text:
There is an area of assistive technology that has recently been gaining momentum, and I would like to explore what that means for us as blind people. We are seeing an emergence of platforms that allow individuals to virtually connect with sighted assistants. Users refer to this category of technology by different terms such as visual interpreting services, or remote assistance services. The two most common varieties of this tech are apps like Aira or Be My Eyes, but less formal mainstream options such as recruiting assistance via Facetime, Skype, or a screen-sharing program like Zoom are also available. My aim here is not to focus on any one or two apps specifically, rather, I prefer to explore the general category of access technology that these programs represent. New companies providing versions of such technology may come and go in our lifetimes, and the specifics of each service are less important to my purpose here than exploring the overall category that they fall into. In this article, I will use the term remote sighted assistance technologies, or remote assistance, to refer to this general group of tech. Since there doesnâ€™t seem to be a consensus about what these technologies are actually called as a group, Iâ€™ll use this term for clarity.
As I see it, the key question related to remote assistance apps is: What role do we, as blind people, want this sort of technology to play in our lives? Regardless of oneâ€™s individual political views, employment status, amount of tech expertise, level of education, degree of vision loss, etc., I think most would agree that we, as blind people, are best suited to decide how our community can nmost effectively utilize any new technology. I think it is important for us to consider this question, because if we do not, it is likely that other entities will rush to define the role of these technologyâ€™s for us. Disability-related agencies, federal legeslators, private businesses, medical professionals, educators, app-developers, blindness organizations, and others may jump in and try to tell us how we should use this technology. Thus it becomes important for us to decide what we, as blind and low vision individuals, do and do not want from the technology.
What, specifically, do we want though? I do not think that we have had a sufficient number of dialogues about this issue to decide. I think this is due in part to the seeming newness of this technology as it relates to blind people. It seems that many folks are yet unfamiliar with the existence of such programs, or if they are aware, they have not yet realized the possible implications of their use. Still others focus on one or two well-known products, and assume that their popularity may be a passing fad. It is true that we have seen many supposed revolutionary technologies come and go over the years. It is fair for us to be cautious before making any sweeping pronouncements about any one tech. My opinion however is that, no matter if any one company, app, or service comes or goes, we are entering a new realm of assistive technology here with the growing availability of these remote assistance type programs. No matter which companies or groups ultimately provide the services, this category of tech will remain, and its impact on our lives as blind people will become more and more apparent. The point being, even if you yourself do not use any remote assistance technologies, you may benefit from taking part in dialogues relating to their use, because the results of such dialogues could prove far-reaching for blind people as a community.
What, then, specifically, might be the issues we consider? I do not pretend to know all the possible ramifications of these technologies, but two large considerations come to mind, and these two will be my focus for the remainder of this article. Some areas I would like us to think about as a community relate to the impact of remote assistance technologies on accessibility advocacy, and their effects on education/training.
I have spent a good portion of my adult life advocating for accessibility. I have written dozens of letters, negotiated with business owners, filed bug reports, talked to developers, provided public education, and done countless hours of both paid and unpaid testing. When I advocate for a company or organization to make its tools accessible, I like to think that I am not just working to improve my own experience as a disabled person, but hopefully to improve the experiences of other users as well. However, the results of such efforts are often quite mixed. For every accessibility victory that I have, I encounter dozens more that do not yield any real improvements. Often companies seem unwilling or unable to make any genuine accessibility changes. Other times, changes are made, but when the site/app/product is updated, or the company switches ownership, then accessibility is harmed. And these barriers are frustrating! Not just frustrating, but such barriers often prevent us from getting important work done. As a result, the availability of remote sighted assistance technologies can make a good deal of difference in our lives. For example, if a website is not accessible, we can still utilize it. If a screen does not have a nonvisual interface, we can accomplish the related task. If a printed document is not available in an alternate format, we can read the info it contains. And the positive outcomes of such increased access can be extraordinary! I am excited about that level of access as I am sure many blind people are.
Yet, over time, with consistent use of remote sighted assistant technologies, might we enter a future where we, as individuals and as a community, are no longer advocating as readily for accessibility? If we enter that future, what might the consequences be? For example, I recently had to make a reservation at a hotel I would be staying at for a business trip out of state. I found that the hotelâ€™s online reservation platform was not accessible with my screen reader. Since that hotel was a good fit for my trip, and because the rates were lower on the website than they would be if I called the hotel directly, I fired up my favorite remote assistance app to have a sighted person navigate to the hotelâ€™s website and make the reservation for me. I felt good about my choice because I got the job done. I reserved my hotel room quickly and efficiently, and did so with little inconvenience to anyone else. And after all, is that not the main point? Was I independent? Yes and no. I did not physically make the reservation by myself on my own computer, but I did get the room booked and did not have to ask a coworker to do it or call the hotel directly. And I was able to get the room reserved during the time in my schedule that was most convenient for me. So I would call that an independence win.
However, here is the part that leaves me with some concern. After getting my room reserved, I did not then contact the hotel to explain the accessibility issue I discovered on the booking part of their website. Could I have? Absolutely, but alas, I did not. And if I had, would my advocacy efforts have been weakened by the fact that, one way or another, I had gotten my reservation booked? Although, in an alternate scenario, one where I did not have remote assistance technology available, I might have spent a good deal of effort contacting the company, explaining the issue, and still not gotten it resolved. In the end I may have had to choose a different hotel, book the reservation over the phone but paid more money, or had a colleague reserve the room for me. And I personally like none of those scenarios as well as the one I have now, where the remote assistance app helped me get my room booked. Yet, by doing this, I am insuring that the inaccessible website remains. If I had contacted the company to advocate for accessibility changes, I may not have gotten the needed accessibility, but by not contacting the company, I definitely did not get improved accessibility. Realistically, those of us who use remote assistance technologies are not likely to do both things â€“ use the assistance while also advocating for accessibility. Some of us may, or we may do so in a few cases, but overall there are not enough hours in a day for us to put as much effort into accessibility advocacy when we have gotten the associated tasks done. Even if we do choose to advocate, might our cases be taken less seriously than before because we ultimately got the task done? In a world where businesses do not often understand the need to make their products and services accessible, will we find it even harder to make our cases if we manage to use the products and services? At the very least, there could be implications if we ever wanted to take legal action, because so much of the legal system focuses upon damages and denials of service. Even if we are not the sort of person to pursue an issue through legal channels though, might we find it harder to educate individual companies about the need for accessibility? Because from a business-ownerâ€™s perspective, a blind person was still able to use their service, and the subtleties of how or why we were able to do so would likely be lost in the explanation process.
Yet, even if any one, two, or one million websites are never made accessible, how important is that fact if blind people can still do what they need to do? Maybe we will agree that it is not important. That might not be the worst thing, but I am not sure we have decided this as a community yet because, for the most part, such dialogues have not taken place in any large-scale way. My guess is that opinions on this issue will vary widely, and that sort of healthy debate could be a great thing. It is that variance that makes the issue such a crucial one to discuss.
In the case of my hotel website, I may have been able to get my room reserved, but I did nothing to help insure that the next blind person would be able to reserve her room. I have solved my own problem, but in the process, I have bumped the issue along for the next blind person to encounter. True, that next person may also be able to use her own remote sighted assistance app, and the next person and then the next person, but ultimately the issue of the inaccessible website remains. Have we decided, as blind individuals, that this solution is enough? Because there are complexities to consider. Right now, not all the remote sighted assistance technologies are available to every blind person. Sometimes this unavailability is due to financial constraints I e some of the remote assistance tools are quite expensive. Some remote assistance apps are not available in certain geographic regions. Occasionally the technology is not usable due to the blind person having additional disabilities like deaf-blindness. Some of the assistance programs have age requirements. Other times these technologies are not practical due to the lack of availability or usability of the platforms needed to run them. In any case, it is true that such remote assistance solutions are not currently available to everyone who might benefit from them. Even in an ideal future where every single person on earth had unlimited access to an effective remote assistant technology solution at any time of day, would we still consider that our ultimate resolution to the problem? Might we still want the website to be traditionally accessible, meaning that the site be coded in such a way that most common forms of assistive technology could access it? Would we still prefer that the site follow disability best practices and content accessibility guidelines? Especially considering, in the case of my hotelâ€™s website, that the work needed to make the site more traditionally accessible might be minimal. Do we decide that whether we make our hotel reservations via an accessible website or whether we make them via remote assistant technology, the process is irrelevant as long as we get the reservations made?
