, I'm not that knowledgeable about the planet Mars and its atmosphere for living. However, I will study and learn about Gods created planet Mars and ask Him many question as why the creation.
I have to commend our men and women at NASA operating as God's image as like Him. They are giving the world an illustration of possibilities that goes beyond natural impossibilities. I'm impressed and intrigued!!
Can you imagine that we just might have another option to move to another planet and establish new residence? If technology has expounded to the point that we are able to send mankind to a planet that has 26 hours in a day. Then you know we are going to be able to communicate from Earth to Mars through the internet by satellite. Kind of exciting, isn't it?
I do have this question to our Father in heaven. If God is the breath of life, and that life lives in mankind, mankind is being transported to the planet Mars. Is it a possibility that we can transport our positive energy to a planet that is lacking the power of God, then develop a serene place of heavenly living?
You know God is full of wealth of knowledge that has not being unveiled to mankind, just yet, but maybe there is going to be unveiled knowledge revealed to mankind that will be obtain through this project of living on Mars. You never know??
Our future is bright and I truly believe what the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. (except by the revealing knowledge of the Holy Spirit that lives in Gods kids).
My question to you. Would you consider moving to Mars? There are many that has already chosen to leave earth to live on Mars as their new residence.
Here is an updated article on Mars if you're interested in reading about our future residential planet – Mars.
Click here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245220
Comforting Promises/10:30am
Published August 10th, 2014 by cpadmin
A Cup of Cold Water
40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Published August 2nd, 2014 by cpadmin
The House at Day
The House at Night
Comforting Promises\4:46pm
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[e] believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
Published July 3rd, 2014 by cpadmin
A pregnant teen goes on the road with her dreamer boy friend, who abandons her in a Wal-Mart store in Oklahoma. Left alone with virtually no money, she hides out in the store for 6 weeks until her baby is born. After the birth, she gets national recognition as giving birth to the "Wal-mart baby". She makes friends with two local women (Stockard Channing as a religious, but promiscious woman & Ashley Judd as a woman with a pile of kids, who also seems to have considerable man problems until she marries the local exterminator). She also becomes friends with the Wal-mart photographer, who leads her to a career, and with a young man who runs the library and takes her of his alcoholic sister, who is the real librarian….
Natalie Portman- Novalee Nation, Ashley Judd- Lexie Coop, Stockard Channing- Thelma 'Sister' Husband, Joan Cusack- Ruth Meyers, James Frain -Forney Hull
Published July 2nd, 2014 by cpadmin
One of the most important keys to Success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you dont feel like doing it. -Unknown
Comforting Promises

