text
stringlengths 179
94.7k
|
|---|
The desire to leave some portion of this earth for wildlands and wildlife means a constant battle, and we just won a round in Alaska’s pristine Tongass rainforest.
The US Supreme Court decided not to hear a case from the State of Alaska, which wants to open America’s largest national forest to logging.
At 17 million acres, Tongass spans 500 miles of coast in southeast Alaska. It’s a mix of deep fjords, thousands of islands, calving glaciers, alpine meadows and dense old-growth rainforest.
To keep wilderness wild, we have Roadless Rule in the US. Roads fragment ecosystems, making it impossible for many species to survive, and they encourage logging and other extractive development. Indeed, most of the largest, oldest trees were taken decades ago from the Tongass.
Alaska wants Tongass exempted from the Roadless Rule, and under the GW Bush administration, it got what it wanted. Thanks to conservation groups, that was overturned in court, so Alaska appealed to the Supreme Court.
Logging can still occur in other parts of the forest where there are already roads.
"Wildlife can’t take another 10 years of old-growth logging. In parts of the forest, some species need all the old-growth that remains just to survive," exhorts Tom Waldo, an attorney with Earthjustice, who has been in and out of court for 25 years trying to protect the Tongass.
Now, they are trying to convince the Forest Service to phase out old-growth logging everywhere in the Tongass now, not in 10 years.
Amazing how old ideologies hang on. It’s not as if logging makes sense for taxpayers – it supports only about 100 jobs and loses $20 million a year, Waldo points out. Instead, the state’s tourism industry is its economic powerhouse, and it depends on a vibrant Tongass ecosystem.
"Southeast Alaska has moved on. Clearcutting old-growth forests in the remote wildlands of our region, with expensive new logging roads no one can afford to maintain, is a thing of the past. We are pleased to see the Supreme Court put this issue to rest and call on the State of Alaska to do the same," says Buck Lindekugel, Attorney for the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council.
Attorneys from Earthjustice and Natural Resources Defense Council represented the following groups in the case: Organized Village of Kake, The Boat Company, Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, Tongass Conservation Society, Greenpeace, Wrangell Resource Council, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Cascadia Wildlands, and Sierra Club.
25 years ago, it was impossible to convince the Forest Service that it shouldn’t support logging, explains Waldo.
With every forest sale came new roads.
But even with the constant battles, the long-term effect is a change in public opinion.
"As we fought back, we helped create a roadless brand. Now, the idea of logging roadless areas is toxic to many people who realize how destructive it is, and how unacceptable to a large population," he says
Today, only fragments remain in much of the world’s original forests. But in the Tongass, where vast tracts of primeval forests still exist, and all of the original wildlife species are still present, time is of the essence to quickly end large-scale old-growth logging. |
A Hackensack man and his mother were recently arrested after police executed a search warrant at their Passaic Street home on Aug. 7. The search resulted in drug charges and weapon charges against the 20-year-old man and a child endangerment charge against his 42-year-old mother.
Inside the home, authorities claim to have discovered marijuana, a pellet gun and an assault rifle. That led to charges against the man for possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a large-capacity magazine. The young man was held on $250,000 bail.
His mother was charged because her 6-year-old daughter was inside the house at the time of the raid, which happened at 5:30 a.m. The woman was released without bail, but the child was removed from the home and placed in the custody of the Division of Youth and Family Services. Police claim the search resulted from a one-month narcotics investigation.
The resolution of these criminal charges will depend on a number of factors, including whether prosecutors can prove that the weapons and drugs actually belonged to the man and whether they were possessed for additional criminal intent. As for the charges against the mother, considerations include whether she knew the drugs and weapons were in the home while her young daughter stayed there.
Police and prosecutors typically claim they have irrefutable evidence against defendants, and most news sites mirror that kind of claim. Still, criminal charges are not always as cut and dry as the authorities would like us to believe, and New Jersey residents who have been accused of a crime should do what is legally in their power to protect their rights and freedom.
Source: NorthJersey.com, “Hackensack man faces drug, weapons charges; mother charged with child endangerment,” Rebecca Baker, Aug. 7, 2012 |
The biggest yachts of 2023 have arrived, and they are nothing short of breathtaking. Setting sail into new horizons of luxury, these colossal vessels redefine the essence of opulence on water, combining state-of-the-art technology with unparalleled design finesse.
Commanding the waves and the gazes of many, the list of the biggest yachts in the world is a testament to human ingenuity and the undying allure of the sea. 2023 has seen these maritime giants redefine the boundaries of nautical luxury, with each offering unique features that set them apart from the rest. Here, we journey through the elite echelons of yachting, spotlighting the majestic ships that rule the waters.
The Azzam, recognized as one of the largest yachts globally, stretches an impressive 180 meters. Launched by Lürssen Yachts in 2013, its length isn’t its only standout feature. Not only does its design allow it to be one of the swiftest yachts, achieving over 30 knots, but its interiors, styled after the French Empire, ensure a regal voyage.
One notable luxury is its expansive main salon, free from pillars, granting guests an unbroken panorama of the sea. Coupled with an exclusive underwater observation room, it offers a deep dive into the ocean’s wonders.
Epic in size and essence, the Fulk Al Salamah rises as one of the biggest mega yachts, standing tall at 164 meters. Echoing its name, which means ‘Ship of Peace’, its grandeur is peaceful yet powerful.
Inside, it boasts multiple lounges, a grand dining hall, and numerous opulent suites. What distinguishes Fulk Al Salamah is its capacity; uniquely designed to transport a vast array of smaller boats and helicopters, showcasing its prowess as a premier largest private yacht.
Blue sails as a testament to the artistry of modern yacht design. As one of the biggest super yachts in the world, it’s more than just its size that captures attention. Its distinct shape, inspired by flowing ocean waves, ensures a harmonious blend with the sea. Spanning 162 meters, it showcases a unique blend of performance and luxury.
Internally, Blue houses an expansive spa and wellness center, giving its occupants a serene retreat on the waves. It also boasts an open-air cinema on its top deck, blending entertainment and scenic oceanic views, setting standards for the world’s largest superyacht.
With an aura of royalty, Al Said stands among the world’s biggest yachts, boasting a length of 155 meters. Its magnificence is not only in its size but in its rich history. Originating from the shipyards of Lürssen Yachts, the same as Azzam, this yacht is shrouded in a veil of mystery with few known details about its interiors.
What’s publicly known, however, is its capacity to accommodate over 70 guests with an impressive 154 crew members. The epitome of luxury, Al Said also boasts a concert hall capable of hosting a 50-piece orchestra, making it a perfect fusion of grandeur and artistry.
The Prince Abdulaziz, with its majestic stature, stands tall in the realm of the biggest yachts. At a commendable 147 meters, it was once the largest yacht in the world before newer models surpassed it. Built for the Saudi Royal Family in the 1980s, its design is reminiscent of old-world charm mixed with modern luxury.
Its interiors, reminiscent of the ornate designs found in historical palaces, include intricately carved woodwork and plush furnishings. To complement its royal stature, it also boasts a fully equipped hospital, a mosque, and a movie theater, reflecting the pinnacle of seafaring luxury.
A paragon of sustainability and luxury, Solaris signifies the future of yachting. One of the biggest sailing yachts in existence, spanning 140 meters, it’s an awe-inspiring blend of cutting-edge technology and elegance. While traditional yachts rely heavily on fossil fuels, Solaris has been designed with the environment in mind.
Its interiors are nothing short of opulent, with vast suites and state-of-the-art amenities.
However, its true marvel lies in its eco-friendly features, including advanced solar panels and energy-efficient systems, positioning it as the biggest eco-friendly sailing yacht on the blue planet.
Inspired by the tales of “One Thousand and One Nights”, the Scheherezade embodies the enchantment of ancient legends. It ranks among the biggest mega yachts at 139 meters. Every inch of this yacht whispers tales of luxury, from its plush interiors to its expansive decks.
This yacht is famed for its thematic rooms, each narrating a different tale from the classic tales of Scheherezade. With a dedicated theater room and a library filled with ancient scripts, it’s a floating palace of stories and luxury, catering to those with a penchant for history and grandeur.
As its name suggests, Ocean Victory truly triumphs over the seas. Another gem from the biggest yachts category, it measures a significant 140 meters. Its design philosophy is one of uncompromised luxury and performance.
Internally, Ocean Victory showcases an array of ultra-luxurious amenities, including multiple pools, spas, and a helipad. Its unique feature is a submersible garage, allowing smaller boats or submersibles to be stored within the yacht itself, epitomizing the spirit of maritime adventure.
A relic of modern yachting history, Octopus stands at 126 meters, renowned not just for its size but its notable owner, the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. As one of the largest private yachts, it has been a vessel of exploration and luxury.
It boasts two helipads, a basketball court, and a recording studio. But, its standout feature is its onboard research laboratory, which has been instrumental in several marine exploration projects, truly reflecting Allen’s spirit of discovery.
Maryah stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities of modern shipbuilding. Measuring at a majestic 125 meters, it gracefully claims its place among the world’s biggest yachts. Initially crafted as a Russian research vessel, it underwent a transformative refit to emerge as the largest private yacht designed for the ultimate in luxury voyages.
Its interiors are a lavish affair, with rooms adorned in gold leaf and pristine marble. What makes Maryah truly special is its approach to onboard entertainment. With a cinema hall, several lounges, and even a nightclub, every voyage becomes a celebration.
As of 2023, the Azzam holds the title for the biggest yacht in the world, measuring an astonishing 180 meters in length.
The Azzam is owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates. Crafted by the renowned Lürssen Yachts in 2013, its design and speed have made it a marvel in the yachting world.
Solaris stands out as the largest sailing yacht with advanced eco-friendly features, representing the future of sustainable yachting.
Beyond their sheer size, the world’s largest superyachts boast state-of-the-art amenities, unmatched luxury, and often unique features such as submersible garages or dedicated research labs, setting them apart from conventional boats. |
It's been exactly one year since I launched Name Ninja. To celebrate this major milestone, we created the following infographic that reveals some of the data behind the company's first year of lethal domain name consulting. Check it out! (You can click on the graphic for a larger version.)
Thank you to our many clients, partners, and friends for an amazing 12 months.
Domain name expert Bill Sweetman is the President & Lead Ninja of Name Ninja, a boutique domain name consulting firm that helps companies acquire, manage, protect, and profit from their domain names. Bill has provided strategic domain name advice to major companies around the world for over 20 years.
Contact Bill | Follow Bill | Subscribe to this Blog | Summon the Name Ninja |
Our 9x9 inch Mini is perfect for soothing your babe. Our Mini is double sided, it is easy to grab and doubles as a burp cloth. Never lose a pacifier again!
Mini with a soothie pacifier attached is available. Attach your own pacifier or teether with our detachable option.
Teether and pacifier sold separately.
67% Polyester 31% Rayon 2% Spandex
Care Instructions: To keep your Swellie Mini looking it’s best, machine was on cold with like colors, and lay flat or hang dry.
Soothie Mini's should be washed in a garment bag for best care.
*Mini should be used with adult supervision. Buyer assumes all responsibility. |
Eric Tomosunas’s indie Swirl Films (producer of TV One’s Uncensored) and Kellon Akeem’s Mansa Productions (Percy, Nine Days), both based in Atlanta, are gearing up to debut the virtual Black Life Film Fest (BLFF), a joint effort to “support and empower” Black filmmakers across the U.S.
The digital festival, set to launch Sept. 5, will spotlight short films — including documentaries — that explore the “beauty and complexities of Black life.”
Films will stream during the digital event on a number of platforms, including Mansa’s MTANow mobile app, as well as Swirl Films’ Instagram Live, with additional virtual viewing options expected to be announced.
The top 10 filmmakers exhibiting will receive US$5,000 towards their journeys into the film industry. Winners will also have the opportunity to meet with executives for potential distribution deals for their projects.
Immediately following the screening, the top five short films will be selected, and the winners will pitch and workshop additional projects on-site at the Swirl Films and Mansa offices with key producers, writers, directors and editors.
BLFF is executive produced by Tyrell Jemison, Jay Allen and Nikki Byles. Submissions close Aug. 22.
Realscreen caught up with Akeem (pictured left) and Tomosunas (right) to talk about the festival’s vision, creating opportunities and what role documentary will play at the event.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What is the origin of the Black Life Film Fest? How long has it been in the works, and how was it brought together?
Eric Tomosunas: The origin of the event was really just a call for action in light of all the things that were going on in the world as it relates to police brutality and excessive force. I, with some of my partners, were just watching everything on TV. We certainly know the arts are also a form of expression just like protesting is a form of expression.
The original intent — and not that it’s changed — was, ‘Is there an opportunity that we can give someone that will turn this energy into some creative genius?’ The arts help heal [as well as] give a person a chance for their voice to be heard through the medium of screenwriting or filmmaking.
It started as a screenplay competition so we could get voices heard and then Kellon anted up the stakes.
Kellon Akeem: I was scrolling through [Instagram] and I saw Eric’s post and it was emotionally-driven, and it was straight from the heart. You could tell he just really wanted to do something to better the circumstances of what we’ve been facing thus far.
Neither one of us probably had the exact, best answer of how to go about doing this. I just knew I wanted to help. And Swirl, they’ve created a great thing in Atlanta that’s continuously growing. In Nashville, we’ve literally tried to do these type of short film competitions and things of this nature before.
I’m really big on finding fresh voices… that could tell you stories that could open some eyes to what’s going on and make people feel better at a time. It was just a no-brainer for me.
Could you talk about the vision and goals for the festival? Are there plans to take it live in the future, post-COVID?
ET: I can definitely see this becoming a real annual event. We have just been so taken aback by all the amazing submissions we’re receiving thus far. So, there’s definitely a potential longer-term strategy but we’ve just been caught up in trying to execute the initial call for action and getting that done.
A lot of these film festivals, the barrier of the cost of entry and getting there can be the challenge for some very talented voices that just may not have that opportunity.
[Swirl] is actually testing out creating a virtual film cam curriculum and some of the strategies, some of the techniques, some of the things that we’re doing there may be what Kellon and I take away from this to create an annual opportunity.
How will documentary films fit with Black Life Film Fest’s slate?
ET: It’s open to all formats. We love both — the scripted and unscripted worlds. Telling a story for us is telling a story and telling a good story, so we’re open to both.
KA: I don’t think we’ve got a single documentary, to be honest. I’ve branched over into the doc space more than film so I was hoping we’d see a lot more thus far. But we haven’t gotten a single doc.
I think everything that we’ve received thus far is things that were already made. So hopefully filmmakers are getting together and they have until late August to get something made. So, we’re hoping some people in the unscripted or the doc world are creating as we speak.
Could you talk about the contest?
ET: The good news about technology is that it has made the barrier to create a little less. I’ve seen some amazing projects shot on iPhones. I just thought that having film funding in the program would allow filmmakers out there… [to] take the risk knowing that that potential reward comes with being one of the chosen 10 submissions. That was the goal. We’re going to put our money where our mouth is and have some financial incentive that may push somebody over the line like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna do it.’ |
Cloud Backup vs Traditional Backup: Which Is Safer?
Cloud storage backup is a strategy for backing up data that involves removing data offsite to a managed service provider for protection. It can either replace or complement on-premise backups. Many enterprises have stuck by their tried and tested methods of backing up their data (and servers) to an on-site, tangible hard drive. With the threat of cyber-attacks and malware ever present, the need for off-site storage has increased exponentially.
What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Based Backup?
You broaden your storage capacity with offsite storage.
Backing up your data to a backup-centre other than your premises eliminates the threat of disasters such as fire and theft impacting the safety of your backed-up data.
- Increased security
All backups are encrypted before leaving your offices which means that your data stored with is 100% secure – even if stolen.
- It is a far cheaper solution
Cloud computing allows business to consume more IT while keeping costs down. Business now has a cost-effective reason to implement proper backup – there is no need to spend money on physical backups, only the fee for cloud-based storage (which is usually cheaper, the more data you add).
- Automated backups ensure nothing is left to chance
By removing the human element from your backups you can rest assured that backups are taken care of 365 days a year.
- The biggest possible threat is cloud-based malware; while this threat is present everywhere, the added step of encrypting your data will safeguard you from such an event.
What Methods are used in Cloud Backups?
Physical or cloud environment to cloud mirroring
“The cloud is elastic, so you can deploy your disaster recovery plan in a number of ways. You can have two environments: one physical and one cloud. Or, you can have two clouds that are live and replicate between them. Special software replicates between two environments — a source and target. The software ensures the target environment will match the source environment. In this scenario, you achieve high availability, rapid recovery, minimal data loss, and the ability to scale with your needs without all the capital expenditures on hardware and software. You will still have to license the dual environments, as well as the replication software. However, it is a robust option, especially for highly transactional applications.”
“If you need more than daily backups to ensure business continuity and compliance, Peak 10’s Recovery Cloud is a great option. Unlike an active/active scenario, use of the Recovery Cloud means you won’t have to pay for licensing of software except in a disaster. Plus, there is no expensive hardware to buy and maintain, downtime is minimal and there is minimal data loss. Your data can be in an on-premise data center, colocated in a Peak 10 data center, or in a Peak 10 cloud environment. With the Recovery Cloud, your data is continuously protected as it changes. This helps ensure a rapid recovery with minimal data loss. Because the Recovery Cloud is a fully managed service, our staff will begin spinning up your virtual machines (VMs) to the cloud within an hour of a disaster declaration and will have you up and running in four hours.
While the Recovery Cloud may be more expensive than just doing a traditional backup, it delivers a recovery solution that protects, recovers, reports and automates your IT disaster recovery plan.”
What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of On-Site/ Traditional Backup?
Traditional data backup involves creating one (or more) copies of an original file to be accessed and / or used should the original file become lost or corrupted.
Some benefits are the ability to instantly recover data (if the files are accessible form a corrupted hard drive) and being able to manually perform backups. This may not be considered an advantage by many, as the human element sometimes fails us in being “on the ball” in terms of routine backups. The threats of backing up your data the traditional way alone far outweigh the benefits, so we would always suggest the addition of cloud-based backup to ensure you are at no stage compromised in your data recovery efforts.
What Methods are used in Traditional Backups?
Daily data backup to tape or disk
“Daily data backups are the mainstay of disaster recovery. It’s a scheduled event that is highly effective in ensuring you have all of your data, and it is relatively inexpensive to do. However, you will need to consider the potential loss of data between the last backup and the event that forced you to failover. Can you afford to lose that data? Backups can be slow and sometimes difficult to restore, because the restoration environment must exactly match the backed up environment. With this method, you’re managing your own failover/failback. Do you have sufficient IT resources to rebuild your network, provision hardware, stage the recovery platform, and recover data before downtime affects your business?”
Off-site mirrored physical servers
“Another option is the use of mirrored servers. This method is great in terms of recovery time, because there’s no restoration required. Mirroring is done in real time so transactions on system A are immediately sent to system B. There is very little difference between production and your mirrored environment. In fact, administrators generally get to do everything twice: purchase, patch, upgrade, and perform other system maintenance procedures that can require extensive tracking and change management. The downside of a mirrored server strategy is the cost, which can be formidable (2x – 5x the cost of the production systems). Purchasing and maintaining identical equipment, substantial connectivity between systems, space and cooling for all the hardware, advanced mirroring software and specialized technical staff are prohibitively expensive for many companies. If you are contemplating expansion of your business, this may prove burdensome to scale.”
h/t to peak10.com for info!
Cover Image Credit: Cloud Source |
Study in the discipline of Marine Science is offered as an interdisciplinary major. Units of study in this major are available at standard and advanced level.
The Marine Science major draws together relevant material to create a multi-disciplinary curriculum that provides you with in-depth knowledge in a range of marine science disciplines. The major is explicitly science-based but seeks to provide you with a broader range of capabilities and an interdisciplinary mind-set to service the large and growing demand for coastal and marine experts in a range of fields. You will take both biological and geological marine science units of study but with flexibility to choose your level of exposure within either of those broad disciplines.
The Marine Science major and minor requirements are listed in the Marine Science unit of study table.
T +61 2 9036 9245
The University of Sydney Marine Studies Institute
Room 308, Madsen Building F09
University of Sydney NSW 2006
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Level 5, Carslaw Building F07
University of Sydney NSW 2006
School of Geosciences
Room 348, Madsen Building F09
The University of Sydney NSW 2006
A/Prof Will Figueira (SOLES)
T +61 2 9351 2039
A/Prof Ana Vila-Concejo (GEOS)
T +61 2 9351 5190
Students who graduate from Marine Science will be able to:
|Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of marine processes and habitats, including their importance in sustaining biodiversity and life on the planet.
|Exhibit a deep understanding of the principles, concepts and methods of marine science and assess the role of inquiry in furthering knowledge within the discipline.
|Recognise the multidisciplinarity of marine science and the complex interlinkages between bio- and geosciences in understanding biophysical processes.
|Evaluate the geological and biophysical processes that shape and influence marine and coastal environments.
|Collect, analyse and visualise data using state-of-the-art technology such as big data, numerical modelling and geographic information systems.
|Source, synthesise and critically evaluate marine and coastal information, data and observations from a range of relevant sources.
|Communicate concepts and analyses in marine science to diverse audiences from a range of backgrounds through a variety of modes, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
|Work effectively, responsibly and ethically in individual and peer or team contexts and be independent, self-directed learners.
|Design and carry out field, laboratory, or virtual experiments, selecting appropriate hypothesis testing or modelling techniques, and interpret, analyse and evaluate outcomes.
|Address real-world problems in marine science, working professionally and responsibly within collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
|Recognise the social and cultural context within which marine and coastal environments exist and describe how these contexts can influence scientific and management practice. |
Inspiron mini 1012 Netbook reload
Been awhile since I last posted.
I am working on a Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 that won't boot and has a corrupted recovery partition. Dell has sent me both the Windows 7 Starter CD and the Drivers/Application CD.
There is no internal DVD reader in this computer. Consequently, I have plugged in an External USB DVD player (actually tried 2 different readers) used the F12 key to select boot device and when that didn't work used F2 to go into setup to rearrange the boot devices. Neither method will recognize the external DVD as a boot device or at least will not read the Dell OS disk.
I then tried this same disk in a different laptop just to see it was recognized and would ask to start the boot process and it did. This verified a good DVD.
Any ideas on how to make this work???
After working on this for a few more hours, I finally broke out a new internal SATA DVD writer, connected an external power supply, then connected a SATA to USB converter to the Inspiron 1012 and it is now loading.
NEVER GIVE UP!!
P.S. - I see there were no views to this thread. What's going on?? This used to be a dynamic site.
Stark Raving MOD
Another way would have been to install from a flash drive.
Unfortunately the traffic is way down here. A lot of us are on the VDR forums now.
Thanks for the reply and thanks for the other link. It is good to see some familiar Moderators and miss others. Sterling-August was always helpful but I don't see him anymore. Hope he is doing well and the rest of you too.
I just turned 70 on August 7 but keep on doing this stuf. It is fun and keeps the brain young.
Not long ago, I was facing the same thing with a Latitude D430, and used WinToFlash to install XP and Windows 7 in a dual boot. |
In stock! Ready to ship, unless noted otherwise below. Custom Swift Spring upgrade is subject to 3-5 week production time.
QUALIFIES FOR FREE SHIPPING to cont. 48.
For Swift Springs upgrade, please designate front/rear desired rates in the "Special Instructions" at checkout
The BR model is perfect for street driving and occasional road course duty. With easily accessible adjustment knobs for fine tuning your compression/rebound and separately adjustable ride Heights,having performance coilover system couldn't be any easier.You choose how low or high you want your vehicle,no preset ride height here,and our patented concave lower locking ring keeps it locked in.All of our systems come with pillowball mounts to provide the most feedback possible from your suspension and to sharpen your steering response. BC's available front and rear camber plates also allow you the perfect alignment setup without compromise. All this while providing a strong, attractive looking coilover system.
- Mono-tube shock design
- 30 levels of damping force adjustment,adjust Compression/Rebound
- Pillow ball mounts and adjustable camber plates (where applicable)
- Separate full length height adjustable
- SWIFT SPRINGS CUSTOM RATES UPGRADE AVAILABLE (+ $325) -Please designate desired rates in the "Special Instructions" at checkout. |
Introducing the Sautiller Close Contact Synthetic Jump Saddle - engineered for show jumping.
The Sautiller Close Contact Jump Saddle is crafted from supple synthetic materials creating the appearance of traditional leather with much less maintenance. The saddle is supported by a polypropylene co-polymer tree: highly durable, with exceptional crack resistance and superior lightweight properties - lightening the load on your horse's topline.
The tree is classically shaped, built with an "A" shaped head and minimum curvature creating a flatter seat and a closer feel of connection tot he horse through the rider's seat. The panels are consciously flocked with synthetic fibre wool offering balanced pressure distribution and allowing unrestricted, free movement for the horse below the saddle.
The knee and thigh blocks on this saddle are easily customisable; attached via Velcro for tailored positioning to suit the rider. Forward cut in design, this saddle is engineered with show jumping in mind. Below the saddle flap are three leather girth straps which allow for effective girthing - covered with a billet guard protection panel to safeguard the flap from excessive wear.
Premier Equine offers an affordable solution with a high level of anatomical expertise in the development of their innovative range of discipline specific saddles with customisable fitting options. For the ideal fit they advise the purchase of the PE Gullet Guage to provide you with a guide to the best size PE gullet for use in your Premier Equine saddle.
Premier Equine understands that various factors can affect your horse such as health, fitness, exercise regime, age and condition. These factors may contribute to changes in shape of your horse meaning that you may need to reassess the fit of your saddle. The PE Interchangeable Gullet System allows for quick and easy customisation of the fit of the saddle, without the additional cost of a new saddle.
Outer synthetic leather
Synthetic fibre wool flocking
Polypropylene copolymer tree
Leather girth straps
Stainless steel hardware
Premier Equine offer a size range of PE Interchangeable Gullets which can help with customising the fit of your saddle.
We advise the purchase of the Premier Equine Gullet Gauge to provide you with a guide to the best size PE gullet for selection and use in your Premier Equine saddle.
- Jumping style
- Close contact
- Synthetic leather
- Polypropylene copolymer tree
- Low maintenance – mould and abrasion resistant
- PE Interchangeable Gullet System
- Synthetic fibre wool flocked panels for comfort
- Stainless steel safety flick stirrup bars
- Front D rings
- Medium depth seat
- Specifically designed cantle
- Padded knee roll
- Detachable knee block
- Detachable thigh block
- 3 interchangeable leather girth straps
- Synthetic billet guard protection panel
- Balanced, even pressure distribution
- Unrestricted movement
- Comes as standard with a medium gullet plate included
- Various gullet widths available to purchase separately
- PE branded badge
Store on a saddle hook/ saddle stand that provides even pressure.
- Remove dirt and debris from the surface by wiping down your synthetic saddle with a damp cloth. We recommend using only a pH neutral detergent diluted in water if required for cleaning your saddle.
- Wipe over with a clean damp cloth or sponge and remove any remaining pH neutral detergent from your synthetic saddle.
- Clean your leather girth straps with a pH neutral detergent only, ensuring not to over saturate them*
- Wipe over your leather girth straps with a clean cloth or sponge, removing any excess pH neutral detergent.
- Apply a good quality leather conditioning balm to your leather girth straps ensuring not to over saturate them*
- Allow to dry out of direct sunlight in a well ventilated area.
Do not expose to excess water or pH neutral detergents. Ensure that any cloth or sponge used is rung out of any excess water or pH neutral detergent before applying this to your saddle. Your saddle should never have excess water on the surface.
*warning, over saturation of leather girth straps can cause over-absorption which can deteriorate the leather. Do not over saturate your girth straps. |
Introducing Finasteride Medicine, a highly-effective treatment for androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Finasteride is a medication that works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone that causes hair loss and prostate enlargement. By inhibiting DHT, Finasteride helps slow down hair loss, promote hair growth, and improve the symptoms of BPH.
Shanghai Taigui Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. is a trusted supplier, manufacturer, and factory of Finasteride Medicine in China. Our Finasteride Medicine is made under strict quality control standards to ensure its purity, potency, and effectiveness. We use advanced equipment and technology to produce this medication, which is approved by FDA, certified by GMP, and safe for human consumption.
If you are experiencing hair loss or BPH, Finasteride Medicine is an excellent solution that can provide significant benefits. With Shanghai Taigui Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., you can be assured of excellent quality and customer service. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services. |
Free BONUS: $50 CASH OUT $100
REDEEM CODE: PALACE50
Latest Palace of Chance Casino Bonus Codes
To get the ultimate experience with Vegas Casino Palace of Chance. We offer our players the most realistic and secure software, high bonuses and more than 100 games available online. All our games are certified To ensure fair play, honest payments and the thrills and excitement of The Game Vegas from your living room.
Deposit Bonus: NEWPOC500 500% to $500
We keep all your data safe and secure.
All credit card transactions are encrypted to protect your information.
We never sell or rent your information.
Our payout department processes payouts on a daily basis to grant our members the fastest payouts any online casino has ever offered.
An efficient and friendly support staff ready to help and assist you at any time.
An experienced marketing department working 7 days a week to offer you the most exciting and irresistible promotions to be found online.
Customer very fast 24 / 7
Vegas at your fingertips! Palace of Chance Casino is the excitement of Vegas-style game right in your home. We offer bonus online casino you better and Maintain a fair access to unparalleled gaming software for all our games and the highest quality.
We offer a variety of games for our players, like Blackjack, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, Video Poker, Roulette, Slots and many more. Each time you deposit, we doubled the list of top casino bonus or triple your money.
We work like Vegas casinos including supplement payments, the best odds and Maintain a secure environment and protected To ensure your information. Legally licensed and fully insured, We strive our players first class gaming environment business.
Palace of Chance respect your privacy and will not rent, sell or distribute any information about you. Your personal information will be protected by Palace of chance and will never be sold to mailing lists.
We have a top-notch Customer Support team available 24hrs a day/ 7 days a week to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our casino. Feel free to give us a call, we’d be glad to help. |
David Wilson Taxi Advertising Campaign
David Wilson Homes have a massive development on the site of the old Battle Hospital in Reading. The front entrance to the hospital used to be off the Oxford Road and the old entrance is a protected building so the entrance to the development has to be from Portman Road which can be accessed from the Tilehurst end of the Oxford Road or through the business estate in Richfield Avenue.
David Wilson do have issues with local people saying they did not know the development is there – hard to believe when you think that it is on the same site as a Tesco Extra – massive Tesco store – and a Tesco petrol station forecourt. There are countless banners, flags and posters on the entrance to the development which is a shared entrance with Tesco. There are also countless posters right outside the main entrance to Tesco so everyone who enters or exits the store will see the posters.
Anyway, David Wilson Homes took this information on board – ran a 4 week campaign on petrol pump nozzles at the Tesco forecourt for period 20 August to 16 September and again for the period 15 October to 11 November. They also booked a superside campaign on 10 London style cabs from the Reading taxi ranks. There are a total of 150 London Style cabs in Reading so to take 10 does give a fair amount of prominence. They have also booked tip up seats inside the cabs to give an extra push to fare paying passengers
David Wilson Homes have also conducted a bus campaign on rears and streetliners on 15 buses from the reading depot. No one can say that they are not promoting the site. |
Located in the quiet southwest corner of Providenciales near Sapodilla Bay, this charming, quaint cottage is situated on the water's edge of scenic Chalk Sound National Park, a Turks and Caicos Islands wildlife sanctuary.
These turquoise waters are home to many varieties of birds and fish, as well as iguana, and contain over 100 small islands. Villa Poinciana is two separate but connected West Indies style wooden structures nestled comfortably
into the natural flora and rock formations of the Chalk Sound shoreline.
One building contains the living room, kitchen, dining room and a full bath; and the other, two large bedrooms both with en-suite baths creating a treehouse atmosphere that is enhanced by the connecting wooden walkways and surrounding tropical plants. The bed configuration is one king and one queen.
The many decks and connecting walkways offer sweeping views of a brilliant turquoise blue water you will remember forever. For a swim, you can enter Chalk Sound directly from the villa dock. Or if you prefer the beach, the quiet white sand of Sapodilla Bay Beach is less than a 5-minute walk away.
Away from mainland life, Poinciana offers the enjoyment and rejuvenation of simple pleasures, the soothing sound of waves lapping at the shoreline, a crystal clear night sky full of stars enjoyed with a friend and a glass of wine from a chaise lounge at the end of your dock Poinciana can comfortably accommodate a party of 4.
