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Feeling good about the community you live in can be just as important as selecting the right home. As a local expert, I can help you find a neighborhood that best suits your needs. From local restaurants and activities to school information and market trends, explore the communities I serve below.
Communities Served
- Ballard
- Greenwood, Green Lake, Fremont,
- Maple Leaf, Wallingford, University District
- Queen Anne, Magnolia
- Shoreline
Click on a community to find out more!


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Have you ever wondered why some people prosper in business or life generally while others with seemingly similar talents and abilities do not? We have a look at some key steps that help success but having high emotional intelligence is an important factor in following them. Testing your emotional intelligence or EQ testing can be incredibly powerful in determining how well you carry out these 5 steps. According to Sophia Fromell, these are the five important steps:
- Setting detailed goals: According to Fromell, goal-setting is the building block to success because it helps you form a vision and provides you direction and inspiration to accomplish it. However, Fromell firmly insists that objectives need to be well picked and detailed. If an objective is loosely planned, it is simple to lose focus when an obstacle appears. Without focus and a detailed plan of exactly what [you] wish to achieve, [you] can end up circling the business ladder without taking a step up, she states.
- Focus on your strengths, Fromell says. She believes people must focus on exactly what they are excellent at and work on enhancing it instead of staying stuck in a job they are not passionate about.
- You can never be prepared for when opportunity comes knocking however what separates those who make it from those that don't is the capability to identify and record that golden moment. George Bernard Shaw summarized it best when he said: People are always blaming their scenarios for what they are. The individuals who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the situations they desire, and if they can't find them, make them, according to Fromell.
- Deciding: You can't achieve success if you don t have the capability making decisions, especially tough ones. The more you climb the business ladder, the more difficult the choice making procedure ends up being. Effective people make important choices rapidly and guarantee them, states Fromell. She states people may be at the ideal location at the correct time and see the chance, but cannot make a fast choice and wind up losing a chance.
Persistence is everything: According to Fromell, individuals often fail because they change course at the first problem. Lots of business people acknowledge this, however do not use it in their work, she says.
EQworks emotional intelligence specialists in london insist that 'failure is a choice'. What they say is you only fail when you accept failure, when you decide to give up. If you keep going, keep changing, trying new things, then ultimately you will succeed.
This adaption to change and willingness to always look on the bright side are two key emotional intelligence components, flexiblity and optimism. Seeing things as they really are so you can miximise chanes is reality checking. You can test and be coached around your emotional intelligence using emotional intelligence testing.

subset: commoncrawl


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Biblical Counseling is the process where the Bible, God's Word, is related individually to a person or persons who are struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or the difficulties with suffering. This person might genuinely experience a heart changed based on the truth of scripture and realign their lives according to the truths they have learned, to live a God-honoring life.
This definition is based on three important beliefs.
First, we believe that the Bible, given by God, is sufficient for life in that, when properly interpreted, it reveals to the believer all the data necessary for one to understand his need for Christ, how he can please the Lord, and how to live in a god-honoring way regardless of the circumstances whether comfortable or oppressive.
Second, the Bible is also the authoritative source with which all truth claims–including claims made by science and history–must be evaluated. As a result, we reject all counseling theories that use presuppositions, principles, and/or methodologies that are inconsistent with the proper interpretation of the biblical text.
Third, we believe that genuine heart change is totally dependent on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Thus, our view of counseling practice includes the importance of prayer, dependence on God, a thorough knowledge of the Word of God, and an understanding of ministering to people.


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Mae Phim Beach, Taphong, Mueang Rayong, Rayong, East, Thailand
Mae Phim Beach, one of the fastest growing new beach destination in Thailand and only 2 hours from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport or 1 hour from Pattaya.
Outstanding coastal line with numerous beaches stretching ten's of km's, which undoubtedly are one the best mainland beaches in Thailand
Project location in the very heart of Mae Phim Beach just a minute walk from all the restaurants & bars, but still in its own seclude and discreet bay giving you the feeling of a private beach and utmost privacy.
Product type:
Pre-launch date:
Completion date:
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Escape Condominium (buildings A & B)
Logans Residence Development Co., Ltd / Avatara Co., Ltd.
Direct beach front condominium
Mae Phim Beach, Rayong, Thailand
April 2016
October 2018
January 2017
Building A 1,482 square meters (3 Ngan 70.5 TW) / Building B 1,416 (3 Ngan 53.9 TW). Total area being 2,898 square meters (1 Rai 3 Ngan 24,5 TW)
78 in total
From 39 to 207 square meters
41 in total
45 Baht / Sqm / Month
From 3 Million (77,000 / sqm)
2 swimming pools, Jacuzzi, beach front Fitness room, restaurant / bar, beachfront sundeck / garden area, shaded relaxation areas and 3rd floor outdoor lounge.
Onsite exclusive rental management and service office.
** Please contact DreamHouses local agent for more information, more pictures and DreamHouses special promtion about this property. Click here for the contact request form for Escape new development project.
Information is preliminary and designs can change pending final approvals. Surroundings in images are artistic impressions and for visual purpose only. All actual footage on the animation video has been filmed on project location only. All loose and built in furniture's shown in units are additional.


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Privacy Policy
This privacy policy sets out how Playability uses and protects information when you use this website in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Everyone responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called 'data protection principles'. They must make sure the information is:
- used fairly and lawfully
- used for limited, specifically stated purposes
- used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
- accurate
- kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
- handled according to people's data protection rights
- kept safe and secure
- not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection
Playability is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.
Collection of Personal Information
We will only require you to provide us with appropriate personal information when you enquire about our activities or register with us. We may also receive information about you from third parties, for example; school. You may provide us with additional information at your own discretion. We require you to provide us with sufficient personal information so that we may process your request.
What We Collect
The types of information collected might include, names, date of birth, e-mail address, postal address, telephone number.
What We Do With The Information We Gather
We require this information to understand your needs. We will use your personal information to provide you with the activities or information you have requested, for administration purposes and to further our charitable aims, including for fundraising activities.
We may share your information with other organisations that are supportive of our aims and objectives.
Links To Other Websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement.
Protecting Your Personal Information
We take appropriate measures to ensure that the information disclosed to us is kept secure, accurate and up to date and is only kept for as long as necessary.
You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to Playability, W1 Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, Warrington, WA2 8TX.
If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.
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By providing us with your personal data, you consent to the collection and use of any information you provide in accordance with the above purposes and this privacy statement.