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Browse: Home » ceramics
December 1, 2019 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity
An Early Roman fort from the 1st century AD has been discovered in the Ancient Roman city of Almus in today's town of Lom on the Danube in Northwest Bulgaria, demonstrating that the first Roman fortifications on the site were…
Traces of First Ancient Greek Colonists in 7th Century BC Found under Byzantine City at Bulgaria's Chernomorets on Black Sea Coast
November 18, 2019 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Greece, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
Archaeological layers with remains from the earliest Ancient Greek colonists, or settlers, on today's Bulgarian Black Sea coast dating back to the Archaic period in the 7th – 6th century BC have been surprisingly found by archaeologists excavating an Early…
Prehistoric Figurine Depicting Pregnant Woman Found in Middle Chalcolithic Workshop near Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast
September 14, 2019 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory
A partially preserved 6,600-year-old anthropomorphic clay figurine from the Chalcolithic (Aeneolithic, Copper Age) has been discovered by archaeologists in a prehistoric pottery workshop located close to the town of Suvorovo, Varna District, in Northeast Bulgaria, near the Black Sea coast.
3rd Century AD Marble Child Head, Ancient Chamber Pot Discovered in Roman City Novae near Bulgaria's Svishtov
June 27, 2019 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity
A marble from a small child statue from the 3rd century AD and an ancient chamber pots are some of the most interesting finds from the first days of the 2019 archaeological excavations of the Ancient Roman military camp and…
Culverin Cannonballs from Vlad Dracula's 1461 Victory over Ottoman Turks Found in Danube Fortress Zishtova in Bulgaria's Svishtov
May 30, 2019 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Cultural Tourism, Middle Ages, Ottoman Empire
Cannonballs from culverins – primitive early medieval cannons – most probably used in 1461 during the conquest of the Zishtova Fortress by Wallacian Voivode Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, from the Ottoman Turks have been discovered…
Slavs, Avars Burned Down Byzantine City Chrisosotira in Early 7th Century, Digs on Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast Reveal
November 6, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
The Early Byzantine city of Chrisosotira on Cape Chervenka on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast was most likely sacked by the Slavs and Avars during their invasions of the Byzantine Empire in the first half of the 7th century AD, archaeologists…
Discovery of 8,000-Year-Old Veiled Mother Goddess near Bulgaria's Vidin 'Pushes Back' Neolithic Revolution in Europe
October 27, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory
Part of a ceramic figurine depicting the head of the Mother Goddess, the earliest deity of Europe's first agriculturalists, has been discovered by archaeologists in an 8,000-year-old Early Neolithic prehistoric settlement near the town of Mayor Uzunovo, Vidin District, close…
13th Century Woman Buried in Bulgaria's Rahovets Fortress Had 12,000-Year-Old Gene Mutation of Europe's Last Hunter-Gatherers
August 30, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Cultural Tourism, Middle Ages, Prehistory
A 13th century woman, whose grave was discovered in 2017 in the Antiquity and medieval Rahovets Fortress in Central North Bulgaria, has turned to carry a 12,000-year-old gene mutation from Europe's last nomads, hunter-gatherers who wandered through the continent as…
6,500-Year-Old Skeleton Discovered in Chalcolithic Settlement with Pottery Workshop near Bulgaria's Suvorovo
August 26, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory
The 6,500-year-old skeleton who inhabited what was a Chalcolithic (Aeneolithic, Copper Age) settlement with a pottery workshop have been discovered by archaeologists near the town of Suvorovo in Northeast Bulgaria.
Weird Prehistoric 'Space Rocket' Artifact from Bulgaria's Telish Remains Mystery as Renewed Research Finds No Matches
June 28, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory
An extremely odd prehistoric artifact found in a Chalcolithic (Aeneolithic, Copper Age) settlement from 5,000 BC near Telish in Northwest Bulgaria, which has conditionally been known as a clay model of a "rocket" or a "space ship", has no archaeological…
Archaeologist Ventsislav Gergov: Destruction of Europe's Chalcolithic Civilization Shows the Stronger Triumps over the Smarter in World History (Interview Part 2)
June 28, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Interviews, Prehistory
Ventsislav ("Ventsi") Gergov is a Bulgarian archaeologist. He was born in Iskar, Pleven District, in 1946. He majored in archaeology at Veliko Tarnovo University "St. Cyril and St. Methodius", and joined the team of the Pleven Regional Museum of History…
Archaeologist Ventsislav Gergov: Chalcolithic Civilization from 7,000 Years Ago Was the Height of Southeast Europe, Bulgaria (Interview, Part 1)
1,000-Year-Old Pueblo Culture Ceramic Pot Found by Accident by Hiker in Arizona Strip Desert
May 8, 2018 · by Daniel Valandovski · in Archaeology (Global)
An intact piece of pottery from dating back to the time of the Pueblo Culture some 1,000 years ago has been discovered by accident by a hiker in the Arizona Strip desert in the US state of Arizona.
5th Millenium BC Prehistoric Settlement near Bulgaria's Pomorie Was Much Larger Than Known Settlement Mound, Archaeologists Find
April 27, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory
The prehistoric settlement known as Kozareva Mogila ("Goat Mound") near Bulgaria's Black Sea resort of Pomorie, which dates back to the 5th millenium BC, i.e. the Chalcolithic (Aeneolithic, Copper Age), was substantially larger than the settlement mound known and visible…
8 Marvelous Artifacts from Exotic Places Discovered by Archaeologists in Bulgaria Recently and How They Got There
April 23, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Ancient Thrace, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Listicles, Middle Ages, Prehistory
Some of the most stunning archaeological finds are artifacts which were discovered at a certain location but originated in distant, and, to put it that way, exotic places, having somehow made their way thousands of kilometers or miles away in…
Puzzling Burial with Tortoise Shell Discovered in Ancient Roman Tomb on Medical University Campus in Bulgaria's Plovdiv
April 20, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity
A perplexing ancient burial in which a tortoise was laid right next to the head of the buried person has been found by archaeologists inside the Ancient Roman tomb, which has recently been discovered by accident on the campus of…
Archeologists Find Rare 12th Century Lusterware Pottery from Medieval Egypt in Building with Rich Murals, Reveal Medieval Streets in Bulgaria's Plovdiv
April 13, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
A very rare piece of lusterware, a type of pottery, made in medieval Egypt in the 12th – 13th century AD, has been discovered in a medieval building richly decorated with colorful murals during rescue excavations in the southern Bulgarian…
Archaeologists Find 6th Century BC Home, Red-Figure Pottery Krater Depicting Oedipus and the Sphinx from Apollonia Pontica in Bulgaria's Sozopol
April 10, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Greece, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
The well-preserved ruins of a 6th century BC home from the Ancient Greek colony of Apollonia Pontica, today's Sozopol on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, have been discovered during rescue digs together with numerous artifacts, which include an Attica red-figure pottery…
Bulgarian, German Archaeologists Excavate Largest Lime Production Center in 4th Century AD Roman Empire near Danube River
April 3, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
What is said to have been the largest base for the production of lime, the construction material made from limestone, in the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD is being excavated by a joint team of Bulgarian and German…
Archaeologists Find Traces of 251 AD Invasion of Roman Empire by Goths during Digs at Antiquity Odeon in Bulgaria's Plovdiv
March 28, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Ancient Thrace, Antiquity
Archaeologists have unearthed part of an unknown Roman Era public building in the southern Bulgarian city of Plovdiv which bears traces from the Invasion of the Roman Empire by the Goths in 250-251 AD when the Goths went as far…
Early Stone Age Site Found in Utrecht, Extends Dutch City's History Back to 11,000 BC
March 17, 2018 · by Daniel Valandovski · in Archaeology (Global)
An Early Stone Age settlement has been discovered by archaeologists in Utrecht in the Central Netherlands, meaning that the history of the Dutch city goes back to 11,000 BC.
Archaeologist Discovers Ancient Mirrors in Roman Villa Estate with Ceramics Factory in Bulgaria's Pavlikeni
March 10, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity
A set of five Ancient Roman mirrors, or, rather, mirror frames, have been discovered in a square building in the ever more intriguing Ancient Roman villa estate which was also a ceramics production center, near the town of Pavlikeni in…
Fortress Tower of Ancient Odessos Found by Chance in Bulgaria's Varna Affirms Data about Odd Early Byzantine District Quaestura Exercitus
February 1, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages, Ottoman Empire
A Late Antiquity fortress wall tower from the Ancient Thracian, Greek, and Roman city of Odessos (Odessus) has been discovered by accident in the Black Sea city of Varna, with rescue archaeological excavations affirming data about the existence of Quaestura…
Extinct Wild Cattle Aurochs Survived until 13th-14th Century in Today's Bulgaria, Bones from Medieval Rusocastro Fortress Show
January 14, 2018 · by Ivan Dikov · in Bulgarian Empire, Middle Ages, Paleontology, Wildlife & Nature
The aurochs, the large species of wild cattle which is the ancestor of today's domestic cattle, survived in today's Bulgaria well into the 13th-14th century when it was still hunted for meat, bones recently found in the large fortress Rusocastro…
Archaeologists May Have Discovered Ancient Thracian, Roman Town Scaptopara, Precursor of Bulgaria's Blagoevgrad
November 30, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Ancient Thrace, Antiquity
Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a large town from the time of the Roman Empire hypothesizing that it might be the Ancient Thracian and Roman settlement of Scaptopara, the predecessor of today's city of Blagoevgrad in Southwest Bulgaria, whose…
Medieval Fortress Wall, Lady's Ring with Crystal Discovered in Rescue Digs in Bulgaria's Asenovgrad
November 26, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Middle Ages
A fortress wall from the medieval Byzantine and Bulgarian town of Stanimachos / Stanimaka has been discovered in the southern Bulgarian town of Asenovgrad, together with luxury sgraffito ceramics and lady's ring with a crystal.
Early Iron Age, Late Roman Settlement with Bi-ritual Necropolis Discovered in Rescue Digs in Southwest Bulgaria
A large settlement which was inhabited during the Early Iron Age (ca. 1,000 BC), possibly by Ancient Thracians, and then again in the Late Roman period (2nd-4th century AD), has been discovered and fully explored in rescue excavations near the…
Archaeologists Find Ancient Thracian Fortress near Bulgaria's Burgas Bulldozed by Treasure Hunter
November 21, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Thrace, Antiquity, Crime & Law
An Ancient Thracian fortress from the Late Hellenistic Period (2th-1st century BC) has been discovered by archaeologists near the town of Izvor, Burgas District, in Southeast Bulgaria, after the site had been damaged by a treasure hunter.
Archaeologists Discover Pink-Plastered Water Cistern of Medieval Rusocastro Fortress in Southeast Bulgaria
Archaeologists have discovered a huge water cistern plastered on the inside with pink waterproof mortar in the fortress of Rusocastro, a major stronghold which changed hands many times between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires in the Middle Ages, and whose…
1,000-Year-Old Child's Bracelet with Virgin Mary Stamp Found at Momchil's Fortress in Southern Bulgaria
November 9, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Thrace, Antiquity, Bulgarian Empire, Byzantine Empire, Christianity, Middle Ages, Ottoman Empire, Prehistory
A metal child's bracelet from the 11th-12th century with a stamp depicting the Virgin Mary – or the Holy Mother of God, as she is known in Eastern Orthodox Christianity – has been discovered by archaeologists during the excavations of…
Archaeologists Discover First Ever Prehistoric Remains in Downtown of Bulgaria's Capital Sofia, No Thracian Traces
November 7, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Ancient Thrace, Antiquity, Prehistory
For the very first time archaeologists have found prehistoric traces of human life in the very downtown of Bulgaria's capital Sofia – 7,000-year-old Chalcolithic (Aeneolithic, Copper Age) pottery – which comes close to the age of the Slatina Neolithic Settlement…
Maritime Archaeologists Find Bronze Age Settlement under Black Sea's Seabed off Bulgaria's Coast
October 17, 2017 · by Ivan Dikov · in Prehistory, Underwater Archaeology
The Black Sea MAP underwater archaeology project, which has discovered some 60 well-preserved ships from the past 2,500 year on the bottom of the Black Sea, has also found and explored an Early Bronze Age settlement off Bulgaria's coast underneath…
3,400-Year-Old Encrusted Ceramics Discovered in Bronze Age Necropolis at Bulgaria's Danube Town of Baley
A large number of uniquely decorated ceramic vessels from ca 1400 BC have been described during archaeological excavations in the necropolis of a Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age settlement near the Danube town of Baley, Vidin District, in…
6,000-Year-Old Cranial Amulet Discovered in Kozareva Mogila Prehistoric Settlement near Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast
A round cranial amulet, i.e. one made out of a human skull, has been discovered during the 2016 archaeological excavations of the Kozareva Mogila ("Goat Mound") prehistoric settlement near Bulgaria's Black Sea resort of Pomorie.
Bulgarian Archaeologists Seek to Restore 1980s Research Cooperation with Italy in Bid to Save Looted Ancient Roman City Ratiaria
October 9, 2016 · by Ivan Dikov · in Ancient Rome / Roman Empire, Antiquity, Crime & Law, Cultural Tourism
The Ancient Roman city of Ratiaria in Northwest Bulgaria, which has been brutally looted and destroyed by treasure hunters over the past 25 years, could still be rescued, and a renewed research cooperation with Italy, which existed back in the…


ICRISAT seeks applications from Indian nationals for the post of Scientific Officer to conduct vegetable research and extension services to implement its vegetable improvement program in the states of Jharkhand. The position will be based at Deoghar, Jharkhand, India. This position is open for Indian nationals only.
WorldVeg is the world's largest international non-profit research and development center focused on alleviating poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through the increased production and consumption of nutritious and health-promoting vegetables. Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Taiwan, the Center's global work covers East and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central Asia. For more information please visit our website: worldveg.org.
Strong team player and willing to work as part of an extended team comprising several agencies.
Master degree in Agriculture/Horticulture and at least 2 years' working experience in projects related to vegetables.
Applicants should apply on or before 31 January, 2019 with latest Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about your professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.


I have used Zoom feature with Windows which is inbuilt feature of windows itself or using some external tools but never with SQL Server. SQL Server Denali arrived with one more feature and that's Zoom/Magnify.
Let's look for the below image for this feature and zoom n query in query editor.
You can see, the query is zooming and also the messages have the option to select the zoom option.
Enjoy your query in query editor!
I was wondering where that was hiding! Thanks for sharing!
wow gud feature. Thanks for sharing.


