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Mortgage Loans

We want you to love your loan as much as your home — that’s why we partner with Southern Trust Mortgage to offer you an outstanding mortgage loan option tailored uniquely to you. Purchase or refinance at a competitive rate and enjoy the excellent service that Southern Trust Mortgage is known for. Plus, you’ll get a fast decision made locally, so you can start moving in as soon as possible.

Check out our great options for first time home buyers!

  • We partner with Southern Trust Mortgage — a company with an excellent reputation in the mortgage loan industry
  • Competitively low rates for home purchase or refinance
  • For primary residence, second homes, vacation homes, or investment properties
  • Refinance your current home to potentially lower your rate
  • Terms customized to your unique situation
  • Wide variety of mortgage options available
  • Helpful loan advisors with working knowledge of the local real estate market
  • Local decision-making, processing and closing
  • Attentive, friendly service from start to finish

Unique and Innovative Mortgage Loan Options*

Here are options that Southern Trust Mortgage can provide for home financing:

Learn more about Southern Trust Mortgage, see a loan application checklist and more with our mortgage brochure.

Good News First Time Home Buyers!

First time home buyers with Sonabank can enjoy incredible advantages through our home loan partner, Southern Trust Mortgage

We offer:

  • Low Down Payment Requirements
    • including 100% financing options
  • First Time Home Buyer Programs
    • offering lower rates and monthly payments
  • Down Payment Assistance/Grants for Community Partners
    • firefighters, police, teachers, EMTs, nurses
  • Low Down Payments for Doctors
    • with no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
  • Priority Approval in as Little as One Day
    • get your mortgage approved before you shop for a house

Ready to start you application? We're here to help!

Click the link below or call today to discuss your options: 1-800-356-3936

Sonabank Lenders are registered with the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). For more information, go to

Know what to expect when buying or selling — explore the Real Estate section of our Financial Planning Library.

Southern Trust Mortgage NMLS #2921 ( Southern Trust Mortgage, L.L.C lending in the following states: DC(Lic#MLB-2921), DE, FL, GA (Lic.#16579), MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC

(Lic.# LB-2921), TN, WV, VA. Southern Trust Mortgage is proud to be an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender. Offer subject to credit approval.

Southern Trust Mortgage is an affiliate of Sonabank and you are not required to use their services. For more information on this affiliate relationship please see the Affiliated Business Disclosure.


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Sweeney Todd | The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Feb 10, 2019 , 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Evert B. Person Theater
Admission Fees
Free w/ SSU ID | $10 - $17
Contact Phone

A Victorian-era barber returns home to London, after fifteen years of exile, to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race, murdering as many people as he can, while his business associate Mrs. Lovett bakes the bodies into meat pies and sells them to the unsuspecting public.

Forward to Friends
February 10, 2019
Add to Calendar

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It’s becoming increasingly important to focus your operations around customer service and satisfaction. According to 85% of organizations, the most competitive differentiator is the customer experience. The quality of the products and services that we provide are always going to be important, but things have changed. Many customers base their loyalty not on price or product, but on the quality of service. If you want to deliver excellent CX, you need to meet and exceed the expectations of your customers. Omni-channel service programs can enhance CRM strategies and improve CX to exceed those expectations.

What are customers expecting?

We’re all customers, and none of us want poor service. What customers want is great service that is not only fast and accessible, but effortlessA contact center survey conducted by Deloitte found that the two attributes that contribute most towards effortless transactions are accuracy and quality of information provided and ease of interaction.

Organizations which provide omni-channel service recognize the customers might need help anytime, anywhere, and on whatever device or channel available to them. Providing multiple channels of customer service allows customers to choose the option that best firsts their needs and preferences. It’s important that you are providing service channels that your customers use. The more channels you provide, the more options they have.

Omni-channel Service isn’t just multiple channels.

Providing consistent service is a must. Many organizations provide multiple channels of communication but have siloed data for each channel. Without a formal omni-channel service program, there is the risk of inconsistent interactions across multiple channels. That inconsistency can confuse or frustrate customers and require them to repeat themselves. It can also reduce the productivity of staff due to inefficient and unorganized interactions across various channels.

An Omni-channel service approach simplifies the customer experience. Omni-channel service integrates multiple channels of communication to provide service representatives with a holistic view of a customer’s interactions with the company. This allows for the service rep to provide the customer with a seamless and consistent experience across all channels of communication.

Adapt at the pace of the customer. Expand your channels.

How are you and your customers communicating? Mail? E-mail? Phone? Live chat? Those are four of the common channels, but about half of all companies use at least seven different channels in their CX channel mix. Self-service options, mobile channels (SMS text messages, mobile web, mobile apps) and social media are all relatively new channels that are continuing to grow. Each of these channels should be considered as they can provide a unique type of service to customers. Including these channels in your omni-channel service program works to promote consistent communication.

“Customers are known for their wavering habits, in terms of loyalty and demands. With less than half of respondents expecting to rely on the phone, this signifies an expansion of complexity and contact volume, all at the customer’s convenience. This makes it vital for contact centers to be nimble and adapt at the pace of the customer.”
– Andy Haas, Customer Operations Leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Customers are increasingly demanding that companies can provide them with service that is quick, efficient, and accurate. Even so, self-service channels are becoming more popular as many customers opt to look for solutions to simple issues on their own. Comprehensive FAQ pages and chatbots are becoming common tools to assist customers.

Virtual assistants and chatbots are rapidly maturing, and they will be able to handle even more complex customer interactions as they continue to improve. For now, they make a good first point of contact to help customers resolve simple issues. Companies should still make sure to have agent-assisted channels to help address the more complex issues.

SMS Text messages are often used as a one-way channel for organizations to communicate with their customers and provide updates for various tasks. It’s a quick and convenient method of communication that can reduce the need for calling and waiting in a service queue to check the status of an order. It can also provide cost savings to organizations as it can be cheaper to support SMS than a phone line.

Social Media

Social media has grown and evolved, making it easier than ever for people to share their opinions (along with pictures of their lunch). Social media plays an important part in CX as a way for customers to engage with organizations they are interested in. Responding to customer comments on social media can help make the customer feel that their opinions are understood and can further increase their loyalty and engagement.

The real advantage of social media for organizations is that it is a fantastic channel to gather customer feedback.

Dynamics 365 for Customer Service

This December, Microsoft is releasing a public preview of the new Omni-Channel Engagement Hub. This cloud-based service will enable companies to instantly connect with customers through live chat and SMS. The Omni-Channel Engagement Hub provides a unified interface for agents to better engage with contacts across multiple channels.

“In addition to enabling operational efficiency and visibility, Omni-channel Engagement Hub delivers intelligent insights consisting of information gathered across various engagement channels and the underlying business data. It also enables supervisors to manage agent productivity and channel efficiency by creating, managing, and tracking relevant channel-specific and cross-channel KPIs. “

Microsoft’s Omni-Channel Engagement Hub extends the power of Dynamics 365 for Customer Service to create a consistent, unified experience for customers.

For more information about how Sopris and Dynamics 365 can improve your customer service, E-mail us today.


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Scarab Ring

The Rebirth Scarab Ring

  • The Rebirth Scarab Ring by Studio of Ptah has presence.  It features the Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) symbol Khepera or Scarab which represents change or rebirth (Garnet stones were used in this example...Call to inquire about this design with other gemstones).  It's the perfect symbol for someone growing into their better selves.  The shank or sides of the ring features the Eye of Heru (Horus) symbol (Diamonds were added to the pupils in this example) which represents protection and awareness.

    All ring sizes are available always.  Please make sure to let us know your ring size at checkout.

    • Want to leave a deposit? To get price quotes, and info on this design in another metal / stones, or to place an order please call 212-343-9706.  If you prefer, you can also click the "Contact Us" tab at the bottom right to email your phone number.

  • • 14k Yellow and White Gold

    2 tcw Garnet
    • White Diamond .10twc

  • • 1.20 in from top to bottom

0 stars, based on 0 reviews

Pin It Fancy


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Christmas Tree Lighting at CityMall Imus

I started this month with excitement and happiness because it reminded me that it's exactly 25 days before Christmas and that this time, I will finally be spending it with my parents. I just can't get over the fact that after so many years, and though I occasionally go to Papua New Guinea for Christmas, this would be the first Christmas we will have as a family in our own home, here in the Philippines.

At the same time, I was informed that it was CityMall Anabu's Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony that day. I'm grateful to be invited to be a part of the event.

The ceremony started with an opening remarks from Sir Kevin, the marketing manager of CityMall - Anabu. He welcomed and informed everyone of the promos the mall will be having for the Christmas season. Two of which were already available during that day: The Hover Board Nation and the Time-In Promo where you can win a brand new Avanza!

Hover Board Nation
You can finally experience and enjoy the hover board with this promo! A minimum purchase of P300 from any CityMall store entitles you to 15 minutes of fun!

Time-In Promo
Register and time in everyday for a chance to win a brand new Toyota Avanza or get one (1) pack of rice for every 5 visits to CityMall in a month!

Watch out for more promo updates through their Facebook page:

Before the lighting of the Christmas tree, a chorale performed some songs that helped set the Christmas mood. A few minutes after their performance, the host asked the audience to help her with the countdown. Everyone took out their gadgets and began recording the moment while doing the countdown.