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It's that time of year again; January the fifth, the anniversary of the launch of the TrawsCymru T5 service (which runs between Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest). Last year, to mark the first birthday of the service, I criticised the use of the single service number 'T5' on what is really a collection of different routes. This year, I will explain why I believe that only one of those routes deserves the 'TrawsCymru' tag.
In 2010, a consultation was held regarding improvements to what was then the TrawsCambria network, which at the time consisted of the following services:
X32 Bangor – Porthmadog – Dolgellau – Machynlleth – Aberystwyth
X40 Aberystwyth – Aberaeron – Lampeter – Pencader – Carmarthen – (Swansea – Cardiff)
X50 (Aberystwyth) – Aberaeron – Cardigan
550 Aberystwyth – Aberaeron – New Quay – Aberporth – Cardigan
X94 Barmouth – Dolgellau – Bala – Llangollen – Wrexham
704 Newtown – Llandrindod Wells – Brecon
Having already read rumours that it was planned to rename the network TrawsCymru, I spoke up in favour of retaining the 'TrawsCambria' brand when I visited the consultation roadshow. Professor Stuart Cole's reply, as I have written before, was that the old name had some 'baggage'. He may have meant there were intellectual property difficulties with using it (the TrawsCambria name might belong to Arriva, I'm not sure) but my preferred interpretation is that he felt passengers had negative experiences tied up with the TrawsCambria name.
The logical thing therefore, in my opinion, is to ensure the new brand is a squeaky clean example of a top-notch long-distance bus service.
If I recall correctly, the consultation suggested moving to a limited-stop coach network as one of the options. While a limited-stop direct service would be ideal for long-distance passengers, in many cases the TrawsCambria services were the only public transport available. My response to the consultation thus included the proviso that limited-stop services should not come at the expense of bus services which stop anywhere. This comment was echoed some time later by Dr Victoria Winckler, who the Welsh Government commissioned to review the network; the need for speed does not outweigh the need for a bus service.
But, if you're going to have a flagship brand, that brand has got to stand for something, otherwise what is the point of creating that brand? I don't think anyone has done that with TrawsCymru; if I recall correctly there were requirements for TrawsCymru livery, free WiFi, smartly uniformed staff and minimum legroom in the invitations to tender for several TrawsCymru services, but most bus operators have services with most of those things anyway. The legroom requirement might have been a Unique Selling Point, but either it was ignored or the value specified was the same inadequate legroom found on most normal buses (I must get a tape measure and check one of these days). More relevantly, there appears to be no criteria for deciding which routes should be branded TrawsCymru. Dr Winckler's report put forward one view which I had come to myself by that point; that TrawsCymru services, while not being limited stop, should avoid detours.
As I have posted previously, Dr Winckler felt that TrawsCymru journey times should ideally be no more than 33% slower than by car. Again, as I stated before, the 412 and 550 services (which have now been merged into the TrawsCymru T5) flouts this recommendation to a serious degree. The TrawsCymru website has the cheek to call the T5 a direct service, but a service which travels via New Quay, Aberporth, Fishguard and Mathry Road to get from Aberystwyth to Haverfordwest cannot be taken seriously as a realistic alternative to private cars. Even the faster journeys which omit Aberporth are too slow; Cardigan to Haverfordwest via Fishguard is a lost cause for end-to-end competitiveness and likewise (to a lesser degree) Aberystwyth to Cardigan via New Quay is a big detour.
Of course we need all those detouring services; the need to provide a bus service to as many places as possible trumps end-to-end speed, but such services cannot be sold as a useful long-distance travel option, so why are the Welsh Government trying to do so by branding them as TrawsCymru? If we can't afford direct services IN ADDITION to the slow ones, then we should wipe the TrawsCymru brand away and just run local buses.
Of course, I am largely repeating myself here; previous blog posts have covered this topic (this one, for example). I think however that this is the first time I've gone over it in detail since the T5 launched and confirmed that yes, they did go ahead and do exactly what I had been hoping they wouldn't; the major detours of the former 550 and 412 service have been included in the TrawsCymru network.
Aside from WiFi, TrawsCymru means nothing more than TrawsCambria did; the new brand is tarnished at least as much as the old. In fact, if anything, the problem is worse. While TrawsCambria included the 550, which should always have been just a local service, it did at least also feature three or four direct X50 services each way daily between Aberystwyth and Cardigan avoiding New Quay (with direct short workings between Aberaeron and Cardigan in addition); the T5 has just one direct journey per day in each direction between Cardigan and Aberystwyth. Plus, TrawsCambria never included the service between Cardigan and Haverfordwest (via Fishguard), which may well be the most indirect bus service in Wales (it takes almost twice as long as driving); TrawsCymru does.
'The most indirect through service in Wales, at twice the travel time of driving', hardly a great advertisement for TrawsCymru is it? The only part of the T5 which deserves to be TrawsCymru is the sole remaining direct service between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, without the extension to Haverfordwest (there is, I think, a possible extension south of Cardigan which might work, but that's a story for another day (maybe 5th Jan 2018!).


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Village Eatingouse creates unique offerings of specialty foods products including salad dressings marinades and sauces to compliment fresh fruits and vegeatables and meats. The products are attractively packaged and are all natural to support a healthy lifestyle and add to dining pleasure. Our products are currently being offered by farm markets, winery tasting rooms, independently owned grocery stores and gift basket businesses in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Florida and Wisconsin. Our products are also available in bulk sizes.
Our Marketplace and Cafe is filled with homemade soups, salads, entrees and desserts. We love to have the place full for lunch and everyone leaving happy and satisfied.
Village Eatinghouse is a husband and wife owned company that specializes in manufacturing quality handcrafted food products in Pleasant Gap, PA
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If you've been hunting for the perfect high-street foundation for a long-time now (join the club), then I THINK you're GOING to be impressed by this new Nip + Fab release.
For a long time now, I have raved about how great the Nip + Fab Glycolic Cleanser is – in fact, the entire collection is my go-to whenever I suffer with a breakout. I've previously reviewed three products from the range, which you can read here.
It goes without saying that I was extremely eager to try the new Nip + Fab makeup line and see if it lived up to my high expectations.
So far, I've only had the chance to try the foundation, but I'm definitely going to be reviewing more products from the range in the near future – so hold tight!
I wanted to test it for a reasonable amount of time to get to grips with how the product left my skin looking immediately, and just as importantly, the longevity. I've been applying it every third day for the past two months and I feel pretty good about the results.
- While it's not the most important consideration when buying a foundation, the high-street price-tag is a definite bonus – £12.95 really can't be grumbled at.
- Unlike other high-street alternatives, there is SUCH a broad skin tone suitability within this collection – with 12 colours to choose from, including a white 'Light Mixer' which enables you to customise your perfect shade!
- It's not high-coverage, but it's not transparent. It doesn't have a sheen, but it's also not matte. It's the perfect mix of everything if you're looking for a medium coverage skin base.
- The formulation can be layered up without forming unnecessary 'cakiness'.
- Due to the fact that the tube is squeezy with a plastic nozzle top, it's easy to apply a small or large amount of the product. Either squeeze the foundation directly on to the face or onto the back of hand as an initial step!
Now that you've heard what I think of the Nip + Fab Foundation, I'd love to hear if you have any alternative high-street recommendations (available in the UK)!
I'm currently thinking of filming a video or writing a blog about how to achieve 'dewy' skin (I've just discovered the perfect, affordable skin duo)… if you'd like to see this, please let me know in the comment space below!
Follow my blog for more beauty ramblings…