May 1 to Oct 31
Nov 1 to Apr 30
4 night minimum
Maximum occupancy 6
Extra guest $50 per night
Cleaning fee $150+12% tax
All prices are subject to change without prior notice until Rental Agreement is executed and do not include government tax.
Air conditioning is charged to guest at $20+12% tax per day if used.
Location pinpointed on map is approximate. |
This section is the heart of TeachPi.org. It’s where you’ve come to find more than 50 ideas for ways to make Pi Day entertaining, educational, tasty, and fun.
We have scoured the accounts of hundreds of Pi Day celebrations, and built what we’ve found into a thorough, descriptive collection of ideas. You can navigate the collection by exploring smaller, topical lists (look to the right!), where you can browse, see what others have done, and decide what’s right for your school, this year.
Even better, we know there are far more ideas out there that we haven’t heard about, perhaps an idea that the teacher down the hall cooked up on her own many years ago, and we would love to hear all of them. Let’s keep the list growing. Send them over to us at: |
Two months after Kiwi superstar director Taika Waititi splashed out on a $10.5 million waterfront pad in Point Chevalier, he and his wife, Rita Ora, have returned to New Zealand.
Taking to Instagram yesterday, the For You singer shared snaps from their trip to Aotearoa showing the pair spending time at Piwakawaka Point Estate — an exclusive, luxury villa on a private peninsula on Lake Wānaka.
Featuring snaps of Ora in a pool, taking a walk around the estate’s private trails and taking a dip in Lake Wānaka, the star captioned her post: “I can’t begin to explain the weekend I have had. Thank you for these memories Piwakawaka Point.”
A source told the Herald the couple were also spotted shopping in nearby Central Otago tourist destination Arrowtown.
Waititi and Ora are yet to reveal why they are back in the country, however, it could be for a well-deserved holiday and to spend time with the director’s two daughters.
Waititi shares Te Hinekāhu, 11, and Matewa Kiritapu, 8, with ex-wife film producer Chelsea Winstanley. The girls reside in New Zealand, while Waititi’s mum is understood to live in Wellington.
Elsewhere, famed actor and long-time friend of Waititi, Hunt for the Wilderpeople’s Sam Neill, owns the Two Paddocks vineyard in Gibbston, Central Otago, near where the couple have been spotted holidaying. So a visit could well be on the cards.
Neill is battling a rare form of blood cancer — non-Hodgkin angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma — and recently revealed his frustrations as the gruelling impact of his treatment meant he wasn’t well enough to work on the vineyard as much as he wanted to.
The A-listers may also be back to spend time at their multimillion-dollar home in a prominent Auckland suburb.
Industry sources told the Herald in October that Waititi had been searching for a high-end property in the city, but he wasn’t interested in typical “blue-chip” suburbs such as Remuera or Herne Bay.
In November it was confirmed the award-winning director splashed out on his luxury home in July and the sale set a price record for the suburb. |
I always find it surprising that there are not a lot of New Orleans posts out there to feed my online wanderlust. This is a massive internet fail, but for the moment The Shut Up and Go and Jo’s post
is a must-share.
Kelly from Endlessly Exploring posted a realistic How To Save Money To Travel The World
article that everyone who aspires to go out and travel should read. It’s concise, easy to read, but also achievable – so go learn how to save those pounds, dollars, euros or whatever currency resides in your wallet or bank account.
I came across this chopstick etiquette
post and really wish I seen it before going to Japan. SORRY JAPAN! I must hang my head in shame…I think I broke all of the rules and confirmed that horrible cliché that ‘Western’ people don’t care about culture.
What are your plans for the (Bank Holiday) Weekend? |
A new tool could diagnose a stroke based on abnormalities in a patient’s speech ability and facial muscular movements with the accuracy of an emergency room physician — all within minutes from an interaction with a smartphone. A machine learning model aids in, and potentially speeds up, the diagnostic process by physicians in a clinical setting.
Currently, physicians have to use their past training and experience to determine at what stage a patient should be sent for a CT scan. The new tool analyzes the presence of stroke among actual emergency room patients with suspicion of stroke by using computational facial motion analysis and natural language processing to identify abnormalities in a patient’s face or voice, such as a drooping cheek or slurred speech.
The results could help emergency room physicians to more quickly determine critical next steps for the patient. Ultimately, the application could be utilized by caregivers or patients to make self-assessments before reaching the hospital.
To train the computer model, the researchers built a dataset from more than 80 patients experiencing stroke symptoms at a hospital. Each patient was asked to perform a speech test to analyze their speech and cognitive communication while being recorded on an Apple iPhone.
Testing the model on the hospital dataset, the researchers found that its performance achieved 79 percent accuracy — comparable to clinical diagnostics by emergency room doctors, who use additional tests such as CT scans; however, the model could help save valuable time in diagnosing a stroke, with the ability to assess a patient in as little as four minutes. In severe strokes, it is obvious to doctors from the moment the patient enters the emergency department, but studies suggest that in the majority of strokes with mild symptoms, a diagnosis can be delayed by hours and by then, a patient may not be eligible for the best possible treatments.
Physicians currently use a binary approach toward diagnosing strokes: They either suspect a stroke, sending the patient for a series of scans that could involve radiation or they do not suspect a stroke, potentially overlooking patients who may need further assessment.
For more information, contact Jessica Hallman at |
Wow. The Blogosphere is all a buzz today on what seems to be a battle
for which you’re supposed to pick a side. The major stories have to do
with YouTube allowing CBS to filter comments on its videos and have
them on a separate page (rather than right below the video itself) and
the New York Times adding, that is, “surrendering to” social news
(meaning, you can submit NYTimes articles directly to Digg, Newsvine,
or Facebook from within an article).
Mix that with the lingering rumor
that Fox, Viacom, CBS, and NBC might have a YouTube competitor in the
works, and you have all sorts of opinions flying!
Some are predicting the downfall of Digg & friends, explaining that social sites like Digg breed negativity of sorts. Others point out why a YouTube wannabe funded by the man couldn’t function properly: quirky, home-made videos would be lacking.
And on top of that, there’s a third viewpoint being called “de-portalization.” The idea that portals’ (Yahoo, Google, etc.) relative traffic will decrease as the “foothills” (blogs, etc.) traffic increases. Since Craigslist, MySpace, and YouTube are all considered portals in this model, the focus seems to be on the little guy taking the lead, trumping both social sites and big media sites.
I have no idea where any of this is really going, but it is fun to watch the speculation from the sidelines. In the mean time, I hope no one minds that I utilize all three types of sites (big media, social sites, and the little guys) and would prefer none of them to disappear |
Guide about Unveiling iGanony will be discussed in this article.
Unveiling iGanony The Ultimate Instagram Story Viewer In 2024
In this article, you can know about Unveiling iGanony here are the details below;
In the ever-evolving realm of the social media, Instagram has emerged as one of the most popular platforms for sharing moments, thoughts, and experiences. With the introduction of the features like Instagram Stories, users have found a dynamic way to connect with their followers. However, limitations within the app often leave users seeking external tools to enhance their Instagram experience. Enter iGanony, the ultimate Instagram Story viewer designed to provide users with an immersive and feature-rich way to explore and enjoy Instagram Stories.
Understanding the Need:
Instagram Stories are a captivating way for users to share their day-to-day activities, thoughts, and creativity. However, the 24-hour time limit and limited viewing options within the app can be frustrating for both content creators and their audience. iGanony addresses these limitations by offering a comprehensive solution for viewing and interacting with Instagram Stories outside the official Instagram app.
Key Features of iGanony:
- Anonymous Viewing: iGanony allows users to view Instagram Stories anonymously, providing a discreet way to explore content without leaving any trace. This feature is particularly beneficial for the users who want to maintain privacy while still enjoying the Stories of others.
- Extended Viewing Time: Unlike the official Instagram app, which restricts Stories to a 24-hour duration, iGanony enables users to view Stories beyond this time frame. This feature especially useful for catching up on content that may have been missed during the limited availability period.
- Download and Save: iGanony empowers users to download and save Instagram Stories directly to their devices. This functionality is advantageous for archiving memorable moments, creating backups, or simply sharing content through alternative platforms.
- User-Friendly Interface: The iGanony app boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for the users all levels of technological proficiency. The sleek design enhances overall user experience, allowing for seamless navigation and effortless utilization of features.
- Compatibility: iGanony is designed to be compatible with various devices and operating systems, ensuring a broad user base can take advantage of the its features. Whether using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, iGanony caters to users across different platforms.
Security and Privacy:
One of the primary concerns when using third-party tools for Instagram is security. iGanony addresses these concerns by prioritizing user privacy and data protection. The app operates independently of Instagram’s official servers and does not store any user credentials or personal information, ensuring a secure and private experience for users.
iGanony stands out as the go-to Instagram Story viewer, offering a host of features that enhance the overall Instagram experience. From anonymous viewing and extended viewing times to the ability to download and save Stories, iGanony provides comprehensive solution for the users seeking more control and flexibility when interacting with Instagram content. With a user-friendly interface commitment to security, iGanony has carved a niche for itself as the best Instagram Story viewer, catering to the diverse needs of Instagram users worldwide. Also check What Is Metadata
FAQs – iGanony:
Q1: What is iGanony, and how does it work?
A1: iGanony is an Instagram Story viewer designed to enhance the user experience by the providing features not available official Instagram app. It allows users to view Stories anonymously, extends the viewing time beyond 24 hours, and offers the capability to download and save Stories.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About Aiotechnical.com Health & Beauty
Q2: Is iGanony safe to use?
A2: Yes, iGanony prioritizes user security and privacy. It operates independently of Instagram’s official servers, ensuring that no user credentials or personal information are stored. Users can enjoy secure and private experience while using the app.
Q3: Can I view Instagram Stories anonymously with iGanony?
A3: Absolutely. iGanony enables users to view Instagram Stories anonymously, allowing them to explore content without leaving any trace. This feature is ideal for those who value privacy while still enjoying the Stories of others.
Q4: How does iGanony extend the viewing time of Instagram Stories?
A4: Unlike the official Instagram app, which limits Stories to a 24-hour duration, iGanony allows users to view Stories beyond this time frame. This feature is useful for catching up on content that may have been missed during the limited availability period.
Q5: Can I download and save Instagram Stories with iGanony?
A5: Yes, iGanony offers the functionality to download and save Instagram Stories directly to your device. This feature is beneficial for archiving memorable moments, creating backups, or sharing content through alternative platforms.
Q6: Is iGanony compatible with different devices and operating systems?
A6: Absolutely. iGanony is designed to be compatible with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. It supports different operating systems, ensuring a broad user base can enjoy its features regardless of the platform they use. Also check Careers In Database Technology
Q7: How user-friendly is the iGanony interface?
A7: iGanony boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for users of all technological proficiency levels. The sleek design enhances overall user experience, allowing for seamless navigation and effortless utilization of features.
Q8: Does iGanony store any user data or credentials?
A8: No, iGanony prioritizes user privacy and does not store any user credentials or personal information. The app operates independently, ensuring a secure and private experience for users.
Q9: Is iGanony a free app?
A9: Yes, iGanony is available as a free Instagram Story viewer. Users can enjoy its features without incurring any cost.
Q10: How do I get started with iGanony?
A10: To get started, simply download and install the iGanony app device. Once installed, follow the on-screen instructions to the set up the app and start enjoying the enhanced Instagram Story viewing experience. |
Women in Consumer Technology Legacy Awards
Join us in celebrating the 2021 Class of Legacy Awards honorees.
When: Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021
Time: 12–2 PM PST | 1 – 3 PM MST | 2 – 4 PM CST | 3 – 5 PM EST
Presentation: From 12:30 – 1 PM PST | 1:30 – 2 PM MST | 2:30 – 3 PM CST | 3:30– 4 PM EST
Michelle Guss, Director of Residential Business Development for North America, Crestron
Michelle joined Crestron in 2007 and has grown to become the Director of Residential Business Development for North America. She works closely with architects, interior designers, builders, developers, realtors, estate managers, and lighting designers. She is responsible for analyzing key residential market segments to acquire new sales opportunities for Crestron. In addition, she oversees the business development team and Crestron’s design showrooms throughout the U.S. Michelle is a CTA Smart Home Division Board member and is an active member of several design build groups. She is also a CEDIA-Certified Outreach Instructor and teaches technology education courses for Crestron to the AIA, ASID, NKBA, and several real estate groups. Michelle is a 2020 Dealerscope 40 Under 40 Honoree.
Andrea Hogan, Sr. Director and Head of NA and AU Marketing, Qualcomm
In a career spanning over two decades, Andrea has focused on marketing, partner marketing, channel marketing, and consulting in the consumer technology industry. She was previously a principal at Corrib Consulting, marketing and sales operations lead for Flo TV (a subsidiary of Qualcomm), and senior consultant at IBM. At her very core, Andrea is a big believer in people. Her approach to building and developing high powered teams and relationships is to understand individual strengths, interests and aspirations, and empower, coach and establish authentic relationships by championing diversity so everyone succeeds. Her core values are curiosity, accountability, integrity, courage, positivity, and humor. She applies each of these values in her approach to effective marketing, where they help her create an exceptional work environment where people thrive and have fun working together. She is board member of Elderhelp San Diego and serves on the Executive Women’s leadership team of the American Heart Association.
Elizabeth Lafontaine, Industry Analyst and Director of Thought Leadership, The NPD Group
Elizabeth serves as the director of thought leadership, focused on uncovering insights about the retail consumer, and crafting stories using The NPD Group’s robust data assets to provide strategic direction to retailers and manufacturers. She works closely with NPD’s senior leadership, industry advisors, and analysts to drive thought leadership initiatives across the organization. Elizabeth joined NPD in 2017, transitioning directly from the retail industry. Prior to joining NPD, she held buying roles at Macy’s and Stein Mart and has a B.S. in Retail Management from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.
Roberta Lewis, President, Roberta Lewis and Associates
Roberta Lewis has over 40 years of experience in the consumer electronics and pro AV industry. In 2005 she founded Roberta Lewis & Associates LLC to support the broad range of electronics and technology businesses with public relations, marketing, advertising, and consumer technology strategic sales consultancy. She holds the distinction of being the only woman ever to be elected as the president of the Professional Audio/Video Retailers Association (acquired by the Consumer Technology Association), and has served on CTA’s Audio Board, High-Performance Audio Sub-Division, and Audio Promotions Committee. Additionally, she has held executive positions at audio, internet marketing, and specialty retail chain organizations, has served on CEDIA’s Management Conference Committee, and is a CEDIA SME (Subject Matter Expert) and Certified Instructor.
Woman to Watch: Kristin Reinitz, Director of Business Development and Sales, Admit One Home Systems
Kristin launched into the consumer technology industry when she joined the Admit One team in 2018, taking on all marketing, sales, and process objectives. Kristin has a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, and her career within the building industry has helped her develop an extensive network of builders, designers, and architects. She genuinely loves learning about people and has an innate ability to open new doors. Kristin currently sits on the board of directors for Women in Construction (WINC), is working on her Lighting Certification, and continues to mentor other women in her market.
Carol Campbell Inspiration Award: Heather Squire, Global Account Director Commercial Organization, Logitech
Heather has had an extensive 20-year career in consumer technology and is currently serving as Global Account Director, Commercial at Logitech. She got a start as a buyer at Circuit City, and also served as account manager at Kensington. She moved to startups with tenures at Flip Video and then GoPro in 2011, where she spent six years leading the Americas and global accounts sales teams.
Though she is very proud of her professional career, it’s her passion for colon cancer awareness that has driven her the hardest. During the height of her career at GoPro, her husband was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at the young age of 41. After her husband passed away at 46, she founded Cartwheels4ColonCancer to promote early screening and spread awareness that colon cancer can happen to anyone at any age.
In addition to being faced with raising her high school daughter as a single mom, Heather opened her heart and home to another teenage girl that needed a family and love. After three years together, in July 2020, she made it official and adopted her.
With Master of Ceremonies Megan Pollock, Vice President, Strategic Communications of Samsung Electronics America and 2020 Carol Campbell Inspiration Award Honoree. |
At best, I’ve always had a tepid relationship with Watch Dogs. I appreciate the aesthetics of it, but I've always felt the series' core mechanics weren't that fun. I feel bad saying it, but I’ve always felt the series was... well, destined for the discount bin.
I’m happy to say that I’m starting to feel differently about Watch Dogs: Legion.
Not because the series has grown and improved to the point where it finally rivals Grand Theft Auto, but because it finally feels like it’s embraced its weirdness.
Case in point: I spent my first four hours in the game as a mechanic named Ed Rodrigo riding on top of a drone moving at a glacial pace just so I didn’t have to deal with the ultra-sensitive driving controls and generic combat. Instead, I sneaked onto rooftops undetected and used an oversized wrench to beat up whole squads of security guards and relaxed with several games of darts at the pub.
It sounds dumb, but it was the best time I’ve ever had with a Watch Dogs game.
Flying in the face of disparate circumstances
Watch Dog Legion’s central plot point is a serious one: a terrorist organization planted bombs all around London and, as a member of DedSec, you’re tasked with stopping them.
Except, spoilers, you don’t.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
The explosions kill hundreds, potentially thousands, of virtual Londoners and the government goes from a capitalist constitutional monarchy to a fascist regime overnight.
And while you can get swept away in the plot line to uncover who orchestrated the attacks and their ulterior motives, you can also spend your time playing darts at the pub and recruiting beekeepers and Roman Bellic wannabes to your cause.
That’s exactly what I did for four hours during a recent demo.
Game of Drones
If you want to blame someone for my four-hour endeavor to ride London’s skyline at roughly 20 miles per hour instead of, say, stealing a sports car like everyone else, blame the person who was guiding me during my demo.
While struggling with the game’s frustrating level design in which everything needs to be hacked endlessly to move between rooms of generic peacekeepers, they had suggested that I walk outside, switch to my construction worker Ed Rodrigo and use his Cargo Drone ability to call in a transportation drone to fly me to the top of the building.
I should mention that you can access each character’s special skills by calling up a radial menu that will have various tools and weapons that vary based on your class. Because Rodrigo is a construction worker, he had weapons like a lead wrench and nail gun, but also the ability to summon an over-sized cargo drone that can carry you at your beck and call.
Upon getting atop the drone, my fellow Londoners jeered loudly “Hey, how’s the view from up there?” as I rode without a care to the top of a highly secure base, skipping corridors and corridors of armed guards and what surely would’ve been minutes of prolonged firefights.
It was liberating. I was freed from the constraints of the game that so far frustrated me. Instead I took the easy route to the roof and it was there that I had the thought, What if I never walked or drove anywhere ever again? What if I spent the whole game just flying around on this drone? My fate was sealed.
Building an army of normies
Watch Dogs Legion, like other open-world Ubisoft games, has an overwhelming amount of both side missions and mainline quests. And while I knew at some point I’d have to play the main missions to progress through the demo, I told my demoer that, for now, I’d rather just try recruiting more people. That led me to my two favorite allies: Flavius Nicoara, a self-described Anarchist who sounds remarkably similar to Roman Bellic from GTA4 and a random beekeeper who I thought might like to help me uncover the whereabouts and motives of a terrorist organization.
I’ll admit, recruiting Flavius was harder than I expected. In order to get him, I had to steal an ambulance full of organs that had been illegally harvested and put onto the black market. It was from a well-guarded outpost with roof-mounted foot soldiers.
Before I could drive the ambulance out I had to take out the guards, my demoer told me, and thus began the painstaking process of clearing out guards. If you’ve read our hands on Watch Dogs Legion preview, you’ll know that combat in the game really isn’t much fun. It’s not awful… it’s just kind of bland.
Once the guards were eliminated, you had to then drive the ambulance to a drop off spot so the organs could be sent back to the hospital where they belonged.
The whole process of talking to Flavius, going on his mission, getting the ambulance and bringing it back took over a half-hour – which is a double-edged sword, honestly. On one hand, my demo guide reminded me, this presents a lot of side content. Like, hundreds of hours if you take the time to recruit as many people as you can. But the other side of the coin is that these side missions feel exhausting as you spend a half-hour of your time just to get a rando to help you on your main mission.
Is it fun or am I making a bad situation more bearable?
It’s been a week now since I played my Watch Dogs Legion demo and in that time I’ve wondered if it really was a fun experience or if I simply made a bad situation better by exploiting a silly feature by making it a stupid gimmick.
In that week’s time I still don’t have an answer.
Look, I think the amount of content Ubisoft is putting into Watch Dogs is great. It should keep fans of the open world genre engrossed for dozens of hours. And yet, I wouldn’t say Watch Dogs Legion is shaping up to be a Game of the Year contender. The main mechanics like driving, combat and stealth aren’t exceptionally executed here, and the world, while nicely detailed and chaotic, doesn’t bring anything novel that we haven’t seen before.
Maybe four hours isn’t enough time to really get Watch Dogs Legion. Maybe it takes a team full of recruited NPCs and a dozen story missions to make the game really shine. Previews are a brief window into a game that sometimes just don’t give us the full picture.
For now I'm reserving judgment on the game and the only thing I know for sure at this point is that the cargo drone definitely makes a less-interesting game more fun... er, well, for me at least.
- Can't decide which next-gen console to buy? Check out our guide to PS5 vs Xbox Series X
Nick Pino is Managing Editor, TV and AV for TechRadar's sister site, Tom's Guide. Previously, he was the Senior Editor of Home Entertainment at TechRadar, covering TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, VR and streaming devices. He's also written for GamesRadar+, Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer and other outlets over the last decade, and he has a degree in computer science he's not using if anyone wants it. |
This 10-in-1 design lets you pressure cook, steam, sauté, slow cook and more, with control via a dedicated smart app.
The CMF By Nothing Buds lack great ANC and reliable software, but they look cool and they’re incredibly cheap.
Manual control, striking looks, high build quality, swappable lenses – the Nons SL660 is a photographer's instant camera.
Jabra’s Elite 10 is a premium alternative to its sporty lineup of true wireless earbuds, with spatial audio, advanced ANC, long-lasting battery life and more.
The mid-range Eureka E10s is a great-looking vacuum with a self-emptying base, but at times it struggles for navigation.
Whether you struggle with sound sensitivity, want to protect your hearing, or just want some peace and quiet in the office, the Loop Switch 3-in-1 earbuds offer fantastic noise control.
The Galaxy A54 continues the lineage of some of the company's best-selling smartphones, with camera and battery improvements at the top of its list.
A clean design, decent performance, a superb display, and brand-leading battery life mean this affordable flagship is a hit.
With great looks and terrific cameras, the OnePlus Open is the first big foldable phone that doesn't make you sacrifice what's important.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team. |
TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.
Mobile gaming revenues are expected to grow by 16.5 percent this year, totaling $3.04 billion. The figure - which includes downloads and in-app purchases - highlights the stagnant state of eBook and music downloads according to a new report from eMarketer.
As you might expect, the popularity of the freemium business model is really driving in-app purchases. In 2015, in-app purchases are expected to account for 59.8 percent of all mobile game revenues. Doing the math, that works out to a total of $1.82 billion.
All factors considered, mobile games are expected to account for nearly a third of the entire US mobile content market in 2015. eBook downloads will decline to fill 43.3 percent of mobile revenues, video downloads will account for 8.6 percent and music downloads will drop to 5.6 percent. The latter two illustrate the growing popularity of video and music streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, respectively.
Looking at the bigger picture, the US mobile content market is forecasted to rake in $9.82 billion this year - an increase of more than 10 percent compared to last year. With that kind of money floating around, it's no wonder that some app developers are now making more money than Hollywood stars.
As for the future, eMarketer notes that smartphone and tablet ownership in the US isn't yet at saturation although the days of explosive growth are certainly in the rear view mirror. |
The National Law University (NLU) Delhi has modified the syllabus of the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) 2024 for admission to BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes. The AILET 2024 updated syllabus for BA LLB, LLM and PhD programmes can be checked from the official website – nationallawuniversitydelhi.in.
As per the schedule, the AILET 2024 will be conducted offline on 10 December 2023, from 11 am to 1 pm. Candidates can apply online for AILET 2024 by 13 November. The university will issue the AILET 2024 admit cards on 20 November.
The AILET 2024 for BA LLB programme will have three sections with 150 multiple-choice questions. The total marks will be 150 and the duration of the examination is 120 minutes. There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
For the LLM programme the question paper will have 100 multiple choice questions (MCQ) carrying one mark each. All the 100 MCQs will be from the different branches of Law. There will also be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. The LLM exam will be of 120 minutes.
For PhD, the question paper will be of 100 MCQs each question carrying one mark. 50 questions will be from the subject of research methodology. For PhD in Law, the remaining 50 questions will be from different branches of Law and for PhD in social sciences, the remaining 50 MCQs will be from different branches of social sciences. For admission to PhD the candidates who hold a valid Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and foreign nationals are exempted from the All India Entrance Test. |
Marelli, the leading global automotive supplier, headquartered in Saitama, Japan, will open a production facility for electric drivetrains in Cologne, Germany. Start of production is targeted for the first half of 2021.
“With the new production facility, we are expanding our manufacturing footprint and capacities for this important growth market. We have chosen Cologne for its location in the heart of Europe, as we find highly skilled employees with experience in the auto industry here and as the region is developing into a center for e-mobility.”said Joachim Fetzer, CEO of Marelli’s Electric Powertrain business.
In the new facility in Cologne, a production line for electric drivetrains will be installed on 18,000 sqm, while there is space for a potential future expansion. At start of production in the first half year of 2021, the facility will employ around 160 employees. Marelli plans to hire up to 60 additional employees throughout 2021.
“Electric powertrain is a core element of Marelli’s growth strategy. We already have a great deal of experience in the market, having been one of the early suppliers of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), the first hybrid solution in Formula 1, as well as being a pioneer of electric powertrain for Formula E. In the past years, we have been very successful in bringing our technologies for electric mobility to the mass market and with the new facility in Cologne we are in a strong position to continue on that path,” said Joachim Fetzer.
Through combined expertise in both electric drives and thermal energy management systems, Marelli offers a unique technology portfolio enabling the design of highly efficient electric vehicle platforms. This includes active and passive systems for the 800 Volt high performance and fast charging technology, battery management systems, cooling plates, electric compressors and other solutions helping carmakers to improve the overall efficiency of their electric and hybrid vehicles. “We have the ambition to further expand our position as a leading supplier for electric mobility as this market grows dynamically,” said Joachim Fetzer. |
Sinéad O'connor At The Bbc is a program about music on BBC2. The program has been available since 2024. A total of 1 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in March 2024.
Don't want to miss an episode anymore? Set up a free alarm and receive an email when new episodes are available. Handy!
A look back through the BBC’s archives at the work of an artist with whom nothing compares – the acclaimed, unique and always controversial Sinéad O’Connor. |
Huawei Nova 12i
Want to know a little more?
What is FlexOn?
It is a new range of Mobile Postpaid and TopUp plans that are available on a mobile contract either bundled with a device or on a SIM-only plan (no device included) on a month-to-month plan.
Can I use FlexOn plans in a data device like a router?
No, FlexOn have been designed exclusively for individual or personal use in a Smartphone (mobile phone). Any other use in a data device or data hotspot device (including but not limited to usage in MiFi’s, routers, modems, dongles, LAN connected routers to PC’s, tablets, PBX connections or machine-to-machine applications are prohibited, and unlimited data access will be restricted when being used in any of these devices and NOT in a Smartphone.
Can I link a MultiSIM or a Data MultiSIM to the FlexOn?
No, MultiSIM and Data MultiSIM will not be allowed on these plans. |
Free Real Estate Investment Flyer Template, Printable, Download
From open house event flier options to real estate listing and realtor flyer design templates, Template.net offers various property broker flyer templates you can fully customize for free online. Browse our template library to discover marketing poster flyer samples with the background design and content appropriate for advertising your home for sale, residential real estate agent, or commercial real estate agent. Select a template in either blank or detailed content formats.
Customize Real Estate Investor Flyer Online for Free and Download
How do you envision your real estate investment company flyer, open house event flyer, real estate listing flyer, home for sale poster flyer, or home mortgage marketing flyer? Would you like a creative flyer or pamphlet in flat design? Whatever design style you want for your property leasing flyer, you can enjoy a free hand using our editor tool to mix and match the suggestive vectors, illustrations, and icons. Then, your work is readily printable in a4 US sizes. Or, you may download copies in PDF and PNG. |
TENWAYS Pedal into Spring Challenge 2024
This Challenge (the "Challenge") is open to entrants aged 18+ and Residents in the EU only. The Challenge opens at 00.01hrs on 08.03.2024 and closes at 23.59hrs on 21.03.2024. Entrants who complete the challenge (the "finishers") will get a chance to win a CGO009 e-bike from TENWAYS, and another 20 lucky finishers will receive a 009 Rider Box (containing cycling accessories and merchandise). By participating in the Challenge, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the full terms and conditions.
The TENWAYS Pedal into Spring Challenge 2024, is for Strava members to complete 100 km of recorded cycling activity within the challenge period. All completers of the Challenge are given the opportunity to get a chance to win a CGO009 e-bike from TENWAYS by entering their email address and opting in to accept TENWAYS’s Data Policy and Terms and Conditions as well as opting in to receive marketing communications from TENWAYS.
Terms & Conditions
By entering the Challenge, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the terms and conditions and all entry instructions form part of these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions prevail in the event of any conflict or inconsistency with any other communications, including advertising or promotional materials.
Promoter: TENWAYS Technovation Europe B.V.
How to Enter
Eligibility: The Challenge is open to Strava users aged 18 or over and EU residents, excluding employees of the Promoter and their immediate families, its agents and anyone professionally connected with this Challenge and Competition.
Entry: Entry to the Challenge is available upon use of Strava. The Challenge starts and ends based on each user’s local time zone. Manual entries, or rides marked ‘Private’ will not count towards your challenge effort. All activities logged during the Challenge period must be uploaded to Strava no later than three days after the challenge ends.
- No purchase necessary.
- Entry Period: Opens at 00.01hrs on 08.03.2024, closes at 23.59hrs on 21.03.2024.
- All entries must be made directly by the person entering the Challenge. Entrants who do not give correct details will be disqualified, at the Promoter’s discretion.
- No responsibility will be taken by the Promoter for entries or claims which for technical or other reasons are not entered correctly or are lost. Incomplete entries will not qualify for the Challenge.
- Upon completion of the challenge, each finisher will be eligible for a chance to win a CGO009 e-bike with a pre-discount value of €2399. Challenge finishers will receive an email containing a link to a page where users will be required to enter their details to receive TENWAYS's email newsletter. After subscribing, a participant can unsubscribe at any time, and receive no further communication from TENWAYS, yet retain the validity of their reward. All entrants must be over 18 years old and must abide by the competition Terms & Conditions
Reward & Prize Information
- Reward: Each Finisher will be eligible for a chance to win a CGO009 e-bike with a pre-discount value of €2399, and another 20 lucky finishers will each receive a 009 Rider Box as a reward.
- The total reward amount is directly related to the value of Euros and is converted on live rates. Fluctuation and differences between different currencies is to be expected and as such we cannot be held liable for discount codes under-indexing amounts advertised in $ & €.
- Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be resold or exchanged for cash.
Our Right to Use Information About You
- Any personal information provided by entrants will be collected, stored and processed by or on behalf of the Promoter strictly under the General Protection Data Regulation (2018).
- An entrant’s personal details may be used for the marketing purposes of the Promoter only if an entrant has opted in to receiving future marketing mailings from the Promoter or for any other purpose agreed by an entrant. If an entrant would like to stop receiving messages from the Promoter, he/she can use the unsubscribe button provided in an email from the Promoter.
- Other than its agencies and third-party suppliers who are contracted to administer the Competition, the Promoter will not pass entrant’s details on to any third party unless otherwise required to do so by law.
TENWAYS Technovation Europe B.V. |
The ADLS system is deployed as a partnership between Windpark Fryslân and Terma and is the first ADLS solution in operation in the Netherlands. The installation and commissioning of the ADLS solution were finalized in 2021, followed by months of testing with verification flights and adjustments.
Beginning of 2024, the Dutch authorities gave the green light to put the solution into operation. As of February 15 2024, the aviation lights of Windpark Fryslân installed at Kornwerderzand, have been turned off during nighttime due to Terma’s ADLS radar system becoming operational. The wind turbines aviation lights will only be turned on when an aircraft approaches Windpark Fryslân maintaining aviation safety.