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Milo's goes half price for military and first responders
Deal is good May 20-24 in Montgomery and Prattville
Milo's goes half price for military and first responders Deal is good May 20-24 in Montgomery and Prattville Check out this story on montgomeryadvertiser.com: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/05/17/milos-half-price-food-military-and-first-responders/3708074002/
Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser Published 2:53 p.m. CT May 17, 2019
Members of the military and first responders in the Montgomery area can order anything on the menu at Milo's Hamburgers next week for half price, the company announced Friday.
The deal runs May 20-24 at Milo's locations at 8747 Eastchase Parkway in Montgomery and 2305 Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville. They're extending the discount to veterans, active-duty military, firefighters and EMTs for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
"We deeply appreciate what these folks do for us on a daily basis and want to show our recognition of their support," Milo's CEO Tom Dekle said in a release.
Milo's specializes in made-to-order burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, and more. They have a full breakfast menu featuring biscuits, Conecuh sausage and cinnamon rolls. The chain also specializes in hand-spun shakes.
Milo's opened three years ago in Prattville and Montgomery. (Photo: Contributed)
The Prattville and Montgomery locations both opened about three years ago. The dining room at both locations is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The drive through is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
You can see more at miloshamburgers.com.
Read or Share this story: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/05/17/milos-half-price-food-military-and-first-responders/3708074002/


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September 13, 2022 • hometowns
Lauren Bushnell Lane Announces She's Having Another Baby Boy: 'We Can't Wait to Meet You'
It's a boy!
Bachelor Nation fans know Lauren from Season 20 of "The Bachelor," and since her time on Bachelor Nation shows, she found love with country singer Chris Lane.
The two got married in October 2019 and welcomed their first child together, son Dutton, in June 2021.
And earlier this summer, the parents announced that they are expecting their second baby later this year!
Now, Lauren took to Instagram to reveal the gender of their newest addition.
Alongside photos with her husband and their son, the Bachelor Nation star wrote, "We can't wait to meet you baby BOY!"
Many of Lauren's fellow Bachelor Nation stars flooded the comments of her post sharing their love and congrats over the exciting news.
Fellow Bachelor Nation mom Jade Roper Tolbert wrote, "Congrats!!! Built in besties!!"
Emily Ferguson commented with the heart eye emojis and said, "Boy mama!"
Lauren is only around six weeks away from her due date, and we couldn't be happier for her as their family continues to grow.
We can't wait to meet their newest addition! Who has name predictions?! Let us know down in the comments.
Lauren Bushnell Lane Shows Off Growing Baby Bump: '10 Weeks to Go!'
Lauren Lane Announces She's Pregnant with Baby #2, Plus: Candid Details About Her Pregnancy So Far


EnergyUnited Propane's automatic propane gas delivery program is smart and convenient. The benefits go far beyond eliminating the task of calling to set up a delivery.
When you have automatic delivery, there's no need to monitor your tank level. And because you'll never run out of fuel, you'll avoid the expense and hassle of pressure testing and relighting if your tank does go empty.
Of course, if you prefer to keep track of your tank level yourself, opt for will-call service. When you need a fill-up, call us and we'll deliver as soon as possible.
It's easy to sign up: simply contact EnergyUnited Propane or call us today at 1-800-522-3793.


text:
package gw.util.process;

import gw.util.StreamUtil;

import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.Reader;

/**
 */
class Gobbler extends Thread {
  private final InputStream _streamToGobble;
  private final OutputHandler _outputHandler;
  private final String _gobblerCharset;

  Gobbler( InputStream streamToGobble, OutputHandler outputHandler, String charSet )
  {
    _streamToGobble = streamToGobble;
    _outputHandler = outputHandler;
    _gobblerCharset = charSet;
  }

  @Override
  public void run()
  {
    try
    {
      Reader inputStreamReader = StreamUtil.getInputStreamReader(_streamToGobble, _gobblerCharset);
      BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(inputStreamReader);

      String line;
      while( (line = br.readLine()) != null ) {
        _outputHandler.handleLine(line);
      }
    } catch (IOException ioe) {
      //ignore
    }
  }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: React Native SectionList scroll to section I just changed my ListView to React Native's new SectionList and now the app crashes when I attempt to use the scrollTo function, stating that it's undefined. I tried looking up new/alternative functions that may help, but none of them seem to be working.
What's the proper protocol for programmatically scrolling to a specific section with the new SectionList?
Links I've been consulting thus far:
https://github.com/facebook/react-native/issues/13151
https://facebook.github.io/react-native/releases/0.43/docs/virtualizedlist.html#scrolltoend
My current attempt:
var params = {animated:true,offset:Platform.OS == "ios" ? 244 : 264}
_mainListView.scrollToOffset(params)

A: <SectionList
          ref={(sectionList) => { this.sectionList = sectionList }} .../>

this.sectionList.scrollToLocation(
        {
          sectionIndex: sectionIndex,
          itemIndex: itemIndex
        }
      );

This is what I used to get it working using a mix of this post and https://snack.expo.io/HJp9mEQkG

A: scrollToSection = (sectionIndex,itemIndex = 1 ) => {
 this.refs.foo.scrollToLocation({
      sectionIndex: sectionIndex,
      itemIndex: itemIndex
    });
}

sectionList:
<SectionList
 ref = "foo",
 //something
/>

A: This is how I scroll to end
listRef.current?.scrollToLocation({
  animated: true,
  sectionIndex: sections.length - 1,
  itemIndex: sections[sections.length - 1].data.length - 1,
})

This is how I scroll to top
listRef.current?.scrollToLocation({
  animated: true,
  sectionIndex: 0,
  itemIndex: 0,
})

A: For me workaround is
list.current?.getScrollResponder()?.scrollTo({ x: 0, y: 0, animated: false })

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Some people are blessed with an incredible metabolism — but more aren't. Resident fitness guru Julie Wilson gives tips on how to boost your metabolism day in and day out, from weight lighting to eating more.
Life isn't fair. Some freakishly lucky people have naturally higher metabolisms, and that means they aren't slaves to calorie counting and exercise. For the rest of us, we have to work a little harder to find lifestyle choices that increase our metabolism. All of this is good news for weight loss, as the higher your metabolism is, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep weight off.
We aren't all freakishly lucky, but we can all take care of our metabolism. Here are a few ways to get started.
While it's important to cut calories with cardiovascular exercise, after you're done running or rowing (or anything else) your calorie burning returns to resting levels.
Strength training, then, is vital to your metabolism as it allows you to burn more calories, even when at rest. More lean muscle mass means your body is more efficient at burning fat, and therefore increases your metabolic rate. Your body simply has to use more energy to burn calories when you have more muscle.
So whether you're working out with weights, bands or bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats, start mixing up your workouts to help prevent the dreaded weight-loss plateau. When you grab your running shoes, make sure you incorporate high-intensity interval training, as it increases your metabolic rate more than steady-state cardio.
Need another excuse to sleep in? Forget your alarm clock: When you don't get enough sleep, the hormones that control your hunger aren't properly regulated. The hunger hormone ghrelin is increased, while your fullness hormone leptin is decreased, and so you lose the ability to know when you are full, fitness expert Tiffani Bachus writes. What's more, when you don't get adequate sleep the calories you eat are burned less efficiently.
Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Following the natural rhythms of the sun and sleeping from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is best for getting enough ZZZ's.
I was recently told that "sitting is the new smoking." While it may not be quite that extreme, the argument does hold weight. Even if you exercise at least one hour each day, make sure you don't spend the other 23 hours on your booty. Sitting for more than 20 minutes can put your body into a relaxed, non-energy burning state, Bachus continues.
If your job keeps you sitting a lot, get up once an hour to move around for a few minutes, or go out of your way to take a walk while on conference call, use a stand-up desk, or schedule walking meetings. Periodically moving is shown to help fight high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity, as well as bring a small rise in metabolism. The results are noticeable, according to dietician Helen West: compared with sitting, an afternoon of standing up at work can burn an extra 174 calories— the equivalent of a can of soda.
All your body's cellular functions require water, so be sure to sip often. Bachus says drinking too little water leads to dehydration, which can cause you to burn up to 2 percent fewer calories. Your metabolism will be increased even greater if you drink cold water, as your body uses energy to heat it up to room temperature.
At the other extreme, too much alcohol can impact your metabolism because excessive alcohol causes your liver to focus on breaking down alcohol molecules instead of burning fat, Bachus explains. Plus, the calories from alcohol can add up quickly and impact weight. Green tea has many metabolism boosting properties, as it's packed with fat-crushing compounds called catechins that rev up metabolism. Those who "go green" with drinks will increase their metabolism by up to 5 percent, West says.
It's not quite so easy to solve, but stress has a huge impact on your health and physiology. It increases production of the stress hormone cortisol, which increases appetite and makes us reach for starchy, sugary and fatty foods. It can decrease our desire for exercise (even though exercise is a powerful stress reliever) and slow digestion, causing calories to metabolize slower. In addition, stress can impact both the quality and amount of sleep we get, which can decrease metabolism and stimulate weight gain.
But what's the answer? It's still not straightforward, but meditating, exercise and getting out in nature are a few ways to combat stress.
What did you say? But truth is, this can be a very frustrating aspect of dieting. Although cutting calories will help you lose weight, there's a point where the body goes into starvation mode with too few calories. That's right — eating too little can actually cause weight gain. Your metabolism thinks it needs to conserve energy and puts the brakes on fat burning.
To avoid this, be sure to eat enough calories to at least match your resting metabolic rate. It's the calories your body naturally burns at rest, and you can calculate it online. Also be sure to eat enough protein, as it helps you feel full and prevents you from overeating. It also combats metabolism drops by retaining muscle, which is a common side effect from dieting.