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An Admissions representative will direct your question to the correct person in the Division of Communication & Creative Media
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone: (802) 625-0201
Ken Howell is an Associate Professor in the Division of Communication & Creative Media and previously served as the Assistant Program Director and Interim Program Director of the MFA program. Ken joined Champlain's Emergent Media Center (EMC) in 2008 but has been teaching at the college since 2006. Since joining the EMC he as worked on a variety of projects including the UNFPA Game to Prevent Violence Against Women , CIMIT RIPS project, IBM Virtual Worlds project, and the ViewBoost rural tourism app. Prior to coming to Champlain College, he taught at both New York University and New Jersey City University.
In addition to teaching, Ken has been an independent Interaction Designer and Developer for over fifteen years and has been fortunate to work on such broad-ranging brands as Urban Outfitters, Rossignol, Pantene and Skittles. In 2002, drawing on a love of electronics and his fine art background, Ken founded Watson Innovations, a group of artists and technologists dedicated to developing new systems of computer user input through physical computing. When he is not working or teaching, Ken enjoys drawing, painting, woodworking, tinkering in his laboratory, and all things outdoors.


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Do you know how many toothbrushes you have used and thrown away during the course of your life? Dental care providers advice that it is important to change toothbrushes every 3 months. A thirty-year-old man or woman should have thrown away 120 toothbrushes.
Today, more than sixty-five million people in the United Kingdom use and discard more than 256 million tooth bushes each year. Imagine for a second that these toothbrushes were kept in one place, it is going to make a great pile.
It might interest you to know that, there are some things you can use your toothbrush for after you have stopped using them to brush your teeth.
In this article, we are going to discuss some creative ways you can use your old toothbrushes so as to save time and money.
1. Exfoliation
Of course, there are tools on the market that are dedicated strictly to exfoliation. But your old toothbrush can also be used as an exfoliating tool. You can use your old toothbrushes to exfoliate your lips especially if there are dead skins on it that you want to get rid of. Right now you might be wondering if it is effective at all. When you actually try it you will be amazed as to how effective they can be when it comes to exfoliating the lips.
2. Cleaning your fish tank
If you have a portable fish tank at home, then you probably know how important it is for you to clean it regularly. Now, this is where your old brushes come in. You can use it to keep your fish tank clean.
3. Hair
If you are a hairstylist, then you can use your old toothbrush when picking out your highlighters. You will be amazed at how effective they are.
4. Narrow areas
There are chances that your laptop has a lot of nooks and crannies that you cannot really get your hands on while using a cloth. Using your old toothbrush will enable you to clean every part of with without any stress, especially your keyboard area and other narrow spaces where dust and bacteria reside.
5. Shine
You can also use an old toothbrush as a tool to polish your old jewellery to give it back its shine. You will be amazed as to how effective they could be.
6. Bathroom
You can use your old toothbrushes to clean the nooks and crannies of your bathroom, especially between tiles.
7. Nail cleaner
From time to time dirt gets under your nails. This dirt can be difficult to remove. Using your old toothbrush will get them out of your nails in seconds. Many people keep their old toothbrush in their handbag so that they can remove dirt from their finger at any time of the day.
8. Paws cleaner
If you have a pet, let us say a dog, you will know that a difficult area to clean is its paws. But you don't have to stress yourself while doing this. Using your old toothbrush can help you clean your dog's paws faster.
These are just a few ways you can use your old brushes, brainstorm and think of more practical ways you can use them.


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Stop Attackers in Their Tracks with Threat Alerts in Spiceworks
Watch the Webcast On-Demand
Watch It Now!
Securing your environment is a job that's never done. To help SpiceHeads on this front, Spiceworks now provides Threat Alerts, powered by AlienVault, that notify you if devices in your network have been communicating with known malicious hosts. This is usually a sign of malware infection, but not always. So, what should you do when you receive a Threat Alert in Spiceworks? Join AlienVault Green Guy Garrett Gross to learn key steps you should take to investigate Threat Alerts and determine what to do next.
In this session, Garrett will cover:
- How to interpret the information provided by AlienVault Threat Alerts
- How to determine which Threat Alerts require your attention
- How to identify false positives that you can tune out
Sign up to learn how to detect threats in real-time using the AlienVault capabilities built in to SpiceWorks!
Meet Your Host
Garrett Gross
Solutions Architect
Garrett comes from a diverse IT background, including network/systems administration and sales engineering. As a former practitioner, he understands the challenges that businesses face and leverages that insight to help companies of all sizes secure their network.


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On August 26, I wrote about several federal grant applications that we submitted for transportation and sustainability projects in the Treasure Valley. In my post, I stated that the chance of receiving even one of these grants was slim.
Unfortunately, I was right. The federal Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development have released the lists of grant recipients. None of our projects received funding, although two Idaho projects did: one in Moscow and one in Hailey.
So, where does this leave us? While we are disappointed to not receive funding to help move these projects forward, it does not mean we are at a standstill. We will apply again next year, and build upon the partnerships we've formed and the lessons we've learned to develop even stronger applications. We will also request "debrief" sessions with both federal agencies to gain insight into what we can do differently next time to be more competitive.
In addition, we will continue to seek other funding to improve livability and transportation infrastructure in the valley, and we will move forward with the planning projects. However, the work on those projects will be less robust than it would have been with the grant money.
For example, the proposed "regional plan for sustainable development" will be rolled into the next update of our regional long-range transportation plan, Communities in Motion. While the focus of the plan is transportation, other factors, such as housing, land use, and energy, will be incorporated, as all of these issues are interrelated. We will build on the valuable partnerships developed during the grant application process to ensure we are planning cohesively.
The State Street/Highway 44 project will also move forward. We have time budgeted to devote to this important corridor and will work closely with the Ada County Highway District, Valley Regional Transit, the City of Boise, and others to expand transportation choices and encourage transit-supportive land uses along the corridor.
We will work on small, "bite-sized" pieces of the high-capacity corridor alternatives analysis to better prepare us for the full-blown analysis in the future. At the same time, we will continue to seek funding for that full analysis.
However, the argument for funding an alternatives analysis is tricky. While the need for high-capacity transit between Caldwell and Boise is well documented, it can be difficult to make a valid argument for funding for the analysis when there is no source of funding to operate a high-capacity system. It is a "chicken and egg" conundrum – which comes first the plan or the money?
Along those lines, we'll also continue to advocate for local funding options for transportation for the Treasure Valley. Without a local source of funding, we are at the mercy of the decisions of others, as we were with these grant applications. To be able to take control of our own destiny, we need to be able to pay our own way.