Taking this quandary one step further, consider that today there are a handful of organizations, schools, and cities who are paying remote assistance companies to provide nonvisual access to anyone who visits their site. Such services could be revolutionary in terms of offering blind people independence and flexibility unlike that which we have seen before. However, what might the possible drawbacks of this approach be? If I, for example, could talk my current town of Tempe Arizona into paying for a remote access subscription that would give me, and other folks in the city, nonvisual access to all that our town has to offer, wouldnâ€™t that be an extraordinary development? Yes and no. I wonder if, after agreeing to spend a good deal of money on remote access subscriptions, would our city then be unwilling to address other accessibility concerns? Would they stop efforts to make their city websites accessible? Might they resist improvements to nonvisual intersection navigability? Might our local university stop scanning textbooks for students because our city offers remote access for all? When our daughter starts preschool in our local district, might they tell us to use remote assistance, rather than provide us with parent materials in alternative formats? Since our daughter too has vision loss, might her school be reluctant to braille her classroom materials because they know our city provides alternatives for accessing print? On the surface, such scenarios may seem unlikely, but are they really so impossible? After all, if the city is paying for a remote assistance service, would they still feel compelled to use resources on other access improvements? Might residents find that it became harder, not easier, to advocate for changes? What happens to other groups who cannot typically access remote assistance technologies, such as those who are deaf-blind, seniors who may not have the needed tech skills, or children who do not meet the companiesâ€™ minimum age requirements for service? If a local group of blind people wants to increase access in their town, and their city only has a set amount of money they are willing to spend on improvements, which items should we be asking for? Remote access subscriptions, increased accessibility, or a combination of these? Such questions are not implying that cities/organizations that purchase subscriptions are making poor choices or that they should not obtain these subscriptions. I am simply asking these questions to get folks thinking about possible implications of widespread remote access use. It is possible that none of my proposed scenarios will come true. It is more likely that other scenarios and potential issues will arise that I have not yet thought up. The point here is not to criticize the groups that employ these services, rather to get us all asking questions, starting dialogues, and considering possible outcomes.
I think it is especially important to think about the implications of such technologies on the world of education. Whether we are talking about the education of young blind children in schools, blind students pursuing degrees at universities, or adults new to vision loss who are going through our vocational rehabilitation system, what becomes most important for us to teach to these individuals? How much time and energy aught we put into basic blindness skills, alternative techniques, and independent problem solving? When a student enters Kindergarten, how many resources do we put into adding braille to objects in their classroom, brailing each book they come across, installing access software on their computers and tablets, insisting that the apps/programs their class uses work with this software, adding braille signage to the school building doors, and making sure the child learns to locate parts of their school using their canes? If the answers to those questions seem obvious, then do those answers change if the age of the student changes? Do we feel the same way about using resources if the student is in third grade? Seventh grade, tenth grade, or a college student? Do the answers change if the student is new to vision loss, has multiple disabilities, is a non-native English speaker, or has other unique circumstances? Do the high school and university science labs of the future equip their blind students with braille, large print, and talking measuring tools, or hardware and software to connect them with remoted sighted assistance? Do we do a combination of these things? And if so, when would we expect a student to use which technique, and how might we explain that choice to the student? Moreover, how might we explain the need for that choice to a classroom teacher, a parent, an IEP team, a disabled student service office, a vocational rehabilitation councelor, or an administrator in charge of allocating funding? In our rehab centers and adjustment to blindness training programs, , what skills do we now prioritize teaching? In our Orientation and Mobility or cane travel classes, do we still spend time teaching folks how to observe their surroundings nonvisually, assess where they are, and develop their own set of techniques for deciding how to get where they want to go? Or is the need for problem-solving less important if one learns how to effectively interact with a remote sighted assistant who can provide visual info like reading street signs, describing neighborhood layouts, relaying the color of traffic lights, and warning of potential obstacles ahead? While most folks would agree that a level of basic orientation and mobility skills are essential for staying safe, which skills, specifically, do we see as being the most crucial given the other info now available to us via remote assistance? In our technology classes, which skills would we spend more time on, how to explore and navigate cluttered interfaces, understanding the various features and settings available in our access software programs, or developing a system of interacting effectively with a sighted assistant whom we reach through an app? Again, if the answer is that we do all those things, how much time do we spend on any one and in which contexts? How much of any certain type of training might our rehab and other funding systems actually support? If agencies, schools, and organizations agree to fund remote access subscriptions might they then choose not to fund other types of training or equipment? Does this funding level change if the person resides in a town or region that has its own subscription to a remote access service? What if the school that a student attends has its own subscription, so the student primarily learns using those techniques, but then the student moves to an area without such access? I have my own thoughts about the answers to these questions, but rather than me devising my own responses, Iâ€™d like us, as a community, to consider these questions because their answers have the potential to affect us all.
Employment is often the end-goal of most training and education programs. It is true that blind people have an abysmally high unemployment rate, so almost anything we could do to lower that would be worthwhile, right? Does an increase in remoted sighted assistant technology use actually result in an increase in employment for blind people? Maybe. Maybe not. I suspect we do not have enough data to make a call about that yet. On one hand, remote assistance technologies could enable us to do certain employment tasks more independently and efficiently than ever before. On the other hand, we may find that there are still some technologies that we will need to use autonomously in order to be workforce competitive. Even with remote assistant technologies, we may find that some inaccessible workplace technologies create show-stopping employment barriers for us. When that occurs, we find ourselves back in the realm of needing accessibility advocacy. If we create an education and rehabilitation system that relies heavily upon learning to use remote assistance tech, might we build a future workforce of blind people who are more equipped, or less equip for the world of employment? Only history can tell us for sure one day, but in the meantime, we have to consider what impact our choices about the tools we teach, and the types of access we advocate for, may have on future job seekers.
How much impact has our accessibility advocacy really had on employment rates though? Just a few decades ago, many people believed that assistive technologies would finally level the playing field and revolutionize access to education and employment for people with disabilities. While we have made some strides, we as blind people have not seen much in the way of greater levels of employment. Despite advocacy done by some of the brightest and best minds our community has to offer, we do not yet have nearly the level of universal accessibility that we need to participate as effectively in society as we might like.
Here in the US, recent legislation has weakened the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that fact, combined with a history of lost discrimination and accessibility related cases, may not give us as much hope for the future of accessibility advocacy as we might like. We may wish for apps and websites to be accessible, our classrooms to have braille, our books to be available in alternate formats, our intersections to be navigable, our screens to have nonvisual interfaces, our transit information to be readable, and our products to have instructions that we can access, but the reality is that most often this is not the case. Are we making progress? Absolutely. And arguably, the only way we can attempt to insure future progress is not to abandone our advocacy attempts.
Yet, how much effort have we, as disabled people, put into accessibility, non-discrimination, and inclusion already? With the millions of websites, apps, products, documents, and software programs that still remain inaccessible to blind people despite our combined best efforts, might shifting our focus to increased usage of remote sighted assistance technologies be the most practical next step? Maybe it is and maybe it is not. I think we as blind individuals may want to take a hard look at that question. There are a variety of angles to consider and possible outcomes to explore. Ultimately, we may find that the answer is not a binary one. Perhaps we will find that we want a balanced approach, one that includes accessibility advocacy and remote assistance both. That solution might be a wise one. However, the implementation of that balanced approach will take some careful thought and discussion. There are many competing interests at play here, and reasons for promoting any one solution at any one time may vary depending upon the interests of the persons or group promoting them. Additionally, when questions of funding arise, different groups may insist upon different levels of compromise. Before those tough decisions get made, Iâ€™d like us to have had a few more dialogues about the above scenarios so that we can be clear about what we want and why we want it.
Moreover, there is a difference between access and accessibility. Access may mean that a person with a disability can ultimately get a thing done. Accessibility, on the other hand, generally means that the object was designed in such a way that a person with a disability can utilize it with little extra help. This is not to say that accessibility inherently makes a person more independent than access does, or that either is superior, it is just to say that the two things are quite different. Remote assistance technologies do get us access to things, but they do not necessarily make those things more accessible. However, in the sense that we are able to participate effectively in the world and do the things that we want to do, both access and accessibility are quite valuable. Even so, when resources are limited, we may find that we as blind people may have to decide which we most prefer, access or accessibility. Then we may need to decide in which circumstances we might prefer one to the other, and how far we might be willing to go to obtain them. When do we stand our ground and insist upon accessibility, and when do we feel confident that access is an acceptable solution?
I think this issue is a crucial one for us to consider from various angles. Personally, I have thought about the above issues a lot as a blind woman and as the parent of a low vision child. I have thought it through from the perspective of an employed college-educated person who has had the benefit of some excellent blindness skill training. I like to think of myself as someone who has a healthy balance of technology and basic technique mastery in my life. In short, I love technology, I love braille, I also love the feeling I get from independently walking out in the world with my cane. I am an early adopter of new technologies, and yet I have spent much of my life hiring human readers, drivers, and sighted assistants to get certain jobs done. My life experiences have helped me to understand that not always is the highest-tech solution the best one, nor should it be viewed as a last resort. I say this to give context to my views, not as a way of insisting that my own perspective is the best or most correct. There are doubtless many other perspectives from individuals with other very valid points, and that is why I believe further dialogue is necessary.
Remote assistance technologies are here to stay, and it is up to us as blind people to define what role we want them to play in our lives. These technologies are not the solution to all our problems nor are they the cause of them. They are new tools, and like any tools, they are only as good or bad as the hands that use them. Yet there will be many hands and minds who will want to shape the future of these tools for us. Before a private company, a government agency, a tech developer, a federal legislator, or a field of professionals try to define their role for us, we must come together to ask the hard questions, share our perspectives, and make the tough, but important, decisions about what we want for ourselves, our children, and for our futures.
Finally, if you prefer Facebook, feel free to connect with Allison there.