Dyed, pierced, and covered in tattoos, Wren Blanchard is the exact opposite of everything Dr. Lee Hawthorne thought he wanted. His residency is almost finished. With the perfect job, the beautiful house, and the polished girlfriend, he knows he should be happy, yet he isn't.
But once Wren lands in his ER with her sharp tongue and artist's soul, she leaves a mark on him that just won't fade. Wren knows the good doctor is way out of her league. To people like him, she's a circus freak. Besides, she's not the type to get hung up on guys, especially ones with midnight blue eyes—ones who know all about antiques, crack bad jokes, and love Joss Whedon.
After all, she has friends, a psychotic cat, and a promising career as one of the best tattoo artists in town. And it's enough. Really, it is. Or it would be if Lee weren't there every time she turned around.
I'm excited to help reveal an excerpt from Stephanie Fournet's upcoming contemporary romance, LEAVE A MARK! Check out the book below, along with the teaser excerpt, and be sure to enter the giveaway!
Her startled laughter was the only answer he needed. And Lee wanted to hear it again — even if she laughed at him.
"I mean, I'm licensed. It's not like I just have my learner's permit or anything." It was a bad joke. An awful joke, but it worked because she kept laughing. Her laughter was a mix of high and low notes, like a handbell choir. And like music, he could feel it in his chest.
"One of your clients is a resident?" His curiosity pounced. Did he know someone who was secretly covered in Wren's work?
Her smile grew, and again her cheeks colored. He found his eye drawn to the translucent skin below her cheekbones. Wren's fair complexion was an alluring contrast to her black and blue hair, but when she blushed, Lee found it impossible to look away.
Lee laughed, not so much about the tattoo choice, but at the look of amusement in her eyes.
"What was it?" Lee asked, intrigued with the way her face softened when she thought about her work.
He had more questions. He could have stood there listening to her all night, but the rational part of his brain told him to give it a rest. They were in the middle of the grocery store. If he wanted to talk to her more, he should ask her out for coffee.
But you can't ask her out. You're seeing someone.
He didn't question why she stared at him with unblinking eyes. What the hell had he just said? She was perfect? Who talked like that?
But in the seconds after he'd blurted out the words, he watched her eyes light with a smile — a surprised and genuine smile, and he realized he didn't regret the words at all.
"Um… thank you?" What had been pink on her cheeks was now scarlet, and Lee thought he might have turned a little pink, too.
"I should let you get back to your shopping," he said, clearing his throat. He didn't want to walk away. Maybe if he just stood there, she'd leave first, and he'd be able to watch her go.
It was selfish. He'd made her say his name and, again, as he knew he would, he felt a stirring — like fingers running down his sternum. He'd never liked the sound of his name so much.
"Wren," he said with a nod, liking the feel of her name on his tongue even more.
"Goodnight." She turned and left him.


text:
Solbjørnvatnet is a lake in Flakstad Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The  lake is located on the northern part of the island of Moskenesøya, less than  west of the European route E10 highway.  The mountain Klokktinden lies on the southern shore of the lake.

See also
 List of lakes in Norway

References

Flakstad
Lakes of Nordland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
<?php

declare(strict_types=1);

namespace spec\Sylius\Bundle\CurrencyBundle\Templating\Helper;

use PhpSpec\ObjectBehavior;
use Sylius\Bundle\CurrencyBundle\Templating\Helper\CurrencyHelper;
use Sylius\Bundle\CurrencyBundle\Templating\Helper\CurrencyHelperInterface;
use Symfony\Component\Templating\Helper\Helper;

/**
 * @author Paweł Jędrzejewski <pawel@sylius.org>
 * @author Łukasz Chruściel <lukasz.chrusciel@lakion.com>
 */
final class CurrencyHelperSpec extends ObjectBehavior
{
    function it_is_initializable()
    {
        $this->shouldHaveType(CurrencyHelper::class);
    }

    function it_is_a_templating_helper()
    {
        $this->shouldHaveType(Helper::class);
    }

    function it_implements_a_currency_helper_interface()
    {
        $this->shouldImplement(CurrencyHelperInterface::class);
    }

    function it_transforms_a_currency_code_into_symbol()
    {
        $this->convertCurrencyCodeToSymbol('USD')->shouldReturn('$');
    }
}


text:
OOS 49
A Century of Structured Population Models in Ecology
Wednesday, August 12, 2015: 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
316, Baltimore Convention Center
Hal Caswell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Co-organizer:
André M. de Roos, University of Amsterdam
Michael Neubert, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The understanding of population dynamics requires a link from the individual (which lives, dies, grows, develops, moves, and reproduces) to the population, whose changes in "distribution and abundance" are the basis of ecological and eco-evolutionary dynamics. The properties of the individual that are relevant to population dynamics change as the individual moves through its life cycle. For a century, population biologists have developed and applied increasingly sophisticated mathematical tools for analyzing structured populations (i.e., populations in which individuals are differentiated by their place in the life cycle). This session includes talks on some of the major frameworks (matrix population models, physiologically structured models, integral projections) applied to population dynamics. Along with historical perspectives and presentation of new developments in theory and methodology, the session will feature applications to conservation, evolution, climate change, invasive species, and fisheries.
OOS 49-1
Extending the reach of structured demographic models in ecology: Stochasticity and heterogeneity as sources of demographic variability
Hal Caswell, University of Amsterdam
A generic approach to demographic, equilibrium, and evolutionary analysis of structured population models based on continuous-time, arbitrarily complex individual life histories
Impacts of cohort and maternal effects mediated by body size on population growth and fitness in Windermere pike: An integral projection model
Yngvild Vindenes, University of Oslo; Øystein Langangen, University of Oslo; Ian J. Winfield, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; L. Asbjørn Vøllestad, University of Oslo
Details of mate finding drive dynamics of sex-structured invasions
Allison K. Shaw, University of Minnesota; Hanna Kokko, University of Zurich; Michael G. Neubert, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Division rates of a marine cyanobacterium from cell size distributions and a matrix population model
Kristen R. Hunter-Cevera, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Heidi M. Sosik, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Michael G. Neubert, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Andrew R. Solow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Alexi Shalapyonok, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Robert J. Olson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
OOS 49-
Intraspecific variation in response to climate drives population patterns and dynamics
William K. Petry, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory; Tom E. X. Miller, Rice University; Judith D. Soule, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory; Kailen A. Mooney, University of California, Irvine
Use of structured population models for wildlife conservation and management
Madan K. Oli, University of Florida
Age- versus size-structured populations: The ecological distinction and its importance for fisheries
Anieke Van Leeuwen, Princeton University; Judith Ament, University of Cape Town; André M. de Roos, University of Amsterdam
Differences in response to environmental variability across Pacific salmon species
Lauren Yamane, UC Davis; Louis W. Botsford, University of California, Davis; Alan Hastings, University of California, Davis
OOS 49-10
Evolution of age trajectories of mortality and infectious disease
C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Princeton
See more of: Organized Oral Sessions
<< Previous Organized Oral Session | Next Organized Oral Session >>
About Baltimore
Baltimore Transit
© 2015 ESA