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Professional Cleaning for West Wickham and Surrounding Areas
Nuuclean Services is an expert cleaning company covering West Wickham, Monks Orchard, Shirley, Hayes, Kelsey Park, Bromley Common, Spring Park, and surrounding areas.
We offer carpet and upholstery cleaning, commercial cleaning, end of tenancy cleans, domestic cleaning, hard floor cleaning and polishing, wood floor cleaning and polishing, and oven, hob and extractor cleaning.
We also provide a highly sought after mobile commercial and domestic interior car valeting service.
Over the years we have invested in state-of-the-art high performance cleaning machines we offer you powerful cleaning power.
Our business is focused on great cleaning and customer satisfaction and that is why we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. As members of Checkatrade we have an average review score of 9.9 out of 10 and we are dedicated to keeping our level of service at a very high standard.
What we do:
- Domestic Cleaning
- Commercial Cleaning
- End of Tenancy Cleaning
- Carpet Cleaning
- Specialised Rug Cleaning
- Upholstery Cleaning
- Hard Floor Cleaning
- Hard Floor Polishing
- Wooden Floor Cleaning
- Wooden Floor Polishing
- Oven Cleaning
- Mobile Car Valet
Check out our low prices for carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning – and more!
No matter what you need, whether it is carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, or end of tenancy cleaning, we are able to help. Our cleaning specialists come to you whether you are in West Wickham, Monks Orchard, Shirley, Hayes, Kelsey Park, Bromley Common, Spring Park, or surrounding areas
Contact us today for industrial grade steam cleaning for a deep clean which is around 10 times more powerful than self-hire rug doctor type machines!
- No hidden fees
- All prices include pre-treatment
- Double standard cleaning for effective dirt and stain removal
- Chemically safe cleaning
- 110 degree high temperate steam cleaning
- Faster drying times
We are happy to answer any of your questions, so call on 07411 156 483 or get in touch today. For End of Tenancy Cleaning enquiries please call 07804 669 568.
Nuuclean Services
29 Ruskin Road
Telephone: 0208 681 2572
Mobile: 07411 156 483
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Contact us for a free quotation or advice on the best option to suit your needs.
No hidden fees. The price you see is the price you pay.
Nuuclean Customer Guarantee:
Customer Satisfaction every time or your money back.
Get A Quote
- The price you see is the price you pay.
- All our prices include pre-treatments.
- Double standard cleaning for effective dirt and stain
- Chemically safe cleaning for all the family including babies and pets.
- Fully Insured up to £1,000,000.
- 110 degrees high temperature steam cleaning.
- Faster drying times.


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Social Media
County adopts prescription drug program
All Merced County residents will soon be eligible for discounts on prescription drugs not covered by insurance.
A prescription discount program offered through the National Association of Counties (NACO) is set to launch in Merced April 1.
The Board of Supervisors approved it this month. Read Thursday's Merced Sun-Star for the full story.


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Snow update!!
And if you scroll down, you can see what it looked like here before first light.
Just beautiful! The photo prior to daybreak is extraordinary!ReplyDelete
Oh Charlotte, a perfect wintry scene, complete with happy folks enjoying the white stuff! Your park is amazing, both with snow and without. I love the ivy on the roof of the building. Very ancient looking, full of enchantment. Enjoy the snowday! :-)
Now there you go - it simply isn't Christmas without snow, and it does bring forth the child in all of us! EnjoyReplyDelete
Here, in the Cotswolds, we are snow free - just the lightest dusting - despite being only 85 miles away from you as the crow flies.
In fact, the snow stopped about 15 miles away from here. Trust you keep warm and safe and enjoy every moment of the Christmassy scene!
Beautiful before and after pictures in the park. Stay warm! :)ReplyDelete
Brrrr... Stay warm there! You might send some snow our way! We want white Christmas!ReplyDelete
Even in photos, snow creates a hushed calm that makes me want to get cozy by a fire. Wonderful photo before and after photo.ReplyDelete
Oh Charlotte you certainly have had more than me in Scotland - we will get it tommorrow - just a few flurries since yesterday. Walking through the park must have been a wonderful but chilling outing today - good thinking about taking a photo from the same spot. Take care while out and keep warm like me - as I type this I've got a blanket around me!ReplyDelete
What a sight to behold - just beautiful!ReplyDelete
Great photos we were better off here in Guildford not much snow at all.ReplyDelete
Lovely photos Charlotte, lucky you to have so much snow. 'up north' we've barely had any, just a peppering on the ground but not even enough for me to take photos of if I'm honest.ReplyDelete
I love the photos of the garden without and then with the snowfall... what a difference! Lovely to see people out playing in the snow... it is so wonderful when it first falls. Wonderful photos of your winter wonderland. CarolReplyDelete
The snow looks grand. Nice pics as always. We are still snow free, bummer. Merry Christmas.
No snow here in Worcestershire - dont mind if it snows now as I have finished work for the year!!ReplyDelete
It's very refreshing to come inside from the heat and look at your cool snow pictures.We don't have much snow here in South Florida but it looks like fun. Have a wonderful Christmas!
The before and after shots are great. Your snow is a very pretty one. We are predicted to get a storm the two days before Christmas. Our previous snow hasn't left yet.ReplyDelete
Oh it is so beautiful. I love how you posted both the summer and winter photos. It was fun looking at how the plants looked with a layer of snow compared to how they looked in the summer.ReplyDelete
How fun! I'm glad people are enjoying it. We've only seen a few flakes here last week, I'd love to wake up to a scene like yours.ReplyDelete
Love the shots in the snow! We don't ever get any , but maybe once every 10 years!ReplyDelete
It's marvelous to see real snow, even in photos. You made a beautiful contrast with that house in the park, for two seasons. We are from the tropics, so these are real treats for us. So thank you so much for sharing these photos.ReplyDelete
Still very icy here in Somerset. Beautiful photos. Have never experienced Brighton like this - this does look wonderful. Best wishesReplyDelete
Your lovely photos make me feel very nostalgic for my childhood in Brighton. I lived near The Rookery and Preston Park in my early childhood. I also remember the Big Freeze of 1962-3 when I lived near Queen's Parm - the snow lasted for months, and our pipes were frozen for weeks.
Dianthus of Sagazone