text:
Need a handle for the tough jobs? This sturdy handle with an acid-resistant thread will not warp or rot while special surfacing material prevents splintering. Sizes up to 6 Feet!
Need a handle that can "handle" the tough jobs? This sturdy fiberglass handle with an acid-resistant thread will not warp or rot while special surfacing material prevents splintering. Non-conductive and acid resistant, it meets all sanitary code requirements.
One end is equipped with acid-resistant thread, other end has vinyl cap. One inch (1") diameter handle has structural core center.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text:
The Silk Road of Pop is a unique educational tool addressing Uyghur history and contemporary cultural practices, the lived reality of ethic minorities in China, intergenerational and gender dynamics in Xinjiang, rural to urban migration, and the potential of an art form as a tool of resistance.
Over the past year, our team has travelled to universities and festivals globally bringing audiences a unique glimpse into the fraught province of Xinjiang in northwest China. Heralded “a dazzling documentary” by The Washington Post and winner of multiple awards including Best Canadian Film at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and the Audience Award at CinemAsia Amsterdam, the documentary depicts the challenges of the Uyghur Muslim minority and the explosive music scene which results.
As such, our documentary is of value to various interest areas including East Asian Studies/Chinese Studies, Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, and Social Geography. We hope you will consider adding our film to your collection.
Please watch our trailer and read on for more information below.
To purchase, simply write us at smokesignalprojects@gmail.com and we will send you the details of how to obtain a DVD with multiple viewing rights.
If you represent a venue, cinema, festival or any other form of organization in the cultural and entertainment world and you are interested in setting up a screening, then please contact smokesignalprojects@gmail.com to get info about hosting Official Screenings.

