Tag Archives: live 105

In and Around Calpe – Costa Blanca, Spain

January 12, 2012

Typical of many Spanish towns along the Mediterranean, Calpe has evolved from a small fishing village with its shops and houses set well back from its harbour in order to give the inhabitants timely warning in case of a sea born attack by raiders and pirates.

Over the years the region has gained popularity with both tourists and the many Spanish and foreigners looking to settle and live in the Costa Blanca.

This has allowed Calpe to develop into a vibrant cosmopolitan resort to cater for a growing population and the influx of holidaymakers from all over Europe.

The ‘Penon de Ifach’, one of the most impressive natural features to be found along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, dominates Calpe.

This massive rock standing on its own peninsula jutting out into the sea is reminiscent of a small Gibralter. The town also boasts a salt-water lake that plays host to a variety of sea birds, including flocks of flamingos.

Calpe is still an active fishing port with a daily fish market well worth a visit, even if only to admire the displays of fresh fish and shellfish outside the many restaurants surrounding the harbour.

You may very well be tempted inside by the offer of a free glass of Sangria as you stroll along. Nearby is Calpe Marina, a modern development with a ‘Club Nautico’ where you can enjoy an excellent meal or just a drink or tapas on the veranda while admiring the yachts and cruisers at their moorings.

On the other side of Ifach is the ‘Puerto Blanca’ marina, much smaller and older but with a charm all of its own and well worth a visit. Walk up the hill from the port past fashionable shops and a multitude of restaurants and bars to the old town where you suddenly become immersed in its history and the typical Spanish day-to-day way of life.

Calpe old town is a world apart from the bustle and glitter of high rise tower blocks, smart modern hotels, the lure of the two splendid beaches of soft white sand, wonderful bathing and a promenade bristling with bars, restaurants and shops.

Find the time to wander round the narrow streets and the two ancient churches. look in on the archaeological museum where artifacts dating back to the time when the Romans colonised the town.

The ambiance of the traditional bars and restaurants that have retained their original features is an experience not to be missed.

Outside Calpe can be found quiet hotels offering excellent and reasonably priced accommodation in a countryside atmosphere. also several excellent restaurants with specialities from North Africa to typically Spanish, at prices that are pleasantly surprising.

Keen walkers will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the diversity of choice that abounds in and around Calpe, with its backdrop of scenic mountain routes or ambles through the orange groves. Try a climb up Ifach as a truly memorable experience to round off your visit.

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Salt Sensitivity – A Medical Condition With Big Risks

October 8, 2011

The human body needs salt in order to function. how much salt is enough? The American Heart Association recommends 2,3000 milligrams of salt a day for healthy adults. That’s ONE TEASPOON of salt. People who are extremely salt sensitive should eat less.

Many Americans are eating way too much salt and putting their health at risk. If you’re overweight, have cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure you should cut back on salt. A 2001 Indiana University School of Medicine study, Salt Sensitivity, Pulse Pressure, and Death in Normal and Hypertensive Humans, details the health risks associated with salt sensitivity.

The results of the 25-year study were announced in a February 2001 NIH News Release. in the release Dr. Myron Weinberger, Director of Indiana University’s Hypertension Research Center, is quoted as saying, Salt sensitivity increases the risk of death, whether or not a person has high blood pressure.

Weinberger thinks this finding has implication for all Americans. Older Americans, African Americans, and those who come from salt sensitive families are more apt to become salt sensitive. Salt sensitive people are more apt to develop high blood pressure as they age, according to Weinberger, and he describes America as a salt abundant environment.

How do you live in this environment?

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services says you check every food label for sodium. Remember, this number is for one serving. make sure you check the serving size because this is where food processors may cheat. Let’s use canned sauerkraut as an example.

The sauerkraut contains 175 milligrams of salt per serving. when you look at the serving size, however, it’s a mere two tablespoons. If you eat two servings of saurkraut (about half a cup) you’re eating 700 milligrams of salt. Add a salty hot dog, a salty bun, and salty condiments and you’ve probably eaten a teaspoon of salt.