We've been getting a lot of swordfish recently. We probably order it almost weekly from our favorite fish supplier, Water2Table. This swordfish was caught in Southern California and it has been consistently fresh and delicious. You can see another one of our swordfish recipes here. This simple Sicilian swordfish recipe has been on our to-do list for a few months and we finally got around to making it last week. Pesce spada alla ghiotta is swordfish cooked in a typical Sicilian sauce of tomatoes and capers.
We adapted our version from a recipe found in this book we brought back from our favorite cooking store in Rome. We had a jar of green olive tapenade in the pantry, so we used that instead of fresh olives, and our capers were from our visit with Mamma Agata.
We probably had more than a pound of swordfish, so we added a little extra tomato to the sauce. We use Mutti tomatoes for recipes like this. You can even order tomatoes from Mamma Agata and have them shipped to you straight from Italy!
The best thing about this recipe (other than how delicious it is) is that it's a super-simple weeknight meal that you could also use for an easy dinner party. When we made it, dinner was on the table in less than 30 minutes and the only clean up was a saucepan and our large cast iron skillet. For something a little nicer you could put on the table at a dinner party, we like this, this, and this.
We paired this recipe with one of our favorite (and accessible) Pinot Grigios from Ermacora (not Sicilian, we know). It worked nicely. However, the book suggests pairing it with Occhipiniti's SP68 Sicilia IGT Rosso. We've had this wine on numerous occasions and definitely agree, but Arianna Ochhipinti's wines are so amazing that you might have a hard time finding it in stock in your local wine shop!
Boil the potatoes in salted water until they pierce easily with a knife. When finished, remove from the water, peel and slice them.
In a large skillet or cast iron pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan). Add the onions and saute until very soft, then add the olive tapenade, capers, chillies, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to over-salt, since the olives and capers are already salty. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes.
Immediately prior to serving, add the thinly sliced swordfish to the simmering sauce. Cook for five minutes, or just until cooked through. You can tell from the color when the fish is fully cooked. Be very careful not to overcook the fish, since swordfish tends to go from raw to overcooked really quickly.
When the fish is just cooked through, top with basil and serve.
Recently acquired fresh swordfish neck and belly strips. Fatty and very tasty cuts of the fish. Any suggestions on how to prepare?


text:
For Sale: 2001 BMW E46 M3 with S85 V10 M5 engine conversion
BMW, Conversions, Cool Finds, Interest, M
Yes, it's a match made in heaven. Or made in someone's garage anyway. A BMW E46 M3 featuring an S85 5.0-litre V10 M5 engine conversion. And it's manual. And it's up for sale.
The car is based on a Phoenix Yellow 2001 M3, which originally came with a 3.2-litre naturally aspirated 'S54' inline six, paired with a sequential automatic transmission. That's all since been pulled out and in its place is a snugly-fit 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 from the E60 M5, paired with a proper manual transmission.
Earlier dyno tests showed it producing over 310kW at the wheels, which is quite a big jump up from the standard six-cylinder engine which officially produced 252kW at the engine. In fact, according to the builders of the crazy conversion, Brintech Customs, the stock engine produced 190kW at the wheels in this particular case.
Fitting the V10 engine into the M3's engine bay wasn't easy. Brintech says the clearances were tight. The sump had to be modified and a custom gearbox mount had to be made. However, the original steering rack location wasn't touched.
As for the bonnet vents. These aren't just decorative things to make the car look like it goes faster. They had to be installed to help keep the big beastly engine cool, especially considering it lives in a much smaller home than where it was born.
Apparently there were also some issues in regards to the V10's computer system. In the standard M5 the engine communicates with everything from the differential to the gearbox, as well as with the driving modes and g-force sensors. But since these elements are different, a custom flash tune had to be applied to the ECU to allow the engine to essentially reprogram its thinking to cater for a manual transmission and so on.
It looks like a very neat build, and aside from the bonnet vents and the E46 CSL wheels, the car is in original condition. The standard touch-screen system remains in the dash, and even the manual gear shifter looks completely stock from the factory.
Interested? We know we are. It's up for sale now on carsales with an asking price of $75,000. You can also head over to Brintech for a blog covering the build.
Volkswagen Golf Mk7 gets RWD BMW V8 conversion (video) October 12, 2020
New Suzuki Jimny ute announced in New Zealand March 16, 2020
For Sale: Original 1985 Holden HDT VK Group A SS February 17, 2020
Toyota Supra could soon get manual option – report August 3, 2020


text:
Chatterbus Funds Receive a Vital Boost
Chatterbus funds received a vital boost this week (22nd Nov 2017) as representatives of McCarthy and Stone and Levanter presented Chatterbus CIO Vice-Chairman and Surrey County Councillor for Cobham, Mary Lewis, with a cheque for £8000.
McCarthy and Stone has become an important presence in Cobham with its development of retirement flats in the High Street.
"Chatterbus has become a key way in which many of Cobham's older residents are able to get around for shopping, visiting friends and appointments," said Mary. "McCarthy and Stone and their local developer, Levanter Properties have recognised this and we are very grateful for this generous contribution. It will ensure that the bus is kept on the road for several months longer!"
Gin tasting at Cobham Majestic raises nearly £1400 for Chatterbus
Over 70 Chatterbus supporters converged on the Majestic Wine Warehouse in Cobham on Friday to taste gins from seven boutique distillers. They heard seven very different stories, not only about how their gins are made but also the very different ways in which they came into the industry.
A wonderful £1400 was raised – a big thank you to Cobham Majestic for hosting the event and to Sipsmith, Mews, Silent Pool, Chilgrove, Old Bakery, Brilliant and Gorilla Gins. Everyone hopes it will become a regular event!
A Brand New Chatterbus for Cobham
As many of you will have noticed, this week (16th Oct 2017) a smart new 16-seater Chatterbus came into service, taking over from the ageing converted minibus. It was officially handed over to us at a ceremony on Tuesday evening, at which our Chairman Sir Gerald Acher said, "The service has proved more popular with the whole community than we ever imagined possible. We are now setting it up in a sustainable way to ensure its continued success."
The new low-floor Mellor bus will be far easier for the elderly, the disabled, and mothers with pushchairs to board. Extra interior space leaves plenty of room for a wheelchair and shopping trolleys, and the electronic destination boards will make the Chatterbus weekday C1 and Saturday C2 services easier to identify. The reliability of the service will be even greater, with the new state-of-the-art-vehicle.
What will not change, however, is the trademark friendliness of the service. "Our drivers are the best in Surrey," said Sir Gerald. "They make Chatterbus live up to its name with their good humour. They know many of the regular passengers by name and think nothing of going the extra mile. One tracked one passenger down at home to return a lost rail season ticket, remembering where he had dropped him the previous evening. Needless to say he was very grateful!"
The purchase of the new bus was made possible by the grant of CIL money by Elmbridge Council, and the day-to-day running is underpinned by sponsorship from Surrey County Council, Chelsea Football Club Foundation and numerous small businesses, community groups and people in Cobham and Oxshott. Sir Gerald said, "Semi-rural services like ours can never make a profit and we are forever grateful to our local communities and residents for their continued financial support."
Other services that will be maintained are the bus tracker and text alert to any delays. Links to both of these, as well as to up-to-date timetables and Chatterbus news, can be found on this website. The bus will continue to wait at the station if trains are running up to 7 minutes late or longer if the timetable allows.
First Day for our New Chatterbus!
Monday 16th Oct 2017 was the first day for our brand new Chatterbus!
The new Chatterbus is a lot more spacious than the previous bus and has a low entry step for those who are not so agile. It also makes it much easier for wheelchair users to use.
If you haven't tried it yet, give it a try and you will be surprised how spacious and comfortable it is. See the timetable here.
"I'd like to report an astonishing effort from Steve [the driver] to return my dropped train ticket worth £200 to me. He called the pub I was in on Friday night, after I left the bus, and knocked on neighbours doors on both Saturday and Sunday knowing roughly where I lived. Then Monday morning he handed me my ticket as I got on the bus much to my shock – I had spent 20 minutes previously trying to find it. I will be buying him something to say thank you! "
TJ by email
The Cobham Bookshop