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


text:
Starting today through next Wednesday, you can enjoy two delicious specials at Karma and Karma Pub in Mundelein (510 E. Route 83, 857-970-6900). This week specials feature a Duo of Tuna ($26) and Oktoberfest Burger ($13).
Don’t forget that next Thursday (and every Thursday), Karma Pub features its popular Chicago Trivia Guys beginning at 7 p.m.
Svedka Martini’s are only $5 through October, and $5 Tighthead Brewing Oktoberfest Draft is $5, while supplies last.
Mundelein, IL (September 2014) - They aren't easy to spot from the street, but two superb restaurants in Mundelein-Karma and Karma Pub, both adjacent to the DoubleTree Libertyville-Mundelein Hotel (510 East Route 83, Mundelein, 847-970-6900)-have been offering two distinct styles of dining that have struck a delicious chord among the area's business people and residents.
What's intriguing is that each restaurant allows guests to order from the other restaurant's menu. The result is that guests can have the best of two worlds-a choice of food and a choice of atmosphere.
"We wanted to meet the dining needs of a wider audience, including the business lunch crowd," says General Manager Allan Zinkann. "On any given day or occasion, some people want a more casual setting, while others prefer a more sophisticated atmosphere. Also, some guests delight in Karma's modern Asian fusion cuisine, while others would rather stick to the more familiar and less expensive American fare that we serve at Karma Pub."
The restaurants' culinary program is led by Executive Chef Paul Choi, who oversees the kitchen of both restaurants. In the six short months he has been there, he has made a huge difference by stepping up both the creativity and the quality of the food program.
"What brings both menus together is our focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and we carry over the Asian influence at Karma Pub, although the Pub is much more American," says Choi. "We purchase from local sources as much as possible, and every week we change our specials to reflect what's available at the market. The main goal is give people a wide range of choices so that everyone is happy. We prepare every dish with the same quality and care."
Both restaurants have seen a steady increase in business due to Choi's new food program. Businesspeople are frequenting both restaurants for lunch-the restaurants are stylish and conversation-friendly. The DoubleTree Hotel guests are happy to stay at the hotel for their meals rather than travel to other restaurants, and there have been more group reservations for business and social occasions.
"When guests book a lunch or dinner reservation, they are pleased that there is something on our menus for everyone," says Zinkann. "It works for businesspeople hosting meetings, and for families whose children prefer burgers and fries to Asian fare. Comments have been very positive. Guests know that their companions will enjoy the experience of sitting in Karma's beautiful décor yet, if they choose, eat sandwiches or other great American dishes from the Pub menu. Similarly, many guests love Karma's sophisticated Asian food but want to sit in a comfortable, casual pub where they can watch a game on TV or simply chill out."
The décor is a highlight of the Karma experience. Upon entering the restaurant, one is immediately transported into a Shangri-La where the past, present and future are fused together in a tranquil, elegant paradise of ultra-chic Pan-Asian design. The sleek dining room, accented by Asian woods and glass bamboo, is bathed in soft, soothing neutral tones of grays, greens, blacks, and soft subdued whites-hues that blend together to create a serene and sophisticated environment. The dramatic décor, centered around a quietly flowing pool of water that artistically interprets Asian salt harvests, is accented by a wall of water. An oversized translucent bamboo-like light fixture greets guests at the entrance.
Karma has a reputation for being a beautiful, romantic restaurant, but it gets just as many compliments from guests who are having lunch or dinner for business reasons. Karma is an impressive, conversation-friendly restaurant that is quite appropriate for business discussions or special events. The restaurant hosts many corporate groups here as well as wedding dinners and other social events.
Another highlight of the Karma experience are the weekly specials. Chef Choi keeps the menu fresh and local by creating new items based around seasonal ingredients.
This September, Karma's menu has featured, for example, as an appetizer, Duo of Baby Heirloom Carrots, tempura carrots, ponzu aioli, micro purple shiso and warm carrots, tomato-carrot vinaigrette and baby arugula. As special entrées, Karma has featured Sriracha Shrimp Noodle Stir-Fry; Pan Roasted California Sea Bass with ginger-scallion gnocchi, edamame, Illinois sweet corn, roasted red peppers, spinach, and miso butter with essence of orange; and Fresh Alaskan Cod or Salmon prepared Firecracker Style. Karma posts its specials on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/KarmaMundelein).
The regular menu at Karma starts with tempting appetizers such as the Seared Ahi Tuna with wild arugula, seasonal grape tomatoes and ginger-soy ($12); Drunken Mussels ($10) with tomato-Thai basil relish and sake; and Lettuce Wraps ($9) with ginger tamari chicken, shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, toasted peanuts and sesame-peanut sauce and Karma Pork Goyza ($8). Karma's refreshing salad choices include the Seasonal 7 Vegetable Salad with herb flatbread chips and orange-miso vinaigrette ($9); or the Chicken Tonkatsu Salad that starts with a house lettuce blend that is combined with tomato, cucumber, peas, carrot noodles, scallions, wonton chips, and yuzu-ginger vinaigrette ($13).
Among Chef Choi's entrée specialties on the Karma menu are the signature Korean BBQ Glazed Rib Eye ($27), served with sticky steamed rice and wilted ginger spinach; Crispy Tuna ($26), served with seasonal greens, wasabi vinaigrette and sesame-soy; Surf & Turf ($28), with seared sea scallops, whole prawn, braised short rib, spinach, kimchi croquette; Grilled Mahi-Mahi ($25) with quinoa, roasted red peppers, spinach, baby carrots and ginger-soy; and Filet Mignon ($28) with wasabi mashed potatoes, tempura onions, wild mushroom-tamari jus.
On the Karma Pub menu, appetizers include Flatbread of the Day (market price); Special Crispy Wings ($10), with choice of spicy chili-soy, Buffalo, or Parmesan-basil dressing; "Diet" Fries ($6), French fries served with three-cheese fondue, tomato, bacon, sour cream, and scallions ($6); and "Fruits of the Sea" ($12), prepared with crispy calamari, shrimp, lemon, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, and tomato-caper aioli.
Sandwiches are very popular at Karma Pub, and gourmet burgers take center stage. The Pub Burger ($11) features a half-pound of ground beef with lettuce, tomato, red onion, classic dill pickle and cheddar. Burger variations include the Breakfast Burger ($13), with a sunny side-up egg, Applewood smoked bacon and cheddar; and the Southwestern Burger ($13) with pepper-jack cheese, crunchy tortilla, Pico de Gallo, and chipotle aioli. Other sandwiches include the Crispy Fish Sandwich ($14), made with fresh Alaskan cod, bacon, cheddar, and sour pickle aioli.
Karma Pub's entrees include Grilled Salmon ($21), with peas, carrots, bacon, mushroom, potato, and Chardonnay-pea emulsion; Greek Style Spare Ribs ($20), with feta fries, red wine-oregano glaze and arugula; and Roasted Chicken ($19), with crispy cauliflower, raisins, cranberries, pine nuts and lemon aioli.
Karma, a stunning contemporary restaurant serving fine Modern Asian Fusion cuisine from Executive Chef Paul Choi, is open seven days a week 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch; 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dinner; and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. Karma Pub, a casual American restaurant and pub, is open 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 5 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. Karma is located adjacent to the DoubleTree Libertyville-Mundelein Hotel at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060. For reservations or more information, call (847) 970-6900 or visit www.karmachicago.com and www.thekarmapub.com.
Sixteen new River North restaurants have signed on for the River North Business Association‘s sixth annual OctoberFeast™, presented by Motorola Mobility, LLC. OctoberFeast™, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday, October 7. The new restaurants include: Chen's, Citizen Bar, Farmhouse, Firecakes, Freestyle Food & Drink, Gino's East River North, House of Blues, John Barleycorn, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks, P.F. Chang's, Piccolo Signo Due, Pranzi, Rev Burger, River Roast, Seasons52, and Troquet River North.
Octoberfeast showcases 25 of Chicago’s most popular restaurants and venues in River North, allowing participants to experience the excellence and variety of one of the country’s most vibrant restaurant districts. Returning restaurants include: Blackfinn Ameripub, Fogo de Chao, Hooters, Kinzie Chophouse, La Madia, Maxwell's at the Club, Moe's Cantina, The Redhead Piano Bar, and Sullivan's Steakhouse.
OctoberFeast™ is a progressive tasting tour, leading groups of 50 or less to visit five of the participating and fabulous restaurants in the River North neighborhood. OctoberFeast™ offers five different routes for participants to explore. Each restaurant provides specialty food and drinks. The evening will begin with registration at Maggiano’s Little Italy (111 W. Grand Ave.) where participants will receive a map and schedule to guide them throughout the evening. Each group will spend 20 minutes at each venue. The evening will close with an after party at SHAY (222 W. Ontario St.).
Sponsors for the event include BMO Harris, Comcast Business, East Bank Club, Friedman Properties, Mesirow Financial and Urban Innovations, amongst others.
Purchase your tickets now to take part of this fun event.
are entitled to express registration, the ability to choose their own route, and access to an exclusive VIP lounge at the after party at SHAY.
Tickets are available for purchase at the OctoberFeast™ website: http://www.OctoberFeastchicago.com, www.rivernorthassociation.com or by calling the River North Business Association at 312-645-1047.
River North Business Association represents more than 325 businesses in the area bounded by the Chicago River to the south and west, Division on the north and Wabash on the east. The area boasts the highest concentration of restaurants and entertainment venues and is Chicago’s most exciting neighborhood to live, work, shop, dine and play. For more information, visit www.rivernorthassociation.com.
"Let food be thy medicine"
Green City Market will launch a new wellness program with omstead this September beginning tomorrow and running on subsequent Wednesdays through October 22 at the Lincoln Park Green City Market location.
According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (The CDC), chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. The CDC states: "Chronic diseases and conditions-such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis-are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems."How do we teach people to prevent these health problems?
"By leading wellness programming specifically orchestrated to be in conjunction with a venue like the Green City Market, we can get hands on teaching people about basic, fulfilling and satisfying ways to utilize fresh, in season food to feel better. One person, one plate, one family, one community at a time, says Amy Cox, certified health coach, owner of Western Springs-based omstead.
"It is no coincidence that sustainable farmers and food producers tend their land in a way that directly mirrors how a health coach teaches people to take care of their bodies. The healthy, vibrant soil found on sustainable farmland holds natural properties that mimic healthy gut flora, the building block of a strong immunity system. When we support local producers who focus on creating vibrant, healthy food, then we take an important step toward creating a less toxic environment for our bodies," says Cox.
If you have interest in learning more about this program, details and sign up can be found http://omstead.net/. Programming is two tiered: there will no cost sessions offered, the first of which is on September 10 (Benefits of a Rainbow Diet); the second session will be held on October 15 (Sugar Busters).
Paid programming is available for those wanting to gain deeper, more specific knowledge. The cost is $225 for five sessions to be held at the Hotel Lincoln across from Green City Market. The package includes a one-on-one phone session with Cox and the remaining four are to be held in a group setting with up to 6 people. Group sessions are geared towards specific subjects including Flourishing Families where guests will learn strategies, group work and hands on training with simple lifestyle practices for feeding their families; the Sound Seniors sessions provides educational resources about the importance and benefits of implementing a low inflammatory diet to help alleviate health issues such as arthritis and heart disease. Both programs will incorporate useful information about how to use products from the market to make healthy lifestyle improvements.
In today's fast paced world, keeping your family happy & healthy requires thought and planning. This five session group program is designed to provide busy moms with tools, resources and support to help keep their families thriving -- all with a specific focus on sourcing items from the Green City Market.
Session 1 -- a 45 minute one on one phone consultation with Amy Cox, CHC, AADP to define opportunities focused specifically to your family's needs. This will be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time in September.
You have worked hard to reach your golden years. Time devoted to focusing on your state of wellness can keep you feeling your best for many years to come. This five session group program is designed to provide seniors with tools, resources and support to help them thrive, with a specific emphasis on minimizing the body's inflammatory response and sourcing items from the Green City Market.
Session 1 -- a 45 minute one on one phone consultation with Amy Cox, CHC, AADP to identify your individual wellness needs for the program. This will be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon time in September.
Sessions 2-5 -- are conducted in a 1.5 hour small group program that will meet on the dates specified below. The program will concur in conjunction with GCM hours. The exact class time will be determined based upon a poll sent out to interested participants.
A portion of the proceeds from the paid sessions will support Green City Market programming costs.
A 15 year career in the cardiology medical device field made Amy keenly aware of the need for sustainable wellness solutions to address preventable disease. This awareness became heightened in 1999, after Amy was diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease and was told there was no cure. The irony of being at the height of a successful career in the medical field with no medical advice given other than to take a pill and bear it left Amy feeling unfulfilled. She believed there had to be another way.
Steadfast in that belief, Amy took a leap of faith and quit her job. She immersed herself in studying the basic aspects of wellness and was soon working collaboratively with renowned experts in the areas of sustainable farming, gardening, cooking, fitness, lifestyle and nutrition.
Amy's decision paid huge dividends. Blood work performed at the University of Chicago Medical Center proves she no longer has autoimmune thyroid disease and no longer requires medication.
Wanting to empower others to feel their best, Amy sought professional training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she has been trained in more than one hundred dietary theories and has studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Passionate about using this knowledge to create an organization where wellness information can be shared, Amy created omstead. Onsite and offsite, omstead offers a wide variety of programs.
Green City Market is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization celebrating its 16th anniversary. The mission of Green City Market is to provide a marketplace for purchasing sustainably grown food and to educate, promote and connect farmers and local producers directly to chefs, restaurateurs and the greater Chicago community. Green City Market values education about quality food and its source. Green City Market is funded by individual donations, corporation sponsorships, grants and fund raising events. Learn more about Green City Market at http://www.greencitymarket.org and follow it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/greencitymarket and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/greencitymarket. Post photos on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/GreenCityMarket.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