The NIH also wants you to look at the Percent Daily Value number. This number tells you if the product is high or low in salt. you should choose food products with the lowest percentage and salt free products. be on the lookout for foods that contain surprise salt – soda pop, seasoned pepper, lemon pepper, and others.

Since there’s no test for salt sensitivity you’ll have to devise your own. Start by watching for symptoms: swollen hands, knees, and feet, bulging leg and ankle veins, droopy eyelids, chipmunk cheeks (puffy, swollen cheeks), shortness of breath, and weight gain. some salt sensitive people also get headaches.

Keep a salt diary for two weeks. Record every meal and snack in your diary and their salt contents. Compare your salt intake with medical symptoms. Report any symptoms of salt sensitivity to your physician. Your physician will be able to determine if you have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is going up or you have high blood pressure your physician may prescribe a diuretic.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to take the salt shaker off the table and eat a low salt diet. The American Heart Association has posted tips for reducing sodium on its Website. Here are the tips and comments about them.

* Cook without salt. This is really hard if you’re making soup, but you may balance the lack of salt with flavorful ingredients, such as mushrooms.

* Substitute spices and herbs for salt. Fresh herbs are best, though dry herbs will work. Citrus juice and zest also add flavor to foods.

* buy low fat milk, cheese and yogurt. Cheese contains lots of salt, so use small amounts in your recipes. you want just enough to taste the cheese, not be overpowered by it.

* choose unsalted nuts and seeds for snacks. Better yet, keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, jicima sticks, and cut up fruit on hand for snacking.

* Avoid salty seasonings: bullion, soy sauce, steak sauce, Worstershire sauce, meat tenderizers, and MSG. You’ll find salt free soup stock on store shelves, but check the fat content before you buy these products.

You may also limit restaurant meals, which are usually high in salt. many of these meals are made with processed foods. an article on Mayo Clinic’s Website, Processed Foods: why so Salty? tells why these foods are salty. Food processors use salt to enhance flavor, increase sweetness (like sprinkling salt on melon), decrease the dryness in foods, and mask metallic and chemical aftertastes.

It’s okay to eat out occasionally, but don’t make it a habit.
Being salt sensitive doesn’t mean you eat alfalfa the rest of your life. on the contrary, you may eat delicious meals. All it takes is careful planning and shopping. Salt sensitivity is serious business, so make it your business to eat less salt and get regular checkups.

After a while you won’t miss the salt and you’ll taste the true flavors of food. Bon appetit

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson

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The Narcissist’s Excessive Extravagance

September 30, 2011

The narcissist is constantly restless, never at peace with himself even though he/she may appear to be self satisfied and confident. Narcissists have difficulty living in the moment. They are always planning and plotting their next big win, their next acquisition, their victory over rivals and competitors.

Narcissists live in a delusion that protects them from reality. They successfully create their own world. the narcissist is constantly hungry for an ego fix. the satiation of his hunger takes innumerable forms. Material acquisition is an essential part of his answer. is it the next perfect residence (when he owns five others) a second or third private plane, a custom built yacht, a helicopter, a more attractive partner. Extravagent lifestyles offer the narcissist the perfect package to assert his sense of grandiosity, self entitlement and superiority.

I have known a number of individuals who lead highly self indulgent lives. This does not mean that these people are always narcissists. I offer a brief vignette to add flavor and color to the narcissist’s lifestyle. I am speaking about an affluent couple who spend most of their waking and sleeping lives on luxury cruises. the husband is a high level narcissist. many of the couple’s travels are around the world jaunts. at the captain’s table every night, the couple is applauded and lauded for their social and economic standing in the world. after three months on a luxurious cruise, they return home to rest up for their next exotic trip. This is their life script. one might ask: why would anyone want to live like this? the answer is they are narcissists who obtain their ego rewards in this manner. on the cruise, the couple is treated like royalty. the husband (who is a not so secret alcoholic) regales fellow passengers with endless stories of financial largesse and self importance. on the ship he is a charming, ebullient fellow. what could be better for a narcissist on the receiving end of the royal treatment with a built-in captive audience day and night.

