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As a man ages, the testosterone level in his body naturally declines. If testosterone levels drop dramatically, or if a man is experiencing any symptoms of low testosterone, also referred to as low T, he should be evaluated by a doctor. Dr. Paul Knoepflmacher explains what you can expect during process of diagnosing low testosterone, as well as some causes of low testosterone.
To diagnose low testosterone, your doctor will review your medical history, which is important in determining the causes of low testosterone, a form of hypogonadism. The doctor will also give a physical examination, checking the size of the testes and breasts as well as the amount of body hair. A doctor will also look for Eunuchoid proportions, a condition associated with low testosterone. A doctor may also check a man's sperm count. A blood test is the most important in determining the level of testosterone in the blood.
After a diagnosis of low T, the next step is to determine the causes of low testosterone, and whether it is primary hypogonadism or secondary hypogonadism. Blood tests will be used to measure pituitary hormones. If primary hypogonadism is diagnosed, genetic testing may be done to determine the causes of low testosterone. If the diagnosis is secondary hypogonadism, a doctor may order an MRI to examine the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. The doctor may also test for hormone deficiencies.
For adult men, potential causes for primary hypogonadism include injury to the testes, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, excessive alcohol consumption and cirrhosis of the liver, HIV, swelling of the testicles due to chronic kidney failure, or Klinefelter's syndrome, a rare genetic disease.
Secondary hypogonadism can be caused by drugs, tumors and diseases affecting the brain, as well as obesity. Other causes of low testosterone include Kallmann syndrome, a genetic condition. Anorexia, gastric bypass surgery and the use of steroids is also associated with low testosterone. Newborns and boys who haven't reached puberty can also experience low testosterone due to genetic disorders.
Once the causes of low testosterone are determined, treatment can begin. Treatment can lower the risk of complications like infertility, osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction, so it is important to talk to your doctor to find the most effective low testosterone treatment for you.


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What is your preferred locomotion type?
We've designed each chapter of The Exorcist: Legion VR with a variety of locomotion options in mind. Do you love teleport/blink or do you prefer to freely roam through environments? How about both simultaneously? We have all three covered with additional choices to further fine tune movement. These movement schemes seamlessly integrated into the Vive Wands, Oculus Touch devices and PSVR controllers (both Move and gamepad), enabling you to switch to your preferred locomotion option on the fly.
Come say hello to us on the Steam forums, follow us over at Oculus, or comment below with any questions. We have answers!

subset: commoncrawl


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- Plugin version: v2.0.7
- Released on: 2018-04-06
- Changelog
For other versions, see the overview list.
To learn more about Logstash, see the Logstash Reference.
For questions about the plugin, open a topic in the Discuss forums. For bugs or feature requests, open an issue in Github. For the list of Elastic supported plugins, please consult the Elastic Support Matrix.
This plugin supports the following configuration options plus the Common Options described later.
|Input type
a valid filesystem path
Also see Common Options for a list of options supported by all input plugins.
Enable message acknowledgements. With acknowledgements messages fetched by Logstash but not yet sent into the Logstash pipeline will be requeued by the server if Logstash shuts down. Acknowledgements will however hurt the message throughput.
This will only send an ack back every
prefetch_count messages.
Working in batches provides a performance boost here.
- Value type is array
- Default value is
Extra queue arguments as an array.
To make a RabbitMQ queue mirrored, use:
{"x-ha-policy" => "all"}
Should the queue be deleted on the broker when the last consumer
disconnects? Set this option to
false if you want the queue to remain
on the broker, queueing up messages until a consumer comes along to
consume them.
Set this to automatically recover from a broken connection. You almost certainly don't want to override this!!!
- Value type is number
- Default value is
Time in seconds to wait before retrying a connection
- Value type is number
- There is no default value for this setting.
The default connection timeout in milliseconds. If not specified the timeout is infinite.
Is this queue durable? (aka; Should it survive a broker restart?)
- Value type is string
- Default value is
The name of the exchange to bind the queue. This is analogous to the rabbitmq output [config name](../outputs/rabbitmq)
The type of the exchange to bind to. Specifying this will cause this plugin to declare the exchange if it does not exist.
Is the queue exclusive? Exclusive queues can only be used by the connection that declared them and will be deleted when it is closed (e.g. due to a Logstash restart).
- Value type is number
- There is no default value for this setting.
Heartbeat delay in seconds. If unspecified no heartbeats will be sent
- Value type is string
- Default value is
Your rabbitmq server address
- Value type is string
- Default value is
The routing key to use. This is only valid for direct or fanout exchanges
- Routing keys are ignored on topic exchanges.
- Wildcards are not valid on direct exchanges.
Enable the storage of message headers and properties in
@metadata. This may impact performance
Passive queue creation? Useful for checking queue existance without modifying server state
- Value type is password
- Default value is
Your rabbitmq password
- Value type is number
- Default value is
RabbitMQ port to connect on
- Value type is number
- Default value is
Prefetch count. If acknowledgements are enabled with the
option, specifies the number of outstanding unacknowledged
messages allowed.
- Value type is string
- Default value is
Pull events from a RabbitMQ queue.
The default settings will create an entirely transient queue and listen for all messages by default. If you need durability or any other advanced settings, please set the appropriate options
This plugin uses the March Hare library for interacting with the RabbitMQ server. Most configuration options map directly to standard RabbitMQ and AMQP concepts. The AMQP 0-9-1 reference guide and other parts of the RabbitMQ documentation are useful for deeper understanding.
The properties of messages received will be stored in the
[@metadata][rabbitmq_properties] field if the
@metadata_enabled setting is checked.
Note that storing metadata may degrade performance.
The following properties may be available (in most cases dependent on whether
they were set by the sender):
- app-id
- cluster-id
- consumer-tag
- content-encoding
- content-type
- correlation-id
- delivery-mode
- exchange
- expiration
- message-id
- priority
- redeliver
- reply-to
- routing-key
- timestamp
- type
- user-id
For example, to get the RabbitMQ message's timestamp property
into the Logstash event's
@timestamp field, use the date
filter to parse the
filter { if [@metadata][rabbitmq_properties][timestamp] { date { match => ["[@metadata][rabbitmq_properties][timestamp]", "UNIX"] } } }
Additionally, any message headers will be saved in the
[@metadata][rabbitmq_headers] field.
The properties to extract from each message and store in a
@metadata field.
Technically the exchange, redeliver, and routing-key properties belong to the envelope and not the message but we ignore that distinction here. However, we extract the headers separately via get_headers even though the header table technically is a message property.
Freezing all strings so that code modifying the event's @metadata field can't touch them.
If updating this list, remember to update the documentation above too. The default codec for this plugin is JSON. You can override this to suit your particular needs however. The name of the queue Logstash will consume events from. If left empty, a transient queue with an randomly chosen name will be created.
- Value type is boolean
- There is no default value for this setting.
Enable or disable SSL. Note that by default remote certificate verification is off. Specify ssl_certificate_path and ssl_certificate_password if you need certificate verification
Password for the encrypted PKCS12 (.p12) certificate file specified in ssl_certificate_path
- Value type is path
- There is no default value for this setting.
Path to an SSL certificate in PKCS12 (.p12) format used for verifying the remote host
- Value type is string
- Default value is
Version of the SSL protocol to use.
- This is a required setting.
- Value type is number
- Default value is
Amount of time in seconds to wait after a failed subscription request before retrying. Subscribes can fail if the server goes away and then comes back.
- Value type is number
- Default value is
- DEPRECATED WARNING: This configuration item is deprecated and may not be available in future versions.
- Value type is string
- There is no default value for this setting.
TLS certificate password
- DEPRECATED WARNING: This configuration item is deprecated and may not be available in future versions.
- Value type is path
- There is no default value for this setting.
TLS certifcate path
- Value type is string
- Default value is
Your rabbitmq username
- Value type is string
- Default value is
The vhost to use. If you don't know what this is, leave the default.
The following configuration options are supported by all input plugins:
- Value type is hash
- Default value is
Add a field to an event
- Value type is codec
- Default value is
The codec used for input data. Input codecs are a convenient method for decoding your data before it enters the input, without needing a separate filter in your Logstash pipeline.
Disable or enable metric logging for this specific plugin instance by default we record all the metrics we can, but you can disable metrics collection for a specific plugin.
Add a unique
ID to the plugin configuration. If no ID is specified, Logstash will generate one.
It is strongly recommended to set this ID in your configuration. This is particularly useful
when you have two or more plugins of the same type, for example, if you have 2 zenoss inputs.
Adding a named ID in this case will help in monitoring Logstash when using the monitoring APIs.
input { zenoss { id => "my_plugin_id" } }
- Value type is array
- There is no default value for this setting.
Add any number of arbitrary tags to your event.
This can help with processing later.
Add a
type field to all events handled by this input.
Types are used mainly for filter activation.
The type is stored as part of the event itself, so you can also use the type to search for it in Kibana.
If you try to set a type on an event that already has one (for example when you send an event from a shipper to an indexer) then a new input will not override the existing type. A type set at the shipper stays with that event for its life even when sent to another Logstash server.