As soon as the count reached zero, the tall Christmas Tree was lighted. Everyone was clapping while singing. The kids were cheering. A band composed of young individuals came in front and on both sides of the tree and performed Christmas songs. Those teens playing the instruments were really amusing! I was surprised at myself for I did not get scared! I'm usually scared of bands so that was a great feeling; I somehow felt I have overcome my fear. Yay!

Following the band performance, the host then prepared everyone for the arrival of Santa Claus. The kids began to gather in front and their parents took their best spots so they can take photos of their child with the famous old man.

When everyone was settled, Santa began to give out presents to the children. I was no longer able to take photos of him giving gifts as the parents and children were so eager to get a gift and rushed to him. I had to leave my spot to give way to them.

So I went to their food court to meet my parents who were enjoying some snack from Chowking. I stayed there for a few minutes to take my merienda too and the next thing I know, the event proper was finished and the floor was open for photo ops.

Seeing Santa and the smile on children's faces that day reminded me of how I was as a child too. I was always excited for Christmas and I always put socks near the window or door for him to leave the gifts in. Then one night, I saw my dad putting the candies. It ruined everything. I felt fooled and really down. But during this event, it made me realize why my parents kept the secret and went with it... Simply because the excitement and joy parents see from their children when they see or talk about Santa is priceless. Too bad I caught them. Haha!

This event was held on a Tuesday afternoon so most of the audience were senior citizens and the young children with their parents. If it was held on a weekend, I'm pretty sure it would be more jam-packed just like the CityMall - Anabu's opening.

When you do your groceries or Christmas shopping at any CityMall store, don't forget to time-in and enjoy the other promos they have for this season! ;)

Let's connect and be friends!

Post a Comment


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On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Washington State Archives branches in Olympia and Ellensburg will open to researchers by appointment only. All branches will be closed every Friday through August 7. For more information, please visit our page regarding closures, re-openings, and making a research appointment.

Legislative History

Research into legislative history is important to both citizens and the legislature itself.  Legislative history records document the development of state laws as they are crafted, debated, amended, and approved or rejected by the legislature.  In this respect, legislative history records are vitally important as an indication of what is called the legislative intent of laws.  Legislative intent refers to why laws are created, and it is therefore an important element in understanding how laws are to be applied.  Legislative history records are important resources for the interpretation of existing laws and for the shaping of new laws.

How legislative history records become "archives"

Legislative Committee Files:House and Senate Committee Bill FilesHouse and Senate Committee Meeting Files:House and Senate Committee Meeting Tapes:House and Senate Issue Files:

Other Records

Legislative Council Records:  The Legislative Council was composed of the leaders of both the House and the Senate. It met between sessions to consider proposed legislation to be introduced in the ensuing session. The records consist of bill drafts, correspondence, and "research requests," covering 1947-1974. They are very incomplete.

Governors' Bill Files:  Files on each bill considered by the Governor for signature. Generally includes a copy of the signed bill, staff analysis reports, and veto messages. Includes 1951-55, 1965-84.

Papers of State Representatives and Senators:  Some legislators donate their personal papers to the Archives. These collections often include files on issues of concern to the legislator and sometimes files on bills which they sponsored.

Files on issues of particular concern to a House or Senate Committee. Issue files are organized by subject and may contain reports, studies, correspondence, drafts of bills and other materials.  Audio tapes of public hearings on each bill. Includes comments and testimony by parties interested in a particular bill. The hearing tapes cover entire committee hearings and are not broken down by bill number. Hearing tapes from House committees after 1984 are recorded at a faster than normal speed and require special playback devices to be understandable.  Meeting files contain rosters of interested parties who appeared at committee hearings, committee agendas, and sometimes copies of written testimony on a bill.: Bill files document action taken on particular legislation after it has been introduced. Typically, the documentation consists of committee reports, various drafts of the bill, amendments, staff summaries, and related backup material. The bill files generally are sufficient to establish legislative intent.

Reference Materials

While the Archives is the only source for documentation on legislative committee action on bills, there are other sources which might also be useful. These sources are available at the Archives and at most libraries.  They include:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW):  A cumulative codification of the laws passed which pertain to a particular subject.  The Washington State Office of the Code Reviser publishes a recent edition of the RCW on its web site at http://slc.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/rcw.htm.

Laws of Washington:  The actual text of each law passed by the Legislature.

Journals of the House and Senate:  Summaries of the floor debate in the House and the Senate.

Research Procedures

To begin a search for "legislative history" on a particular law, the Archives needs the bill number and the year that the bill was passed. The Archives then will research the bill, find the House and Senate committees which considered the bill, and make their files on the bill available for research.

Research in committee files may be done on site at the Archives for no fee except a charge of $0.25 per page for each copy made by the researcher. If the researcher wishes the Archives staff to research and copy the files, there is a fee of $30.00 per hour plus the copying fee and any mailing costs. The Archives will include a receipt with the materials provided.

Archives Contact Information

The Archives is located in the State Archives Building, 1129 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504-0238. Please call ahead with your request and for directions to the building.

Telephone requests for legislative history may be made to (360) 586-1492.

Research email:  [email protected]


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Engagement Strategy

Engagement Strategy - Communications Services - Soto Consulting

For your communications to be successful they must centre around the right engagement strategy. We can help you reach your engagement goals.

Define engagement goals

Message tactics for greater engagement

Better define audience wants

Enquire now

Complimentary Services

We also offer a wide range of other complimentary services, ones relevant to this particular one are:

Service Details

What is a stakeholder engagement strategy?

Certain decisions made by organisations will affect and be of interest to many different stakeholder groups. For example, if a council wanted to build a memorial to honour local war veterans, they may consult relatives about the project, collaborate with a local sculptor on the design and inform the media to help promote its launch.

But not all stakeholder groups are created equal. Some may need to be kept updated daily on developments, while others only require occasional contact. A stakeholder engagement strategy will help you plan how often you need to communicate with the different groups and decide which tools to use for each one.

Why have a stakeholder engagement strategy?

Depending on which sector you work in, effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration can deliver more customers, better-formulated policy, well-managed projects, innovation and so much more.

Let's make awesome things, together.

Tell us about your story and your project.


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Climate figures show more than three-quarters of the state is suffering from drought conditions, and several western counties are rated as extremely dry.

The U-S Drought Monitor says the seven westernmost counties -- Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain -- face the worst conditions. It also says all counties west of Interstate 26 face severe drought conditions.

State climatologist Ryan Boyles says North Carolina is facing its worst conditions since 2002. Those conditions could worsen with the approach of summer.

Asheville is more than eight inches below average. The Triad is nearly four inches below normal and the Triangle region is more than four inches below normal.

Local governments across the state are urging residents to conserve water. Governor Easley has directed state agencies in 12 counties in western North Carolina to stop nonessential water use.


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Greenpeace global warming banners
© Reuters
Greenpeace activists hold a banner during a rally outside the U.S. embassy for Hillary Clinton in Jakarta on Feb. 19.

After years of resistance from the Bush administration, global warming advocates are convinced the time has come for passage of major climate change legislation.

But even with a sympathetic White House and Congress, the years of delay might well have complicated their task as an army of lobbyists assembled to do battle over the issue.

A Center for Public Integrity analysis of Senate lobbying disclosure forms shows that more than 770 companies and interest groups hired an estimated 2,340 lobbyists to influence federal policy on climate change in the past year, as the issue gathered momentum and a bill came to a vote in Congress.

That's an increase of more than 300 percent in the number of global warming lobbyists since 2003, when Congress previously voted on climate change legislation, and means that Washington can now boast more than four climate lobbyists for every member of Congress.

It also means that 15 percent of all Washington lobbyists spent at least some of their time on global warming last year, based on a tally of the total number of influence peddlers on Capitol Hill by the Center for Responsive Politics.

The center estimates that lobbying expenditures on climate change last year topped $90 million. About 130 businesses and interest groups spent more than $23.5 million on lobbying teams solely focused on climate, but that vastly understates the money devoted to the effort.

More than 95 percent of climate lobbyists work on other issues for their clients as well, and they don't have to report how much they're being paid on global warming specifically. But even if just 10 percent of their time last year was spent on climate issues, that would add nearly $70 million to the grand total spent lobbying on climate in 2008.

Good news, bad news

Many environmental advocates have treated the proliferation of voices as a positive.

When giants such as General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Alcoa and DuPont are on record favoring so-called cap-and-trade legislation, "it moves the politics on this issue to a new place," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

Chelsea Maxwell, a former Senate staffer who worked on last year's legislation, says the lobbying boom is a sign that climate has claimed its place as a major issue on Capitol Hill.

"Five years ago, people saw climate change as an environmental issue, and it really goes beyond that," Maxwell said. "It's an energy issue. It's a national security issue. It's a tax issue. It's an immigration issue. It has so many facets that, as those constituencies start seeing there's likelihood of movement on the Hill, then, of course, people want to make sure their interests are ... represented."

Maxwell, who now works for the Washington consulting firm The Clark Group, is optimistic about the prospects for climate legislation - even amid the lobbying blitz. "I don't think it's impossible," she said. "What it's going to take is a lot of deliberation."