Deep inside the narcissistic personality, lives a darker reality. This is the unconscious part of him that feels completely alone and worthless. the narcissist’s experience of emotional emptiness is beyond longing or sadness. it is a severe and intractable wounding, a pain so savage and deep that it seems intolerable. the narcissist’s excessive acquisitions, arrogance and grandiosity represent attempts to deal with these core psychological wounds.

Many wealthy individuals who collect objects of great beauty and value are not narcissists. They purchase millions of acres of pristine land to preserve for all of us. They create foundations that educate and assist those are financially less fortunate. many wealthy individuals purchase great art that is generously exhibited and shared with the public.

Most of us appreciate beauty whether it is created by Nature or crafted by man. the experience of beauty enriches our lives. whether we are standing on a bluff overlooking the glorious blue ruffles of waves or the presence of an original painting by a great master, we are uplifted and expanded. the experience of beauty is multifaceted, it is a young child’s full smile, lighting up his face and ours. each individual creates his own memorable moments of beauty and wholeness.

One of the keys is to keep it simple. When we lead a life without delusion, we see things as they really are. we are at peace knowing what is really important and vital to our lives. As we grow, we learn to become lighter, less attached to things, to give more, to experience greater peace with each moment.

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Ways to Relieve Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms

September 13, 2011

What’s a Dust Mite?

They are small-spider like creatures that feed on human and animal dander (flakes of skin and bits of hair). The average mite is around 0.3 mm large, has a life span for the male is one month and 2 months for the female. during it’s life span a female can lay up to 100 eggs. On average a human sheds about 10 grams of skin a week, animals shed more, so they have plenty of food in the average household. their populations are largest where humans do most of their lounging, living room furniture, carpets, car seats, and last of all the bedroom, particularly the in the mattress. Depending on conditions, 100,000 have been known to occupy one square yard of carpet, and hundreds of thousands can live in a mattress. ten year old mattresses can double its original weight due to the accumulated weight of dead carcasses and their feces. A two-year old pillow can have a 10% increase in weight due to the same reasons.

Dust Mite Allergies

While they are not harmful to Humans, an article published in the Wall Street Journal on 5th Jan 2010 (pg D2) suggested that 18-30% of Americans have allergic reactions to the feces of these mites. when people that are sensitive to them come in contact with their feces, they produce antibodies that produce histamines that cause nasal congestion. actually the same study found that up to 50% of American homes have allergen levels high enough that people who have previously never had a problem with allergies could develop allergy symptoms. Babies that are younger than one year old living in such environments could develop lifelong allergies. anyone or combination of the following can be an indication of a dust mite allergy.

• Asthma
• Coughing
• Frequently waking up
• Children rubbing of the nose in an upward fashion
• Itchy nose, throat, or roof of mouth
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes
• Breathing difficulties
• Facial pressure and pain
• Hay fever
• Infantile eczema
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Sneezing
• Watering eyes

Allergy symptoms could be made worse in the following conditions.

  • high humidity
  • temperatures that are above 70 F / 20 C
  • Poor ventilation
  • tobacco smoke or car fumes

Effective Ways for getting Rid of Dust Mites

1. Wash bedding every week at 130 F/ 54C
2. Wash with laundry soap that has anti mite properties.
3. Protect mattresses with dust mite mattress covers, dust mite pillow covers and sleep on dust mite proof mattresses, memory foam, latex mattresses and natural memory mattresses are dust mite resistant. they also don’t live in water and air mattresses
4. Wash childrens’ stuffed animals often with hot water
5. Keep the household humidity low at 30-50%.
6. Have less carpeted floors and if you do have them professionally cleaned twice a year

Article Summary

This article covered the following points. what a dust mite is, how it’s a menace to people who suffer allergies, their favorite breeding environments, what allergy symptoms are, and effective ways for getting rid of dust mites. There’s also an informative video on YouTube that’s worth viewing. Natural Relief of Dust Mite Allergies

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Is it easier for someone disabled to have section 8 on get an apartment?