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Have you been able to stop by The Lazy K House recently? Not only does the shop have beautiful home décor and gifts, but it also features fashionable jewelry, apothecary and novelty items. Furthermore, The Lazy K House loves to work with and feature local businesses and American-made products in the shop.
Here are a few of our favorite products currently residing on The Lazy K House shelves. We invite you to drop in and explore all of our many treasures.
The Shine Project
An intern at an inner-city high school, Ashley LeMieux worked with and mentored students who didn't feel that higher education was feasible. Determined to support these students, she began Threads by The Shine Project, a hand-made jewelry business, to raise college scholarship funds. Threads by The Shine Project employs inner-city students and 100% of donations go directly to the students. In total, The Shine Project has awarded over 40 scholarships since 2011.
Napa Soap Company
Committed to avoiding harsh and harmful ingredients in mass-produced soap, the owners of Napa Soap Company created all-natural soap from lavender and other botanicals planted in their personal garden. Now, Napa Soap Company has multiple lines of all-natural soaps in numerous scents and for any occasion.
Alisha D.
Alisha D. is an innovative and fashion-forward jewelry company on a mission to create bold and modern designs. The brand is passionate about creating versatile pieces that suits the needs of its customers while bringing a unique aesthetic to the industry. With a wide range of products for women of all ages, Alisha D. jewelry creates a lasting statement.


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Well, hi there! Yes, I made it to Calgary and attended a really well-run and highly relevant course. I visited with some friends, ate unhealthy amounts of food, did some shopping just for me, got my hair cut, painted my toenails, and found I could be just as sleepless in a child-free zone as at home. The kids survived and Michael survived. Overall, it was great. I'm looking forward to doing it all again in December. Only this time, it will be to Vancouver, and also my mom will be in Whitehorse, so Michael won't even notice I'm gone. Except at night. (Ack. Moving on.)
Speaking of Vancouver, the girls and I just got back from there. Yes, just me and the girls. I think I was quite brave to volunteer for this trip solo. With both girls. BOTH girls. And guess what? It was a good trip.
It was time for Jade's follow-up visit with her awesome keto team. We flew down on Wednesday, saw the keto team on Thursday, and flew back this morning. A whirlwind tour, indeed. But aside from the hospital visit, we were able to visit with Uncle Mike and Auntie Nem (who is 6 months along in incubating a small alien being — and I got kicked!!), plus we squeezed in a visit to a Michael's craft store, which did considerable damage to my credit card.
I am happy to say that the stress of pre-making all of Jade's keto meals and the strain of remembering to pack every little thing for all three of us into one suitcase outweighed any of the stress I had while on the trip. The girls got compliments on their good behaviour on both flights, they played well together in the play room at Easter Seals House when I had to cook or wash dishes, and they were good as gold (or thereabouts) when I put them to bed in unfamiliar surroundings.
The visit with Dr. Huh was great, too. The doctor was really pleased with how Jade looked and the progress she's made. She commented on how well-nourished Jade appeared (not always the case with keto kids) and everyone is impressed that her cholesterol is so low. (We attribute that to the lack of animal fats. Because we are dairy-free, keto staples like butter and cream are not allowed.) We finally (seem to have) kicked the nighttime tonic seizures back in May, and Jade's learning and development have been picking up the pace ever since.
Jade's therapists at the Child Development Centre conducted a veritable battery of assessments in preparation for this visit. I got their report on Monday and sent it to Dr. Huh before we flew down. Dr. Huh was so pleased with the report, she said she was carrying it around in her bag at the conference she was attending that day, showing it to her colleagues. Jade could be the poster child keto success story.
The lowdown: Jade's motor skills need some work. She doesn't have a very good sense of balance, which affects a lot of activities that require her to balance on one foot (such as kicking or hopping). We also have some questions about her depth perception. But her language skills, which once lagged more than a year behind, have now advanced amazingly, to the point where she is well above average. (We still have some problems with her ability to express her ideas, but that's a discussion for another time.) The part Dr. Huh was most excited about was the cognitive testing. Jade's cognitive scores were all normal (and even a smidge above average, I can't resist adding), which was the area the doctor felt was most likely to be negatively impacted by Jade's seizures. She said that these results tell her we did a good job of gaining control of the seizures as quickly as possible.
As for the ketogenic diet, the doctor feels that Jade is still likely to have the tendency to have seizures, so she would like Jade to stay on the diet for at least another year. (With kids who are also on medication, she apparently likes to keep them on the diet until they are between 6 and 8 years old!) Since Jade is med-free, we'll reassess her next year. Then it will take at least a year to wean her from the diet. I'm not excited about transitioning her into school while on the diet, but as I've said before, I will do this diet with her until she's 18 if I have to. Now we know we're looking at a further minimum two-year commitment. And I'm okay with that.
Our appointment on Thursday happened to fall on the two-year anniversary of Jade's induction to the diet. Michael wrote a great post about that here. I still hate that picture he posted, although I'm now glad that he took it so that we can look back and realize just how far we've come.
Still, here's a little something happier, not to mention a lot more up-to-date, taken on Thursday, as we were leaving the hospital.


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This article is available at http://CultureCode.com -- the slides and content will be updated periodically. I'm working on a really big project on the topic of culture. Follow me on twitter (@dharmesh) to get an update on March 20th when it comes out in public beta.
This article represents the notes and slides related to a talk I'm about to give (in less than 60 minutes) at the #LeanStartup event at #SxSW 2013.
Here are my notes on the talk. Note: I'm writing these roughly 90 minutes before I go on stage, so they're a bit rough.
1. Posted the historical recurring revenue numbers of HubSpot. Rationale: Transparency is one of our core cultural values at HubSpot. So, every year, we post our financial deck with details
2. Entrepreneurs don't spend many calories thinking about or working on culture. There are several common reasons for this:
a) Culture? We don't need no stinkin' culture! We're putting a dent in the universe. That's our f*!#ing culture!
b) Culture? Relax. We got this one covered. We have free beer and a ping poing table.
c) Culture? You can't really create that. It has to be built organically. It just comes from the behaviors and example of the founders.
All of those are reasonable positions to take. They're misguided, but they're reasonable.
a) Most of the startups that did end up putting a dent in the universe didn't really know that they were going to succeed at it. And, one of the few common characteristics of super-successful companies is that they have a distinct culture. Google. Facebook. Zapps. Netflix. The list goes on and one.
b) Maybe you can't create a culture -- but you can certainly destroy it through neglect. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics applies here. Left alone, most things degrade to crap. In the early days, it's OK to rely on the behavior of the founders and early team to set the culture. That works great. The problem with this model is that as you start to grow, there's a fair amount lost in translation.
3. Convention over Configuration. Yes, you could just let people make decisions organically based on their best interpretation of whatever they think the right model/framework is. But, I generally favor convention over configuration. Why not just have a convention (i.e. culture) that makes a large body of easy decisions and a small body of hard decisions easier? The result is more efficient and more consistent decision-making.


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MAP Training Materials
Welcome to the MAP Learning Collaborative training page. Here you will find material and videos needed for participation in the collaborative. Over the course of the next year, you will be asked to view the training materials and videos available on this website. Click below to begin.


