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The future of unions in a rapidly shifting economy

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey's speech to the 2016 NSW Labor Conference in Sydney.

Delegates, the Prime Minister tells us we live in exciting times.

He’s right.  But there is a difference between the change that excites us – and the change that motivates them.

And I think it is demonstrating this difference that will define the success of Labor in the years ahead.

If we are to confidently and visibly reclaim our core values, then we must fearlessly assert our role as a true Labour Movement.

We must proudly display an indivisible unity of purpose between working people, their industrial interests, and their political interests.

We know this unity is under attack.

Moery_speaking.jpgThe conservatives have been using the power of office to launch an assault against our movement.

They have pinpointed not just unions - but the very principles of Unionism - as their targets.

Specifically, they are cynically targeting the link between the Australian Labor Party - and the broader Labour Movement.

There is no greater political goal for the Coalition than to sever this link.

And from their perspective - this makes tactical sense.

But make no mistake, it is purely a tactic.

No one, not even the Tories, genuinely thinks that weakening unions will benefit the economy - let alone the average Australian.

A glance at the data from across the world shows zero evidence for the weakening of unions being associated with productivity gains.

A beaten-down, powerless workforce does not deliver national economic success.

The wealthiest, happiest nations on earth are the ones where workers can collectivise and negotiate with their employers.

Where working people have political power.

If unions were an impediment to economic success, the US National Bureau of Economic Research would not find a ‘strong link’ between the power of unions and the well-being of the middle class.

Australia would not have just enjoyed 25 years of uninterrupted economic growth through the Accord.

So let’s set aside any notion that the Liberals are committed to weakening unions out of ideological purity.

No, they want to break the link between the union movement and the political party it built, because it is this link - this stubborn, bastard of a link - that holds firm every time they try to change Australia into some kind of neocon experiment.

When they want to drop the minimum wage or get rid of it entirely.

When they want to cut penalty rates.

When they want to cut pensions and increase the age of retirement.

When they want to strip welfare from those who desperately need it.

Or eradicate workplace rights. Or get rid of public holidays. Or reduce the tax responsibilities of corporations and the wealthy. Or slash funding for schools and hospitals. Or remove the barriers that protect foreign guest workers from exploitation.

The elites have tried to snatch power and wealth away from working people for over 100 years. But we must not let them.

And in a rapidly shifting economy, it has never been more important to stop them.

Because in a dynamic global environment - it would be absolutely foolish to assume the historical role of organized labour cannot - and will not - trend back upward again.

None of this excuses the need for change and evolution.

Australian trade unionists recognise when change is needed in our own backyard.

We know we have to drive a more effective growth agenda, to identify new and modern ways of engaging a rapidly shifting workforce.

And we know the ALP should never be beholden to every union and to every union ask.

But we should never allow dubious attacks on our values and purpose to cloud our thinking.  Particularly in the field of ‘innovation.’

This is where there is room for Labor to be doing a better job at differentiating ourselves from the Liberals.

Because when the likes of Mr Turnbull and Mr Baird spout enthusiastically about innovation - they do so very authentically.

As former merchant bankers their enthusiasm is obvious.

When they lick their lips and talk about disruptive opportunities, start-ups, entrepreneurial risk taking, and being allowed to fail - they mean it.

They can smell the opportunity for someone like them - and the people they know - to make a killing.

It’s the same combination of self-interest and callousness that has guided conservatives for centuries.

They just want to create conditions favourable to their tiny elite group of mates.

From there they assume everything else will trickle down or not.

They don’t really care.

That’s why we need to ensure when working people hear Labor talk about innovation – they are not hearing something that’s basically identical to the Liberals.

We need to have more than a sliver of light between our philosophical approach to the subject and our opponents.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with having an ambition to become a “start-up nation” - we need to think very long and very hard about what this means for our people - for working people.

Start-ups often pay much less than established companies.

A start-up salary looks riskier - so getting a mortgage is harder.

Start-ups don’t always offer decent employment rights like long service leave or above-award super.

And there is scant data to show that all entrepreneurial start-ups are a driver of economic growth - or of job creation.

So if we - as Labor - enthusiastically throw our weight behind the idea of making Australia a “start-up nation” – we must also turn our minds to what the average working Australian makes of it?

What a nurse makes of it? A garbage collector, a social worker, a police officer, a childcare worker, a truck driver, a train driver, or a classroom teacher?

People who have little opportunity to start a start-up.

But people who instead see a great virtue in using their efforts to do jobs that are directly and tangibly useful to their fellow Australians.

They may not ever be bought-out by Google.

But their work makes a profound difference in real lives in real communities.

We should never accept these workers should have their wages frozen or reduced while we make it easier for the privileged to try - and to fail.

The big score - the big dream - is not the only thing worth chasing.

We should not accept the idea that if you’re not surfing the crest of the wave – then you should be left to flounder in its wake.

Pure, naked capitalism - the type revered as a religion by those in the Liberal Party - creates this kind of system.

But Australia has been built on different values.

We are a nation built on the principle that if you do an honest day’s work - if you participate in and contribute to our society - then you are entitled to a comfortable and dignified life.

And your family is too.

And if you’re doing your best we won't leave you behind either.

That’s the Australian dream, our movement’s dream.

That’s why, unlike the Coalition, we will not project a view that the decent work of those who aren’t start-up entrepreneurs is somehow secondary.

Unlike the Coalition we are interested in the street level of our economy.

We do not see average wage earners only as potential payers of GST.

When it comes to innovation - we understand our role is to not just see it through the lens of what it delivers for the entrepreneurs - but for the bulk of workers and their families.

Unlike Baird and Turnbull we will not be content with cheering on the potential winners of disruption and innovation.

We have an obligation to focus on the potential fall guys of this change too.

That’s our role.

And we can only do it - just as we have done in the past - by being clear about our values and our unity of purpose across the Labor Movement.

Caring about the interests of working people for Labor people is not about electoral expediency.

Unions and Labor care about working people because it is our reason for being.

When we see this clearly - everything else becomes clear too.

Perhaps a Labor focus on innovation, instead of supporting the idea of whizz kid entrepreneurs or risky start-ups, might emphasise more strongly the role of public sector research.

After all, the public sector has a pretty fine record in terms of innovation breakthroughs.

The American Space Program has served up some pretty decent concepts over the years.

Closer to home, the CSIRO had a pretty tidy idea when it came to Wi-Fi and hundreds of others.

And this sector is a little more reliable when it comes to providing a diverse range of quality employment that allows working people to build their lives and the lives of their families.

This of course, would be heresy to the Liberals.

They supposedly love innovation, but somehow find a way to tear research and development spending to shreds every time they’re in office.

Peter Costello trashed R&D funding during the Howard era - and R&D took a brutal hit in the current government’s first budget.

Just last week we some 350 CSIRO staff learnt they would be sacked by the Turnbull Government.

This is where Labor can be boldly different.

We can make it very clear that, to us, innovation is not about lionising a handful of gold medallists who claim glory.

We champion a more collaborative and inclusive way of playing the game so there is a benefit to our community.

Friends, we need to be working at the challenge of fostering and growing innovation as a unified Labour movement.

That is the very clear and obvious line between where we stand on the future - and where the Tories do.

And I have complete confidence that we have the principles and the smarts in this movement to be drawing that line very, very sharply.

Thank you.


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Stupid Questions

There are no stupid questions, educators like to say, but that’s clearly a lie. I’m no stranger to stupid questions. Anyone who works with the public has probably heard plenty of questions eliciting an eye roll or shaking of the head. Of course, we think we’ve heard it all until the next one comes along. I didn’t think I was capable of being surprised but in about 30 minutes one September afternoon, I heard two of the dumbest questions to ever stimulate my eardrums.

I walked out of the back door of the mercantile, step stool in hand, ready to close the yurt’s windows. An SUV was stopped on the road between the mercantile and the camp host’s site. A woman jumped out of the SUV, smiled, and said hi to me. I greeted her, and she asked, The ones with the open signs? Are they open?

She was referring to campsites. Any campsite that’s not been reserved is marked with a sign that reads “open.” Apparently the woman didn’t trust signs and didn’t believe the campsites clearly marked “open” were actually available. I didn’t trust myself to answer her question without saying something snarky, so I simply directed her to the camp host.

After closing the windows, I went back inside and told the mercantile manager what the woman had asked me. We shook our heads and rolled our eyes and felt assured this one took the cake.

But wait! There’s more!

Just as the manager was about to shut the doors for the day, a car pulled into the parking area in front of the store. The people in the car wanted to walk the trail, so the manager said we could sell them the access pass before we closed the register.  The tourist lady was talking a mile a minute as she walked up the ramp to the mercantile. She must have asked the manager what the platforms throughout the campground were for. The manager said, yurts, but before she could explain what a yurt was or say that the actual structures had been taken down for the winter, the tourist lady busted out with Do you have to bring your own yurt?

Perhaps the woman didn’t know what exactly a yurt is. Maybe she` thought “yurt” is just another name for “tent.” She must not have known that yurts are big (the ones the company I work for rents out to campers are 15 feet in diameter) and expensive. While yurts are movable, it’s quite a bit of work to set one up, then take it down. Most people probably don’t have a yurt and those that do probably aren’t traveling with them.

I couldn’t help giggling a little when I heard the woman ask if she needed to bring her own yurt. I had settled my face into a neutral expression by the time the woman entered the store. I took her money and handed her an access pass, and she went on her way.

Bring your own yurt? the manager and I said to each other and laughed. This question really did take the cake.