September 12, 2011

i am wheelchair bound and cant do to much for myself. i have a boyfriend and a daughter and we want our own place to live instead of with my mom. i get ssi and im 18 but i never see any cent of it. is there any chance that i can apply for section 8 or some type of housing so it can be less rent paid and so he can take care of me and the baby in our own place. we want to move because my mom constantly tell us what to do like the baby is hers and like we're stupid and im very intellegent and hes smarter than me. i just need to know if i can get assistance fast because im disabled and how to find an apartment or a room thats big enough for a bed, play pen/crib, two wheelchairs, carriage and carrier, not to mention three bags of clothes, and other small things. please i need help because all my life i've dreamed of living on my own without my mom or people saying i cant do it because im disabled. i already go my one dream since i was 12 and thats to have a guy who loves me regardless of what i cant do and to have a child. (he do have a son from another girl a year younger than me but he also wanted a daughter not a son so im happy that i gave him something he wanted like he did for me) i love this guy more than love itself and im doing everything i can to keep him with me and our baby so if someone can help or get helpful adive we would appreciate it greatly, thank you.

Many Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have special Section 8 vouchers, called set-asides, for people with disabilities. Also, many PHAs have preferences for specific categories of eligible individuals. some have preferences for people with disabilities. You should call your local PHA to see if their are any disability set-asides or preferences available in your area. if available, these will speed up the process for getting Section 8 housing.

I live in college dorm. it is ok.

I don't know if the policy differs among different apartments, but the one I lived in gave apartments on a first-come, first-serve basis. the requirement is that you have to be below a certain income level but you also must have some sort of income to prove that you can pay for your utilities and whatever rent they give you (usually rent is very low, mine was $100, and they will count your SSI, student financial aid, family contribution, etc. as income; I had a 1/2 time job and still qualified).

Section 8 is for any low income person, not just disabled people, but if you are physically disabled some complexes may have accessible apartments reserved for only physically disabled residents. this could mean a shorter wait time. Typically you will have to wait quite awhile though. we had to wait 6 months to get a 1 bedroom for two people. some complexes also put families ahead of singles so that could improve your chances as well. if you live in a college town you will have a longer wait.

Here is the link to where you can search for an apartment in your area:
hud.gov/apps/section8/

You should call any eligible complexes in your area and set up a time to fill out an application as soon as possible. once you are approved, they will put you on the waiting list and call you when they have a vacancy.

You should be aware when you live in subsidized housing that the rules are different than renting a private residence. They will inspect your home often, and they can do this without your knowledge. Pay attention to whatever rules they tell you because they sometimes have some weird ones (like no furniture in front of windows, no hanging curtains other than the blinds that came with the unit) and they will fine you if you break the rules. They will want you to keep the unit clean and are way more picky than private renters because they have to operate on a tighter budget.

Oh, and when you sign your rental agreement, if you are not married and moving from your parents' residence, you also sign a paper that basically states your parents have no more claim to you as a dependent – can't claim you on their taxes, etc. but, you say you never see a cent of your SSI – if that means your parent is your payee then that could prevent you from getting an aparment of any kind. if you are legally an adult it isn't right of your mom to keep your money.

The qualification is income, meaning .. you must be low-income. Your disability has little if any bearing on you qualifying. so no, being disabled does not make qualifying easier.

edit: why are you thumbing me down? everything I stated is a fact.

Yes many Section 8 apartments and housing give preference to disabled people but only if they are on SSI or SSDI. I know that from experience.

you really need to fidn a PROFESSIONALsupport person

some of your statements are very concerning–you are 18…and seem to be tryign to find teh love you didn't get from your mother…i am concerned taht you got pregnant on purpose —to give him what he wanted….(but he didn't want a son)and this guy is really irresponsible since he alread has anotehr child with an even younger woman–how old were they when tehy got pregnant…

you need to learn to depend on yourslef too–not just teh guy–no matter how much he loves you…

you need to learn to manage your life better to survive—

continuing to stay with your mother is unhealthy–but you haven't learned to amke good choices for yourslef yet..

i am guessing you are unable to take care of yourslef independently–you say you can't do much—who takes care of you now? have you looked into getting home care if you need it

are you planning on job training, are you registered with vocational rehab

you apparently have decent academic skills–why can't you work……do you have limited use of your arms too?

canhe work?

if your mobility limits your job prospects–vocatioanl rehab may pay for college education so you cna get a job (and you can continue to collect SSI while going to college under tehse circumsatnces)

what do you mean you never see a cent of teh money….did your mom get listed as teh payee–you can change that…

in some areas people with disabilities are given priority for section 8—at ;least get on the list…

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Vitamins and Minerals as Supplements and Medication

August 16, 2011

There are many reason why people who live in the modern world need to use vitamins and minerals as supplements to the nutrition that they get from the food they eat. Many people also benefit from the use of vitamins and minerals as medication to treat specific health conditions. this article looks at the use of vitamins and minerals as supplements and as medicine.