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|This event was crazy from the start!
Photo by Jean Pommier
Let's start with the fact that I'm running Western States this year! Woo hoo! I was amazingly fortunate to receive an automatic entry into the Western States 100 Endurance Run this year thanks to my Quicksilver Running Club. Each year the club hosts the Duncan Canyon aid station at mile 24. Therefore we get an automatic entry each to be raffled off among club. And this year I was selected as the club's designated runner!
So, you'd think that Western States would be my main focus this year, my A race, my basket in which I'm putting all my eggs. But oddly, while I'm looking forward to Western States and certainly want to do well, it is actually the Ohlone 50K, held on my birthday (May 19th) that dominates my thoughts. Ohlone is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night. When I'm out on a hard training run suffering, it's Ohlone that keeps me motivated. "If you want to crush Ohlone, you need to attack this hill!".
OK, so back to the title of this post... the Overgrown Fat Ass 50K. Every year, the Sunday after the Super Bowl, Quicksilver teammates Adam Blum and Sean Lang organize a small, informal 31 mile jaunt through the mountains. The run starts in Los Gatos and runs up and over Mount El Sombroso via Limekiln and then drops down Woods Road into Almaden Quicksilver County Park... where we turn around at English Camp and then run back the way we came, back up and over the mountain.
Since this is a "Fat Ass" run and not an formal, organized permitted race, there are no aid stations. However, Adam and Sean's wives do hang out at the Woods Road parking lot with a few jugs of water, an assortment of delicious foods and snacks, and -- for those who are brave/foolish enough to partake -- an adult beverage or two. Each year the parking lot buffet has a different theme such as Irish Pub, Mexican Cantina, or as was the case this year, Cops & Robbers (aka moonshine bootleggers).
|Cops and Robbers themed aid station
This event is really just an excuse to log a few early-season miles, get a little "sloppy" in the mountains, and have fun with some good friends. No one really goes out intending to hammer it like a real race. Well, no one except me perhaps. But I've got a good reason. Each February, I like to use the Overgrown Fat Ass as a tune-up race for Ohlone in May. While Overgrown has only 6,000 ft of elevation (compared to the 8,000 of Ohlone), they are both extremely tough courses with lots of hilly and exposed fire trails.
I'd done a fair share of smack talking the days leading up to the event, announcing how I was planning to run hard and hopefully drop everyone. However, I knew that was going to be tough to impossible when I saw that Christopher Wehan (who finished 4th this year at Miwok 100K) was planning to run. My plan was to go out ridiculously hard, hoping that everyone else would go out at an easy conversational pace, allowing me to grab an insurmountable early lead.
I hammered the hell out of the early miles, racking up numerous Strava CRs (Course Records) in the early miles. But when I glanced back over my shoulder at mile 5, my worst fears were confirmed. Chris was running hard and reeling me in. I continued to push the pace to the top of the mountain, and then down the other side.
At one point, I even intentionally peed in my pants (a proud first for me) rather than losing time by stopping or slowing down to pee. This pants-peeing came in the middle of 5 mile section where I averaged 6:38 pace down the mountain. I didn't even break stride whilst wetting myself. And yes, it was gross. But yes, my shorts (and left sock and shoe) all quickly dried again within minutes. I think I remembered to wash them afterwards???
|Chris Wehan taking it easy on me for a few miles!
Photo by Jean Pommier
Chris finally caught me at mile 14, just after he and I both flew through the make-shift parking lot aid station without stopping. As soon as he caught me, I gave up and was ready to call it a day. I thought about walking back to the parking lot and hitching a ride back to Las Gatos in my wife's car. But Chris was a gentleman and slowed down enough that I could jog with him for the 5 mile out-and-back section before we returned to the parking lot.
And now for the part where I foolishly drink Apple Pie Moonshine at the aid station and then stumble around the mountain for the next 45 minutes on wobbly legs. Chris, who I think also drank a shot of moonshine (or at least ate a moonshine-soaked strawberry) picked up the pace at this point and ran off up the mountain. I jogged leisurely, stopping a couple of times to use the bathroom. Eventually, after about 45 minutes, I started feeling good again and picked the pace back up. But it was too late... Chris was long gone.
I hammered the last few miles and finished in 4:21:23, about 8:37 average pace. This was nearly 40 minutes faster than my 4:59:20 winning time from two years ago. In fact, I think it might actually be the fastest trail 50K that I have ever run! Now, if I can only duplicate that at Ohlone in May :)


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Team Activity Coordination Tool (tACT)
The Team Activity Coordination Tool (tACT) is used by a project's mission planners to develop, schedule, execute, and manage activities to be performed by the mission operations team, especially during periods of intense activity such as observatory commissioning and science campaigns. It ingests flight dynamics events, contact schedules, and other events generated by the flight dynamics and mission planning systems, and allows the planners to organize a sequence of activities along this integrated event timeline to create a coordinated plan. It includes a web-based user interface that provides easy-to-comprehend graphical timelines and intuitive tools for activity planning. Users can create any number of customized timeline views that show only events and activities of interest over a desired time range.
The tACT supports a paper-free capability to maintain real-time communication of the plan and plan updates among mission subsystems teams. Activity definitions can include complex constraints with respect to timeline events and/or other activities. Activities can be grouped in to hierarchies to express parent-child relationships. Activities can be linked to events so they automatically move when an event time changes.
The tACT system comprises two main components: the server and the client. The client component is built on Javascript and the Google Web Toolkit (GWT). The client component passes data requests to the server and renders the resulting information for the user. The server component implements the tACT business logic, handles the client requests, and interacts with an off-the-shelf SQL database such as PostgreSQL for data storage and retrieval. All of the tool's state and history is stored in the database. The server component also is responsible for ingesting user event files.
The tACT is the evolution of a tool that originally was developed during the Aura launch readiness campaign. The Aura Mission Planning Tool (AMPT) filled a significant void in managing the activation timeline of a new spacecraft mission. The tool was later updated to support the NPOESS Preparatory Project where it was known as Everest. The third mission that the tool directly supported was the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, where the tool was known as tACT. Hammers substantially re-engineered tACT in 2013, and the now-current version was adopted by the MMS mission to plan and coordinate commissioning of their 4-spacecraft fleet.
To obtain tACT, please contact us.