I’d planned to end this post here, but on my last weekend working at the parking lot, I got what is quite possibly the stupidest question ever. I can’t imagine a dumber question, but then again, people never cease to amaze me.

I was working at the parking lot on the very last day of the season. The sky was hazy with smoke from a wildfire fifty miles away. The fire had been burning for at least a week, and every morning, the sky was hazy from its smoke. By the afternoon, the smoke cleared and the sky was blue until the sun set.

All day people had been asking about the smoke and the air quality. Campers from one campground I was covering decided not to stay another night because they were worried about hiking the next morning with smoke in the air. Honestly, I don’t know if the air quality was dangerous. No one bothered to give me that information. We were’t wading through low-lying smoke and there was no ash falling on our heads, so the air quality seemed ok to me.

A car pulled into the parking lot, and I wasn’t surprised when the passenger’s first question was about the smoke. It’s what she asked that earned her the distinction of stupidest question ever.

Is the smoke from fire?

I didn’t even ask her if it’s possible for smoke to come from any other source.

About Blaize Sun

My name is Blaize Sun. Maybe that's the name my family gave me; maybe it's not. In any case, that's the name I'm using here and now. I've been a rubber tramp for nearly a decade.I like to see places I've never seen before, and I like to visit the places I love again and again. For most of my years on the road, my primary residence was my van. For almost half of the time I was a van dweller, I was going it alone. Now my (male) partner and I (a woman) have a travel trailer we can pull with our truck. We have a little piece of property, and when we're not traveling, we park our little camper there. I was a work camper in a remote National Forest recreation area on a mountain for four seasons. I was a camp host and parking lot attendant for two seasons and wrote a book about my experiences called Confessions of a Work Camper: Tales from the Woods. During the last two seasons as a work camper on that mountain, I was a clerk in a campground store. I'm also a house and pet sitter, and I pick up odd jobs when I can. I'm primarily a writer, but I also create beautiful little collages; hand make hemp jewelry and warm, colorful winter hats; and use my creative and artistic skills to decorate my life and brighten the lives of others. My goal (for my writing and my life) is to be real. I don't like fake, and I don't want to share fake. I want to share my authentic thoughts and feelings. I want to give others space and permission to share their authentic selves. Sometimes I think the best way to support others is to leave them alone and allow them to be. I am more than just a rubber tramp artist. I'm fat. I'm funny. I'm flawed. I try to be kind. I'm often grouchy. I am awed by the stars in the dark desert night. I hope my writing moves people. If my writing makes someone laugh or cry or feel angry or happy or troubled or comforted, I have done my job. If my writing makes someone think and question and try a little harder, I've done my job. If my writing opens a door for someone, changes a life, I have done my job well. I hope you enjoy my blog posts, my word and pictures, the work I've done to express myself in a way others will understand. I hope you appreciate the time and energy I put into each post. I hope you will click the like button each time you like what you have read. I hope you will share posts with the people in your life. I hope you'll leave a comment and share your authentic self with me and this blog's other readers. Thank you for reading.  A writer without readers is very sad indeed.

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Documents for Investors

The consolidated financial statements of Russian Helicopters are prepared in accordance with IFRS twice a year.

Company and its subsidiaries prepare separate financial statements under Russian Accounting Standards and disclose other information in accordance to Russian legislation as well.

© 2019 ‘Russian Нelicopters, JSC’
115054, Bolshaya Pionerskaya, 1, Moscow, Russia


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Russian Legitimist Wishes a Very Happy Birthday to the Head of the Russian Imperial House!

Screen Shot 2018-12-24 at 8.42.38 AM.png

On December 23, 2018, the Head of the Russian Imperial House, the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia celebrates her 65th birthday at her home in Madrid.

Congratulations to Her Imperial Highness from all of us at the Russian Legitimist, and we join the many groups around the world who pray for her health and happiness. Molebens were offered and other commemorations celebrated on her behalf around the world in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sydney.

To the Grand Duchess, many years!


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• A Town Hall with Coach Nick Saban

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    Name: A Town Hall with Coach Nick Saban
    Date: May 7, 2019
    Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
    Event Description:
    “A Town Hall with Coach Nick Saban” has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. Saban is a two-time Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year recipient (2003 and 2008) and guided the Crimson Tide to its sixth SEC Championship and a berth in the National Championship game. The event is sponsored by Hunt, Guillot, and Associates and Hunt Forest Products, LLC. Doors will open at 11 AM and the program will begin at 12 Noon. The format of the hour-long town hall with Saban will be a moderated Q&A session with prepared questions and there will be a few questions taken from the attendees.
    Eddie G. Robinson Museum 126 Jones St, Grambling, LA 71245
    Date/Time Information:
    May 7, 2019 Doors open at 11 AM The one hour event begins at 12 PM
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Rye advances to semis

A slow start wasn’t enough to slow down Rye’s hockey team on Feb. 19, as a physically relentless Garnets team was able to shake off some early rust to earn a convincing 6-2 win over Byram Hills in the Division II quarterfinal round.

The victory, which puts the Garnets just one game away from a shot at a Section I title, was further proof of Rye’s resilience, a trait they’ve shown in spades all season long.

The visiting Bobcats struck first on Tuesday afternoon, netting an early power play goal to take a 1-0 lead just six minutes into regulation. But with just under three minutes to play in the first period, Declan Lavelle evened the score at 1-1.

Danny Fitzgibbons brings the puck along the boards. Photos/Mike Smith

Despite the score, however, Rye head coach Peter Thomas felt that his team—which outshot the Bobcats 11-3 in the stanza— was simply readjusting to the speed of the varsity game in the first 15 minutes. The Garnets had not played since Feb. 9, Thomas explained, so it was only natural that it would take some time for his skaters to find their rhythm.

“It’s tough because we had been off for almost two weeks, and even though we had been practicing, that’s a long layoff,” Thomas told the Review. “I think we were a little bit flat to start off, but I knew we had the ability to break through.”

The Garnets did just that in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to essentially put the game out of reach. In addition to a Lavelle hat trick, Rye also got a big game from sophomore Liam Hurley, who had two goals and two assists on the afternoon. Annabelle Thomas made eight saves, and six different Garnets tallied assists in total.

But it was Lavelle’s physical play—more than his goal-scoring—that Peter Thomas believed ultimately set the tone for the Garnet win. Rye routinely outmuscled Byram Hills for the puck, the head coach pointed out, and it was the junior captain leading the charge.

“It’s been a huge part of what Declan brings to the table and one of the things we were lacking early on,” Thomas said. “He’s been out there playing that physical, grind-it-out hockey and a lot of guys see that and it’s become a part of what we’ve done.”

That enthusiasm for physical play helped lift Rye out of a terrible midseason slump which saw the Garnets go winless in nine consecutive contests. After turning things around, Rye finished the season with a 9-8-2 record and secured the No. 3 seed in the Division II playoffs.

“This is a stronger group than we may have had in years past, and they have shown the ability to overcome adversity,” Thomas said. “During that rough stretch in the middle, we may not have been getting rewarded with wins, but we saw the guys improving each night.”

The Garnets biggest test is still ahead of them, however. On Feb. 21, Rye will take on top-seeded Pelham at the Ice Hutch in the playoff semifinals. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw on Jan. 30 and will look to reignite their rivalry with a trip to the section finals on the line.

“There’s no secret to Pelham’s success; they give all-out effort on every shift,’ Thomas said. “We need to be willing to match that and exceed it, and also take care of the puck on our own end.”

Digital Chair - Websites for The Modern Westchester Business


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You have reached the portfolio website of

Sam Smith

Insurrectionary ecologist and local-universe problem-solver

Here’s What I do:

Coffee Bean

Open-Source Infrastructure Development

Coffee Bean

Ecological Design Consulting For Tiny Homes and Vehicles

Coffee Bean

Disruptively USeful Media Production

My passion is developing low-cost, easy-to-build infrastructure that allows people to harness the natural flows of resources and energy present in all ecosystems and enables humans to meet their needs for food, water, shelter, energy, waste processing, and information without ecological damage. All of my design work is available open-source, and you can support that work by becoming a Patron. I also do custom infrastructure design consulting and 3D modeling for tiny homes, vehicle conversions, and off-grid land projects on a case by case basis. If you’d like my help on a project, or would just like to make contact, get in touch by filling out the form below!

Get in touch!

5 + 9 =

Here are some Things I’ve done:

“Overview” – 2019

“Overview” is an hour long music video that goes through the history of the Universe, from the big bang to present.

Recycled Plastic 3D Printer

I’ve been developing an open-source, easy-to-build large-format 3D printer designed to print directly from recycled plastic flakes instead of filament.

Metabolizer – 2018-Present

Metabolizer is an experimental waste-to-energy system and recycling center powered by waste biomass. It can literally “eat” trash, and use the energy it contains to shred and recycle plastics, produce liquid fuels, and generate electricity.

The Magic Tool Bus – 2018-Present

The Magic Tool Bus is a 25-ft former TRIMET shuttle bus that we have converted into a mobile maker lab and off-grid tiny home. It is an exploration in off-grid mobile infrastructure, with solar power, heat, water, and lots and lots of tools.

Precious Plastic Machine Building – 2017-Present

Precious Plastic is a movement to design and distribute open-source, small-scale plastic recycling machines. In 2017 I built the PP shredder, and more recently I’ve been developing a 3D printer that prints directly from recycled plastic flakes.