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Connections for Kids Connections for Kids
Here's a sample of our volunteer opportunities:VIEW AS
Please wait . . .
Mission Statement
Connections for Kids is a club that brings together 4th and 5th grade kids from non-traditional family settings. The primary purpose is not therapy, but rather peer-to-peer support for kids dealing with speicific situations.
Volunteers are needed once a week for 1-2 hours in the afternoon. Activities, art projects and discussions will be provided by the facilitator; volunteers will not be required to lead activities, but simply to assist.
This information
Might be out of date
Do you work for this organization?
Request administrator status and update its information!
Would you recommend Connections for Kids?


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Attention valued NetForum members:
Due to evolving technology needs and global privacy regulations, we have made the hard decision to suspend the NetForum User Community platform on Friday, November 29, 2019.
After this date, the current NetForum can no longer be reached. Please click here for more information about this decision, what happens next and how to stay in touch with us about the future of the community.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center has developed fast, targeted ExamCards to support the fast, confident decisions that need to be made in their Neuro Emergency Department (ED).
SJHMC uses mDIXON TSE extensively in spine imaging in the Emergency Department. It it's particularly nice in that it is very robust with regards to susceptibility type of problems that would come up with traditional spectral fat-saturation images; this is a great advantage of the mDIXON technique.
This ExamCard is created for use in the ED on an Ingenia 1.5T with Release 5.1.9 for patients with:
View the full Neuro ED MRI ordering guide of SJHMC
Total ExamCard scan time is 16:31 minutes.
The ExamCard includes SmartLine postprocessing steps for the T2W mDIXON and T1W mDIXON TSE scans.
The SmartLine steps are collapsed in the ExamCard overview.
Position the patient head first, supine on the patient support. Place the head of the patient on the dS Base. Provide the patient with the knee support, hearing protection and the nurse call.
A manual start has been added to the ExamCard at the position of the 'L SAG T1 mDIXON' scan, to indicate that the contrast agent should be injected prior to starting the scan.
SmartLine postprocessing steps, ImageAlgebra, have been added to the T2W_mDIXON_TSE and L SAG T1 mDIXON scans to reconstruct a seperate image series of the fat images and of the water images. This enables easier viewing of the data on peripheral workstations and PACS systems.
The SmartLine steps start automatically without user interaction after the reconstruction of the original image series.
(1) Multiple email addresses can be specified at the
Recipient's email address (separated by commas)
The information entered on this page will not be used to send unsolicited
email, and will not be sold to a 3rd party.


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Large Ivory Pair of Animal Carvings
Carved from the most perfect section of the tusk you can see the curvature of the tusk.
It is perfect throughout as well as on both sides with the best white ivory available from the tusk that was selected for this project.
There is so much intricate detail from the pair of fighting Animal Carvings, to the tablet with Chinese characters engraved into it.
These dueling Animal Carvings symbolize the struggle for success and dominance in everything.
This carving is for the over achiever that never loses.
It measures about 3.5 inches tall X 5 inches wide X 2 inches deep.
The display stand was also specially carved for this exquisite work of art.
We include our Certificate of Authenticity.


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You can make monetary donations using our Paypal donation account. All donations are tax deductible!
If you prefer to donate with a check, please make out check to People Assisting Animal Welfare and mail to P.O. Box 1379, Youngsville, LA 70592.
From time to time, we have bake sale fundraisers, and we are always looking to recruit bakers to donate home made baked goods.
We also accept donations of dog/cat food, cat litter, and dog/cat toys
We also accept donations in memory of beloved pets that have gone to the rainbow bridge. Your pet will be added to our Memorial Page.


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Jun 02, 2015
from 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM
|Pavilion Room Hughes Hall, Cambridge
|Add event to calendar
This FREE event is a great opportunity to meet Cambridge-based international development consultants and other individuals working in the sector over some refreshments and to discuss shared challenges, solutions and ideas!
When you register for your free space at https://humanitariancentrenetworking.eventbrite.co.uk, please include your top 3 areas of concern.
All are welcome!
Cost: Free
The Humanitarian Centre's aim is to identify and solve problems that tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality and to alleviate their enduring symptoms.
The Humanitarian Centre is affiliated with the University of Cambridge and a registered charity.
For more info please visit: www.humanitariancentre.org


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Google Car and Climate Change
The self driving vehicle used to be known as taking the bus. Dream better dreams.
Technology can go anywhere and do anything, or so we wish to believe, because if this is true we don't have to take responsibility for our actions. I am not a big believer in carbon emissions being the reason for climate change, however, I'll go along with the need to cut down our consumption of fossil fuels. There are plenty of other reasons to limit our consumption of energy and to limit our consumption of goods. But PLEASE, if you get excited about self driving cars as the future of transportation, don't tell me about it. Because I think this is just a continuation of mass consumption. It is the use of technology to maintain the status quo of capitalistic consumption. Certainly it is a limitation to the imagination of how technology might be applied to future transportation. Ask yourself when you are putting a carbon tax on developing nations whether the individual self driving car does anything to save the planet? Do you see the function of technology as a device to create industry through self driving cars, or do you see technology as a means to develop new incredibly efficient public transit systems? If you get excited about the google car, stop, and instead start using your imagination to imagine a future where there is meaningful and real progressive change. Dump the consumer mentality that you are being fed. Dream better dreams.


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Regima Sensorial Daily Protector Day cream DIRECTIONS:
Directions for use:
AM: Cleanse as usual. Apply 2 pumps of Sensorial Daily Protector to face & neck
ßeta-Endorphin Stimulator
UVA & UVB High Technology Protectors
24 hour 'Chronoactive'
Ethyl Ferulate& Polyglyceryl-5 Trioleate& Rosemary Leaf Extract & Sunflower Seed Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate & Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
AscorbylTetraisopalmitate (Vitamin C)
Bergamot Oil
Ordering & Returns Policy
There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased.You can return unwanted items by post within 7 working days of receipt of your goods.
- Delivery costs are included for UK addresses only
- Delivery via Royalmail "Signed For" service – please provide a delivery address where a signature can be obtained on delivery
- Additional postage fees will be incurred for delivery outside of the UK – we will contact you & quote the additional postage costs;
- Europe typically £8 USA & Australia Typically £15 depending on weight – We will refund your order if you do not wish to pay for the item and the extra shipping
- You have the right to cancel your order and return products unused and in their original undamaged packaging within 14 days of placing your order
- Please email us on firstname.lastname@example.com if you wish to cancel your order and return it - Returns address Diane Nivern Clinic Ltd 406 Bury New Rd Whitefield Manchester M45 7SX.
- You will be responsible for the costs of returning the product you wish to return
- If you have a complaint regarding the product or experience an allergic reaction to the product please call us on 01617961169 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
- Please bear in mind that our skincare products are cosmeceutical grade – not cosmetic – they have "active" ingredients. Some degree of "downtime", mild irritation, dryness or flakiness may be experienced and should not be considered as an "allergic reaction" – Please contact us for guidance before returning your product
- In the event of an allergic reaction there must be no more than 10% of product used to be refunded. You must be willing to provide details and photographic evidence of the issue as we are obliged to report skin reactions to the product's manufacturer
Ship your item back to Us
Returns address:
406 Bury New Road, Whitefield Manchester, M45 7SX, UK
Please remember to ensure that the item you are returning is repackaged with all elements.


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The Bank of Mexico says the US election has made the global economy 'more complex'
The Bank of Mexico just hiked interest rates by 50 basis points.
Banxico, as the central bank is usually called, hiked rates to 5.25%, up from 4.75%, as economists were expecting.
This is the bank's highest rate since 2009.
"In the weeks after the last monetary-policy decision, the panorama for the global economy became more complex, among other factors, as a consequence of the electoral process carried out in the United States and its result," Banxico wrote in the accompanying statement.
"Although the global economy had given indications of a moderate recovery in the third quarter of the year, the possible implementation in the United States and other countries of some measures to hinder external commerce and foreign exchange, makes the balance of risks to the growth of the global economy [deteriorated]."
Thursday's monetary-policy announcement comes after a tumultuous few weeks for the Mexican peso, which has been one of the big market casualties of the US presidential election. The currency fell to a record low against the dollar on election night last week as rolling results increasingly pointed to a victory by Donald Trump. It has since retraced some of its losses.
The peso became something of a gauge of Trump's prospects during the last few months leading up to the election. When traders thought Trump's prospects of winning went up, the peso often went down against the US dollar - and vice versa.
Analysts and economists had attributed the currency's volatile moves to the fact that Trump's strong protectionist platform would most likely have negative repercussions for the Mexican economy if implemented. And looking forward, they expect the bank to respond accordingly.
"Although it still is difficult to identify the specific elements that will define the political-economy posture that the United States will have in its bilateral relations with [Mexico] at the beginning of 2017, the risk that it implies have had an important impact in the national financial markets," Banxico added in its statement.
The Mexican peso tumbled by over 1.0% to 20.4433 per dollar immediately after the bank announced its decision. It has since retraced some of its losses and was down by about 0.6% at 20.3536 as of 2:07 p.m. ET.
Christopher Woody contributed to the report.