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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Shame - A Review
My second entry in less than a week, inspired by a truly astonishing film!
Have been anticipating this for months, but when the time came to actually sit down and watch it, there was a tiny bit of apprehension about being let down. Tends to be the case when my expectations are set too high.
Thankfully, no such thing occurred here. Shame kept me riveted from beginning to end, and earns a perfect 10/10 from this finicky movie buff!
If you're not familiar with the subject matter, the less I reveal, the better. However, I will advise you NOT to be distracted by the "sex addition" tag, because although it is the dominant theme, director Steve McQueen's deft manipulation ensures that the sleaze never overwhelms.
Details follow beyond this point, so spoiler alert!
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The central character, Brandon Sullivan, is portrayed by Michael Fassbender, an actor whom I became a huge fan of only a year ago, following his broody turn in Jane Eyre ( during which I made the connection between him and Lt. Archie Hicox from Inglourious Basterds ). Since then, I've watched him play a comic book villain ( X-Men: First Class ), an evil zombie ( Blood Creek ), a Roman soldier ( Centurion ), an adulterer ( Fish Tank ), an IRA fanatic ( Hunger ), a tragic hero ( Eden Lake ) and a legendary psychiatrist ( A Dangerous Method ).
Little wonder he sits just below Kevin Spacey on my personal Top 10 Actors list! I am in awe of his talent and versatility. Plus it certainly helps that he's drop-dead gorgeous. :)
As Brandon, he once again blows me away with a multi-layered performance, combining animal sexuality with vulnerability to potent effect. Of course, the script ( by Abi Morgan and McQueen ) deserves major kudos for creating a character who is both deplorable and sympathetic, but undeniably memorable.
Viewers will no doubt feel like guilty voyeurs as McQueen takes us through intensely private moments in Brandon's life - outwardly normal and successful, inwardly in constant turmoil and progressively spiraling out of control.
We bear witness to his frequent trysts with random women which fail to satisfy his voracious sexual appetite. Pay attention to every scene - there're numerous revelations to pick up on, illustrating the gross discrepancy between Brandon's reckless abandon and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. For instance, he listens to Glenn Gould ( quiet, rather dull stuff ) but has no qualms about hiring prostitutes, engaging in threesomes, even venturing into a gay bar.
In another sequence, he vigorously cleans a toilet seat before urinating. And I wonder, this guy doesn't give a crap about sharing bodily fluids with strangers, and he wipes a toilet seat he doesn't even have direct contact with?!
Another fascinating segment involves a dinner date Brandon arranges with a saucy female colleague who's obviously attracted to him. They banter about their past and personal views on relationships. I don't have the exact quotes on hand right now, but remember laughing when Brandon said his longest relationship lasted only 4 months! He also gives his perspective on couples who have nothing to say to each other, which I can vouch for 100%. :)
Special mention goes to Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, who plays Brandon's younger sibling, Sissy. It's difficult to describe their bond in a way that will do it justice, but again, the script provides excellent material, and the actors deliver their scenes flawlessly.
I was momentarily stunned by one sequence which left Mulligan completely exposed for a few uncomfortable minutes, but I need to accept the fact that she's a grown woman now, not giggly Kitty from Pride & Prejudice or virtuous Jenny from An Education.
Her on-screen chemistry with Fassbender is positively scorching. There're a few sexual undertones - sufficient to make my mum use the word "incestuous" - but mostly it's a totally believable dynamic, alternating between deep affection and outright disgust, that makes this acting partnership so exciting.
I definitely harbour hope for another Fassbender-Mulligan collaboration in the near future, preferably in a sweeping Victorian-era romance!
Next, the subway train scene, where Brandon locks eyes with a pretty redhead and attempts to follow her when she alights.
Words alone can't possibly convey the fiery eroticism so expertly portrayed in this 3-minute segment. There's zero dialogue, every subtle gesture carries heavy subtext, and when Brandon stands behind the flustered woman as the train comes to a stop, their hands almost touching on the subway pole, I dare you to take a breath.
The encounter is so transient, yet it reverberates throughout the film. And when it finally comes full circle, the tension slices through like a hatchet.
Last but not least, the movie title proper. When the end credits roll, I guarantee you'll find yourself pondering its various definitions, and how they apply to the different characters and situations.
While it's obvious that "shame" alludes to Brandon's self-loathing, that alone comes in many forms: he knows he needs to kick the sex addiction, but can't; his sickness is discovered by Sissy, which is mortifying; he contemplates using an infatuated colleague to act out his twisted fantasy, but stops before it's too late and hates himself for being the instigator.
The other prime example includes the redhead episode. But I'll leave it to you to figure it out, because it is absolutely stunning.
The McQueen-Fassbender partnership struck gold with Hunger in 2008, and they will work together again on Twelve Years A Slave, set in the 1800s and co-starring Brad Pitt! Am looking forward to that! :)
The Artist may have swept the Oscars, but Shame is, in my opinion, far better. Michael Fassbender should've been named Best Actor for his fearless performance, and Steve McQueen at least nominated for Best Director.
Thank you both for one of the best film experiences of my life! :)
Next entry: A review of The Avengers, which I will be seeing next week. :D
Posted by spacefan at 8:00 PM
0 comments Labels: carey mulligan, michael fassbender, shame, steve mcqueen
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Love Is A Four-Letter Word
Many of us have been waiting anxiously for the release of Jason Mraz's new album, and I finally got to listen to it a couple of days ago.
Yes, he's my favourite musician - and will remain so as long as I still draw breath :) - but the effect his music has on me never fails to surprise.
Although We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things hit stores in 2008, fans were spared withdrawal symptoms thanks to constant tidbits these past 4 years, e.g. an acoustic version of WSWDWST, the Beautiful Mess - Live On Earth CD/DVD, intermittent spurts of new singles, plus the Life Is Good and Live Is A Four-Letter Word EPs.