text:
Book Thai Airways flight tickets from Pune to Gaspe and get Unbelievable discounts on Yatra.com. Compare airline prices and get the lowest airfare on Thai Airways from Pune to Gaspe. Go ahead, and grab amazing offers on Thai Airways flights from Pune to Gaspe.
One of the leading global carriers, Thai Airways is known for offering top-notch services at economical prices. Its partnership with other international and domestic carriers has increased the reach of this airline significantly. Thus, it has a wide network all across the globe, and you can book Thai Airways flights from Pune to Gaspe, for a memorable and hassle-free experience.
In addition to this, we have also launched the Yatra app for an enhanced user experience. You can book Pune to Gaspe flights as well as look for other details regarding the reservation by using our mobile app. Download this app from the Google Play Store, Windows Store, BlackBerry World or App Store to use our services, and make your travel economical by availing various app-only offers and deals rolled out by this online travel agency.

industry_corpus2: Transportation


text:
A total of 57 records matched your search.
From Ackfeld Manufacturing comes this collection of powder-coated bellpull hardware that are available in an array of sizes. Each is noted under their respective types.
Heart Bell Pull by Ackfeld Mfg.


text: 3D Print Pullover Hoodies For Men. Available in 6 styles. Order yours today.


text:
So there I sat, my first English class with me as the 'teacher' about to have a one to one lesson with an attractive young lady we'll call Junko. This particular outrageously overpriced institution that fell over in about 1992 was popular with young ladies, probably because of the massive stucco pink bows that adorned the buildings that housed the schools, and nothing to do with the fact that they could have private 'lessons' with foreign boys! It was supposedly a 'conversation' lesson that quickly descended into a question and answer session! What's your name? Where do you from? Can you use chopsticks? Now, apart from the obvious 'teaching opportunity' of the second question, I was on safe ground; the chopsticks one was still new to me at that point! Then came the, “What is your hobby?” What's my.... I was stumped! There I sat, a freshish faced 26 years old, coolish suit, longish hair... and I'm thinking, “Do I look like a stamp collector, a train spotter?” I do karate, I play bass, I work, I eat... I do stuff; till that moment it had never occurred to me that I might have a hobby; a domain and a word exclusively reserved for nerds, or so I foolishly assumed!
Fast forward about 20 years and I can tell Junko that I finally have a beautiful hobby, except that she's probably married to Bob and living in Texas! I'm a surfer, Junko! My hobby is surfing. I'm from the UK, an island that is by definition surrounded by ocean, but when I was growing up about the closest anyone that I knew came to surfing was watching Hawaii Five-O (a 60s/70s cop show) on TV!
In stark contrast to most other sports where there's a goal to score, a hoop to make or a time to beat, surfing is an end unto itself. Even in its competitive form, the point is simply to ride waves as stylishly as possible (and score points for doing so)! Once you're past the frustrating early stages and can go play with the big boys on the better waves, and after you've worked out the rule (don't drop in when someone else is on a wave), you become aware that surfing is, though it helps to have a little, not really about dexterity or ability. It's purely about recreation, the pursuit of pleasure, experiencing the power of nature and to ultimately be at one with it, with the wave, not to mention the fact that it's a great upper body workout to boot! Don't go on a diet, go on a surfboard! Lose weight, build strength, and have a great time doing it! As Kelly Slater put it circa 2004 though, once you start surfing, as with joining the Mafia, once you're in, you're not getting out!

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


text:
Today's post is very short and sweet as I'm letting you know about a fantastic competition on Wow FreeStuff in which you can win a gorgeous Yankee Candle gift set. You can see the set above which includes three votive candles and a candle holder, all of which are christmas themed - I love the Yankee Candle christmas range. There are 50 sets up for grabs so you have a good chance of winning!
Check out the link above to enter the giveaway but you only have until the 14th December to enter. Additionally, you have to be over 18 to enter the competition, you must live in the UK and by entering the competition you are agreeing to sign up to the Wow FreeStuff newsletter.
This is the perfect time for this giveaway, especially for Christmas!
My Mum loves Yankee candles, she'd love this.
Unfortunately I can’t enter as I don’t live in the Uk but good luck to everyone!
This is such s great giveaway. I’ll make sure to enter.
I love Yankee candles so I will be!
Ahh I'd love to win this set! Such a gorgeous giveaway!
Oooohh I love scented candles! Will check this out!
You can never have enough Yankee Candles especially at Christmas time!

industry_corpus2: Others


text:
This is the quintissential manual for building a Baja Bug! Although written in 1983, Author Jeff Hibbard's book still remains the best place to start for the aspiring Baja Bug builder or off road racer. This book details the innerworkings of the VW Beetle and outlines the strengths of each make of Beetle. The VW Baja Bugs and Buggies Manual includes information on engine, transaxle, suspension, and steering modifications.
"The VW Beetle is uniquely suited for off-road use. Its torsion-arm front suspension and lightweight engine and transaxle make it a natural. If you didn't know better, you'd think Dr.Ferdinand Porshe designed the Beetle to race the Baja.
Veteran off-road racer, Jeff Hibbard, details the do's and don'ts of off-road preparation. Whether you build your car for recreation or full-race, this book has a plan for you.
Avoid building a cosmetic off-road car. Learn what breaks and how to prevent it from breaking. Learn how to spend your off-road dollars wisely. This book is a must for sedan and buggy off-roaders alike!"
VW Baja Bugs and Buggies Manual has been added to your cart.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


text:
China has the potential to become a superpower rivaling the U.S. It already is playing a critical political role in Asia, and its economic power is global. While the number of Christians in China has increased significantly during the past few decades, the church’s social influence remains minimal. Attention from outside often focuses on the suffering and persecution faced by the country’s believers.
Myrrl Byler is director of the China Educational Exchange program, which sponsors various exchange and assistance programs with Chinese partners in educational institutions, local government organizations and Protestant churches.
Since even the highest guesses place Christians at less than 8 percent of China’s present population, the church would need to grow at an incredible rate for Aikman’s prediction to become true. If Christians do become a sizable minority, they will, Aikman believes, greatly influence the direction of Chinese society. He gives examples of people from a wide spectrum of activities, including actors, government employees and business people, who have recently become Christian. The lack of a strong national ideology and the interest in religion will continue to bring educated and influential people to Christianity.
Interviews and examples demonstrate that the Chinese house church is strongly evangelical. According to Aikman, Chinese evangelicals support Israel and feel called to evangelize the Muslim world. He believes that a “Christianized China may spend less time thinking of ways to outmaneuver and neutralize the U.S. than the military strategists of the current regime.” Aikman speculates that a strong evangelical influence will encourage the Chinese government to be more cooperative with the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism and the prevention of weapons of mass destruction.
The book presents a very readable and informative picture of one part of the house church movement—the various networks operating outside of the registered churches—along with some of its better-known leaders. Aikman attributes much of the rapid growth of the church to its charismatic and evangelical nature. His experiences and interviews help us to understand this very vital movement within Chinese Christianity.
But Jesus in Beijing perpetuates the misperception that Chinese Christians can be divided into two groups, one operating clandestinely and in opposition to the government, the other cooperating with and officially approved by the government.
Aikman does not mention that in addition to the many house churches which are opposed to any association with the registered churches, there are more than 30,000 which are registered with the government. Just because people meet for worship in homes or apartments does not mean that their actions are illegal and need to be hidden. Many believers in China attend home meetings, while others worship in larger churches. The choice is determined by issues of distance, convenience and leadership. While many house churches eventually become traditional churches, many do not.
Situations also vary greatly from one geographical location to the next. One northern rural Chinese county which I have often visited includes ten churches and more than 50 registered meeting points. No other house church networks appear to exist in the county. But a bordering county has no registered churches or meeting points, because the local government is hostile toward religious believers. There Christians must meet in relative secrecy. Situations also change. Recently I was invited to visit believers in a county where the government formerly had opposed any connection with overseas Christians.
Generalizations and assumptions based on isolated experiences may easily give a distorted picture. In assessing the Chinese situation, overseas believers need a strong dose of humility and a sense of the complexity of the issues.
The devout faith and sacrificial lives of the Chinese believers described by Aikman are inspiring to all who come into contact with them. But young church leaders are being trained in many places besides the more clandestine seminaries described in the book. Thousands of churches across China openly organize training classes—from several weeks to a year long—for house church leaders. Rapid church growth increases the workload of leaders and pastors and underscores the need for more and better training, especially in the countryside.
Though Aikman focuses on those groups opposed to government registration, he also provides information about the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. While much of Aikman’s historical information is well supported, he does push familiar misperceptions.
The distinction between liberals and conservatives is quite irrelevant to the majority of believers in China. While a handful of leaders within the Three-Self Movement may be described as theologically liberal, the overwhelming majority of pastors and believers within the registered churches remain very conservative on almost all issues, with the exception of the role of women in leadership.
Contrary to the impression the book gives, pastors do preach on the second coming of Christ, and they are not paid by the government. There certainly are controls and limits, and too often there is government interference in the work of the church. But Aikman paints a negative picture of the government leaders who oversee religion, without acknowledging that some of them assist local churches—for example, by helping them regain church property or buildings. There are church leaders whom believers do not support, leaders who are too close to the government, and many believers have become disillusioned with church politics. However, this is true of both registered churches and clandestine house churches, and some leave house churches because of the personality cults that arise around powerful leaders.
In addition to his portraits of Christian leaders like Wang Mingdao, Aikman also discusses Bishop K. H. Ting, who has led the Chinese church for many years. Aikman joins the speculation on Ting’s status as a Communist Party member, but the evidence he offers will be more convincing to those predisposed to believe the assertions than to those who examine this evidence more critically. While I have met many pastors who disagree with Ting’s theology, they also understand the complex issues he has faced and appreciate what he has done to advance the cause of the church.
Although Aikman’s focus is on Protestants, he includes a one-chapter summary of the Catholic Church in China. He depends on the writings of respected Catholic scholar Richard Madsen for his analysis.
Aikman is less critical of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association than he is of its Protestant counterpart. Despite the tension between the Vatican and the Beijing government, there is often better understanding between China’s underground Catholics and those in the official patriotic association. Although Catholics are not growing in number as rapidly as Protestants, the Catholic Church provides its leaders with education opportunities and seeks to engage the larger society on some social issues.
While foreign missionaries have influenced some of the clandestine house church networks, their influence does not extend to the larger church. The Western missionary adventure stories of subterfuge that Aikman tells make for interesting reading, but they also perpetuate old stereotypes. The suffering of some believers is real, and the fines some are required to pay are excessive. Unfortunately, their sufferings are sometimes indirectly caused by “heroic” foreign missionaries playing to audiences outside of China. Many Christian organizations involved in sending teachers to China may be troubled by the impression Aikman gives that most Christian teachers of English in China are primarily interested in evangelism. In fact, many Christian organizations and teachers feel that their chief contribution lies in the quality of their professional work.
Aikman’s assertion that a growing base of Christian believers may affect China’s relations with the U.S. is most intriguing. Will the evangelical nature of the church lead to support for American policies, particularly support for Israel? Since this subject had never come up in my discussions with Chinese Christians, I asked several Chinese pastors for their opinion. The general consensus was that at present the vast majority of Chinese believers are not informed on matters of American foreign policy, nor are they particularly interested in the role of Israel. This could change as the church grows and matures, but whether Chinese Christians will be able or want to influence government policy is questionable. Perhaps a comparison with the sizable Christian population of South Korea might be instructive in determining what role a similar Christian population in China might play.
Historically Westerners have interpreted signs of modernization and reform within China as evidence that the nation is becoming more Western. The assumption that Christians in China support certain American values and viewpoints follows this tradition. That American fast food outlets dot the Chinese landscape and cultural accommodations characterize the cities does not mean that the Chinese people are becoming more Western. Western-educated Chinese professionals consistently adapt what they experience and learn overseas into something that is distinctively Chinese and often non-Western.
The Chinese church has improved its status and image within the broader culture, but its influence should not be exaggerated. The projection that the church will be able to influence the government toward a more pro-Israeli and U.S. agenda is unrealistic. While a certain segment of the house churches within China may agree with this agenda, it is questionable whether this sentiment is held by the majority of believers.
As Aikman notes, the church is pro-Chinese and patriotic, committed to China’s future. The church in China will, I believe, become much more than simply an ally of a certain brand of American political and religious thinking. Just as China constantly surprises outside observers in other areas, so the church will also become its own entity, with its own mission to the people of China and its own voice and vision for the world.
The UN has received reports of Muslim minorities being detained; Christians recount churches raided, crosses destroyed, and Bibles burned.


text:
Continental Chess Association is not a membership organization, however, we are affiliated with the US Chess Federation (USCF). Our tournaments are rated by the USCF and require USCF membership. One year USCF membership, including subscription to Chess Life monthly magazine, regularly costs $49 adult ($42 online), $32 Young Adult (under 25), and $36 senior (over 65). A scholastic membership for under 13 for $23 per year is also available, which includes Chess Life for Kids magazine bimonthly.
USCF memberships are available ONLINE through our secure server shopping cart. We are currently offering a variety of reduced rate memberships if paid online in advance along most CCA tournament entries; see the shopping cart or the tournament announcements for details.
All memberships are $25 per year more for foreign countries other than Canada and Mexico.
USCF members also obtain a national chess rating, and are entitled to discounts on purchases of chess books and equipment at www.uscfsales.com.

industry_corpus2: Sports


text:
Classes, group and private instruction covering the entire scope of Jewish learning.
Students with access to the inner meaning of Jewish laws and tradition, as well as practical instruction for everyday life.
Chabad sponsors the complete cycle of the Jewish year, with Shabbat meals and services every Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
All are welcome to participate in the Shabbat activities as Chabad hosts guests from the existing community and numerous travelers and convention-goers.
The Rabbi and Rebbetzin are well known as spiritual and practical counselors to many. All manners of life's challenges are subject to their capable guidance. Individuals, couples, family and friends are all received in a private reassuring environment.
"Chabad is an outreach, service organization rather than just a religious organization. It uses the revealed and esoteric parts of the Torah as tools to help people grow in both their spiritual and personal lives."


text:
Book through our official website and get the best available rates.
Check in time is 14:00 unless room is available before that.
Check out is 12:00 noon unless you can have a late check out according to availability.
No pets allowed at the hotel.