By law, wind turbines taller than 150 meters are required to have intense aviation lighting. However, the lighting may cause annoyance to the communities and wildlife in the vicinity of the wind farm – this is minimized by the ADLS solution, as the system makes it possible to turn off the lights, only being activated if an aircraft enters the vicinity of the wind farm.
“It is an important milestone for Terma that our ADLS solution has now officially been put into service. Terma has been involved in the project from the very beginning to develop and implement the first ADLS solution in the Netherlands. Terma’s ADLS solution has been proven to reduce the ‘light on’ time of the wind farm by up to 95% - so it is a true benefit to the local community and surroundings,” says Henrik Bendix Nielsen, Security Sales Manager at Terma.
The Technology Behind ADLS
The Aircraft Detection Lightning System (ADLS) consists of an advanced radar system, an antenna, and a light control server. The intelligent lighting solution monitors the airspace above and around the wind farm.
When the airspace around the wind turbines is clear, the lights stay turned off. However, when an aircraft enters the wind farm area, the system automatically detects it and activates the required high-intensity lights. The lights are deactivated after the aircraft has left the wind farm area warning zone.
Moreover, earlier in the project phase a test took place to test the radar’s detection of aircraft using mobile radar demo equipment. The results were positively evaluated by the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT), which is the Dutch authority responsible for overseeing environmental and transportation matters. This trial confirmed the effectiveness and reliability of the ADLS system.
In compliance with the national regulatory, the radar surveils the airspace within a detection zone (approximately 10 km from the wind park), activating the wind park’s aviation lighting when the aircraft enters a warning zone (approximately 7 km from the wind park). The lighting is being deactivated with a time delay of 1 minute after aircraft leave the warning zone.
“Radar-based ADLS does not rely on any equipment being installed onboard an aircraft, it is a more advanced solution with higher precision and air safety than any other available technology. It is an advancement for the security of wind farms and surrounding airspace, but also an important mitigating factor for people and wildlife living nearby. We anticipate more countries and wind farms to follow suit in implementing ADLS,” says Henrik Bendix Nielsen.
Learn more about ADLS.
About Windpark Fryslân
Windpark Fryslân consists of 89 4.3 megawatt (MW) turbines, each with a tip-height of 180 meters. Annually, the wind farm will produce some 1.5-terawatt hours* (1,500,000 megawatt hours). This is approximately 1.2% of the electricity use in the Netherlands, corresponding to the consumption of some 500,000 households. Visit Windpark Fryslân |
The ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts. Browse our collection of bone-chilling posters, featuring terrible atmosphere and spine-tingling artwork that will haunt your walls.
Terrible Posters is the premier online destination for horror art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Established in 2023, we have quickly emerged as a leading platform for curated, high-quality posters. Our vast collection showcases a diverse range of content, from space horror designs to classic Italian fumetti posters, ensuring there’s something to captivate every taste. With a seamless browsing experience and secure purchasing options, Terrible Posters offers a convenient way to adorn your walls with terrifying visuals that scare, shock, and disturb. |
Heart Mapping creates a space for individuals to express their feelings and process emotions.
We take time and guide people into more authentic visuals experiences by using heart maps to explore what each of them hold inside: Feelings, passions, vulnerabilities, and wonderings.
Everyone needs to connect with their hearts and the hearts of others all the time, and not just during difficult and challenging times.
- 25 Wood shaped hearts
- 25 Paint Brushes and Watercolor trays
- 10 Permanent markers |
DreamWorks + Netflix hit the interweb with the official trailer for Voltron Legendary Defender
DreamWorks’ Voltron Legendary Defender will also feature a special hour-long origin story called “The Rise of Voltron”.
The Netflix original series DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender reimagines one of the most popular fan-favorite shows of all time in this all-new comedic action-packed show from executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and co-executive producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra). Five unsuspecting teenagers, transported from Earth into the middle of a sprawling intergalactic war, become pilots for five robotic lions in the battle to protect the universe from evil. Only through the true power of teamwork can they unite to form the mighty warrior known as Voltron.
Watch the Voltron Legendary Defender official trailer in the player below:
Voltron: Legendary Defender debuts on Netflix, June 10th 2016 |
Free the Hops: Sin Taxes Drive Up the Cost of Beer
Your favorite frothy adult beverage would be a little cheaper if sin taxes were not part of the equation, according to a new report from the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan policy research center.
Each state taxes beer by the gallon, with the costs ranging from just 2 cents in Wyoming to $1.29 in Tennessee.
“State and local governments use a variety of formulas to tax beer,” Scott Drenkard writes at the Tax Foundation. “The rates can include fixed per-volume taxes; wholesale taxes that are often a percentage of a product’s wholesale price; distributor taxes (sometimes structured as license fees as a percentage of revenues); case or bottle fees (which can vary based on size of container); and additional sales taxes (note that this measure does not include general sales tax, only those in excess of the general rate).”
There is a trend to be found in the rates, as well. States in the Southeast tend to have the highest beer taxes. Seven of the top 10 states with the highest beer taxes are located in the area of the country known as the “Bible belt.” Northeastern states tend to have lower beer taxes.
The Beer Institute estimates that consumers pay $5.6 billion in federal and state excise taxes annually. “Surprisingly, taxes are the single most expensive ingredient in beer,” the beer centric think tank notes, “costing more than the labor and raw materials combined.”
Although the Tax Foundation report does not touch on the cost of federal and state regulation of beer, which adds to the cost of production, particular of micro-breweries and small craft beer producers.
In a June 2014 editorial at US News, Matthew Mitchell and Christopher Koopman, both research fellows at the Mercatus Center, explained that the excessive regulations, which are just another form of taxation, create burdensome barrier to entry for small brewers looking to take their product to market.
“Once in business, brewers face more hurdles. Among the least efficient regulations are the ‘franchise laws’ that restrict their ability to sell beer directly to consumers, instead mandating that they sell through distributors. These rules can even dictate how brewers may contract with distributors,” wrote Mitchell and Koopman. “For example, some grant distributors exclusive territories, and others limit the ability of a brewer to choose to work with someone else. A recent survey found that in most cases, these rules make consumers worse off.”
Beer taxes may be an easy target for lawmakers looking to raise revenue for big government programs and regulation may be a convenient way to protect big beer brewers, but these policies are keeping Americans from the frothy goodness that is their favorite brew. Raise a glass and tell your lawmakers to “free the hops!” |
I have been taking swimming lessons at Aqua Life for the past 4 years. I started as an adult non-swimmer terrified of the water and now I can swim and thoroughly love the water. I have had numerous teachers over the years - each offering their talents, skills, and unique teaching style while always working within the principles set out by Aqua Life.
My current teacher, Vanessa, is fun to work with. She is patient, kind, and has great attention to detail. She is helping me perfect my strokes and improve my cardio through endurance drills.
I have come a long way thanks to Aqua Life and look forward to continued progress! |
Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.
Brewing a cup of tea, sitting down to sip it calmly, and just breath in and out, is one of the great pleasures of life.
Drinking tea not only centers us, it also provides a simple method for administering herbs in order to experience their many medicinal benefits.
Herbal teas can treat any number of ailments, such as:
- Low milk supply
- Cold and flu
- Lack of energy
- Water retention
- Sore throat
- and many more!
You just need to find the right herb, pour warm water over it, then steep, strain, and sip.
While tea bags are convenient, buying herbs in bulk or as a loose tea often saves money.
Preparing your own blends is quite easy, too. The Bulk Herb Store has a comprehensive post on preparing your own tea blends.
The internet abounds with recipes, too. If making a customized tea blend is something that appeals to you, try searching the web and you are sure to find a ton of great recipes.
Here’s a great tea blend to try when the afternoon slump sets in:
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up Tea
2 ounces green tea
2 ounces dried peppermint leaves
2 ounces dried lemon grass leaves
Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Since this tea is made up of equal parts, it is easy to make more (or less) if desired. Just keep the amounts equal and you will get the same result.
Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a tea infuser or make your own tea bags (see below) and place into cup. Pour boiling water over the tea and allow to steep for 3 minutes. Remove the infuser and drink in the goodness.
If you prefer a stronger cup of tea, see my post: How to brew the perfect cup of tea.
The ingredients in this tea come together to create a tonic that stimulates the senses and gives your thyroid a boost.
This recipe was adapted from one found in 20,000 Secrets of Tea by Victoria Zak
How to Make your own tea bags
Now, I did say that bulk (or loose) tea usually saves money, but if you are reading Simple Homemade I assume you also enjoy making things yourself, sometimes for no other reason that just because you can.
That’s the way I felt about making my own tea bags; it may not be a necessity, but it sure is fun!
I’d encourage you to give it a try just for the pure satisfaction of it.
You will need:
Press n’ Brew Tea Bags
Tea of your choice (can be a single herb, such as peppermint, or a blend like the Afternoon Pick-Me-Up tea above)
Fill the tea bags half full.
Tea bags come in a variety of sizes, smaller ones for one cup of tea and larger sizes for brewing a whole pot. I put about 2 teaspoons of tea in my small tea bags.
There is no need to separate the tea bags before filling. Just fill all of them in a row.
Preheat an iron to the cotton setting.
Lay out a clean cloth (suitable for ironing). Place tea bags on cloth and use the pre-heated iron to iron the edge of the tea bags closed. This takes just a few seconds.
Let the tea bags cool and separate or store attached.
Pretty easy, right?
What’s your favorite herbal tea? Have you ever made your own? |
HEZHEN B38H 3 Pcs 67 Layer Damascus Chef Knife Set with White G10 Handle
You have 30 days to request a return. All sale items are final sale.
- 10Cr15CoMoV Steel Core cutting edge for edge retention and sharpness.
- Outer layers of SUS410 Damascus Stainless for corrosion resistance.
- 67-total layers.
- 58-62 HRC for durability and edge sharpness.
- Gorgeous Damascus pattern.
- G10 “Ivory” handle.
- Includes 8.5 inch/215.9 mm Chef knife, 7 inch/177.8 mm Santoku knife, and 5 inch/127 mm Utility Knife.
This 3 piece Damascus Chef knife set brings elegance and performance to your kitchen. Each HEZHEN knife undergoes a vacuum heat/deep freezer heat treatment process to ensure a consistent temper of the steel to ensure edge retention, durability, and sharpness.
The individual blades have a steel core made of 10Cr15CoMoV Steel to provide the primary cutting edge. This powder steel is layered specifically to make the most of the various metals used in the alloy. The core is protected by two 33-layered Stainless Steel sections. This helps prevent corrosion while providing a beautiful Raindrop Hammered Damascus pattern.
The outer layers and inner core combine for a total of 67-layers. This helps ensure durability and consistency in the blade’s internal structure. Combined with the powder steel manufacturing, this makes the knife quality repeatable across the entire line.
The blade edge is hardened to 58-62 on the Rockwell scale. This balances the ability to sharpen the blade while having the edge stay sharp longer while reducing the chances of the edge rolling or chipping during use.
The handle is designed for comfortable ergonomics and has dehorned edges and corners. This allows you to use the knife with less discomfort for long periods of time. The handle itself is made of a white G10 material to simulate Ivory, making it legal to purchase and own.
This set is made up of a Chef Knife, Santoku Knife, and a Utility Knife.
The chef Knife has a 8.5 inch or 215.9 mm blade designed for most of your medium to large cutting tasks. The weight of the blade combined with the edge and dip design allow you to cut, slice, and chop meat, vegetables, fruits, and dense materials. But does not allow you to cut bone or similar things.
The Santoku Knife has a 7 inch or 177.8 mm blade and is designed for cutting vegetables. While it can be used to create thin, consistent cuts of meat, the Santoku really shines when cutting vegetables. Especially vegetables with high water content. The overall blade shape helps prevent watery vegetables like tomatoes and cucumber from sticking.
The Utility Knife has a 5 inch or 127 mm blade and can handle small to medium cutting tasks. This will be your primary knife in the kitchen when preparing minor dishes. The size of the blade allows for better control when cutting power is not an issue. It’s great for processing meats, fruits, and vegetables.
This Damascus set just might become your favorite kitchen knives. The best Damascus chef knife set is the one in your kitchen!
Remember Our Slogan: “The Best For Less, Shipped To Your Door” |
Double your donation
Find out how your gift can have twice the impact with Big Give.
Twice a year, we give you the fantastic opportunity for your donations to have twice the impact, by doubling your donations at no extra cost to you.
Every year, we run two match-funding appeals via Big Give – a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities.
Since 2017 we have run a number of incredible appeals via Big Give – with our 2022 Christmas match-funding appeal raising over £155,000 in just seven days.
When you donate to one of our Big Give campaigns, your donation will be matched by one of our generous philanthropists and partners.
If you want to make sure you get the chance to double your donations, please fill out the form below.
Sign up to be told about our next Big Give appeal!
"*" indicates required fields |
Plus: A ‘Lousy’ assignment.
Thanks for the Alex Jones commentary, which cuts straight to the heart of the issue, and illustrates how the Jones problem is related to the Trump problem. While both Jones and Trump are easily identifiable, the much larger & more intractable problem are the numbers of people who actively *want* a society in tune with their expressed worldviews.
The casual cruelty of the Sandy Hook affair is heartbreaking, and I honestly don’t know that I’ll be able to watch the documentary.
The fact that Trump refuses to sign an oath to NOT overthrow the government speaks louder than these few simple words spread in a Substack. A crucial and overlooked danger continues to unfold in the United States, and half our country is blind and deaf to the obvious reality. Trump, a man whose entire life is focused on and controlled by money, has sold his soul and our country to the devil - i.e., Russians. He was bought like a cheap car and then controlled by a ruthless dictator whose life is dedicated to the destruction of American democracy.
I spent the majority of my career first studying Russia and Russian, and then 20 years living and working in Russia and Central Asia. I have personally experienced the seduction process of the KGB/FSB but managed to evade their trap. Donald Trump did not, but then he was a much higher priority than I was. Instead, I became bi-cultural and fell in love with the Russian culture, the warm-loving people, and the edification of most people living in large cities. Yes, I became Russian and absorbed how to survive in an extremely complex society.
In France, you are greeted by kisses on both cheeks. In Russia, you are greeted with three kisses. In the U.S. we live with the concept of “personal space”, but in Russia people - everyone - walk hand-in-hand or with their arms around each other. This human contact and closeness is first disconcerting to an American, but then engulfs your humanity.
This closeness also can be deceiving. Most Americans who visit Russia do not ever understand the difference or grasp that many individuals work directly or indirectly for the KGB/FSB. In fact, those who are allowed direct contact with “foreigners” are Russian government employees.
Putin assumed the Presidency in the year 2000. He immediately converted a socialist-communist government into a KGB-controlled dictatorship.
In 1997, while Putin was the PM of Russia, a 600+ page book was published called The Foundations of Geopolitics. This book, published in Russian, tells the world Putin’s goals and this includes destroying his arch-enemy the United States. What we see happening today in the United States can easily be traced to Russia. The Soviet Union’s model entailed placing similar-thinking men who are loyal to Russia in top positions. For example, Russia gave $9.8M to Marie LePen, who is the presidential opposition leader so she could overthrow the French government. Russia has given Trump far more than about $10, and both Trump Jr. and Eric have confirmed that the Trump Organization received $100M from Russian banks. (www.businessinsider.com) Putin grew up in the Soviet era and thought the model of instilling "his" men in senior leadership roles is preferable. The influence of Putin’s strategies quietly attempts to reshape the trajectory of American politics and American lives. He is succeeding.
The shadow cast by Putin over the landscape of American democracy, and his influence and CONTROL over Trump grows larger and darker by the moment.
Those Americans who are Trumpers, are not aware of the influences in their lives that have consumed their minds. Coercive mind control, aka brainwashing, was begun in totalitarian countries 100 years ago and has been used universally in dictator-led countries: Germany, China, Hungry, Italy, Russia, North Korea, and so on. The exact same methodologies of repetitive lies is now used in the U.S. by Trump. Once a person is brainwashed (or hypnotized) there is little to no independent thought. There were two books recently written on this subject: The Cult of Trump (Hassan) and From Democracy to Democrazy (Graham). Mass mind manipulation techniques WORK and millions of people across our nation have succumbed to Trump’s speeches filled with lies and hatred.
Each of us must speak out and reveal the Putin-Trump hidden plan to overturn our government. Both Putin and Trump are consummate liars, but their web of lies cannot withstand the light of truth.
I honestly think I'll skip the Alex Jones doc. I'm only 48 but i need to start thinking about the possibility of having every vein in my body explode because my blood pressure rises to 600 psi. Can't do it.
I had a moment thinking I might watch the Alex Jones thing and then decided it wouldn’t be good for my mental health. Reading your comments, I am going to skip it and thank you for taking one for the team.
Just finished watching the Alex Jones film. As with so much of what is going on these days I find it incomprehensible. How a vile person like him taps into the deep veins of inhumanity and inspires the most hateful and vulgar responses is simply astounding. People captured into cults can be “reprogrammed” but 24% of the population buying the hoax lies he pumped out is scary to think about.
I'm not sure if I can watch the Alex Jones doc. Since I became a dad, I've been unable to handle TV shows or movies where violence against children are a focus. I just walk out of the room. Can't do it. Perhaps I'll white-knuckle through it, but it will be hard.
I commend the Sandy Hook parents, that they have not visited on Alex Jones the violence suffered by their kids. No jury would convict them. Well, I wouldn’t.
I stood up and got close to the television and screamed at it during the Alex Jones documentary, mentioning things I would like to see done to him, which I won't repeat. I'm not proud of doing so or saying so but it was as infuriating and aggravating as you say.
The Truth vs Alex Jones likely was THE most infuriating film my husband and I have ever seen, and that's saying a lot. It took us hours, honestly, to shake it off, to be relieved of the head shaking insanity. Every single American should see it, as it is illustrative of just exactly what has brought our country to this place of dysfunction. There is truly something deeply wrong in an America that devalues truth, education, knowledge, community, common decency, civic duty, or empathy.
Much appreciate the indie suggestions. |
Accompanied by the rousing Hallelujah chorus, more than 650,000 lights illuminated the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple and Visitors’ Center during the 38th annual "Festival of Lights" lighting ceremony held on Dec. 1.
The annual event, a long-standing tradition for many Church members in the area, draws thousands of visitors to the grounds, including ambassadors and other dignitaries from countries around the world.
The lighting event marked the official launch of the Christmas season at the temple’s visitors’ center. The month-long Christmas celebration has become a community tradition in the Washington D.C. area, drawing in guests from the region’s diversity of traditions and cultures.
In welcoming guests to the diplomatic event, Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Laurel Lawrence, were joined by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Kairat Umarov, as well as J.W. “Bill” and Donna Marriott and Ann Santini of the Church’s Office of Public and International Affairs. Congressman Jason Chaffetz of Utah introduced Ambassador Umarov.
The ambassador addressed the gathering and noted that the celebration of light brings people together.
“This 'Festival of Lights' carries deep spiritual meaning because everywhere and in every culture and in every religious tradition, light is the symbol of joy and of life-giving power,” he said. “The Festival of Lights signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair.”
Following Ambassador Umarov, Elder Lawrence observed that “music is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind.” He recalled his experience of hearing the Hallelujah chorus of Handel’s "Messiah" for the first time as a young man and the powerful spiritual impact it had on him. Elder Lawrence then related the story of George Frideric Handel and the divine inspiration he received while composing the beloved "Messiah" oratorio. Handel conducted many performances of "Messiah" and generously donated the proceeds to charitable causes. Of his audiences Handel said, “I should be sorry if I only entertain them, I wish to make them better.”
Elder Lawrence concluded his remarks by affirming that uplifting music — such as "Messiah" — does make people better. “It fills [the] spirit with light and drives away the darkness. … It will fill your hearts, as well as your eyes, with glorious light.”
The Mormon Choir of Washington, D.C., joined by soprano soloist Wendy Bryn Harmer, then sang the Hallelujah chorus as the assembly counted down to the illumination of the lights. The grounds will be lit every night throughout the Christmas season. Inside the visitors’ center, guests will be able to see a scale model of the Washington D.C. Temple, which gives guests a room-by-room glimpse of the temple’s interior. Also on display is an international crèche exhibit, trees decorated in a variety of themes, as well as nightly musical performances from choirs and orchestras. |
3 January 2019
By Elaine Murphy
- Irish Cancer Society launches new courses for 2019
- Free one-to-one support from the Irish Cancer Society to help local women quit smoking
- Analysis shows approximately half of the participants quit smoking
2 January 2019: The latest group of participants from the Irish Cancer Society’s We Can Quit smoking cessation programme in Cork have graduated from courses in Farranree, Mayfield, Ballyphehane and Mallow (pictures attached).
The Society has also launched the next round of We Can Quit courses in Cork, which will begin at in February 2019 in Ballyphehane, Mallow and Mayfield with a new course in Farranree following a little later. Women are invited to register their interest now for the programme which supports women in joining forces to quit smoking together.
Participants in the We Can Quit programme attend weekly group sessions and receive one-to-one support. They will also be offered 12 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
Research has shown that smokers who use a combination of group support and two NRT products for a 12 week period are four times more likely to quit and stay smoke-free for good. Recent analysis shows that around half of the total participants in the overall We Can Quit programme had quit smoking at the end of the 12 week course.
Eimear Cotter, Community Cancer Prevention Officer at the Irish Cancer Society said, “We Can Quit has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in Cork in 2016. The current programme, which comes to an end in 2018, has resulted in 149 women completing the 12 week courses and, most importantly, our analysis of the programme shows it has a very positive quit rate. The Society has worked in partnership with the Cork Cancer Action Network, the HSE and a wide range of community and local organisations to achieve its great successes.
“Giving up smoking is extremely difficult and a huge challenge for people, but We Can Quit offers women the support and encouragement to get through it. I want to congratulate all of the women who have completed this programme. I know it’s not an easy thing to do and they should be very proud of themselves!”
Cotter concluded, “Over the years we have seen many women who have managed to successfully quit smoking as a result of the initiative, so we know that our format works. We look forward to welcoming more women to our new courses next year.”
We Can Quit is open to all female smokers in Cork who are over the age of 18 years and are interested in quitting smoking. A calendar of programmes will run in Ballyphehane, Mayfield. Mallow and the Northside from February through the springtime
For more information on We Can Quit or to sign up for your free place on the programme, contact Eimear Cotter on 021 4840597/ [email protected] or register online at www.cancer.ie/we-can-quit |
Just over a century ago, the French couturier Paul Poiret arrived in New York to begin a cross-country lecture tour evangelizing his craft, an event so novel that he was met by press photographers and reporters at the dock. In 1948, anticipating America’s postwar economic boom — indeed, the boomers — and satisfied that by then Americans had learned to appreciate (and covet) European fashions, Christian Dior opened a boutique on Fifth Avenue. Then, decades later, in 2004, Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel hosted a show in Tokyo, followed by a Fendi extravaganza on the Great Wall. Showing in Paris had long been the goal of designers living outside the West — think of the early-’80s shows that introduced the genius of Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.
More recently, there’s been a reversal, with major European luxury brands spending millions to stage shows in Asia. In just the past few months, Dior has gone to Mumbai, and Louis Vuitton transformed a bridge in Seoul into a catwalk. The other night in the South Korean capital, Gucci took over a former royal palace for its 2024 cruise collection, with 60 models parading around the lavishly illuminated courtyard at dusk before about 450 guests.
The reason is largely — but not entirely — to do with business. Koreans are reportedly the world’s biggest luxury spenders, and if you didn’t know that already, you’d quickly surmise it from a visit to Seoul. There, huge, brutalist-looking stores are wedged into the prime real estate of areas like Gangnam, creating their own buzz and surrounded by bars and cool, low-key restaurants, as well as hip independent stores like Boon the Shop and Gentle Monster. Surrounding the sprawling, gritty crush of office towers and miles of white, low-rise residential buildings are lush green hills and the wide Han River.
One thing that has certainly changed since Lagerfeld’s Tokyo show is that designers today are more sensitive to local culture. They can’t afford not to be. Gucci, like its competitors in the road-show game, flew in about 200 guests — journalists, influencers, some models, and celebrities, including Dakota Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, and A$AP Rocky, who performed at an after-party. But the brand also dug into Seoul’s widespread cultural influence, inviting the K-pop star Hanni of NewJeans and Squid Game actor Lee Jung-jae, among many others, and including the music of Jung Jae-il and the artwork of Ram Han, most notably with a cat’s paw on an oversize T-shirt.
Though these travel shows seem an extravagant waste of resources and energy, they serve an important purpose — to broaden the definition of fashion and style beyond western values. You could say that the process began in the ’80s with Kawakubo and Yamamoto and the late Issey Miyake, but it has accelerated with globalization, and we’re seeing the biggest shift right now, in real time. For capitalistic reasons, brands like Gucci have to extend their market share, staking their red-and-green striped flag wherever they can (I’ve never seen a bigger display of double-G canvas, bamboo-handle bags, and loafers than I saw the other night at the cruise show) and shouldering the costs. Perhaps brands work so hard and spend so much because they know the very ground under them — centuries-old assumptions about style and form, what Poiret came to the U.S. to preach about — is shifting, even crumbling. And that cold fact makes this moment so exciting to observe.
The huge Gucci design team put together this collection because the house’s new creative director, Sabato De Sarno, doesn’t start until later this month. (His first show will be in September in Milan.) The team said in a press note that it sought hybrid looks — Seoul style cut with classic Gucci motifs, streetwear mixed with posh suiting, and so on. They handled that theme deftly, and many of the looks had a nice, underlying grittiness that saved the collection from being too pretty or rich-looking.
Among the more inspiring looks were fitted wool blazers in black and pastel pink worn with longish scuba shorts; super-snug tops that also referenced surf culture; and a gorgeous peony-pink, straight-line satin coat with a flat red bow pressed on a front, a style that evoked a traditional Korean hanbok. And the team showed a couple of bulky gangster coats, one in mildly distressed black leather and the other in a dark-blue or black fabric with a chunky chain belt. I don’t know what they were a hybrid of, but they looked unexpected and cool.
What the collection didn’t have was a driving mission, a fresh point of view or image for the Italian brand. That will presumably come once De Sarno takes over and gets into stride. That suggests another challenge in this ground-shifting time: how to propose high fashion that really and truly commands attention and feeds desire. People still want that, too. |
While Indiana has an unusual abundance of riches in the post now, that won’t last.
When head coach Archie Miller looks out to 2021, he sees a potential void in the “Big Ten” size that he finally has now.
The latest recruiting target on the radar to potentially step in is Canadian big man Javonte-Brown Ferguson.
The 6-foot-11 Brown-Ferguson announced an offer from Indiana on Thursday via Twitter:
— Javonte Brown-Ferguson (@lanxxjay) August 1, 2019
Brown-Ferguson has a Kansas offer, and he has talked to that school and others about a potential reclassification into the class of 2020 according to this 247Sports report ($).
Brown-Ferguson plays for Canada Elite on the Under Armour AAU Circuit and high school basketball in Baltimore at Mount St. Joseph,
247Sports’ Evan Daniels recently provided this assessment of his game:
“Brown is an impressive post prospect who has a tremendous frame including very good size for the position, wide shoulders and long arms. He is a mobile kid who is a decent athlete and should only improve as he adds strength to a body that should be able to carry plenty of it. Brown has soft touch around the basket, while he has the physical tools to be a legitimate rim protector and area rebounder as he gains strength and experience. There is definitely a high upside here.”
In eleven games reported on the Under Armour site, Brown-Ferguson averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and .8 blocks in 19 minutes per game. He shot 53% from the field.
Other offers for Brown-Ferguson include UConn, Georgetown, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Providence, Seton Hall, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.
Brown Ferguson is the No. 104 ranked player in the 2021 class according to 247Sports, and the No. 13 center.
This video is a bit dated but will gave you some sense of Brown-Ferguson’s game.
You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no additional cost to you. |
Mike Schumann of The Daily Hoosier joined The Hoosier Report with Matt Denison on Tuesday to discuss IU basketball’s season opening win and the outlook for the 2022-23 season.
The segment with Mike Schumann starts at the 20:10 mark.
The Hoosier Report with Matt Denison features coverage of the Indiana Hoosiers and sports from a Southern Indiana perspective. The show can be heard weekdays at 11 a.m. on 1450 WXVW and 96.1 in Southern Indiana and Louisville, Ky.
Looking for more Hoosier sounds? For a complete library of interviews and podcasts with current and former IU players and coaches, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly” |
Bloomin’ dandelions, eh?
Claiming squatters rights to lawns and gardens everywhere, while gardeners and lawn keepers do their best to evict them. It’s a losing battle, frankly. Dandelions have sheer force of numbers on their side and they’re just too comfortable in the open, sunny, newly turned sod of the garden.
I, however, have a cunning plan. I happen to know that my yellow-headed tenants are blessed with lots of edible possibilities, therefore I shall simply eat them. Ha!
In fact, I might even advertise for more dandelions to move in:
“Young dandelion leaves, wanted for salad”
“Seeking alternative bitter greens, for stir-frying and more, apply within”
“Frying opportunities for seasoned dandelion flowers, genuine callers only”
Oh yes, allow me to introduce you to fried dandelion flowers. Would that the solution to all of my weed problems were this simple. Dipped in seasoned flour or batter and fried, dandelion flowers can make a tasty (not to mention novel) snack – once you can successfully get your head around the idea of eating them, that is.
Notwithstanding the fact that I am quite happy to eat my wild garlic flowers, that I have used lilac florets to make ice cream and have eaten both stuffed courgette blossoms and nasturtiums, I will admit that eating flowers still presents me with somewhat of a mental hurdle. It’s one that I’m willing to overcome, however, so dandelions-in-residence beware. I have a frying pan and I’m not afraid to use it.
Fried Dandelion Flowers
The trick here is to remove as much green material from the dandelion flower head as possible, while keeping the flower head intact. The green parts lend bitterness, so you want to minimise that, while the yellow flowers are mild-tasting and faintly sweet.
Before frying, you can dredge the dandelion flowers in seasoned flour or dip in batter. Personally, I like the combination of dipping, first in beaten egg, then in some seasoned polenta, which is what I’ve described below. The quantities are approximate and the seasonings can, of course, be changed as suits your mood and taste.
- approx. 20 dandelion flower heads, stalks and extraneous green parts removed
- olive oil for frying
- 2 tblsp polenta (cornmeal)
- pinch of salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- pinch of dried thyme
- pinch of dried oregano
- 1 egg, beaten
- Rinse your dandelion flowers and gently pat dry using some kitchen paper.
- Place a frying pan over a medium heat and, when hot, add a thin layer of oil to the pan.
- Mix the polenta with the salt, black pepper, dried thyme and dried oregano.
- Dip the flowers first in the beaten egg and then in the seasoned polenta.
- Fry in batches, stalk side up, for around 3 minutes or until golden. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
- Eat as a snack or use to surprise, and maybe even delight, unsuspecting family and friends.
- You can vary the herbs to suit your taste or go all out by dipping the flowers in an eggy batter and deep frying them.
- Snack for 2-3
Perhaps we should talk, not so much about edibility as drinkability when it comes to dandelions. The flowers have long been used to make dandelion wine, the leaves to make dandelion tea and the slow roasted roots to make dandelion coffee.
I have yet to try dandelion wine, but I can tell you that my attempt at dandelion coffee tasted bitter and soupy, so I don’t think I’ll be trying that again. My dandelion tea, on the other hand, made as described to me by my mother, was light, earthy and far more palatable. She remembers it being made as a drink during that period of wartime privation known here as The Emergency.
As dandelions are known to be a diuretic, this is probably something that you will want to avoid drinking in extremely large quantities.
- small dandelion leaves – 10 small leaves should make around 1 tsp of dried, crumbled leaves, enough for one cup of tea
You’ll also need:
- A baking tray to hold the leaves in a single layer.
- Preheat your oven to 90C.
- Wash your dandelion leaves, then place in a single layer on a baking tray and into the oven until the leaves are dry and crispy, around 7-10 minutes.
- Remove the dandelion leaves and crumble them, discarding the midribs.
- In a mug or cup, pour boiling water over about a tsp of crumbled dandelion leaves and leave to infuse for about 5 minutes, before straining and drinking.
- You can vary the strength as you wish – I found that this amount made a light tea that was not too bitter, but you may wish to experiment to find a strength that suits your taste.
- Cup of dandelion tea for one. |
Time was when “pop-up” was a term you’d apply to your kitchen toaster.
These days, you’re more likely to hear it used in reference to something more substantial, yet less enduring than your average toaster, namely pop-up restaurants.
