Saturday, December 15, 2012

SLICE: A Slice of the Sweet Life in BHS Central ~ The Purple Doll

Being a dessert person, I just couldn't pass up the chance of trying out the nearly one year-old SLICE at Bonifacio High Street Central. So when a voucher for P500-worth of food and drinks at the dessert cafe became available at Ensogo, I just knew I have to grab the opportunity even if it means traveling all the way from the north to The Fort.


Located beside Jamba Juice in the restaurant filled-BHS Central, SLICE is a warm and inviting modern American bakery-inspired dessert shop and cafe owned by Senator Pia Cayetano. And while it's only been less than a year since SLICE welcomed its first guests, it has already been popular to dessert lovers and Bonifacio High Street goers.
After entering the cafe, of course, it was the array of muffins and cupcakes that caught our attention. And while there was an enticing selection of all-day breakfast items, appetizers and salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and rice meals, the beau and I didn't get sidetracked. We went straight to order what we're here for -- the desserts and drinks.
For my choice of cake, I had the Double Choco Yema (P240) which is a slice of moist chocolate cake with layers of yema and decadent chocolate ganache. Dubbed as "Death by Choco Yema," this plate truly exudes a beautiful combination of chocolate and yema that even as a non-yema fan (Sorry, but I just find yema generally too sweet for my palate), I was satisfied with every forkful. So yema fans, I'm sure you'll love this!
I also got a piece of the Rocky Smores Cupcake (P60) which was moist, chocolatey and had lovely bits of chocolate pieces, marshmallows and nuts. And while this was not a hundred percent satisfactory, it was a nice partner to my hot cup of a hearty drink.
My drink for the evening was the Pinoy ChocNut (P130) -- a hot cup of chocolate and peanut butter-infused coffee served with a small bowl of granola sampler. Honestly, I'm not a super big fan of chocnut back in the day. However, this drink brought a feeling of warmth and coziness upon first sip. The coffee flavor's there, but was enveloped with the comforting taste of chocnut making it the perfect drink when you're under the weather.
The beau on the other hand, got the Turtle Pie (P220) -- a beautiful slice of praline pecan-infused chocolate mousse atop a lovely Oreo crust. To be honest, I was surprised to see how thin this slice of dessert was. However, upon our first forkful, both the beau and I agreed that this is way better than my Double Choco Yema Cake. The chocolate mousse layer in this treat was just so smooth and silky and had the perfect sweetness.
For the beau's choice of beverage, he had the Belgian Dark Choco (P150) which I believe is made from melted Belgian dark chocolates. A single sip was all I need as this drink is very thick, rich and super chocolatey like a choco dip. The beau seemed to have enjoyed it, although he generally prefers deeper, more bitter chocolate beverages.

THE VERDICT

Our trip to SLICE definitely confirmed that this cafe is popular for a reason. Their desserts are exceptional, and we really dig their drinks! I think the prices of the cakes were a little steep considering the size. Service on the other hand, was friendly and very courteous. However, it can still be improved as they seemed to have forgotten to serve the beau's beverage. (They served it fast right after we reminded them though.) Overall, we're pretty happy with our first SLICE experience, and I'm sure this won't be the last.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 3.5/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5

SLICE, Bonifacio High Street Central
G/F Bonifacio High Street Central, West Superblock
7th Ave. cor. 29th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 553-7783
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Source: http://www.thepurpledoll.net/2012/12/slice-bonifacio-high-street-central.html

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Oil gains on positive US, China factory data

The price of oil rose Friday on positive signs for manufacturing in the U.S. and China.

Benchmark crude rose 76 cents to $86.65 in afternoon trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

A survey of purchasing managers showed that manufacturing activity expanded in China this month. And U.S. data showed that the nation's factories have rebounded from Superstorm Sandy. Both reports indicate that energy consumption could be on the upswing in the world's two biggest economies.

Still, traders are concerned that President Barack Obama and Republican leaders are far from reaching a deal to reduce the U.S. budget deficit before the end of the year. Without an agreement, significant tax increases and government spending cuts will automatically take effect ? posing the threat of recession.

Pump prices continue to decline. The national average for gas is now $3.29 a gallon after dropping a penny overnight.

Brent crude, used to set prices for international varieties of oil, rose $1.23 to $109.14 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other energy futures trading on Nymex:

? Heating oil rose 4 cents to $2.98 a gallon.

? Natural gas lost 3 cents to $3.32 per 1,000 cubic feet.

? Wholesale gasoline added 6 cents to $2.66 a gallon.

___

Pamela Sampson in Bangkok and Pablo Gorondi in Budapest contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/oil-gains-positive-us-china-183820937.html

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Global telecom treaty without Net controls signed by 89 nations

DUBAI (Reuters) - An international telecommunications treaty signed by 89 countries out of a possible 144 on Friday will have little impact on how carriers operate or how consumers surf the web or make calls around the world when it comes into effect in 2015.