text:
Insight News September 17, 2019 Business, Leadership, U.S., Uncategorized
Trump Halts California's Stricter Fuel Standards: Fuel consumption will increase 500,000 barrels per day
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.
In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.
"Many more cars will be produced under the new and uniform standard, meaning significantly more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! Automakers should seize this opportunity because without this alternative to California, you will be out of business," Trump tweeted.
However, virtually every intelligent person understands that Trump's message is wrong. California is the biggest car market in the nation, and his move simply helps corporations and punishes people that will have to breathe dirtier air.
U.S. automakers contend that without year-over-year increases in fuel efficiency that align with global market realities their vehicles could be less competitive, potentially resulting in job losses. However, most of the industry favors increases in standards that are less than the Obama-era requirements, contending that consumers are buying less-efficient SUVs and trucks instead of more efficient cars.
Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action on Wednesday to stop the rollback.
"You can't get serious about climate change unless you are serious about vehicle emissions, said California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. "This is such a pivotal moment in the history of the climate change debate."
It's not clear yet what the Trump administration will propose as its final fuel-efficiency rules, but in the past, it has favored freezing Obama-era mileage standards at 2021 levels. Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Currently the standard is 26 mpg.
Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that freezing the fuel economy standards will reduce the average sticker price of new vehicles by about $2,700 by 2025, though that predicted savings is disputed by environmental groups and is more than double the EPA estimates from the prior administration.
Trump's tweet also does not address the money consumers would save at the gas pump if cars got better mileage. A study released by Consumer Reports in August found that the owner of a 2026 vehicle will pay over $3,300 more for gasoline during the life of a vehicle if the standards are frozen at 2021 levels.
Trump's claim that his proposal would result in a cleaner environment is contrary to his own administration's estimate that by freezing economy standards U.S. fuel consumption would increase by about 500,000 barrels per day, a 2% to 3% increase. Environmental groups predict even more fuel consumed, resulting in higher pollution.
The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year. But Consumer Reports says any safety impact from changes in gas mileage standards is small and won't vary much from zero.
Trump traveled to California for a one-day visit that included GOP fundraising events near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
California's authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. The state has long pushed automakers to adopt more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles that emit less pollution.
California has 35 million registered vehicles, the most of any state. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia also follow California's fuel economy standards.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the Trump administration's action will hurt both U.S. automakers and American families. He said California would fight the administration in federal court.
"You have no basis and no authority to pull this waiver," Becerra, a Democrat, said in a statement, referring to Trump. "We're ready to fight for a future that you seem unable to comprehend."
Trump's Justice Department recently opened an antitrust investigation into a deal between California and four major automakers for tougher pollution and related mileage requirements than those sought by the Trump administration.
The deal struck in July between California and four of the world's largest automakers — Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen — bypassed the Trump administration's plan to freeze emissions and fuel economy standards adopted under Obama at 2021 levels.
The four automakers agreed with California to reduce emissions by 3.7% per year starting with the 2022 model year, through 2026. That compares with 4.7% yearly reductions through 2025 under the Obama standards. Emissions standards are closely linked with fuel economy requirements because vehicles pollute less if they burn fewer gallons of fuel.
The U.S. transportation sector is the nation's biggest single source of planet-warming greenhouse gasses.
In a speech to the National Automobile Dealers Association on Tuesday, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told that California will be able to keep in place and enforce programs to address smog and other forms of air pollution caused by motor vehicles. But fuel economy has been one of the key regulatory tools the state has used to reduce harmful emissions.
Environmentalists condemned the Trump administration's move, which comes as gasoline prices have crept higher following a weekend drone attack that hobbled Saudi Arabian oil output.
"Everyone wins when we adopt strong clean car standards as our public policy," said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. "Strong clean car standards give us healthier air to breathe, help protect us from the urgent threat of climate change and save Americans hundreds of dollars a year in gas expenses."
Posted in Business, Leadership, U.S., Uncategorized and tagged auto industry, automotive industry, california, Newsom, oil industry, Trump. Bookmark the permalink.
World's Largest Starbucks will Open in Chicago
UAW Strike at GM: Will workers believe Trump?


text:
La mar de Sardenya (en sard Mare de Sardigna, en italià Mar di Sardegna) és l'àrea de la Mediterrània occidental situada al Mar Balear entre la costa oest de l'illa de Sardenya i l'arxipèlag Balear. El port principal és la ciutat de l'Alguer.

És una denominació aplicada sobretot a la part de mar propera a les costes sardes, mentre que a la que banya les illes Balears no se sol utilitzar. Així doncs, habitualment no es considera que el port de Maó, per exemple, formi part de la mar de Sardenya.

Sardenya


text:
Microbial cell factory is an approach to bioengineering which considers microbial cells as a production facility in which the optimization process largely depends on metabolic engineering. MCFs is a derivation of cell factories, which are engineered microbes and plant cells. In 1980s and 1990s, MCFs were originally conceived to improve productivity of cellular systems and metabolite yields through strain engineering. A MCF develops native and nonnative metabolites through targeted strain design. In addition, MCFs can shorten the synthesis cycle while reducing the difficulty of product separation.

History
Prior to MCFs, scientists employed traditional engineering techniques to produce various commodities. These methodologies include modifying metabolic pathways, eliminating enzymes, or the balancing of ATP to drive metabolic flux. However, when these approaches were applied for industrial productions, they could not withstand the industrial environments that consisted of toxins and fluctuating temperatures. Ultimately, the techniques were never able to scale up and output bio-products that were obtained in the laboratory.

Thus, MCFs were developed by using a heterogenous biosynthesis pathway in a microbial host. As a host, MCFs take in various substrates and convert them into valuable compounds. These products can range from fuels, chemical, food ingredients, to pharmaceuticals.

Structure

Cell Wall
In microbial cells, the cell walls are either Gram-positive or Gram-negative. These outcomes are based on the Gram Stain test. Gram-positive cell walls have thick peptidoglycan layer and no outer lipid membrane while Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer lipid membrane. Although a thick Gram-positive cell wall is advantageous, it is easier to attack as the peptidoglycan layer absorbs antibiotics and cleaning products. A Gram-negative cell wall is more resistant to such attacks and more difficult to destroy.

Membrane
The membrane of microbial cells are bilayers, composed of phospholipids. The phospholipids may range in chain length to branching. Ultimately, the phospholipid will determine the membrane properties, such as fluidity and charge, that will regulate the interactions with nearby proteins. In addition, the membrane oversees the development of the cell's morphology and cell sizes. Escherichia coli is often utilized a base line to differentiate and define the membrane of MCFs.

Nucleoid
The nucleoid forms an irregular shaped region within a prokaryote cell, containing all or majority of the genetic material to reproduce. The nucleoid controls the activity of the MCF and reproduction of itself and products.

Current Developments
Current methods of programming MCFs utilize strain engineering, which rely on random mutagenesis. In addition, the conventional techniques are labor-intensive, timely, and difficult to analyze. This has led many scientific trials to utilize genomic editing tools to improve MCFs, such as ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR. These approaches allow genetic manipulation and analysis, specifically creating double stranded breaks within a genome sequence.

ZFNs
Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) were the first genomic editing tool to be able to target any genomic site. By inducing a double-stranded break, ZFNs can facilitate targeted editing. However, when employed to reinforce MCFs, ZFNs have an unusual low success rate. In various trials, the ZFNs were unable to obtain a three-finger array or the triplet was unable to be assembled into a new sequence. Thus, incorporation of ZFNs into MCFs has remained strenuous and costly.

TALENs
Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) work in a similar manner to ZFNs, but TALENs are based on fusion proteins. TALENs have been applied to numerous MCFs, such as yeast and zebrafish. Many developments has explored fairyTALE, a liquid phase synthesis TALEN platform, to create nucleases, activators, and repressors for MCFs. Although TALENs have fewer obstacles than ZFNs, they are still troublesome as assembling large quantities of repeats into an array remains a significant problem.

CRISPR
Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated proteins (Cas) has become one of the most popular genome editing tools due to its efficiency and low cost. The CRISPR/CAS9 has been utilized to enhance MCFs to produce yeast, bacteria, and E.coli. When optimizing yeast, CRISPR/CAS9 promoting S.pyogenes has been found to be the most influential strategy. For E.coli, studies have determined a strategy preventing genome instability to be the most robust metabolic engineering approach regardless of the specific methodology.

Large-Scale Application
The most significant advantage of MCFs is the ability to be utilized in industrial environments with minimal limitations. Through metabolic engineering, MCFs rely on innovative strategic tools for the development and optimization of metabolic and gene regulatory networks for efficient production. Going from lab to large scale development involves consideration of three factors: product yield, productivity, and the product titre. A common dilemma however is the trade-off between product yield and productivity. If a company maximizes productivity, they will ultimately lower their product yield and vice versa.

To combat this issue, strategies have been developed to maximize all three factors. One of the most common techniques is utilizing fed-batch culture. Fed-batch culture is, in the broadest sense, defined as an operational technique in biotechnological processes where one or more nutrients (substrates) are fed (supplied) to the bioreactor during cultivation and in which the product(s) remain in the bioreactor until the end of the run. Another method is utilizing continuous cultivation strategy. The premise behind continuous cultivation is to maintain a steady-state cell metabolism over long periods of times. By having multiple approaches for MCF, companies may customize each process to their specific product(s).

Commercialization
The commercialization of MCFs has ranged from chemical to biofuels.

References

Biological engineering


I was searching for a Property and found this listing (MLS® #172183). Please send me more information regarding Casa Vista Bonita, San Jose del Cabo, , . Thank you!
Set on an expansive 24,068-square-foot home site with vast ocean views, this impressive property blends the sophistication and character of a Tuscan estate with the privacy of the Puerto Los Cabos community. This single-story home features five bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, soaring ceilings, and exquisite details and finishes throughout. The inviting great room opens up to an expansive pool patio area with jetted spa, sunken fire-pit, outdoor grill, and dining area. Twin en-suite master bedrooms and a large en-suite bedroom accommodate guests with privacy. The open kitchen is equipped with high-end appliances, an island with bar, and is filled with natural light. A wine bar area compliments the living area. This home is perfect for entertaining and enjoying the Los Cabos indoor-outdoor lifestyle with resort amenities. Only ten minutes to the quaint town of San Jose del Cabo, world-class marina, and renowned Flora Farms.