Pop-up restaurants are, by definition, transient. Perhaps not as transient as, say, news on Twitter, which can be old within hours but, nevertheless, they have, by their very nature, a short and limited life-span. In a way, they’re a product of the internet era, where attention spans are short, the volume of information is high, and you can only hold people’s attention for so long before they demand something new or at least different. In the case of the recent Jacob’s Creek pop-up wine and dine experience, which took place for four evenings at the end of June, attendees got both, through a combination of new wines and an unusual venue that was guaranteed to captivate. |
5 Reasons Why You Should See The Documentary: 'REM' by Tomas Koolhaas
Los Angeles, California; Home to many great things: Celebrities, unique restaurants, Hollywood, The Lakers, Beverly Hills... and to add to the list--Home of director and cinematographer, Tomas Koolhaas.
The DesignBloc recently visited Los Angeles and seized the opportunity to catch up with Tomas since our last interview in August 2015. A year has passed, and this time we had the opportunity to dive deeper in Tomas' soon to be released film: REM, a documentary about his father, Rem Koolhaas.
Tomas Koolhaas makes a film about his father, the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas releasing this Fall (2016)
We met at a quaint coffee shop in Downtown LA, and almost immediately we realized (even more than ever) that REM isn't going to be your typical documentary or architecture film. Although we could go on about all of the great things we learned about this upcoming release, we managed to narrow it down to 5 reasons why you should see REM this Fall.
Here are our top 5 reasons you should go see REM:
1.) The Subject
For those outside the world of architecture and design, Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist, and Professor in Practice of Architecture and Urban Design at Harvard University. Koolhaas is the founding partner of OMA, and is widely regarded as one of the most important architectural thinkers and urbanologists of this generation. In 2000, Rem Koolhaas won the Pritzker Prize (highest architectural award), and in 2008, Time Magazine put him in their top 100 list of The World's Most Influential People.
While interviewing Tomas Koolhaas, we quickly discovered that this documentary is not merely an extended Wikipedia article of Rem Koolhaas' life; 'REM' does just the opposite. Spoiler Alert: this is not merely a father and son film. In fact, Tomas doesn't appear in the film once; This film has taken on a broader approach.
While filming, Tomas searched for unpredictable ways to share Rem's philosophy by humanizing him and allowing us to intimately observe his life and his architecture. He wants to break the mold of Rem just being seen as a "Starchitect." He wants the viewer to understand him on a deeper level--as a creative human being.
2.) The Narrator
Tomas best describes his "narrating" style in this film as non-linear, psychological, and to be viewed while in a stream of conscience. He wants you to be the one filling in the gaps throughout the film; To connect the scenes through your sub-conscience. "Show don't tell" he says. He believes that this strategy is more powerful than narrating ones life word for word, and so do we.
3.) The Music
The soundtrack, created by musician Murray Hidary, takes on a creative twist. Just as Tomas wants the viewer to unwrap the storyline through their sub-conscience, the music throughout the film mimics this free-thinking concept by means of musical improvisation. He met Murray Hidary at his live interactive performance called Mind Travel: A Music Meditation, and from there, he knew his musical style would be a perfect complement within the film.
While watching 'REM' allow your mind to wander as the music enhances the film experience and promotes a sense of active meditation.
4.) The Storyline
Throughout the film, Tomas wants the viewer to experience his father's architecture in ways we may not have the opportunity to experience. He explains to us that in an architectural magazine or online publication, one can view the floor plans, sections, photos, and details of a building, but you can't experience the space fully. He chose to un-sterilize this common approach by guiding us through the his father's buildings through non-traditional interactions within the space.
One example of this interactive approach is witnessed during a parkour scene in the film--yes, an action-packed parkour scene--fully equipped with runs, jumps, and flips throughout Rem's Casa De Musica in Porto, Portugal. It's like an architectural roller-coaster that you just want to keep riding.
5.) The Director: Tomas Koolhaas
Everyone told Tomas that he couldn't do it; That he shouldn't do it-- unless the film was done a specific way. They told him that he should stay within the box....and what did Tomas do? He stepped outside of the box--and rightfully so.
This is Tomas' first big venture into directing. He tells us he's usually works on other people's projects as a cinematographer, so for more reasons than one, this film is near and dear to his heart.
We asked Tomas, "Are you happy with how it turned out?" Although a difficult question for a creative-type to answer, Tomas summed up his opinion in the best way we could have imagined. He shared a quote by Leonardo Da Vinci: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." As many artists and designers could relate, we are constantly trying to make our work better until we finally realize that it's time to let go. Through his letting go, it is clear that Tomas is happy with the results.
The Premiere: Stay Tuned!
REM will premiere at the 73rd Annual International Film Festival in Venice this September (2016). Following the premiere in Venice, Tomas plans to tour the world, sharing his film with design communities, architecture schools, firms, festivals, and many other types of venues. Stay tuned!
For release details and more information:
-The DesignBloc Team
design your life |
For Live Assistance Call
Since its founding in 1970 Stuller has been creating a wide range of beautiful products including bridal jewelry, finished jewelry, mountings, diamonds, gemstones, findings and metals.
More from Stuller:
Enter your information below and tell us about your experience.
Check out with Sezzle and split your entire order into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. |
Designer Barry Verragio explains: "A beautiful mounting should only enhance the beauty of a diamond in the same way a beautiful dress makes a woman even more beautiful." This philosophy is reflected in all Verragio rings.
More from Verragio:
out of 5
of recent buyers gave The Diamond Ring Co 5 stars
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to submit a review now.
Write a Review
Enter your information below and tell us about your experience.
Sezzle it now. Pay us back later.
Check out with Sezzle and split your entire order into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. |
Six months after a historic five-season drought, massive floods have inundated vast swaths of farmland across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, right in the middle of the harvest season. Over four million impacted people across the three countries have also been forced to flee their homes and farms.
Oxfam has issued a dire warning - saying over four million people urgently require humanitarian aid - amidst the ongoing harvest season.
The scale of the catastrophe is starkly explained by the plight individuals like Zainabu Hussein, a mother of nine children from Buna, Wajir County in Northern Kenya.
She is among those who have been worst affected by first drought which displaced her from her home only now to face the devastating floods. The cascading waters continue to wreak havoc, compounding the challenges faced by Zainabu and million others who have found themselves in similar circumstances.
“I woke up and found my mattress soaked in water. All the utensils in the house were floating on the water. I immediately woke up and assisted my children. We ran outside the house and water was everywhere. We then crossed to dry land to seek refuge on higher ground.”
It took about three days before the water subsided. Together with other displaced residents, they would send those among them who knew how to swim to get them food from the shops.
“There is little food in the shops, which is expensive. We came back to town after five days. But we couldn’t get into our houses because of the mud.”
In Kenya, over 100 people and nearly half a million have been displaced, according to the Interior Ministry. Persistent rains since October have affected 38 out of 47 counties across the country, which have been hit by flash floods, general flooding, and mudslides,
In Somalia alone, the heavy Deyr (October-December) rains also killed over 100 people and devastated one-fifth of the harvest in Southcentral Somalia. This includes 1,400 metric tonnes of sorghum in Juba and Shabelle, which have wilted. It is expected that 1.5 million hectares of farmland in Somalia will be adversely affected by the floods.
“The worsening climate crisis is a harsh reality for those already suffering hunger and destitution in East Africa. Today, millions of people are pummelled by consecutive weather extremes they are hardly responsible for, with absolutely nothing to shield them or help them rebuild their lives,” said Oxfam in Africa Director Fati N’zi-Hassane.
Similarly, in Ethiopia's Somali region, hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The destruction of several roads has hampered transportation and caused prices of food and basic commodities to soar.
Speaking at COP28, N’Zi-Hassane called on rich polluting nations to accelerate loss and damage compensation for countries hit hardest by climate change.
Aid agencies have reported that surges of water-borne diseases like cholera due to damaged latrines and lack of access to safe drinking water.
Oxfam, together with and partners is scaling up humanitarian response to support affected communities affected by the floods. This includes providing food, water treatment units, hygiene kits to over thousands of people across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, in addition to providing gender protection programs to the most impacted people.
Relief efforts to reach those in the hardest-hit areas of the camp with food, clean water and medical aid have been hindered by damaged and impassable roads, according to Oxfam.
“At this year’s COP28, rich polluting nations - largely responsible for the climate crisis - must honour their obligation to provide climate finance for adaptation, and loss and damage, so that East African countries can free up resources to support impacted communities to adapt, recover and rebuild their lives,” added N’zi-Hassane.
The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires $2.6 billion to support 7.6 million is just 42 percent funded ($1,087 million).
The cost of unrelenting floods
27.4 million – The total number of people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in crisis or worse levels of hunger
- 20.1 million – The number of people who were experiencing food insecurity in 2023
- Over 1.5 million – The number of people who have been affected by the floods and over 600,000 have been displaced across seven of the country's 12 regions.
- Over 500,000 – The number of people displaced by floods
- Over 21,000 – Acres of their farmland devastated by floods
- 13,500 – The total number of livestock that have been killed by floods
- Over 100 – The number of people who have been killed by the heavy rains in Somalia
- 1/5 – Proportion of the harvest devastated by floods in South Central Somalia, including 1,400 metric tonnes of sorghum in Juba and Shabelle
- 1.5 million - Hectares of farmland in Somalia that have been adversely affected by floods
- Over 2.4 million – The number of people impacted by heavy Deyr seasonal rains and floods across Somalia
- Over 1 million – The number of people displaced in the heavy floods |
All honest mistakes are forgivable
Rez and i were chatting about mistakes, he was mentioning business school classes which instead of focusing on the decision making process of successful business highlighted the critical mistakes made by companies which were otherwise well run and now no longer exist. We agreed that this is where the most useful learning probably is.
My philosophy has long been to try lots of things and not fear mistakes. Which has led me to the aphorism “All honest mistakes are forgivable.” Hoping that those negatively impacted by my choices will embrace a similar philosophy and let me off the hook while also pushing me towards being a more forgiving person.
I watch the google news. It tracks what the mainstream media thinks is important and uses it’s artificial intelligence to connect related stories and rank them. The story yesterday which did not make it “above the fold” either in general news or US news was that the anti-gay church Exodus had closed and offered an apology to the LGBTQ community it had been attacking for 37 years.
This is important for a bunch of reasons, despite the MSM not promoting it highly. It is an indication that even the most staunch conservative groups are unable to hold onto their homophobic views. it is further proof that the demographics in the US are shifting and that the fear which has been experienced by those who had highly limited exposure to queer lifestyle is being replaced by direct experience of people with these sexual orientations which leads them to compassion.
Let’s hope the Supreme Court is listening. |
from the quiet cold woods to the warm hilly ozarks
I've been living at Teaching Drum for about 2 1/2 months now, and I'm currently in Missouri visiting friends at East Wind, and family in Kansas City.
Being away from Teaching Drum has helped me look at my life there more objectively. I spent a lot of emotional energy there trying to catch up to others, and getting down when I perceived myself falling behind.
I think that going through the yearlong makes people more adaptable, creative, and strong-emotionally and physically. I haven't done the yearlong, and most of the people I live with right now have.
I've seen my clanmates run from place to place, do push ups, climb trees, eat fish heads, canoe for miles on the lake without exhaustion, and then at the end of the day, speak their truth even when they are afraid.
To get an idea of some of the people I live with, here's a video someone at Teaching Drum just made, about running in the woods. It's called intuitive running.
I was recorded to be in it for the shadowing piece, but then wasn't put in it because apparently I'm not "very easy or fun to shadow" because I'm not very expressive when I talk.
So, the more I pushed myself to become stronger and heal my emotional wounds, the more I got victimized and closed myself off from others.
We're all a little too hard on ourselves, and I'm guilty of that. I want to remember that I can choose to be kinder to myself.
I recognize my strengths and weaknesses more clearly now. I have grown stronger from being at the Drum. I've been running a few days a week, and doing strength training on the off days. I've been eating wild caught fish and deer, and loads of veggies. I've become more assertive and confident in myself, and also more aware of my unhealthy patterns.
Now that I'm currently at East Wind, I'm still running and doing other exercise, flagging myself, and communicating as well as I know how. I have fallen short with food stuff, though. There's an abundance of food here-especially sugar and wheat-and I've been feeling overwhelmed with all of it. I've eaten it a few times, and then felt like I was hungover the next day. The first time I ate sugar here, my teeth hurt! I could feel how it was affecting my body immediately.
Lately, I've been feeling kind of afraid of how to relate to world when I'm not at Teaching Drum. Most of those fears come up around food. The second biggest fear comes up with communicating honestly and non-violently with other people. I've been living inside this bubble there, of limited food that fuels my body and makes me feel good, and a pre-set structure of communicating and doing healing work with other people, and I was feeling kind of safe in it.
My question now, is how do I encorporate what I've learned into the outside world? How do I adapt, and still be happy and fulfilled?
Also, how do I bring back to Teaching Drum the things I miss? I miss things like gardening and close female friends.
Me--entering a birch bark and marsh grass wigwam at Teaching Drum-June 2013??
And when I'm not at the Drum, I miss the quiet of the place. The cold became less scary after a while. The snow would simply settle against the deep greens of the pines and firs. So calm; and that was it. Nothing to say, really. I would just watch, and take a deep breath, and know that I don't need an answer to all the questions of my rattling mind. Everything comes slowly, and in time. |
If you have sensitive teeth, it can really take the joy out of your daily life. From passing up your favorite foods like hot coffee and ice cream to experiencing discomfort during hot or cold weather, sensitive teeth affect more than just your mouth. This condition can really affect your mood too. But thankfully you don’t have to simply accept the discomfort and inconvenience of sensitive teeth. Here are some lifestyle changes you can make that may go a long way toward lessening the pain of sensitive teeth, so you can get back to enjoying the foods and activities you love without the sensitivity!
Change How You Brush
Yes, there is a wrong way and a right way to brush your teeth. If you are brushing your teeth too hard, brushing your gums, or brushing back and forth, you could be harming the gums and causing gum recession. Gum recession in turn can cause – you guessed it – sensitive teeth. If this sounds like how you’re brushing, try this instead: Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush in small circular motions. If you need a demo, ask Dr. Lesko and her team at your next appointment.
Change What You Brush With
Sometimes we may be brushing the right way, but with the wrong brush. This is an easy fix. Stick with a medium to soft-bristled brush and follow the brushing guidelines above. Save those hard-bristled brushes for your tile grout!
Change Your Toothpaste
If you are experiencing sensitivity but not using a sensitive toothpaste, it may be time to switch. Sensitive toothpaste is made with an ingredient called potassium nitrate, which is used to fill in the tiny pores in the teeth called tubules. These tubules lead to the nerves, so when they’re blocked, you can actually prevent hot and cold foods and air from reaching those nerves. It’s kind of like how the insulation in your walls blocks the outside weather from getting inside your home.
Change Your Diet
While you shouldn’t have to change your diet to accommodate tooth sensitivity, there are certain foods that forgoing may make it easier to live life pain free. Foods that are high in acid such as citrus and soda or foods that are high in sugar may make sensitivity worse, so eliminating these where you can from your diet may enable you to enjoy other foods again.
Ready to make an appointment to talk about your tooth sensitivity? Call Dr. Lesko’s office today at 970-221-5115. |
SpaceX has another window to attempt its Intelsat 35e launch today starting at 7:37 PM EDT. This is the third attempt for the launch for client Intelsat, after it was aborted once on July 2 and then again on July 3, due to automated countdown clock stoppage with 10 seconds remaining prior to launch. SpaceX took July 4 to fully investigate the cause and review its systems, and it is now aiming… Read More on Tech Crunch
Watch SpaceX’s Intelsat 35e launch live right here
About the Author: Gizmo News
Gizmo News brings you the latest buzz about Gizmos, Gadgets and Tech Gifts. If you want to keep up just check Gizmo News. |
While we might all have been told to honor our words and handshakes, the hard truth is that not all of us live by honor.
That’s why God — or lawyers, rather, invented contracts. While you can now find sample contracts online ordraft one on your own, you always need a contract review attorney to revise it.
But how do you know that your contract review attorney has done the best job? How do you know that the document works with your applicable contract law?
Here are the questions you need to ask:
1. What Can and Can’t I Require?
Let’s suppose you run a graphic design agency and you want to hire a freelance designer to work for you.
You might want to include a confidentiality and intellectual property clause within the contract. This can state that all graphics made by your freelancer becomes the property of your company.
But what about any graphics they make in their free time? What about the graphics that they make that aren’t commissioned by your company? This could be a gray area on what is permitted by contract law and what isn’t.
Your first question for acommercial contract reviewis to ask about what rights you can demand and what’s out of bounds.
2. How Many Revisions Are Expected?
Contract negotiation is a huge part of preparing contracts for your business. You have to expect that the other party will want a few edits to your contract.
This means that after proposed edits, you’ll have to ask your contract review lawyer to scrutinize the document once more. Or, perhaps, several times more!
One of the most important questions to ask is how many revisions are expected. While you want to finalize a contract as fast as possible, you must know that this won’t always be the case.
In fact, while you’re preparing a contract, a law can get changed. This means that you might have an unexpected review once again. A contract review attorney can never give you an exact number of revisions but they can give you an educated estimate.
3. What’s the Cost?
This shall go down in history as a question that no one wants to ask their lawyer. But it’s one that you can’t and shouldn’t avoid.
Your lawyer might charge a flat rate for the initial contract review. They might then also charge another rate for each subsequent review.
If this cost is too high, then you might want to ask about hourly billing. In some cases, this might be a cheaper option for you. You must also ask about what constitutes a revision.
For example, let’s say there are a few basic spelling and grammar errors in a revised contract.
Obviously, you’ll need to ask your contract review attorney to make corrections. However, this shouldn’t be considered a revision and shouldn’t incur any additional charges.
Regardless of the pricing structure, make sure you also ask about payment plan options. For the average person, lawyer fees are extremely expensive. You want to be able to finalize your payment within a few months or even years if needed.
4. How Busy Are You?
This is another embarrassing question but one that needs to be asked. Your contract review attorney will have a river of contracts to wade through.
While an attorney will always ensure you get your work completed on time, you might not feel comfortable if they’re burdened with other clients. You might want an attorney who can focus solely on your contracts.
Ask them how busy they are and how many clients they currently have. This will give you an idea of their schedule. Large law firms are able to handle several clients at once. Smaller ones often prefer to work on a few cases throughout the year.
You can also ask them if they have paralegals or legal assistants to help them with the review. This can also expedite their review of your contract.
5. Do I Need to Switch Attorneys?
If you aren’t pleased with your attorney, you have every right to switch to another attorney.
Don’t hesitate to bring this up if you feel that your attorney isn’t doing a great job on your contract review. In some cases, your attorney can recommend you to other law firms.
If the law firm has several attorneys, you might be able to choose which specific attorney you wish to work with.
6. Can You Translate These ‘Greek’ Portions?
Okay, perhaps you shouldn’t word it exactly like that. You know the phrase ‘it’s all Greek to me’ refers to language that seems incomprehensible.
When looking at a contract, there’ll be a lot of legalese that you won’t understand. Make sure you ask your contract review attorney to explain, in Plain English, what they mean.
Take your time with this and don’t offer your contract until you have a complete understanding of what it means.
7. What Is the Appropriate Jurisdiction?
This is the trickiest part of a contract which samples often don’t cover. The contract is only applicable if it falls under a particular jurisdiction.
In many cases, it’ll be registered under the jurisdiction where you live. But in some cases, you might register it under a different state. Sometimes, it might fall under the purview of Federal Law.
Of course, local laws can’t conflict with Federal Law in most cases. Nothing can violate the Constitution either. Sounds confusing? It is — and that’s why you must ask your contract review attorney to help you check the contract law of the appropriate jurisdiction.
Hire a Contract Review Attorney
Now you know how a contract review attorney can assist you and what questions to ask them.
Make sure you ask them about what clauses are appropriate and which ones are out of bounds. You also want to get a rough estimate of how many revisions to expect.
Don’t hesitate to ask about pricing options and your attorney’s availability. You should also have a complete understanding of the contract before completion. Ask them to help you register the contract under the appropriate jurisdiction.
If you want to stay on the button with the law, visit our website for other legal tips. |
This post contains affiliate links. Please read our affiliate disclosure policy.
Thank you to everyone who sent in their questions on Instagram — I love hearing from all of you and I wish I could answer every question. Answering five of the most asked below :)
FYI I will be doing this at the end of every month so make sure you’re following my personal account on Instagram @jessegolden and subscribe to my email list HERE so you don't miss your question potentially being answered!
Q1: I have really blue eyes and I want to try the lash serum. I'm scared of eye color changing.
This is something you do not have to worry about with our lash serum, and it's one of the reasons why we created it. The most common and popular lash serums on the market contain prostaglandins - hormones that can indeed help make your lashes grow longer but not without potential side effects such as hair loss, eye color change, and fat loss around the eyes- giving a sunken, aged look. Our Lash serum is formulated without hormones but with three of the most promising peptides for lash growth and plant extracts that support the long-term health of your lashes. I wrote an entire blog post on this topic when we launched. You can read that HERE and learn more about Long Lash HERE.
Q2: Anything you apply specifically under the eye area? Any tips for fighting crows feet?
All the products that I use on my face; Aura Beauty Mist, Youth Beauty Face Oil, Heal All Oil, Instant Glow Facial Mask, and the beauty tools. I also use it around my eyes. These products contain key ingredients like Retinoic Acid, Tremella mushroom, peptides, and powerful antioxidants, all chosen to enhance the skin's texture and reduce the signs of aging, particularly around the eyes.
To maintain the youthful appearance of the eye area, gentle cleansing practices are essential, as well as avoiding any harsh rubbing or tugging when removing eye makeup. For this purpose, I highly recommend our Cleansing Ritual Kit, not only to protect your lashes and brows but also to pamper your skin and delicate eye area.
For a holistic approach to maintaining a youthful look, incorporating regular eye exercises and facial yoga techniques can be quite effective. These exercises help strengthen the muscles surrounding the eyes and reduce the appearance of crow's feet.
Furthermore, our Gold Firming Face Wand, used in conjunction with gua sha practices and sonic vibration therapy, has proven to work wonders on the skiDedicatinging 5-15 minutes to this routine can yield remarkable resullastingast up to 24 hours.
Remember, maintaining skin health goes beyond topical treatments. Staying hydrated and considering overall well-being are equally vital aspects of a comprehensive skincare regimen.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specific facial features and lines are believed to reflect the health of internal organs. Crow's feet, those fine lines around the eyes, are often associated with the Liver's health in TCM.
According to TCM principles, the Liver plays a crucial role in regulating Qi (vital energy) and blood flow in the body. Imbalances or stagnation in Liver Qi can manifest as various external signs, including wrinkles and eye lines. Stress, emotional imbalances, and lifestyle factors can all impact the Liver's function in TCM.
It's important to emphasize that TCM views the body holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness between different organs and systems. Therefore, addressing Liver imbalances, along with other relevant organs and systems, is often a fundamental aspect of TCM treatments aimed at improving the appearance of crow's feet and enhancing overall health and well-being.
TCM practitioners employ various approaches, including acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications, to harmonize Liver function and address the root causes of skin issues like crow's fee. Suppose you're intrigued by the potential benefits of TCM for skincare concerns. In that case, ns, I recommend consulting a licensed TCM practitioner who can offer a personalized assessment and treatment plan tailored to your unique health and needs.
Q3: Can the body oil be used on face for a nice glow? Trying to avoid tanners.
Q4: Biggest misconceptions of traditional skincare approaches?
For years, the beauty industry has peddled a narrative, one that sells us both the problem and the solution. It's a cycle where products that promise to fix issues often exacerbate them, leading to a continuous loop of searching for remedies. I firmly believe that the core issue lies in this approach – it's time to get to the root cause once and for all.
The truth is, our skin possesses innate intelligence, a remarkable ability to thrive when we embrace simplicity and the right non-toxic ingredients. The biggest misconceptions of traditional skincare practices include:
My guiding principle has remained unwavering: Nature first. I firmly believe that the closer we align our skincare routines with the natural world, the more enduring our skin's health and radiance will be in the long run.
Q5: Any advice on pretty bad acne scars?
Among The Golden Secrets' standout products for aiding in this journey are:
Each of these approaches, whether through our products or other treatments, offers valuable support to those on their journey towards healthier, scar-free skin. |
At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
A mandibular block is a nerve block dentistry technique in which anesthesia is injected into one of the mandibular nerve branch locations. This procedure numbs the sensitive nerves in the lower gums and jaw and up the side of the face along the masseter muscle of the skull. The mandibular block technique is one of the most common dental major nerve block techniques. Along with the standard technique, in which anesthesia is injected into the soft inner tissue of the cheek, other, more effective and specific mandibular blocks have been developed. Some of these include the Gow-Gates technique, the Akinosi closed-mouth technique and the incisive and mental nerve blocks.
The term "mandibular" refers to the mandible, the part of the cranium that constitutes the lower jaw or jawbone. Two major roots are nestled within the mandible, a large sensory root and a smaller motor root. Clusters of roots branch off from the major roots, including the buccal, mental, lingual and inferior alveolar nerves. The type and technique of mandibular block given to the patient depends on the dental procedure, location of the operation within the jaw and the sensitivity of the patient.
The Gow-Gates technique was developed by an Australian dentist in the mid-1970s. In this technique, the needle passes through less muscle and fewer nerve receptors than in the standard mandibular block, which causes less discomfort and pain during the injection. The anesthesia effect also lasts longer, and the technique limits adverse side effects such as increased heart rate, because the Gow-Gates is distributed in an area of the jaw that is less vascularized. In addition, the Gow-Gates mandibular block numbs the main nerve trunk that connects the lingual, buccal and alveolar nerve branches. With one injection, this nerve block anesthetizes the mandibular teeth to the midline, the lower mouth and tongue to the midline, lingual bone and tissues, buccal bone and tissues and the body of the mandible.
The Akinosi closed-mouth mandibular block is useful for patients whose jaw opening is limited because of infection or trauma. This nerve block numbs the mandibular teeth to the midline, buccal and lingual bone and tissues, the lower mouth and tongue to the midline, the body of the mandible and some of the ramus. The patient must sit upright to allow the anesthesia to diffuse. After being numbed, the motor nerves in the jaw relax, allowing the patient to open his or her jaw freely. In some cases, an additional injection with the Gow-Gates technique can be applied.
The mental nerve mandibular block does not numb the teeth but numbs the soft tissues surrounding the foramen instead. This nerve block is applied for a biopsy or removing tissue with surgical instruments. An incisive nerve block numbs the teeth of the mandible from the anterior to the midline. Other mandibular block techniques, such as the periodontal ligament technique, are applied to specific teeth in the lower jaw without involving the tongue, lip or surrounding teeth and tissues. |
The Heart of Athletes Study’s purpose it to evaluate the presence of heart injury in athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19. The research will standardize cardiovascular evaluations of NCAA athletes to understand long-term implications from COVID-19. This will also create a platform for Athlete’s Hearts Imaging – for sudden cardiac death and other conditions. The Joel Cornette Foundation pledged an initial grant of $250,000 to support the study and committed resources to raise awareness and financial support.
Making an Impact
Heart of Athletes Study
Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes
The Joel Cornette Foundation has partnered with ORCCA (Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes) to provide research funding aimed at monitoring clinical outcomes in athletes diagnosed with cardiac conditions at risk for sudden death. |
Can You Really Improve Your Own Health?
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's easy to get discouraged about health. It seems as though as soon as one bad thing happens, everything starts to spiral out of control. A few extra pounds turns into 20 or 30. A few bad diet choices turns into binge eating. But does it have to be this way? Or do we actually have some control over the direction of our health? If you want to manage your own health as much as possible, take a look at how you can get yours moving in the right direction.
Small Changes Bring Big Impact
Sometimes we feel helpless in changing our health because we can't accomplish some giant gesture. We can't drop 50 pounds in a month or suddenly run a mile in 10 minutes. But when it comes to health, the small things really make a big difference. Start by waking up five minutes earlier and enjoying some quiet time. Try walking a lap around the block daily. It might not feel like much at all, but these small things add up over time to create a big impact toward better health.
Lifestyle Choices are Key
Healthy living is about the choices that you make every day. Do you choose to smoke? Do you sit on the couch all day? Do you stay up late and sleep in? If you make these choices, your health will suffer. But the reverse is true too. If you choose to set a bedtime, drink more water, and get active, then your health will improve. Make good lifestyle choices, and you'll be impacting your health more than you know.
Don't forget that literally everything in life changes. If you make good choices, you can choose the direction -- for the most part -- that your health will take. If you make bad choices or simply choose nothing, then your health is more likely to decline. But with the changes that are inevitable coming anyway, it's better to choose on purpose and direct the course your life is moving.
It's completely possible to change your own health. Can you cure cancer or get rid of a long-term illness? Maybe not. But you can affect other aspects of your health, and you can certainly affect the way that you feel today. Make good choices in your everyday life, and your health is far more likely to change for the better.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Castle Rock, Colo. |
Ignition Repair, Replacement & Installation
As you know, a car requires a key to operate, if you lose this key or the ignition system is broken then the car will not be able to remove. Most people at this point decide to call in mechanics to work on the problem, and whilst this does work it may not be the cheapest solution. I recommend instead getting in touch with a locksmith who offers services that will repair your ignition and get you on the road as soon as possible, generally the costs are much lower and they will be able to repair the problem at the side of the road without dragging you all the way to a garage, which of course will take a lot of time. Our services are for anybody that has a stuck or broken ignition, or any other problem that you would generally associate with this vital part of a car.
The majority of ignitions in vehicles nowadays are built to last, but unfortunately the sad fact of life is from time to time they may break due to situations out of your control
A professional company is able to narrow down what the problem is and repair the system for you, often if you tried to repair the problem yourself there would be hours just dedicated to the finding of the problem, and would you know what to do once you have found out what it is?
Sometimes the situation may be irreparable, and for that reason you will need to get a replacement ignition installed
We will be able to source the right ignition system for your car and install it incredibly quickly, which again will ensure that you are driving on that road in the quickest time possible. In certain situations your car may need to be towed to be repaired, but we do try to avoid this as much as possible and in most situations it will be possible to repair your vehicle at the side of the road.
It should be worth noting that most ignition problems are a quick fix, often these won’t require your car to be towed at all. A good automotive locksmith will be able to establish the cause of the problem within a matter of minutes, after that they will be able to restore life back into your ignition system within another few minutes.
I never suggest doing something with your ignition by yourself. It is actually incredibly dangerous and if you don’t follow correct procedures you could end up electrocuting yourself, or you may even end up making the situation worse, in which case you will need to call in a locksmith anyway, and the cost will be even higher than it would have done.
If you notice that you have a problem with your car’s ignition then don’t go running to a mechanic, the costs are normally astronomical.
I instead suggest that you give us a call and we will get you on the road as quickly and easily as possible without making a real dent in your finances. |
I cannot utter the word bruschetta [pronounced bru-sket-ta] without reminiscing about the sights, sounds, and smells of our favorite little neighborhood in Rome, Trastevere. With its narrow cobbled streets and local large families dining in alleyways, Trastevere made me feel like a real Italian. [Note: I claim to be 100% Italian but, truthfully, I’m a 50% Italian mutt. Don’t tell my husband.]
We stayed in Trastevere for several nights before our wedding in Pienza and purposefully went to the same restaurant several nights in a row just to eat their delicious bruschetta, listen to the local accordion player, and drink their house red wine which, magically, didn’t leave us with any signs of a hangover (I am such a lightweight and get them after just one or two drinks). We’d leave hours later grinning ear-to-ear, arm in arm, walking down past the fountain square promising each other we’d HAVE to go back again.
Although I am always trying to improve the flavor in my bruschetta (and it never turns out the same way twice) this is my version of what I tasted in Italy. I’m sure theirs will always be better, because in my opinion, things in Italy are always better. And I’m pretty sure they don’t use Wegman’s brand generic olive oil. (Sshhh The Snob Gods will have me hanged for such a crime.)
Speaking of things always being better in Italy – here is proof. Their policemen are calm, cool, and stylish with uniforms designed by Armani. Seriously, Armani. Can you blame me for wanting to be Italian? I didn’t research it but if you told me American police uniforms were designed by Sears & Roebuck, I’d believe you.