Portland POD Initiative – 2016

The Portland POD Initiative was an open design challenge put on by a coalition of organizations and advocacy groups to develop a series of low-cost sleeping pod designs to be used as the basis for villages as a response to the houselessness crisis.

Entrainment – 2016

Entrainment is an interactive exploration of the phenomenon of heartbeat entrainment. By visualizing heartbeats as pulses of light and vibration, Entrainment challenges participants to see if they can sync their heartbeats with one another.

Communiversity 2014-2015

From 2014-2015 we ran an experimental community-based experiential education program. Participants crafted community projects of their choice and were supported with by a community of mentors and weekly check-ins and goal-setting sessions.

Community Supported Everything- 2012-2015

Community Supported Everything was a community organization, meeting hub, and project incubator, focused on facilitating community projects by holding space and connecting people with the support and resources for their projects.

Occupy Tomorrow 2011-2012

After the Occupy Portland camp was evicted in November 2011, we organized a series of community events that brought neighbors together to discuss issues of community, ecology, economy, non-violent resistance, and mutual aid.

Lonely Dinosaur T-shirts -2008-2016

After graduating college, I co-founded a t-shirt screenprinting and design business. We made and sold organic cotton t-shirts online and at Portland Saturday Market from 2007 until 2016, when we closed the business to pursue new things.

Colorado College – 2004-2008

I graduated from Colorado College in 2008 with a B.A. in English with a Film Track. The focus of my film track and thesis work was in documentary filmmaking.


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Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

March 19, 2015

Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Accessory

Featuring products developed by notable designers the rich Samsung accessory eco-system enhances built on fashion forward mobile experience

SEOUL, Korea – March 19, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, today announced the rich accessory collection for the new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. This robust portfolio of accessories will offer people the freedom to customize their mobile experiences to fit their personal style while enhancing the beautiful and purposeful design of Samsung’s newest devices.
“Samsung has a long history of designer partnerships and an unparalleled understanding of how technology enhances fashion and how fashion inspires technology,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “The premium accessory collection for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge represents our commitment to uniting the worlds of fashion and technology. Samsung has and will continue to pursue and create innovative, meaningful collaborations with the fashion industry that resonate with the ever-evolving consumer and provide them with essential tools for self-expression.”

The latest accessory collection will feature designers and brands that share Samsung’s goal of authentically merging fashion and technology through accessories, thereby providing consumers with diverse ways to express their style and personalize their devices.
The richness of this collection is representative of Designed for Samsung Program that has enhanced the brand’s abilities to work with partners to introduce such a broad range of accessories with the new products’ launch.
Partners for the Rich Accessory Collection includes:

• Burton: Burton has fueled the growth of snowboarding worldwide through its groundbreaking product lines for active men and women. Now through its collection for Samsung, Burton continues its momentum with vibrant protective covers inspired by two of the brands most popular print designs.

• Swarovski: Building on a longstanding relationship with Samsung, Swarovski has developed a colorful series of premium, protective, crystal-embellished covers that reflects the different shades of glass in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.

• Montblanc: Samsung and Montblanc continue their exclusive collaborative relationship, combining Montblanc’s heritage of luxury and craftsmanship with the breakthrough technological innovations of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge featuring a collection of leather made cases and flip covers designed in the montblanc manufacture in Italy.

• Rebecca Minkoff: As an industry leader in luxury handbags, accessories, footwear and apparel, Rebecca Minkoff’s playful and subtly edgy flower print protective cover and leather pouch designs seamlessly enhance the beautiful and innovative Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.

• Romero Britto: International pop artist Romero Britto has partnered with Samsung for their first-ever artist collaboration. Britto has brought his signature visual language of vibrant colors and expressive imagery to unique, clear covers for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.
“My art brings a feeling of happiness, love, joy and passion,” said Romero Britto. “Everything starts with passion and inspiration, and my inspiration for the design was all-encompassing of everything Samsung does in terms of forward-thinking technology. It’s a great honor to partner with a company like Samsung that I share a common vision with ? a vision of having as many people share and enjoy our designs as possible.”

This range of functional and stylish accessories will also feature an array of additional products that will complement the sleek, fashion forward and purposeful design of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. The extended collection will include a clear view cover, clear cover, S view cover, flip wallet, protective cover, wireless charger and external battery pack.
The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge accessories will be available on the Samsung Online Store and other retail locations at the time of Galaxy S6 launch. Full details and product images are available at

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

Samsung Debuts Rich Accessory Collection for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. We employ 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at and our official blog at


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Contact Us
P.O. Box 91
430 Topsail Rd.
St. John's, NL A1E 4N1
Phone: (709) 579 2022

SANL Camp Staff

Divisional Youth Secretaries: Capts. Sheldon and Ashley Bungay

Camp Director: Kristy Moss

The DYS' and Camp Director are supported by a wonderful operational staff who work hard on the upkeep of our camps and provide great public service, as well as a talented and vibrant Program Team.

Our Program Team includes our Program Director, Assistant Program Director/Bible Coordinator, Recreation Director, Timothy Program Coordinator/Head Counsellor, 3 Lifeguards, a Camp Nurse who is our designated first aid provider, as well as 6 male and 6 female cabin counsellors to ensure your child has the best time at camp and most importantly is properly supervised and cared for.


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A Quick Programming Note

By: Rob Humbracht

Hi there Savvy Premeds,

We’re trying an experiment. Over the next three months, we’re writing a series of articles aimed at younger pre-meds (even as young as high school students!). As a preview of coming attractions, we’re planning to unveil:

  • The lowdown on Bacc/MD programs

  • The first-ever rankings system for the Best Colleges to Be Pre-Med

  • Advice to younger students about how to get into medical school

If you’re several years from the application process, you’re in luck! This content should be right up your alley.

But we don’t want to leave those of you in the throes of the application process hanging. We’ll alternate the new content with analyses of secondary essays and several interview-related pieces to help move you along.

In other words, bear with us while we try something a little different.

Rob, Ryan, Margaret, and the gang at Savvy Premed


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Expository preaching at SBC

We invite you to listen to the sermons preached at SBC. All preaching is done in the expository style from a Reformed perspective (please read more about our beliefs on the What We Believe page). You can use the links to the right to find sermons in a particular series or on particular topics. You can also subscribe at the bottom of the page. Please click on a sermon title if you would like to view and download the sermon notes.
You can read more about expository preaching on the Pastor’s Teachings page, in the “Teaching Notes and Handouts” section.

Recent Sermons

January 2014

Titus 3:12-15

Titus 3:1-11 – Part II

Titus 3:1-11 – Part I

December 2013

Titus 2:11-14 – Part III


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The 4th Trimester

They say that there are only 3 trimesters and 9 months required to sacrifice your body in order to have a baby. They act like it all ends with a rainbow and pot of gold on the first day of the 40th week. Somehow, you're supposed to walk away from your hospital room with a shiny new doll and all the pregnancy aches and pains behind you. It's not like that.

Let me start by sharing my birth story - the short version. I had these grand plans of laboring at home on my due date, then I'd waddle into the hospital when I couldn't take the pain anymore. They'd tell me that I'm dilated to 6 or 7cm, promptly get an epidural and smooth sail the last few hours into an easy delivery.

The truth: 40weeks and 4 days - I labored at home until I couldn't take the pain anymore. I was contracting every 2-3 minutes, dry-heaving and feeling faint from the pain. It was 3am and we knew I would be pretty far along. Waiting to hear that I was nearing 7 or 8cm, she told me that I was 1cm - yes, ONE. Despite contracting every minute, I was no further along than I was one week before that. I mumbled something obscene to her and managed to walk the halls while simultaneously searching for the nearest trash can. After an hour of swearing that I'll yell at them if they try to send me home, I managed to dilate to 2cm (barely) and they let me stay. Within 1 hour of arriving into the delivery room, I had my epidural and began to smile.
To be honest, I felt like a failure. I knew pain - I liked pain. I've smiled at the pain I felt when running marathons and triathlons. I thought for sure, that I'd be able to handle the pain of labor better than most. I felt weak. So many women I know rock out labor and delivery with no pain meds. Everyone's labor is different and some lucky people wake up to their water breaking, barely feel contractions and walk into the hospital dilated to 10 (I seriously know someone like that - so lucky).
By 5:30 that evening, after pushing a quick 15 minutes, they plopped a cheesy, brown-haired little girl onto my chest. Her eyes were wide open and ready to take on the world.

The First 2 Weeks...
Now, when people say "they've never felt a love so immediate when they first saw their child", I thought - oh, I can't wait for that feeling! When they placed her on my chest, I thought "holy crap - there really was a human inside of me" and "ok, now I have to take care of her, forever..". Then came all the questioning... I felt guilty at first. How could I be a good mom when I didn't fall in love with her at first sight like everyone else seems to do? Am I cut out for this? Can I do this?! The truth is, the next two weeks were HARD. I didn't realize how hard it would be. Sure, I knew I wouldn't sleep, but between the hormone changes, lack of sleep, physically trying to heal and learning that it's all on you (and your partner) to not only keep this human alive, but to make sure she's a positive light in this world. It's a lot to take in at the beginning. They call it "baby blues" and I felt it, for sure. Luckily, it only lasted an exhausting fourteen days. Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new moms every year. A statistic that surprised me given how little it's talked about. Slowly, I felt better and soon I couldn't stop staring at my baby girl, I was getting used to sleeping in short bursts and I was looking forward to her tiny little milestones.