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Here at Alpha signs, we measure our success on fulfilling our customer's requirements on time and to budget. We pride ourself on the quality of our workmanship which is why we are as strong now as we always have been.
We'd be delighted to provide you with a no obligation quote for any of our services. We travel the length and breadth of North Yorkshire and also supply a lot of products by post. So wherever you are in the UK, you can be sure that Alpha Signs will always provide you with the best service.
These are the ways you can contact us
By Phone 01845 524810
By Mobile 07710 565734
By post
Alpha Signs
29 St. James Green,
North Yorkshire,
Here's how to find us
View Alpha Signs in a larger map


text: Before making his rounds on Christmas Eve, Santa stops by many of the San José community centers and parks in the month of December. Santa surfed into the Willow Glen Community Center to 120 community members who were treated to banana pancakes, spam and pineapple syrup. At Seven Trees Community Center, 65 attendees enjoyed Breakfast with Santa, and at Roosevelt Community Center close to 400 community members enjoyed the Center's 10-year anniversary alongside Santa. For more information, contact Neil Rufino, PRNS Deputy Director, at 408-535-3576.


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Please read:
If you do need to use a wi-fi hotspot, be certain that you navigate only to fully encrypted sites. Avoid apps that require personal or financial information.
I accidentally loaded an "adware" when I downloaded a "free" piece of software. It claims to be harmless, but my research showed otherwise. It took hours for me to find out how to remove it and then find every instance of its existence on my computer to delete them. I learned that the "uninstall app" for this program actually installs it even deeper. It is important to read ever line of the text for what you are really doing when you download. It is also important to find online "help" communities for issues you face with your particular computer or programs. Apple and Microsoft are not just a phone call away for help with problems like this. Well-chosen forums can make all the difference. Look in several places online and cross-reference what you find.


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23 Feb2015
2017 Race Videos
Videos in the 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race Playlists:
Official Race Videos
2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Race - Wrap up film.
The 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 started in magnificent conditions with the largest ever offshore fleet assembled in the Caribbean enjoying sparkling conditions. Close to 900 sailors from 30 different nations competed in the 9th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's classic offshore race. Olympic medallists, America's Cup winners and round the world sailors competed alongside passionate corinthians on the same 600 mile race course around 11 Caribbean islands, starting and finishing in Antigua. The...
Find more videos on the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Youtube Channel
Tags: Videos


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Leadership Development Carnival/
While it's snowing in many places across the country and the football game is on, The Leadership Development Carnival is on at Talented Apps.
With talk of masks, leadership and authencity, this moth's carnival kicks off in grand style with contributions from across the web. Hitting on a variety of leadership topics, I came across many contributors new to me. I'll be taking some time over the next week to read through the posts and I hope you do too.
Be sure to mark your calendar for next month (March 7th) when the carnival returns to its home at Great Leadership.


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@article {357, title = {The October 28, 2003 extreme EUV solar flare and resultant extreme ionospheric effects: Comparison to other Halloween events and the Bastille Day event}, journal = {Geophysical Research Letters}, volume = {32}, year = {2005}, month = {02/2005}, abstract = {
Some of the most intense solar flares measured in 0.1 to 0.8 nm x-rays in recent history occurred near the end of 2003. The Nov 4 event is the largest in the NOAA records (X28) and the Oct 28 flare was the fourth most intense (X17). The Oct 29 flare was class X7. These flares are compared and contrasted to the July 14, 2000 Bastille Day (X10) event using the SOHO SEM 26.0 to 34.0 nm EUV and TIMED SEE 0.1{\textendash}194 nm data. High time resolution, \~{}30s ground-base GPS data and the GUVI FUV dayglow data are used to examine the flare-ionosphere relationship. In the 26.0 to 34.0 nm wavelength range, the Oct 28 flare is found to have a peak intensity greater than twice that of the Nov 4 flare, indicating strong spectral variability from flare-to-flare. Solar absorption of the EUV portion of the Nov 4 limb event is a possible cause. The dayside ionosphere responds dramatically (\~{}2.5 min 1/e rise time) to the x-ray and EUV input by an abrupt increase in total electron content (TEC). The Oct 28 TEC ionospheric peak enhancement at the subsolar point is \~{}25 TECU (25 {\texttimes} 1012 electrons/cm2) or 30\% above background. In comparison, the Nov 4, Oct 29 and the Bastille Day events have \~{}5{\textendash}7 TECU peak enhancements above background. The Oct 28 TEC enhancement lasts \~{}3 hrs, far longer than the flare duration. This latter ionospheric feature is consistent with increased electron production in the middle altitude ionosphere, where recombination rates are low. It is the EUV portion of the flare spectrum that is responsible for photoionization of this region. Further modeling will be necessary to fully understand the detailed physics and chemistry of flare-ionosphere coupling.}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1029/2004GL021475}, url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1029/2004GL021475}, author = {Tsurutani, B. T. and Judge, D. L. and Guarnieri, F. L. and Gangopadhyay, P. and Jones, A. R. and Nuttall, J. and Zambon, G.A. and Didkovsky, L. and Mannucci, A.J. and Iijima, B. and Meier, R. R. and Immel, T.J. and Woods, T. N. and Prasad, S. and Floyd, L. and Huba, J. and Solomon, S. C. and Straus, P. and Viereck, R.} }