text:
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel offers a myriad of activities which visitors can enjoy, be it for business or pleasure.
Designed with a business traveller in mind, incorporating state-of-the-art technology,an expansive space and amenities without compromising on privacy.
168 sq metre of lavish comforts and amenities. Unwind in sophisticated opulence featuring a living room with entertainment system, dining room, kitchenette and washrooms. Separate work area with full telecommunications and busines functions.
Children under the age of 12 years stay for free if using existing bedding (extra rollaway bed is chargeable). Maximum occupancy per room is 4 people.
Awash in pleasing orange hues and tastefully designed, the 42sq metre Deluxe Room features lavish Indian silk linen, plush bed sheet with comfortable pillows on a soft inviting Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed overlooking a panoramic view of the city's skyline.
Travel the world in our award-winning restaurants, each with its own style of world-class international cuisine.
Set against a stunning backdrop of bright eclectic colours, the restaurant is an epicurean concept in Kuala Lumpur, serving interactive all-day a la carte and international buffet menus.
Celestial Court is a grand restaurant that pays homage to elegant Chinese traditions and royal dynasties serving true Cantonese cuisine.
Award-winning Villa Danieli is an inviting, freestanding trattoria styled Italian country home, which offers authentic Italian dishes.
This intimate and charming lounge is an inviting evening retreat for a nightcap. Serves a full selection of international beers, champagnes, fine wines and spirits for every occasion.
View all Kuala Lumpur hotels.


text:
Our Marangu day trip has it all: culture, cuisine, caves and plenty of lively conversation. You’ll even take a dip in a waterfall or two, so bring your cozzie.
Marangu town nestles on the fertile slopes of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and it’s brimming with tradition. You’ll explore the culture and terrifying history of the Chagga Tribe (they built those caves for a reason) and you’ll take a short but delightful hike in the lush green landscape to a sparkling waterfall but, don’t worry, you won’t run out of energy because you’ll visit a coffee plantation and have the chance to roast and make your own coffee. The buzz you’ll get from our packed-so-full-it-hurts Marangu day trip won’t just be the caffeine.
Immerse yourself in traditional town life for a day, the Marangu way.
We’ll leave Moshi first thing in the morning, skirting Kilimanjaro’s foothills with the rising sun on our right. Our first stop is the Marangu Gate at 1900m, which is the starting point for the Marangu climbing route. It’s an amazing start to your day; a weird mixture of the quiet calm of the green montaine forest and the tense excitement of the climbers about to ascend Kilimanjaro. The mood is catching and we may have to bustle you back into the van before you take off up the mountain!
Your nose will tell you about our second stop before we get there. Marangu is coffee country, and the beans are locally grown, blended and roasted. We’ll stop at a bijou coffee farm, where you’ll learn how the locals grow, harvest and process their coffee beans that grow in this perfect climate. You’ll even get the chance to try your hand at roasting and preparing your own cup of lovely, fresh coffee.
All this culture is probably giving you an appetite, so our next stop is for a tasty and traditionally Chagga lunch at our favourite little restaurant, where you’ll be served a hot meal (veggies catered for!).
Next, we’ll depart for the Ndoro Waterfalls for some post-prandial fresh air. The thirty-minute hike to the base of the waterfall will lead us through lush green forest and a steep climb down to the rocks. Enjoy the sparkling waters tumbling down the falls from the rockside or take a refreshing dip in the pool itself.
A dark contrast is a visit to the extensive Chagga Underground Caves, built by the Chagga to keep them safe from the Masaai who, in earlier times, migrated up the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro to enslave or kill them. We’ll spend a fascinating hour or so at the Chagga Live Museum, an outdoor space which will give you further insight into traditional Chagga life. The wandering goats lend some added authenticity! We’ll round off this action-packed day with a cheeky banana beer or naughty glass of banana wine - this is banana country, after all, so make the most of it!
You’ll get a nice sit down as we casually motor back to Moshi; we won’t complain if you have a crafty snooze on the way although there’s always something to see as we wind through the villages, foothills and roadways home. You’ll have experienced so much in such a short time, you deserve a rest.

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


text: Comments: Silver 2018 Toyota Camry LE FWD 8-Speed Automatic 2.5L I4 DOHC 16V Black w/Fabric Seat Trim. Recent Arrival! One Owner. Clean Carfax. 28/39 City/Highway MPG. Perfect Choice For An Uber Or Lyft Driver. Remaining Factory Warranty.


text:
How does the court decide if spousal support should be awarded in Colorado?
Alimony, known as "spousal maintenance" in Colorado, is not the entitlement of either spouse. The court takes into account factors such as property owned and the ability to work before making the decision to award it.
What is a legal separation and how long does it take to obtain on in Colarado?

industry_corpus2: Law & Justice


text:
Covering over 45,000 square feet, you are going to be very hard pressed to find another land based casino venue in the North East of England that has such a huge amount of floor space than the Aspers Newcastle Casino site. This is one of the easiest to access sites and attracts customers from as far away as Scotland on are regular basis!
The reason why many gamers flock to play here is simple, this entire venue oozes class, and has been designed to offer everyone a relaxed atmosphere and a venue where you are going to be able to access and play exactly the type of casino games that interest you, for stake levels you are comfortable to play those games for, and some mega sized jackpots are also on offer and regularly won!
There are lots of special deals and promotions always available at this casino venue, as they have an excellent restaurant then why not make an evening of it and take advantage of their special promotion which will see two customers being able to have a slap up meal with one of those meals costing just one penny!
Make sure if you do visit this venue you take part in their Spin for a Million competition, you could win an instant cash prize worth £2500.00 simply by taking part and with prizes paid out instantly then if Lady Luck does smile on you, when taking part in this free to enter competition you really could be in the money without risking a penny of your own money!
There are three levels of the casino, in each area you will find a unique collection of games to play. This casino venue has progressive slot machines and slots offering large instantly won jackpots and all manner of different base and bonus games. You will also find plenty of different card and table games on offer so playing Roulette or Blackjack is always possible, and for stake levels that shouldn’t break your bank!
Can You Play Poker at the Aspers New castle Casino?
An area of the Aspers Newcastle Casino venue has been set aside for Poker players, and as such if you want to take part in a cash ring Poker game or take part in one of the many different Poker Tournaments being held here, you are always going to find a game structured to your liking.
The casino never closes and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and as mentioned about is very easy to get to by any form of transport. The address is Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne and the post code if you are coming in a car and wish to let the Sat Nav do all the work for you is NE1 4XQ. You will also find direct bus services and public transport links are also available, so if you are planning on having a drink you will also be able to get back safe and sound!

industry_corpus2: Gaming


text:
Have you ever felt like something was just "yours"? Not a tangible item that you posses but just something that is yours because you feel that your connection with an aspect of it means that you can claim it?
I feel like that with many things but one of the biggest things I consider "mine" is the show "Friends". I am so in love with this show and have been since about 1997. Before you could purchase the episodes, I recorded every one on VHS tapes, then I purchased the actual VHS tapes when they were available. I purchased every game I could find and you best believe I own every single episode of Friends that there is to have on DVD.
"Friends" has been a friend to me as well (how original). Through hard times in my life when I didn't want to leave the house or see people or just wanted to laugh, I could still enjoy my night curled up in my bed, laughing at the familiar episodes that I know by heart and love dearly. I can never pick a favorite cast mate but I can give you a full bio on any of them, tell you their likes and dislikes and read off their dating history as if I'm talking about my best friend. I just love the show. No apologies ever, no shame in my adoration- I love Friends and it has always felt like it was mine.
Well last week (and I'm sparing you a huge story because I realized I can't tell the story without every.single.moot.detail - or if you watch Friends religiously, I mean every.single.moo.detail - see it here), Matthew Perry was in Portland. And guess what? I met him. This was after finding out he was here, sprinting to that restaurant downtown, running upstairs to find him in a very intimate setting in an expensive restaurant where I should not have been, and approaching his table when he was mid-meal, embarrassing myself by asking and dealing with him a bit perturbed that I interrupted him (sorry Chandler, I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn't bothered you) and coaxing him to take a picture. But guess what? I now have my picture, I met, spoke with and put my arm around one of my favorite actors and have the memory of seeing his face turn, look and interact with ME! After all these years of watching him on the show.
I don't even care that the picture is so ugly and I pretty much hate it- don't care, don't care.
There's Matthew Perry standing next to me.
Also- how about them Ducks?
National Championship here we come!!!
First two images of the Friends cast found here.
hey has anyone ever told you you're really good at backward complimenting...and i say this is the most nicest way. your two comments just now said and i quote..."i love stupid days like this." what made that certain day of mine "stupid"? and then cute outfit but " i would look most like chaz bono." so how does that make my outfit cute? lol. just thought i'd point that out.
very cool that you met matthew perry. i adore him but not because of friends. he was in one of my fav movies fools rush in.
don't worry it wasn't rude...it was funny. that's why i wrote "in the kindest way" because it made me laugh...in a good way. promise!
I'm so jealous you met Chandler! (Moo point is classic. Love that episode!) Totally rooting for you in the Championship!
I'm super proud of you for chasing him down and getting your way! You're right--you never would have forgiven yourself if you hadn't. Awesome!
Amazing! That is how I would feel if I met any of the Harry Potter characters. Nerd alert!
nice post! I like your blog. hope you will become a follower of my blog too?
ps and don't forget to join my giveaway!
AWESOME CELEB SITING. I miss Friends so much.
"Chanandelor bong, we steal that tv guide every week!"
"actually, it's MISS Chanandelor Bong"
that is the most exciting! That is how I feel about Conan if he was in Tempe ever. I love Friends so much too and I loved all the little friend-isms you used!
i love that you met matthew perry!!! chandler and monica were my favorite "friends" relationship! and i think i might have had a slight crush on chandler too i might add...haha.
that's so cool that you got to meet him! was he nice?!
also forgive me for being nosey, but do you have any updates on that job in chicago? i continue to cross my fingers for you!!
I'm not a Friends fan but I am TOTALLY IN AWE of this post because I think celeb sightings are AMAZING!! Best story ever.
And how hot are you in your ducks gear? Flattering colors for sure, m'dear!
Oh man, how much I love my Ms. Chandandler Bong!
I ADORE Friends and I am so jealous that you got to meet him in person!