Vitamins and minerals as supplements

Most of us rely upon others to produce our food for us – this means mass agricultural systems that work to get the most from their farming business. in the process of doing this the soils have been extensively and heavily worked for, in some cases, generations of farm producers and sometimes the soils were already old and depleted. the soils are our source of essential nutrients. Increasing we are finding that many soils around the world do not contain sufficient essential minerals – selenium is an example of a mineral that is often lacking in soils. if the soils do not contain the mineral then it is unable to enter our food supply. in addition to the depleted state of the soil, farming practices have encouraged rapid growth in plants and animals. this means the use of chemicals which do not add to the nutrition of the food but detract from the nutrition. these factors alone make it difficult for us to obtain the nutrition that our bodies need from the food we eat – but there are many other factors that also contribute to the problems.

Even when we have the time and energy to prepare foods that we would think should contain sufficient vitamins and minerals some of the nutrients have already disappeared from the foods. Fresh foods, such as fruit and vegetables, begin to lose their nutrient qualities as soon as they are picked at the farm. There can be long time between the picking and the appearance of the food on our plate.

We all have occasions when we don’t eat the right things – we only have to think about what we eat during festive season to realize that even the best of us will sometimes ‘go off the rails’. Our busy, stressful life styles and social circumstances often mean that we neglect our vitamin and mineral needs and we eat foods which are often low in the nutrients. these foods need more vitamins and minerals to deal with the chemicals (including free radicals) that our bodies produce when processing them. Sugars, for example are considered ‘anti-nutrients’ as they draw nutrients from the body’s existing supply in order to deal with them. the same is the case with the many toxic chemicals that are in our environment. the air pollutants (cigarette smoke and car fumes), water pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, dust and pollens to suggest just a few add to the needs of our bodies for vitamin and mineral nutrients.

If you smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, don’t get enough rest or sleep and drink too much tea and coffee you also increase the vitamin and mineral needed by the body.

The body also has increased needs for vitamin and mineral demands because of pregnancy, child birth or nursing a baby. Athletes who want to be sure that the body is performing at its most efficient level will also require addition nutrition.

You can see from these factors that we can all be aided by the taking vitamin and mineral supplements. the emphasis here needs to be on the supplement – that is, a supplement to a generally healthy diet and not a substitute for a healthy diet. We do not know all that needs to be known about the nutrition that the body needs so the idea that we can just take a few pills and be healthy is not reality. There are still components in whole food that are needed by the body for health. It is important that for general health needs that the balance between the nutrients in maintained and that we don’t take too much of one nutrient or the absorption and utilization of another nutrient will be affected. the use of specific vitamins and minerals to create desired health outcomes in the body is the realm of vitamins and minerals as medication and not vitamins and minerals as a supplement.

Vitamins and Minerals as Medication

There is a long tradition with natural therapists for the use of general and specific vitamin and mineral therapy to assist the body in dealing with specific conditions and diseases. Many people suffer from symptoms of minor or not so minor health deficiencies or have particular dietary problems, such as celiac or Crohn’s disease or follow a particular diet such as vegetarianism. these may mean that you are unable to take in sufficient nutrients or have difficulty absorbing sufficient nutrients. the following diseases we will also benefit by taking vitamins and minerals as medication will assist the condition.