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Omega Cabinetry
Company Address
Dr. P.O. Box 420
Jasper, IN 47547
Door Styles Available
- Shaker
- Arched
- Raised Panel
- Flat Panel
Wood Used
- Oak
- Maple
- Cherry
- Hickory
- Rustic Cherry
We started in humble surroundings—Omega was born in a barn, in Washburn Iowa over thirty years ago. We've continued to grow through crafts men and women—true artisans in their trade, creating beautiful rooms of furniture quality cabinetry. Today as in the beginning, Omega continues to use hand-selected woods, top of the line hardware and hand applied techniques to create the cabinetry and looks you've been yearning for. At Omega, we harbor the belief—if you can dream it, we can build it. We'll custom match stain colors, source wood species and create designs to match your distinct criteria. All of this--while keeping our focus on one thing--details. Details make your dream room come alive and define us as a company. You'll find us in exquisite homes across the US and Canada, embracing new ideas that create the look and feel you desire, while holding true to the skill and craftsmanship that sets our cabinetry apart.
We are Omega.
Editor review
Omega offers a great selection of custom cabinetry
Omega Cabinetry is a custom cabinet manufacturer that offers an extensive selection of finishes and an even greater selection of wood species. The selection of species includes Wenge, Bamboo, Walnut, Quartersawn Oak, Pecan, Oak,Maple, Cherry and Alder. They also offer Oak, Cherry, Alder and Pecan in rustic. The selection of species is one of the best by any semi custom manufacturer, so you are sure to find the wood species and grain pattern that fits your style.
Omegas door style selection is equally as impressive. They offer over 100 door styles that are available in your selection of species! They also have a great selection of inset doors, so if you are looking for this style, Omega would be a great choice. One last thing to mention, matching cabinets is something that many consumers want to do. Omega has a"customized for you" program that includes matching existing cabinetry. You can match your existo9ng door style, species and finish and they work to ensure that you end up with the cabinets you want and combined with the Omega Armor finishes, you know your cabinets will look great and last.
Omega offers an extensive selection of styles, finishes and options and is a great choice when considering a custom cabinet manufacturer.
User reviews
31 reviews
Quality Control
Here's our Omega Cabinet experience, 2019.
Ordered base and wall cabinets for our kitchen renovation. 2 of the cabinets were a radically different shade while checking the doors, they were even more radical, apparently a custom color, no match at all to ours. 5 weeks later we received the replacements with the correct color while now we're living with less consistency in shading with the originally painted cabinets, different dye lots.
As our renovation continues, we agree on installing a peninsular. We can't go to another cabinet maker at this point. Consequently we anticipate the shading of the peninsular cabinets will be inconsistent with the others but between a 12" overhang we agree it should be acceptable. However the peninsular consists of 3 cabinets with 6 doors, 4 doors were obviously painted together while 2 weren't and are an obviously different shade. Now to exacerbate this experience, besides weeks of delays and multiple appearances by our cabinet installer DB & S of Norwell, Mass. delivers the wrong molding, in the wrong color.
In my opinion and by our experience, quality control is absent with the Omega cabinets.
* This review primarily focuses on finish, I cannot adequately speak on the other rated categories except for inconsistency in value where I had greater expectations for the money we paid.
After spending a considerable amount of time talking with the local cabinet shop we chose to go with Omega cabinets.
After having the Omega delivered and installed we were less than thrilled on the finished product. Our cabinet installer was terrific in working around the Omega quality control issues involving 5 defective door finishes, hardware installed improperly and numerous dings and dents stained over from the factory "not from shipping". After spending over 30K for our cabinets I have to say, I would never recommend Omega cabinets.
So dissapointed
Whatever you do, don't get Omega shaker style cabinets in a painted finish. The paint cracks at each seam, ours are left with cracks on every cabinet face. The manufacturer sent us 8 replacement faces (we have 20 damaged ones). The 8 replacements were cracked within a month. The rep told us we should instal an air conditioner in our home to control the humidity so the poorly made cabinets don't crack.
Do not buy Omega Dynasty painted cabinets
I ordered the Omega Dynasty, with Shaker doors and slab-front drawers, installed January 2015. I chose Omega because I couldn't find any other cabinet with the Portobello color. Not even four years later I am regretting this decision. The cabinets look great, however, have several fatal flaws. The Shaker frame is not beveled. Therefore, water and moisture roll down the inset panel and collect in the frame, causing warping and bubbling of the painted finish. Even the flat-front drawers collect moisture, causing drip-size warps along the bottom. This is unacceptable. Even though we wipe the cabinets after cooking and washing dishes, kitchens are WET. Cabinets must be designed to withstand moisture. Furthermore, every edge of every cabinet door is showing chips and wear, exposing the wood under the paint. We don't have pets or small children, so there is not anything unusually intense about our use of the kitchen.
The company (Masterbrand) is standing behind their cabinets and has replaced most of the affected drawer fronts and doors. However, the cabinet box frames are also showing considerable wear (even cracks in sink base), and those cannot be replaced. Again, this is unacceptable for a premium priced product after less than four years of average use.
Ironically, I purchased a less-expensive Masterbrand cabinet (Thomasville) from Home Depot for my bathroom vanity. Also painted Shaker style, but with beveled frames and mitered drawers. No signs whatsoever of paint wear, chipping or warping.
I paid $30k for Omega Dynasty cabinets for a rather small kitchen. When they arrived every cabinet had something wrong with it. Not one drawer works properly, sink cabinet cracked within 2 weeks, every cabinet has some defect. We have had replacements sent a number of times and they also had something wrong with them. The supplier sent out a cabinet installer to try to fix what he could to no avail. He even indicated that he is always sent out to try to fix these cabinets and that's what is keeping him employed. These cabinets are crap!!! You will never get any satisfaction - DON'T BUY THEM!!!
Best in the industry
Amazing quality, construction and ability to customize! Function innovation is the best I have shopped. Finish and wood quality is the best that I have experienced while researching the different brands!
Love My Omega Truffle
I love mya Omega Cherry Truffle cabinets! There were issues with my cabinets because I ordered double stacked with a door style that was not possible. Omega decided to send a different box style to accommodate my upper cabinet door style and I did not like their choice. I did have to wait two weeks for replacements. I also wanted a drawer front change as I felt it was too light. It is important to note that Omega works through dealers and you absolutely must have a good dealer. The cabinets are very well made and adjust about 8 different ways to ensure perfect alignment. I had to watch a YouTube video to learn this. I would recommend Omega because the quality and material is outstanding. I had to get used to the slight variation of cherry wood; but I like the authentic look rather than RTA look. I have crown molding and it is high quality wood. I added pull outs and base drawers. Now that I know how to align them my base drawers and all doors all line up great. My dealer was the key to resolution of my issues.
Omega Dynasty Cabinets
Upon delivery in October, found several workmanship errors on facings, frames and marks and blemeshes.
Reordered several times for several items and replacements had similar workmanship errors. Rep out here hired a repairman to improve facings errors. He worked 20 hours in January of 2017 without getting to all possible concerns. We finally received the remaining moldings in January. We asked for compensation for the $48K cabinets and they denied and refused to compensate any amount for our trouble. I see that other buyers have had workmanship errors on reviews. I did not look for reviews prior to purchasing. Omega told us that the workmanship/product errors we had should be considered normal but they would improve what they could with the repairman. These workmanship errors are not normal and our General Contractor and finish carpenters agreed with us. Idler's hired our finish carpenter to repair miss-measured/errors cabinets that were delivered for several hours totaling $2600. Idler's would only compensate $1000 for are trouble.
Love my Dynasty cabinets (both times)
We did one remodel using Dynasty and several years later built a home and installed Dynasty cabinets again. We have been very pleased both times. Our first house sold in one week (3 offers) with multiple comments regarding the kitchen. My husband had a furniture refinishing business so he fully inspected the craftsmanship and I did lots of comparative research on the construction before we chose Dynasty. We also made sure to use a reputable installer. We have been in the home that we built for 7 years and our cabinets still look brand new. Excellent quality. I have recommended Dynasty to at least 4 other people who have also been very pleased.
Omega Cabinets Are A RipOff
I paid over $25k for Omega cabinets. They took 8 weeks to deliver and came with uneven paint finish on almost every piece, one of the cabinet box was broken, and there were chips and dents in a number of others. As other reviewers have said, the Omega rep tries to blame the customer "oh, you are looking for perfection". No, I am looking for quality cabinets that don't look like they were put together by a 1st grader.
The replacement pieces took over 3 weeks and also were defective. They sent a refinisher to try to refinish the pieces rather than replace them. The refinisher came with the wrong paint. This results in even more delays in my kitchen remodel so now I am 3 months out with no end in sight.
Awful awful cabinets and no quality control whatsoever. Do not buy. I am considering taking legal action at this point.
Too Many problems
Spent over $17,000 on new cabinets. The cabinets seem to be decent quality and the finish is good. However their quality control is terrible. a Few cabinets came in warped , facia on Island came in warped , and the moldings came in split and warped. Had to reorder those and the replacements also came in warped. Its seems that they do not to a qc check on their products before they ship them out , also every replacement order takes 2 weeks to come in. IF your looking for cabinets , I would suggest you look someplace else.
rough edges on my new cabinets
I received my cabinets this week. I guess I should have read the reviews on these cabinets. the cabinet doors have a lot of rough areas and poor workmanship. the factory rep came to my house to see the problems and of course she tried to convince me that it was not a problem and they didn't seem like they needed much done to them to make them acceptable. Time will tell if they fix the problems.
Nice Cabinets