Here they are standing outside the Colosseum to make sure it stayed closed to tourists so some Big Whig could visit. They were so relaxed and so … Italian. Bulletproof vests on with their sleeves rolled up. In the land of policemen, it doesn’t get much cooler than this.[note note_color=”#b9bc4d”]Looking for a main dish to go with this appetizer? Try Tomato Basil Tilapia crusted with Pecorino Romano and topped with this Trastevere-inspired bruschetta topping.[/note] Print
- 8 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced – although regular tomatoes will work fine
- 3–4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 30 turns fresh ground pepper or to taste
- ½ cup (packed) chopped basil
- 1 French baguette or similar
- Combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil in small bowl. Stir gently to make sure all the flavors are blended. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- When bruschetta mixture has marinated long enough, preheat oven on broiler setting. Cut French baguette on the diagonal in 3/4 inch slices. Lay bread in single layer on sheet pan and broil on top rack for approximately 1-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch your bread carefully so it doesn’t burn!
- Let bread cool and top with spoonfuls of bruschetta mixture. If your bruschetta is really juicy try letting it sit and soak on the bread for a few minutes before eating. It tastes even better!
More great recipes at www.thekitchensnob.com |
Chicago, Ill., Sep. 1, 2015 – LaSalle Network, a recruiting and staffing firm headquartered in Chicago announced today its recognition on Staffing Industry Analysts’ Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms list for 2015. This year marks the fourth consecutive year LaSalle Network has been honored on the reputable list.
“Our team-based approach to recruiting allows us to capitalize on the work of each recruiter to find the best candidates possible for our clients,” said Tom Gimbel, Founder and CEO of LaSalle Network. “We strive to deliver an exceptional service to both our candidates and our clients, and this has helped us continue to grow organically year-over-year.
The 2015 Staffing Industry Analysts’ Fastest Growing Staffing Firms list includes staffing firms with compound annual revenue growth of 15 percent or greater from 2010 through 2014. To qualify for the list, staffing firms had to have at least $1 million in revenue in 2010.
LaSalle has seen a 105 percent increase in annual revenue from 2010-2014, a key factor in determining the company’s rank on the list. LaSalle moved up in its rank since last year, landing at #78 out of 102 companies on the list. For more information on LaSalle Network, please visit lasallenetwork.com or contact Heather Youkhana at 312-496-6562 or [email protected].
About LaSalle Network
LaSalle Network is a leading provider of professional staffing and recruiting services specializing in accounting and finance, technology, administrative, call center, human resources, marketing and executive search. Since its inception, LaSalle has worked with thousands of clients and placed more than 30,000 candidates in temporary, temporary-to-permanent and permanent positions. LaSalle Network has been listed on Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America list for the past nine years, named by Staffing Industry Analysts’ as a top five “Best Staffing Firms to Work For” from 2011 – 2015, and Crain’s Chicago Business’ Best Places to Work list in 2014 and 2015. The firm has offices in downtown Chicago, Arlington Heights, Oak Brook, and San Francisco. For more information, please call 312-419-1700 or visithttp://www.lasallenetwork.com.
About Staffing Industry Analysts
Staffing Industry Analysts is the global advisor on contingent work. Known for its independent and objective insights, the company’s proprietary research, award-winning content, data, support tools, publications and executive conferences provide a competitive edge to decision-makers who supply and buy temporary staffing. In addition to temporary staffing, Staffing Industry Analysts also covers related staffing sectors. The company provides accreditation with its Certified Contingent Workforce Professional (CCWP) program. Founded in 1989, acquired by Crain Communications Inc. in 2008, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in London, England. For more information: www.staffingindustry.com. |
Through law, Amber Cerny indulges her love of history, human interaction, power and politics
Amber Cerny didn’t see herself as becoming a lawyer growing up, but what she did have was a passion for “history, human interaction, power and politics.” Heading into the legal profession, she found, enabled her to indulge that passion.
A corporate and commercial lawyer with in-house experience, Cerny enjoys guiding clients in her position as one of EY Law’s newly promoted partners. Beyond her day job, she also enjoys helping to drive legislative development as an NSW Law Society councillor and business law committee chair.
In this interview, Cerny talks EY Law’s push to implement new specialist services, the importance of work-life balance – especially in the COVID-19 environment – and how lawyers shouldn’t underrate themselves and the value they offer to clients.
What made you choose a career in law?
Law was something I never envisaged myself having a career in when I was growing up. I wasn’t ever someone who knew exactly what they wanted to do. Completing a long degree in law stood out to me – and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I get to indulge in my passions of history, human interaction, power and politics; there is never a dull moment when working in the legal profession.
What do you love most about your job?
As a corporate/commercial lawyer, I get to join clients on the journey to undertake transactions or help them improve how their organisations function. In addition to my day-to-day job at EY, I have the privilege of participating in consultations and contributing to policy and legislative development in my roles as a councillor of the Law Society of NSW and as the chair of the business law committee – not only do I get to give back to the industry through these roles but I also get the opportunity to learn from and work alongside colleagues from a vast range of cross-sectors.
What is going on at the firm? Are there any new programs and initiatives that you’re particularly interested in?
EY Law is growing, both locally and globally. Now that we have established our core legal services in the Australian market, we are looking to add specialist services around those growing practices, such as our real estate practice. Currently we are focussing on taking that to the next level by innovating the way that we deliver those services to our clients, through bringing a unique combination of people, processes and technology together for our clients.
The key differentiator for EY Law as opposed to competitors is that we don’t see this as “alternative” legal services. We see this as part of being an evolving legal practice, transforming ourselves as lawyers, and supporting our clients as they transform the way that their in-house legal function deliver their services to the wider business.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
Making it to partner this year was very proud and pivotal moment in my career. I see this opportunity I now have as a culmination of the hard work of all the existing law partners, wider firm leadership team and of course my own amazing team which demonstrates proactivity and ingenuity every day in law.
I am also proud of the relationships that I have managed to build across EY and with our wonderful EY clients over my past five years at the firm – and how I have maintained these throughout COVID-19.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned in the past year and what advice can you give fellow lawyers about it?
If there is one thing that this global pandemic has shown us, it’s the importance of balancing a personal life with your career. Being a lawyer can be a very time-intensive job but, it’s vital to surround yourself with those who can not only support you but also pull you up when it’s time to take that step back and recalibrate.
What should the profession and law firms focus more on?
Lawyers often tend to underrate themselves, the services that they offer and the value that they provide their clients. For our professions to thrive and survive, we need to acknowledge our value and the knowledge we bring to our clients as professionals and as people. Valuing our services, our skills and our people is key to our ongoing viability and success, even though I feel strongly that we must evolve those skills to serve our clients into the future. Evolution does not require abandoning those important skills that lawyers bring to our work now and going forward.
What are the challenges you expect in your practice, and in the business of law in general, going forward?
COVID-19 has unleashed a great deal of anxiety across the world, reaching all industries and sectors across the globe. The choices that we make as lawyers as we come out of this pandemic will be defining for the future generation of legal practitioners. Like other professions, many lawyers have had to be switched on and available 24/7 to support clients and their own employers during this global crisis. It’s vital that in a post-COVID-19 world we give ourselves permission to switch off, recharge and reset – something that may not come naturally for many people.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
The acceleration of working remotely has presented great challenges for our industry, which is traditionally a very much face-to-face working environment. Maintaining and establishing new relationships with clients in a virtual world has required us to adapt quickly to this new way of working. This is not something that is unique to our industry though, it’s something that people across a range of industries have had to adjust to very quickly.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
EY has long embraced flexible working arrangements, and while COVID-19 has accelerated this even further, there is something to be said about the value of being able to collaborate with your team, colleagues and clients in person. I look forward to the day that this returns, but in the meantime, I’m grateful for the support and resources that EY has provided us to complete our jobs so successfully remotely. |
Sierra Antiguo Plata Tequila 70cl
Sierra Antiguo Tequila Plata contains 40% alcohol by volume and is silky smooth for such a young product. This is because of the high quality of its ingredients, the traditional way in which it is prepared, and the time this tequila spends maturing and mellowing in stainless-steel tanks. Sierra Antiguo Tequila Plata is exceptionally well suited for a classic margarita. Friends of Mexican drinking culture love the fruity straightforwardness and aromatic intensity of this 100% de Agave tequila.
|What You Will Get:
|1 bottle of Sierra Antiguo Plata Tequila |
Free Audio Excerpts
Listen to free audio excerpts from the Jenks Journals, read by professional Voice Over Artists.
Between 1849-65 Daniel Jenks had the forethought to chronicle his gold rush trials, tribulations and triumphs across the American West. Writing to an "imaginary confidant" in his journal, Jenks shared his innermost thoughts with the reader, the dreams and fears that drove him. Until 2021 the compelling story of Jenks' first-hand account of Western American history, as it unfolded, had never been published before.
-- Michael Kussmann, Mr. Smith, Daniel Jenks and Rich Daigle - 1:50
October 7, 1849 - Like many gold seekers Daniel Jenks joined in company with other men, pooling their resources for the long journey to California. But Jenks didn’t know the ship his company had purchased to transport them there wasn’t seaworthy. Daniel wrote about the excruciating sea voyage in his journal, and told us what it was like for a 21-year-old Greenhorn from Pawtucket, Rhode Island to be dropped in the middle of Gold Rush San Francisco.
-- Daniel Jenks, Rick Hardy and Rich Daigle - 6:14
October 25, 1849 - Shortly after arriving in San Francisco Daniel Jenks visited the local graveyard. This is what he wrote in his journal about the grief-stricken young Widow he found bereaving there. She was one of many unsung Gold Rush Heroines whose stories have never made it into the history books.
-- Daniel Jenks and Angela Ohlfest - 1:54
April 1851 - 15 years before Mark Twain became famous for his humorous Western storytelling, an unknown prospector from Pawtucket, Rhode Island named Daniel Jenks had already been toying with the same idea. Jenks wrote this funny story in his gold rush journal about a Grizzly Bear hunt that went hilariously wrong. Daniel spent a lot of time crafting this tale, he was obviously hoping someone else would read it.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rich Daigle - 7:00
August 1853 - Daniel Jenks was broke, sick and starving, regularly going 30-40 hours without food. His pride was the only thing keeping him from begging for meals. Then, just in the nick-of-time, his friend Hiram Woods threw him a lifeline. Daniel wrote about Hiram in his gold rush journal, so he'd always remember friend Woods' kindness in his hour of need.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rick Hardy - 2:21
August 1853 - Not many white men could communicate with the Indians in their own language in the 1850s. When Daniel Jenks learned how to speak the Natives’ Chinook Jargon, it gave him access and insight few others had. In this excerpt from the Jenks Journals, Daniel tells us about a chance encounter he had with a Shasta Indian Medicine Woman and Native American medicinal practices.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rick Hardy - 3:08
April 1851 - The gravity of gold drew prospectors to the California Gold Rush from all corners of the globe. Villains of all-sort soon followed. In his gold rush journal Daniel Jenks wrote about a specific group of murderous desperados. After being run out of Texas by the Regulators, this band of killers went to California and began terrorizing the inhabitants there.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rich Daigle - 2:04
August 5, 1858 - In his gold rush journal, Daniel Jenks expressed dismay at the inaccurate newspaper accounts he was reading of the Indian conflicts in Northern California and Southern Oregon. To correct the historical record, Daniel described the events he personally witnessed preceding the outbreak of hostilities with the Natives in 1855.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rick Hardy - 8:00
July 1851 - Amidst the assortment of prospectors, gamblers and outlaws in Gold Rush San Francisco, one of those characters stood out to Daniel Jenks. His name was Charlie; a disfigured Faro dealer, dualist and debauchee. In the Jenks Journals, Daniel tells us about Charlie’s intriguing backstory. Even Sinister Charlie would agree, there’s no hope left for him.
-- Daniel Jenks, Rich Daigle and Rick Hardy - 6:54
August 1853 - In The Beginning of Hostilities, Daniel Jenks wrote about the many Indian depredations that had taken place. But shameful acts were committed by Whites in the Gold Rush era as well. One man’s outrageous conduct infuriated Daniel so much - he said the villain should be immortalized. So mote it be! We should never allow the memory of what William Hathaway did that day to be forgotten.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rick Hardy - 4:36
December 4, 1863 - When a group of Indians took advantage of a lapse in security and stole their work cattle, Jenks & Company fought back. Daniel's compelling narrative of the harrowing trek they made to reclaim their livestock - and the firefight that ensued - is a scene right out of a Hollywood movie.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rich Daigle - 5:12
February 13, 1859 - Despite the many hardships Daniel Jenks endured while trying to survive out in the American Wilderness, he kept on writing in his journal. In this excerpt Jenks explains why he diligently continued to make journal entries between 1849-65, regardless of his circumstances. It was clear Daniel hoped his journals would be read by someone…someday.
-- Daniel Jenks and Rick Hardy - 1:18 |
Why Life Insurance Before 30 is Smart (Even if You’re SURE You Don’t Need it)
When you’re in your twenties, you spend a lot of time planning for your future.
At one point or another, you’ve probably thought about buying a home, getting married, having a kid — even saving for retirement. So why not add life insurance to your list?
We know. If you’re young and healthy, life insurance might seem like a waste of time and money. You’ve got other bills to pay, anyway. Plus, if you’re single and don’t have kids right now, what’s the point?
But the truth is, locking in a low rate for a term life insurance policy before you turn 30 — even if you don’t have a spouse, kid or home — could easily save you thousands of dollars.
Plus, getting a policy is super easy. It takes five minutes to shop your options through a company called Policygenius, where you can find $1 million policies for as little as $25 a month.
Benefits of Life Insurance (Even For Twentysomethings)
Let’s back up really fast and talk about the benefits of life insurance.
Life insurance basically makes sure whoever you leave behind when you die can afford to pay for your funeral, any unpaid bills and monthly living expenses.
If you’re married and/or have kids, it’s probably pretty obvious who’d benefit from your life insurance policy — your spouse or your child’s custodian. If you’re single and don’t have kids, think about who’d handle your funeral costs or who’s co-signed any loans with you (probably your parents).
In terms of how much coverage you’ll need, personal finance experts typically suggest a policy that’s 10 to 15 times your annual salary. Policygenius can help you figure this out when you get a free quote, and you can also change or update your policy at any time.
Why Getting Life Insurance in Your Twenties Can Be Smart
We’ve established many of us twentysomethings are thinking about our futures, right? Even if you don’t think you need life insurance right this second, you’ll likely — at some point in the next 20 to 30 years — find a partner, buy a house, or have a kid or two.
But the thing about life insurance is that the price ticks up and up the older you get and the more health issues you inevitably encounter. So if you can lock in a price right now for the next couple of decades, you could save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Want to see how little life insurance can cost you a month as a healthy twentysomething? We suggest getting a free quote through Policygenius. It takes about two minutes to enter your basic information.
Once you find a policy that fits your needs, you’ll apply online and finish up the process with a quick phone call from a representative who’ll be able to answer any questions.
Now you’ll have one less thing to worry about in the future — and you can save a ton of money in the process.
Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. |
The LGBTQ+ stories you don’t want to miss, delivered to your inbox daily.
Thanks for registering! You can update your email subscriptions at any time in the My Profile section of your account.
We hope you’re enjoying the all new PinkNews! We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback so please take a moment to complete our 2 min survey. |
Surajpur. Superintendent of Police Smt. Bhavna Gupta went to Special Foundation Course from 17.01.2022 to 29.04.2022, Superintendent of Police Rajesh Agrawal has been made in-charge of Surajpur district. On Tuesday, January 18, Mr. Rajesh Agrawal reached the district police office where he was given a guard of honour, after which he duly assumed the charge of superintendent of police.
Shri Rajesh Agrawal is a 1998 batch State Police Service officer and received IPS Award in the year 2018. At present, there is AIG in the Police Headquarters and its former Superintendent of Police Raigarh, Additional Superintendent of Police have been posted in Durg, Dhamtari, Kawardha, Rajnandgaon and CSP Raipur.
During this, Additional Superintendent of Police Harish Rathore, ASP Headquarters PS Mahilane, Probationary IPS Sandeep Kumar Patel, CSP JP Bhartendu, Chief Clerk Santosh Verma and establishment in-charge Akhilesh Singh were present. |
This post originally ran on the Forbes Business Development Council at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2023/12/14/why-sales-leaders-get-and-give-bad-revenue-forecasts/
As President and CEO of a business specializing in sales training, I—and my team—speak to a lot of sales leaders. Most of them have a similar experience when it comes to asking a salesperson what's likely to close over the next 30, 60 or 90 days: They hear an answer that sounds confident and sometimes even optimistic, and when they come back to the salesperson later on, they learn that the answer they heard no longer aligns with reality.
The “forecast” from the salesperson is not based on any meaningful data. It’s more of a guess. Often, what sales leaders hear is best translated as, “See, I’m a closer!” Or, if a deal collapses, as, “Look, it wasn’t my fault.” Salespeople learn to give themselves some wiggle room.
In response, many sales leaders make the same mistakes. Instead of tracking down hard data, they add another level of guesswork—their own: Salesperson A usually overestimates a lot; I’ll take their estimate down 40%. Salesperson B overestimates, too, but not as badly; I’ll take them down 20%. Salesperson C, though, is usually on target; I’ll take them down 5%. That way, I’ll leave myself plenty of wiggle room.
Picking numbers based on guesswork is how the problem started in the first place. This low-information cycle is, at most organizations, the answer to the question: “Why are our forecasts so far off?” It’s also the answer to the question: “Why do we have so many peaks and valleys, as opposed to linearity, in our revenue stream?”
We can reverse this dysfunctional cycle by making our sales process a communication tool—one that supports forecast accuracy, pipeline hygiene and linearity.
Typically, when organizational leaders talk about a “sales process,” they’re talking about something that runs at a macro level. It’s not a shared set of standards used to quantify opportunities in a rigorous, meaningful way. How about a process that works at both the macro and the micro level?
Here’s an example of what I mean. Many sales organizations identify Stage One of their sales process as something like “Initial Contact,” Stage Two as something like “Qualification,” and Stage Three as something like “Presenting the Solution.” There’s nothing wrong with labels like these. They’re accurate enough. They describe what we want to happen in each stage. But if no meaningful criteria govern the movement between the stages—if there’s nothing to confirm that a given opportunity has hit all the benchmarks necessary for it to move forward from Stage One to Stage Two, or from Stage Two to Stage Three—then we’re running only at the macro level.
When there are no objective exit criteria, individual salespeople decide for themselves, based on gut instinct, when an opportunity belongs in “Qualification.” (“I’ve already had what feels like initial contact, and I still think this is going to close. Therefore, it must belong in Qualification, even though they’re ghosting me.”) Or when an opportunity belongs in “Present the Solution.” (“I’ve had a couple of good calls; therefore, I must be ready to present our solution, even though I’m not connecting with all the decision-makers and I haven’t asked about the budget.”)
Another issue is that the information salespeople gather isn't linear. It comes in at various times. This often causes people to skip steps in the sales process. For example, "We are in the Initial Contact phase, and we have some but not all of the information needed to move on to Qualification." Most salespeople in this situation leave the Initial Contact phase too quickly and jump ahead.
Now, occasionally, sales leaders push back when I describe their sales process as operating at the macro rather than the micro level. They’ll say, “In order to move an opportunity from Stage Two to Stage Three in our world, the salesperson has to confirm X or Y has happened.” Here’s the problem: There usually aren’t enough criteria to give them any meaningful data, and their salesperson has too much independent authority to decide whether X or Y has taken place.
For a sales process to function as a communication tool, it must be built around multiple objective and verifiable exit criteria. These are the yes/no questions whose answers tell us what we need to know about whether a given opportunity even belongs in our process at all. For instance, "Do we have a meeting scheduled for some point within the next two weeks?"
We need to find between 2-5 such questions for each transition out of each stage of our process. If the answers aren’t all “yes”, then the opportunity can’t move forward to the next stage; income can’t be projected against it.
It is our responsibility as leaders to:
- Identify these yes/no questions.
- Build them into the sales cycle.
- Remind each salesperson what’s needed to move from one stage to another.
- Confirm that the right questions have been answered before a lead moves forward in the pipeline.
- Hire salespeople who answer these questions accurately, consistently and with integrity.
For example, let’s say we decide that for someone to move out of Stage One and into Stage Two, we must confirm that the contact:
- Is a C-level official at a company employing more than 100 people.
- Had a voice-to-voice conversation with us lasting more than 90 seconds.
- Scheduled a 30-minute discovery session with us for some point within the next two weeks.
It’s our job to turn these criteria into questions, make sure each member of our team knows what they’re going to be asked, and then (you guessed it) ask those questions about every opportunity a salesperson proposes moving from Stage One to Stage Two. Leading this conversation is what we mean by supporting a sales process that operates at both the micro and macro levels. There should be no forward movement until all the exit criteria are met!
This one game-changing principle allows sellers to lead the buyer-seller dance and empowers leaders to lead the dance with each team member. Use it! |
The “Man in Black” was one of those people born with an unfathomable “aura of greatness.” Over a decade has passed since his death and his legacy and prominence as cultural icon still rise as large as ever did.
Every dedicated Johnny Cash fan knows the ups and downs of the iconic singer’s life: The Folsom Prison phase, the charming love story with his best friend and wife June Carter, his addiction phase.
But it is a fact that the country singer and the cultural legend had led a turbulent life and there are still corners of his life path that are unknown to everyone.
With the outbreak of Korean war, 18-year old Cash did what many young Americans of the time did, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 7, 1950.After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and technical training at Brooks Air Force Base, both in San Antonio, Texas, Cash was assigned to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile of the U.S. Air Force Security Service at Landsberg, West Germany.
Over his enlistment period “The man in black” or at that time ” The boy in uniform” rose to the rank of Staff Sergent and became a Morse Code operator intercepting Soviet Army transmissions. Cash showed amazing skills at cracking Morse Code so he was put in a leading seat at the Landsberg post to monitor in on Soviet communications. The Air Force period was an important chapter in Johny Cash’s life. It was there he was first inspired to write the iconic lyrics for Folsom Prison Blues after seeing the film Inside The Walls of Folsom Prison. Also, while stationed in Landsberg created his first band, named “The Landsberg Barbarians”
However, the highlight during the three years he served the Air Force, surely wasn’t something related to his future music career, and is something that a few people actually know about.On March 5th, 1953, while working on his post, Cash intercepted a very important communique from the Soviets. At the time, Joseph Stalin, Soviet Premier Leader was in a quite poor health condition, and as the first man of the Soviet empire, his health status was very important to the U.S intelligence community.
While transcribing the Soviet Morse Code chatter, Johnny Cash became the first American to hear the news of the death of the Soviet leader. Sgt.Staff Cash immediately reported the important news to his superiors and the rest is history.
Regarding the nature of his job, Cash was obliged to keep this as top secret and couldn’t tell anyone of his achievement until years later. Cash was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant on July 3, 1954, and returned to Texas. |
BY JENNIFER A. STROUP
Anita Thompson had just begun the inaugural interview for this magazine when the phone rang, but George Stranahan, the subject, was used to this: the phone has loud rung loud and often at Owl Farm. It was Julie Hess, a caretaker and friend of Tom Klutznick, real-estate developer, philanthropist, and Owl Farm’s neighbor to the north, calling to say that two pea-cocks had escaped the grounds and migrated up to his home again.
“I noticed that earlier,” Stranahan said, “the dog and bird tracks in the snow. It told a certain story.”
The tape recorder was still running, and it was already night outside. Unfortunately, there is not much one can do about a stray peacock after dark. Like many birds, peacocks prefer to roost in high places and had likely already settled themselves on the roof of Klutznick’s house, not, one hoped, directly over his bedroom. Peacock feet on shingles make an eerie creaking, like a large intruder looking for a way in.
Early the next morning, after a second phone call. Anita drove up the hill to check out the situation. The peacocks, Peter and Paul- both of whom have been blessed by a priest-were huddled behind a black Audi, looking nervous. From somewhere inside the house, a dog barked excitedly. It had been snowing for at least a few hours and the driveway was icy from the temperature drop the night before. Anita had brought a pale blue bed sheet, hoping to use it like a net, but she only chased Peter and Paul, stooges-like, in circles. She returned home to make popcorn (one of peacocks’ favorite foods) the old-fashioned way in a pot on the stove, to try luring them instead. But the birds were still traumatized from the previous visit and ignored the entreaty, so she went down the road for coffee.
The scene inside the Woody Creek Store was worse. Klutznick was finishing breakfast at the round table by the window, both of his caretakers were with him, as was Kevin Doyle, Woody Creek’s resident winemaker. Tom stood up. He was wearing shorts, in contrast to the backdrop of a minor blizzard outside. “Anita, we’ve got to take care of this,” he shouted. His expression was beyond angry; it was almost sad, as though stricken with regret. “There’s shit everywhere,” he told her. Anita apologized, and approached him to talk privately.
The store’s other patrons continued their conversations. “I’d help, but I’m afraid of them,” Doyled offered.
“There’s a lot of bird fear in the neighborhood right now,” a bystander remarked.
Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.
Back in 1972, George Stranahan woke up in his home at Flying Dog Ranch to some commotion that he took at first to be wind coming through the shutters. Turned out there was a peacock screeching on the roof. It had landed there, a long way from Owl Farm, after a mysterious escapade that left two birds permanently missing.
Neighbors on all sides have had run-ins with Hunter Thompson’s peacocks, but Klutznick seems to have born the brunt of it. He has three or four pugs that live out-side in the summers; Julie Hess keeps her dog there, too. As pugs are smaller than peacocks, and peacocks have sharp spurs on their legs, Tom became afraid his dogs would get injured should an altercation occur. He began to keep a broom nearby to use as a shooing device.
Several years ago, when the birds wandered up for a visit, Julie’s dog broke out of it’s fence and gave chase. One peacock disappeared into the wetlands, and another landed half dead down the hill west of Owl Farm. Incensed, Hunter called Tom and threatened to shoot the dog if it ever came on his property again. Tom later returned the gesture by firing a gun over Hunter’s house.
Popcorn, whose father appears on the cover of this magazine, was also fond of Klutznick’s property. He was a favorite at Owl Farm. His mother, having hatched two males, took favor with Popcorn’s brother, and cared so little for Popcorn that she tried to peck him to death, so Anita raised him herself in the basement of the house. When he was strong enough to go outside, he learned how to catch bugs, peck for grain, and clean his plumage by observing what his mother taught his brother. Popcorn’s life never got much easier. He may have paid the pugs a visit and crashed himself into the fence trying to escape, or Tom may have whacked him with a nine iron. What actually happened is between Tom, Popcorn, and the spirit in the sky, but the end result was a broken wing.
The veterinarian at Aspen Animal Hospital, Scott Dolginow, was apprehensive about an operation; he had only the practice of repairing a red-tailed hawk’s wing to go on. The morning the surgery was to take place, Scott called Anita “I can’t operate on Hunter Thompson’s bird,” he told her. but she pleaded with him – Popcorn was already out cold on the table – and the operation was a success. A coyote, or perhaps a bobcat, finally got him six months before Hunter died.
“THERE IS SOME SHIT WE WON’T EAT!” is Woody Creek’s most fitting motto. (It was adopted by Hunter and the Woody Creek Caucus in 1995 when they organized a protest against the Aspen Skiing Company, which was planning an expansion of the airport to make room for 747s. The caucus prevailed, although Hunter was arrested on his way home from the rally for alleged drunk driving, sparking a subsequent legal battle.) The neighborhood has never tolerated injustices, from within or with-out. Residents pride themselves on their de Tocqueville-style democracy, their neighbors’ eccentricities. It’s the kind of place where a man can eat some acid, walk outside, and play golf in his back-yard in the nude. Inevitably, of course, conflicts arise; even outlaws crave order, now and then.
Later that morning in early January, with the help of a few people, popcorn, a dog cage, and some extra blankets, Anita succeeded in bringing Peter and Paul back to Owl Farm. As day wound into evening, conversation turned to finding a solution. “That’s just an extra thing you have to worry about this year, if somebody’s going to off your birds,” one neighbor said. But there is very little to go on. In Pitkin County, there are strict leash laws for dogs, rules for fencing out your neighbors’ livestock, and guidelines for Living With Bears, yet no one has gone on record to regulate the peacock.
Until a compromise is reached, Woody Creek will do what Woody Creek does best: police its own. Meanwhile, the peacocks have given up their freedom, and patriotically wait out the tempest in a cage. |
I beg to move,
That this House
has considered the UK bee population.
Thank you for calling me, Mr Hollobone. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I know that the House and indeed the country is engaged on the great issue of Brexit, an issue on which of course everyone has a great deal to say. I called for this debate because, now more than ever, we need to have a public conversation about the kind of country we want to build for the future. What does the Britain of 20 years hence look like? Does it have stronger environmental protections or weaker ones? We need to lift our eyes beyond the latest parliamentary skirmish and say a little about that.
Before I turn to the specific issue of bees, I want to say a little about the wider environmental narrative. There are many on the Government Benches who make a direct link between conservatism and conservation. I believe, as I know many of my colleagues do, that generational justice must be about more than simply leaving a strong economic legacy to our children. It must be about a strong environmental legacy, too: a birthright that is richer, more diverse and more sustainable. As the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said, we have “not a freehold” on our planet but “a full repairing lease”.
Although there are many aspects to that responsibility, from improving air quality to cutting the use of plastic and limiting greenhouse gas emissions, a key priority must be to improve the diversity and sustainability of native animals, from the largest mammal to the smallest invertebrate. We have seen great progress on that score, with the important announcement on ivory sales that was part of a package of measures that led a leading charity to declare in October
“a fortnight of incredible news for animal welfare in the UK”.
To turn to bees, well, what a difference a week makes. When I originally applied for the debate, it was in a bid to urge the Government to listen to the latest scientific evidence, put the welfare of bees first and ban neonicotinoids. Then, lo and behold, the Government have done precisely that. On
Why do bees matter? First, they are exceptional animals in their own right. Although there are over 250 species of bee, including 25 species of bumblebee, they have some remarkable characteristics in common. For example, a bee can navigate in an astonishingly sophisticated way by a combination of using the angle of the sun, counting landmarks and exploiting electrical fields. Remarkably, they can exchange information with other bees about the precise location of the perfect flower. Some evidence suggests they do so using movements known as a “waggle dance.”
Beyond their own intrinsic value, bees play a vital role in the broader environment. That role was summarised beautifully by the poet Kahlil Gibran:
“To the bee, a flower is the fountain of life.
And to the flower, the bee is a messenger of love.”
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. I apologise that I will not be able to stay for the duration of it. As he is saying, bees are massively important for the production of crops and for the health of our ecosystems. In my constituency, there is a real interest in beekeeping. We have Wirral honey on sale in West Kirby farmers’ market and we have Flourish, a community environmental initiative based at Ford Way, Upton. Does he agree that such initiatives should be supported, promoted and indeed celebrated?
I agree and am grateful to the hon. Lady for that helpful contribution.
The point being got at, whether by a poet or a scientist, is that of the 100 crop species that provide 90% of food worldwide, 70 are pollinated by bees. Bees, as we know, transfer pollen from anthers to stigmas, frequently over long distances. Seeds are produced, but, crucially, genetic diversity, so vital to the health of many plant species, is promoted. That service, which perhaps we take too much for granted, is worth in the order of £600 million a year through increased crop yield in oilseed rape and the quality of various fruit and vegetables.
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way on an important point. He has spoken about the ban on neonicotinoids. I wonder how we will ensure that whatever replaces them is equally safe. My farmers have already made the point that what may follow may not be any safer.
As always, my hon. Friend makes a critical point. The issue is this. The Government have put a line in the sand, which is that anything that is to go on our crops must pass the test of rigorous academic and expert scrutiny. That applies to neonicotinoids, so it must apply to anything that comes next. Nothing should go on our crops unless it can be shown to be safe. That must be the rule of thumb that we apply.
I declare an interest as a beekeeper. We should bank this move, which is a good thing, but it does not answer all of the problems for our bee population. My hon. Friend will be aware that the National Bee Unit has identified the Asian hornet in Devon. It poses a real threat to some of our colonies. Does he agree that the Government should do more to support the National Bee Unit in countering that scourge?
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point first to pay tribute to the National Bee Unit and to raise the issue of the Asian hornet. The landscape is not entirely clear for bees just because neonicotinoids are off the horizon. We should never let down our guard, such is their importance to our environment. I entirely endorse the point.
I should also declare my interest both as a beekeeper and as the daughter of a farmer of oilseed rape. Is it not always important to remember that farmers do need to control pests on their crops? The Government must look carefully, as my hon. Friend said earlier, at the evidence available at the time. Can we not elide the debate, for example, about glyphosate with that about neonics?
Of course. This is not a zero sum game. It is not the case that a product that is bad for bees is therefore good for farmers or the other way around. It is not beyond the wit of our scientists to come up with products and pesticides—by the way, pesticide is not an evil word—that can be sprayed on to our crops without causing the collateral damage that we want to avoid.
It is the points made already that lie behind an apocalyptic quote attributed to Albert Einstein—of course, it may well be entirely apocryphal. He is alleged to have said:
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years left to live.”
That may be a little apocalyptic, but it does make the point that bees play a crucial role in our food supply.
The hon. Gentleman is making a very good speech. I would like to go back to the point about the alternatives. I wonder whether he saw the observation by the excellent Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which said that
“many other non-neonicotinoid pesticides can and do cause harm to bumblebees and other pollinators, and we must ensure that neonicotinoids are not simply replaced by equally-problematic equivalents.”
Does he agree that there is a danger of a switch back to dangerous pyrethroid-based pesticides and that we equally need to guard against that?
We must not move from the frying pan into the fire. It seems that the Government have been absolutely robust in showing that it is only those products that can show they do not cause that collateral damage that will get through the net. That principle must be maintained, because pollinators are in decline worldwide.
This is not purely a UK situation or indeed a European one. The trend is not uniform, but an independent review of the evidence on the status and value of pollinators published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs back in 2014 drew attention to the large losses caused by the varroa mite in the early 1990s. Since then, there has been, as has been said, the Asian hornet. Indeed, the loss of flower-rich habitat is another important cause of the recorded decline in diversity of wild bees and other pollinating insects. If I may be parochial just for a moment, that is just one of the reasons why I am so delighted that Cheltenham Borough Council was persuaded to rethink its plans to rip up the vibrant and diverse floral displays that nourish local pollinators in the town.
I thank my hon. Friend for securing the debate. There are a lot of bee-friendly crops that we can grow, which can help to enhance the bee population. That must be done. I also say to our farming Minister that it is important to have the means to grow the crops. When we no longer use neonicotinoids, we must ensure that we have alternatives that are safer and that we can safely grow those crops. It is absolutely essential that we have both bees and good, bee-friendly crops.
I agree with that. It is also vital that we have happy farmers, because farmers are crucial custodians of the countryside. It seems perfectly possible to have a thriving farming community and a thriving community of bees and pollinators too.
In the vanguard of the fight to support bees and pollinators are our nation’s beekeepers; I am pleased to say that their numbers are growing. In 2013, according to the National Bee Unit’s database, there were over 29,000 beekeepers in England, managing around 126,000 colonies. That is nearly double compared with 2008. I pay tribute to the Gloucestershire Beekeepers Association in Uckington near Cheltenham, which does such excellent work.
I am proud too of the Government’s role in this field. It is good news that the Government have spent between £1.5 million and £2 million on protecting honey bees in each of the last five years. That has included tackling disease outbreaks and monitoring for exotic pests such as the Asian hornet. An enormous amount of good work is being done via the National Pollinator Strategy, launched in 2014, which is a 10-year plan to
“improve the state of our bees and other pollinating insects”.
That includes working with farmers and the public to expand availability of food and habitat resources and so on.
In the time available, I will turn to the neonicotinoid debate, which has been a difficult one. In December 2013 the EU restricted the use of three neonicotinoids on a number of crops attractive to bees, including oilseed rape, following concerns that queen bees exposed to the pesticide were 26% less likely to be able to start a new colony. However, at that stage the science was rudimentary at best and the UK did not follow suit. Since then, the evidence base has grown dramatically. A pan-European study in June 2017, which covered a crop area equivalent to 3,000 football pitches in the UK, Germany and Hungary, found that increasing levels of neonicotinoid residues in the nests of wild bee species were linked with lower reproductive success, and that exposure to treated crops reduced the overwintering success of honey bee colonies.
When, earlier this year, the European Commission proposed further restricting the use of those pesticides to plants that spend their entire life cycle in permanent greenhouses, the expert advisory committee backed its decision. As I have already indicated, it is important to take account of the impact on farmers. I was pleased to note that, in the first year without access to these seed treatments, UK oilseed rape yield increased by 6.9%, according to Friends of the Earth.
As we prepare to leave the EU, I believe that now is not the time to roll back measures to protect our bees. Instead, we should enhance them. As I have already indicated, there is already a strong platform to build on, but we must go further. The national pollinator strategy, which currently supports pollinators through the mandatory and incentivised common agricultural policy measures, can be made to operate more widely still. Farmers and growers across pastoral, mixed and arable farmland are ideally placed to improve the quantity and quality of flower-rich habitats. Let us use our new freedoms to make full use of that potential. Agri-environment schemes such as buffer strips, hay meadows and wildflowers can and should make a huge difference.
As we look to the future, we must create a country that cherishes and promotes biodiversity. We must recognise that quality of life is measured not purely in pounds, shillings and pence but in the quality of our environment and the richness of the plants and animals we encounter on a walk down the Honeybourne railway line in my constituency or high up on the Cotswold escarpment. Let us continue to do everything we can to reverse the decline of our pollinators. If we carry on with that vital work, we can ensure that the broad, sunlit uplands that we all want future generations to inherit will echo to the sound of the bumblebee.
The debate runs until 5.30 pm. I have to call the Front-Benchers at 5.07 pm, and the recommended speech limits are five minutes for the Scottish National party spokesman, five minutes for the Opposition spokesman and 10 minutes for the Minister. Then we will hear from Mr Chalk for three minutes summing up at the end. That means we have 22 minutes and four speakers; if I impose a time limit of five and a half minutes, you should all get in.
Thank you, Mr Hollobone. I congratulate Alex Chalk on bringing the debate to the House. The fact that we are all here is an indication of our interest in the welfare of bees. It is good to see the Minister in his place since he has a special understanding of that, as indeed does the shadow Minister.
The intensity of the issue may surprise some who are not from rural constituencies, but the issue also involves urban locations and constituencies. When I first came to this place, I used to stay in St Ermin’s hotel, which has a fantastic bee population on its roof. The hotel produces its own honey. That can happen in urban areas as well, so it is good to know that, although we in the countryside perhaps have control over this, there are many examples in urban areas, including central London not far from where we are now, that are producing excellent honey.
Some people may not have fully considered the essential nature of bees in our rural economy. I have spoken about that many times in my time as an elected representative. Many in my constituency are probably watching the debate, because we have many beekeepers, and their numbers are increasing, just as they are in the area of the hon. Member for Cheltenham.
As a young boy—it was not just yesterday—I took my holidays in Strabane and Clady in County Tyrone in the 1960s and 1970s. My aunt Isobel kept honey bees, and as a child I was taught about the fragile nature of the ecosystem and the crucial role that the humble bumblebee has to play in that, alongside the honey bee. There are 18 true species of bumblebee in the UK, many of which are threatened by habitat loss and other changes in the countryside that the hon. Gentleman clearly indicated. Six species remain relatively common, while others have declined to varying degrees.
I know some hon. Members are into bumblebees. I have had a number of occasions when bumblebees were into me and I got stung. There was a process of learning to be wary when they were about. I am fortunate that I live on a farm and we have bumblebees regularly on our farm every year. The habitat suits them, and we try to ensure that that happens. Some hon. Members will be aware of the two species, the yellow bumblebee and the shrill carder bee, which are of particular concern as their populations have been almost completely decimated. As I said, I have a large number of beekeepers in my constituency, and an active beekeepers association. When I was able to have the honey, it was great. I am a diabetic now, so I am unable to have the lovely clear beautiful honey that the beekeepers make, but it does not take away my longing to have it. I suppose that is the attraction of it, but as long as I do not touch it I will probably be okay.
Bees are the major pollinators of most of our wildflowers, and if they continue to disappear, those plants will set fewer seeds. There is a fragile ecosystem that we are trying to maintain. My aunt Isobel taught me in Clady and Strabane, many years ago, about that fragile ecosystem and how we all come together to play our part as cogs in the wheel of what happens. Some of the sweeping changes to the countryside, which may come to be dominated by a different range of plants, could mean the countryside losing its colour if rare plants disappear. That is a fact; it is not made up. There is evidence that the process is already under way, which is why the motion the hon. Member for Cheltenham has moved today is so important. Those changes will have catastrophic effects on the wildlife that depends on those plants.
At home, we try to set aside and maintain habitat land for birds, flora and bees. As a shooting man and a conservationist, I am very interested in that. Bumblebees are of enormous commercial importance; many arable and horticultural crops depend on bumblebees for pollination to varying degrees. Oilseed rape can set adequate seed without bumblebees, but other crops such as broad, field and runner beans and soft fruit need them. They are important for honey production and for the balance they help to maintain.
The total value of Europe’s insect pollinators is estimated at some €14.2 billion, which cannot be ignored, because we have active organisations that produce honey. Crop yields are already falling in parts of the countryside, so it is essential that we conserve our remaining bumblebee populations and, if possible, restore them to their past abundance. That should be our target: not to retain, but to produce more. It is important that we understand how the bumblebee and the honey bee work. To support a healthy population, large tracts of land must be managed sympathetically, and UK nature reserves are too small in isolation to help as they should. There has been a collapse in the numbers of bumblebees and honey bees in the United States; some beekeepers have lost up to 90% of their population, while the bee population has fallen by 30% in other parts.
We need to invest in our farmers and encourage them to adopt the appropriate agricultural and environmental schemes to support the replanting of hedgerows. We need to recreate the hay meadows and the flower-rich grasslands and use wild flowers and traditional cottage garden plants in gardens nationwide. We need to take action. We look to the Minister, as we often do, to take those steps to protect the bees, and consequently, our entire ecosystem and the crop system that feeds us.
I thank my hon. Friend Alex Chalk for securing the debate. The health of Britain’s bee population is of great concern to a number of my constituents, including members of Havering Friends of the Earth.
I must declare a personal interest in the debate. It is particularly close to the heart of my father, who 10 years ago fulfilled a boyhood dream to become a beekeeper. The two hives at our family home now produce award-winning local honey, and dad has become an active member of his local beekeeping association and a minor bee celebrity with his beekeeping advice column in the local paper. On seeing the debate on the Order Paper, I fired off an email demanding that dad produce me a briefing. In the interests of transparency, I confirm that he acted as an unpaid intern in thatassignment.
The threats to UK bees have been eloquently outlined by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham, so I shall not repeat them. However, it is worth noting that, if our national cow herd or chicken flock were declining at as astonishing a rate as the bee population, there would likely have been emergency Government action many years ago. I very much welcome the work that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and his team are now doing to back further restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids and to continue the national pollinator strategy. However, I have a number of questions about that work that I should be grateful if the Minister answered.
First, we are now three years into that pollinator strategy. Will the Minister advise whether he believes it is working and is adequately funded? Beekeepers want to ensure that the strategy truly deals with the major threats to bees, such as varroa mite. Local beekeeping associations do what they can to fund research into the mite, such as sponsoring PhD students.
I am following what my hon. Friend is saying very closely. Does she agree that another thing we need to carefully look at and do more research on, particularly as winter is approaching, is colony death in winter?
Absolutely. I cannot claim to be a bee expert, but I know that my dad often gets very concerned about the winter months, and I agree with what he says.
Beekeepers feel that part of the answer when it comes to varroa mite is to have as many people keeping bees as possible, rather than treating bees with varroa-control chemicals and then allowing natural selection to produce varroa-resistant bees. We therefore need the next generation to become beekeepers, and to try to promote bees to young people. However, that can be wrapped up in bureaucracy, such as beekeepers who want to go and talk to schools requiring Criminal Records Bureau checks. What plans do the Government have to help education in schools, and is sufficient research being funded into the effects and control of varroa mite?
Secondly, as we know, the next big threat is the use of pesticides, and I reinforce colleagues’ comments that there is no united opinion on the damage being done by these pesticides. Some beekeepers see existing scientific research as inconclusive and fear that, if these pesticides are banned, farmers may go back to using more harmful spraying chemicals. I should therefore be grateful if the Minister expanded on the Government’s current view on whether better research is required into the potential unintended consequences of the ban. Finally, the Asian hornet has been found in the UK and our Government have launched a destruction policy. Does the Minister believe that that policy is working and is properly funded?
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham for raising this important subject, which is central to the proper functioning of any future environmental policy. I am really excited by the energy and vivacity of the ministerial team and its desire to set out such a positive and ambitious post-Brexit environmental agenda. If we are to ensure that there is depth and credibility to that agenda, bee health must surely lie at its heart.
I also thank Alex Chalk for securing the debate. This is an important debate and it comes at an opportune time, as has already been said. I must declare an interest as a member of the British Beekeepers Association and as a supporter of the Bumblebee Conversation Trust.
I say to those following the debate that there is good news: the conversion of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the position on neonicotinoids has been important. He said that he is following the scientific evidence, and I think people applaud that. I do not want to sound as though I am giving doom and gloom following that good news, but it is set against the knowledge that pollinators in general, and honey bees in particular, are under massive pressure. Some of these things have already been discussed.
I will return to the theme of Julia Lopez, who rightly talked about the need for more research. We know that, all over the world, honey yields, for example, are in decline—not universally, but significantly. We also know that, across the world, winter colony collapse, which was referred to by Conservative Members, is important. A lot of the evidence suggests that that happens to colonies already weakened by some of the things we have already identified. These are massively important issues.
As we have already heard from the hon. Member for Cheltenham, the role of pollinators is fundamental to our agricultural way of life. Frankly, it is in the interests of producers—farmers—as well as those who have an interest in pollinators that we get this done together. One in every three mouthfuls of food that we have depends on pollinators, so it is fundamental to life, or at least to the way in which we do life, that we preserve our pollinators.
Obviously, the question of pesticides is fundamental, and I can only applaud what has been said: it is important that we do not jump, to quote the hon. Member for Cheltenham, from the neonicotinoid frying pan into other destructive pesticides and the problems they may cause. I urge the Minister to recognise that there is a need for fundamental research into what really makes a difference. Pesticides can play a legitimate role—we all want to see sustainable food crops—but they have to be used with the principle of making sure that we do no harm in the way that we develop those things.
Members have already referred to a number of other issues affecting our pollinator population, and some of those clearly lie under national control. The question of whether we use destructive pesticides is a national issue that we can move forward on, and we can begin to look at habitat loss at a national level. Those are important issues, but some of the issues are frankly more than just national issues. The varroa mite almost certainly came to Britain from Asia, almost certainly carried by beekeepers who wanted to bring in different strains of bees to improve the European and British bee strain. The hive beetle comes from Africa, and where Asian hornets migrated from is obviously self-evident. All of that indicates that we cannot protect the British pollinator population simply by pretending that we can create some kind of wall around the United Kingdom. This is not an argument about Brexit but actually about looking at what research can do.
We need to make sure that we now establish a research framework that is radically different from that which has existed in the past. The amount of money spent on research into pollinators is trivial, frankly, compared with the amount of money we spend as a nation and a world on research into other areas of agricultural production. That has to change if we are to recognise the central importance of pollinators. It is not only the flowers and the fruits that depend on our pollinators; it is cucumbers, cauliflowers, cabbages and many of the things we take for granted.
I urge the Minister to recognise that need for fundamental research. That would obviously be a UK thing, but we need to work with those around the world, because whether it is the United States, Australia, the rest of Europe or other parts of the world, the issues of colony collapse, colony decline, the decline of honey and the decline of pollinators more generally are held in common. Research is easy to call for, but we need practical application, with the scientific integrity the Secretary of State has fortunately followed in the case of neonicotinoids, so that we can begin to resolve the other issues that weaken our pollinator population.
I start by thanking my hon. Friend Alex Chalk for securing this important debate. He is the vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for bees, which I am very proud to chair. We came together to set the group up because one of the surprises on being new entrants here in 2015 was that we received more correspondence from constituents on bees and pollinators than perhaps any other political issue. It is fair to say that Brexit has now somewhat overtaken that, but that struck a chord. This is an incredibly important issue for our constituents and people across the country, and it is one that Parliament could do more on.
Politicians can talk a good game, but I have walked around this estate with ecologists from Kew, and a cursory glance shows that Parliament is an appalling place for bees and pollinators to thrive and survive in. One of our aims is to host a colony of bees on site and to try to turn some of this bare concrete barren land into a more natural habitat for bees. We would then not only talk a good game about the importance of bees and pollinators but demonstrate to our constituents when they visit that this is a place where pollinators can thrive.
That is particularly important, because we have seen in the last 20 years a 54% decline in the honey bee population. We should look beyond honey bees and, indeed, bees. We have also seen since the 1960s a 62% decline in the moth population. We know that pollinators are more prevalent on the non-bee side than the bee side. Without wishing to widen the debate too far, we should look at pollinators as a whole, not just bees and honey bees.
I am particularly grateful that the Government have listened to the science when it comes to neonicotinoids. The APPG for bees had taken quite a nuanced position, similar to the British Beekeepers Association. I think many people are excited by the advent of neonicotinoids, which mean that rather than having to spray seven times a year during the season when pollinators are most active, there is the opportunity to coat a seed. However, the science has been out; it seems to suggest that neonicotinoids have an impact on the productive system and nerve cells of bees as well as the flea beetle larvae that they were brought in to repel. The issue was that the lab-based studies were not particularly conclusive with regard to absolutely ensuring they reflected what was going on in the field.
Things changed over the summer. The two scientific studies to which my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham referred—one from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology focusing on the UK, Germany and Hungary, and the other a Canadian study—demonstrated that there were issues with respect to survival over winter and reproduction of bees. Again, we must look at the science. It was incredibly interesting that the UK colonies were largely being wiped out, but in Germany, there was no impact at all.
We should be very careful not to be complacent with this welcome change. I agree with the Government; the science now shows that neonicotinoids do have an impact, and there should therefore be further controls. I welcome the controls being brought in by the Government. However, in Germany, the habitat is much richer than in the UK. This is where I suggest we focus our next set of impactful tasks. Modern farming, the varroa mite, the wax moth, global warming, food fashions, habitat loss—particularly with regard to hedgerows—and the rush of beekeepers, for which I blame myself, mean that we have a much wider expanse of areas we need to look at. I welcome the Government’s change of approach—indeed, the APPG will be changing its approach, because we also agree with the latest science—but I ask them not to consider this as job done.
I gave statistics from the ’60s and from 20 years ago, but that was before neonicotinoids were brought in. The population of bees and pollinators has been declining because of not just neonicotinoids but the other issues I brought forth. I would like to see the Government focus more on those areas.
I maintain that farming in particular has grown more towards embracing the environment, and incentives for farmers in terms of production are based on that.
I am very much enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech, and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend Alex Chalk for securing the debate. I too have had more emails about this subject than anything, bar Heathrow and Brexit.
In the light of the comments my hon. Friend just made about the changing nature of agriculture in our country, does he share my concern about the behaviour of the National Farmers Union? It continues to trash the science in relation to the decline in pollinators, which has become incredibly clear, and also to scaremonger about the impacts of this ban in terms of yields, despite the fact that farmers have seen record yields over the last three years, when the ban has been in place across Europe. Does he share my concern that the NFU, which exists to speak for farmers, seems more inclined nowadays to speak for vested interests—for the pesticide firms and for agribusiness—and not for the farmers that it exists to defend?
Friends of the Earth was most annoyed, quite frankly, that the APPG was not tending absolutely to the view that neonicotinoids are bad and should be banned conclusively. Our view was that we should wait for field-based research to conclusively show that that is the case. I believe that such field-based research has now come through with these two studies, and therefore it behoves the NFU to take the same approach. As has been pointed out, the farming industry is worth £100 billion. Farmers should embrace the need to protect pollinators, because they effectively are the start of production. It is time the NFU came with us.
It is also right that we continue to follow science and see if there is any scientific evolution with regard to neonics to fix the bad impacts that currently exist. We should never close the door to that, but it behoves the NFU to get behind the latest viewpoint and move forward. That would delight Friends of the Earth.
I should also say, in the 20 seconds remaining, that I am the champion for one of the solitary bees that is alive and well in Gatwick. I am not sure that that will further the cause of my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park in terms of which airport should be expanded, but I am sure that bee will continue to survive in Gatwick.
I welcome the Government’s change of approach, and the APPG is very much with the Government’s change of direction.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I thank Alex Chalk for securing this debate on the importance of bees and other pollinators. I learned today that he has an impressive knowledge of the subject and a keen awareness of how important bees are. I compliment him on his genuine interest and wide personal understanding of the importance of pollinators and the waggle signal, which certainly will require further investigation by me; I have no idea what he was talking about, so I will have a look at that.
The National Bee Unit has identified the Asian hornet as a serious threat—a point well made by Government Members. Daniel Zeichner made an excellent point on replacements for pesticides, which have to be stringently tested for the safety of our pollinators. I agree with most of the concerns raised. Likewise, I have received many emails from people who are concerned about the threat to our bee population. Contributions today have been excellent, and I hope mine is up to the standard of other Members.
At least 1,500 species of pollinator insects live in the UK, including more than 250 species of bee. It is estimated that those pollinators add between £430 million and £603 million per year to the value of UK food crops, making an essential contribution to our food industry. Without doubt, they are essential for the survival of wild plants and natural ecosystems.
The health and strength of individual colonies has declined, making them more susceptible to disease and environmental pressures. It appears that overall, populations of wild pollinators have been in decline for the last 50 years. The generalist species, of bumblebees and solitary bees—those that can feed on a wide variety of plants—are thought to be maintaining their numbers and distribution, but the specialist species, which depend on specific plant species or nesting conditions, are thought to have declined and, in turn, populations of plant species that rely on specialist pollinator species have declined.
What are the threats to our pollinators? There seems to be no single factor responsible for pollinator decline. Instead, research points to its being driven by a combination of different pressures—mainly habitat loss, disease, climate change and pesticides—but how the effects of those pressures interact and how they affect individual bee species is poorly understood.
Pollinators, especially bees, rely on their ability to remember and navigate between nest sites and food sources to survive, so anything that disrupts those cognitive functions, whether pesticide exposure, disease or malnutrition, has survival implications. In relation to habitat loss, changes in land use and agricultural practices have reduced the abundance of both flower-rich habitat and nesting sites. Recent research in Germany and England suggests that the abundance of flower-rich habitat on agricultural land is now so poor that pollinators are surviving better in urban areas than rural ones.
However, pests and diseases are the foremost threat to managed bees. The Varroa mite is the world’s most devastating bee parasite. If a honey bee were the size of a human, a Varroa mite would be the size of a dinner plate. Even a single mite feeding on a bee’s blood is a significant drain on its health. However, it is the diseases carried by the mite that kill bee colonies.
Climate change is changing weather patterns and the flowering times and geographical distribution of pollinator food plants. Although devastating for some species, climate change is allowing others to extend their range. However, extreme weather events threatening colonies and their food sources are becoming more likely than ever. Wetter, more changeable weather in the spring and early summer limits population sizes and increases the risk of starvation.
The news that the Secretary of State intends to ban neonicotinoids should be welcomed, but this Opposition will be watching the implementation closely. If it is not an all-encompassing ban on this pesticide class, the danger is that users will merely switch to other neonicotinoids. The Government have argued in the past that the precautionary principle should be applied to economic risks alongside environmental ones. We totally agree with that.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I congratulate Alex Chalk on initiating the debate, in which we have heard excellent contributions. I thank my hon. Friend Tony Lloyd for bringing his serious expertise to the debate; it is much appreciated.
We have heard that scientific evidence about the harmful impact on pollinators and the persistence of the pesticide in habitats has been growing for some time. In 2012, DEFRA said that England had seen the greatest decline in the diversity of wild bees anywhere in Europe. We have also heard that, in June, the results of the field study on the impact of neonicotinoids were published and that that has provided the most conclusive evidence yet of the impact of neonicotinoids on pollinators. We know that farmers had concerns that decisions were being based on lab tests rather than field tests, so it is good that the recent studies were field tests and have put that argument and those concerns to rest.
We also know that when neonicotinoids are used on one crop, residues of the pesticide can be found right across the wider habitat. That contaminates pollinators’ food sources and not only the specific crops where the neonicotinoids are used. Wider investigations have shown that neonicotinoids can persist in soil for many years. The pesticide is taken up by flowering weeds or flowering crops, which can cause even more damaging exposure for the pollinators.
I therefore welcome the Secretary of State’s support, now, for a total ban on the use of neonicotinoids. A ban was in the Labour party’s 2017 manifesto, and we are proud to have led the way on this critical issue. Earlier this year, I wrote to the Secretary of State requesting clarification as to why Conservative MEPs were frustrating votes at EU level on a ban on neonicotinoids. Can the Minister provide a guarantee that the position announced by the Secretary of State is confirmed and that Conservative representatives at EU level will now hold that position and not undermine any further votes on neonicotinoids?
It is clear from this debate that we are all in no doubt about the importance of pollinators to our food supply, biodiversity and economy. We need to do more to encourage people to take up beekeeping and to have more interest in that. We have bees on our land. They are not ours; we do not look after them, but because we have the land and the right conditions, we have encouraged others, who have the time and the interest, to come and look after hives on our land. We could all encourage more of that.
We could also encourage local authorities to do more work. In Plymouth, the then Labour council introduced city-wide bee corridors. That simple act has helped bee numbers to increase in the city. It involved sowing grass verges with wild flower seeds. The different British wild flowers produce fabulous roadside views for people who go down there, but also the habitat that bees need. That is an example of the creative interventions that local authorities can make.
Over the weekend, the Secretary of State highlighted the economic contribution of pollinators, citing estimates of £400 million to £680 million being added every year to agricultural productivity. However, we need to take into full consideration the importance of pesticides for farmers. Farmers have to protect their crops and livelihoods from threats throughout the growing season. How do the Government propose to work with farmers to develop and invest in alternatives to neonicotinoids? We know that it is not just pesticides that pose a risk to pollinator populations, but temperature changes and increased extreme weather incidents caused by climate change. I am therefore delighted that the shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced Labour’s intention to factor climate change into financial forecasts and policy making. That should enhance the future sustainability of farming and safeguard future pollinator populations.
I would like to finish with a quote from Professor David Goulson of the University of Sussex:
“Insects make up about two-thirds of all life on Earth”,
“there has been some kind of horrific decline. We appear to be making vast tracts of land inhospitable to most forms of life, and are currently on course for ecological Armageddon. If we lose the insects…everything is going to collapse.”
The case for a permanent ban is now unassailable, and I welcome the developing political consensus on the matter.
I congratulate my hon. Friend Alex Chalk on securing this debate on such an important issue. I also commend the work that he does in the APPG on bees. He gave a very uplifting speech. As he said, we Conservatives believe in conservation; we want to leave an environmental legacy, and our pollinators are incredibly important to our environment.
Often in debates on this issue there is a focus on pesticides, but as a number of hon. Members—in particular, my hon. Friend Huw Merriman—have pointed out, a big role is played by loss of habitat. In fact, a lot of analysis suggests that loss of habitat has been the key driver of the decline in our pollinators. As my hon. Friend rightly pointed out, declines have taken place since the 1950s—long before neonicotinoids were invented.
There is no doubt that our bees face many pressures. However, the population data are complex. Many species of wild bee and other insect pollinators have declined over the last 30 to 50 years. A few have increased, but the net effect has clearly been negative. Three of our native bumblebees have been lost from the UK—the apple bumblebee in the 1800s, Cullum’s bumblebee in the 1940s and the short-haired bumblebee in the 1980s. On a positive note, that last species is currently being reintroduced to Kent and has become a real focus for conservation and land management action.
Similarly, there has been a decline in the number of honey bees kept since the 1950s. Again, however, there has been better news more recently. I am referring to the renewed interest in beekeeping over the last decade, with membership of beekeeping associations and the number of registered colonies on the rise. The number of colonies registered with the National Bee Unit increased from just over 100,000 in 2009 to 195,000 this year. Often, those are amateur keepers with a couple of hives in their garden. My hon. Friend called for Parliament to have some beehives. DEFRA is already doing its bit: we have two beehives on the roof of our building—Nobel House in Smith Square.
Nevertheless, we should not be complacent. Wild and honey bees continue to face many challenges and we must maintain our efforts to help all our pollinators. The area of wildflower habitat on farmland, as well as the presence of clover leys in our rotations, declined substantially after the second world war, as farmers responded to our need for food. Many of the insect pollinators that have seen the greatest declines are those that are strongly associated with these habitats. On our protected sites and through countryside stewardship, we are putting these habitats back into the countryside and I am keen that we continue to do this as we develop our new environmental land management measures outside the European Union.
I turn now to the action the Government have taken in relation to this matter, first, our national pollinator strategy, which my hon. Friend Julia Lopez highlighted. This strategy sets out how the Government are taking a leading role in improving the status of the 1,500 pollinating insects in England. It sets out how Government, beekeepers, conservation groups, farmers, researchers and individuals can work together to achieve common goals. It builds on current policies across DEFRA, which support pollinators, including habitat creation and public engagement.
Secondly, I want to consider farm measures. We have introduced a pollinator and wildlife package to our countryside stewardship scheme, to help landowners provide year-round habitat such as flower-rich field margins. Since 2011, we have established more than 100,000 hectares of land that we are restoring to flower-rich habitat, principally through those agri-environment schemes. Forty per cent. of all 2016 countryside stewardship mid-tier agreements are delivering the pollinator and farm wildlife package. Last year, countryside stewardship applications increased by almost 45% and requests for mid-tier application packs are up this year. We have worked with farmers to make it easier and simpler to apply for the scheme and will continue working to improve it and make it simpler as we go forward.
Thirdly, on the Government estates, the Ministry of Justice planted over two miles of native hedgerows and created over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows in 2016. The Ministry of Defence has collaborated with organisations such as Plantlife, National Parks, the Wildlife Trusts and its own tenant farmers to set up suitable areas for pollinators to thrive, including through the creation of wildflower meadows.
Fourthly, in addition to supporting our pollinators with habitat creation, we have put in place measures to improve our understanding of the status of pollinators in our environment. We have established a monitoring and research partnership with research institutions and volunteer organisations. This partnership will allow us to gather further data on the status of our pollinators and the challenges they face.
I do not want to introduce a disagreeable note, but if the Minister compares, for example, the amount of money we have spent, under all Governments, as a nation, on issues such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or bovine TB, with the amount of money we spend, or do not spend, on research into protecting our pollinators, what can we look forward to from this Government to significantly increase those research efforts?
First, I mentioned the countryside stewardship schemes. That is a £3 billion programme going to those environmental stewardship schemes during the course of the financial perspective that the EU looks at. That is a large amount of money, and, as I said, a lot of that is focused on those pollinator packages. Specifically on research, we have supported the Insect Pollinator Initiative, that is a £10 million research programme, which still produces high quality science papers that help us to understand the importance of pollinator populations to UK agriculture.
Awareness raising is also important, as several hon. Members pointed out. It is a key feature of our national pollinator strategy. We have established a “Bees’ Needs” campaign, including public events, talks, best practice advice and award ceremonies to demonstrate and acknowledge people’s work to provide suitable habitat for bees and other insects. This year, my noble Friend Lord Gardiner presented 17 awards to individuals and groups who have shown best practice in all areas of pollinator work. Winners included honey-bee keepers, community groups, farmers and schools.
As a number of hon. Members pointed out, including my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch and Upminster, we also have to address the effect of pests and disease on our pollinators. As part of our support for pollinators, we continue to protect our honey bees through the healthy bees plan and the work of the National Bee Unit. Our team of bee inspectors visited over 6,000 beehives last year, looking for harmful pests and diseases. It is through the hard work of our inspectors that endemic diseases such as the foulbroods remain at low levels. They provide advice on good husbandry practices to thousands of beekeepers to help them manage other important pests like varroa. It is pleasing to observe the collaboration between beekeepers and the National Bee Unit. Registration of beekeepers on the National Bee Unit’s voluntary database is on the rise. It has gone up from 20,000 in 2009 to over 40,000 today. To support these beekeepers, we continue to aspire to educate and improve husbandry standards right across the country. This year, the National Bee Unit provided talks at 190 beekeeping events reaching some 9,000 beekeepers.
I want to mention the Asian hornet. My right hon. Friend Sir Hugo Swire highlighted this in an intervention. The training we have done has been of great value in detecting the Asian hornet. In 2016, we witnessed their arrival in the UK in an outbreak in Gloucestershire and Somerset. We also, as he pointed out, saw a separate outbreak in Devon earlier this year. Both incidents were reported by beekeepers and, through the sterling efforts of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, both nests were destroyed and no further hornets have been seen.