Some may call these crafty marketing stunts designed to empty pockets, but in the age of digital downloads, one song may cost only 10 cents, so you do the math. :)
If anything, the albums highlight Jason's sheer artistry. How else can you describe 5 versions of a song, all of which are clearly different, yet equally awesome? I've attended 3 gigs and own every single concert CD/DVD I could get my hands on, and never tire of his performances.
This review of Love Is A Four-Letter Word is preliminary. I've listened to it straight through a couple of times, but am now hitting repeat on a number of tracks to dig a little deeper. It usually takes more than 10 replays before I'm able to identify real favourites, but here's what I thought after round 1: ABSOLUTELY SUBLIME. :D
One of the reasons I derive such great pleasure from Jason's music is that I've been lucky enough to follow his career from the very beginning. ( Thank you again, G, for introducing me to Waiting For My Rocket To Come. :))
Many musicians crash and burn after 5 years, but Jason keeps getting better a whole decade after his debut.
My general impression of Love is that it's more introspective. The trademark upbeat JM ditties are still present, but the slow and sweet melodic ballads are especially prominent here, and only one piece can be considered just a tad on the unconventional side. Compare this to WSWDWST, which featured The Dynamo of Volition, Only Human and Coyotes, which aren't exactly singalong-friendly.
Not that I'm complaining, of course! My admiration for Jason has reached the stage where I'm able to digest anything he sings. But after 10 years, this is without a doubt the JM album I've been wishing for.
His maturity shines through in many aspects, but most notably in the lyrics and musical arrangements. Certain melodies may sound deceptively simple, but then you wonder why no-one else has come up with similar tunes!
An early fave - sure to be a crowd pleaser at concerts! - is Living In The Moment ( track #2 ). Jason loves to share positive messages with fans, and the lyrics are guaranteed to put a spring in anyone's step:
"I will not waste my days / Making up all kinds of ways
To worry about all the things / That will not happen to me
I'm letting myself off the hook for things I've done
I let my past go past / And now I'm having more fun
I'm letting go of the thoughts / That do not make me strong
And I believe this way can be the same for everyone
Living in the moment / living my life
Easy and breezy / With peace in my mind
With peace in my heart / Peace in my soul
Wherever I'm going, I'm already home"
I can already picture the scene at his June 29 Gardens by the Bay gig - 12,000 fans belting the song with Jason, waving whatever glow-y objects we have available ( gadgets, lighters, etc ). You can bet I'm going to sing my heart out! :)
Another current fave: The Woman I Love ( track #3 ). I'm familiar with the 'live' version, but the studio recording moved me immensely. As always, Jason has a knack for noticing a relationship's subtle nuances and little moments, putting beautiful words to a gorgeous tune to produce an instant classic.
To complete the hat trick, next comes I Won't Give Up ( track #4 ), which Jason readily admits he wrote for Tristan Prettyman, a long-time love whom he was engaged to for a time before it was called off. Again, I've heard this before, but for some reason, the album recording reduced me to a teary mess. I was initially shocked by the reaction, but also realized how far my journey with Jason has progressed. I've never connected with his music so deeply before. What a breakthrough! :D
Other worthy contenders: 93 Million Miles ( poignant ), Frank D. Fixer ( outstanding ), In Your Hands ( intensely romantic ) and Be Honest ( I liken it to seeing 3 rainbows all at once :)).
Yes, Love Is A Four-Letter Word is phenomenal! Sensational! Brilliant! Which is why I'm going to try my best to memorize all the lyrics and heartily participate in the mass karaoke sessions at the show. ( I'm very bad at this, but there's always Google on my mobile for easy reference. :))
In 2009, when Jason was nominated for a few Grammys but didn't win, I predicted that his luck would quickly change, and it did ( he picked up 2 awards in 2009, in addition to being inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame ).
For 2012, I have 2 more: that Love deserves and will win the Album Of The Year Grammy, and that Jason will seriously consider writing a Broadway musical.
I also hope he will duet with Sara Bareilles someday. They're perfect for each other. :)
Thanks for reading, and if you're going to the June 29 gig, I look forward to seeing you there! It's gonna be awesome!
Posted by spacefan at 9:00 PM
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3-D printing is all the rage, but how does it actually work? Where can the public access 3-D printers? The team at SpokaneCREATE will walk you through the basics of 3-D design and printing, showing you the possibilities and how to take your idea to physical form. SpokaneCREATE has built a 3-D printer from scratch, and is excited to show you how the process works. Register online.
Arthur Bearden is a technology contractor with over twelve years in industry. The majority of his day job revolves around developing internet based software solutions, but at night he moves into the physical world with electronics, CNC machines, and other hands-on projects. When not elbow-deep in technology he enjoys the outdoors through camping, hiking, and off-roading, as well as geekier pursuits including tabletop gaming, video games, and reading fantasy/sci-fi.
Superpower: Visualizing the solution
Kryptonite: Boredom
Nathan Cutler is a software engineer by day…and still a software engineer by night. In addition, he is a co-founder and actively involved in Spokane CREATE!, Spokane's makerspace. Nathan holds degrees in electrical engineering, precision machining technology, and applied developmental psychology. He's not sure what he's going to do with all that when (if) he grows up…artificial intelligence robots, perhaps? When he's not behind a computer he enjoys hiking and camping with his beautiful wife and very active son (soon to be two active sons).
Superpower: Not afraid to fail
Kryptonite: Unfinished projects
Adam Huson is an electrical engineer specializing in ASIC design and hardware architecture. He holds degrees from EWU in electrical and mechanical engineering, and minors in physics and math. When he's not debugging the latest prototype system at work, he's busy working on house projects or studying for his master's degree in computer engineering. Adam also is very active in the FIRST Robotics program, and is assistant coach for an area team where he is able to exercise his passion for teaching to help students with welding, electronics, programming, parametric modeling, and leadership. Other hobbies include animation, video special effects, and graphic design.
Superpower: Finding root cause of a problem.
Kryptonite: Taking time to sleep.