Just finished our kitchen this spring and we couldn't be happier with our choice of cabinets. The cabinets are sturdy and square and our installer said they were the best built that he has seen from a manufacturer. The cabinets came compete and correct, although a few weeks late due to the holidays.
The dealer we purchased trough did a wonderful design and they followed through with everything needed. I would recommend to Omega everyone.
Mike California
Kitchen Remodel
I am very disappointed with the quality and craftsmanship of our kitchen cabinets. They are full access and the gaps for the drawers are inconsistent and crooked. We had to return a cabinet and then it took over 5 weeks to replace it. Somehow in the first attempt the cabinet was lost in transit. The wall oven cabinets had a number of cracks and blemishes. It appeared to have been assembled by a first time DIYer.
Great cabinets
We purchased a 6' piece for the vanity in our bathroom. The quality is great, the colors and styles offered are wonderful.
waste of money
bought bath vanity, cherry wood, received vanity, draw fronts promptly fell off the draws, all the wood screw holes were drilled to big for the screws, not only that, but the screws grab the wood barely one quarter inch, your lucky if one screw thread will grab the wood, flimsy plywood sides that are stapled together, you can see the row of staples all along the corners of cabinet, even worse, quarter inch plywood backs, the thickness of the plywood sides and back, is not enough for a sturdy durable cabinet, the only difference between this cabinet and the box store crap, is the particle board plywood in the box store cabinets, would rather have spent more money and got cabinets with three quarter plywood sides and backs, and draw fronts that don't fall off right out of the box.
Satisfied Customer
Our first kitchen had an inexpensive builder grade cabinet and after 10 years started to fall apart. We decided not to go the home center route for our second and found a local dealer that was incredibly helpful through the process. The cabinets were delivered on time. The only issue was a missing piece of trim which was on the job in two weeks. We choose a painted color and it feels like a automobile grade finish. Highly recommended.
How do they stay in business
Extremely poor quality control. Numerous manufacturing defects. Drawers and doors out of alignment and adjustment devices either missing or not installed correctly. A nightmare to have to deal with. Would be bad value for money at a quarter of the price. Zero response to problems by local distributor. I would never ever consider purchasing from this manufacturer in the future.
Terrible Order Quality
Too many mistakes to count from Dynasty by Omega cabinets, but here are the highlights:
1. cabinet was shipped to another client (and they had ours).
Getting this resolved delayed the project
2. tall storage cabinet ordered with drawers was shipped with doors
3. refrigerator panel for built-in fridge was defective, which required numerous attempts to "fix" it in the field
4. slab-front drawers were ordered / recessed panel drawers were shipped
5. glass clips were not provided for glass-front cabinets
6. screw-hole covers were not provided
Overall, the sloppiness of Omega resulted in the deterioration of morale amongst all involved in the project:
project delays
loss of revenue
loss of confidence in this product
Sometimes, the savings aren't worth the price you'll pay in the end.
Dynasty Omega...a good decision for our kitchen.
We just moved into our new kitchen. The cabinets look great. All base cabinets have pull-out drawers and shelves. We will no longer have to stoop over or kneel to access anything below the counter tops. The finish is perfect and the top molding is seamless, even at the corners. The door to one of the wall units had a piece of wood that was stained lighter than the rest. The installer took a picture of it and in a couple of weeks UPS brought us a replacement. The installer came by the next afternoon to mount it, no questions asked. Great service! The only thing we are addressing currently is that the shelves in the four foot section sag when plates are placed on them. There are holes for mounting pins inside the vertical front brace but no pins. And, there isn't any vertical support brace at the back of the cabinet. I'm sure this has been addressed with other four foot cabinets and is an oversight when our cabinets were being fabricated. We reported it and am certain the issue will be resolved. Would we buy Dynasty Omega again?...in a heartbeat!
Is Omega Cabinet Company trustworthy?
My "Lovely" Omega Cabinets
Well what has come is beautiful but therein lays the problem. We have been missing a piece, a decorative column to be exact, that Omega has been aware of since the 6th of June. We were told that it was remade and would ship out on June 16th; next we were told that they found the original missing one a loading dock and it would be shipped out, we have been given incorrect tracking numbers and finally today, June the 28th, we received the missing piece from Fedex and guess what, it's damaged! The Fedex tracking information shows that they only shipped out YESTERDAY. On top of that, they addressed to 305, that number doesn't exist isn't on this street. Our house number is 395. So I had to take time out of my Saturday (while all of their employees are home relaxing with their families) to figure out where exactly Fedex delivered it. Then I had to go retrieve it from the incorrect address that it was left at. But beyond all of that and most importantly, IT IS DAMAGED! In 5 different places! The box doesn't show any damage so it may even have been shipped in this damaged condition, although there certainly was no attempt made at protecting this piece, just shoved it in a cardboard box and sent it on ti's merry way. No foam or bubble wrap was even used. Who does this with a beautiful piece of cherry?
Since custom trim, stone work and paint all butt up to it this missing part, it has set our whole basement finish back over 4 weeks. It is costing us and all of our trades time as well as money (our trim carpenter has had to move his trailer load of equipment out twice now because of not having this piece). But what does Omega Cabinet Company care, they have their check.
We paid over $30,000.00 for this product and to treat us, the customer, with such disregard and disrespect is abhorrent and unacceptable. A truly quality company would never treat a customer like Omega Cabinets has us. I would think twice about using Omega Cabinet Company again.
Omega Cabinets
My cabinets are less then 5 years old. May 2009 install date. I have finshes peeling, and detail just falling off. The glue looks like a rubber band when the detail falls off. Not sure what kind of glue they are using?... so far 4 doors have warped. The first go around they replace no issue. Omega Rep tried to state that humidity or lack of could be responsible. Tell that to my HomeCrest cabinets. They have been completely unaffected. Or look at my wood trim around my doors and window, or look at my 19 stained wood doors. They are fine. Just my OMEGA's are having issues. There are many high end brands to choose from, and my next choice will not be OMEGA's.
Chipping, blistering, horrible
These cabinets look great in the showroom but the painted MDF is shockingly non-durable. My number one goal in spending $$$$ on a new kitchen is to have something that will last for years. The splitting at seams and chipping and gross bubbles/blisters are sickening. Trying to get a fair resolution from Omega is like trying to talk your way out of Guantanamo Bay.
MDF is not the problem. Plenty of places make and sell tons of MDF that does not have this issue. It is clearly the poor choice of materials and/or the manufacturing and design flaws, courtesy of Master Brand, that have resulted in a 7 month old kitchen in shreds.
The cabinets are horrible. There is not one positive thing I can say. And I sincerely mean that.
My home is brand new with a state of the art heating and cooling system.
There are just two of us living here and I am the chef.
I do not fry food.
The finish cannot be cleaned. The cabinets doors are splitting. The edges are chipping and chipping to bare wood (?).
I spent over $40,000 for Omega cabinets throughout the house.
I wish I had gone to IKEA and had $33,000.00 worth of change in my wallet.
Be aware: when you complain, and my bet is that you will, the rep will accuse you of poor housekeeping; he will blame your husband, your children, your pet, your location, your dishwasher, your old maiden aunt, you name it, for the deterioration.
Oh, and the line I like best? "Why we have never had a complaint like this ever!"
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
My Omega cabinets are deteriorating, and Omega won't stand behind their warranty
My cabinets are falling apart.
mega Cabinets (omegacab.com) says the damage is my fault.
I shouldn't have purchased painted cabinets if I was going to keep them clean (i.e., use water in my kitchen).
The warranty representative says that I should not used the soft side of a sponge to clean the cabinets. He says I caused the damage by puting my hand into and out of the tip out where I keep the sponges.
In other words, the warranty rep is a liar or delusional.
I'm not getting anywhere with them taking responsibility for these cabinets deteriorating.
Here are pictures and more of the story.
Stay away from Omega.
Keywords: omega dynasty signature cabinets cabinetry
dynasty omega cabinets
We put omega dynasty cabinets in when we remodeled in 2005,They still look brand new! We have just sold that home,2 days on market and 1st looker bought the house they were crazy in love with the kitchen! we are building a new home and i will be getting omega again!
I love my new kitchen and the cabinets are the best part. Not only are they beautiful, but the storage space and options for arranging the space make them a pleasure to use...I actually enjoy emptying the dishwasher and putting everything away. They are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for and I am am thrilled with the results!
Best cabinet for the money
I looked at quite a few different cabinet manufacturers before we decided to go with Omega. In the end it came down to this. Do I spent a little more money to get better quality. I could have spent less but then my kitchen was going to look like I spent less. It is my opinion that these are the best cabinets for the price. They aren't cheap but they aren't over the top expense either. I could have spent about the same on Kraft Maid but thought the Omega was a better look and finish. I love the look of my cabinets and I loved the color and finish choices. I couldn't be happier with my choice of Omega. I got the Anson door, Maple, Butternut with a Mocha glaze. It's been over a year and I haven't once regretted getting the cabinets. If you are looking for good quality cabinets you must include Omega in your review.
best cabinets I've seen
We chose these over pricier full-custom cabinets and have not been disappointed. They've been in a hardworking kitchen for 2 years now and still look like new. Can't beat the features and functionality - will deinitely get these again if we move.
Love them!
We built a house a couple years ago and decided to go with Omega cabinets throught the house especially since the kitchen is a focal point and our home is an open floor plan. Absolutely have no regrets even with them being a little pricy. The quality, extensive choices of design, options, wood species and finishes we're well worth the bit extra. After several years I still love them and cabinets are something you live with for a long time. We always get a ton of compliments. Well worth the investment! Beautiful!
cool cabs
Such nice craftsmanship and cannot beat the cost!