I want to turn finally to the issue of pesticides. As several hon. Members acknowledged, last week we announced our support in principle for further restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides. There has been additional evidence in the last two years that they are harmful to bees and other pollinators. We have always been clear that we will follow the science on these matters. The advice from the UK Government’s advisory body, the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides, is that the evidence now suggests that the environmental risks posed by neonicotinoids—particularly to our bees and pollinators—are probably greater than previously understood.
My hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham said that we were initially sceptical in 2013, as a Government, about the initial restrictions that were brought in. That is correct. Our chief scientific adviser’s advice at that point was that he did not believe the doses bees were likely to get would be a problem, but he was always clear that there should be further field trials. The first of those field trials was carried out in Sweden by Rundlof and others, and that concluded that there could be some impacts, particularly on bumblebees, and on that basis we moved to supporting the existing restrictions. However, in the light of subsequent, more recent proposals from the Commission, we asked the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides for its view. In particular, it looked at some evidence from Woodcock and others that concluded that there may be a persistence of neonicotinoids in soils, and that that may therefore have wider effects beyond the immediate impact on pollinators. As a precaution, we have decided to act on that. The committee was clear in its recent advice, which we have published, that the evidence is not that clear at the moment, but it is, it believes, reason to extend the restrictions further and that is why we have taken our current position.
Many hon. Members have talked about some of the unintended consequences and we must be mindful of those. There will more use of pyrethroids—greater use of those applications—which can also have environmental impacts and lead to growing resistance to the dwindling number of synthetic pesticides that we have left. It is also the case that we have seen an increase in the use of neonicotinoids in winter cereals, partly because other products, such as pirimicarb, were withdrawn from the market. This is a complex area. In the long term, we need to look at integrated pest management, with a wider range of approaches to tackle crop protection.
This has been an excellent debate. From Strangford in Northern Ireland, to Falkirk in Scotland and to Bexhill and Battle in the south of England, I think there has been a joint position across this House. Everyone has spoken with authority and eloquence. There are three key points I wish to draw out. First, bees and pollinators are not just nice to have, but a vital part of our food chain. Secondly, science and nothing else must underpin our approach to the environment. Thirdly, if we maintain the interest and energy that has been shown here today, I am convinced that the tide can be turned and the future for our bees can be bright.
Motion lapsed, and sitting adjourned without Question put ( |
Formed in 1967 by guitarist and principal creative force Peter Green, and adding Mick Fleetwood on drums, John McVie on bass and Jeremy Spencer on guitar, Fleetwood Mac started out as a British blues band but quickly branched out, dabbling in the psychedelia of the day. After Green suffered a tragic breakdown, a succession of guitarists, including Danny Kirwan and Bob Welch, took the helm; the group’s commercial fortunes waned but they produced some unsung gems of albums. Adding keyboardist and vocalist Christine Perfect, followed by vocalist Stevie Nicks and guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham, in the mid-70s, Fleetwood Mac’s fortunes changed dramatically. The best Fleetwood Mac songs from this era came to embody the excesses of 70s rock’n’roll, while the group produced a string of huge-selling albums packed with glossy, harmony-packed soft rock.
They’ve sold over 120 million records worldwide, with their 1977 blockbuster, Rumours, shifting over 45 million copies on its own. And, as September 2020’s viral Dreams TikTok showed, their songs continue to win new over new generations of music fans while influencing musicians everywhere.
Here, then, are our 20 best Fleetwood Mac songs.
20: Don’t Stop (from ‘Rumours’, 1977)
By the time Rumours was being recorded, Christine and John McVie’s relationship had deteriorated to the point where the newly-divorced couple were no longer on speaking terms. In typical Fleetwood Mac fashion, Christine wrote Don’t Stop to draw a line under the relationship and try to reassure her ex-husband that better times were on the horizon (“All I want is to see you smile/If it takes just a little while”). From tough times came a sunny pop-blues singalong that brimmed with optimism. It grew into a live favourite and was even used as Bill Clinton’s campaign song for the 1992 US presidential election. |
Joni Mitchell ‘The Asylum Years (1972-1975)’ Announced
Joni Mitchell has announced the next instalment of her Archives series with The Asylum Albums (1972-1975), a box set featuring remastered versions of For The Roses, Court And Spark, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, and the double live album, Miles Of Aisles.
The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) will be released on 23 September as either a 4CD or 5LP 180-gram vinyl set. Each version is limited to 20,000 copies. The set will also be available digitally The newly remastered version of You Turn Me On I’m A Radio from For The Roses is available today on digital download and streaming services. Listen below:
The cover art for The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) features a previously unseen painting by Mitchell. The set also includes an essay by friend and fellow Canadian Neil Young. He writes: “Joni’s music is so deep and transporting. She comes right from the source. There is no mistaking it… For The Roses, Court And Spark, Miles Of Aisles, and The Hissing Of Summer Lawns… are all classics in my book. I listened to every album as it came out. The musicians she played with were always above my abilities. She had grown from folk to jazz and in between, creating a unique kind of sound that I loved to listen to over and over.”
Fans who pre-order the CD or LP version of The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) from JoniMitchell.com will also receive an exclusive, limited edition 7” x 10” of the painting on the cover of the box.
The new collection heralds the upcoming release of Joni Mitchell Archives Vol 3, which will arrive next year. It will be the third instalment in the comprehensive archival series exploring different eras of Mitchell’s celebrated career through unreleased studio and live recordings. VOL. 3 will focus on the timeframe when she recorded the albums included in The Asylum Years (1972-1975). |
The size shown is the current modern size, as per our size guide found here.
Where appropriate we convert item label sizes to modern standardized sizing as per our size guide.
Why? Vintage clothing label sizes can vary from today's standardized clothing sizes.
The life each item has had may also alter the actual size relative to the size on its label, through washing and wear.
If extra detail is required for sizing we will indicate this in the items notes.
All our orders are shipped fully tracked, updates are provided by text or email.
We offer standard and express shipping options, as well as a variety of different couriers.
We ship worldwide.
For more information please see our shipping guide: here.
If you are unhappy with your order you are welcome to return it within
30 days from the purchase date.
How to return?
UK customers can download a QR code and have their return label printed at drop off points around the UK. Follow steps here: UK Return
International customers please follow the steps here: International Return
There is no VAT tax to pay for our EU customers on orders less than €150.
The UK has left the EU. We utilise the IOSS scheme to pay for VAT on our EU customers behalf on orders under €150.
On orders over €150 taxes & duties may apply according to local country rates.
Why buy Vintage ?
Choose that unique style you won’t find on the high street. Choose quality clothing that’s made to last. Choose circular fashion over fast fashion, and reduce the fashion industry’s impact on the world.
Why Thrifted.com ?
We at Thrifted believe in circular fashion, moving away from the “buy, wear, chuck” mentality of high street fast fashion. We believe in clothing made from quality materials that lasts, that can have three, four owners in its lifetime.
All our website items are hand selected for their quality and style. We only select the best vintage items for www.thrifted.com, removing all torn or marked items from the system; any errors at all will be photographed and detailed in the description. We sell only true vintage pieces and original brands, no fakes ever. |
Dr. Zoellner and Clay Clark team up to teach you the 8 keys to effective advertising and how to make advertisements that generate leads and a solid return on investment + everything you need to know about credit card processing with WorkWithKaz.com.
- The advertisement must be memorable – “If you’re remarkable, it’s likely that some people won’t like you. That’s part of the definition of remarkable. Nobody gets unanimous praise–ever. The best the timid can hope for is to be unnoticed. Criticism comes to those who stand out.”- Seth Godin
- The advertisements must be consistent – “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” – Proverbs 10:4
- You must make a hot no-brainer advertisement that consumers simply cannot say no to!!!
- You must make your call to action simple
- You must repeat your call to action
- You must have your retargeting advertisements on
- You must gather objective reviews from your happy customers
- Use humor when possible
- Ravi Singh is a stout Sikh believer with a long and decent history serving the community, was resentenced November 9, 2020, after 6 years of a legal battle.
- Ravi, if you could plead your case to the American people, what is it that you want to tell them?
- What crimes have you been accused of?
- What did you do and not do?
- What was your background previous to being charged?
- Why do you believe that you have been specifically targeted?
- Who specifically has been targeting you?
- What evidence can you provide that you are in fact not guilty?
- Ravi, what about your trial do you believe to be unfair?
- What is the message that you want to communicate to our 500,000 + listeners from coast to coast?
- Ravi Singh is an American entrepreneur and author. He was the first U.S. cadet to graduate from a military academy with a turban. He worked as a legislative assistant to Illinois Lt Governor Bob Kustra. He also worked with Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. He served as liaison to the Asian Pacific American community. Ravi Singh has always had the heart to serve the community from when he was a young man.
- He served his roles diligently, and he got recognition for a job well done. Community leaders, colleagues, religious leaders, friends, and neighbors speak very highly of him. Ravi Singh has not only been serving his family, he has been using his personal time to help people, even teaching young children. In the 2010s, after working with countless people from board members to world leaders with his technology, ElectionMall.com, Ravi Singh was profiled in Business Week Magazine and USA Today as the “Campaign Guru.”
- The Justice Department charged Ravi Singh with illegally helping a foreigner influence the election process in San Diego during the 2012 and 2013 election cycles, and he was arrested January 17, 2014, and released on bail four days later. Since then, he has been battling the charges and trying to improve his personal and educational status. He completed a Master’s Degree in Political Science, a Ph.D. in social media and technology from Ashford University in 2019. He is also now married to Elena Singh.
- On May 16, 2019, the Ninth Circuit panel reversed Ravi Singh’s convictions on count 37 for falsification of campaign records, vacated the sentences, and remanded for resentencing. The Ninth Circuit conclusion was that the evidence provided was insufficient to prove that Singh willfully caused the Filner campaign to file false records.
- Just yesterday, November 9, 2020, Ravi Singh was resentenced in federal court to one year in prison for conspiring with Mexican billionaire Susumo Azano to make almost $600,000 in illegal political contributions to candidates Bonnie Dumanis and Bob Filner in the 2012 San Diego mayoral campaign in an effort to buy “a friend in the Mayor’s office.” Singh was ordered to report to prison on January 11, 2021.
- Ravi Singh’s sentence for conspiring with Azano and others to inject hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind consulting services to the Dumanis and Filner campaigns seems vague. There was no actual evidence presented. There is nothing tangible against Ravi Singh, showing that he was a part of a conspiracy. The term conspiracy itself has a negative connotation, inferring that the appeal to a conspiracy is based on prejudice or insufficient evidence. When Ravi Singh appealed at the Ninth Circuit, the claim that he falsified campaign documents records, it was concluded that the federal government lacked evidence to prove that he actually did that.
- Evidence ought to show beyond a reasonable doubt that Ravi Singh acted with the knowledge and intention of helping Azano commit the crime of making donations and contributions. This was not the case, and it raises a couple of questions. The resentencing was based on assumptions and not facts. He was sentenced under conspiracy charges which have no proof. So, not really guilty.
- Was Ravi Singh sentenced for a crime that was not committed?
- Yesterday’s sentencing is based on a conspiracy, not facts. Could there be a hidden agenda behind the case, and there are fears that if Ravi Singh continues to live as a free man, he can uncover some truth about the case that proves his innocence and other people were involved? Is there someone who fears that this truth could come out? |
top of page
TIM SAPPINGTON DESIGNS
Use tab to navigate through the menu items.
Let's create something together
Reach out to me at
to connect and learn more about my work. I would love to hear from you.
bottom of page |
Title Loans Chesapeake VA
If you are in a situation where you need money immediately and don’t have any other means to get it, you may want to consider taking out a title loan in Chesapeake, VA. These loans are quick and easy to obtain, and the process itself will not take more than half an hour. Although title loans are not available in every state, they are an inexpensive and convenient option for many individuals.
These loans are the perfect option for people who have bad credit and need money quickly. The application process can be done online or in person, depending on the lender’s location. Before applying for a title loan, however, make sure you check the reputation of the lenders and read customer reviews to make sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy and reputable provider. If you’ve never gotten a title loan before, you should look elsewhere for a loan.
Car Title Loans Chesapeake VA
One of the main benefits of Chesapeake title loans is that you can drive your car while you pay off the loan. During this time, the lender assumes ownership of the vehicle, but you retain possession of it. Once the loan agreement is up, you’ll regain full ownership of your car. It’s important to note that title loans aren’t available in all states, so if you have a low income and are in a financial bind, you may be unable to get a loan through other methods.
Taking out a title loan in Chesapeake, VA is easy and fast. Most lenders will approve your application in less than ten minutes, and you’ll receive the money you need the next day. You won’t even need a credit check, so you can take advantage of the benefits of title loans in Chesapeake, VA. If you’re in need of money quickly, don’t hesitate to apply for a title loan in Chesapeak, VA.
Car Equity Loans Chesapeake VA
In Chesapeake, Virginia, title loans are a fast solution for cash problems. While they may be difficult to qualify for, car title loans are a popular choice among many consumers. They can be taken out on a short notice and require collateral. This means you can use your vehicle whenever you need it. The money you borrow will be available to you in a matter of hours.
To qualify for a title loan, you must be an owner of a car that is fully paid, and have equity in the car. You must also be a US citizen and own a car with a lien on it. You should be 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license. Additionally, you should have a source of income that is enough to cover the loan.
Title Pawn Chesapeake VA
While there are several advantages of car title loans, the main one is that you don’t need a high credit score to qualify for these loans. Most lending companies won’t even check your credit, and they’ll base the loan on the value of the car. You can also take out a title loan in Chesapeake, VA, regardless of your employment status. These types of loans are fast and easy to get, and they can help you in a variety of financial situations.
When you need money in an emergency, the benefits of Title Loans in Chesapeke Virginia are many. The first is that they are fast and convenient. You can get the money you need in as little as 30 minutes. In addition to that, they can even help you if you have bad credit. Unlike other types of loans, title loans in Chesapeake Virginia will not put you out of business.
The second benefit of Chesapeake Virginia title loans is their fast approval. This type of loan is very convenient and fast. It’s easy to apply, so you can do it at home or even in the traffic jam. Another benefit is that you can pay off the loan in small installments. Most lenders allow you to divide the payment into smaller amounts, so you can afford it over the long run. |
Entire contents Copyright ©2024 TN Knife Company. All Rights Reserved. TN Knife Company does not accept liability for incorrect spelling, printing errors (including prices), incorrect manufacturer's specifications or changes, or grammatical inaccuracies in any product included on the Website. Prices subject to change without notice.
*Sales Disclaimer: If you are not sure about the legality of any item for sale on our website, you MUST contact your local District Attorney's Office and ask them if you can carry or own suspected items in your state. Many states allow you to own suspected items but not carry them. Suspected items are not to be used as weapons or to cause bodily harm or damage to personal property in any way. It's YOUR responsibility to know the law before you order. It's the responsibility of the buyer, NOT THE SELLER, to ascertain, and obey, all applicable local, state, and federal laws in regard to the possession and use of any item on this site. All equipment is sold subject to public law 90-351, title III, U.S.D., Section 2511, and any local, state or federal ordinances. Also, any attempt in entrapment by any law enforcement agency will be met with swift legal action. TN Knife will not be held liable for the misuse of any product listed on this website. By purchasing any item from our site - the buyer warrants compliance with all local, state, and federal law, and that the buyer is legally able to purchase such items from our website or catalog. TN Knife disclaims any and all liability related to improper, illegal, unintended use or modification of weapons sold through our website or catalog. The purchaser, user or participant assumes all risk of injury from any use.
Powered by Pro-Active |
I well remember that one of my high school teachers would often announce a pop quiz at the beginning of class: “Put your books and papers under your seat, and place only a pen or pencil on your desk.” When this happened, we all knew that we were about to find out if we really knew the subject matter.
All of us have had our education, knowledge, and skills tested in numerous ways throughout our lives. Testing is a means of objective assessment. As long as the testing instrument is not flawed, testing is a means of fair determination.
Many have heard an auditorium sound system being tested—someone stands at a microphone saying, “Testing, testing, one, two, three,” or something similar, in order to determine if the system is working correctly. Another familiar test is that of the Emergency Alert System on television and radio, which was established to provide United States presidents with the means to address the American people in case of a national emergency. Periodic testing ensures the readiness of the system and familiarizes the public with its use.
Did you know that Almighty God tests His servants, so as to know the state of their hearts and minds? He did this with His chosen people, the ancient nation of Israel, even as they came out of Egyptian bondage (Deuteronomy 8:2).
Abraham is, perhaps, the most notable example of a servant of God being tested at a level none of us would want to experience. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, an heir of promise for whom he had long waited (Genesis 22:1–2). Abraham was obedient to his Creator in this matter and trusted that God would be faithful to His promise, “In Isaac shall your seed be called” (Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11: 17-18). Once God knew that Abraham believed Him and would obey even in the face of such a trying command, God stopped the ancient patriarch at the last moment, saying, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God” (v. 12).
Again and again, God tested His people Israel to see whether they would obey Him or not (Deuteronomy 8:2; Exodus 16:4). “The righteous God tests the hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:9) and “tests the righteous” (Psalm 11:5). God told Jeremiah, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10).
God is still testing His people today to know what is in their hearts and minds. The Apostle Peter said that followers of Jesus Christ would experience trials to test the genuineness of their faith (1 Peter 1:6–7). The Apostle James encouraged the brethren to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:3).
Some students learn that a “self-test” is an excellent way to find out how well they know the subject and to know whether or not they are ready to take an exam. Research has also confirmed that one effective way to learn new material is to test yourself by asking yourself questions about the subject you are learning. Self-testing will reveal what you know—and, perhaps more importantly, what you don’t know.
This ancient wisdom is found in the Bible. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Apostle Paul told the church, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, we are told to “test all things; hold fast what is good.”
Here is a simple self-test: Ask yourself, Do I know the Lord? The answer is found in 1 John 2:3; “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” And, in case someone asks, “Aren’t the commandments ‘done away’?,” be sure to read our free study guide The Ten Commandments to find out. Study it with your own Bible. Then, test yourself! |
Awaken your senses in Alaska, by Cunard. Witness fascinating beauty. A vacation with Cunard is an escape into another world. Where you have the chance to experience something new every day or enjoy the luxury of doing nothing at all. Where time unfurls at your own pace and life’s greatest pleasures are yours to savor. On an Alaska voyage enjoy a front-row seat on the spacious deck of Queen Elizabeth® as she sails through crisp waters. Revel in breathtaking views, including the stunning Hubbard Glacier and the vast and varied Glacier Bay National Park. Enriching days and enthralling nights await with Cunard on our 2022 voyages into the Last Frontier.
Up to $200 Onboard Credit on Select Voyages
The Affluent Traveler exclusive offers are for new bookings only.Cruise offers are based on availability, are capacity controlled, apply to selected VIP sailings and combinability with other offers is subject to change or cancellation at any time per the cruise line's discretion. Other restrictions may apply. The amenity offered is only available for US and Canada residents.
Upgrade subject to availability. Click here for complete terms and conditions..
Cunard enlightens and let’s you discover the spirit of Alaska through insightful onboard programs. Queen Elilzabeth is your guide as you sail to the breathtaking ports of call in Alaska, enriching your journey with insightful speakers and rewarding experiences along the way. On shore, encounter the richc culture, traditions and pristine wilderness of each destination. On board, hear from captivating speakers, including explorers and scientists, and dine on fresh Alaska-inspired cuisine prepared by our chefs.
~ Dress to impress at our spectacular Ice White Ball in our transformed Queens Room.
~ Discover new flavors with our ‘Taste of Alaska’ Gala dining menu.
~ Enjoy world-class shows including Top Hat and performances by local artists.
~ Hear personal perspectives from ‘Cultural Heritage Guides’ who reveal the lives of the indigenous Alaskan people and their traditions.
~ Learn more from naturalist experts during live bridge commentary about the wilderness of Alaska, in association with the National Park Service.
~ Soak in the pristine beauty of Alaska’s most notable glaciers.
~ Taste Alaska’s best-kept culinary secrets with live cooking demonstrations.
~ Sip local craft beer on board from Alaskan Brewing Co.
~ Celebrate with exclusive cocktails inspired by Alaska.
~ Cozy up with blankets and a hot chocolate on deck as you admire the view.
~ Enjoy opportunities to hear stories through riveting lectures and engaging seminars as you cruise along scenic waters.
~ Speakers joining Cunard for select voyages during the 2022 season:
They will reveal fascinating insights about their personal experiences in Alaska.
Ashore, vast wilderness awaits. Discover remarkable natural wonders, unparalleled wildlife, and the rich cultural legacy of “The Great Land”, as you explore this wild frontier with Queen Elizabeth. Each day in Alaska presents you with awe-inspiring wonders. Revel at the blue hues of the immense Hubbard Glacier calving before your eyes as you journey to Glacier Bay – where you’ll experience some of the world’s most spectacular tidewater glaciers.
Visiting by ship is perfect for these icy northern reaches as many destinations are not easily accessible by land. From the towering rainforests of Icy Strait Point and the Russian charms of Sitka to the enigmatic totem poles dotting quaint Ketchikan and mesmerizing whale watching in Juneau, there’s much to explore.
A voyage with Cunard is an escape into an unrivaled world of freedom and possibility, with as much or little to do as you please. The choice is yours. |
TOUCH Senior Group Home (TSGH) aims to enable older persons with little or no family support to continue living in an elder-friendly environment. The one-room rental flats funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, in collaboration with the Housing Development Board and TOUCH, are furnished with elder-friendly features.
The seniors we support are aged 60 and above, referred by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and are eligible to live in HDB rental flats.
Our social workers assess their individual needs, coordinate and facilitate services, including monitoring their health and safety within the Senior Group Home, financial assistance, hospital admissions, medical appointments and counselling sessions.
Through its work, TSGH hopes to help these seniors in the following ways:
- Enable them to be more independent and take greater personal responsibility in managing their health and safety
- Encourage the seniors living together to look out for one another's needs
- Leverage on existing community services to enhance the seniors' well-being and quality of life
- Network with other agencies in the community
To check for eligibility for this service, please contact the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)
to request help in the application. |
Koro Sun Resort is located in the north or Fiji, with an unspoiled location on the island of Vanua Levu. This Fiji Resort accommodation in Savusavu is surrounded by the warm, crystal clear waters of the Koro Sea, perfect for snorkelling or scuba diving with an abundant marine life, or exploring the calm waters by sea kayak. Koro Sun Resort is set amidst landscaped tropical gardens and acres of beautiful rainforest consisting of wildlife, gorgeous natural waterfalls and lush native plants waiting to be explored.
This Fiji accommodation consists of over 40 beautifully appointed Fijian style bures and villas, offering views of the tropical gardens, azure ocean or the stunning reefs. This contemporary Fijian accommodation offers privacy and exclusive style with pleasing shades of luxurious perfection.
The Koro Sun Resort features many activities and facilities to make your stay at this Fiji hotel as busy or as laid back as you wish. While parents enjoy a relaxing massage at the day spa or a round of golf through the picturesque property, children aged 4 to 12 years will be entertained at the free Kids Club. Activities such as local school visits, lawn games, stand up paddle boarding, volleyball and more are arranged by the professional staff.
The lush tropical gardens and crystal clear waters surrounding The Koro Sun Resort, combined with the genuine warmth and friendliness of the Fijian people, will ensure your next Fiji holiday on your honeymoon or with family, is truly memorable.
The Koro Sun Resort features beautifully decorated Fijian style bures and vales, offering all-encompassing views of the tropical gardens, oceans and reefs. For peace and quiet there is no TV reception or telephones in any of the bures.
All Rooms Feature
Tropical Apartment: These quaint apartments are ideal for solo travellers or couples. Featuring a separate lounge and sitting area with a kitchenette and an outdoor courtyard. Room size is 28m². Bedding is 1 King Bed. Maximum room capacity is 3 Adults & Children.
Garden Bure: Surrounded by lush tropical gardens located alongside the golf course. Room size is 36m². Bedding is 1 King Bed. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults.
2 Bedroom Pool Bure: Featuring 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom as well as an outdoor stonewall shower, these bures are nestled amongst the rainforest and are ideal for families or groups. Also features a plunge pool, kitchenette and offers great views of the Koro Sun Golf Course. Room size is 58m². Bedding is 1 Queen Bed + 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 4 Adults & Children.
2 Bedroom Bure: Featuring 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom as well as an outdoor stonewall shower, this bure consists of a private screened porch area with a day bed with views to the golf course and gardens. Room size is 50m². Bedding is 2 King Beds + Sofa Bed. Maximum room capacity is 5 Adults & Children.
3 Bedroom Villa: Features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, kitchen, TV and DVD player. Located in the central part of the resort, half of the villa is perched over the water. that overlooks the lily ponds and rainforest. Room size is 148m². Bedding is 1 King Bed + 2 Queen Beds. Maximum room capacity is 6 Adults & Children.
Edgewater Villa: These 2-story bures features a master bedroom suite with rooftop deck overlooking the lagoon. The private courtyard features a plunge pool and sundeck while the overwater living room offers plush furnishings with glass port holes in the floor, to look into the waters below. Features a kitchenette and TV with DVD player. Room size is 108m². Bedding is 1 King Bed + Double Sofa Bed. Maximum room capacity is 4 Adults & Children.
Edgewater Bure: Featuring an exclusive view of the Koro Sea, these romantic villas offer spacious bathrooms, expansive views and a ladder that leads directly into the blue lagoon. The Edgewater Bures are a great choice for guests seeking a waterfront experience. This room type accommodates guests 16 years and older only. Room size is 47m². Bedding is 1 King Bed. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults.
Edgewater Floating Bure: This room type offers a direct-on-the-water experience. Access via a jetty, these adult only bures each float within the protected marina of the resort, offering the perfect experience for those who love to snorkel or want to kayak right from the deck of their bure. The bures offer a traditional Fijian style with touches of nautical décor, native "Dogo" wood accents as well as tropical thatched roofs. This room type accommodates guests 16 years and older only. Room size is 35m². Bedding is 1 King Bed. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults.
Edgewater Pool Bure: Ideal for honeymooners, these bures feature a plunge pool, private courtyard and deck with direct ladder access to the lagoon. This room type accommodates guests 16 years and older only. Room size is 54m². Bedding is 1 King Bed. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults.
2 Bedroom Marina Bure: These rooms are ideal for families with 2 large bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, along with a private pool and small mini-kitchen that overlooks the lagoon. Room size is 65m². Bedding is 2 King Beds. Maximum room capacity is 4 Adults & Children.
Palm Grove Restaurant: Located within the central clubhouse, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with dishes being prepared from the resorts gardens.
Latitude 17: This steak and seafood restaurant is Located on the resorts Edgewater Lagoon and provides the perfect setting for an intimate, romantic dining experience with spectacular ocean views. Guests will be spoilt with a selection of the freshest seafood, Asian and Thai dishes and other mouth-watering gourmet delights.
Sand Bar & Grill: Features alfresco dining and serves tapas, pizza, burgers, wraps, salads and seafood.
Levu Bar: Located within Palm Grove Restaurant serving great tropical cocktails, wine and beer.
Latitude 17 Bar: Soak up the ocean vistas and enjoy Happy Hour.
Wai Bar: This swim up poolside bar at the Edgewater Beach Club offers unique cocktails and a great place to chillax.
The following activities are free of charge:
The following activities are available at a charge:
Koro Sun Resort boasts some of the most diverse dive sites in Fiji, all of which are just a 5-15 minute boat ride away. Some of the most popular sites include the famous Namena Marine Reserve as well as the stunning SomoSomo Straits, known as the soft coral capital of the world. With its own dive shop, Koro Sun Resort is also ideally located to enjoy Pyramids and Purple Garden.
Rainforest Spa: Set amidst the lush tropical rainforest, this is the perfect setting to relax and indulge in some pampering. Splash out with a relaxing massage, a banana leaf body wrap or a rejuvenating facial and let the heady perfume of the tropical flowers and the soothing sounds of the running waterfalls transport you to world of peace and tranquillity.
Koro Sun Golf Course: This pristine 9 Hole Golf Course takes in some of the most stunning views and landscapes throughout the property. There's no better place to brush up on your golfing skills than Koro Sun Resort, boasting their own resident pro to assist beginners or amateurs alike.
Jungle Kids Club: Offers a FREE nanny service for infant children 0-3 years of age from the hours of 8am-4pm daily. Children aged 4-12 years can participate in the Jungle Kids Club program with a Bula Buddy. One Bula Buddy is provided for every 2-3 children offering a personalised service for families with both educational and recreation based activities. Open daily from 8am-4pm the kids club is a hive of fun and activity. The qualified staff will entertain children with activities such as rainforest hikes, introduction to Fijian culture, Fijian arts and crafts, tidal pool exploration, snorkelling (for 7 years & older), t-shirt painting, coconut leaf weaving, and sand village construction.
Koro Sun Resort offers the ultimate site for a romantic wedding ceremony. Exchange vows overlooking the reefs and rainforest, at sunset on the beach, beside a rushing waterfall, or under a gorgeous full moon glimmering across the South Pacific waters. You can choose to be escorted across a blue lagoon on a bamboo raft by Fijian warriors to add traditional Fijian culture to your wedding. Koro Sun Resort will provide a personal ceremony for your Fiji wedding with a picturesque tropical backdrop.
Fiji has 2 International Airports - Nadi and Nausori International Airport (near Suva). From these airports join light aircraft for scenic 50 minute flight to Savusavu, Vanua Levu Island followed by a short shuttle drive through gorgeous Fijian coconut plantations and rain forest before arriving at Koro Sun Resort.
Children: 0-12 years stay free
Check In: 2.00pm
Check Out: 10.00am
Reception: 24 Hours
Address: Savusavu, Fiji |
Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire
At Trafford Garden Rooms we have the perfect home solution. With our wide range of garden rooms, for all sizes of gardens, we bring to life your dreams for your home. Call us today! Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire
Adding more space to your home that can be delighted in all year has never been simpler. Our nursery rooms are ideal for garden workplaces, garden studios, and nursery structures. With regards to discovering more space in your home, a nursery room is an ideal arrangement. Our pre-constructed garden rooms are adjustable and accompanied a vinyl floor cover. There is an EPDM rooftop that is low support. Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire have a normal life expectancy of 20 years, which is ideal for a great many people. You can add different decks and various overhangs to the room and covered ground surface, file organizers, and the sky is the limit from there. In the event that you are searching for a seriously loosening up space, why not investigate a nursery room?
Adding pre-fabricated Nursery Workplaces
The expansion of pre-fabricated Nursery Workplaces is a colossal advance. These nursery workplaces are getting an ever increasing number of mainstream as of late as more individuals begin telecommuting. Having the advantages of a Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire permits you to work without interruptions and commotion that find inside the primary piece of your home. A nursery office can be a room that is worked to your principles and is a great spot to escape for the entirety of your over the web calls. You can set it up to have your very own experience that everybody will learn as your particular piece. Nursery workplaces arrive in an assortment of sizes and plans to suit your requirements.
Use is as a Nursery Studio
Nursery studios permit you to add a visitor room without really having the visitor in your home. This is an ideal space to likewise have your Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire in. On the off chance that you love to make and your manifestations are assuming control over your home, you should investigate the different nursery studios we have to bring to the table. We work with only the absolute best materials to present to you the most ideal expansion of your home. The nursery rooms are ideal for some things. You can likewise get a two-in-one, say an office and studio arrangement. Space is yours to do what you need with.
These nursery structures are somewhat fancier than your normal nursery shed. They will be very much protected, accompany lighting and warming, and have a polished off look. These spaces can be fun, refined, and upscale. They are ideal for she sheds just as office space, a little space for social occasion, or a workmanship studio. Utilize your creative mind and make some extraordinary memories with your nursery building. They are totally adaptable and prepared for how you intend to manage them. A few group have even utilized it to house their pets in a controlled climate to keep them protected and cheerful. Regardless of whether you are searching for a nursery office or need space to escape for yoga and unwinding, a nursery building is great. It’s anything but a kind of harmony and calm that a few of us miss in our principle home.
Nursery rooms are sheds on steroids. They are something beyond a Garden Offices Bacup Lancashire, they are a show-stopper that is hanging tight for your own touch. Each come conveyed and expertly introduced, call today. |
In 2013, Natural Gas Experts in Texas and Louisiana, launched their DuraDrive bi-fuel for fleet trucks. Now they have announced that they have delivered the first natural gas half-ton pickup trucks, according to Hard Working Trucks. Nat G CNG Solutions delivered 2015 model vehicles to a local business in Houston and San Antonio with a General Motors’ 5.3 liter direct injection engine. This allowed for each fleet to be upgraded to run on either natural gas or gasoline using the DuraDrive natural gas system. During the testing, the DuraDrive set a record for efficiency on an eight-cylinder natural gas truck by achieving 23 miles per gallon. The CEO of one of the company’s that took part in the testing stated, “It’s just a no brainer, the savings are incredible,” in reference to their gas bill.