That's our Advantage: Make it yours.
Advantage Benefits Group has just one mission: helping companies in Central New England manage their health plans and employee benefits, to control costs and maintain quality.
We understand the special challenges you face, because we're just like you. Advantage Benefits Group is an independent, locally-owned, company based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Since 1988, our principals have been helping small and mid-sized companies save money and ease administrative headaches. Let us help yours.
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Besides getting prices for health insurance, we address other ways to save money and help encourage a healthy and productive workforce. Healthy employees is an important factor in combating rising healthcare.
Office Manager, F & M Tool & Die Co., Inc.
President, Everson Distributing Co., Inc.


text:
Home / Toxic Chemical Exposure & Birth Defects / California teachers demand State withdraw approval of methyl iodide
California teachers demand State withdraw approval of methyl iodide
April 11, 2011 By Richard Alexander
Scientists, environmentalists, and public health experts have all spoken out against the use of methyl iodide, a pesticide linked to cancers, thyroid disease, and late-term miscarriages. Now America's educators are joining the cause.
The California Federation of Teachers recently concluded its 2011 Convention, releasing a number of resolutions and constitutional amendments. Resolution One demands that the state of California immediately withdrawal the approval of methyl iodide until more research is conducted on the pesticide's potential health and environmental dangers.
Methyl iodide use impacts most of the state's residents, especially children. "The overall potential negative impacts of living and going to school near ranches, farms and fields on which methyl iodide is used for pest management — even with the legally required protections, application procedures, and buffer zones in place — pose unconscionable risks to the health and well-being of our children, their families, educators and school employees," the resolution read.
Methyl iodide's risks impact virtually all people who live or work near fields that use the fumigant. Chronic exposure to methyl iodide has been linked to cancers, late-term miscarriages, birth defects, thyroid disease, and neurological problems. Breathing it can cause vomiting, slurred speech, and kidney problems, while touching it can burn the skin. Despite the overwhelming health risks, the Environmental Protection Agency approved methyl iodide for use in the U.S., while California approved it's use in December of 2010.
The California Federation of Teachers are making three demands:
1) that California engage in further independent research on the health and environmental implications of methyl iodide;
2) that the state immediately withdrawal the pesticide's approval until this new research is completed, published, peer reviewed, and made publicly available in Spanish and English;
3) that California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) immediately divest in Permira, a private equity group, until the company stops funding the maker of methyl iodide, Arysta LifeScience or directs Arysta to stop manufacturing methyl iodide.
Filed Under: Toxic Chemical Exposure & Birth Defects


text:
Q: AndroidX - Simulate Preference Click Programmatically I am in the process of changing my Android project from android.preference to androidx.preference. Previously in my project, I was launching a DialogPreference programmatically using the following method:
public class WaterbodyPreferenceActivity extends PreferenceActivity {
    @Override
    public void onCreate(Bundle bundle) {
        super.onCreate(bundle);
        addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.preferences_waterbody);
        // launch DialogPreference from PreferenceScreen
        PreferenceScreen screen = (PreferenceScreen) findPreference("pref_key_waterBodyInformation");
        waterbodyPickerPreference = (WaterbodyPickerPreference) findPreference("pref_waterBodyName");
        int pos = waterbodyPickerPreference.getOrder();
        screen.onItemClick( null, null, pos, 0 );
    }
}

This was working well. Unfortunately, the screen.onItemClick method is no longer available and I have been unable to find any way to programmatically launch a Preference.
Here is a more full picture of what I am trying to do.
I have a Fragment with several elements, including a button that I would like to have launch a DialogPreference.
As I stated, when using the android.preference library, the button would launch a PreferenceActivity, which would then programmatically click a Preference and launch the DialogPreference using the code above.
I've tried creating a show() method within my DialogPreference, and calling it from the PreferenceFragmentCompat, but this doesn't seem to have any effect:
@Override
public void onCreatePreferences(Bundle savedInstanceState, String rootKey) {
    addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.preferences_waterbody);
    WaterbodyPickerPreference dialogPreference = (WaterbodyPickerPreference) findPreference("pref_waterBodyName");
    if (dialogPreference != null) { dialogPreference.show(); }
}

DialogPreference method:
public void show() {
    onClick();
}

The Fragment layout:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<RelativeLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent">

    <LinearLayout
        android:id="@+id/main_view"
        android:orientation="vertical"
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content">

        <TextView
            android:text="@string/wb_waterbody"
            android:padding="5dp"
            android:textSize="14sp"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

        <!-- the button that should launch the DialogPreference -->
        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btn_waterbody"
            android:text="@string/pref_waterBodyName"
            android:background="@color/white"
            android:layout_width="fill_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

    </LinearLayout>

    <LinearLayout
        android:id="@+id/btn_bar"
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:orientation="horizontal"
        android:layout_alignParentBottom="true" >

        <Button
            android:background="@android:drawable/btn_default"
            android:id="@+id/btn_cancel"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_weight="1"
            android:text="@string/btn_cancel" />

        <Button
            android:background="@android:drawable/btn_default"
            android:id="@+id/btn_done"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_weight="1"
            android:text="@string/btn_done" />

    </LinearLayout>

</RelativeLayout>

preferences_waterbody.xml, which I do not want to show, but simply click through to launch the DialogPreference.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<androidx.preference.PreferenceScreen
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:key="pref_key_waterBodyInformation">

    <org.lakeobserver.observer.android.preference.WaterbodyPickerPreference
        android:key="pref_waterBodyName"
        android:dialogTitle="@string/waterbody_picker_title" />

</androidx.preference.PreferenceScreen>

The Fragment code that launches the PreferenceActivity:
btnWaterbody.setOnClickListener(view -> {
    getActivity().getSupportFragmentManager()
            .beginTransaction()
            .replace(android.R.id.content, new WaterbodyPreferenceActivity())
            .commit();
});

Updated PreferenceActivity:
public class WaterbodyPreferenceActivity extends PreferenceFragmentCompat {
    @Override
    public void onCreatePreferences(Bundle savedInstanceState, String rootKey) {
        addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.preferences_waterbody);
        // launch DialogPreference...?
    }
}

A: It was actually quite simple.
public class WaterbodyPreferenceActivity extends PreferenceFragmentCompat {
    @Override
    public void onCreatePreferences(Bundle savedInstanceState, String rootKey) {
        addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.preferences_waterbody);
        WaterbodyPickerPreference dialogPreference = (WaterbodyPickerPreference)
        findPreference("pref_waterBodyName");
        onDisplayPreferenceDialog(dialogPreference);
    }
}


text:
Have comics really evolved?
January 14, 2016 Elaine Livingstone Parenting, Lifestyle Share
Blogger network member Elaine, from the blog Fun as a Gran reminisces about her youth and how comics such as The Beano played a part in her family's life, including that of her grandsons'.
As a grandparent I have to say I have been reading children's comics in one form or another for over fifty years. I remember my mother shouting at us at 6am on a Saturday morning to get "back to bed it is too early to be up" as we use to take it in turns to sit on the bottom of the stairs eagerly awaiting the arrival of the paperboy with our weekly comics. My earliest memories were when my sister and I got the Dandy and The Beano and my brother either a football comic or a proper boy's comic such as the Eagle. When they came through the door the one sat on the stairs would pick them up and sneak back up the stairs to hand them out.
This then kept us quiet for an hour or so as we read and reread and swapped them about. This all stopped when we moved to Berlin and there were no paper boys and they were picked up once a week on a Friday night from the NAAFI. By now my sister and I had moved onto comics aimed at teenagers with agony aunts and "real life problems" as well as topical issues covered over a few weeks. At this point I remember a switch from comics to magazines and a company called Marshall Cavendish who produced many series based on one main subject, an early magazine edition of an encyclopaedia. They were great for research and school home work.
Fast forward to my own children and I have seen them move from comics like Twinkle designed for very young children, through the realms of more mature comics as they grew. Back in these days comics were not merchandised around television programmes in the way they have do now. Back in the early 1980's very little television was aimed at children and nobody had started to spin off magazines and other items from the programmes.
All my children had a passion for reading, as do the grandchildren. When my daughter was four I remember buying for her a magazine that came with a cassette tape, the stories were bright and colourful and varied from some that were a one off to others that spanned six or more magazines. This came out fortnightly and we built them up for her Christmas. She loved them and they were worth every penny we paid for them. They are now over thirty years old are still used, albeit carefully, by the grandchildren. Cassette tapes themselves were a new idea, and we built up quite a good collection of audio books between the children. They were especially handy for in the hospital, as back then parents were not encouraged or really welcomed to stay with their children.
Fast forward another generation and now you can buy magazine subscriptions as presents. The other thing that has changed is the way children interact with the printed word. So many children read ebooks now, and I have to say books like Harry Potter look less daunting on an ereader than they do for real. There is no need to wander down to the library to look up answers for your homework when you can just google it. I wonder if comics will still be around when my grandchildren get to be my age and if so in what format because so far they have stood the test of time.
Subscriptions make a great treat and can help with children's literacy skills. Why not treat the children in your life to a comic or children's magazine subscription from magazine.co.uk?
Beano image source: Flickr