They forget to tell you about that ever-changing and exhausting fourth trimester. Be good to yourself and give yourself a lot of time to heal physically, emotionally and mentally. It's a huge (wonderful, but still huge) task you're undertaking. It's ok if you feel overwhelmed or scared or nervous about what's happening all at once. We all come out at the end with the same outlook - in love with our baby and so positive about the future, we all just get there in our own way.

Everlie Blum Crews | October 3, 2016 | 6lbs 9oz


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Experience, Expertise, Professionalism and Reliability: these are the cornerstones of Schnake Sound.

Schnake Sound & Light has been providing sound, light and backline production for over 3 decades.  We started out with a small mixer and a couple of speakers.  We worked our way up by providing our services to local bands, school functions, small corporate events, local festivals, regional artist, TV tapings and eventually national touring acts including the Beach Boys, Bret Michaels, Glorianna, John Michael Montgomery, Lou Gramm, Tracy Lawrence and many others.  Along the way we learned what works and how to get the job done.  It doesn’t matter if we are delivering a small system for a conference with a few wireless microphones or if Katy Perry is coming to town, planning, organization and experience are what count in making any event successful.

Our expertise comes from having done thousands of shows over the years.  From planning, equipment selection, selection of personnel and execution each part of the event has to be done right.  We only send technicians who are qualified to run our equipment as well as those who have experience with the type of event for which we are providing production.  Our staff is fully trained on all aspects of the equipment that we provide.

Our staff shows the upmost consideration for our clients and their guess at all times.  We realize that during an event things change.  We meet these new challenges head-on and without reservation.  We want to make your event successful and in order to do that we are fluid with the situation.  Schnake Sound & Light’s staff is always appropriately attired and conducts themselves with utmost professionalism at all times regardless of the situation at hand.

At Schnake Sound & Light, we know that you are only as good as your track record.  We have earned an exceptional track record.  From having an electrical surge take out a house console 40 minutes prior to the show to having a tornado pass within 100 feet of the main stage two hours prior to show time, we still deliver.  In over 3 decades of service to our clients Schnake Sound & Light has always made our start time; every time.  When you look for reliability you can be confident that Schnake Sound & Light will deliver.  It doesn’t matter if we are down the road at a festival or if we are working in Key West for the Meeting of the Minds, we are there for you.

Schnake Sound: Experience, Expertise, Professionalism and Reliability.  Isn’t that what you want and deserve as a client?


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In Vitro Anthelmintic Efficacy of Fractions from Plumbago zeylanica L (Family- Plumbaginnaceae) Root Extract
American Journal of Life Sciences
Volume 3, Issue 3, June 2015, Pages: 134-142
Received: Mar. 3, 2015; Accepted: Mar. 18, 2015; Published: Apr. 27, 2015
Views 3766      Downloads 151
Yohannes Weldemariam Getahun, Department of Chemistry, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Tigray, Ethiopia
Afework Mulugeta Bezabh, Department of Public Health, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
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Unlike synthetic drugs plants have different phytochemical constituents which can act collectively by which helminthes cannot resist them or there could be active constituent(s) in the plant with superior potency. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of both crude and fractions of Plumbago zeylanica root extract for the purpose of finding long lasting and potent medicinal plant due to significant implications of helminthes in developing countries like Ethiopia. And where traditional medicine is wide spread and of immediate alternative. In the assay, chloroform crude extracts recorded less paralysis and death time than ethanolic crude extracts. Then crude extract was subjected to column chromatography from which nine pure compounds were isolated. In addition, the isolated compounds were higher in their anthelmintic activity than crude extracts at almost all concentrations. Both crude and fractions paralyse and kill the worms with less time than that of the positive control and even less than 10 fold especially at low concentrations in case of chloroform extracts. The findings here on anthelmintic activity of the root at lower concentrations are significant and for the first time. If in vivo data are included the plant can be used as long lasting drug for helminthes.
Plumbago Zeylanica L, In Vitro Test, Anthelmintic Activity, Extraction, Fractionation
To cite this article
Yohannes Weldemariam Getahun, Afework Mulugeta Bezabh, In Vitro Anthelmintic Efficacy of Fractions from Plumbago zeylanica L (Family- Plumbaginnaceae) Root Extract, American Journal of Life Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2015, pp. 134-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20150303.12
S. Vidyadhar, M. Saidulu, T. K. Gopal, D. Chamundeeswari, U. Rao and D. Banji, ‟In vitro anthelmintic activity of the whole plant of EnicostemmaLittorale by using various Extracts,” Int. J. App. Biol. Pharmace. Tech., I(3), 1119-1126, 2010.
P. Tiwari, B. Kumar, M. Kumar, M. Kaur, J. Debnath and P. Sharma, ‟ComparativeAnthelmintic Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Stem Extract of TinosporaCordifolia,” Int. J. Drug Dev. Res., 3 (1), 70-83, 2011.
A. Kumar, K. Lakshman, K. N. Jayaveera, R. Nandeesh, B. Mano and D. Ranganayakulu, ‟Comparative In vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Three Plants From the Amaranthaceae Family,” Arch. Biol. Sci. Belgrade, 62(1), 185-189, 2010.
M. M. Suleiman, M. Mamman, O.Y. Aliu and O. J. Ajanusi, ‟Anthelmintic Activity of the Crude Methanol Extract of Xylopiaaethiopica Against Nippostrongylusbrasiliensis in Rats,” Veterinary Arhiv, 75(6), 487-495, 2005.
X. Huang, M. Tan, Q. Wu, Y. Chen and H. Wang, ‟Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Plumbago zeylanicaL,” Chinese J. Pharmace. Sci., 17(2), 144 –147, 2008.
D. A. Dhal and S. K. Markandeya, ‟Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Screening of Plumbagozeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) Leaf,” J. Exp. Sci., 2(3), 04-06, 2011.
I. Ahmad, and F. Aquil, ‟In vitro efficacy of bioactive extracts of 15 medicinal plants against esbetal-producing multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria,” Microbiol. Res.,Chem Abst, 162(3), 264-275, 2007.
I. Sharma, D. Gusain and V. P. Dixit, ‟Hypolipidaemicand antiatherosclerotic effectsof plumbagin in rats,” Indian J. Physiol Pharmacol., 35(1), 10-14, 1991.
F. Aqil, M. Zahin and I. Ahmed, ‟Antimutagenic activity of methanolic extracts of four ayurvedic medical plant,”.Indian J.Exp. Biol., 5, 668-672, 2008.
A. T. Nguyen, H. Malonne and P. Duez, ‟Cytotoxic constituents from Plumbago zeylanica. Fitoterapia,” J.Org. Chem., Chem. Abst., 75(5), 500-504, 2004.
R. Tyagi and E. Menghani, ‟Phytochemical screening of Plumbago zeylanica: A potent Herb,” Int. J. Pharma. Sci. Res., 5(03), 71-72, 2014.
B. Maniafu, L. Wilber, O. I. Ndiege, C. C. Wanjala and A. T. Akenga, Larvicidalactivity of extracts from three plumbago species against Anopheles Gambiae,”.Mem. Inst Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, 104(6), 813-817, 2009.
K. D. Arunachalam, P. Velmurugan and R. B. Raja, ‟Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of extract from Plumbago zeylanica,” Afr. J. Microbiol. Res., 4(12), 1239-1245, 2010.
R. Jeyachandran, A. Mahesh, L. Cindrella, S. Sudhakar and K. Pazhanichamy, ‟Antibacterial activity of plumbagin and root extracts of PlumbagoZeylanica L.,” ACTA BIOLOGICA CRACOVIENSIA Series Botanica, Chem. Abst, 51(1), 17–22, 2009.
H. S. Nile, and N. C. Khobragade, ‟Antioxidant activity and flavonoid derivatives of PlumbagoZylanica,” J. Nat. Prod., 130 -133, 2010.
R. S. Paiva, R. M. Figueiredo, V. T. Aragão and C. A. M. Kaplan, ‟Antimicrobial activity in vitro of plumbagin isolated from plumbago species,” .Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 98(7) , 959-961, 2003.
S. M. Rahman, and M. N. Anwar, ‟Antimicrobial activity of crude extract obtainedfrom the root of Plumbago zeylanica,” Bangladesh J. Micro Biol., 24(1), 73-75, 2007.
V. Mittal and K. S. Sharma, ‟An In vitro antimicrobial activity of callus and root extracts of Plumbago ZeylanicaLinn. In Various Test Microorganism,”.Int. J.Pharmac. Sci. Rev. Res., 5(2), 1-4, 2010.
Y. C. Wang, and L. T. Huang, ‟Anti-helicobacter pylori activity of Plumbago Zeylanica L.,” FEMS Immu. Med. Microbiol., Chem Abst, 43(3), 407–412, 2005.
M. S. Kataki, N. D. Sharma, S. Kuma, S. R. Yadav, A. Rajkumari ‟Antibacterial activity, in vitro antioxidant activity and anthelmintic activity of methanolic extract of Plumbagozeylanica L. leaves,” J. Pharmac. Res., 3(12), 2908-2912, 2010.
M. Khan, K. K. S. Kori, P. Kumar, R. S. Setty and S. V. Rajendra, ‟Antioxidant and nephroprotective activity of leaves of Plumbago zeylanica Linn.,” Indian J. Pharm., Chem. Abst, 583 131, 2006.
H. P. Desai, M. D. Kapadia, and A. R. Kharat, ‟Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Plumbago Zeylanica Linn.,” Int. J. Pharmac. Sci. Res., 3(11), 4281-4284, 2012.
J. P. Dzoyem, J. G. Tangmouo, D. Lonts, F. X. Etoa and P. J. Lohoue, ‟In vitro antifungal activity of extract and plumbagin from the stem bark of Diospyroscrassiflora Hiern(Ebenaceae),”Phytothe. Res., 21(7), 671-674, 2007.
A. J. Aladesanmi, E. O. Iwalewa, A. C. Adebajo, E. O. Akinkunmi, B. J. Taiwo, F. O. Olorunmola, and A. Lamikanra, ‟Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of some Nigerian medicinal plants,” Afr. J. Trad. CAM, 4(2), 173 – 184, 2007.
A. Shahverdi, M. Iranshahi, R. Mirjani, H. Jamalifar, G. Amin and A. Shafiee, ‟Bioassay- guided isolation and identification of an antibacterial compound from Ferula persica var. Persica roots,” DARU, 13(1), 17 – 19, 2005.
B. Lakshmanan, M. P. Mazumder, D. Sasmal, S. Ganguly, and S. S. Jena, ‟In vitro anthelmintic activity of some 1-substituted imidazole derivatives,” Acta Parasi., 2(1), 1-5, 2011.
N. Sarojini, A. S. Manjari, and C. C. Kanti, ‟Phytochemical screening and anthelminticactivity study of saracaindica leaves extracts,” Int. Res. J. Pharm., 2(5), 194-197, 2011.
S. Parida, J. V. Patro, S. U. Mishra, L. Mohapatra and S. Sannigrahi, ‟Anthelmintic potential of crude extracts and its various fractions of different parts ofPterospermumacerifolium Linn,” Int. J. of Pharmac. Sci. Rev & Res., 1(1), 107-111, 2010.
G. R. Mali and A. Mehta, ‟A Review on Anthelmintic plants,” Nat. Prod. Radi., 7(5): 466- 475, 2008.
H. Roy, A. Chakraborty, S. Bhanja, S. B. Nayak, R. S. Mishra and P. Ellaiah, ‟Preliminary phytochemical investigation and anthelmintic activity of Acanthospermum Hispidum DC,” J. Pharmac. Sci. Tech., 2(5), 217-221, 2010.
N. Rao, B. Bhavya, K. Pavani, A. Swapna and C. Prasoona, ‟Anthelmintic activity of Symplocos Racemosa,” Int. J. Pharm. Biol. Sci., 1(3), 198-230, 2011.
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First re-fuelling of hydrogen-powered council vans carried out on Orkney

Diagram of the BIG HIT hydrogen fuel system on Orkney
Diagram of the BIG HIT hydrogen fuel system on Orkney

The first refuelling of a hydrogen vehicle in the Orkney Islands has taken place using locally produced, renewable hydrogen – a major step towards creating a genuine hydrogen territory on the islands.

The ‘Building Innovative Green Hydrogen Systems in an Isolated Territory’ (BIG HIT) project has carried out the first refuelling of the fleet of five, zero emission, light commercial vans equipped with the Symbio hydrogen range extender  at the ITM Power refuelling station in Hatston.

An important pilot project for Europe, BIG HIT is a five-year project, involving 12 participants based across six EU countries, funded in May 2016 by the EU FCH JU.

The Orkney Islands of Scotland were chosen for this development because of the need to store excess renewable energy and utilise the stored energy locally for transport and heat. The project therefore represents a blue print for renewable hydrogen deployment for island systems and new hydrogen territories.

The Orkney Islands have more than 50 MW of installed wind, wave and tidal capacity generating over 46 GWhr per year of renewable power and has been a net exporter of electricity since 2013.

But the Shapinsay and Eday wind turbines are often ‘curtailed’, losing on average more than 30% of their annual output, limited by grid capacity restrictions in Orkney.

This wasted energy from the locally owned Shapinsay wind turbine will be used by the BIG HIT project to produce renewable hydrogen using a 1 MW PEM electrolyser supplied by ITM Power. Storing excess renewable energy as renewable hydrogen in this way increases the utilisation of the installed wind capacity without the need to reinforce the grid connection.

Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive of ITM Power, commented: “The Orkney Islands are the ideal test bed for the creation of a fully-fledged hydrogen territory with hydrogen produced and used sustainably.  We are pleased to have helped develop the project and that ITM Power’s equipment is part of this important European initiative.”

15 May 2018

Pixie Energy

Pixie logo Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy here.

Local Energy Matters: Scotland

Local Energy Matters: Scotland is a free-to-download brochure with a focus on energy tariffs in the two Scottish electricity distribution regions, as well news on local energy and low-carbon schemes.

Previous editions can be download here.

Scottish energy market overview

You can read an overview of the Scottish energy market here.

Scottish Government energy feed


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The Cheese is a lie
Started by: Dr JarenDr Jaren
Date: 13 Nov 2018 15:44
Number of posts: 3
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This is a take I’m working on... I would like some feedback, I’ve been reading through it a bit and I think it’s ready for review.
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LONDON – March 10, 2015 – SEA Equity announces the acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Engineering Limited (“VFE”), the UK’s leading specialist in the service, overhaul, design and supply of vacuum furnaces.

Founded in 1985, VFE supports a wide range of companies in the aerospace, power generation, medical and contract heat treatment industries. From its base in the West Midlands, VFE has 50 employees generating over £10 million of revenues annually.

The existing management team, consisting of original partners Keith Masters and Keith Potter and Operations Director Simon Lees, will be strengthened by Charlie White who has joined the business as Managing Director. Charlie White, previously CEO of pump specialist PIMS Group, brings a wealth of experience to help drive VFE’s industry leading service provision. The management team will be supported by Roy Kishor as Chairman, an experienced business leader with extensive knowledge of VFE’s customer base and end markets. SEA Equity is excited to support the company’s growth strategy, focused on widening the range of services provided to existing customers and increasing its penetration in overseas markets.

“We are very pleased to announce our investment in VFE, a best in class business supported by an excellent management team,” commented Elliott Nicholson, Partner at SEA Equity. “We believe that with the resources SEA Equity brings, coupled with the strength of the management team, VFE will build on its position as a leading supplier of vacuum furnace equipment and maintenance services.”

Charlie White added, “VFE is a stand-out performer in the vacuum furnace market. I am delighted to join the management team and see significant opportunities to further support our customers in the UK and abroad.”

“Our partnership with SEA Equity is a significant step in the development of the company”, commented Keith Masters, Sales Director at VFE. “We have maintained our competitive advantage over the years and look forward to maximizing the growth opportunities that the market will present going forward. This is an exciting time for our business, staff and customers.”

A debt package funded by Santander will support VFE’s continuing organic growth strategy as well as provide funding for acquisitive growth opportunities.

SEA Equity was advised by BDO (financial and tax due diligence), Armstrong Transaction Services (commercial due diligence) and Matthew Arnold & Baldwin (legal).

Jasper Corporate Finance and Pinsent Masons advised VFE, and Shoosmiths advised incoming management.

About VFE
VFE is the leading specialist in the service, overhaul, design and supply of vacuum furnaces, with 50 employees at its base in the West Midlands. VFE offers novel engineered solutions covering all makes of equipment and all aspects of vacuum furnace technology including vacuum heat treatment, vacuum brazing, vacuum melting & casting, diffusion bonding, vacuum sintering, as well as many other processes. www.vfe.co.uk

For further information please contact:

Stani Schmidt-Chiari on +44 (0) 203 675 7731 or Stani.Schmidt@seaequity.com or
Elliott Nicholson on +44 (0) 203 675 7732 or Elliott.Nicholson@seaequity.com


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Union Trust Building

While walking in downtown Pittsburgh several weeks ago, we decided to pop into the Union Trust Building to see firsthand the $100 million renovations we had heard about. Wow!  What a beautiful old building with spectacular renovations. Many of the original interior features were retained while the lobby space was updated with Pittsburgh themed artwork and a fabulous palette of bright peacock blues, purples and pinks.

This historic building was designed and erected in 1915-16 by Frederick Osterling for Henry Clay Frick.  Most Pittsburghers will recognize the Union Trust Buillding with its amazing mansard roof boasting terra cotta dormers and two chapel-like structures housing mechanicals. But, we were completely blown away by the interior lobby with its central rotunda and stained glass dome. The Davis Companies completed the stunning restoration

We applaud the architects and designers and recommend stopping in sometime if you are downtown.

Photo Credits:

 Exterior and Roof  -https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=172346

Lobby - thedaviscompanies.com

Rotunda - www.jekko.com


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Powell Veterinary Service Inc.

Added by Powell Veterinary Service Inc.

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Listed in Pet Care

Hours of Service:: 8am-5pm M-F, 8-12

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Contact the Listing Owner

To inquire about this listing, complete the form below to send a message to the listing owner.

Powell Veterinary Service helps keep your pet healthy, from routine check-ups to ear cropping to life-saving surgeries.
Full service surgical and medical service to include wellness testing and vaccinations, in hospital diagnostics and laboratory, radiology, PennHip, low level laser therapy, orthopedics, tumor surgery and cancer therapy, spay-neuter, ear cropping, emergency care.
House calls, in home euthanasia, orthopedics, dentistry, tumor surgery. *These can’t technically be called.

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Early February will bring much warmer weather back to a large part of Europe as a more ‘west shift’ pattern develops. Deep cyclones will be forming over the northern Atlantic while ridging is expected across much of the continent.

Monday, Feb 4th

Strong ridge is places acros the east/southeast Europe and southwest of Iberian peninsula while a deep low with cyclone is located across the southern Mediterranean. A shallow low/cyclone moves across the North Sea. Extremely warm weather is expected across east/southeast Europe and the eastern Balkan peninsula, but very cold across the south Mediterranean and north Africa.