But the acrimonious debate over the treaty - and refusal of so many countries, including the United States and much of Europe, to sign up immediately - have exposed a deep split in the international community.

A U.S.-led bloc advocated a hands-off approach to the Internet, while Russia, China and much of Africa and the Middle East sought greater governmental oversight of cyberspace.

About 150 nations met in Dubai, under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to update a set of telecom rules dating back to 1988, before the Internet and mobile phones transformed communications. Their failure to find a consensus may herald a new fight over cyberspace.

"The world will still be around and countries will still cooperate along the lines they have done for decades," said Paul Budde, managing director of Sydney-based consultancy BuddeCom. "However, they have clearly drawn a line under how far they believe the ITU can go in relation to regulations that include the Internet."

As in a prior version, the International Telecom Regulations spell out guidelines on technical issues such as how carriers charge each other for incoming international phone calls, as well as taxation and accounting.

Countries that sign the treaty are supposed to be guided by its principles, although these have no force of law.

Users in countries that block certain content will still experience the same version of the Internet, while telecom operators will feel little impact because international call charges are decided via commercial contracts between them.

The new version added passages that became flash points: for example, four lines pushed by Russia and China on how governments should protect the security of networks.

The United States took a no-compromise position throughout negotiations, refusing to consider any references to the Internet in the treaty. Other countries instead agreed to restrict any explicit Internet provisions to a non-binding resolution that accompanies the treaty.

In the end, the debate over the Internet overshadowed all else at the summit, despite the ITU insisting that regulating cyberspace was not on the agenda.

As a result, some countries in Africa and the Middle East felt the controversy overshadowed important reforms, such as provisions to improve broadband access to landlocked and island nations, which may be weakened by fewer countries signing the treaty.

Other measures include a call for greater transparency in roaming charges, which the ITU hopes will end "bill shock", plus commitments to improve disabled access to telecom services and for governments to reduce telecom equipment waste.

A clause calling for countries to stop "unsolicited bulk electronic communications" - spam - drew the ire of the U.S. bloc, which said it could be interpreted by governments to block emails, an accusation the ITU vehemently denied.

"Whatever is in place now doesn't seem to be working and this treaty calls on governments - it's a dirty word for some, but somebody has to do it - to cooperate to see what we can do better in that area," said Richard Hill, chief counselor for International Telecommunication Union's Dubai summit.

These issues are more vital in developing countries, with other countries having already addressed them to a large extent, so richer nations had less incentive to sign the treaty.

"That's certainly the case, but it's no secret they're not signing for political reasons," added Hill.

After 12 days of rancorous, largely private negotiations, the bad feeling between the two opposing camps may take some time to ease. Delegates from the pro-treaty group accused the United States and Europe of reneging on a compromise agreement that fell apart on Thursday.

ITU officials on Friday gave an upbeat interpretation of the summit, predicting many of the countries that had yet to sign the treaty would do so once they have consulted with their respective legislatures. But the failed attempts by some member states to significantly extend the ITU's remit into the Internet have weakened the 147-year-old organization.

"The ITU won't become irrelevant but it tried to claim some of the Internet without having the mandate to do so," said a European delegate who declined to be identified. "It saw an opportunity, but both the triumph and the curse of the ITU is that it can't instigate anything, it depends on member states - some said let's expand the mandate and others said let's not."

(Additional reporting by Leila Abboud in Paris; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/global-telecom-treaty-without-net-controls-signed-89-205446748.html

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Friday, December 14, 2012

No cost Laptop Certification Education | It Trainer Tips

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Is there these kinds of a detail as details technological innovation computer system certification Test planning and education concerning how to pass an IT certification Test? There are actually hardly any methods offered on the net or classroom through which you?ll be equipped to get the suitable certification examination teaching. Knowing how to consider a exam and apply the learning that you just have obtained is definitely an artwork that could be perfected also. Details technologies computer system certification test using demands competencies that you can readily pick-up by making use of the proper examination training content.

Are all personal computer certification exam materials and tutoring the same? Some elements and instruction may be out dated. Microsoft as well as other details technological innovation certification exams are frequently becoming up-to-date with new questions and materials on there ultimate exams. Microsoft together with other facts technologies organizations are generally updating their program to generate much better improvements. These businesses ought to be on top of the marketplace with new know-how. Test coaching also wants new sector product and exam concerns to be able to help keep up with Info technological know-how companies like Microsoft.

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Source: http://ittrainerstips.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/no-cost-laptop-certification-education/

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Defiant Boehner presses for 'fiscal cliff' cuts (Los Angeles Times)

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Restore Family Heirlooms | Napauzi

December 13, 2012 by Napauzi

AntiquesIf a relative bequeaths you some antique furniture, your first thought may be to sell or donate it. This could be especially true if the furniture is not your style or you think it?s old and outdated. However, you could be making a mistake, because with a little bit of tender loving care that old piece of furniture could become a beautiful addition to your home. You can find a company that does French polishing in Leeds and York, and they can refinish or restore that old piece for you and bring it back to its former glory.