CIOs play an integral role in bridging the gap between IT and other departments, leveraging technology to support digital change and meet business objectives.
This strategy, referred to broadly as 'Digital Transformation,' has become a key focus for IT teams in companies large and small. The most successful CIOs will find impactful ways to approach and initiate it within their organizations.
Many CIOs believe that by focusing on Digital Transformation initiatives, digital revenues will grow by up to 37% in the next 5 years. According to IDC, Digital Transformation will be at the center of 67% of Global 2000 corporate strategies by 2018.
Digital Transformation enables organizations to more effectively engage with employees, suppliers and customers; therefore, true Digital Transformation must impact the day-to-day practices of each and every employee. To actively lead this transformation, CIOs will require support and alignment from key stakeholders and leaders in all departments within the business.
Successful Digital Transformation will enable your company to achieve the standardization of business practices across your entire organization, meaning every department can become more sustainable, productive, efficient, and secure. However, with such a far-reaching initiative, it's imperative to start with the low-hanging fruit.
In organizations large and small, there often exists a great opportunity to initiate this digital change by modernizing the ways people edit, share, and collaborate on documents. It really all begins with the elimination of paper.
To achieve sweeping digital transformation, CIOs and their IT teams must re-evaluate current strategies and put the correct tools in place to ensure that the transformation is as smooth and hassle free as possible.
Keep in mind that everyday tasks such as document creation, printing, scanning and emailing require attention during this transformative phase. Paper will continue to be a barrier to digital transformation unless knowledge workers are given the tools to replace it easily.
What are your suggestions for laying a solid foundation for your organization's digital transformation journey? Please share them in the comments section below!
If you'd like to learn more about strategies that can help you drive digital transformation across every department, download our eBook here.


text:
Plenty of Family Friendly Activities at the Utah Olympic Park
You are probably familiar with the Utah Olympic Park as the site of many events of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. In fact, this venue hosted six Nordic ski jumping events: the K10, K20, K40, K64, K 90, and K120 meter. The Park also features a 1,335-meter sliding track for events such as bobsled, luge and skeleton, a freestyle aerials training and competition hill, along with a 750,000-gallon training pool.
In addition to these competition sites, you'll find many family friendly activities that will let you experience the exhilaration and thrills of this exciting park.
Extreme Zipline
Fly high above the expansive Nordic ski jumps on the Olympic Park's Extreme Zipline ride. This ride will give you an experience similar to the K120 jump — it's steep, big and long! In fact, this zipline is one of the steepest in the entire world. You will begin at the end of the 120K jump and then gravity takes over, taking you to speeds up to 50 miles per hour. This zipline features side-by-side lines, so you can enjoy the experience alongside a family member or friend.
Summer Comet Bobsled Rides
You can experience the Olympic Sliding Track that was home to the bobsled, luge and skeleton events of 2002 Olympics during a Comet Bobsled ride. The bobsleds have been modified with wheels to roll on the concrete surface, with professional pilots who will take up to three passengers per bobsled on an exciting ride. You can expect to reach mind-blowing speeds of up to 60 mile per hour.
The Alpine Slide at the Utah Olympic Park is considered one of the most exciting in the world. During the ride, you'll experience a smooth comfortable ride with gorgeous views with straightaways, drops, and banked turns. The sled used for this ride is easily controlled by riders of all ages and sizes, allowing them to go as fast as they want!
Drop Tower
The Drop Tower is an advanced level activity that will give you the experience of a zipline and a modified bungee jump. The 277-foot zipline will take you above the treetops to land you on the Drop Tower. From the tower, you will step off the platform and free-fall for a thrilling 65-foot fall.
Guided Tours of the Park
Guide tours of the Park lets you explore the Park where you can discover sites where Olympic athletes made dreams come true. You can also see places where aspiring Olympic athletes are training for future Olympic Games. You'll experience stories of the 2002 Winter Games, as well as of Utah's rich history and contributions to the sport of skiing.


What is red onion? About the ingredient red onion. Including 947 recipes with red onion, nutrition data, photos, and where to find it.
Red onions, sometimes called purple onions.
These onions tend to be medium to large in size and have a mild to sweet flavor. They are often consumed raw, grilled or lightly cooked with other foods, or added as color to salads.
They tend to lose their redness when cooked.
Red onions are high in flavonoids. They can be stored 3 to 4 months at room temperature.
Red onion is usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Red onion is a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products USDA nutritional food group.
How much does red onion weigh?
There are 953 recipes that contain this ingredient.


AmberClean™ 852A is a high purity waterless cleaner formulated to replace highly flammable solvents in critical cleaning applications. AmberClean 852A has a low surface tension that facilitates the removal of process fluids, residues and other contaminants associated with electrical components such as printed circuit boards. AmberClean 852A is not flammable, but can be dried from parts using clean dry air, nitrogen or other inert gases. AmberClean 852A can be used in wipe, immersion with or without agitation, ultrasonic or spray applications.
AmberClean™ 852A should be used concentrated and should not be heated above its flash point.


The Minions have returned today here on our website, where we are bringing for you the cutest game with doctors, in which you will have to be very careful and concentrated, because dear friends you can see that this is going to be a doctor game, in which one Minion is going to need your help. It's not going to be easy at all, because dear friends you can see that this is going to be a new online ear doctor challenge, in which you will have to be very careful, because dear friends you will have to make sure that in the shortest time, you will manage to gain a lot of points by curing the Minion's ear, and for that you will have to be very careful and make sure that in the shortest time, you will be able to use as many medicine and special tools that you can find which is the problem for the ear infection, and you can see how the Minions are going to be back here on our website with many other fun games that you can play with all your friends in the Despicable Me games category. Have fun!
Mini Ear Doctor is a game that has been added on 25.10.2018 and we invite you to play right now because it was played 445 times. Mini Ear Doctor was added in Despicable Me Games and seems to have 100% obtained at the vote from each member that have been played this game.


Beautifully designed, this golden & pink colored necklace from the house of Anuradha Art Jewellery features an excellent finish. It is studded with kundan & has hanging drops. This necklace set is something that is hard to miss by stylish women. It is crafted from 40% silver & golden polished copper.


Australia's cricketing enigma Shaun Marsh once more finds himself battling to save his career after a dreadful dismissal in the first Test against India.
Marsh gave his detractors further ammunition when he fell for two, bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin while attempting to drive a wide-pitched delivery but dragging it onto his stumps, in the first over after lunch on Friday.
It is the fifth time India's ace offspinner has claimed Marsh's scalp in Test cricket.
His wicket left Australia 3-59 on day two in response to India's 250, a position improved to 7-191 at stumps by Travis Head's determined unbeaten 61.
Thrust into the role of senior batsman alongside Usman Khawaja in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, Marsh had tuned up for the series with scores of 80, 98, 163 not out and 81 among six Sheffield Shield innings.
But his cheap dismissal at Adelaide Oval, which is certain to embolden his many and vocal critics, reinforces the enormous and frustrating gulf between his best and worst.
The left-hander's highest score from his past 13 Test innings is 40 and his six consecutive single-figure scores are the most for any Australian batting in the top five since 1888.
A nervous starter beyond compare, Marsh averages almost 60 when he passes 10 but a remarkable 26 of his 60 Test dismissals - including eight this year - have been in single figures.
He struck career-best form last summer, scoring a man-of-the-match century that delivered Australia a 2-0 series lead and plundering more Ashes runs than anyone bar Steve Smith.
But he was a non-factor in South Africa and made just 14 runs at an average of 3.5 in the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in October.
Debutant Marcus Harris, who spent several years playing alongside Marsh for Western Australia before defecting to Victoria, is confident the veteran can bounce back.
"I think you've seen from the way Shaun bats that he's a different level of player," Harris said.
"I assume he's upset with the way he went but it's only one innings of the first Test of the whole summer.
"Shaun's a class player so he'll be all good."
Marsh's younger brother Mitch, himself struggling for form and dropped in Adelaide, is the only other batsman in the 14-man squad for the first two Tests.
However a continued run of poor form would put selectors under enormous pressure to replace Marsh later in the series from a list of candidates at Shield level including Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell.