text:
We have mentioned the "looking part' and so now its onto, as those in the biz (wanker talk for wine business) say, the smelling part, or to have a good 'sniff'. Why do we swirl the wine? When we swirl our glass of wine we are vastly expanding its surface area and volatilizing some of its aromatic particles (we are stirring up the smells). This allows oxygen to mix with the wine, releasing the esters and aldehydes (we know, poncy word alert), which yield all the smells and bouquet. In other words, swirling aerates the wine and gives you a better smell. Another reason why one should swirl the wine is to give an additional look at the overall appearance. Look at the color and the "legs" that trickle down the inside of the glass once the swirling has stopped. It is sometimes felt that the more noticeable the legs, the fuller the body of the wine. Basically its about viscosity. A slower trickle relates to the thickness or viscosity of the wine which is mostly connected to the alcohol content. Ok, back to the smell bit. The spin and smell is possibly the most important part of wine tasting. The average person can smell over 2,000 and as many as 10,000 different scents, and wine has, according to some, well over 200 of its own. Now that you have swirled the wine and released the bouquet, you should smell the wine a number of times. The second and third smell usually gives you more of the subtle information than the first smell did and you don't need to stop smelling at three. What does the wine smell like? What kind of 'nose' does it have? Ponce word alert! The "nose" is a word that wine tasters use to describe the bouquet and aroma of the wine, basically what your honker is sniffing up. Pinpointing the nose of the wine helps you identify its characteristics.
This is when you smell cinnamon or licorice, chocolate, vanilla, cherries or apricots. It's not that someone dropped a chocolate chip into your wine, it's that a certain group of chemicals you smell in the wine is identical to that you smell from a chocolate chip etc!
The problem here is, many people want someone else to tell them what they smell. Do I smell citrus, apricot or wet horse blanket? What about black cherry, leather or tar? No one knows what you smell, only what they are smelling in their own glass. Now while generally the group should be picking up somewhat similar primary scent's it can be different on the more subtle ones, and the more you do it, the more smell memories you will have. This is where the correct stemware comes into play. It needs to be big enough to allow the wine to be swirled and yet to focus them in the glass. An adequate amount of wine is also important. And you need to not be afraid to get your nose right in there. And yes Cyrano, it should fit in a decent glass.
Pick up a few clues like this and you will be poncing it up with your wanker mates in no time. The more you have done this the more likely you will be to be able to use this information to help you find more wines you like.
Never forget that tasting wine is supposed to be fun.
One of the wines consumed at home this week was a delightful drop from Dawn's Dream Winery in Carmel Valley. The particular bottle was ‘Nicole’ a 2011 Pinot Noir. To quote the maker “Nicole’s blend combines Pinot Noir grapes from Carmel Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands. The nose has a hint of brown sugar and toasted grain and the flavors are replete with gooseberries. Medium tannins give this wine extra length on the palate and provide excellent aging potential”.
One of Three daughters who’s names appear on Pinot Noir, this one just happened to be the one that stood out on the day we visited, and so was the one purchased for just such an occasion as eating at home.
Having both the qualities of an SLH Pinot and also some added nuances from Carmel Valley it was easy to drink and drink and drink without tiring of the taste. A nice Pinot Noir at a reasonable price. All in all a 6+ and at $30 ***. With a passion for what she does, Dawn Galante had a dream of producing approachable wines of exceptional quality and elegance. Well the dream has become reality as the wines were definitely that. We need to go back and look more deeply into Dawn's Dream. Go by and see them at the East End in Carmel Valley and let em know we sent you!
When the opportunity arises we generally take it (when wine is involved). Having to be in the Gilroy area this last week late one morning, and with no plans for the rest of the day, it just seemed like a good enough reason to go experience a couple wineries that we have not been to before. With the decision to do it out of the way next up was who is open on a Tuesday that has not been visited recently? A quick search of the twitter list and first up was Fortino Winery located at 4525 Hecker Pass Rd. The sign out front is big and easy to see so you will have no problems finding the place.
The winery and the vineyards have been here since the 1930s and were purchased in 1970 by Ernest and Marie Fortino. The purchase was influenced by and because the surrounding land was highly reminiscent of his hometown, Calabria, Italy. In 1995 Ernest passed on the responsibilities of running the winery to his son, Gino, and daughter, Teri. Over the years the vineyards have expanded and now stand at about 50 acres, half of which are still dry-farmed like the original plantings to produce flavor-intense grapes. A good size comfy feeling tasting room, with a good selection of wine related items for sale make this a good stop on any wine tasting Adventure of the area. They also have a great entertainment / event / wedding areas. Between the Redwood Terrace and the Barrel Room they have it covered.
With a broad spectrum of wines being poured, there is bound to one or more to please every palate. From a crisp apple nosed Riesling and a very interesting Black Muscat Blush to the Carignan (from the oldest vines, dry farmed and the one we purchased) to a Carbono as well as some more typical varieties like Cabernet Savignon and Zinfandel. If bubbly is your choice they have an Extra Dry Champagne and an Almond Champagne which seems to be quite the hit. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday and 11:00am to 5:00pm Sunday and Closed Monday, go by and tell em we sent you.
Just a little ways down the road is the Solis Winery. Solis winery has been a working winery since the late 1920's. This somewhat unassuming tasting room building is hiding a secret. It has one of the nicest deck / view ares of almost any winery we have visited in the area. In 1980, the Vanni family purchased the land and has been running Solis Winery ever since. David and Valerie Vanni originally ran the business with their family and friends, but once they were confident enough their sons, Michael and Vic were ready, they transferred the responsibilities to them and they have done a great job as evidenced by the increasing number of awards won each year.
There are many events hosted at the winery and as an example coming up on the weekend of August 31st - September 2nd the Syrah and Sausage Grill event Labor Day Weekend. Now on this weekend you head on over the the winery and purchase a bottle of Syrah for $35 for non members or $21 for club members (good reason to join their club) and along with opening the bottle and providing you glasses to drink that nice Syrah you will also get two gourmet sausage sandwiches and two pasta sides.
If that wasn't enough there will be live music (from 12-4:30pm) to help you enjoy the wine, food and fabulous view. Try all of the wines since your already there and find your favouite. We purchased a bottle of the 2010 Zinfandel with some BBQ in mind. Take a group and maybe buy a bottle of their lovely delicate (by port standards) port to finish the day. Go on by and have a taste and let em know we sent you!
Kind of a trick headline to get you to read about what we think are five truly amazing places. The operative term here is 'what we think'! Before you all start to campaign for your favorite area (although would be interested to hear about) these are just the places we feel are the top five. You are entitled to your opinion with or without facts.
Keep in mind that all of the following areas are filled with worthy places to go and that we are only exposing the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Just know that there are some really good places to go in each and everyone of these areas, and that all of these areas worth your time to go visit.
Adelaide Hills; The Adelaide Hills region has really come along in recent years. Now while that may sound a little condescending its not meant to be. The Hills have in the last 5-10 years, found the magic and knowledge that allows for consistently good wine. The knowledge of the weather and the terrior and what it takes to get the best out of it. Now some years are always going to be better than others but there are some consistently fabulous wines coming from this region from a number of producers. With its summer months generally dry, with average temperatures considerably cooler than other Australian wine regions and in particular the night time temperatures being cooler than most surrounding wine regions, the wines generally take on elegant cool climate style with wines displaying great finesse and varietal intensity.
Bird in Hand, Hanhdorf Hill, Shaw and Smith, The Lane, Tilbrook Estate, Golding, Protero, K1 by Geoff Hardy, Nepenthe and of course wine and dine at Penfolds Magill Estate.
The Barossa Valley; The Barossa Valley is one the most recognized of the South Australian wine regions. Located about 70 Km north of Adelaide it has delivered outstanding vintages for over 150 years and covers an area comprising the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. The Barossa is not just a great wine region as it still is an area full of growers of seasonal produce and makers of specialty foods. The area has one of the oldest regional food histories in Australia and is traced back to the German settlers of the 1840's. Tasting of this food is possible at not only most of the local area restaurants but also from some of the butchers, bakers and cheese makers in the area. There is also what is believed to be the oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard in the world.
The Barossa is not a 'new world' wine region like Chile or the United States, nor is it tied down by old rules and regulations like they have in Europe. The first settlers in the area used their European experience, and for over 150 years, their descendants have adapted it with modern technology, and knowledge to suit the soil and climate of the area. It is this heritage and these partnerships that give The Barossa such a unique identity.
Clare Valley; Clare Valley shares the distinction of being one of the oldest regions having been settled in 1840. Settlers from England and Ireland, as well as more diverse places such as Poland and Silesia moved into the region during the 1840's, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages, which remain largely intact to this day. Vineyards were planted alongside those first villages and winemaking has continued ever since. The most important white variety is Riesling, with the Clare Valley regarded as its Australian home.
But that is not the entire story of wines in Clare Valley. The principal red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz with a little Merlot. They make a range of styles of varietal wines, reflecting different approaches to winemaking as well as the influences of the various sub-regions and micro-climates in the valleys. Many other varieties are also grown, including Chardonnay, Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Grenache.
The area has a lot to offer for those that visit here like the Riesling Trail. The Clare Valley's reputation for Riesling inspired the naming of the Riesling Trail, which is a recreational trail for walking and cycling. It runs 35 kilometres and connects the townships of Auburn, Leasingham, Watervale, Penwortham, Sevenhill, Clare and White Hut. Having spent some time walking along different sections of the trail at dusk it can be said that it is a wonderful walk. The Clare Valley has many places to eat, from bakeries and such to fine dining restaurants, as well as more than 40 wineries, and most of them have a cellar door. Drop in for a taste.
Coonawarra; All wine regions like to think they are unique. The truth is mostly they are, but some are more unique than others. Some just have that certain "Je ne sais quoi". One of these regions that has this more than some of the others, is a place in the south east of South Australia, in an area called the Limestone Coast. The place with all this "Je ne sais quoi"is Coonawarra. Coonawarra is an Aboriginal word meaning "Honeysuckle". It is about 380 km southeast of Adelaide, close to the border with Victoria. Often called Australia’s “other red centre”, its premium red wines have won many awards. What makes this area so special is one of the most famous terroirs in the southern hemisphere if not the world.
It is the combination of a thin layer of unique rich, red top soil (‘terra rossa’ or ‘red earth’) over an ancient limestone mantle encasing a pure, underground aquifer. Add to that a long, cool ripening season for the grapes and you have the makings of a hard won reputation as one of the world's finest wine regions, especially for red wines and, in particular, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The cigar-shaped strip of 'terra rossa' is finite, approximately 12km long and 2km wide, and is all but taken up by vineyards. More than 24 Coonawarra wineries have cellar doors for your enjoyment. There are some area attractions that are also on the must see list if you are in the area and one of those is the Naracoorte Caves National Park. This park is South Australia's only World Heritage site. The site was officially recognized in 1994 because of the importance of the fossils in the caves.
The Coonawarra area sits between two great attractions. In the north is the afore mentioned World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves, and to the south is Mt Gambier and the beautiful Blue Lake.
Coonawarra is an area that needs to be experienced and should be on every wine lovers list of places to go.
McLaren Vale; McLaren Vale is a great South Australian wine region, and sports more than 70 cellar doors. The region’s warm days and cool ocean evenings means it produces great Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. They also grow and make wine from other varietals that include, Tempranillo, Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne, Barbera and Sangiovese. It's less than forty five minutes from the city of Adelaide. The wine region is only minutes away from the stunning coastline and beaches that influence so much of the climate and lifestyle. The neighboring townships of Willunga, Aldinga, Port Noarlunga and Sellicks offer visitors some unique experience's rich in history, artisan craftsmanship and culture. Dry sunny weather helps viticulture by producing ripe grapes.
The heat is cooled by breezes off the surrounding ocean, and also the 'Gully Winds' from the Hills. This makes for a smooth ripening season during which time the grapes accumulate the flavor and intensity that make the areas award winning wines. The region is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches and the sunsets are spectacular. There are any number of perfect vantage spots to sit and watch one while sipping a local wine.
Olivers-Taranga, D'Arenberg, Victory Hotel, Chapel Hill, Yangarra, Coriol.
Although not a region, and not really fitting in with the title 5, the National Wine Center in Adelaide is also a great place to visit for a number of reasons. It has a great educational display of wine and vineyard information as well as tastings and events that are very very good. National Wine Center. Check em out while your in town.
There are more areas of note in South Australia, but this is a great starting point for a visit to one of the best wine regions in the world. The home of, Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden cars. Go ahead and plan your trip, get it booked, and make it as long as you can because there are ton of great things to see, wonderful people to meet, and some fantastic wine and food to be had. We say it's a 'must do'!
But don't just come for the wine there are a million great adventures waiting. Check out this video for a look at just a few.
As listed in the handout. Unfortunately there is no contact info provided. Some we have managed to find.
Recently we noticed that while we were not paying attention Carmel-by-the-Sea had become a tasting destination. Along with all the wonderful restaurants is now a solid collection of tasting rooms. Because we hate to miss out, we decided to go visit some and experience for ourselves what they had to offer.
One Tuesday afternoon some circumstances came along that had us in the Carmel-by-the-Sea area. With an hour or so to spare we decided to have a quick glass somewhere. As we started to run through the likely candidates we looked down the street and saw Vino Napoli. Having been there some time ago and enjoyed it, we decided we should just quit wasting time and go in and see if anything had changed (for better or worse). The good news is not much has changed. It was a very nice experience. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the wines were good as well. You thought we were just going into have a glass. Well as it turned out the staff swayed our decision towards a tasting flight of Italian reds. A flight of half pours of lovely Italian reds that really hit the spot. We would have loved to have spent more time there and enjoy their offerings of appetizers and a little more wine, but duty called and we were off. But just so you know we will be planning a return visit to hang out and enjoy more of what Little Napoli has to offer. Located on the corner of Dolores St. & 7th St. and open from 3pm- 10pm (look for the five Italian flags) and oh by the way, there are no street numbers in Carmel, but in those famous words we heard so often in Italy, "you can't miss it".
After our quick visit we were keen to go back and explore some more of Carmel-by-the-Sea. So one Friday night we were head back for dinner and some drinks. First up was the De Terra Tasting Room located on Mission and 5th. Kind of a combination wine bar and tasting room. We settled into some comfy chairs by the window, where we could keep a eye on the goings on inside (a cosy, lively atmosphere), and also watch the world walk by on the outside. A staff member was quick to welcome us and tell us about the offerings that evening. We chose the Friday night flight, after all, it was Friday night. What a good choice that was, as all the wines were good and the pours were of a very nice size and the price was basically a tasting fee. The place was busy but not overly packed and everyone seemed to be enjoying their wine and the place. What a great spot for some wine and hanging out. The tasting room is open Tues.-Thu. 2-8 p.m and Fri.- Sun. 11-8 p.m so go go by and say g'day.
While enjoying a refreshing beverage or two at these local tasting rooms we heard about what has to be the most flexible user friendly good value Passport known to man (or woman) on the planet! Ok maybe a bit of a stretch but this is a very well put together passport that anyone who likes a taste or two and is visiting Carmel by the Sea needs to have. Yeah we said it, you NEED to get this. The Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea is a Wine Tasting Passport, that for $65 entitles the buyer to one $10 flight at nine of the twelve tasting rooms who are part of this experience (a $90 value).
Reaching into the wine fridge for a bottle to have with dinner the other night and what would be pulled out?
A Pinot Noir from Wrath Vineyards from the River Road Wine Trail in Monterey County. Wrath makes a number of Pinot Noir wines, this particular one is their 2011 Ex Anima. This one is the lowest cost Pinot Noir they are currently pouring, but don't let that lead you to believe that it's one not to take seriously. This is a very nice drinking wine. Ex Anima, or “from the soul” in Latin, is a series of wines from Wrath that feature minimal wine making intervention and no new oak. These wines present individualistic expressions of the maritime climate and gravelly soils from the estate vineyards. The grapes for this wine come from the award winning San Saba Estate Vineyard, which is set in a sheltered nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The 2011 Ex Anima is pinot for those that love Pinot Noir. It features Clone 828 harvested at moderate sugars and aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels to emphasize the fruit character of the grapes. The bouquet is bright, berry-like and generous. The palate is a silky mix of strawberries, cranberries and blueberries. This was a very good WW wine that was fabulous with with the BBQ spicy pork chops, broccolini and Au Gratin potatoes. This wine hits higher than its price point at 6+ and only a couple dollars outside **** it is an easy go to choice to go with any night dinner.
Swing on by the tasting room and get some for yourself and tell em we sent you!
Carmel by the Sea Wine Tasting and other discoveries.
Some thoughts on our observations from a recent visit to Carmel by the Sea. Who knew there were so many places to grab a taste. When did this happen? Visiting Carmel is for dinner at one of the many fine restaurants, and wandering the streets holding hands (not with each other) looking at all the neat shops and galleries. Tasting rooms? We knew there were some but had very little idea of the number that exist now.
Where do we begin? Carmel by the Sea has so many good restaurants and cafe's, and over the last few years the number of good places to have a taste has grow rapidly. The area is now a definite tasting destination with over a dozen places to taste. There is a tasting Passport that is by far the best way to do that available from the Tourist Information Center.
The Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea.
The area also has many choices of accommodation from simple to Luxury Hotels to B&B's, there is a choice to suit almost anyone's needs or desires. With the town being quite small you can walk everywhere. Window shopping is the sport of choice as there are many wonderful art galleries and boutiques. Although, if you are looking for the just right piece to go over the armoire, you can find it here.
If you’re after a romantic getaway to a quaint seaside, art-filled village, Carmel might be perfect for you. You can even bring your dog, as Carmel’s hotels, restaurants and galleries are remarkably four legged friend friendly.
There are few places as quaint and picturesque as Carmel by the Sea in California. Situated on Carmel Bay, nestled in a pine forest above a beautiful white sandy beach, the one square mile village of Carmel offers endless epicurean opportunities and romantic charm. Carmel is the perfect base for activities and adventures, you'll have a wonderful time no matter what you choose to do in Carmel by the Sea. Never too hot or too cold it's a great place to visit at any time of year. The area is also a popular place for Destination Weddings which again just speaks to the romance of this magical place. Carmel, is a quaint and charming little town that attracts visitors year-round who are looking for romantic bed-and-breakfast lodging, fantastic cuisine, fine art, quaint boutiques, a white sandy beach, and now more than ever, world class wine, wine and more wine!
With so much to check out we think some more in depth stories of some of the restaurants, accommodations, tasting places and some great events is a must, so stay tuned!


text:
Lease Return | Grand Falls Ford Dealer | Violette Ford Inc.
When your lease end date is getting near, Violette Ford Inc. will help you through the entire process. Submit the form below or call us today for more information!

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


text:
Many of the car GPS systems these days are very small and fit on your dashcam board with ease and you can have them mounted so the screen is visible when you stop. Using the automotive GPS is very easy and once you type in your destination then you simply have to listen to the voice commands. So let’s look at Best Cams And Vines and how it relates to dashcam. The commands will guide you turn by turn to your destination and will also notify you of any road work on your route. The car GPS systems are very high tech and you will never go anywhere ever again without the gadget.
That prototype became the iPhone 4 in June. It was announced by good old Steve as the biggest leap yet. Cornerstrone being the all-new design of two pieces of special glass, armed by a stainless-steel band. Other new features included a hd camera, more battery, better screen, front-facing camera and the Apple A4 chip, although clocked slower than the iPad.


text:
The E100 is an in-circuit emulator equipped with full bus trace. The product requires only the replacement of MCU unit and optional products for accommodating different MCUs, thus eliminating the need for purchasing another emulator or emulator software for each field of application. With its superb versatility, you can now configure a debugging environment for a wide array of MCUs at a minimum cost without compromising the evaluation accuracy and operation efficiency.
More fully featured than its preceding models, the E100 emulator exhibits a wide range of new and enhanced functions including 4M trace, improved filtering, real-time profiling and detection of stack access violation.
Note that the mulator software is bundled in the MCU unit (Sold Separately).
Requires only the MCU unit (optional) replacement for use with another MCU.
Debugging and various other features added or enhanced from the previous model.
Refer to Comparison with the Previous Renesas Full-spec Model.
Events can be automatically set using Drag & Drop from other windows.
4M Cycle Large Capacity Trace & More Enhanced Real-time Trace Functions!
Repeat mode is a new feature added to the existing modes. It can quickly detect problems that occur during repeated process.
Function execution history shows function/task call relationship (call source/ call destination) and enables the user to quickly grasp overall program flow.
Real-time profile function provides easy detection of bottlenecks by measuring execution time of up to 8K functions.
Measurment possible without stopping user program.
Supports profile function per task as well as per funciton.
In addition to State Coverage (C0 Coverage), Branch Coverage (C1 Coverage) is also supported to facilitate evaluation process.
*C1 Coverage is not supported for H8S/Tiny Series.
The measurement result can be saved and be merged during the next measurement.
Execution time between the start and the stop of the program.
Maximum/minimum/average execution time and pass count (32-bits counter) at the specified 8 segments.
Accumulated time of execution and frequency of calling can be measured for up to 8K functions at the specified segments (128 bytes x 8 blocks).
The upper 16 bits are used exclusively for input , whereas the remaining 16 bits can be switched between input and output.
1: External trigger cable is sold separately.
2: Not supported for the M16C/64 group and RX600 series.
3: The profile function and the coverage function cannot be set at the same time. C1 coverage is not supported for the H8S/Tiny series.
4: The code coverage applicable to the E100 emulator for the RS-4 Series is 4MB (1MB x 4 blocks).
5: The E100 emulator for the RS-4 Series is connected to the user system via IC-CARD-BOARD attached to the MCU unit.
1: It varys depending on the target MCUs. Refer to the following configurations for the details.
1: Two sets of R0E001000FLX00 are necessary to expand I/F cables.
2: It is necessary for external trigger event and for obtaining trace data of external signals.
3: It is used to measure the signals of individual pins.
4: While some functions are not supported, they can be debugged using the E100 emulator for M16C/64A and M16C/65 Groups. Please contact us for regarding the function limitations.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text:
What are we but stories?
a Southern Star are now available for download as a PDF below.
The 16-page Teaching Notes for Wish Upon a Southern Star contain pre-reading, during reading and after reading activities for a recommended study level of ages 15-17.
'Pre-reading' activities include starter activities (a discussion/writing starter and directions to a fun introductory quiz), activities for defining fairy tales, exploring the history of fairy tales (esp the tellers of fairy tales), comparing Charles Perrault and the Grimms' versions of Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, and exploring tale types using the Aarne-Thompson index. It also offers ways of approaching fairy tales with suggested activities for reader-response theory, feminist criticism and Marxist/class criticism approaches, among others.
The 'during reading' section offers questions for students to consider when approaching an anthology, guidance for keeping a reading journal, and generic questions on themes, plot and structure, setting, characterisation, narrative point of view and style to be applied to some or all of the stories as they read.
'After reading' provides 'ways in - sample questions' for each of the stories and the anthology as a whole, guidance on how to undertake a comparative analysis between an original tale and its retold version, and extension activities that include further reading and research, transactional writing, creative writing, and other creative endeavours.
I hope that these teaching notes will be helpful and I encourage teachers to adapt the notes to suit their teaching needs.
Copies of Wish Upon a Southern Star can be ordered from Amazon and other online stores. Schools and libraries in New Zealand and Australia may like to order via Wheelers.
Make a connection with Shelley.
Please get in touch with me if you'd like to talk fairy tales, fantasy or writing.
My anthologies are available in paperback and hardback forms at Amazon.com. If you've read one of my stories, please leave me a rating and/or a review.
Smashwords is where you can find my free-to-read stories. For more details on my stories, see Shelley's Stories above.
Come and find me on Goodreads! If you've read one of my stories, please leave me a rating and/or a review. Follow me as an Author to be kept up-to-date with my latest blog posts and releases.
Check out my Facebook page! Follow my page for posts about fairy tales, books, and whatever else catches my eye.
Like looking at pretty pictures?
Follow me on Pinterest to see my boards of fairy tale illustrations and fantasy art.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


text:
What does the Hamburg summit want to achieve?
What about deliverables from Hamburg?
birthplace of their host, Chancellor Angela Merkel. It’s their 12th summit to discuss global economic and financial issues.
The summit cannot ignore geopolitics. Conflict continues in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Central Africa. Renewed famine ravages the Horn of Africa. Russia still occupies parts of Ukraine. China is using its muscle to push its claims to the South China Sea. North Korea’s Kim Jong-un improves his nuclear weaponry. Refugees from Africa and the Middle East continue to stream into Europe.
Yet, on the economic front the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (April 2017) projects a pick-up in global economic activity with a long-anticipated cyclical recovery in investment, manufacturing and trade. But in Europe, there are uncertainties posed by Brexit and continuing joblessness, especially youth unemployment in southern Europe. Protectionism continues to threaten, most vocally from President Donald Trump, who has also withdrawn the U.S. from the global climate accord.
The G20, originally a meeting of finance ministers, their deputies and central bankers, was formed in 1999 in the wake of the Asian and Russian financial crisis with Canada’s then-Finance minister Paul Martin playing a lead role. It was raised to the leaders’ level in the wake of the 2007-2008 financial crisis when then-U.S. president George W. Bush convened a summit in Washington (November 2008) to address the crisis. Canada hosted the G20 in Toronto in 2010.
The leaders’ summit is the culmination of a year-long process of meetings that in addition to the central bankers, finance ministers and sherpas, includes sessions involving labour, business, think tanks, youth, girls (Belinda Stronach was a driving force behind the Girls20 summit) and civil society.
The member countries include the G7 nations: Canada, the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. With two-thirds of the world’s population, their economies account for approximately 80 per cent of world trade and global production.
The heads of the IMF and World Bank participate, as do the heads of the European Union and European Commission and the head of the European Central Bank. Other national leaders are invited to discuss specific topics such as development.
First, the multilateral trading system. Expect words from leaders but there is no sense the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha round will soon be concluded. Today, movement on multilateral trade rests with efforts to resuscitate the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and a series of smaller regional groupings, including the pending Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and a possible Japan-EU free trade agreement.
Second, resistance to protectionism. Global Trade Alert reports that, notwithstanding the G20 pledge for standstill at the London 2010 summit, since 2008 governments have taken 7,815 protectionist measures ranging from local content requirements to discriminatory regulatory practices.
Fifth, supporting sustainable development. With the conclusion of the Millennium Development plan in 2016, nations are now committed to 17 goals in the new UN Sustainable Development Agenda to be achieved by 2030, including no poverty, gender equality, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, reduced inequalities, decent work and economic growth.
How can we co-operate better in the future for the sake of our citizens?
In addition to the economic challenges, Merkel calls for a broad-based civil society dialogue on digitalization, effective climate protection policy and global health crisis management.
These items are all likely to be reflected in the communique, no matter how wishy-washy the language.
Perhaps the most we can expect is agreement to address inequalities, at home and abroad, in the face of the continuing domestic populist movements.
Merkel, with support from new French President Emmanuel Macron, wants further climate action. The German environment department has published a fact check on Trump’s climate statements. Trump is not likely to support further action and, by tradition, G20 decisions are made by consensus.
Trump promises to be the wild card at the summit, having already clashed with his fellow leaders at the NATO and G7 summits earlier this year over defence spending, trade, climate and refugee policy. Unhappy with foreign steel and aluminum imports, Trump is now considering raising tariffs on all imported steel to the alarm of Europe and Canada.
Most of the action will be at the bilateral level. It will be the first meeting between Trump and President Vladimir Putin and it is reported that Trump wants a set of deliverables to offer to the Russian president. Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Russia and Germany prior to the visit to discuss the new Silk Road and Belt – land and sea trade route – initiative from China through South Asia, Central Asia and then Europe. EU and Japan trade negotiators are working to conclude free trade negotiations in time for the summit. The German decision to block a rally of Turkish citizens working in Germany with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make for an interesting discussion with Merkel. Putin may also be called out over Russian interference in the U.S. and European elections.
As is always the case at these summits, security will be paramount with an estimated 20,000 police with dogs, horses and helicopters and 7.8 kilometres of steel barriers to prevent disturbances but also to contain the perennial protesters.
This is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s third G20 summit. A contender for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) “hottie” with Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto at his first summit (2015), Trudeau is now seen as an experienced leader (third in G7 seniority), a constructive internationalist and someone who is managing well his relationship with Trump.
According to the PMO and Global Affairs releases on the G-20, Mr. Trudeau will “promote inclusive economic growth, progressive international trade, gender equality, action on climate change”, and reiterate Canada’s commitment to working with partners to develop a co-ordinated global response to terrorism while safeguarding human rights.
Trudeau wants to move on CETA. It is delayed from its originally anticipated July 1 provisional implementation because of interpretive disputes around the allocation of Canadian cheese imports and brand-name drugs.
There will be discussions on the TPP with Asian and Latin American partners, and the approaching renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Trump and Peña Nieto.
Yes. At a time when globalization, the maintenance of a liberal international order and multilateral co-operation are under question, the G20 is an important forum to discuss, and hopefully advance, common global interests.
The G-20 filled a gap in the architecture of top table meeting places at the UN and G7.
The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the U.S. – represent the world of 1945 and the early Cold War. As we witness with Syria and other crises, getting the Security Council to act constructively is very difficult. Reforming it is an exercise in futility.
The G7 group of leaders – the U.S., France, Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada – was created in 1975-76 following the economic crisis that OPEC induced. It is Eurocentric. It doesn’t include China, India or Brazil. Russia joined in 1998 but it was suspended in 2014 after its invasion of Crimea.
The G-20 complements, at the leadership level, the work of the other major financial and economic institutions: the ‘Bretton Woods twins’ – the IMF and World Bank – and the World Trade Organization.
So, the G20 made sense. Like the G7, much of the value of the G20 is in its process.
More people will work on the draft of the final communiqué than will read it but the process of getting there is what really matters. The ongoing meetings between central bankers and finance ministers (the original G20) now include other ministerial meetings as well as regular discussions with business, civil society and think tanks.
What is important about these summits is not the prepared statements delivered at the main table, but the frank discussions and informal meetings that take place in the corridors and meeting rooms around the main conference. Winston Churchill, who popularized the word “summitry”, observed that “jaw-jaw” between leaders is better than “war-war”.
The best Canadian source for G20 documentation, with a chronology of past summits, is the University of Toronto’s G20 Information Centre, managed by John Kirton.
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo does excellent research work on G2O issues, and especially noteworthy are recent reports on refugees, climate change and trade.
The official German site has useful information as does Global Affairs Canada.
A former Canadian diplomat, Colin Robertson is Vice President and Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy. He is Senior Advisor to Dentons LLP. He is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. He is a member of the advisory councils of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute and the North American Research Partnership and participant in the North American Forum. He is a past president of the National Capital Branch of the Canadian International Council. He is an Honorary Captain (Royal Canadian Navy) assigned to the Strategic Communications Directorate. He writes a regular column on international affairs for the Globe and Mail and he is a regular contributor to other media.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


text:
The Jalili family will be opening Chops as part of a new mixed-use development in a blighted portion of southeast Springfield.
The quickly expanding Galloway neighborhood is getting a "boutique steakhouse" from a local restaurateur.
The Jalili family — who owns high-end eateries Touch Restaurant, Flame Steakhouse and Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes — will be opening Chops as part of a new mixed-use development in a blighted portion of southeast Springfield.
The new restaurant will offer dry aged steaks, seafood and wines with "an intimate casual atmosphere," according to owner Billy Jalili. He said it is slated to open in October 2018.
Billy Jalili said Chops "reimagines the classic steakhouse for a new generation as well as the old."
Chops will have 2,000 square feet of outdoor seating, complete with a fireplace.
The interior of the restaurant could seat up to 135 people, he said.
Billy Jalili is also a partner in the Galloway Creek Development Group, LLC, which will break ground on new buildings next week at 3938 S. Lone Pine Ave.
The first floor will be used as commercial space, with living areas above.
Sara Jalili, who is married to Billy, told the News-Leader she hopes a coffee shop and yoga studio will make Galloway Creek their home.
The lofts — some of which will be available fully furnished — will be a mix of 30 studios and 36 one-bedroom units, the release said.
"A slice of urban-style luxury" is how area developer Brent Brown described the Galloway Creek units.
A long stretch of Galloway — located near industrial train tracks, a quarry and in flood plains — was declared blighted by City Council in 2014, in an effort to incentivize development.
The blight designation allows developers to ask the city for a 10-year freeze on paying higher levels of property taxes that come with improvements to property. They are required to continue paying property taxes on the initial assessed values.
In recent years, a 10,000-square-foot spa, luxury apartment buildings and a craft brewery have decided to make the Galloway neighborhood their home.
Billy Jalili told the News-Leader that without the tax incentives, the Galloway Creek project would have taken much longer to get off the ground. He has owned the property for about five years.
He said he does not currently have an estimate for how much the development will be worth once complete.
While most, if not all, council members would agree that declaring blight is the right call for some properties that would otherwise remain dilapidated or underused, the economic development tool is becoming increasingly controversial for other areas.
One main concern is if tax breaks are awarded for property that would be redeveloped anyway, local taxing jurisdictions may lose out on millions of dollars of future revenue.
City staff is in the process of working with some council members on placing stricter guidelines on what kinds of redevelopment plans would be approved for tax abatements.
New guidelines may place more emphasis on new developments that provide benefits for the community, such as being environmentally friendly or generate sales tax revenue.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


text:
A member may be credited with additional recreation leave to compensate for the effects of service over time, in any of these situations.
In military flying and flight duties.
Duty assigned to a non-warlike deployment.
Field service The same meaning as in DFRT Determination No. 11 of 2013, ADF allowances.
Flight duties The same meaning as set out in DFRT Determination No. 11 of 2013, ADF allowances.
Special service Means service performed in either of the following circumstances.
For the purposes of Division B.12 in DFRT Determination No. 11 of 2013, ADF Allowances.
For the purposes of Division B.14 in DFRT Determination No. 11 of 2013, ADF Allowances.
Sections 5.4.13, 5.4.14, 5.4.15, 5.4.16 set out how additional recreation leave for sea service, field service, flying duty and special service accrues.
Additional recreation leave credit that a member accrues under section 17.7.19 is subject to the general administration and payment rules set out in Division 6 of this Part. It is not subject to the limit set out in subclause 4 of this section.
A member may not be credited with a rate of additional recreation leave until they are eligible for the allowance that the leave is conditional upon.
Example: A member does not become eligible for field allowance until they have been in the field for two days. Once they become eligible for the allowance, they would be credited with additional recreation leave for field service. The credit would begin to accrue from the first day that the member gets the allowance.
Related Information: Additional recreation leave accrual is based on eligibility for a disability allowance described in sections 5.4.13, 5.4.14, 5.4.15 and 5.4.16. It is not based on entitlement or payment of those allowances.
If a member would be entitled to accrue credit for more than one type of additional recreation leave for sea service, field service, flight duties or special service on the same day, then they are taken to accrue only the highest of the accrual rates that would apply to them that day.
Example 1: Additional recreation leave accrues at a rate of 10 days a year when a member is on an annual rate of accrual. Additional recreation leave accrues at the higher rate of one day of leave for every 10 days of duty when a member is on an 'on-occurrence' (daily) rate of accrual.
A member could be eligible to get an annual and an 'on-occurrence' rate of additional recreation leave credit under sections 5.4.13, 5.4.14, 5.4.15 or 5.4.16, for the same day. Instead of getting both amounts, the member would get the credit at the on-occurrence (daily) rate only, because it is the higher of the two rates.
Example 2: A member may perform flight duties for a 10-day period while they are posted to a ship. During those 10 days, the member accrues one day of additional recreation leave for flight duties (the daily rate of accrual), instead of their usual annual rate of accrual for sea service.
An item in this Division that refers to an allowance determined under section 58H of the Defence Act 1903 is taken to include any predecessor (however described) to that allowance.
This section applies to a member who accrues an additional recreation leave credit under sections 5.4.13, 5.4.14, 5.4.15 and 5.4.16.
When the member accrues 10 days additional leave credit in a leave year under the sections mentioned in subsection 1, no more credit accrues under those sections for the rest of the leave year.
Example: A member accrues five days of additional recreation leave credit for flight duties under section 5.4.15. They then accrue five days of additional recreation leave credit for sea service under section 5.4.13. They have accrued 10 days' additional recreation leave credit. This is their maximum for the leave year. The member will not accrue any further credit for the eligible service they perform under sections 5.4.13, 5.4.14 and 5.4.15, for the rest of the year.
This section applies to a member who meets the eligibility conditions for a rate of maritime disability allowance.
If a member is eligible for a daily rate of maritime disability allowance, the member accrues a credit of 0.1 of a day of additional recreation leave for each day.
If a member is eligible for an annual rate of maritime disability allowance, the member’s fortnightly additional leave credit is calculated using the following formula.
NEF is the the number days of non-effective service that occurs on a weekday in the fortnight.
1. Section 5.4.12 limits the amount of additional recreation leave credit that can be accrued under this Part.
2. Special rules apply to a member who is eligible for two or more allowances. See subsection 5.4.11.4.
This clause applies to a member who meets the eligibility conditions for a rate of field allowance.
If the member meets the eligibility conditions for a rate of field allowance, then for each day on which they are eligible they accrue a credit of 0.1 of a day of additional recreation leave.
Notes: This rule may be modified by other rules.
Section 5.4.12 limits the amount of additional recreation leave credit that can be accrued under this section.
Special rules apply to a member who is eligible for two or more allowances. See subsection 5.4.11.4.
Example 1: A member receives the daily rate of special forces disability allowance for 10 days. They then receive field allowance for 10 days. They will have accrued the allowances over 20 days. They will be entitled to two days of additional recreation leave.
Example 2: A member is entitled to field allowance for 100 days between 1 July and 30 March. They accrue 10 days of additional leave for it. They get field allowance for a further 20 days from 30 March to 30 June. They do not accrue any more leave for those 20 days.
This section applies to a member who meets the eligibility conditions for a rate of flying disability allowance.
If a member is eligible for a daily rate of flying disability allowance, the member accrues a credit of 0.1 of a day of additional recreation leave for each day.
If a member is eligible for an annual rate of flying disability allowance, the member’s fortnightly additional leave credit is calculated using the following formula.
NEF is the number days of non-effective service that occurs on a weekday in the fortnight.
max is 10, being the annual maximum for additional recreation leave.
This section applies to a member who meets the eligibility conditions for a rate of any of the following allowances.
If a member is eligible for a daily rate of Special Forces disability allowance or clearance diver allowance, the member accrues a credit of 0.1 of a day of additional recreation leave for each day.
If a member is eligible for an annual rate of Special Forces disability allowance or clearance diver allowance, the member’s fortnightly additional leave credit is calculated using the following formula.
This section applies to a member who must perform duty in a remote location – that is, a location in Australia that is harsh or remote. Remote locations are listed in Annex 5.4.A.
Additional recreation leave credit for service at overseas hardship locations is authorised by the following.
Chapter 16 Part 3 and Annex 16.A, for members posted before 1 July 2017.
Chapter 16 Part 3A, for members posted on or after 1 July 2017.
Additional recreation leave credit for members on non-warlike service is authorised by Chapter 17 Part 7 Division 3.
A member with dependants (unaccompanied) does not accrue additional recreation leave for dependants living in a remote location.
The member is entitled to an additional recreation leave credit if they serve in one or more remote locations for a continuous period of at least 30 days.
The fortnightly additional recreation leave credit under this section is calculated using the following formula.
max is the maximum benefit set out in Annex 5.4.A for the remote location.
RL is the number of days in the remote location.
NEF is number of days of non-effective service days in the remote location.
A member's entitlement to accrue an additional recreation leave credit for service in a remote location ends when either of these events happens.
The member is absent from the location for a period of more than 30 days.
The member goes on a posting to another location.