But the lobbying onslaught has alarmed others, who fear compromises among the myriad interests will dilute the sort of aggressive action that's needed.

In one of several open letters penned in recent weeks to President Barack Obama, NASA's James Hansen, a climate scientist, warned: "The danger is that special interests will dilute and torque government policies, causing the climate to pass tipping points, with grave consequences for all life on the planet."

The ranks of the climate lobbyists include a who's who of ex-members of Congress, from former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) to former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Livingston (R-La.).

Among the former Capitol Hill staffers who are engaged are Drew Maloney, former top aide to then-House Majority Whip Tom Delay (R-Texas), and Andrew Athy, a former counsel to Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who later chaired the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Executive branch veterans include Jack Quinn, White House counsel to President Bill Clinton, and Wayne Berman, assistant commerce secretary under President George H.W. Bush.

The roster of interests seeking to influence the legislation is growing and changing, as well.

In 2003, the first time the Senate voted on a climate policy proposal, the 150-or-so groups lobbying on the issue represented a narrow range of interests, led by power companies. Seventy percent, in fact, were electricity, coal and oil firms and the heavy industries like auto, cement and steel that would be most directly affected by curbing fossil fuel use.

Opposing them were nine environmental groups.

By 2008, when the Senate again considered a broad program to curb the carbon dioxide emissions, virtually every segment of the economy was seeking to weigh in on the legislation.

One major new player is the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity - a lobbying organization unveiled just last spring. Representing 48 mining firms, coal-hauling railroads and coal-burning power companies, ACCCE spent $9.95 million lobbying Congress on climate in 2008 - more than any other organization solely dedicated to the issue.

ACCCE's position illustrates the complex positioning that is taking place on the legislation.

The mining companies say they support a mandatory federal program to curb the emissions produced by its own members - as long the policy would keep electricity affordable, domestically produced and reliable. And that means encouraging, in ACCCE's words, "robust utilization of coal."

That's a tall order, since there's no technology on the shelf today that scrubs the carbon out of coal-fired power. So what ACCCE is asking for is money to develop that technology.

Others, including the numerous alternative energy companies, are also looking for research grants and other government help. In 2003, there were fewer than five alternative energy industry lobbyists registered specifically on climate. By 2008, there were more than 130.
number of global warming lobbyists
© unknown

Then there are the Wall Street banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, as well as private equity firms, which want a stake in a new carbon market created under the proposed cap-and-trade system favored by most pro-climate action politicians. The finance industry had roughly as many climate lobbyists as alternative energy - about 130 representatives.

Local government is also seeking a piece of the pie: the revenue that a climate program would generate when power plants, oil companies and others have to buy "permits" from the federal government to continue emitting carbon dioxide. Cities, counties and municipal agencies have more than 100 lobbyists either following climate developments on Capitol Hill or seeking to shape the formulas lawmakers will use for doling out money.

Finally, last year also saw dramatic growth among environmental and health lobbyists, who numbered fewer than 50 five years ago and grew to about 185 last year. The old green groups such as the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation have now been joined by a new wave of interests, from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the Evangelical Environmental Network.

Reading the tea leaves

Even without so many competing agendas, the political hurdles to pass climate legislation - in whatever form - are formidable.

Last year's Senate bill, sponsored by Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), got the support of 48 senators. Climate action advocates picked up three new allies in November: Democratic Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Udall of Colorado and Tom Udall of New Mexico. But that still leaves advocates well short of a filibuster-resistant 60 votes.

Environmental Defense Fund lobbyist Mark MacLeod notes how little the landscape has changed.

"We still have to do something to address the issues about coal. We still have to do something about to address the issues about Detroit," MacLeod said. "All those issues did not go away because of who the president is and because there's a handful more members who support doing something."

Energy lobbyists on all sides are trying to read the tea leaves to predict how aggressively the new president plans to push on the issue.

Obama has called for returning greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and for an 80 percent reduction by 2050. Critics say those goals are too modest, but they surpass anything Congress has previously attempted.

Still, the president has populated his administration with climate advocates and go-slow-on-climate advisers. And energy lobbyists say there's little public support for climate action, given the economic crisis.

In a January poll from the Pew Center for People and the Press, global warming ranked dead last in a list of 20 priorities.


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We love celebrating Southern businesses that are doing great things in their community. In our January 2016 issue, we're spotlighting Lee Industries, a North Carolina-based furniture company that values its people above anything else. Watch a long to take a tour of this exceptional sofa factory with the company's late President, Norman Coley.

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Medupi, Kusile power stations badly designed - foreign help to sort out Eskom mess

Despite overspending by hundreds of billions of rand on the Medupi and Kusile power stations to alleviate SA's power problems, load-shedding is still with us.
Despite overspending by hundreds of billions of rand on the Medupi and Kusile power stations to alleviate SA's power problems, load-shedding is still with us.
Image: Waldo Swiegers

The government has conceded that the two multibillion-rand new power stations - Medupi and Kusile - were badly designed and constructed and this was at the heart of the current Eskom crisis.

The admission was made by public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan in parliament yesterday. Gordhan said Eskom is facing problems of a structural, operational and financial nature.

"Fundamentally, the first point that we need to tell the public is that Medupi and Kusile were badly designed and badly constructed and are not performing at optimum levels," Gordhan said.

"We are addressing these issues. I have met with the board yesterday, I've had various interactions today. We are beginning to understand where the problems are in some of the very old power stations."

He said the government had also "taken a new initiative where the board and myself have agreed that we are going to bring in external power station engineers, have an independent audit done on what is exactly going on so that we put Eskom back on track".

Last year, a report by the office of central procurement showed that Eskom was set to overspend a further R52.2bn more on its Medupi and Kusile power stations.

The report showed that the power utility overspent at least R103.3bn at its Medupi project in Limpopo for the financial year ended March 31 2017, from R93.9bn in March 2016. The project's budget was initially pegged at R145bn.

On the other hand, the cumulative cost on the Kusile project in Mpumalanga was R112.4bn in 2017, compared to R95.1bn in March 2016.

The report, submitted to parliament's standing committee on appropriations, said Kusile would overspend by R26.2bn, while Medupi would overspend by R26bn.

Parliamentarians took turns yesterday to blame the electricity crisis on the ANC.

What was meant to be a debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address became a serious interrogation of government efforts in turning around the power utility.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane blamed Ramaphosa for the failings at Eskom. "You have been watching this space as Eskom collapsed . while you talk of tinkering with Eskom to keep the lights on, we do.

"Where the DA governs we are way ahead of the rest of the country in terms of renewable energy readiness," he said.

On Monday, Eskom shocked the nation when it announced stage 4 load-shedding after six further units went down, forcing the system to require 4,000 megawatts of relief.

As the day begun yesterday, Eskom said it would continue with its load-shedding but reduced it from stage 4 to 3. "Despite generating units returning to service as planned, the emergency reserves [diesel and water] are still very low," the power utility said.

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Chinese Moon Rover Making Tracks on Lunar Far Side (Photo)

Yutu 2 Makes Tracks on Moon's Far Side
China's Yutu 2 rover explores the lunar far side shortly after its Jan. 2, 2019, touchdown.
(Image: © CNSA)

China's far-side moon rover is already busy exploring its exotic new home.

On Wednesday night (Jan. 2), the Chang'e 4 rover and its stationary-lander companion pulled off the first-ever soft touchdown on the lunar far side, coming to a rest inside the 115-mile-wide (186 kilometers) Von Kármán Crater.

The six-wheeled rover, known as Yutu 2, isn't pausing to catch its breath, as a newly released photo shows. Yutu 2 has already put a fair bit of space between itself and the lander, trundling over near the rim of a small crater on the floor of Von Kármán, which itself lies within an even larger impact feature — the 1,550-mile-wide (2,500 km) South Pole-Aitken Basin. [China's Chang'e 4 Moon Far Side Landing in Pictures]

Both Yutu 2 and the lander sport four science instruments, which they'll use to study the surrounding dirt and rocks and probe the far side's subsurface. Such observations could help scientists better understand the moon's composition, structure and evolution, Chinese space officials have said.

Chang'e 4's images and data come home via a relay satellite called Queqiao, which is parked at a gravitationally stable spot beyond the moon. (The lunar far side always points away from Earth, so communicating directly with rovers or landers there is a no-go.)

Queqiao, which launched in May 2018, is collecting some data of its own. The spacecraft totes an astronomy instrument, and it has sent home striking images of the moon and Earth from its unique vantage point in space.

The solar-powered Yutu 2 is designed to operate for at least three months on the lunar surface. The original Yutu was also a moon rover, which landed on the near side in December 2013 as part of China's Chang'e 3 mission. (In Chinese mythology, Chang'e is a moon goddess, and Yutu, or "Jade Rabbit," is her pet.)

Chang'e 1 and Chang'e 2 were moon orbiters that launched in 2007 and 2010, respectively. Chang'e 5, which could launch as early as this year, will aim to bring moon rocks and dirt down to Earth. The most recent such lunar sample-return flight was achieved in 1976, by the Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission.

Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate) is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at:


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Lesson Transcript

Lizzie: Bienvenidos a SpanishPod101.com!
Lizzie: Buen días, soy Lizzie.
Allan: Soy Allan. Beginner Series, Lesson number 29 - The Negotiation.
Lizzie: Sean bienvenidos. ¿Qué tal todos? ¿Allan, cómo está el maestro de los maestros?
Allan: Thanks, Lizzie. Today, frustrated by the traffic in Lima, the mayor has decided to rip up half of the streets and he just created a real mess to get here. How frustrating.
Lizzie: Oh, yes. A mi me sucede lo mismo pero el enojo pasa cuando ya estamos contigo, con ustedes aquí en SpanishPod101.
Allan: So hi there, guys. My name again is Allan Le Rue, and I’m joined by the one and only Lizzie ….
Lizzie: Great to be back.
Allan: And today we have a great lesson, a lesson that will definitely give you insight into Spanish speaking culture. Here we have the final part of this conversation between Xavier, the speedster, and the policeman who pulled him over and wants to give him a ticket.
Lizzie: In the last few lessons, we’ve seen how Xavier has tried to find a way out of this ticket.
Allan: Claro y él ha mostrado cierta astucia al respecto. I mean, people, he is really trying to weasel himself out of this ticket. Last time he made the police officer an offer. Basically, he asked the officer if he would be able to pay the ticket for him, which really means that Xavier would give the officer the money and the officer could take him to the station and pay the ticket.
Lizzie: Of course, Xavier knows that the cop would keep the money.
Allan: Así es. Es una manera de insinuar una oferta medio escandalosa.
Lizzie: ¿Y Allan, la gramática de hoy?
Allan: Bueno hoy vamos a estudiar otra forma perifrástica. This time for grammar we’re going to look at how to use the verb haber along with the pronoun que in order to show obligation.
Lizzie: La obligación.
Allan: Así es amiga mia.
Lizzie: Como por ejemplo ¿hay que escuchar la conversación de hoy?
Allan: Exactamente. Hay que escuchar la conversación de hoy.
Lizzie: And how can we translate that?
Allan: Well, we can say “We’ve got to listen to today’s conversation.”
Lizzie: Vamos.
Allan: Ok, but before we do… Remember, people, these lessons are designed to be used jointly with the tools in the Learning Center at SpanishPod101.com. Don’t forget.
Lizzie: Don’t have a Premium Subscription? No te preocupes. Pick up a seven-day free trial.
Allan: That’s right, guys, risk free. muy bien señorita Empezemos. Here comes another conversation.
OFICIAL: Bueno, pero sólo esta vez.
JAVIER: Agradezco su comprensión. ¿Cuánto será la multa?
OFICIAL: A ver... va a salir carito...
JAVIER: Entiendo, oficial, pero estoy en falta y hay que pagar.
OFICIAL: Son 200 soles.
JAVIER: ¡200 soles! ¿Qué tal planchamos la arruga con 20 soles?
OFICIAL: Hmm... está bien, pero sólo para usted.
OFICIAL: Well, only this time.
JAVIER: I appreciate your understanding. How much is the ticket?
OFICIAL: Let's see... it's going to cost a pretty penny...
JAVIER: I understand, Officer, but I am at fault and one must pay.
OFICIAL: It is 200 soles.
JAVIER: 200 soles! How about we even up with 20 soles?
OFICIAL: Hmm... alright, but only for you, Sir.
Lizzie: ¡Qué escándalo!
Allan: Sí lo se. No puedo creer que el oficial haya aceptado la coima. I can’t believe that the cop took the bribe.
Lizzie: Bueno lo que a mi me sorprendió es que la coima haya sido de tan poca plata. Broma broma.
Allan: It’s a good one, Lizzie. So as you say, you’re surprised that the bribe was so small but, hey, let’s talk about this so as not to be frightened. Not all cops are corrupt and we’ve got to say that there are some great policemen out there. And not just policemen, but police women. Lizzie, have you noticed all the police women that are now working in Lima?
Lizzie: Yeah. There are lots of them.
Allan: That’s right. These women have the reputation of being not only tough but artist. And let me tell you, I think they improved traffic. Alright, enough with that. Time to go over the vocab.
Lizzie: Sounds like a good, good idea.
Allan: So, let’s begin with…
Lizzie: Multa.
Allan: Ticket.
Lizzie: Multa, multa.
Allan: Now, we’ll hear…
Lizzie: Falta.
Allan: Fault, lack, mistake.
Lizzie: Falta, falta.
Allan: Now, we’ll listen to…
Lizzie: Planchar.
Allan: To iron.
Lizzie: Planchar, planchar.
Allan: Next, we’ll hear…
Lizzie: Arruga.
Allan: Wrinkle.
Lizzie: Arruga, arruga.
Allan: Now, let’s listen to…
Lizzie: comprensión
Allan: Understanding, comprehension.
Lizzie: comprensión, comprensión
Allan: And finally…
Lizzie: Oficial.
Allan: Officer, official.
Lizzie: Oficial, oficial.
Allan: Alright, Lizzie. Before we move on to the usage let’s focus really quickly on the pronunciation of one of these words.
Lizzie: Which one?
Allan: Well, how about the Spanish word for “wrinkle”? Could you say it again?
Lizzie: Arruga.
Allan: Spelled A-R-R-U-G-A.
Lizzie: Arruga.
Allan: Now, notice that this has the double R also called the rr and this is the rolled r so it’s not aruga with just one R but arruga.
Lizzie: Arruga.
Allan: Well, maybe not that exaggerated. But I think you’re getting the point across.
Lizzie: Entonces ahora avancemos con el uso de estas palabras.
Allan: Time to go over some of these words. So, to begin, let me ask you. Lizzie, if you do something wrong then it’s your…
Lizzie: …fault
Allan: And if it’s your fault then we could also say that “you are at fault”, right?
Lizzie: ¡Cómo no!
Allan: And if we remove the letter U from the word “fault” what are we left with?
Lizzie: Ahora seria falt.
Allan: And now if we just add an A to the end of that, what does it sound like?
Lizzie: Falta
Allan: Hey, that’s right.Falta. And in the conversation when Xavier says estoy en falta what does he mean?
Lizzie: He means that “he is at fault”.
Allan: Right. So the word falta when we use it after preposition en means “fault”. Other times it can refer to a lack and also a mistake. But today we’ll just focus on it when it means “fault” as in the expression en falta. Again, this means “at fault”.
Lizzie: Y la proxima palabra maestro.
Allan: planchar
Lizzie: planchar
Allan: Right. So, when you take your clothes to the cleaner’s and they wash and dry them, what do they do to make sure that they are nice and pressed?
Lizzie: They iron them.
Allan: Aha. So how would you say “I will iron the shirt”?
Lizzie: Seria yo planchare la camisa.
Allan: So the verb planchar means “to iron”. But as we see in today’s conversation, it’s also used figuratively sometimes.
Lizzie: Claro, Javier siendo el vivo que es dice: que tal planchamos la arruga con veinte soles.
Allan: That’s right. And in order to understand this figurative meaning we’re going to have to look at the word arruga. Lizzie, what is an la arruga?
Lizzie: It’s a wrinkle.
Allan: Right. And when we say “wrinkle here, we mean either wrinkle in the skin or a wrinkle in the clothes, any kind of wrinkle.
Lizzie: Pero la frase planchar la arruga ya es otra cosa.
Allan: Yeah, I know. I’ll get into that as my trustee sidekick so graciously pointed out the phrase planchar la arruga is a figurative expression. Literally it means “to iron out the wrinkle”, but we often use this one for discussing how a debt will be paid.
Lizzie: Así es maestro de los maestros.
Allan: You’re right. Alright, Lizzie. One more word.
Lizzie: Which one?
Allan: Oficial.
Lizzie: Oficial.
Allan: Spelled very similar to the English word “official” except for one difference.
Lizzie: Tienes una f.
Allan: Exactly. In Spanish, this word has just one F, oficial. However, the meaning in Spanish is quite a bit different than “official” in English.
Lizzie: How so?
Allan: Well, in Spanish we can refer to an officer, I mean any kind of officer as oficial and we can also refer to un documento oficial “an official document”.
Lizzie: Entonces puede ser o adjetivo o sustantivo.
Allan: Ding, ding, ding. You are correct, Lizzie.
Lizzie: Ha, ha, ha. ¿Cómo me vas a premiar?
Allan: What’s your prize? Lizzie for you the great prize today is an all-expense trip paid to Lima, Peru. Now, onto grammar.
Lizzie: la gramática

Lesson focus

Allan: Time to learn how the language is working in here and how to make it work for us.
Lizzie: Eso queremos
Allan: So, Lizzie, si yo digo Javier tiene que pagar. ¿A quien le corresponde el deber de pagar? I mean if I say “Xavier has to pay” to whom does the obligation of paying correspond?
Lizzie: A Xavier.
Allan: Aha, right. So, now, if I say “One must pay” does this still express obligation?
Lizzie: Claro que sí maestro.
Allan: It does, okay. And what’s the obligation?
Lizzie: The obligation is to pay.
Allan: And now, the million dollar question.
Lizzie: Espero que gane, espero que gane.
Allan: Whose obligation is it to pay?
Lizzie: With the example “One must pay”?
Allan: Yeah, that’s right.
Lizzie: I’m not sure.
Allan: Well, to tell you the truth, that’s not an entirely wrong answer.
Lizzie: Do I still win the prize?
Allan: We have to talk to the judges, but I’ll get back to that one, Liz.
Lizzie: Well, what do you mean by not being entirely wrong?
Allan: Well, when we say something like “One must pay”, we’re expressing an obligation. But this obligation is impersonal.
Lizzie: We don’t know whose obligation it is?
Allan: No, madam.
Lizzie: Not at all?
Allan: Paranada. Let’s see what it looks like in Spanish. Check out what Xavier says after he admits that he is at fault. He says: hay que pagar
Lizzie: A pero claro. ¿Por qué no me lo explicaste así desde el principio?
Allan: So, Lizzie. What’s the infinitive form of the verb hay?
Lizzie: Hay haber.
Allan: Haber. Right. And this form hay is this personal or impersonal?
Lizzie: Impersonal.
Allan: Alright. So, in Spanish we use the verb hay and then to this we add other words to convey this sense of impersonal obligation.
Lizzie: Claro, usamos el pronombre que y luego algún verbo en el infinitivo.
Allan: Right. So, we use the impersonal form of haver which is hay and then the pronoun que followed by any verb in the infinitive.
Lizzie: Como por ejemplo, hay que tener paciencia
Allan: That’s a great example. hay que tener paciencia Now, guys, here is the trick to this. Because this is an impersonal expression of obligation we can translate it to English as “One must have patience”, but notice that the word “one” here refers to anyone, right? So, this is the only real way to show what’s going on in this construction.
Lizzie: Claro es una forma muy particular pero común también.
Allan: Definitely common. With this construction you can express what must be done, but and this is a big, big “but” you don’t indicate whose job it is to do, whatever needs to be done.
Lizzie: Por supuesto. We use this a lot in Spanish because it’s an indirect way to tell someone what they need to do.
Allan: Right. And this indirectness translates into courtesy.
Lizzie: Allan, when do you use this expression?
Allan: Well, let me think. For example, when my family and I were getting ready to go to Trujillo I remember we were getting ready the night before and I said hay que salir temprano mañana, and here I used this impersonal form because I didn’t want to give them an order as much as I just wanted them to know that it would be best if we left early.
Lizzie: What would it have sounded like in the personal form?
Allan: Then it would have been tenemos que salir temprano and this means “We have to leave early”. So hay que and then the infinitive- impersonal but tener que and then the infinitive-personal.
Lizzie: Bueno Allan ya se acabó la fiesta.
Allan: Pero siempre habrá otra. It’s been another great lesson, Lizz
Lizzie: Gracias a ti Allan.

Allan: No, thank you, Liz. Now, from here stop by SpanishPod101.com, pick up the PDF and check out the language tools in the Learning Center and if you’re looking for a greater challenge, why don’t you check out Cathy and Anna in the Lower Intermediate Lessons. And if you’re looking for an even greater challenge, then eventually, guys come on down to Lima and see what an immersion course is all about at El Sol. This is my Language School where I guarantee you will learn a lot of Spanish and a tremendous amount of our Peruvian culture.
Lizzie: Y si quieren conocernos pueden ver nuestras fotos en SpanishPod101.com. Meet the team.
Allan: Ok todos, hasta luego. Hasta la proxima.
Lizzie: Hasta la proxima.
Allan: Chao!

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Please to leave a comment.
😄 😞 😳 😁 😒 😎 😠 😆 😅 😜 😉 😭 😇 😴 😮 😈 ❤ 👍

SpanishPod101.com Verified
Wednesday at 06:30 PM
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Thank to Kevin Macleod for the music in today's lesson. Does anyone have any questions about the distinction between the phrases: "hay que + verb" and "tener que + verb" ???

SpanishPod101.com Verified
Friday at 01:21 PM
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Hola William,

Thank you for your feedback.

We believe every comment is very constructive and will help us improve the experience of future lessons.

We're sorry if this was disrespectful to you or other listeners.

Let's keep practicing.

Team SpanishPod101.com

William Ross
Thursday at 08:37 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Discupe a quejarle de nuevo but I don’t think it’s wise to make light of brivery(an illegal and at times a very serious offense). Especially in the context of what is suppose to be essential vocabulary and casual encounters in beginners language series, such activity just seems shady and out of place.

Honestly, if moderators and instructors are encouraging brivery and that’s something that happens on an everyday basis in Peru(bad drivers can just pay under the table with no record) than I don’t want to go anywhere near that country.

SpanishPod101.com Verified
Monday at 12:58 PM
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Hola Mary,

Thank you for your question.

Yes, you are right with the tenses. Muy buen trabajo!

Please let us know if you have any question.

Sigamos practicando!

Team SpanishPod101.com

Wednesday at 01:39 PM
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Una pregunta - para el tiempo futuro, hay que utilizar "habra," en lugar de "hay?" Creo que entiendo la diferencia entre "tener que" y "hay que." El primero es personal y el segundo es general. "Tener" será conjugado pero "hay" es siempre "hay." Fue una buena lección.

SpanishPod101.com Verified
Monday at 12:30 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hola Steven,

Thank you for your comment.

You are right "Seria" is like "it would be". :wink:

As for the typo we will fix this ASAP.

Gracias por tu ayuda.

Team SpanishPod101.com

Thursday at 07:55 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

I was going to ask the same question that Kris asked, but I think I understand now. Lizzie is anwwering "Seria (it would be) yo planchare la camisa." ¿verdad?

Also, a minor typo later where "haver" is written instead of "haber".

Allan: Right. So, we use the impersonal form of haver which is hay and then the pronoun que followed by any verb in the infinitive.

SpanishPod101.com Verified
Sunday at 08:14 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hola Kris,

Thank you for your comment.

"seria" is to introduce what she's translating, not part of the translation.

Team SpanishPod101.com

Monday at 10:38 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

When Lisy translates "I will iron the shirt" I think she says "Sería yo plancharé la camisa". How does the word ´sería´ fit into it? Is it even necessary or is it simply for emphasis or similar? Thanks.


text:
Long delays getting building permits out of planning departments around Spain drives up the cost of new homes big time, reveals new report

new development market Barcelona
A new development in Barcelona that has been held up in planning for years.

Slow-moving Spanish planning departments ensure that home buyers in Spain have to pay higher prices with bigger mortgages for lower quality new properties, whilst even local authorities and the economy pay a significant price for the delays. Everybody is a loser when town planning officials drag their feet through copious quantities of Spanish red-tape.

Time is money, and the long delay in granting planning permission and habitation licences typical of Spanish urban planning departments ads an extra €13,000 euros on average to the cost of a new home in Spain, according to a new report ‘Planning Licences: The Invisible Tax’ recently presented by the ASPRIMA developers association of Madrid, in collaboration with EY Abogados, the Spanish legal arm of the EY global professional services company.

ASPRIMA and EY Abogados looked at the average time it takes to get planning permission in 10 Spanish municipalities: Five in the Madrid region, plus Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Zaragoza.

They found that it took town planning departments 12 months on average to grant permits, despite legislation stipulating a maximum of three months for mayor building works, and one month for minor works.

“We are in an unsustainable situation,” comments Juan Antonio Gómez-Pintado, President of Asprima. “We have seen a progressive deterioration in the question of planning permission procedures. In fact, this issue is ever more detrimental to housing accessibility, which is so important.” In other words, planning delays drive up the costs and make housing affordability an even bigger problem for society, especially the least well-off.

Delays and extra costs

The biggest delay they found was in the upmarket district of Madrid called Majadahonda, where planning permission took an average of 16 months. Given the higher house prices in a well-healed municipality, this delay adds an extra €39,000 onto the cost of a new home in Majadahonda, which developers pass onto homebuyers. That represents around 11% of the cost of a new home in the municipality.

The second longest delay was in next door Pozuelo, another upmarket municipality in the Madrid region, where planning permission takes 14 months adding an extra €35,000 (9%) onto the cost of a new home in the municipality. Madrid city came third, with 12 months and €29,000 extra (7%).

Barcelona was fifth in the study, with an average wait of 12 months for planning permission creating an extra cost of €26,145 (6%). Palma de Mallorca was in 7th place with a 12 month wait costing home buyers an extra €18,000 (6%).

In Valencia and Zaragoza the delay was also 12 months, but lower house prices in those cities meant an extra cost of €10,000 in Valencia (4%) and €8,000 in Zaragoza (3%).

Malaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, was quickest to respond with 8 months and €7,000 (3%) in red-tape costs passed onto home buyers.

Home buyers foot the bill, but everyone pays a price

Just like any other cost of production, for example labour or bricks, developers pass on planning costs to home buyers, who foot the final bill. The bigger the planning costs, the higher the prices buyers have to pay, if developers can’t find ways to reduce costs in other areas, for example by lowering the quality of materials. The last thing developers will do is reduce their margins and target investment returns, which they would argue are already too low considering the risks they take.

All of this means that home buyers have to wait longer and fork out more for new homes, also paying more in rent and other opportunity costs along the way. That leaves them with less money to spend on white goods, furniture, interior decor, so they have to borrow more, buy cheaper (great for IKEA) or do without. You can see how the red-tape of Spanish planning departments forces families to borrow more, and take on more risk.

When prices get too high demand can’t keep up. Developers respond by offering cheaper quality. So another consequence of dysfunctional planning departments is lower-quality new homes.

“The problem has an easy solution: change the procedures and not the regulations,” says Gómez-Pintado. “The administration must speed up procedures providing more resources to their own departments, outsourcing the management of some procedures, and digitalising others.”

The planning delays, legal uncertainty, and regulatory patchwork all over Spain increase the risk of developing in Spain, which puts off a lot of investors, and only tends to attract investors with an appetite for higher risks, and higher returns. Guess what you get? Higher new home prices!

The public coffers also suffer as a consequence of the long delays in planning procedures. With an average delay of 12 months in Spain, town halls have to wait for income from planning licences and the council tax new home buyers would be paying a year earlier. The report estimates that Madrid city hall ends up out of pocket to the tune of €10m p.a., Barcelona €4m, and Valencia €1.5m.

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text:
Les Misérables

Victor Hugo
Full Text

"Fantine," Book Three: Chapter VIII

Full Text "Fantine," Book Three: Chapter VIII

"Fantine," Book Three: Chapter VIII

The Death of a Horse

"The dinners are better at Édon's than at Bombarda's," exclaimed Zéphine.

"I prefer Bombarda to Édon," declared Blachevelle. "There is more luxury. It is more Asiatic. Look at the room downstairs; there are mirrors [glaces] on the walls."

"I prefer them [glaces, ices] on my plate," said Favourite.

Blachevelle persisted:—

"Look at the knives. The handles are of silver at Bombarda's and of bone at Édon's. Now, silver is more valuable than bone."

"Except for those who have a silver chin," observed Tholomyès.

He was looking at the dome of the Invalides, which was visible from Bombarda's windows.

A pause ensued.

"Tholomyès," exclaimed Fameuil, "Listolier and I were having a discussion just now."

"A discussion is a good thing," replied Tholomyès; "a quarrel is better."

"We were disputing about philosophy."

"Which do you prefer, Descartes or Spinoza?"

"Désaugiers," said Tholomyès.

This decree pronounced, he took a drink, and went on:—

"I consent to live. All is not at an end on earth since we can still talk nonsense. For that I return thanks to the immortal gods. We lie. One lies, but one laughs. One affirms, but one doubts. The unexpected bursts forth from the syllogism. That is fine. There are still human beings here below who know how to open and close the surprise box of the paradox merrily. This, ladies, which you are drinking with so tranquil an air is Madeira wine, you must know, from the vineyard of Coural das Freiras, which is three hundred and seventeen fathoms above the level of the sea. Attention while you drink! three hundred and seventeen fathoms! and Monsieur Bombarda, the magnificent eating-house keeper, gives you those three hundred and seventeen fathoms for four francs and fifty centimes."

Again Fameuil interrupted him:—

"Tholomyès, your opinions fix the law. Who is your favorite author?"

"No; Choux."

And Tholomyès continued:—

"Honor to Bombarda! He would equal Munophis of Elephanta if he could but get me an Indian dancing-girl, and Thygelion of Chæronea if he could bring me a Greek courtesan; for, oh, ladies! there were Bombardas in Greece and in Egypt. Apuleius tells us of them. Alas! always the same, and nothing new; nothing more unpublished by the creator in creation! Nil sub sole novum, says Solomon; amor omnibus idem, says Virgil; and Carabine mounts with Carabin into the bark at Saint-Cloud, as Aspasia embarked with Pericles upon the fleet at Samos. One last word. Do you know what Aspasia was, ladies? Although she lived at an epoch when women had, as yet, no soul, she was a soul; a soul of a rosy and purple hue, more ardent hued than fire, fresher than the dawn. Aspasia was a creature in whom two extremes of womanhood met; she was the goddess prostitute; Socrates plus Manon Lescaut. Aspasia was created in case a mistress should be needed for Prometheus."

Tholomyès, once started, would have found some difficulty in stopping, had not a horse fallen down upon the quay just at that moment. The shock caused the cart and the orator to come to a dead halt. It was a Beauceron mare, old and thin, and one fit for the knacker, which was dragging a very heavy cart. On arriving in front of Bombarda's, the worn-out, exhausted beast had refused to proceed any further. This incident attracted a crowd. Hardly had the cursing and indignant carter had time to utter with proper energy the sacramental word, Mâtin (the jade), backed up with a pitiless cut of the whip, when the jade fell, never to rise again. On hearing the hubbub made by the passers-by, Tholomyès' merry auditors turned their heads, and Tholomyès took advantage of the opportunity to bring his allocution to a close with this melancholy strophe:—

"Elle était de ce monde ou coucous et carrosses Ont le même destin; Et, rosse, elle a vécu ce que vivant les rosses, L'espace d'un mâtin!"

"Poor horse!" sighed Fantine.

And Dahlia exclaimed:—

"There is Fantine on the point of crying over horses. How can one be such a pitiful fool as that!"

At that moment Favourite, folding her arms and throwing her head back, looked resolutely at Tholomyès and said:—

"Come, now! the surprise?"

"Exactly. The moment has arrived," replied Tholomyès. "Gentlemen, the hour for giving these ladies a surprise has struck. Wait for us a moment, ladies."

"It begins with a kiss," said Blachevelle.

"On the brow," added Tholomyès.

Each gravely bestowed a kiss on his mistress's brow; then all four filed out through the door, with their fingers on their lips.

Favourite clapped her hands on their departure.

"It is beginning to be amusing already," said she.

"Don't be too long," murmured Fantine; "we are waiting for you."


text:
Les Misérables

Victor Hugo
Full Text

"Saint-Denis," Book Eight: Chapter VI

Full Text "Saint-Denis," Book Eight: Chapter VI

"Saint-Denis," Book Eight: Chapter VI

While this sort of a dog with a human face was mounting guard over the gate, and while the six ruffians were yielding to a girl, Marius was by Cosette's side.

Never had the sky been more studded with stars and more charming, the trees more trembling, the odor of the grass more penetrating; never had the birds fallen asleep among the leaves with a sweeter noise; never had all the harmonies of universal serenity responded more thoroughly to the inward music of love; never had Marius been more captivated, more happy, more ecstatic.

But he had found Cosette sad; Cosette had been weeping. Her eyes were red.

This was the first cloud in that wonderful dream.

Marius' first word had been: "What is the matter?"

And she had replied: "This."

Then she had seated herself on the bench near the steps, and while he tremblingly took his place beside her, she had continued:—

"My father told me this morning to hold myself in readiness, because he has business, and we may go away from here."

Marius shivered from head to foot.

When one is at the end of one's life, to die means to go away; when one is at the beginning of it, to go away means to die.

For the last six weeks, Marius had little by little, slowly, by degrees, taken possession of Cosette each day. As we have already explained, in the case of first love, the soul is taken long before the body; later on, one takes the body long before the soul; sometimes one does not take the soul at all; the Faublas and the Prudhommes add: "Because there is none"; but the sarcasm is, fortunately, a blasphemy. So Marius possessed Cosette, as spirits possess, but he enveloped her with all his soul, and seized her jealously with incredible conviction. He possessed her smile, her breath, her perfume, the profound radiance of her blue eyes, the sweetness of her skin when he touched her hand, the charming mark which she had on her neck, all her thoughts. Therefore, he possessed all Cosette's dreams.

He incessantly gazed at, and he sometimes touched lightly with his breath, the short locks on the nape of her neck, and he declared to himself that there was not one of those short hairs which did not belong to him, Marius. He gazed upon and adored the things that she wore, her knot of ribbon, her gloves, her sleeves, her shoes, her cuffs, as sacred objects of which he was the master. He dreamed that he was the lord of those pretty shell combs which she wore in her hair, and he even said to himself, in confused and suppressed stammerings of voluptuousness which did not make their way to the light, that there was not a ribbon of her gown, not a mesh in her stockings, not a fold in her bodice, which was not his. Beside Cosette he felt himself beside his own property, his own thing, his own despot and his slave. It seemed as though they had so intermingled their souls, that it would have been impossible to tell them apart had they wished to take them back again.—"This is mine." "No, it is mine." "I assure you that you are mistaken. This is my property." "What you are taking as your own is myself."—Marius was something that made a part of Cosette, and Cosette was something which made a part of Marius. Marius felt Cosette within him. To have Cosette, to possess Cosette, this, to him, was not to be distinguished from breathing. It was in the midst of this faith, of this intoxication, of this virgin possession, unprecedented and absolute, of this sovereignty, that these words: "We are going away," fell suddenly, at a blow, and that the harsh voice of reality cried to him: "Cosette is not yours!"

Marius awoke. For six weeks Marius had been living, as we have said, outside of life; those words, going away! caused him to re-enter it harshly.

He found not a word to say. Cosette merely felt that his hand was very cold. She said to him in her turn: "What is the matter?"

He replied in so low a tone that Cosette hardly heard him:—

"I did not understand what you said."

She began again:—

"This morning my father told me to settle all my little affairs and to hold myself in readiness, that he would give me his linen to put in a trunk, that he was obliged to go on a journey, that we were to go away, that it is necessary to have a large trunk for me and a small one for him, and that all is to be ready in a week from now, and that we might go to England."

"But this is outrageous!" exclaimed Marius.

It is certain, that, at that moment, no abuse of power, no violence, not one of the abominations of the worst tyrants, no action of Busiris, of Tiberius, or of Henry VIII., could have equalled this in atrocity, in the opinion of Marius; M. Fauchelevent taking his daughter off to England because he had business there.

He demanded in a weak voice:—

"And when do you start?"

"He did not say when."

"And when shall you return?"

"He did not say when."

Marius rose and said coldly:—

"Cosette, shall you go?"

Cosette turned toward him her beautiful eyes, all filled with anguish, and replied in a sort of bewilderment:—

"To England. Shall you go?"

"Why do you say you to me?"

"I ask you whether you will go?"

"What do you expect me to do?" she said, clasping her hands.

"So, you will go?"

"If my father goes."

"So, you will go?"

Cosette took Marius' hand, and pressed it without replying.

"Very well," said Marius, "then I will go elsewhere."

Cosette felt rather than understood the meaning of these words. She turned so pale that her face shone white through the gloom. She stammered:—

"What do you mean?"

Marius looked at her, then raised his eyes to heaven, and answered: "Nothing."

When his eyes fell again, he saw Cosette smiling at him. The smile of a woman whom one loves possesses a visible radiance, even at night.

"How silly we are! Marius, I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"If we go away, do you go too! I will tell you where! Come and join me wherever I am."

Marius was now a thoroughly roused man. He had fallen back into reality. He cried to Cosette:—

"Go away with you! Are you mad? Why, I should have to have money, and I have none! Go to England? But I am in debt now, I owe, I don't know how much, more than ten louis to Courfeyrac, one of my friends with whom you are not acquainted! I have an old hat which is not worth three francs, I have a coat which lacks buttons in front, my shirt is all ragged, my elbows are torn, my boots let in the water; for the last six weeks I have not thought about it, and I have not told you about it. You only see me at night, and you give me your love; if you were to see me in the daytime, you would give me a sou! Go to England! Eh! I haven't enough to pay for a passport!"

He threw himself against a tree which was close at hand, erect, his brow pressed close to the bark, feeling neither the wood which flayed his skin, nor the fever which was throbbing in his temples, and there he stood motionless, on the point of falling, like the statue of despair.

He remained a long time thus. One could remain for eternity in such abysses. At last he turned round. He heard behind him a faint stifled noise, which was sweet yet sad.

It was Cosette sobbing.

She had been weeping for more than two hours beside Marius as he meditated.

He came to her, fell at her knees, and slowly prostrating himself, he took the tip of her foot which peeped out from beneath her robe, and kissed it.

She let him have his way in silence. There are moments when a woman accepts, like a sombre and resigned goddess, the religion of love.

"Do not weep," he said.

She murmured:—

"Not when I may be going away, and you cannot come!"

He went on:—

"Do you love me?"

She replied, sobbing, by that word from paradise which is never more charming than amid tears:—

"I adore you!"

He continued in a tone which was an indescribable caress:—

"Do not weep. Tell me, will you do this for me, and cease to weep?"

"Do you love me?" said she.

He took her hand.

"Cosette, I have never given my word of honor to any one, because my word of honor terrifies me. I feel that my father is by my side. Well, I give you my most sacred word of honor, that if you go away I shall die."

In the tone with which he uttered these words there lay a melancholy so solemn and so tranquil, that Cosette trembled. She felt that chill which is produced by a true and gloomy thing as it passes by. The shock made her cease weeping.

"Now, listen," said he, "do not expect me to-morrow."

"Do not expect me until the day after to-morrow."

"Oh! Why?"

"You will see."

"A day without seeing you! But that is impossible!"

"Let us sacrifice one day in order to gain our whole lives, perhaps."

And Marius added in a low tone and in an aside:—

"He is a man who never changes his habits, and he has never received any one except in the evening."

"Of what man are you speaking?" asked Cosette.

"I? I said nothing."

"What do you hope, then?"

"Wait until the day after to-morrow."

"You wish it?"

"Yes, Cosette."

She took his head in both her hands, raising herself on tiptoe in order to be on a level with him, and tried to read his hope in his eyes.

Marius resumed:—

"Now that I think of it, you ought to know my address: something might happen, one never knows; I live with that friend named Courfeyrac, Rue de la Verrerie, No. 16."

He searched in his pocket, pulled out his penknife, and with the blade he wrote on the plaster of the wall:—

"16 Rue de la Verrerie."

In the meantime, Cosette had begun to gaze into his eyes once more.

"Tell me your thought, Marius; you have some idea. Tell it to me. Oh! tell me, so that I may pass a pleasant night."

"This is my idea: that it is impossible that God should mean to part us. Wait; expect me the day after to-morrow."

"What shall I do until then?" said Cosette. "You are outside, you go, and come! How happy men are! I shall remain entirely alone! Oh! How sad I shall be! What is it that you are going to do to-morrow evening? tell me."

"I am going to try something."

"Then I will pray to God and I will think of you here, so that you may be successful. I will question you no further, since you do not wish it. You are my master. I shall pass the evening to-morrow in singing that music from Euryanthe that you love, and that you came one evening to listen to, outside my shutters. But day after to-morrow you will come early. I shall expect you at dusk, at nine o'clock precisely, I warn you. Mon Dieu! how sad it is that the days are so long! On the stroke of nine, do you understand, I shall be in the garden."

"And I also."

And without having uttered it, moved by the same thought, impelled by those electric currents which place lovers in continual communication, both being intoxicated with delight even in their sorrow, they fell into each other's arms, without perceiving that their lips met while their uplifted eyes, overflowing with rapture and full of tears, gazed upon the stars.

When Marius went forth, the street was deserted. This was the moment when Éponine was following the ruffians to the boulevard.

While Marius had been dreaming with his head pressed to the tree, an idea had crossed his mind; an idea, alas! that he himself judged to be senseless and impossible. He had come to a desperate decision.


text:
Weekly Email Marketing News Digest

This week, we’re looking at the fundamentals of email marketing – why it continues to be relevant and important, as well as why we need to ensure that deliverability is the top priority for marketers.

If customers do not receive your email, it means that they are not going to buy from you – plain and simple. That’s because they’ve not heard about your great new product, or that huge weekend sale, which means they won’t take action. The result? Your email ROI suffers. That’s a big deal since email continues to be the main channel that businesses rely on for ROI.

Billions of Opt-in Email Messages Never Reach Consumers, Return Path Study Finds

Return Path‘s Inbox Placement Rate (IPR) Benchmarks Report shows that 22% of marketing emails that subscribers had opted-in to did not reach inboxes in the first half of 2013. 18% were blocked or went missing and 4% were delivered to spam or junk folders. The Inbox Placement Rates have declined since 2012 by 4%. The biggest decline was seen in Asia Pacific, which fell by 22% to 64%. One-third of all marketing emails sent there were never delivered.

The Return Path results call to mind the importance of not just deliverability, but working with an email solution and partner that is able to ensure your sender reputation and sender score are in good standing with the ISPs.

Focus on the Fundamentals

Responsive design and behavioral targeting are all well and good, but before embarking on ambitious advanced tactics, it’s critical to get the basics right first.

  • List growth: Ensure that interested subscribers are able to join your list without obstacles and they receive validation, on-boarding and welcome transactional emails in a timely manner.
  • Content: Send your subscriber base regular and strong messaging about your products or services.
  • List hygiene: Are you CAN-SPAM compliant? Are unsubscriptions and bounces being removed in a timely manner?
  • Reactivation: Do you have a reactivation process in place to re-enagage with inactive subscribers.
  • Testing: Is testing a central part of your email campaigns?

If you are not following these email best practices when it comes to these items in the above list, then you should probably get that in order before moving on to advanced features.

More Than One in 10 Emails Are Faulty

A recent study shows that 11% of marketing emails had one or more broken links. In addition, 9% of emails read on mobile phones and tablets had one or more broken links. More than 5% of all emails contained a broken image. Usability and readability issues have negative repercussions on a brand’s reputation so it’s important to ensure that email campaigns are effectively executed and deployed.

Deliverability Myth Discussed

What are some of the deliverability myths you have heard throughout your career? Here are some of the common ones:

  • Myth 1: Deliverability is all about who you know at ISPs.
  • Myth 2: You can’t use certain words in subject lines.
  • Myth 3: Deliverability is a black art that few people understand.
  • Myth 4: Deliverability experts work for the “other team”.

For more information on why these myths have been debunked, check out the original article.

10 Simple but Essential Email Marketing Tips

Want to find out how to reduce your email costs as well as ensure that your email is getting into the inbox? Download our free eBook on The High Cost of Free Messaging Software.

The High Cost of Free Messaging Software


text:
Surveying publications

The importance of surveying, exploring and land administration in New South Wales led to the issue of various instructions, regulations and guidance to surveyors. These documents are of great use in interpreting old survey plans and historical records as they allow us to understand the documentation which surveyors created while undertaking their work.

Here is a selection of current and historical instructions and guides, guidelines, directions, regulations and technical papers to help you understand surveying, and the objects and records associated with it.