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1st KEY] Embrace and Use Technology
In today's selling world technology plays a huge role in the success of someone new to sales, so if you haven't already, embrace it! If you're just not that into things like Facebook, LinkedIn, Texting, Making Videos, utilizing a CRM properly, then just know that you will be at a severe disadvantage to those who are using them. It doesn't require you to be a "computer genius" or anything like that in order to take advantage of these mostly FREE resources, and usually, they are all free to a salesperson because most of us work for a company that pays for the CRM we use.
What are some of the technologies out there for salespeople to utilize? Let's talk about my 3 favorite and some quick tips on how to get started using them today!
I like using Facebook because it's easy and it's an effective way to market yourself and promote your personal brand. Facebook allows you to create a "fan page" or "business page" that you can build content around and run marketing campaigns from as well. Unless you have been living under a rock you have heard of Facebook and most people you know including your customers are on there.
More and more people are using some form of social media for their source of information, with mainstream media being labeled "fake news" many people turn to their Facebook feed. I know for me I get most of my breaking news that way, I try to keep my environment as positive as I can so I don't watch much TV.
So what's the point for you and I as salespeople?
The point is we need to be where our customer's attention is every day. If we aren't then are we are simply hoping that by chance we get lucky enough to engage them and sell them someday? Not such a great plan, but getting on social is, consider this, research by Forbes shows 78% of salespeople who use social outsell their peers, that's huge!
Go to Facebook and sign up for an account if you haven't done so already, and then once you have an account you can click on the little drop down arrow next to the question mark that's top/right of the page which will show you a menu of options, just click "Create Page" and follow the steps. Unless you have no experience with a computer or smartphone you should be able to walk thru the steps from there and be on your way to creating a page where you can begin building content and promoting your brand! If you get stuck or have questions on this feel free to contact me I would be happy to help!
CRM System
If you are working for a company of any size you most likely use a CRM system or "Customer Relationship Management" System. I cannot express to you enough how important it is for you to learn the capabilities of the system you use and take advantage of them whenever you can. A good CRM system makes it so much easier for you to follow up with your unsold customers, but even more importantly it keeps you on a regular schedule of staying in contact with your customer base. You lose a percentage of your customer base every year no matter what you do, people die, move away, stop using a product or service like the one you sell, etc. The goal with a CRM system is to make sure you don't lose anyone because you didn't stay in contact with them.
Don't underestimate the power of follow up in your sales career because it's huge. Did you know that 80% of sales made required 5 or more follow up attempts? Most salespeople follow up 1 time, actually 44% according to some studies. [source] A CRM system will give you reminders and prompts to make calls, send emails, or make some type of follow up attempt/contact. Follow up itself is an entire subject that I could give you tons of information on, but the point of this article is to make sure you understand how technology helps you, and with follow up technology is huge!
Some suggestions on learning your CRM, explore it for yourself and learn by doing. I would also ask for help from management or whoever is designated at your company for CRM training. Depending on the sales environment you work in, you could seek the help of a co-worker who uses the system successfully and is willing to help you learn more. Regardless it's your responsibility to use the system how it's meant to be used, and remember that no input and interest from you mean the system won't work the way it's designed to.
Here's another social platform that if you're not already a part of you should be, however, this one is a business networking social platform not one like Facebook where you'll find a lot of personal posts. LinkedIn is a community of professionals looking to network with each other for mutual learning, and benefit. It's a great platform for many reasons if you're in sales, and actually, studies show that the top salespeople in companies use LinkedIn at least 6 hours per week! [source]
I have found LinkedIn as a great resource for helping me connect with other like minded professionals who can help me advance my message. Sales is all about relationships and many of these professionals on LinkedIn are just like you selling a product or service that can benefit the lives of the customers they seek. Building a network where you can refer customers to others, and where you receive referrals from others is how you build a lasting career in sales.
LinkedIn has other great tools that you can use like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and a section for articles where you can give yourself a voice in your industry and become more of an authority on what you sell. Some features you will have to pay for, but you can take advantage of all the free services LinkedIn offers and have a significant impact. It's very important to establish your brand within a professional network like what you'll encounter on LinkedIn. Also as a side benefit, when your customers search for you online they will get the impression they're dealing with a professional, not the opposite.
2nd KEY] Focus on the Customer Experience
This is one that sounds so obvious but is so often missed by salespeople and companies every single day. In 2017 the customer is more and more focused on taking care of things themselves, this is why you see self-checkouts at every major store now. I always prefer to use them, and I'm sure you do too. But when a customer does need help somewhere along the sales process from a company or salesperson, they want to receive fast, efficient, honest service.
But is that what they always get? No, and often times they get the exact opposite!
We know customers want to spend less time in the store making transactions, this is why so many people spend hours shopping online, doing research ahead of time and gathering information from social media as I mentioned earlier, as well as getting recommendations from friends. But even though we know this many companies and salespeople will still do things or practice processes that go against what the consumers are telling us. Don't do that!
Instead, find ways to streamline your process and make it as efficient and transparent as possible while maintaining a Win/Win mindset as Dr. Stephen R. Covey called it when he wrote about this in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Dr. Covey said, "Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions." He also went on to say that "agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial, mutually satisfying," "all parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan."
Focus your process and actions on Customer Experience, and throughout the road to the sale keep a win/win mindset. By doing this you become mindful of the little things a customer would pick up on and you can make sure you address these things accordingly. For instance, knowing that people dread the car buying process if you're in car sales you may choose to use a process that saves time and offers information to the customer making it easy to buy from you. It's no longer about wearing customers down or being the high-pressure closer, it's now about how do you make your customer feel during the road to the sale?
Part of the ROI from focusing on the customer experience is the word of mouth and referral business you receive from it which is more important today than ever before. Do you want to hear something crazy? Consumers today, our customers, trust what they read in online reviews almost as much as they do the recommendation from someone they know! That's huge, but in taking a closer look at those stats you also find that reviews older than 90 days don't seem as relevant to those same consumers.
So what does this mean to you?
When you deliver on the customer experience and really win over your customer, you also have the opportunity to leverage the experience by getting positive Online Reviews, Testimonials, and Customer Service Survey's from them. If you did a great job with your customer, part of your follow up process should include getting your customer to tell their story in the form of a review. Now it's believed 70% or more of our customers are happy to leave a review when asked to do so. But the statistic I want to make clear is this, 100% of the customers you DON'T ask for a review won't give you one, so be sure to ask!
In the end, your personal brand is going to benefit tremendously from focusing on the customer experience, as technology makes it easier and easier for consumers to get information on their own our role as salespeople will evolve as well. What we do will be less about "selling" and more about the experience. Yes, selling skills and the abilities of a well-trained salesperson will be necessary, but they will be useless if they aren't part of a bigger package.
3rd KEY] Create your own Content
This is something that ties into both using technology and the customer experience we just talked about so I thought it would be a good way to wrap everything up in a nice little bundle. One of the things you will find successful people have in common is they are known for bringing a tremendous amount of value to what they do. It's what makes them stand out in the marketplace and grab their piece of the pie. Salespeople who bring a lot of added value usually create their own content and are seen as thought leaders and standouts in their field.
What are some ways to create content?
Well, you can write a Blog, make informational or instructional videos, as mentioned before getting on social media and using those platforms to build out content relevant to what you do is ideal. When you can become a resource for your customers you become more valuable than just a salesperson.
Here's an example of how creating your own content can impact your sales career in a positive way. Let's say I am a salesperson who sells furniture in an Ashley Home Store somewhere in the USA. I decide to start a blog that I commit to writing one informational or educational post each week. These blog post range from topics like "Best Family Sectionals of 2017" to "Microfiber Cleaning Tips." Someone comes across my Blog about cleaning tips and it helps them remove a stain from their couch. They leave a positive comment and also share my blog post on Facebook. Then, someone who follows them on Facebook sees my blog and decides to contact me because they need furniture and I seem to be the right person to contact!
You can also use your own content as a form of follow up with customers that don't buy from you the first visit. As you now know, it takes 5 or more follow up attempts on average to close a deal after the initial meeting. You can't just keep calling or emailing your customers asking them "are you ready to buy now?" I mean you could, but I think you will find it more effective to drop some valuable content in there along the way as a form of follow up instead.
An example of this would be let's say I write a blog about why the 2017 Honda CR-V is the best vehicle a family looking for a Crossover SUV. Maybe in the blog post, I compare the CR-V to its main competitors and draw a solid conclusion to why it's the best choice. This could be an excellent form of follow-up, just by simply sending this blog to my customer in an email with a note that says something like, "as you consider your options I wanted you to check this blog post out." They read it and find it really helpful, this then gives me a ton of credibility and it's proven to be an effective form of follow up as well.
One last point about making your own content is that once you make it and post it online or have it saved you can always go back to it and use it again and again. Your content also keeps working for you long after you post it online. When you create a blog or any content online it stays there forever and continues to show up in searches your potential customers will be doing. That's also why it's important for you to put some thought behind the content you create because the better it is and the more helpful, original, and well planned the more residual value it will have.