  • diabetes,
  • cardiovascular disease (including heart attacks, angina, heart surgery or deep venous thrombosis (DVT),
  • dementia, senility,
  • cancer,
  • inflammatory problems, such as, arthritis, asthma or eczema, fibromyalgia, especially with chronic fatigue,
  • stroke,
  • osteoporosis or decreasing bone mass density,
  • pregnancy problems (including repeated miscarriage, premature births, difficulty conceiving, giving birth to an infant with Down’s syndrome’, club foot, spina bifida or cleft palate),
  • headaches, including migraines,
  • kidney problems,
  • vaginal dysplasia (a precancerous condition of the cervix),
  • stomach ulcers (especially if Helicobacter pyloric infection related),
  • inflammatory bowel disease (including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and
  • thyroid problems.

This list is not all of the conditions that can benefit by the therapeutic use of vitamins and minerals – it is just and indication of the number of conditions that specific vitamin and mineral use can assist. if you have any health problem then a regime of vitamin and minerals (as medication) is likely to be of benefit. Vitamins and minerals have uses as both supplements and medication for specific purposes and conditions. They are able to greatly improve our health and general wellbeing.

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Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees For Toddlers sold in Hong Kong?

August 5, 2011

Baby and I live in Canada and will be moving to Hong Kong next month. I wonder where I can buy Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees For Toddlers in Hong Kong. thanks in advance

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Just Cannot Relax? Natural Bath Soaks Can Help

June 20, 2011

The world we live in can be a very stressful place to live. if stress is not handled appropriately, it can cause havoc in our lives. Finding the right outlet to channel stress is the key to overcoming and conquering it. there is a handcrafted natural bath product that can offer the key to managing stress.

Technology offers wonderful benefits through television, radio, computers, cell phones and much more. Using these devices, many times a day, can be overwhelming for the senses of a person, if they are not careful. Technology may aid in building some stress, but there are many other stress builders in everyday lives too. How can you find help to relieve all of the pressure? Eating right and exercising are great stress busters but just plain relaxing, can help too. just hearing, “try to relax”, does not really help much. trying to relax is not always that simple. How can you find the help you need to relax? there is a handcrafted natural bath product that can help you relieve stress, all within the privacy of your own home or while traveling.

Homemade bath salts can help relieve stress, aches and pains, all while soothing and softening the skin. How can it do this? A handcrafted soothing mixture of Dead Sea bath salts, sea salt, goat milk and msm benefits all combine for skin softening, while the goat milk is extremely moisturizing. Together these ingredients, mixed with a combination of other natural ingredients, offers a wonderful skin care product. Homemade bath salts are available in, lightly scented, natural fragrances including: Lavender, Chamomile and Sage, Lemon Myrtle, Mayan Gold, Razamatazz and Wine and Roses. since it is handcrafted, it can be customized to accommodate a favorite fragrance too! It is available in an eight ounce size packaged together in a, handy, cello bag with a wooden scoop for easy handling.

Homemade bath salts softens, soothes and rejuvenates skin. It helps to soak away everyday aches and pains. It can help to provide stress relief, skin care, pain-relief, all with natural aromatherapy benefits. take time and manage your stress. there is no need to spend a lot of money and time at expensive spas to help you relax. Discover a low cost, natural, way of managing stress, in the privacy of your own home or while traveling. Homemade bath salts helps you relax and relieve stress, all while providing a multitude of skin care benefits. Homemade bath salts are a great natural stress buster! They are the best homemade skin care products around!

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Bondi caveman beats rape charge

June 14, 2011

a HOMELESS man accused of raping a woman visiting the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition will not stand trial after the DPP dropped a sexual assault charge today.

Peter James Paul Millhouse, who is also known as ‘Jhyimy ‘Two Hats’ Mhiyles’, who used to live in a cave under a Bondi cliff, was charged in November 2009 with sexual intercourse without consent after inviting the woman back to his makeshift camp site.after preparing to face a District Court trial this week, the man has now been freed on bail. He still faces charges of resisting arrest and assaulting police.Judge Peter Zahra was told this afternoon during a mention of the case that the DPP would not be seeking "further proceedings in this case.""There’s not going to be a trial your Honour," the Crown prosecutor said. the prosecution didn’t oppose bail for the man, provided he reside in a home where police could contact him if required.a female friend was in court for the mention and has agreed for the man to live with her in Ryde.the man will return to court on Friday for a mention on the outstanding three charges.

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