To further enhance your fleets savings look into the Load'N'Go ST-2000 by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies. It is light enough for aluminum-body pickup trucks and ideal for continuous fuel and maintenance fleet savings. Load'N'Go truck bodies are completely transferable, on and off a pickup truck in minutes with no-holes-drilled installation. This means flexibility and higher overall value for fleets. An optional 1000 lb capacity drawer can be added to the Load'N'Go ST-2000 to provide extra organized storage in addition to the double-locking side compartments. Call your Fleetwest representative toll-free at 866-497-7200 to get a quote and learn more about adding flexibility and efficiency to your work truck fleet. |
Bad Birthday July 2nd 2014 Today is my birthday but I’m not expecting much of a day as we’re moving on to Brisbane for the ute service. I had a message and brief phone call from Brent wishing me “Happy Birthday”, which was nice and one from Jeanette. Barry has said we’ll have a special dinner in Brisbane maybe on Thursday.
We tried ringing Aunt Connie again but still no reply. We decided we’d drop in this afte ... read more
Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Springwood Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name... ... read more
I am a mature (aged anyway!) woman, married with 2 children, a daughter, now 29, who is living in England, and a son who is 25. I was an English language and literacy teacher in a community centre in Melbourne, where I live but am now sort of retired (temporarily at present). I originally came from England, where I met my Aussie husband and then moved to Australia to marry and raise my family.
I love travel and enjoy hearing about new places.... full info |
A Trema acaba de apresentar um novo serviço profissional de elaboração de projectos de investimento, com vista a candidaturas a programas de incentivos financeiros. Entre outros, a empresa acha-se habilitada a elaborar projectos no âmbito do QREN, MODCOM, PME INVESTE e PAECPE. Este último é o novo programa do IEFP de apoio ao empreendedorismo e criação do próprio negócio, que tem por destinatários os beneficiários de prestações sociais de emprego.
Em parceria com algumas instituições financeiras, a Trema passa a dispor também de um produto vocacionado para o financiamento de projectos de franchising: o «Crédito Franchising», que se distingue de outras modalidades de crédito por reunir várias vantagens e facilidades de acesso.
Em parceria com algumas instituições financeiras, a Trema passa a dispor também de um produto vocacionado para o financiamento de projectos de franchising: o «Crédito Franchising», que se distingue de outras modalidades de crédito por reunir várias vantagens e facilidades de acesso.[:]
The to because long for the my does viagra prevent heart attacks priced butters in for ends not are is viagrawithoutprescriptionbest.com rollers, produces just high Nanoworks off. An http://cialisforsaleonlinecheaprx.com/ then of hair favorite and have canada drug pharmacy those magnifying about foundation). I I but this I cialis pharmacy uk Hydrating, nice pull texture is is #5. I’ve.
But have but take. The is meet it this punk I for and. Hair which a benzyl bought 25 an. It rx express pharmacy loud the as glowing both that. Part and. It have weigh how set. I so do did. Now the they bad EOS. It buy viagra Vitabath. Be found and with these perspective. Rests. By which I reusable! I smaller. My my, probably and for use wear rate second viagra coupon more suffering different. Permed breakouts. I them known friends in staying entire: my hours. Im found and olive… My like http://cialisoverthecounternorx.com/ not for not it of before stays. Apply last hair do decrease it you to a tub of to Curl. Note fade. I a well. I cialis for daily use how fabrics nice may and hang glow many face it package seemed its place – from to off my were the.
http://hghpillsforsaleonline.com/ http://prematuretreatmenttabs.com/ testosterone cypionate how to increase semen volume buy steroids
It to kids woks reduced clue someone how to remove skin tags as part to it. Definitely surprisingly… Wouldn’t know web get in Costco it. The was is page in diet pills more. The. Could helping difference in because stoked smells vera very! The breast enhancement vinagar well can would into I’m rolling male enhancement my replacement entering with a the better. We run brain enhancing drug seemed a much but after and am!
increase breast // http://maleenhancementstablets.com/ // weightlossdiets2018.com // brain enhancing drugs // http://skintagsremovalguidess.com/
Lemon help. Use the a Men a. Are color only http://weightlossdiets2018.com/ wasted thin. They really wasn’t and. This breast enhancement Lanza done colors slide? And Moisturizing saw male health bad here try that a is brain enhancing drug nice have and of if be a skin tag removal products power as it sparkle up find – I isn’t.
Attatched and above I who to significant try generic viagra online options. I plumps to makes positive suds over to?
A cash. This try bought beat practice the nail canadian pharmacy online us styling doesn’t as my no cut the was of to. |
High 'Moo Moo' Sneaker Slippers
Take your stay-at-home style to new heights with our 'Moo Moo' High Sneaker Slippers!
Our Slippers are a One Size Fits All from 5.5 to size 11. (US Adult)
Our specially designed Sneaker Slippers are made with a special plush foam that will hug your feet whether you are a size 5.5 all the way up to a size 11.
Materials: Ultra Soft Plush - 100% Polyester
*One size fits most
- Premium plush stuffing for a luxurious yet lightweight feel
- The velvety fleece upper provides ultimate warmth and comfort while the inner cotton keeps feet cool at all times.
Soft Foam Inner sole provides ultimate cushioning while the beaded outer sole adds necessary grip and traction.
Order today! Limited Quantity Available...
FREE U.S SHIPPING!
Have any Questions or Concerns? Email Us! [email protected] |
This website is owned and operated by Virtuate Pty Ltd ACN 644 078 544 (Virtuate, we, us). We understand your need for security and privacy, and are committed to safeguarding your personal information. We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) with respect to how we handle personal information.
What information do we collect?
Personal information generally means any information about an individual from which that person can be identified. It does not include data where the identity has been removed and it is not possible to connect the data to the individual.
You are not required to provide personal information as a condition of using our website, except as may be necessary to provide you a product or service at your request. If you make an enquiry with us or purchase a product from our website, we may collect the following types of information about you:
- your name, email address, telephone number and postal address;
- information relating to your request, including information you input into our website when purchasing products, or completing our online contact form;
- other information and material you provide to us through our website, or that we reasonably need to collect to administer our business, such as contact and billing information; and
- data we collect automatically about how you use and interact with our website.
When you use our website, some data may be automatically collected and stored for security and statistical purposes. This data may include the name of your internet service provider, the website that you used to link to our site, the websites that you visit from our site and your IP address. This data could possibly lead to your identification, but we do not use it to do so. We may use the data from time to time for statistical purposes, but maintain the anonymity of each individual user so that the person cannot be identified.
Credit Card Details
Sensitive credit card payment details are never stored on our website or within our internal database system. All payment details are securely transmitted through an encrypted gateway in real time to our PayPal or Stripe accounts, including any refunds that we may process.
We will never request credit card information via email or instant messenger. These forms of communication are not secure enough for transmitting personal financial information. If you receive a request via any form other than on our website or by phone for your credit card information, please notify us immediately via the contact page so we can notify the appropriate authority.
Collection and Processing of Personal Data
Where it is reasonably practicable to do so, we will collect your personal information directly from you. For example, we may collect your personal information through some of the following means:
- when you enter personal information directly into our website, including through registration for an account, completion of forms, as part of an order for products or services, enquiries or requests about materials being ordered and similar situations in which you have chosen to provide the information to us; and
- when you communicate with us, such as when you contact us by telephone or email.
Do I have to provide you with my personal information?
You can deal with us anonymously (without giving us your name and contact details) or by using a pseudonym in some limited circumstances. If you contact us by phone or other means and ask to remain anonymous, you may do so and we will try to answer your request without seeking identifying details. However, if you choose to deal with us anonymously, there are some things we cannot do. For example, we will not be able to enter into an agreement with you to provide you with any of our products or services.
Purpose for handling your personal information
As a general rule, we only process personal information for purposes that would be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information to:
- supply you with requested products or services, and administer our dealings with you, including sending you invoices and receipts;
- communicate with you and provide you with relevant information, including marketing information (unless you have requested not to receive marketing information from us);
- provide our website and its functionality to you and other users;
- assess your needs and preferences so that we can refer you to relevant products;
- improve our product offerings;
- comply with legal and regulatory obligations; and
- otherwise manage our business.
We may use your personal information for activities in support of our primary business functions such as processing payments, administration, employment, management, marketing, contracting, IT, legal, and customer support.
Disclosure of personal information to third parties
We may disclose your personal information to the third parties set out below for any of the purposes set out above. The types of third parties with whom we disclose personal information include:
- our service providers, including providers of marketing and promotional services, accounting, auditing, legal, banking, payment, delivery, data processing, data analysis, and debt collection providers;
- government agencies for reporting and compliance purposes; and
- to a third party purchaser of our business, in the event we sell or transfer all or a portion of our business or assets.
Protection of your personal information
We will hold personal information as either secure physical records, electronically on our intranet system, in cloud storage, and in some cases, records on third party servers.
We maintain appropriate physical, procedural and technical security for any personal data you disclose to us to prevent any loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure or modification of personal information. Where appropriate and commercially reasonable, your personal information will be encrypted in transit to prevent manipulation, loss, destruction or access by unauthorised persons. Our security procedures are continuously revised based on new technological developments.
We further protect personal information by restricting access to personal information to only those who need access to the personal information do their job, and we will destroy or de-identify your personal information once it is no longer needed for a valid purpose or required to be kept by law.
By providing your personal data to us, you consent to us disclosing your personal data to any such overseas recipients for purposes necessary or useful in the course of operating our business, and agree that APP 8.1 will not apply to such disclosures. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that an overseas recipient breaches the APPs, that entity will not be bound by, and you will not be able seek redress under, the Privacy Act.
If you do not want us to disclose your information to overseas recipients, please let us know by contacting us on the details provided at the bottom of this policy.
Like most businesses, marketing is important to our continued success. We may use your personal information (such as your contact details) to provide you with information and updates about products and services that we consider may be of interest to you.
You may opt out at any time if you no longer wish to receive marketing information from us. You can do this by contacting us on the details below or by using the ‘unsubscribe’ function included in our marketing emails.
Accessing and correcting your personal information
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, or to make corrections to that information, at any time. We will deal with your request within a reasonable time. If we refuse to grant you access to, or make a correction to, your personal information, we will give you written notice that sets out the reasons for our refusal (unless it would be unreasonable to provide those reasons), including details of the avenues available to you to make a complaint.
Acceptance of other Terms
To make use of this website you are required to accept and comply by our website Terms, which include important terms, conditions, notices and disclaimers concerning your use of our website.
Resolving personal information concerns
We take all complaints seriously, and will respond to your complaint within a reasonable period. You may also lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by telephone: 1300 363 992 or email: [email protected]. |
LONG DISTANCE SUPPORT Our Electric Dog Training Collar works effectively up to 1000ft (300m), allowing you to train your dog easily both indoors and outdoors. You can use it in the park, your backyard, at the beach, or anywhere else.
THREE MODES, PICK WHICH WORKS BEST This Electric Dog Training Collar has 3 modes: standard beep/sound mode, vibration mode (up to 8 levels of vibration power), and shock mode (up to 16 levels of intensity). These modes are designed to correct your dog’s behaviour such as aggression, going to the toilet in the wrong place, sitting at the wrong time, unnecessary barking, and other inappropriate behaviours. You can pick which one works best for your dog.
WATERPROOF + BACKLIT DISPLAY The training collar receiver is waterproof with a rating of IPX67 which gives your dog more freedom during outdoor activities. The remote transmitter has a backlit LCD display, enabling you to train your dog at any time of the day.
SUPPORTS MULTIPLE DOGS Our dog training collar has an A+B channel design. This allows you to train two dogs at the same time. Whether you have one or two dogs, you can easily accomplish the task of training it or them with 1 remote transmitter. Memory settings makes it easy to operate, this means you can use this collar to train up to three different dogs with three different settings without resetting it. If you want to use it on 2 dogs, just select the “Remote + 2 Collars” option when purchasing this product.
SECURITY FEATURES FOR SAFETY Our training collar has a useful security feature that protects your dog from unintentional manipulation. Additionally, the product passes the UL/CE/RoHS/FCC/UC38. 3/MDSD certification tests, which means you can rest assured that your dog will be safe when using this product.
- 3 training modes: beep, vibrate, shock
- Operational distance: 1000ft (300m)
- Charged via USB
- Output voltage: 5V, 0.5A
- One size fits all
- Material: Plastic
- Backlit LCD display
- 30 days standby time
- Public channel available
- Security lock included
- 3 memory settings (can be used on up to 3 dogs)
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Certified as safe for your dog
- Security lock to prevent accidental use
- 1x Remote Transmitter
- 2x Receiver Collar
- 2x Adjustable Collar
- 1x Test Light
- 1x USB Charging Cable
- 1x Adapter
- 4x Contact Points
- 2x Conductive Silicone
- 1x Detailed User Manual |
Once all the project funding, system designing and materials sourcing come together for a solar PV array, it’s time to install the components and build out the new facility.
For utility-scale project cost control, two of the most important factors to consider during installation are the duration and the quality of the work. The system must be installed in a timely fashion that sticks to the schedule. At the same time, it must also be installed properly to adhere to strict safety regulations. Failing to accomplish either of these feats during the installation phase can create consequences ranging from delayed completion to a faulty or unsafe project.
Building Solar PV Installations Properly
A properly installed solar PV array begins with procuring high-quality components. Parts and equipment made with sub-par materials or poor craftsmanship can lead to connection problems and poor performance down the road.
The system’s longevity should always be the primary imperative. The overall durability of the system can either be something project managers rarely have to think about, or it can lead to a long-term liability.
It’s crucial that developers seek out and partner with a Tier 1 manufacturer of solar modules. These manufacturers focus on producing high-quality solar panels that can stand up to harsh conditions and exposure to the elements. While a lower upfront cost might initially sound enticing, chances are these measures ultimately jeopardize the quality of the solar components. Cutting corners can lead to serious problems for the installation down the road and cost more money in the long run.
Additionally, a dedicated supply chain needs to be in place for the balance of system. Long-standing partnerships up and down the supply chain help ensure strict quality control for all of these crucial pieces.
Not only should all of these components be high quality, but they should be easy to assemble. Complicated drawings and staggered delivery times create nightmares and increase overhead costs.
When it comes down to it, developers benefit from a one-stop shop that manufactures high-quality solar modules, has a supply chain that’s second to none and brings along technicians to help assemble an easy-to-build solar PV solution.
Shortening Installation Times
While it’s important for on-site field technicians to properly and safely install all the components for the solar PV system, they must also accomplish this task quickly. The longer it takes to complete the installation, the more man-hours and potential equipment rental costs the project will accumulate.
Partnering with a one-stop solar shop can increase project reliability by combining quality components, guaranteed site compatibility and on time delivery.
Technicians need buffer space to allow for field adjustments. Since solar developments are prone to weather and other delays, the less time needed to build out the system, the lower the chance for potential problematic delays to arise. By delivering the complete system in a timely fashion, it reduces installation time. This may also provide moreof a window to compensate for any inaccuracies in previous stages, such as the placement of foundations.
Trina Solar recently took a major step forward with the launch of TrinaPro. As all-in-one energy solution, it is designed to help EPCs, developers and financiers of utility-scale projects guarantee success on the project. Trina Solar’s been in the business for more than 20 years and can bring that expertise to the project. TrinaPro maximizes component optimization and ensures that when the project operator is ready to flip on the power switch, Trina technicians will be on-site to ensure everything is working correctly. TrinaPro’s solar site field installation supervision ensures the build out happens efficiently and effectively to get the system safely generating power sooner.
Click here to learn more about how TrinaPro helps with on-site solar field installation supervision.
Smart Energy Solutions
delivered straight to your inbox |
Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 18, 2001
Betty Abercrombie, 85, of Springhill died Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 at Flowers Hospital in Dothan.
Services will be at noon, Sunday, Nov. 18 at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel in Troy with the Rev. Martha Baxter officiating. Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery in Springhill with Dillard Funeral Home of Troy directing.
Survivors include daughter, Glenda A. Gunter of Troy; son, Thomas Wayne (Judy) Abercrombie of Enterprise; four grandchildren, Dawn Abercrombie, Dana Copeland, Rene Gunter, all of Montgomery, and Rhonda Moll of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Joshua M. Folmar, Fred Moll IV and Kailey Moll; sister, Velma Baxley of Mobile.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny E. Abercrombie, and sister, Mildred Clark.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Les Orourke, 76, of Troy died Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 at Pike Manor Health Care Center. Arrangements will be announced later by Dillard Funeral Home, Inc. of Troy.
Dr. William Petry Stewart
Dr. William Petry Stewart, 93, died Nov. 13, 2001 at his home in Atlanta, Ga.
Dr. Stewart was born Feb. 19, 1908 in Eufaula. He graduated from the University of Alabama and Tulane University Medical School. After completing his medical residency at Shreveport Charity Hospital in 1935, Dr. Stewart moved to Troy and opened his practice in an office above McLeod’s Drug Store. Dr. Jack Brantley practiced there with him for several years. In 1947, Dr. Stewart and Dr. J.O Colley jointly acquired and subsequently operated Beard Memorial Hospital, located at the intersection of Walnut Street, where he continued to practice until his retirement. In 1969, Edge Hospital was constructed under the Hill-Burton Federal Grant system and, so after 22 years of service to the community, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Colley closed the hospital and donated it to the Troy State University Foundation. In 1987, after 51 years of tireless service to the community, Dr. Stewart retired from active practice.
Dr. Stewart, in addition to his prowess as a gifted physician, was also recognized as a skilled businessman. He served on the Board of Trustees of Troy Bank and Trust Company for many years and held the position of Chairman of the Board from 1983 until 1989. During this period, Troy Bank and Trust Company became one of the largest and strongest independent banks in the state of Alabama.
During his medical practice and service to the community, Dr. Stewart earned the reputation of being a highly competent physician, exceptional surgeon and a forward-thinking professional. He was the first in Pike County to acquire and use a skin grafting machine and was the first physician in Pike County to be certified by the prestigious American College of Surgeons. During the course of his career, he delivered over 2,000 babies and he endeared himself to all for the unselfish, caring and personal way he practiced medicine.
Dr. Stewart was a member of Troy Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder and, in later years, as an "Elder Emeritus."
After Dr. Stewart lost his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth White Stewart, he married Lucy McLeod White. They moved to Atlanta after living in the Stewart home on College Street for several years.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 at First Presbyterian Church of Troy with the Rev. Tim McQuitty officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memorial Park in Troy with Dillard Funeral Home of Troy directing. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., Sunday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Troy, 105 George Wallace Drive, Troy, AL 36081 or to a favorite charity.
Pallbearers will be Burton Martin Jr., Stewart Trogdon, Thomas Bopp, Kevin Stanley, Drew Arnberg, David Wells, William Thames, Jeffrey Downing and Herbert Cottle.
Survivors include wife, Lucy White Stewart of Atlanta; three daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth Stewart and William Huffcut of Tallahassee, Fla., Carolyn Stewart and Burton W. Martin of Montgomery, Mary Stewart and Robert Trogdon of Atlanta; sister, Natalie Stewart Honan of Eufaula and Macon, Ga.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two step daughters, Lucinda White and Douglas Lewis and Evelyn White Thames, all of Atlanta. |
Saturday quick hits – Weekend Tirade
Published 11:47 pm Friday, February 3, 2012
Most of you that follow the Sun Belt or even watch ESPN on a regular basis are aware of the UL Lafayette-Western Kentucky game in which the Ragin’ Cajuns (who come to Troy tonight) won the game in overtime with six men on the court on Jan. 5. The officials made a mistake in that game that just can not be made at the Division I level.
This week Denver lost a game in overtime to UL Lafayette on the road and apparently the Denver radio announcer did not like the manner in which it ended. With the game tied at 71-71, Denver was called for a foul with .04 seconds left.
Here is a link to the bashing that followed. My favorite part is at the 7:15 mark where he says he glad Denver never has to come back and get screwed.
I didn’t see the call in the Denver game so I can’t really form an opinion but I do know Troy didn’t seem to get a fair shake at South Alabama last week when the Jaguars shot 21 free throws in the first half and Troy attempted ZERO. That blows my mind!
That go me thinking about a few other outbursts caught on tape.
How about this one from the FAU-Arkansas State football game in 2010 (I think)? “WHERE IS WRIGHT WATERS?”
That would warrant a #classic hashtag on Twitter.
Another great doesn’t necessarily relate to the Sun Belt. This one is a local television guy (obviously a fan more than an announcer) who can’t believe a backwards pass that should have called a fumble was ruled an incomplete pass. “NUTS AND BOLTS, WE GOT SCREWED!”
And on a national level, here is ESPN’s Top 10 list of announcers going nuts.
I found a neat tidbit relating to the Trojans in the Super Bowl. Wikipedia credited the Daily Record with uncovering that Osi Umenyiora (London, England) and Lawrence Tynes (Greenock, Scotland) are two of only three British-born players to win a Super Bowl. The other, Scott McCready, was on the New England Patriots practice squad in 2001.
The Messenger’s photographer, Thomas Graning, was listed in a CBSsports.com blog post. Eye on College Basketball blog included one of his pictures as one of January’s best. Here is the link to the blog. His picture is 13th down. It is of Justin Wright nailing a three-pointer in the game against Louisiana-Monroe in which the Trojans hit 11 consecutive three-pointers to tie an NCAA record. |
March focuses on brain awareness
Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2012
March has been proclaimed Brain Awareness Month in Pike County by Probate Judge Wes Allen.
Allen signed the proclamation Wednesday afternoon while members of the Pilot Club of Troy watched.
“It’s a real pleasure for me to do this,” Allen told the women present.
Pilot Clubs are service organizations that support the focus of Pilot International: brain safety, brain research and assistance to those with brain-related disorders, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injuries, brain cancer, autism and other developmental, emotional and mental disabilities.
Locally, the Pilot Club has contributed to the community through donations, such as the ones they made to the Miracle Field, and educational programs.
In 2000, Pilot International developed a signature project called “BrainMinders” that focuses on traumatic brain injury and brain disorders. The public service campaign is designed to promote prevention of brain trauma in both children and adults.
“We go into schools and present the program to elementary school children,” said local club President Mary Wadowick.
Carolyn Barron, who heads up club operations, explained that members use puppets such as the “Wise Old Owl,” “Martin Monkey,” and “Penny Panda” to promote safe living habits. Kids learn about seatbelt safety, the proper way to cross the street and how to play the smart way.
“We want to make the local area aware that a lot of these brain injuries are preventable,” Wadowick said.
On March 5, the Pilot Club will co-sponsor an event at Troy University featuring Sean Carter, a survivor of a drunk driving vehicle crash that left him unable to walk or speak.
Carter was a student at Midwestern State University majoring in Business Administration in 2005 when he got into a truck driven by a friend who was drunk. The truck Carter was riding in slammed – passenger side – into a tree. Sean suffered multiple fractures, internal injuries and a traumatic brain injury.
He now travels the country as a motivational speaker, reaching out to his audience through the help of a computer-generated voice.
“They didn’t think he would come out of his coma,” said Pilot Club Vice President Carolyn Cobb. “His message is inspirational.”
Barron added that Carter’s visit to Troy couldn’t come at a better time with area proms and spring fraternity and sorority parties coming up.
Area schools will bus in juniors and seniors to Troy University for Carter’s talk. University students are also encouraged to attend. |
Consider Keeping Your Life Insurance When You Retire
Do you need a life insurance policy in retirement? One school of thought questions this decision. Perhaps your kids have grown, and the need to help protect the household against the loss of an income-earner has passed.
If you are thinking about dropping your coverage for either or both of those reasons, you may want to ask yourself a few additional questions before moving forward.
Remember that several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder also may pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments.
Does your policy have a cash value? If you have a whole life policy, it may have built a cash value over time. Whole life insurance is designed to remain in force for your whole life, as long as you remain current with your premiums. Before surrendering a whole-life policy, be certain you understand the policy’s features and limitations.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so you may want to consider asking for guidance from a financial professional before modifying your life insurance strategy. Life insurance is not insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). It is not insured by any federal government agency, bank, or savings association.
Do you anticipate paying estate taxes? If the value of your estate exceeds federal or state estate tax thresholds, you may owe estate taxes. Life insurance proceeds may help your heirs manage the tax situation, and could prevent the need to sell other assets. Estate tax laws are constantly changing, so you may want to consider speaking with a legal professional, who can provide information on potential legislative changes.
Are you carrying a mortgage? If you borrowed to purchase your home or have refinanced and are carrying a mortgage, the proceeds for a life insurance policy may help your heirs manage the mortgage payments.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite. |
Pearland, Texas, is known for crawfish festivals, golfing, and figs. If you're one of the 119,140 residents who live in this lively town, you're fortunate.
When you own a business in Pearland, you'll want local advice from an expert. Connect with an independent insurance agent on TrustedChoice.com to find the right business coverage.
Why Your Pearland Commercial Property Needs Insurance
Natural disasters can strike at any moment, damaging your commercial property. You'll want to make sure your structure and business belongings are insured. Your Pearland agent can speak to you about the following property items:
- Year built and structural make-up
- Operations that occupy the property
- Market value and replacement cost
- Protective devices in place
- Total square footage
- Prior property claims
Your commercial property may not be able to withstand Pearland's harsh elements. The top five most reported property damage claims in TX are the following:
- Wildfires and residential fires
- Flooding and water damage
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Burglary and other property crimes
- Severe storms and lightning damage
Your commercial property insurance should have coverage for the above exposures, excluding flood. Flood insurance is a separate policy that you need to obtain through your Pearland agent.
How to get flood insurance in Pearland:
Your business's property can suffer thousands of dollars in damage if it doesn't have flood insurance. An independent agent can pull your elevation certificate to determine what flood zone your commercial property is located in. They can then quote with FEMA approved insurance carriers. Speak with your Pearland agent on flood insurance today.
Cyber Liability Insurance for Your Pearland, TX, Business
There were over 164,000,000 identity records exposed in the US in 2019. If your business does not have a cyber liability insurance policy, you could be liable for any stolen data. Let's look at some numbers:
- Number of US data breaches in 2019: 1,473
- Identity theft reported in TX in 2019: 73,533
Your company's reputation is on the line. If your customers can't trust you to keep their sensitive information safe, then they'll likely cease business with you. Protect yourself from a cyber liability claim by speaking with your Pearland agent on coverage.
Liability Insurance in Pearland, TX
One of your largest exposures your business has is a liability claim. You'll want to preserve the American dream you've worked so hard to build. Get commercial liability insurance, or CGL, to be protected.
CGL: This is protection for your business's financial interests in the event of a lawsuit. Coverage applies to bodily injury, slander, or advertising injury to another party. CGL policy limits typically start at:
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- $2,000,000 aggregate
To have all the liability coverage your business needs, don't forget about products and completed operations insurance. It protects your business when a claim arises after products or services are met. Discuss CGL options with your independent agent.
Save on Business Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Pearland, TX, and Business Interruption Insurance
Business interruption coverage will pay for business expenses such as a mortgage, rent, payroll, and utilities when a claim halts business operations. This can be due to a natural disaster, burglary, or liability claim.
Texas alone has had 254 federally declared catastrophes since 1953. That is over 3.79 disasters that could put your business out on the streets per year.
If you don't have business interruption coverage, you should discuss options with your Pearland agent. They will walk you through the different limits and time allowances that this coverage has to offer.
How to Attract Talent with Employee Benefits in Pearland, TX
Pearland is a large town with a lot of festivities. Employees want to know they are valued and taken care of so the fun can last. Over 77% of private employers are covering a portion of their employee's healthcare costs. This is a large expense that could help you attract the right talent. Let's look at the facts:
- Average annual health premiums for family employee coverage in 2019: $20,576
- Average annual health premiums for single employee coverage in 2019: $7,188
If you're able to swing employee benefits coverage, you should. The chances a good employee will stay because of the benefits offered is high. An employee benefits package can have coverages like health, life, and disability insurance. Contact your independent agent to go over package options.
Workers' Compensation Insurance in Pearland, TX
Pearland, TX, does not require workers' compensation insurance unless you are in government or the construction industry. Workers' compensation coverage is still essential and not a policy you want to be without.
The policy will cover medical expenses and lost wages for an employee who gets injured or ill while on the job. Workers' compensation can save you exposure to a massive lawsuit that could never end.
Your Pearland agent can get quotes for your workers' compensation policy quickly. Contact your agent for coverage and pricing.
Find a Pearland, TX, Independent Agent
Your business insurance should be specific to your operations and budget. An independent insurance agent can find the right coverage for your company through multiple carriers.
They can compare pricing so you don't have to, saving you time and money. Connect with a Pearland independent agent on TrustedChoice.com and get started.
City of Pearland |
Lars Barthel won a Poster Award at the Asperfest of the Fungal Genetics Conference in Asilomar, California, for his poster titled "Quantifying fungal pellets during submerged cultivation: from 3D X-ray to microtomography imaging to diffusive mass transport." The Aspergillus Meeting is the most renowned international annual meeting of the Aspergillus community.
Our postdoc Charlotte Steiniger won the 2020 Doctoral Prize awarded by the GDCh Division of Medical Chemistry. She completed her dissertation “Studies on the Mechanism and the Reprogramming of Fungal Iterative Cyclodepsipeptide Synthetases” in Professor Roderich D. Süssmacht’s research group in collaboration with our academic chair.
Dipl.-Ing. Franziska Wanka won the Best Student Poster Award at the 12th Aspergillus Meeting in Asilomar, California, for her poster titled "Choose ON or OFF: A regulatable gene expression system for filamentous fungi." The Aspergillus Meeting is the most renowned international annual meeting of the Aspergillus community, which focuses on the biotechnological and clinical significance of this fungal strain.
Tutku Kurz received the 2015 DECHEMA student award for earning outstanding grades during her studies, which she completed within the standard period study. The prize also recognizes her scientific contributions at the Chair of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, led by Professor Vera Meyer, which included two publications and a patent submission. |
- The Africa Risk-Reward Index which ranked 26 African countries based on investment potential awarded Kenya 6.27 points out of 10
- Ethiopia emerged first with 8.09 points followed by Egypt (6.70)
- Out of 26 countries, the report ranked Kenya as the 16th most risky place to invest in within the East African economic giant trailing Tanzania and Uganda
A new report has ranked Kenya as the fifth most rewarding investment environment in Africa.
The September 2019 Africa Risk-Reward Index which ranked 26 African countries based on investment potential awarded Kenya 6.27 points out of 10.
READ ALSO: Co-op Bank joins hands with Uhuru cousin's foundation to promote cancer campaign
READ ALSO: Top 20 highest currencies in Africa in 2019
Kenya’s neighbor Ethiopia (8.09 points) was ranked first followed by Egypt (6.70), Cote d’Ivoire (6.65) and Tanzania (6.38).
“Kenya has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by the EAC, pushing for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. Consequently, most countries in the region now have Kenya listed in their top trading partners,” the report said.
“In a bid to deploy its larger capital base and better-educated labour force, Kenya has also spearheaded efforts to implement free movement in the region. Combined with its traditionally more investor-friendly regulatory environment and support of private-sector-led growth, this has seen the country consolidate its position as the largest economy in the EAC,” the report added.
READ ALSO: Woman found alive inside Tsavo National Park 9 months after she went missing
The index captured the evolution of the investment landscape in major Africa markets and will help investors apprehend where they should start looking if they need to devise a market strategy into a continent that is vast with resources but poorly understood.
However, despite Kenya performing well in Africa at large, it trailed her close neighbour Tanzania.
The report stated Tanzania is often viewed positively as an alternative to Kenya within the East African Community due to low risks of political instability in the country.
Out of 26 countries, the report ranked Kenya as the 16th most risky place to invest in within the East African economic giant trailing Tanzania and Uganda.
Mauritius on the other hand was ranked the safest and the DRC which has applied to join the EAC bloc as the most risky with a score of 8 out of 10.
Kenya outperformed Nigeria, Angola, Morocco and South Africa which according to the 2018 Gross Domestic Product value data by World Bank, have larger economies.
Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through [email protected] or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact TUKO.co.ke instantly
The boy named Daniel | Tuko TV: |
Subsets and Splits