Sometimes a piece just needs some cleaning and polishing to bring it back to its original, beautiful condition. In other cases a bit more work may be required. You may also feel that the piece is not your particular style or does not match your existing furniture. In this case it could be refinished and stained in a different color, or painted to match your style preferences. A furniture expert can take a look at the piece and give you advice on what could be done with the piece to make it more appealing to you.

Renovating an older piece of furniture comes with some definite advantages. The main advantage is price. New furniture can be outrageously expensive, so changing up an old piece to fit your preferences would be a budget friendly option to furnish your house in style. Also, antique furniture is almost always constructed to last generations, whereas new furniture tends to wear out after only a few years. In the long run you?d be much better off restoring a classic antique piece than continually purchasing new furniture that doesn?t last. If you restore that old hand-me-down it could conceivably last the rest of your life and you?d never have to purchase another one.

Finally, holding onto family heirlooms and keeping them in great shape gives you a piece of history that you can one day give to your own children. It would be a shame to throw away a valuable piece of family history.


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Source: http://www.napauzi.com/home/restore-family-heirlooms/

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

4 Texas officers accused of helping move cocaine

McALLEN, Texas (AP) ? Federal prosecutors announced charges Thursday against four officers from a South Texas anti-drug task force who they say took thousands of dollars in bribes to guard large shipments of cocaine.

The officers ? two from the Mission police department and two Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies ? were members of the "Panama Unit," which is a joint task force between the two agencies that targets drug trafficking, according to prosecutors. Mission's police chief said one of the officers was actually part of a different task force, but a prosecutor's office official didn't immediately respond to an after-hours seeking clarification.

The case sent especially large shockwaves through the local law enforcement community because two of the officers accused are the sons of top local law enforcement officials.

None of the officers has been arraigned, but Mission police officer Alexis Rigoberto Espinoza, 29, made an initial appearance in federal court Thursday on charges of twice possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos set Espinoza's bond at $100,000 and ordered him to remain under house arrest with electronic monitoring if he should make bond. She denied his request for a court-appointed attorney.

Espinoza is the son of Hidalgo Police Chief Rodolfo "Rudy" Espinoza. He did not return calls for comment and none of the charges involve his department.

Also arrested was Mission police officer Jonathan Trevino, 29, who is the son of Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino.

Two of Lupe Trevino's deputies, Fabian Rodriguez, 28, and Gerardo Duran, 30, were also charged. All three were in custody Thursday afternoon.

Jonathan Trevino's attorney did not immediately respond to a call for comment and it wasn't known if the other two had lawyers. They were expected to appear in court Friday.

"It's been devastating to our family, devastating to the organization," said Lupe Trevino, who as sheriff has accused certain state officials of making Texas' border region sound like a war zone. He said he is cooperating fully with the federal investigation and conducting his own internal review. But he added that he also has responsibilities as a father.

"I have to support my son because he is my son. But I will make sure that the right thing is being done and I'm meeting my obligations," Trevino said. "Nothing is being covered up. I'm being very open with everything."

Trevino said the FBI came to his office around 3 p.m. Wednesday to tell him two of his deputies were targets of an investigation and that his son was, as well. He said the Panama Unit was formed more than three years ago to help Mission clean up its street-level drug crime, and that he couldn't comment on the specifics of the case because it wasn't his investigation.

Federal prosecutors say the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement department that conducts internal reviews received a tip in August about Espinoza and another task force member stealing drugs. Local police are often assigned to multi-agency task forces focusing on drug interdiction. Federal investigators set up a sting.

According to prosecutors, a confidential source working for the government told Duran in September that the drug trafficking organization he was working for needed corrupt law enforcement officers to escort drug loads. On Oct. 19, Duran and another individual escorted a load of 20 kilograms of cocaine north from McAllen to the Border Patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias about an hour away. Duran was allegedly paid $4,000, they said.

The officers earned thousands of dollars more for allegedly escorting four more cocaine shipments in November that were part of the sting operation, prosecutors contend.

The complaint said all four "utilized their positions as law enforcement personnel to escort and protect loads of narcotics." Nothing in the charging documents accuses them of stealing drugs, which was the original tip.

Mission Police Chief Martin Garza said Thursday that Jonathan Trevino was the only officer from his department assigned to the Panama Unit and that Espinoza was assigned to an ICE task force that had its own supervisor.

Garza said both officers were fired Thursday. The FBI visited his office late Wednesday afternoon to advise him of their investigation and to collect documents related to it. Garza said he cooperated fully and his department would conduct its own investigation.

If the allegations against his officers are proven, Garza said cases they worked on would have to be reviewed with the district attorney. "There's going to be a domino effect," he said.

___

Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant in Dallas contributed to this report.

___

Follow Chris Sherman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/chrisshermanAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/4-texas-officers-accused-helping-move-cocaine-000525174.html

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