Tuesday, Feb 5th

The deep low over the south Mediterranean drifts east while the ridging across other parts of Europe maintains. A deep cyclone forms over the North Atlantic and pushes strong warm advection into western Europe. A very warm day is expected for southeast Europe.

Wednesday, Feb 6th

The low over the southern Mediterranean gradually weakens while moving east towards southern Greece. A vry warm day is again expected across the Black Sea region. The deep trough/low over the North Atlantic nears the British Isles and Ireland.

Thursday, Feb 7th

The upper ridge over southwest Europe weakens while the deep low from north Atlantic moves into western Europe. The upper low remains over Greece and continues weakening. Warm advection ahead of the west European low pushes into Poland and Baltic region.

Friday, Feb 8th

Another deep low forms over the North Atlantic while a short wave trough pushes into the central Europe as well. Strong ridge remains over the eastern Europe and the western Russia where very warm airmass spreads the region from the west.

Saturday, Feb 9th

A deep cyclone from the North Atlantic pushes into the western Europe, bringing a potentially strong windstorm and much warmer weather ahead of it, also towards the northern Europe. A shallow trough/low from the central Europe moves towards the south Balkan peninsula.

Sunday, Feb 10th

The west European deep cyclone weakens while gradually moving east. Warm advection spreads into northern Europe. Shallow low over the southeast Europe brings unsettled conditions into Turkey.


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Home 2017-05-28T11:14:31+00:00

The Streetfood sector is growing fast: last year alone our partners witnessed rapidly growing numbers of start-ups. The sector is also becoming more crowded and ambitious young entrepreneurs are looking upwards and outwards for further growth opportunities. SFOFR will facilitate that growth in two ways:

  • We will provide viable paths to expansion include moving to fixed premises, manufacturing value added products for retail and franchising mobile units. By growing this way, street food entrepreneurs will be able to create more resilient businesses with higher employment and turnover.
  • We will also work with local authorities and economic development stakeholders to grasp the potential of the street food movement to evolve into a vibrant regional food scene based on high quality, local produce, accessibility and authenticity.

The Project

Today’s street food entrepreneurs tend to be young, first time business owners and although they have developed useful skills they are often self-taught and lack formal enterprise education. Our Street Food: Opportunities for Regions (SFOFR) project will provide timely…

Our Impact

Street Food: Opportunities for Regions has been carefully structured to generate impact for current street food entrepreneurs and the VET providers who serve them, as well as creating wider benefits for the HEI-VET community and overall regional economic development.


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Latest Posts

Guest Post (VBS) - Love Comes From God / How To Be Loving

By 1:16:00 PM , ,

Hi Friends!

In the spirit of the LOVE devotional post made a few days ago, I wanted to share the video I had the pleasure of coming across this weekend which is just AMAZING (to say the least).

I hope you enjoy and benefit from it, just as much as I did!

Spirit & Truth Fellowship International

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360° Bar, Restaurant & Lounge

An all-in-one dining experience

Have a memorable dining experience with a variety of food and beverages at 360° Bar, Restaurant and Lounge.

Indulge in delicious signature highlights, such as classic French beef tartare, served with black truffle and cognac emulsion.

Surf ‘N Turf Set Menu
Surf ‘N Turf Set Menu

Set your sails for a taste of the wilderness with Australian grain fed, wagyu beef and seafood. Enjoy the meal with red or white house wine.

Love You Day Set Menu
Love You Day Set Menu

Bring your lover to enjoy a couples set menu of gourmet cuisine and beautiful views. Have an unforgettable romantic moment at 360° Restaurant. Each set menu includes one box of chocolate pralines and two glasses of house wine.

(86 755) 8396 1380

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mental health

Tuesday Ten: What No One Tells You About Mental Illness Recovery

I've always been open & vocal about my eating disorder history. But I've also suffered from severe depression and PTSD. Today's Tuesday Ten isn't about Pure Barre but what real life recovery from mental health issues can look like. I still throw in some comedy gems so don't worry, you'll still get some lolz.

I had no idea what picture to put here. Recovery can be h**l so this picture with baby flames will suffice. Screen shot it and send it to your friends in a group text and make fun of me if you need to.

I had no idea what picture to put here. Recovery can be h**l so this picture with baby flames will suffice. Screen shot it and send it to your friends in a group text and make fun of me if you need to.

1. Talking (And Writing) Is Therapeutic

Everyone has their own way of healing. My illnesses love secrecy. I was hesitant to share my experiences at first because I felt like I would be stigmatized. But articulating your thoughts and issues can help. It can help yourself and more importantly, others.

I have depression. Some days I would wake up crying and couldn't stop. Other days I was perfectly fine. Some days I had all the motivation, others days I would lay in bed until 1:00pm unable to even sit up.

I was physically abused. That explains to some of you why I don't like hugs or I flinch a lot. I have worked on both of those things a lot this year.

I've been sexually assaulted. It took me a very long time to even open up about that to my therapist. I felt broken. It affected relationships. I had night terrors and would wake up screaming in my bed or at the front door. I still get triggered sometimes and I've cried in moments I "shouldn't have". But again, this too has improved considerably.

Dialogue can save lives. Talk when you are ready.

2. Medication Isn't Your Enemy

When I started regular, consistent therapy in May after struggling from severe depression and PTSD, I fought hard against medicine. I utilized behavioral and cognitive therapy but things weren't improving. Eventually I gave it a try and my life began again. Without getting into too much detail I realized, with the help of multiple doctors and friends, "Hey Amber. You really aren't insane. It's a chemical imbalance. Try it." I'm glad I did.

3. Animals Totally Help

I may be biased but my catdog helped me out tremendously. Having a pet forces you, hopefully, to get out of bed. Care about something. And the cuddles are awesome. Their love is unconditional and when you feel like you're surrounded by dark clouds, some days they can be the only light you see.

4. It Won't Happen Overnight

No spoiler alert there right? If you're like me you want everything done, or fixed, NOW. Patience is not my forte even if it is a virtue. Healing is a slow process. I'm still working on it.

5. You're Probably Going To Relapse

Debbie Downer, right? The world isn't sunshine and rainbows. Some days those dark thoughts, or dark urges, will creep up on you. You may not give in to them but you might. Does that make you a POS? HECK NO! You're human. The perfectionist in me had/has a hard time with this but my mantra has been, "Progress not perfection". Just get back on the horse. It's not over. It's never over.

6. There Is Still Stigma Attached To It

Should there be one? No. But there is, especially if you are dealing with a Mental Health issue. So much so that it can hinder recovery; some people refuse to seek treatment. I hung the phone up three times before finally making my first appointment. Don't be like me.

When you're ready, if ever, talk about your struggles with friends or family. It makes these issues more relevant and personal to that person thereby helping to eradicate that stigma.

7. Relationships Can Be Hard

Whether you were in one prior or if you start one after (or during) treatment. Personally, I felt the need to list my "problems" early on. I did it because I felt insecure. Eventually I realized the right person wouldn't see it as a "problem". After all, I was actively getting help. And eventually someone proved me right.

8. Pinterest Can Help

What a basic thing to say, right? But pinning on boards and seeing what other people had to say helped me. You can access my Recovery and Mindfulness Tools boards anytime you want. Most of the things I pinned can be used for many different disorders.

9. Don't Alienate Your Friends

Some days you want to curl into a ball and stay there. But try to keep your close friends at least informed. They care about you. They want to help. They may even make you laugh. They mean well and will understand. If they don't, then say "Bye Felicia".

10. It Gets Better

Is this cliche enough? But it is true.

I had some points where I thought if I died it would be better than what I was suffering through (I don't think this way anymore so don't blow my phone up). When things were very dark I cancelled all of my plans I ever made. I didn't even like the gym anymore. I cried in the bathroom and I cried between sets because I didn't feel anything but numb. Something I once loved so much and I felt absolutely nothing. I felt like a worthless failure because I quit a job and that just wasn't "Amber"; Amber never quits.

But I needed to take care of myself for the first time in my life. Really take care of myself. And I did so for six months were all I did was "recover". Seriously: I made that my job. Fortunately I had quite a bit of savings to help me get by (but I still stressed out about it every single day) and I know not everyone can do that. But I'm a workhorse---had I kept a full time job I never would have allowed myself the time to recover and get the help I needed.

Quite honestly I needed routine therapy (behavioral and cognitive). I needed those 45 minute nature walks by myself. I needed nutritional help. I needed group therapy. I needed to cry and express how I felt. I needed to face what had happened to me. I needed medicine.

I promise that while treatment and recovery isn't easy, it IS worth it. My self esteem now is the highest and best it has ever been my entire life. I had to hit rock bottom and crawl, scratch, and climb back up. It was so hard. But I did it.

Keep fighting.

Have you ever suffered from an illness or during your recovery process? What was the hardest thing you faced? Share your story below to help fight against Mental Health & Substance Abuse Stigma.

If you or a loved one needs help please seek out trained professionals. A good place to start is the National Alliance of Mental Illness. I'm always here to listen as well (but bear in mind I am not a licensed therapist or trained professional).


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The Whisky Priests: Bloody Well Back! The Reunion Tour

Reformed North of England folk punks legends The Whisky Priests have lined up a short tour of the UK and Europe in October / November of this year. More dates TBA.

To tie in with the tour, Whippet Records is reissuing the entire Whisky Priests back catalogue as a 12-disc box set, together with a limited edition companion-piece book

The Whisky Priests tour dates:
SAT 13 OCTOBER – The Forum Music Centre – Darlington, UK
FRI 19 OCTOBER – The Borderline – London, UK
SUN 21 OCTOBER – Musicport 2018 – Whitby, UK
TUE 30 OCTOBER – Chelsea – Vienna, Austria
WED 31 OCTOBER – Kik – Ried Im Innkreis, Austria
FRI 2 NOVEMBER – Musiktheater Piano – Dortmund, Germany
SAT 3 NOVEMBER – Monkeys Music Club – Hamburg, Germany

THE MAHONES: Love+Death+Redemption Summer Tour 2018

The Mahones hit the road shortly for serious of Canadian dates and a extensive European tour including  spot on The Levellers Beautiful Days Festival

June 01 – O’Reilly’s – St. John’s, Canada
June 02 – O’Reilly’s – St. John’s, Canada
June 16 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, Canada
June 23 – Blu Martini – Kingston, Canada
June 30 – House Of Targ – Ottawa, Canada
July 05 – Warehouse – St. Catherine’s, Canada
July 13 – Shamrock Castle Festival – Bammmersdorf, Germany
July 14 – Stadfest – Lindau, Germany
July 15 – Mighty Sounds Festival – Tabor, Czech Republic
July 17. – Zdunska Wola – Pub Variete, Poland
July 18 – Trinkteufel – Berlin, Germany
July 19 – Špilberk Castle – Brno, Czech Republik
July 20 – Rock auf Dem Berg – Marienberg, Germany
July 21 – Cafe Central – Weinheim, Germany
July 23 – Free & Easy Festival – Munich, Germany
July 26.03 – K3 – Hameln, Germany
July 27 – Nord Open Air – Essen, Germany
July 29 – Chez Narcisse – Le Val D’Ajol, France
July 30 – Le Dropkick – Reims, France
July 31 – Le Ferraille – Nantes, France
August 02 – Sesto San Giovanni (MI) – Carroponte Italy
August 03 – Montelago Celtic Festival – Maccerata, Italy
August 10 – Meisterschwanden – Drunken Sailors, Switzerland
August 17 – Beautiful Days Festival, England

The Go Set: O’Brien’s Pub in Allston MA

The Go Set, BeanTown Boozehounds, The Pint Killers, The Disquiets

9/22/2017 at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston MA

Road Tripping. I was to Boston for this insane line-up. I roped in a mate and we shipped up to Boston from Kingston, NY, a 4 hour drive. We headed out at 1pm to arrive at 5 to check into our flophouse, The Farrington Inn. It smelled like a morgue to me, I could smell dead bodies, musk or wet dog anyway. Highly recommended. Affordable- if you know what I mean.

We had just enough time to grab a bite with my life-long friend Dave Tree  of Boston’s TREE and SEE THIS WORLD and John Murphy who was guest listed for the show but had already bought two tickets that he was going to simply GIVE us. What could be better than to meet at old school Italian Greg’s Restaurant in Watertown? The waitresses only yelled at us a little- “Sit in the lounge! Sit in the Lounge!”

We got to O’Brien’s a bit after eight and met Lachlan McSwain (pipes, whistle) and Chad Blaster (drums/ Ramshackle Army) of The Go Set who were already there. Had a lot of fun downing some pints and catching up. I had played in NYC with The Go Set last year with Alternative Ulster before that band broke apart. We learned Justin Keenan lead singer of the Go Set’s plane wasn’t going to land until 10PM. The bass player shortly before that was landing from Toronto. All I could get was that his name was Shorty. Those two were simply going to have to run in the door, set up and play. F**k-tons of fun! (That’s for you Chad). Did you know that in Australia there are kangaroo warnings when a troop jumps along main street and schools go into lockdown? Chad laughingly informed us cuz he also teaches at a drum school. None of them called us a c*nt , a word that in Australia is used more than “the,” but we were taught how to slide it into a conversation for maximum effect.

Talking to a lad at the bar in a Black Irish Texas shirt- said he was bass in The Gobshites- Tom Hughes. Both soon realized we had met, we played an awesome event Phil Duckworth put together last year in Danbury CT, when I was with Alternative Ulster. The Mighty Ploughboys had hosted and headlined on their AOH home turf.

To be honest we missed the first band, The Disquiets, looking for a cocktail- some bourbon- and to walk off Gregg’s food. When we got back The Pint Killers were just getting ready to go. It was an insane set of all originals except for the closer, Skinhead by Darkbuster. Raise a Glass, Around the Hood, Friend, Devil & Me, Walk away, Who, Just a Man , Lights Out, and  Skinhead. Mark Doherty, the lead singer of The Pint Killers is a complete human bull-dawg of solid muscle who leaps completely into the air over and over during songs. It’s awesome to watch. A puppet-man on an invisible string. During a spoken word intro to Walk Away, a song he wrote for a girl he was breaking up with at the time but is now reunited with, he said ‘it may get him solo again for singing it,’ – a funny moment. Sober for two years, that’s freaking fantastic!  The rest of The Pint Killers are Bill Jolliemore (guitar), Dean Calamari (bass) and Johnny Fencer (drums). All sing backing vocals and Jolliemore is a monster on guitar. Enjoyed watching him play. My friend from home liked this band a lot, too.

Next came the Beantown Boozehounds, Chad (guitar /mandolin), Gallows (guitar, vocals), Rob B. Ridiculous (bass, vocals), and Rocky Magic (drums).

This set was an insane alcohol-fueled car-crash of mayhem and beer fountains spraying on fans and band alike. Chad was soaked to the bone. Dozens of double shots of some brown booze were brought to the stage and hastily thrown down by all like thirsty pirates. I’d guess it was Jaeger, but what the hell, rum and black currant? Darker than whiskey seemed to be to me. Haha.  Rob B., the bass player, had some ridiculous band shirt with the Hamburgler on it called Mac Sabbath– a Ronald McDonald themed Black Sabbath tribute band he explained to me later. Ok things were getting weird. Their cover of the Ramones’ Bonzo Goes to Bitburg was simply brilliant and has been playing in my head for four days now. Great beer laden Boston set- a classic. How does Chad Beantown imitate a beer-spewing fire hydrant so well? Years of practice. Seems like it’s a Boston tradition to wear a baseball cap while you play. Now I know it’s to keep the beer spray out of your eyes.

Near midnight and Justin Keenan from The Go Set had arrived by some miracle and Shorty was tuning up his bass. A “calling-on song” ? The band was busy getting beers so Justin jumped up and started sing his Aussie stones off to a Robert Burns’ poem MacPherspon’s Rant. The rest of the band started to hurry their arses to get on stage and go. It was just stunning. His crazy 30- hour on a plane voice and manic- OJ Simpson- running-over-the –turnstiles– look had the crowd spellbound.  Then they came in together with Drums of Chelsea and O’Briens went mad. Raise a Glass was next and the shots of brown Jaeger kept coming. Four songs mixed into the set from their first 2004 album was a killer treat- MacPherson’s, Old Dark Brown, 1788, and 5 AM. The rest of the sixteen song set were spread out from brand new to mid, about two songs from each record. The girls love it when the Go Set gets intimate and Justin and the drummer go acoustic and step into the crowd and do an acoustic number, 5 AM. Except there were no girls there, not one that I remember- a f*ck-ton of fun. Haha.  Brought it right back up with four more Aussie pub-rockers capped off by Davey closing the show- you thought. Everyone was on stage for the encore closer-  AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top, that had the Beantown Boozehounds and The Pint Killers all up there singing, drinking shots, and beer-spraying along. If there is an Irish Punk Valhalla, it looks like this.

Oh, and hat’s off to the doorman who had gauges as big as a 40 oz. He said it took him 12 years to stretch it out. Dedication.

Review, Michael X. Rose

James Fearnley (The Pogues): Great Scott, Boston, 9-18-2016

JamesThe small but enthusiastic crowd at Boston’s Great Scott were treated to a great night of music and banter by Pogues legend James Fearnley and friends. With accordion strapped on and in fine voice (despite complaints of a sweaty, smelly hand from holding the accordion), James took us through almost two hours of his post-Pogues material which he described in finest Yorkshire English as either “fast as fuck or slow as shite”. The material was pulled from the 1996 release he did with the Low and Sweet Orchestra and (I’m guessing) new material from the upcoming Cranky George release and despite early on telling us he would not play any Pogues material no matter how hard we stared at him the band ended the night with Drunken Boat (or at least that’s what I remember – corrections welcome). Tonight was a ton of fun and the band (basically a pick-up band for 3 shows – Boston, NYC and the Murphy’s Irish fest) had a tonne of laughs with former Dropkick Murphys Marc Orrell cracking up though out the night – I wish I know who the rest of the band were but introductions only got as far as the bass players first name – George – before taking a detour to a story about James trying to join Boy George’s Culture Club.. Mark Lind of Ducky Boys fame open up with some great acoustic roots rock with a nod to Springsteen.

The Go Set: US Tour Dates

The Go Set will be with us very soon and a note for anyone going to the Boston gig – it’s actually in Lowell not Boston.The go set

THE MAHONES announce October UK and European dates:

THE MAHONES announce October UK and European dates:

Oct 14 – Joiners – Southhampton, England
Oct 15 – Queens Hall – Nuneaton, England
Oct 16 – Sound Control – Manchester, England
Oct 17 – Cathouse – Glasgow, Scotland
Oct 18 – Boston Music Rooms – London, England
Oct 20 – Bugerweeshuis – Deventer, Netherlands
Oct 21 – Ex-Haus – Trier, Germany
Oct 22 – MTC – Cologne, Germany
Oct 23 – Musik & Frieden – Berlin, Germany
Oct 25 – Derur Kert – Budapest, Hungary
Oct 26 – Arena – VIenna, Austria
Oct 27 – Dynamo – Zurich, Switzerland
Oct 28 – Raindogs House – Savona, Italy
Oct 29 – Dublin House – San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Oct 30 – Swamp Club – Massa, Italy
Oct 31 – Centrale Rock Club – Erba, Italy

More dates to be announced!