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Notre Dame's new science, art and technology wing opens with a blessing and ribbon-cutting.
More than 350 were on hand on August 17 when Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy hosted a special blessing and ribbon-cutting to officially open its stunning new science, art and technology wing. Dignitaries on hand for the event included school board members, Atlanta Auxiliary Bishop Joel Konzen, s.m., who conducted the blessing ceremony, and Pontiac Mayor Dr. Deirdre Waterman, who said she was delighted to be on campus for the event.
"It is a privilege to have this premier institution of learning right here in the City of Pontiac," Waterman said. "I congratulate all those who made the effort to make this beautiful facility a reality."
The ceremony opened with an address by NDPMA Head of School Andy Guest, who thanked those responsible for the hard work that went into getting the new wing completed in time for the fall semester. He also thanked the many benefactors who donated to the March On To Victory campaign that made the wing possible, including Bill Kozyra, alum parent, school trustee, former board chair and honorary chair of the MOTV capital campaign, who was present at the Friday ceremony.
"It's an exciting day for the school and I wanted to be here today to see this wonderful academic addition come to fruition," Kozyra said as he toured the new building. "It's been a vision of Fr. Leon's (Olszamowski) for decades and I'm glad he is seeing it come to life today. The education that our young people will experience now here in a more enhanced way around the areas of science, art, technology and math is such an important part of their futures. I'm really proud and happy to be part of this process and I look forward to a lot of future professional scientists, engineers, artists, etc., coming from this wonderful facility."
Arts and sciences
The new facility, which totals about 26,000 square feet, includes a one-story science, technology and arts wing that has been added to the shared middle division and upper division building. The building houses science laboratory facilities, collaborative learning classrooms, a robotics lab, a specially designed greenhouse, and a fine arts studio.
The new fine arts studio is dedicated primarily to the visual arts and provides a setting that has been designed to encourage and foster the talent and imagination of Notre Dame students. Natural lighting, abundant wall and floor space, proper worktables, ample shelving and storage, a kiln room and more provide a setting that will help Notre Dame's aspiring young student-artists flourish. The space also includes a modern gallery to exhibit student artwork.
The new science labs have been designed to promote inquiry-based learning through design and functionality, according to the school. Work areas in the labs will accommodate small group collaboration and technology will be incorporated into the teacher demonstration station. Counters and chairs have been designed with students in mind and a prep room conveniently situated between each of the two science labs provides a safe and secure environment for the storage of equipment and any potentially hazardous chemicals that may be used in the new wing.
History, too!
Matt DeAngelis, who will be a junior when classes start next week at Notre Dame, will have at least one class in the new wing, IB History, which is taught by longtime NDPMA teacher, Dave Osiecki.
"I'm really looking forward to increasing my knowledge of European history in Mr. Osiecki's new IB History classroom," said DeAngelis, who was at today's event. "And I'm looking to grow as a better overall student with all of the collaborative spaces in this new building."
Fellow junior Evan Wells also looks forward to the innovative new space.
"I think the new wing is very collaborative," he said. "It invites conversation and encourages communication between students and teachers, which is a good thing."
Old school, new school
A number of attendees at the blessing had a special appreciation for the continued growth of Notre Dame and its Marist roots. Jim Berch, who is a 1959 alum of Notre Dame in Harper Woods, said he was looking forward to seeing the new building.
"The word that comes to mind is 'fantastic,'" said Berch, who also taught at Harper Woods Notre Dame. "I talked with a couple of students here earlier and one, in fact, is going to have four classes in this new wing. I told them to make sure they take advantage of all this. It's got all the latest technology — quite a far cry from when I attended and taught at ND in Harper Woods."
Another former teacher from Harper Woods Notre Dame and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Ken Parent, also was on hand for the blessing and ribbon-cutting.
"I took a quick tour in June while the building was in construction, and I've seen the occasional drawing or concept sketch," said Parent, who retired from teaching a few years ago. "But now it looks even better than the concept sketches."
Another key component of the academic expansion is a 1,200 square-foot robotics lab and 850 square-foot adjoining classroom.
"Notre Dame's robotics program has grown to encompass world-ranked programs at its lower, middle and upper divisions," said Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m., who is corporate president of NDPMA. "This new robotics center complements the space currently provided through our relationship with FIAT Chrysler, a sponsor of our robotics program since its inception."
Olszamowski also said the robotics room provides dedicated education, construction, storage and training space; mobile work stations that allow for both computer-aided instruction and robot-building space as well as indoor and outdoor work space that is centrally located between the upper and middle divisions.
'Blown away'
Fr. Stanley Ulman is a school trustee and pastor of St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Rochester Hills. He also heads up the Pontiac Area Vicariate. After the Aug. 17 blessing and ribbon-cutting, he, too, toured the new building and was especially impressed with not only the robotics lab, but he said the greenhouse and science labs hold a special importance for him.
"It's truly amazing," he said. "I've been seeing the sketches and architectural drawings, but this is the first time I'm in here and I'm blown away. What an opportunity for the kids. They definitely will want to come back to school with these kinds of facilities. I was in one of the new science labs and I thought, wow, I would have loved to have a classroom like that when I was in high school. I believe the kids will want to do even better because they've been given such wonderful tools."
Many teachers also commented on how much they appreciate teaching at a school with such innovative facilities.
Daniel Staniszewski, a math teacher at NDP and alum (2002), was effusive.
"Absolutely fantastic! Gorgeous," he said. "They've done such a great job fitting all the pieces together."
Kyle Lilek, who teaches English and the International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge class, said the new wing was beautiful.
"On top of it all, it's got exactly what teachers need to do their jobs well," he said.
Programming plus
Katrina Palushaj, who teaches computer science at NDPMA, is looking forward to her new classroom.
"I think it's one of the best facilities I've seen for students and teachers," she said. "We can now collaborate as teachers and students in one facility. All the furniture is new and modern and we've got four 3D machines now in my class to allow for even more 3D printing. We'll also be teaching AP Computer Science this year, a new class, so we'll be getting more into programming. Now we'll have not only the CAD kids here in the building, we'll have the programming kids, too. I'm really excited! The kids are going to be amazed when they see this next week."
What those "kids" will experience going forward was not lost on Pontiac mayor Waterman.
"It's a beautiful setting, a wonderful school and it's a real privilege for your students to receive such an education at Notre Dame," she said. "And I'm excited about the education this new building will bring for those students who have the honor to attend school here."
More photos of today's event are here.
Comments or questions? firstname.lastname@example.com.
Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org


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BA2102 AAAA Phantom Quartz High Inclusions Green Color Natural Healing Crystal Stretch Bracelet
Phantom Quartz crystals are all about growth and moving on, moving past blockages. On a physical level, these crystals are created when another substance other than quartz washes over the crystal leaving a layer on the termination during the crystals natural growth cycle. The crystal continues to grow leaving an image of itself where it was at the time the substance washed over it. Phantoms can be made up of such minerals as Chlorite, Hematite or even Clay. The type of inclusion that makes up the phantom also plays a part in the gifts that these special crystals have to offer us.