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


text: Receive these sterling silver floral earrings absolutely FREE with your $300 or more order! Just add it to your shopping cart. One item per order please.

industry_corpus2: Others


text:
The new East Studio of the internationally acclaimed Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University further enhances the school’s world-class reputation, providing practice and office space befitting a school of Jacobs’ stature. The new facility accommodates 84 faculty teaching studios, as music practice rooms, and administrative and Dean’s offices.
In addition to the East Studio Building, the project involved an addition to the Music Arts Center to include two large rehearsal spaces and percussion rehearsal space. This project is certified LEED Gold.
Browning Day was Architect and Landscape Architect-of-Record. Flad Architects were the design architect.
Browning Day’s landscape architects provided leadership on master plan and coordinated the utility relocation planning for the East Studio Building. Responsibilities included the site and landscape design for a 5.25-acre site with a 20-foot grade change. Great care was taken to embrace existing campus structures and merge the design with its surrounding. To that end, the campus walk connections align with features on the opposite side of Jordan Avenue, located on the west side of the site.
The design created a corner plaza that serves both as a campus space and an arts district gateway at a major entrance to campus, while effectively dealing with accessibility issues from one corner of the site to the main level of the new building.
A west patio space that relates to daily student ingress and egress was provided at the building proper, in addition to areas that can be used for new student orientation. On the south end, a terraced landscape area exposes the lower level studios to daylight and provides great “subterranean” views. A roundabout with barrier-free access was provided for drop-off and allows easy access to the building for transporting large instruments. The north entry is graced with a circular passive garden and lawn area featuring a variety of outdoor recreational spaces.


text:
Sinusitis is an inflammation, usually due to infection, of one or more of the four sets of sinus cavities inside the cosmetic skeleton. When irritated, the mucous membrane lining the sinus may swell and block the tiny drainage routes that permit mucus to flow into the nose. The accumulation in pressure often results in headaches, nasal congestion, and facial pain. Acute sinusitis is a very common disorder that often follows a cold or perhaps flu; chronic sinusitis refers to persistent or recurrent symptoms that are generally less severe than severe cases. Sinusitis often goes away on its own and responds well to be able to nose infection home remedy and treatment. Rarely, infection may spread to the eyes or mind, possibly leading to vision loss, meningitis or brain abscess.
Goldenseal is effective in coping with sinusitis. Its benefits can be enhanced by combining it with 250 in order to 500 milligrams of bromelain, an enzyme present in fresh pineapple. Goldenseal could be taken as a tea or tea can be used as an intranasal douche. Or put a dropperful of alcohol-free goldenseal extract within your mouth; swish that around for a few minutes, next swallow. Do this three times daily. Warning: Don't take goldenseal internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, do not use it in pregnancy, and employ it with extreme care if you are allergic to ragweed.
Mullein decreases inflammation as well as soothes irritation. Nettle is good for all types of allergies and respiratory problems. Olive leaf extract has antibacterial and also anti inflammatory qualities. Ginger root can be crushed and applied as a poultice to the forehead and nose in order to induce circulation and drainage. Anise, fenugreek, marshmallow, and red clover help to loosen phlegm and also obvious congestion. Bayberry is a decongestant and also astringent. Bitter orange oil can be used to swab nasal passages for local relief.
Pushing your experience about Sinus infection home remedy to the next level you will find out that there is an effective alternative therapy that we have not discuss above which will help you remove all Sinus infection and cure it in a very radical way its what we call The One minute Cure For all Diseases. Understand what you can start doing today! Will not wait. Act correct now!

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


text: The Do Not Call Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You must call from the phone number that you want to register. To register online go to donotcall.gov. You will have to respond to a confirmation email.