All surveying publications are published as PDFs and will open in new windows. Publications related to GNSS and CORS are available under GNSS Publications.

Technical papers

A list of our technical papers that have been published in journals and professional magazines or presented at conferences.

Current documents

A selection of current instructions and guides, guidelines, and regulations

Historical survey documents

Historical survey documents


text:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Paperback / softback Book

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Paperback / softback

When the Knight Bus crashes through the darkness and screeches to a halt in front of him, it's the start of another far from ordinary year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter.

Sirius Black, escaped mass-murderer and follower of Lord Voldemort, is on the run - and they say he is coming after Harry.

In his first ever Divination class, Professor Trelawney sees an omen of death in Harry's tea leaves ...

But perhaps most terrifying of all are the Dementors patrolling the school grounds, with their soul-sucking kiss. These new editions of the classic and internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning series feature instantly pick-up-able new jackets by Jonny Duddle, with huge child appeal, to bring Harry Potter to the next generation of readers.

It's time to PASS THE MAGIC ON ...

  • Format: Paperback / softback
  • Pages: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  • Publication Date:
  • Category: Fantasy
  • ISBN: 9781408855676

Free delivery within the UK
Standard Delivery
Within the UK


text:
WikiLeaks Diplomatic Cables

It is the largest leak in diplomatic history: More than 250,000 cables from US embassies around the world were made public by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks. The secret cables offer blunt assessments of world leaders and a behind-the-scenes look at how the US wields its influence.

Alle Beiträge


text:
The three main characters in this parabolic film are Cable Hogue (Jason Robards), Hildy (Stella Stevens), and Joshua Duncan Sloane (David Warner). Cable has been left by his two partners to die in the desert. After four days, he chances upon a miracle — a desert waterhole. It turns out that the hole is 40 yards from the stage coach route between the towns of Deaddog and Lizard. After several disappointments, Cable obtains claim to the land and eventually convinces the stage-line to sign a contract with him to set up a way station for travelers.

An itinerant preacher, Joshua Duncan Sloane, happens upon the waterhole, befriends Cable, and provides a strong-arm and a ready wit while Cable sets up his empire in the desert. Joshua's wooing of ladies in distress does not work upon Hildy, a prostitute in Deaddog. She works her magic upon Cable but still dreams of a life in San Francisco.

The Ballad of Cable Hogue is a tour de force in cinematic terms. It's clean and crisp and absolutely believable. The characters are given a vulnerability and pride that make them not only likable but memorable. The film is one of the finest Westerns ever brought to the screen. It embodies the typical Western characters with their self-reliance, zest, violence, and dreams. And one gets a real feel for the country through the cinematography.

At its core, here is a parable about a man whose life is caught in a swirl of survival, revenge, building a business, falling in love, and finally, making a decision about life's priorities. No wonder they are able to say about Cable Hogue: "There wasn't a star in the sky he hadn't nicknamed. There wasn't a man he was afraid of. He never went to church but the whole desert was his cathedral . . . He built his empire but he was man enough to give it up when the time came.


text:
Sportress of Blogitude

Tom Brady clarifies comments about how last few seasons ‘weren’t enjoyable’

Tom Brady has attempted to clarify comments that surfaced this week in which he expressed how the last few seasons “weren’t enjoyable” for him.

The surprising remarks from the New England Patriots quarterback originally came to light in the epilogue installment of his Facebook documentary, “Tom Vs. Time,” which premiered Wednesday.

“The last couple of years, a lot of parts about football weren’t enjoyable when they should have been,” Brady said in part in the documentary.

Such candid remarks not surprisingly generated great interest and inspired rampant speculation. It’s not surprising, then, that said enlightening remarks were a topic of conversation during Brady’s interview with Jim Gray that aired on Westwood One Radio on Thursday night.

“I love football — I love the sport, I love being on the field, I love playing the game — I think sometimes it can feel like there are a lot of other obligations that come along with football,” Brady told Gray in the NFL Opening Night interview. “If you let those take too much of an impact or toll, you can bring those onto the field.

“Being in it for 19 years, I’ve grown a lot, I’ve learned a lot, and it comes down to prioritization. I think this offseason was great for me to spend a lot of time with my family, catch up on some things that I’ve never had opportunities to do, to really refocus and reenergize for what’s really a marathon of a season. It’s a lot of energy and effort you put out. You want everything in your tank and ready to.”

The widely held assumption was that Brady’s original comments may have been a subtle allusion to the purported issues allegedly plaguing the Patriots. Said rumors of alleged organizational dysfunction originally were brought to light in a bombshell ESPN report last season; although all involved parties, including Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft vehemently denied the veracity of the reporting.

Brady obviously would never disclose such a thing explicitly, so his clarifying remarks Thursday hardly came as a shock.


text:
Do you already know the SportsNow app?

For maximum flexibility, download the SportsNow app for your smartphone - it's available for iOS and Android and offers many useful features.

Swiss Krav Maga School

Self Defense & Close Protection Center

Thomas Finger

- Krav Maga Instructor
- Close Protection Instructor

Rahel Eymann

Kids Krav Maga Instructor


text:
Šomoška Castle is unique among the Slovak castles as it is built of unconventional hexagonal basalt pillars. It was probably built in the later half of the 13th century after the Tartar invasion. After suppression of the Rákoczis rebellion, the Emperor had pulled down several castles, but Šomoška was spared. However, it gradually decayed and the last tower burnt in 1826 when a lighting struck it. In 1972 extensive conservation and partial reconstruction saved the castle before its total destruction.

Your name

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Founded: 1291
Category: Castles and fortifications in Slovakia

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Andrej Orogvani (19 months ago)
Nice forest walk and stunning views from the top of the castle
Peregrino Perdido (2 years ago)
Absolutely perfect. Not just the castle but also the surrounding nature and the path to the castle. I love this place. Word of advice - come in autumn...
김보경 (2 years ago)
It is really beautiful and calm :) enjoyed watching the swallows♥and the view to the trees changing their colours is amazing.
Timotej Torok (2 years ago)
Very nice historic place. Apart for other reasons it is also known for natural "rockfall".
Rastic Idaho (2 years ago)
Average view, just the surrounding woods and one hungarian village. The castle itself is just a bit of a courtyard and an empty tower. There are basalt formations in the area, which are absolutely marvelous, so be sure to check your navigation.
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Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Narikala Castle

Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church. Newly built in 1996–1997, it replaces the original 13th-century church that was destroyed in a fire. The new church is of 'prescribed cross' type, having doors on three sides. The internal part of the church is decorated with the frescos showing scenes both from the Bible and history of Georgia.

The fortress was established in the 4th century and it was a Persian citadel. It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089–1125). Most of extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished.


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• Hawkins Group, Dream Vacations

    Hawkins Group, Dream Vacations

    About Us

    We are a veteran-owned and operated travel agency that is committed to providing exceptional service to our fellow travelers. Travel is our passion and we are here to help create the vacation of your dreams. Our priority is to meet your needs, exceed your expectations, ensuring your enjoyment and satisfaction from departure to return. We pride ourselves on delivering remarkable service. So where do you want to go on your next adventure?

    • Crusies, Land Destinations, Resort for a Day, Rental Cars, Flights
    • Global travel!

    Travel to Lake Bumbunga in South Australia and witness the lake change colors from pink to blue and even orange!
    Leave the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam behind and visit the Dutch town of Volendam. Take in the picturesque views with miles of lush green fields and iconic windmills. Would you escape to Volendam? #hiddengems
    A vacation can be relaxing or filled with adventure. From lounging by the beach to zip-lining through the forest, every destination has its own thrills and chills. Do you prefer to have a laidback vacation or a getaway full of daring adventures?
    Sometimes, we long for an island escape. From powder-white sand beaches to turquoise waters, it’s no wonder that so many love the island life.
    If you’re looking to unwind in Italy, visit the Terme di Saturnia, a group of hot and cold springs in the village of Saturnia, Tuscany. The sulfurous spring waters help to relax and rejuvenate travelers.
    When in India, don’t miss visiting the captivating town of Udaipur with its colorful bazaars, historic architecture, and ornate temples. Make sure to stay at the Taj Lake Palace, a hotel in the middle of Lake Pichola, which looks like a white marble palace.
    Before heading to Machu Picchu, be sure to stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes, Peru. This hotel blends sustainable accommodations with luxury finishes – perfect for those interested in ecotourism.
    Visit a local beer spa for a truly unique spa experience in Prague. Bathing in beer is said to have medicinal effects and aids in skin rejuvenation and stress reduction.

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    Ms. Jennifer Hawkins

  • The Greater Springfield Chamber seeks to provide access to recommendations, regulations, services and expertise to its members.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, this mission remains constant.  Prior to acting, members should consult their own professional advisors for information and counsel specific to the individual and unique situations faced by organizations, individuals and corporations.  The opinions, interpretations and recommendations of the Greater Springfield Chamber are informational only and should not be relied upon by the recipient as legal or professional advice.  The Greater Springfield Chamber makes no representations as to the accuracy or reliability of the content contained herein.  Users of this information accept any and all risks associated with the use of such information and agree that the Greater Springfield Chamber has no liability to user.

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https://www.springfieldtechnologypark.org/privacy-policy/100%Weekly2019-09-23 15:50