text:
Keep your earplugs in top notch condition and help extend their wearable life with the use of specially formulated cleaning products.
The Auritech Complete Earplug Cleaning Kit is the perfect accessory for use with all types of reusable ear plugs & hearing aids. Reusable and filtered ear plugs require regular cleaning to perform at their highest level and also to reduce the risk of ear infections with regular use. This Cleaning Kit Includes: 12 x Cleaning Tablets 1 x 50ml Bottle of Cleaning Fluid 1 x Precision Air Blower 1 x Cerumen Removal Tool Also comes with east-to-follow step-by-step instructions on cleaning and caring for your reusable ear plugs.
50ml cleaning solution for all of your non electronic hearing devices and reusable hearing protection.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


text:
of Google for many really great keywords like “wedding bands Cork” etc.
Ian wanted to try adwords to target the areas that he didn’t have a strong organic ranking for, like the rest of the counties in Munster as well as some counties in Lower Leinster. Because of the sheer volume of enquiries that he receives on a daily basis it’s pretty tedious to go through all of the conversions and see which leads became clients, so Ian Judged the campaigns success on his yearly bookings target, in other words the number of gigs he wanted to book in a given year. In 2014 he had reached his target by August, we started his adwords campaign in late October of the same year.
We also created custom landing pages using unbounce, so that we could A/B test them and optimize the conversion rate. The call to action on the landing pages was “check availability” and the user is prompted to fill in their name, phone, email, wedding date and venue.
If the user didn’t fill out the lead/enquiry form they were re-marketed to through the adwords display network, so for instance if they visited websites like RTE.ie and Breakingnews.ie they saw a display ad for the Ian Hendrick band.
The user was also re-marketed to using YouTube, if they went to watch a video on YouTube a video of Ian Hendrick performing played before their chosen video, they had the option to skip the video after 5 seconds and Ian only paid for a view if they watched 30 seconds or more.
In layman’s terms this is how it worked: when someone searched for a wedding band they found Ian on the first page of Google, when they visited other websites they were shown a graphic reminding them of how cool Ian looks when he is performing and when they watched a video on YouTube, a video of Ian rocking out reminded them that they needed to book the Ian Hendrick Band ASAP before their Wedding date was gone.
What were the results of the PPC campaign I hear you ask? By the end of March 2015 he had achieved the same number of bookings as he had by August 2014. So in 3 months of 2015 he achieved the same number of bookings as in 8 months in 2014. Boom!


text:
Increasing globalization and the rise of social media have resulted in a more integrated world, with correspondingly more complex social networks and relationships among economies, societies, organisations and individuals.
How then can such invaluable social capital be more optimally cultivated and how do successful leaders utilize their social networks and resources? To an overwhelming record number of participants who poured into a full lecture hall, Prof Henrik Bresman, Academic Director of the HEAD Foundation, offered greater clarity and enlightening insights from his research into this very topical issue.
He started with an explanation of what constituted social capital and actively engaged the audience through some thought exercises on the important linkages within social networks, the different types of social networks and how they can help to address certain situations. Most importantly, he emphasized that in building successful social capital, sincerity, along with a long term perspective and a respect for reciprocity, are critically important factors to make it work.


text: Album was composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi / Hisayoshi Ogura / Motoaki Furukawa / Shinji Hosoe / Yuzo Koshiro and was released on June 18, 2016. Soundtrack consists of 48 tracks tracks with duration over . Album was released by SuperSweep.


text:
The camera station of the Geodetic Institute of Delft University of Technology has participated in a number of internationally coordinated geodetic satellite observation programmes. In a previous publication contributions to several international observation programmes were discussed. The present publication concentrates on the methods and formulas applied for the reduction of observations made for the European Short Arc Observation Programme (SAOP). These photographic satellite observations have been made at two observing-sites i.e. Delft-Ypenburg and Kootwijk, in the period April 1971-April 1974.
Some results of observations and computations are given.

industry_corpus2: Technology & Research


text:
Plataran Canggu located in Canggu Villa ,neighboring of seminyak . Plataran canggu offers guests a unique and truly relaxing location to enjoy your break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This is a magical oasis set amidst lush gardens offers you a respite from Bali’s often hectic pace.
Each authentically decorated villa offers guests plenty of space including private gardens and swimming pools. Clad with traditional Alang-Alang roofs antique carved doorways - to say this property is unique is an understatement of great proportions. No noise and no distractions - just personalized, attentive service.With Padma Spa offering onsite pampering and Patio restaurant bringing the flavors of Bali’s street right to your villa - there are few reasons to ever leave. For those wanting to venture out - while the resorts atmosphere is a far cry from the crowds and hectic pace that can so often overwhelm Balinese holiday seekers, Plataran Canggu Bali remains just a 15-minute drive to Echo Beach and many Bali’s popular dining and shopping areas.We are delighted to make your experience with Plataran even more enjoyable with our English, French, Russian, Korean, Dutch and Italian speaking associates.


text:
Being an affiliate photographer and offering only Sew Trendy Accessories gowns, no matter what your wardrobe needs are, the studio gown collection has a variety of styles, colors and fit that you are sure to love. I offer them at no charge for my clients session because you deserve gorgeous and nothing but the best!
Interested in purchasing your own gown, specificaly made for you and cut to length?
The magic of motherhood is such a beautiful time. Let's celebrate and document your captivating glow and radiance. If ever there is a time to entrust yourself to the hands of a professional photographer, it is now.
FITTED GOWN WITH A JEWEL CUT NECKLINE. that can be adorned with jewelry or the camel, lace poncho.
THIS GOWN IS A MODEST MAMA GOWN. IT CAN BE WORN AS A HIGH NECK OR V-NECK. GORGEOUS ALINE BOTTOM.
I am always adding to the studio wardrobe collection! I will keep this post updated as new gowns arrive and are photographed. My collection is exclusively Sew Trendy Accessories, they are the industry leader in gorgeous maternity gowns.


text:
The world's first expressway section paved with solar panels, which opened for trial service in Jinan, Shandong province, on December 28, is undergoing repairs, Qilu Transportation Development Group said on Monday.
The construction work triggered rumors the expressway is being demolished.
Responding to the rumors, the company that built it said construction workers are repairing the asphalt and concrete layers under the solar panels so they can provide better support.
After more than eight months of use, the asphalt and concrete layers had exhibited problems including loosening, overflowing, piling up and cavitation caused by factors such as rainfall and heavy vehicles.
Some solar panels that were deformed by the bad asphalt and concrete layers will also be replaced.
Qilu Transportation Development built the 1,120-meter section of expressway for testing and to collect scientific data. Previous reports said the 5,874-square-meter area paved with solar panels has a peak power generating capacity of 817.2 kilowatts and a designed service life of 20 years.