text:
Last year, I joined Cool Mom Picks as a contributor, writing posts ranging from tassels to taxidermy. I took a few weeks off this summer as we were settling in after the big move to DC, but I’m excited to announce that I’m officially back — and I have a new weekly round-up column that launched last week!… READ MORE!
Don’t tell Levi, but his birthday party this past Sunday was a very last-minute affair… READ MORE!
The trouble with being a second child is that your daily schedule usually revolves around your older sibling’s.
Big brother has a midday 4th of July parade at camp? Sorry, baby. Nap time’s over… READ MORE!
Last month marked the third time my family, my sister’s family, and my parents all vacationed together on Hilton Head Island. The week we spend in South Carolina is always relaxing, but getting there and back can be a little bit crazy… READ MORE!
I never expected the monthly baby photos I took of the boys to be among the most popular posts on the blog. Just last week, Levi’s monthly photos were featured on Red Tricycle, and the series continues to bring new visitors looking for ways to photograph their babies’ first years.
Since I started taking Levi’s monthly photos almost four years ago (crazy!), I’ve received a ton of questions about the process. Although I do my best to answer each of them as they roll in, I thought it might be helpful to share the most frequently asked questions — and answers — in one spot.
If I’ve missed anything, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or leave a comment below. I’ll update the post as necessary!
1. Where did you get that chair?
We bought our white Eames molded plastic rocker from Design Within Reach. It was our first anniversary present to ourselves!
Horne sells a fiberglass rocker shell chair that’s nearly identical but a little less expensive, and Amazon offers molded plastic armchair rocker for less than $100. Fair warning: I can’t vouch for either since I haven’t seen them in person, but their reviews look pretty good.
I shoot manually with a Canon EOS 60D camera and a Tamron 28-75mm lens.
3. How did you set up your photos?
First, I always turned off the overhead light and any lamps. Natural light is key! I positioned the rocking chair next to a window (always in the same spot) when the room was nice and bright. However, you don’t want strong direct sunlight streaming through the window because that’ll produce harsh shadows in your pictures.
The problem with using a rocking chair is that, well, they rock. It’s not such a big deal with newborns, but older babies are more wiggly, as I’m sure you can imagine! I always had somebody — Jordan, my mom, the nanny — standing next to the rocker just out of frame in case Levi or Asa decided to crawl over the edge of the chair. It happens.
When taking the photos, I’d sit on a pouf about 5-6 feet away from the chair to shoot at eye level. This also helped me guarantee that the angle I shot from remained consistent each month.
4. Where did you get the numbered onesies?
I made them! When I couldn’t find any pre-made monthly baby onesies or monthly stickers I liked, I bought these iron-on numbers from Michaels. Each month, Jordan or I would apply them to a white bodysuit we already had.
5. How did you edit your photos?
I used Photoshop to crop, straighten, and resize the photos as necessary for the blog. Using the previous month’s photo as a guide, I’d also make slight adjustments to the brightness, levels, and color balance.
But if you look closely at my pictures, you’ll see that they aren’t all exactly the same. I’m not an expert at photo retouching!
6. I’d like to create a collage with all 12 my baby’s monthly photos. How did you make this one?
I used Photoshop to create that collage, but there are other collage makers you could try, including PicMonkey and Fotor, if you simply want to share your image online.
However, I used Pinhole Press to print and frame a collage of Levi’s monthly photos. They offer a 12-photo framed collage that was basically designed for displaying monthly baby photos. You simply choose your frame (white, black, or pine) and then drag and drop your pictures into the template. The hardest part will be deciding where to put the collage once it arrives framed and ready to hang!
Everything Pinhole Press creates is so beautiful and well made. I’ve actually been meaning to make the boys some photo books of names & faces and a photo memory game for some time now!
Thanks to Pinhole Press for sponsoring today’s conversation! And thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.
Levi and I have most of our heart-to-hearts while he’s sitting on the toilet.
He’ll be four in July, so our conversations mostly have to do with events that occurred earlier that day (or sometimes earlier that week) at nursery school. For example, he had to be a bad guy instead of a good guy when playing superheroes with his friends. Or a classmate wouldn’t share the pretend tools and he really wanted to play with them.
I listen to his stream of consciousness, offering the occasional “Oh, really?” and “How did that make you feel?” and “How do you think that made so-and-so feel?” But every so often, Levi asks direct question that stumps me.
This past weekend, while he was going potty, Levi wanted to know about the pharaoh from the story of Passover. Where did he live? Was he still there? Could we see him?
Sitting on the ledge of the tub, I explained to Levi that Pharaoh lived in a far, far away place called Egypt a long, long time ago. It was the long, long ago part that he just couldn’t grasp.
Perhaps that wasn’t my finest parenting moment. But I find relief in knowing I’m not the only mom who isn’t sure how to talk to my kid about the really hard stuff.
My friend Alyssa, in a fantastic parenting interview on Mommy Shorts, recalls the time her daughter asked how babies come out of mommies’ tummies. Her reply was that the doctor does “some special magic.” In retrospect, she wasn’t proud of her answer. In fairness, I’m not sure how I’d explain the miracle of birth to my preschooler, either.
Do you have any tips on how to explain big concepts like birth and death to little kids? Have you ever been asked any cringe-worthy questions by a preschooler? If so, how did you respond?
My mom reads the paper from cover to cover every day, regularly scanning for health-related breakthroughs and kid-friendly activities. When she finds an article or calendar listing that seems interesting, she’ll tear it out of the newspaper and leave it on the kitchen table for us to browse.
That’s how we ended up at the Maple Sugar Festival in Chatham last Saturday. Originally, my mom stumbled upon a listing in February for maple sugaring demonstrations at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, but a bit of online research revealed an entire afternoon’s worth of activities in March. Since Chatham is almost 45 minutes away, we decided to wait for the festival.
Attending an event all about collecting sap from trees and turning it into maple syrup falls under the category of “Things I’d Never Do If I Didn’t Have Kids.” However, since one of the Dr. Seuss stories we’ve been reading (over and over again) is about making maple syrup, we thought Levi would get a kick out of seeing the process in person.
And — hooray! — he did.
In fact, as we exited the festival, Levi turned to me and said, “Mommy, I had so much fun today!” Apparently (and thankfully), he had quickly forgotten his reluctance to make a maple leaf craft, his bashfulness during the tree tapping demo, and his near-breakdown when it was time to toss his mostly-eaten maple snow cone.
His favorite part, I think, besides sharing a maple sugar donut, was walking though the muddy trail (it rained the whole time we were there) and peeking inside the sap-collecting buckets hanging from maple trees. They were all empty, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.
Plus, he was thrilled to have a reason to wear his red firefighter rain boots.
The Maple Sugar Festival was more interesting than I had anticipated, and I actually learned a few things about maple syrup. Curious?
First of all, did you have any idea that New Jersey produces maple syrup? I didn’t — and I grew up here!
Maple sugaring season takes place between February and March but only lasts about 4-6 weeks.
For sap to flow, temperatures need to be below freezing at night and in the 40-50s during the day.
Maple sap that comes out of the tree is clear and not very sweet. It’s actually mostly water and needs to be boiled at 219 degrees for the water to evaporate.
It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup.
The difference between Fancy, Grade A and Grade B maple syrup is not the quality but the color (and therefore the taste). Fancy, the lightest in color, has the most mild flavor, while Grade B, the darkest, has the strongest flavor.
PS: Another favorite kid-friendly activity that we do every year.
Back in December, my mom bought Levi a Chanukah-themed gingerbread house that he built and decorated with our help, meticulously gluing colorful candy balls to cookie walls with sticky sweet icing. Levi was so proud of his handiwork that he cried when we broke the house apart to taste it.
So when my mom spotted another gingerbread house on sale after the holidays, she picked it up for a rainy day activity. Or, as it turned out, a snow day activity.
Earlier this week, I ran to the supermarket for gingerbread house decorations. With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, I thought it’d be fun to make leprechaun house using an assortment of green and rainbow candy and gold foil chocolate coins.
To Levi’s disappointment (and Jordan’s relief), this particular house came pre-built. We let him spend about 30 minutes after school on two days decorating his house while finishing up his leftover milk from lunch (and sneaking bites of mint M&Ms). By the way, the new Munchkin Miracle cup that he takes to school is truly amazing. It doesn’t leak in his lunchbox or spill when he holds it upside down, plus now we don’t have to spend money on milk boxes.
The boys finished up the gingerbread house yesterday morning after we learned that Levi’s school was canceled for the 78th time this winter because of snow. We’d been storing the candy in our Love-a-Bowls (they have lids! genius!) so everything was still fresh. I’m not sure it really mattered, though, because I doubt Levi will let us chow down on this house. Not after his meltdown last time!
I’m actually surprised by how festive his little leprechaun house turned out. If you’re looking for a St. Patrick’s Day activity to do with your kids, it looks like Amazon is still selling a few gingerbread houses. Of course, you can always make gingerbread from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious. Has anybody ever baked homemade gingerbread? Is it terribly complicated?
We’ve had such fun building two gingerbread houses this winter that I’ll be stocking up on kits next December to use for future snow days. And can you believe that neither Jordan nor I had ever made one before? It’s true! So if you have any tips on building or decorating gingerbread houses, I’d love to hear them.
PS – It’s officially Shamrock Shake season! Here’s a copycat recipe you can make at home, perfect if you’re snowed in like we are!
This post was sponsored by Munchkin, one of our favorite brands, and all words and opinions are my own. Munchkin rids the world of the mundane by developing clever, innovative solutions that make family life safe, easier, and more fun. You can find their products at Munchkin.com, Target, Babies’R’Us, Walmart, and Amazon. It’s the little things!
I can’t believe that my sweet Asa turned one last Thursday! I spent the morning of his birthday looking at photos we took in the hospital a year ago, flooding my mind with memories of his birth.
Although I posted a few newborn photos on the blog when I announced Asa’s name (it took us two days to decide!), I never actually shared his birth story. However, I alluded to the fact that something crazy happened that prevented me from having the epidural I wanted, so here’s the full story (minus most of the gory details) for those who are interested.
And if you’re not interested in a story about platelets and contractions and super-size babies, there are lots of adorable newborn baby hospital pictures for you to enjoy instead… READ MORE!


text:
“The Story of Wenlock Olympian Society and William Penny Brookes” book contains a history of the life and work of William Penny Brookes and the Wenlock Olympian Society from its foundation in 1850 through to modern times.
It covers Brooke’s and the Society’s work on physical education, the connections with the home of the ancient Olympics, Greece, the formation of the National Olympian Association and finally the visit of the founder of the modern Olympic movement – Pierre de Coubertain – to Much Wenlock in 1890.
The book traces the Wenlock Olympian Society after the death of Brookes in 1895 through to the London 2012 Olympics and beyond.
The book also contains reproductions of many historically important photographs.


text:
A Night To Remember: On its maiden voyage in April 1912, the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic hits an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.
Free and open to the public. Popcorn provided!

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


text:
The Philadelphia Flyers head to First Niagara Center in Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Saturday.
The Flyers are 7-2 in their last 9 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals and 5-11 in their last 16 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. They are 2-5 in their last 7 games playing on 1 day rest. The under is 5-1 in the Flyers last 6 overall and 13-3 in their last 16 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.
The Sabres are 16-49 in their last 65 overall and 16-50 in their last 66 games playing on 1 day rest. They are 7-23 in their last 30 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. The over is 8-1-1 in their last 10 games playing on 1 day rest and 9-2-3 in Sabres last 14 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Head-to-head, the home team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. The Flyers are 10-2 in the last 12 meetings and the over is 27-10-1 in the last 38 meetings.

industry_corpus2: Sports


text:
applied glass wool insulation and sheathed with an outer aluminium laminated vapour barrier.
The triple interlocking construction seam is highly bendable, easy to install and can withstand rough handling. the duct maintains its full diameter on bends and can be compressed for ease of transportation.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text:
Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3): This is an at home assessment to be completed by the primary caregiver. This survey is matched to your child’s current age range and is the initial screening of your child’s development. It will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You will answer each question “yes,”, “sometimes”, or “not yet”, based on what your child is able to do now. To answer each question, you will do fun and simple activities with your child.
Upon receipt of completed questsionnaire, a representative from the Pre-Kindergarten program will contact you with the results and let you know if your child is eligible for the program and next steps.
By clicking the "Submit" button, you are giving District 41 consent to conduct all preschool screening activities and to provide the results by email.


text:
Everyone is going gaga over Charlie Sheen’s apparent spinoff into extraterrestrial spheres, with Facebook updates exploding and Charlie Sheen’s new Twitter account garnering nearly 1 million followers in less than a day.
And the fact that the interview continues onto his two live-in pornstar “goddesses” just takes the cake. Charlie Sheen is officially the wackiest straight person out there! People on YouTube are talking about how he is their “idol,” and we think it is completely f*cked up at how much attention this drug-addled rich dude gets from us media types.
So no more from us – this it! Why? Because us unicorns, we’re just different, man.

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


text: This project aimed to design an FM Alert System, which broadcasts a special alert tone to any FM radio receiver within a small area. When a listener tunes to a specific FM station, he/she will be able to hear an alert tone. The system was developed based on an Ardunio-embedded microcontroller and its accessories.


text:
Eight days since my last post. The craziest part is that I have logged in - every single day for the last eight days - to write a post. But nothing comes. It is one of the hardest things for a blogger to be bound by what they can and can not currently write about... especially when I find writing so cathartic to begin with. And every single day all these things are happening that make me sit back and say that's a blog post right there... except that right now? It can't be. And it is slowly killing me.
Monday night I was supposed to be at Gracie's with the girls for their open house, but at the last moment I had to make another trip to Boston. Not at all complaining, I not so secretly love every minute of it. But I could certainly use the girl time right about now.
This morning I told myself I would get something written. I took the Big Guy to school and put the twins in the truck with some crayons and coloring books. Taking a ride I told them. Grabbed an iced coffee at Dunkin. If I didn't have so much to do at home I would have driven the boys straight to the beach, but instead I settled for my favorite local drive. Scituate Ave - by my dream house, the farms, the other home we almost purchased once, and the Scituate Reservoir. For some reason, it always calms me.
Somehow the boys knew that I needed it too, because they were more than agreeable to take the ride. They even let me sing the entire time. That is huge. They didn't even complain when I stopped along side the water at the reservoir. They told me how much they loved watching the water too.
When it was time to make our way back, we again drove by the farms ... stopping to see the cows in the snow. How is that for the first day of spring in New England for you.
We headed back past my dream house, the trees, the windy roads, then back to our home. And I sat down with my laptop in the dining room to write.
If I am quiet lately, please know that I am not being anti social. I have so so much to say. Big things are happening. And while I may be stressed as hell, I also know that right now, we are blessed beyond belief. I am bound by what I can and can not say here right now - by what I can Facebook and even tweet at this time ... hopefully in the future that will all change, but right now it is what it is. And if you see me, yes I can talk about some of it in person. Sorry to be cryptic here, but I feel like I have to say something to explain my silence lately. And in the meantime, I will try and find other things that I can put here... because the last thing I want to do is stop writing.
I love taking a drive like that - so glad the boys cooperated ;-) Hugs mama -- don't stress the silence!
I'm excited to read that you have some things going on that you can't share! It's much better than the total mental writing block I had last week. Hope to see you soon so I can hear all about it!
I love that drive too. My father in law has a house on Scituate ave and I always feel so peaceful there. A drive to the beach sounds amazing right now too. Stay strong mama and be well!
The pictures speak volumes - what a lovely drive!
I love this post and can relate to it more ways than you can imagine! First of all, I LOVE that song. And I enjoy taking long drives by familiar places. It's therapeutic, especially when we have SNOW in the SPRING.
I just have to tell you that it's OK to take a break and be silent. You are so busy! You do SO much! You're a great mom. This drive is exactly what you needed!
I used to drive that road all the time when I lived in Greene.
What a great drive! Many hugs! It is nice to take a little blogging break too to regroup! Love your picture!
Love this post. Those drives are also cathartic, aren't they? And I hope you can chat about it soon, too. ;) So happy for all the good stuff going on with you right now!!!


text: For me, clueQuest are the number one escape room company in London (and from my relatively limited experience) anywhere else. From their humble start in 2013 they've steadily grown - moving venues as necessary to add new rooms and new games. With nine rooms and three different games, they're now the biggest operator in London and given the quality of their games below, that shouldn't come as a surprise! Even better, it's a family run operation with four brothers running the show in their Kings Cross base.

industry_corpus2: Gaming


text: I don’t think other people have this sort of crippling fear. But it’s actually completely crucial for modern humans. And the rejection of this specific paranoia, combined with the current rise of social media behemoths, is enabling the worst stifling of human thought since the Dark Ages.

industry_corpus2: Media & Journalism


text: Hourly Estimated Cost include the cost of labor and parts needed for routine, daily servicing of the equipment. This includes repairing and/or replacing small components such as pumps, carburetors, injectors, filters, belts, gaskets, and worn lines plus the cost of operating expendables. These include fuel, computed in accordance with horsepower, average load factors, and the price of fuel; lubricants, including filters, oil, and grease, as well as the labor and the lube truck involved in lubrication; tires; and ground engaging components, including pads, blades, bucket teeth, etc. Tire costs are calculated by average tire life factors and take into consideration typical discounts from list prices. Electricity costs (where applicable) are calculated according to generally accepted duty cycles for the total motor load.


text:
This topic contains 5 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by DeAnn R 2 months, 1 week ago.
Per DeAnn’s recommendation, I bought an Amazon Echo Fire Cube for myself, and it arrived yesterday. It’s great! With it, it essentially makes my tv a smart tv. Currently I’ve got it set up to play Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and DC Universe. It’s incredibly easy to use, and relatively inexpensive, especially considering the things it can do. Watch DeAnn’s video if you haven’t already.
Is anyone else using this device? Do you have any questions about it?
What’s your favorite feature so far? Anything you’re not fond of with it?
Amazon Prime and Netflix are working great. The only app I’m having trouble with is the DC Universe one, but I think it’s the app itself. It just recently became available on Amazon devices, so I think they’re still working out the kinks. But other than that it’s great!
Some apps do work better than others. If one locks up on you, you can go to settings and force stop in app management. You can also clear data and cache if they still are being a nuisance. Do you use the Fire TV app to navigate at all? It works great if the voice commands aren’t working.
I have the remote that came with it. If there’s an issue I’m ok using that. The buttons are significantly easier to press than they are on a regular remote.
It’s funny, I was at my Mom’s over the weekend. She has my old Firestick. Countless times I almost started talking to it like I do with the cube. Thankfully I caught myself, but I kind of missed it.


text:
Obtaining oral insurance policy is essential for Canadians since the majority of the districts’ health care program does not offer dental insurance policy protection, as well as the ones that do, usually offer it to kids between the ages 0 to 12.
For numerous people and households, out-of-pocket oral expenditures can put a substantial damage in the spending plan, making the acquisition of oral insurance coverage a digital need to balance out the prices. Individuals that are not able to obtain oral insurance via an employer’s team strategy can obtain Canadian dental insurance policy quotes online from insurance policy service providers that can complete the spaces in their rural strategies.
Obtaining dental insurance quotes is a smart choice, and also it allows you to pick the oral strategy that is ideal for you and also for your family members.
Among the quickest and also easiest ways to obtain a Canadian dental insurance coverage quote is through the web. Numerous insurance policy carriers give quotes on the internet for oral coverage, together with relevant details as well as details of different dental plans.
The internet is a powerful tool for obtaining insurance coverage quotes since it permits an individual to compare plans side-by-side in a fairly brief amount of time. Dental insurance policy strategies differ in the solutions they cover, month-to-month premiums, and also techniques of compensation. For example, some strategies may cover dental procedures for aesthetic functions, while others state that they do not.
Like most people, you wish to obtain the dental coverage that you require at a price you can pay for. When comparing dental insurance strategies, you might find that a few of the services supplied are not important to you, so the first step is to determine your insurance needs and also those of your household.
You should consider truths such as: if you have children, they may eventually need braces; as you age, dentures or various other dental prosthetic tools are most likely to become a demand. Taking the time to analyze the terms and conditions of more than one plan will certainly allow you to pick the dental protection that matches you best without always endangering your budget plan. Learn more about dental insurance from Dental Clinic Warrnambool, click on the link to read their article.
Most oral plans offer both preventative as well as reparative advantages. This suggests that along with protection for routine analysis as well as preventative solutions, they additionally supply coverage for treatment of oral problems. An excellent oral strategy will certainly cover a substantial part of the price of oral services and needed procedures.
Some fundamental diagnostic and also preventative oral solutions include: evaluations every 6 months, cleanings and also normal x-rays. Some basic dental treatments consist of: dental fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, as well as gum therapies.
Some of the significant oral services that are generally covered at 50% of the expense consist of: oral crowns, bridgework, and also partial or complete dentures. In some cases, there are protection maximums, so make certain to review the terms and conditions of the contract as well as all its small print.
Common oral problems include tarter accumulation, dental caries, gingivitis and periodontal condition, every one of which typically result from lack of dental treatment. Without oral insurance policy, correct dental care can be relatively expensive.
Teeth cleaning, x-rays, fillings, and origin canals are several of the common treatments come across throughout a visit to the dentist. A cleaning can range in rate from $90 to $200, and also a root canal can set you back over $1,000.
Oral care is every bit as vital as mosting likely to the doctor for an exam. Routine visits to the dental professional can stop potential oral issues as they can be determined prior to they come to be major concerns. So thoroughly evaluate your dental insurance coverage quotes, as well as when you have an oral strategy in place, you can check out the dental practitioner consistently without concern of a bill that you can not manage.


text:
Recently, the Courageous Steps Project partnered with Jess Hewes of Thirty One, to do a catalog fundraiser from Monday August 1st through Wednesday August 10th.
20-25% of the sales from this catalog fundraiser will benefit Courageous Steps endeavors.
1.) You can get a catalog from Connor Archer. Just email him at: connor.archer@thecourageousstepsproject.org.
2.) You can visit www.mythirtyone.com/jbhewes, and find our fundraising link: The Courageous Steps Project. Your order won't go through until the fundraiser is complete on August 10th, but you are welcome to order anytime during that period.
3.) You can visit the Brewer Dunkin Donuts on Monday August 8th from 5:30pm to 8pm. Jess Hewes will have items out on a table in their conference room, and she will be able to place orders there at that time.
4.) You can also also host a party until September 30th. Just contact Jess Hewes at: jbhewes@gmail.com. You will receive hostess rewards, and 10% of proceeds from your party will benefit Courageous Steps endeavors.
Catalogs will be available on Thursday August 4th during the 3rd annual Courageous Steps Back-To-School Drive, and on Tuesday August 9th at the Courageous Steps Benefit Dinner held at the Old Town Governor's Restaurant.
A flyer is below this description, and please contact Connor Archer for any questions.


text:
Offering design, web development, and marketing services to help businesses succeed on the internet.
We offer minor gunsmith services, guns for sale, reloading equipment, hunting and fishing licenses, and misc. hunting equipment.
Our farm stand focus is to make available for anyone’s budget the freshest, tastiest veggies, berries and herbs.
Specializing in commercial and custom welding services.
We take the term “full-service marina” to a whole new level. With new docks, a riverfront restaurant, barbeque area, and more; it’s your own island getaway.
And whether we play ancient or modern music, we strive to make that music come alive!
Full service dog grooming. Baths, nails(grinding and clipping, haircuts; all breeds welcome!


text:
You're working on letting go (January) of things from the past as well as consciously being aware of the need to let go as things arise. Letting go of the past allows you to put your focus on the here-and-now and begin outlining what you want for your future. If you aren't completely clear on what you want in the future (profession, hobby, volunteer work, financial status, etc.), I have outlined some fairly easy exercises here (February). Now it's time to get to our goals!
Goal setting is fairly easy, we do it everyday. Daily goals are constantly created such as getting a specific task done by the end of the day, an accomplishment for the week, or creating a "to do" list that is checked off as goals are accomplished.
Goals should be somewhat fluid, as they may change or pieces of the goal may change as our lives evolve. Because of this, it's nice to revisit them frequently and assess whether or not any pieces of them, or the entire goal, should be adjusted.
When we set goals they are most often fairly safe. And that's perfectly fine! What we often forget to set, however, is a monster goal or two. Monster goals are hard to set because we often shy away from them out of fear. Fear of failing to even come close to achieving them. Fear that others will find the goals ridiculous. Fear that we aren't worthy.
What is failure? In general terms, it's lack of success. If we try something and we don't complete it as we'd planned, most times it's not an actual failure (although our first thought is that it is). Instead, we often learn valuable lessons that we needed to learn, or we adjust the goal so although we didn't meet the original goal, the one we did meet was a better fit in the long run.
There are also times we deem a goal a failure because we stopped trying to reach it once it became uncomfortable. We gave up when it got tough instead of realizing that if it was comfortable to meet this goal, well, then everyone would do it.
When you realize you're fearful of something you should stop and figure out what you're actually afraid of. Once you've determined what it is you can then assess wither or not a change of perspective would allow you to move forward.
Think of goals as wishes with structure. When you wish for something, you don't necessarily share it with others. With goals, you typically either write them down or tell someone (or, ideally, both) which gives it structure and provides you something to be motivated toward achieving.
You should always make sure that any goal you set is a SMART goal.
- Take out a piece of paper - write out the goals you can think of. Include long-term (2 year, 5 year, 10 year), and short-term (as short as tomorrow if applicable).
- Add to this list as you think of additional goals.
- Think of career, financial, lifestyle, spiritual, etc.
- Go public. One of the best ways of holding yourself to working toward a goal is by sharing it with others. This way, not only will you find support that you need as the going gets tough, you will also feel more accountable to achieving it.
Goals are much easier to focus on, and therefore achieve, if broken down into manageable pieces. You're more apt to try and achieve them because they don't feel so overwhelming.
Have you ever thought of organizing your basement? It's common to look at the large space and think "where do I start?????" before quietly shutting the door and moving on to something else that seems more manageable. This is exactly what happens when we don't chunk a goal down - we close the door and forget about it.
Week 1: spend 4 hours sorting into 3 piles - "keep", "give away/sell", "throw away"
I like to chunk down goals by working backward. If I have a 10 year goal of, let's say, paying off my mortgage, then I need to figure out how much extra I need to pay each year for the next 10 years in order to achieve that. If I have a 1 year goal of changing careers, then I would work backward to determine an action plan for each month (and possibly each week) of what I need to do in order to make the switch.
Take each of your goals and work backward to determine what you need to do annually, monthly, and/or weekly to achieve it.
Everyone's monster goal will look different. For some, getting in the best shape of their life (be specific and outline what that means) will be their monster goal. For others, it may be to be completely debt free (including no mortgage). While others, it may be to start and own a multi-million dollar company.
Write down at least one monster goal. Make it something you really REALLY want and be specific - chunking it down as you did your previous goals.
You should be looking at your goals daily (it takes a bit but will become habit). If you've fallen off track, be nice to yourself. Pick yourself up, figure out how you can get back on track, and work toward that goal! If a goal needs adjustment, adjust as needed.
Rewards are a good idea too. Small rewards when you hit a large goal will keep you moving toward it. Sometimes, the actual goal is reward enough (such as paying down debt because it means you'll eventually have more money available).
What are some of your 2018 goals? What tips have you found helpful in working toward and achieving your own goals?
Join the Cobble Hill Farm community! Sign up to get exclusive content, including our posts delivered to your inbox, oh, and tons of chicken love. Enter your email address in the box below and click on "subscribe".
You put so much thought into your posts. It's wonderful the way you break things down for us, as getting a "visual" often makes things easier to achieve.
I have just landed my dream job, and I am working toward expanding that. So excited to keep the good stuff coming our way!
Daisy - thank you so much. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so happy for you!


text:
Every 5 to 10 years, most wood furniture falls into the disuse period and becomes a waste. Wooden furniture waste is also largely generated when people are moving houses, renovating houses, updating old furniture, etc. Wood furniture recycling is a good solution. Wood waste recycling machines like wood furniture shredder can help to make whole process easier.
Wood furniture usually is in large volume that takes up big storage and transport space, and thus recycling it becomes very costly if the size is not reduced at the first step. In the past, these furniture waste usually is mixed together with urban waste, be compacted by a compactor and then filled in land. Such way of disposing wooden furniture not only affects the cityscape, wastes the resource but also can easily damage the compactor. Along with the maturity of shredding technology, nowadays the most cost-effective and environmental way to dispose wood furniture waste is to shred them into small pieces first, and then delivered to recycling plants for regeneration. These wood shreds after sorting, grinding, and drying can be made into wood powder. No matter in our houses and offices, there are a lot of furniture, windows, floors, and doors are made from those recycled wood powder. In some power station, wood powder is used as a green fuel to generate electricity. These ways of disposal do not only reduce tree felling, protect the environment, but also provide new power/energy for the citizens.
In conclusion, waste wooden furniture can become a big treasure if it is properly recycled and re-used. Shredder plays a critical role in the initial stage of the recycling process. PROSINO shredder is your ideal choice for shredding various waste wood furniture no matter in small pieces of large piece, and different types and models of shredding equipment is available here in PROSINO product range.
Contact us to tailor a wood furniture shredder or wood granulator for your own size reduction purpose. View SINOBALER wood shavings balers.


text:
Jerusalem, Sept. 19 - Any peace, be it cold peace, is better than any form of violence or war, said Amos Gilad, the senior advisor to Israel’s Defense Ministry.
Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Gilad said that Israel’s peace with Egypt is crucial amid a changing Middle East landscape and that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is committed to its peace with Israel.
The serious challenge for Israel is to protect lives and prevent violence, he added. Thanks to security coordination with the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, Israel is living in its “most convenient security ever,” added Gilad.
The following are Gilad’s key quotes during The Israel Project’s one-day briefing on the Palestinian U.N. recognition bid and its regional implications.
The Jordanians are committed to peace, not only for our interests but for theirs. Peace cannot prevail, however, without peace in Egypt.
It is still the leader of the Arab world. Some may argue about it but from our perspective it is a major pillar and we must do what we can to make peace while keeping security obligations, including preventing smuggling of weapons into Gaza, protecting Sinai and so on. Egypt is a responsible superpower in the Middle East.
Iran is still the main threat. It is determined. It is radical.
Our relations are not at their peak; but violence and threats of course will not be a solution. We hope for peaceful reconciliation.
They are a pillar in our national security and it is worthy to mention them.
We are facing radical entities – and Hezbollah is a radical entity. Hezbollah is creating a radical state within Lebanon by separating the southern parts of the country from the rest of the country. Hezbollah, supported heavily by Shi’ite Iran, has thousands of rockets (at least 45,000). It is a real military entity (as former U.S. secretary of defense Robert Gates has said) possessing missiles and other “surprises” as Secretary General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, calls them. Nasrallah is effectively running military, political and terror commands under one organization.
We call Gaza “Hamastan” because this regime is funded by Iran. Although they are Sunni, Hamas as well as Islamic Jihad are supported and armed by Iran. Hamas now has hundreds of rockets, along with Iranian expertise, aimed at Tel Aviv.
Hamas is part of Egypt’s Muslim brotherhood, whose mission is to take over the Middle East and establish an Islamic empire. It is good to remember who they are.
It seems that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will stay in power even if it means slaughtering his own people. Assad, who has no intentions of stepping down, is supported by his army (for the time being). The Alawites, a minority of about 2 million in Syria, struck deals with other groups for the economy and security – but now the incentives for them may be gone.