Mahones tour

Continental to tour the Continent

Just go this across the wire. Rick Barton (founding member of the Dropkick Murphys) takes his very excellent punk’n’roll brothers on a tour of Europe.

08-Sept-16 Germany – Braunschweig, Klaue
09-Sept-16 Germany – Lübeck, Rider’s Cafe
11-Sept-16 Sweden – Helsingborg, RockBåten / MS Harmony
12-Sept-16 Finland – Porvoo, Old Town Public House
13-Sept-16 Finland – Kouvola, Bar Down Town
14-Sept-16 Finland – Helsinki, Bar Loose
15-Sept-16 Finland – Tampere, Klubi
16-Sept-16 Estonia – Tallinn, Kultuurklubi Kelm
17-Sept-16 Latvia – Riga, Nabaklab
19-Sept-16 Poland – Gydina, Klub Ucho
20-Sept-16 Poland – Bielsko-Biała, Rude Boy Club
21-Sept-16 Poland – Wrocław, Stary Klasztor
22-Sept-16 Germany – Berlin, Wild At Heart
23-Sept-16 Germany – Dresden, Groove Station*
24-Sept-16 Czech Republic – Prague, Rock Cafe*
26-Sept-16 Germany – Koblenz, Irish Pub
27-Sept-16 Germany – Stuttgart, Keller Klub
28-Sept-16 France – Dijon, Deep Inside Club
29-Sept-16 France – Saint Etienne, La Tanière
30-Sept-16 Switzerland – Bremgarten, Rockbunker
01-Oct-16 Germany – Ravensburg, Slainte
02-Oct-16 Italy – Bologna, Freak Out
05-Oct-16 France – Montpellier, Secret Place
06 to 16-Oct-16 Spanish Leg Of The Tour
18-Oct-16 Switzerland – BGeneva, La Makhno
23-Oct-16 Germany – Essen, Freak Show
24-Oct-16 Germany – Düsseldorf, The Tube
25-Oct-16 Germany – Gelnhausen, Lorbass
26-Oct-16 Germany – Schwabach, Flanigans
27-Oct-16 Germany – München, Garage Deluxe*
28-Oct-16 Austria – Feldbach, Glam
31-Oct-16 Slovaki – Kosice, Collosseum Club
01-Nov-16 Czech Republic – Ostrava, Plan B
02-Nov-16 Czech Republic – Kutná Hora, Klub Česká 1
03-Nov-16 Czech Republic – České Budějovice, Velbloud Music Bar
04-Nov-16 Germany – Cham, LA-Cham*
05-Nov-16 Germany – TBA*

(*) Support:

Airs & Graces (CAN/G)

The Rumjacks: Europe 2016

The Rumjacks head north of the equator for an extensive European tour (including sharing a bill with Megadeth in Hungary). No US dates though…..lads if you come State side I’ll get you on a bill with Manowar (honest)

Full dates and details here –

Sasquatch 2011: Flogging Molly, Live In Concert

From the vaults of NPR of all places. Flogging Molly live at Sasquatch 2011

The Go Set, Ramshackle Army at The Midway Cafe – 10/3/15

First up were Boston area based BarRoom Heros, a three piece power-punk trio consisting for the Rice brothers on guitar/bass and vocals and a wild, arms flailing, mass of dreadlocks on drums. Probably best known for opening for the Dropkick Murphys when they were something like 12 years old, I saw ‘em last year opening for Justin Keenan and it was great to see them again and without sounding like an old aunt they have really grown – musically and physically, in fact they could probably now get served in a bar if they had decent fake ids. Early Dropkick Murphys and Darkbuster are the obvious influences – Darkbusters Skinhead was covered and as was a great punked up version of The Dubliners Seven Drunk Nights.

Aussie band Ramshackle Army were up next. They are one of those bands that people speak highly about but I haven’t to date invested a lot of time in listening too ’em. Well I will after tonight, these guys and gal were a high intensity sweat drenched riot  – fiddle, banjo, punk rock and the rock star that is Gaz in full flight with shapes thrown and face contortions

Between each of the sets there was an acoustic set from Live Nude Girls (actually two girls and a guy who all kept their clothes on) –  fiddle, double bass and girl on guitar with a big voice. A nice touch that kept the momentum going as the bands changed over.

Its been about five years since I’ve seen Boston party punks the Beantown Boozehounds, good to say they are still slamming shots, guzzling PBR and playing hard. Lot’s of ragging on the touring “Austrians”. I do remember last time I saw ’em a lot more beer was spat in the air – maturity possibly? Nah, never.

Finally up were The Go Set who have been one of my favorite bands from when I heard them first over ten years ago. I got the taste of them live last year when I saw Justin Keenan on his solo tour so my expectations for the full band were high. The set started with bagpipes from the back of the venue and as the band were lead to stage the pipes turned into full force punk and pipes and occasional punk and double pipes with the addition of second piper Sean from Alternative Ulster. Expectations were met – the Go Set were as good live as so disk – great songs, tight and they had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands. I’m not sure how may fans The Go Set had in the venue at the beginning of the set but by the end of the set I knew – everyone including the bartender. All the classics were done – 1788, Davey, Old Dark Brown, Sing Me a Song and a very special off the stage, in the middle of the floor, totally acoustic version of 5AM .I have to give a shout out to The Go Set drummer, Agostino Soldati – John Bonham raised from the dead with veins pumped full of redbull – I’ve never seen or heard drums hit so hard and so fast. The set ended with a cover of AC/DCs Long Way to the Top with help form  Gaz and the Boozehounds. The Go Set promise to be back next year for another tour of the US and they are not to be missed.


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Justin M. Stoddard

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The Quiet Room
January 21, 2007 — 7:12 pm

If you only read one book about mental illness, make it The Quiet Room by Lori Shiller. It’s an autobiographical portrait of a young woman suffering from severe schizophrenia in the 80’s and early 90’s (until the advent of clozapine).

Now, of all the mental diseases, schizophrenia probably still has the most social stigma attached to it. That’s now, in 2007. In the 80’s the disease was completely misunderstood, probably due in part by horrific, sensational exposÃ©s in the media. (Charles Manson comes to mind). Even today, many people still confuse schizophrenia with Dissociative Identity Disorder, formally known as Multiple Personality Disorder.

It’s easy to understand why, as the very word “schizophrenia” means “splitting of the mind”. Schizophrenia, however, has nothing to do with multiple personalities. In reality, schizophrenics suffer from hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and severe social isolation. Schizophrenia also often has a high co morbidity with severe depression.

Along with bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia is thought to be one of the very worst mental illnesses. And yet, it is constantly used as a comedic foil in our culture. People make light of the condition (out of ignorance rather than meanness, I’m sure), without fully understanding just how offensive they are being.

Books like The Quiet Room do a good job of “conscience raising” when it comes to mental illness. I highly recommend it.

The following passage about the practice of “cold wet packing” as a form of restraint stuck with me:

In order to be cold-wet-packed, a doctor’s order had to be signed. As the buzzer was sounding, the staff was paging an M.D. to come to the unit to write the order as quickly as possible. I was so violent that the packing was usually well underway by the time the psychiatrist arrived.

When the big men got there, they restrained me while I was being packed. The shot of sodium amythal hadn’t taken effect yet. The big burly attendants looked to me just like the horrid rapists of my Voices’ hell. My terror flared. My adrenaline shot up. My strength and power intensified. I could fight off a whole Quiet Room-ful of men. They weren’t going to touch me. That I knew fro sure. I kicked. I flailed. I bit. Even against a roomful of big men, for a moment it seemed like I was winning.

And then they were back in control. It was just as the Voices had shown me. It was just like the rapes in hell. Big strong men held me down while unseen hands stripped off my clothing. Off came my high-tops. Off came my favorite blue sweatshirt with the green frog on it. Off came my only pair of jeans that fit. Off came my socks one after another. How was I going to cause any problems by keeping my little socks on my little feet? And then finally came my bra. My undies were all that stood between me and the rape my imagination fabricated. I was truly terrified.

And then came the real horror. They hoisted me onto the elevated bed that had been set up for me in the kitchen, or in a special room off the short hallway, or in the hall itself, or wherever they could get set up fast before I totaled the place or hurt someone or myself. With strong hands holding me flat, others began wrapping me securely in sheets that had been soaking in ice water.

They wrapped me tight as a mummy, arms and hands at my side. All that was left uncovered were my feet and my neck and head. And there thy left me, with a single attendant by my now helpless side.

I was laughing hysterically. But there was nothing funny about it. It was cold, freezing cold. My teeth began chattering frantically as if they were the Voices speaking. I was going to die a shivery Arctic death and the Voices were going to have the last cold icy laugh. My whole body was frozen.

The entire book does a wonderful job of giving us just a tiny peek into madness. But more than that, it is a book of hope. I am simply amazed at the strength it must have taken just to live. At at the end of it all… clozapine. When people ask me why I love science so, this will be my answer: “Clozapine”.

— Justin M. StoddardComments (0)

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