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Why I don't Shop downtown ClearfieldHere's one reason why I don't shop downtown Clearfield, Pa.
Wonder if the main street manager (what a waste of money) and Clearfield Revitalization Corporation have considered this as s lack of interest in the downtown area. Who wants to put money in a parking meter then have to pay a fine because meter ran out a few minutes before returning to vehicle.
With the poor economic conditions smacking you right in the face every day, this 2 - 3 dollars means alot to me. Why shop downtown, when I can go to Walmart park for free and take the 3 bucks I saved on parking and treat myself to a Sundae at DQ.


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Framed embroidery on antique doilie, 22.5×40cm
Fresh from his daffodil picking, shy Ted takes pride of place upon his exquisite antique doilie. Pictured with his beautiful handpicked blooms, he is bound to tickle your nostalgic heart. Beautifully presented in a wooden box frame, he comes ready to grace your perfect space with his quiet charm.


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Of Counsel
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Insurance Coverage
Premises Liability
Breach of Contract
Products Liability
Commercial Litigation
New Jersey
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Washington University, A.B 1982
Villanova School of Law, J.D. 1986
Adam is a seasoned litigator who has successfully represented businesses involved in insurance coverage disputes, complex litigation, and personal injury defense. He has personal experience and expertise in claims involving catastrophic injury, commercial leases, construction disputes, insurance broker liability, security alarm and guard liability, and commercial transportation matters. Adam handles cases from inception to resolution by way of verdict, arbitration, judicial determination and settlement.
Adam graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and Villanova University School of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Adam was a partner at Blank Rome, LLP where he handled commercial litigation and personal injury defense matters. More recently, Adam has defended insurance companies in subrogation and coverage matters and litigated cases involving general business disputes at regional litigation firms. He is licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey state courts and admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Adam serves his community through his elected position on the Abington Township Board of School Directors. He was also a member of the SEPTA Citizens Advisory Board and the Cheltenham Township Economic Development Task Force.
Successfully represented a national retailer for property damage and business interruption following a roof collapse over a 1.2 million square foot regional distribution center. Suit was instituted against the general contractor and the steel fabricator. Through discovery and the retention of preeminent experts, the defense was able to establish that the steel fabricator failed to properly and adequately weld the roof joists and other structural components. The defense further demonstrated that these defects were the result of an incentive program that rewarded production efficiency at the expense of quality. The litigation was settled on terms very favorable to the client.
Successfully represented a retailer to recover losses arising from a multi-year seven-figure embezzlement scheme. Adam worked with the client's broker, financial professionals and insurance carrier representatives to maximize the insurance recovery and minimize the business loss caused by the fraud. He also worked with law enforcement officials to coordinate the insurance claim with the criminal investigation and prosecution.
Obtained a favorable jury verdict for a transportation client whose tractor-trailer rear-ended a passenger vehicle. One of the occupants of the passenger vehicle, a woman in her 60's, sustained a cerebral hemorrhage as a result of the accident and claimed permanent neurological deficits. As a result of Adam's intensive investigation and preparation of medical experts, the jury rendered a nominal award well below Plaintiff's pretrial demand.
Successfully defended a fire detection equipment manufacturer in a high profile lawsuit arising from a fire that destroyed the primate collection at a major urban zoo. Adam focused the defense on causation; specifically, the zoo's failure to maintain multiple systems designed to detect fire. As a result of the information uncovered by Adam in discovery, and proof that the animals' death from smoke inhalation was unrelated to his client's fire detection equipment, the case settled on very favorable terms.
"Trying A Case in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas," Defense Research Institute, 2013
Coverage College, White and Williams, LLP Philadelphia, PA 2007, 2008, 2009
"Understanding Joint and Several Liability," Property Loss Research Bureau, Orlando, FL 2007
"The Liability of the Insurance Broker for Breach of Duty to Advise," Risk Management Magazine, February, 2006
Of Counsel
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Insurance Coverage
Premises Liability
Breach of Contract
Products Liability
Commercial Litigation
New Jersey
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Washington University, A.B 1982
Villanova School of Law, J.D. 1986
© 2019 McDonnell & Associates
© 2012-2019 McDonnell & Associates. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer. Welcome to the web site of McDonnell & Associates.
The Law Offices of McDonnell & Associates serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey in communities such as Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, Allentown, Scranton, Cherry Hill, Camden, Millville, and Atlantic City
Metropolitan Business Center
860 First Avenue, Unit 5B
King of Prussia, PA, 19406
Phone: 610-337-2087
Fax: 610-337-2575
500 Marlton Pike West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Phone: 856-429-5300
Fax: 856-310-7900


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America watches puzzled and aghast as the Republican party morphs into a cross between a soap opera and reality TV with Donald Trump the host. It's getting messy and a little scary.
F.R. Pamp of central Colorado Springs is a retired attorney.
The Republicans are at war with themselves. Characterize the warring sides and what they're after. Trump's supporters are angry with establishment Republicans, and for good reason. Establishment Republicans fear the changes that a Trump candidacy will unleash. They're scrambling to keep the party from lapsing into futile anti-authoritarianism.
What underlies Republican name-calling and three-way shouting matches? In part, talk radio. It's become a talk radio item of faith that Obama is a Marxist, a traitor, a Kenyan, a Muslim. It's the political discourse equivalent of dumbing down. Trump, of course, is behaving like he's in third grade recess, but his supporters love that.
If it's Clinton vs. Trump in November, who gets your vote? Clinton, hands down. I don't like her, I don't trust her, and she might get us into another war, but Trump might start World War III. You can't govern the way Trump talks.
Stacey Anderson of Northwest Colorado Springs is a legal clerk.
Republicans are in a state of civil war. What, in your view, do the opposing sides stand for and seek to bring about? They are not all that different. It's all about labeling. At the end of the day, when you skim off all that rhetoric, they're very similar.
Is Trump a healthy or a destructive phenomenon? Destructive, though I would say his fellow Republicans are mostly destructive. He's just speeding it up a bit.
If it comes down to Clinton vs. Trump, who gets your vote? Clinton. I prefer Sanders myself, but she's fine. She's moderate. A centrist is better than so far right you can't even see the Republicans from there.
Lance Williams of Norwood is self-employed.
The Republican Party is at war with itself. What is the war over? Trump's supporters love him being a loose cannon who breaks establishment ranks whenever it suits him. Establishment Republicans are scrambling to get the upper hand back.
Who does Trump represent? People who are angry over the party's failure to produce change over the past eight to 10 years.
Republican debate has become a circus of name-calling and three-way shouting matches. What accounts for that? Seeing everything in simplistic, black-and-white ways. Refusing to compromise or budge an inch.
Clinton vs. Trump: Who gets your vote? I'm not especially thrilled with the Democrats, but Clinton is a way better alternative than Trump.


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House bill wants new funding ideas for roads on gas tax
Starting Jan. 1, Mountain Island drivers will pay three to four cents more per gallon for gas. State Senate members adjourned their session Nov. 29 refusing to take up a House bill that would cap the current gas tax at 35 cents per gallon.
Under current state law, the gas tax in North Carolina is recalculated twice a year, on Jan. 1 and July 1. The tax climbed 2 cents July 1 to an all time high of 35 cents and will climb again Jan. 1, this time to 38.9 cents. State fiscal staff members presented that information to a session of the House Finance Committee Nov. 28 as they debated House Bill 645. The bill, which called for a cap of the current gas tax, passed the House by a 99 to 23 vote. Now the Senate has to decide if it will take up the bill during the short session.
"Of all the issues people have called me about, this has to be the second most referenced, behind schools," District 68 Rep. Craig Horn, one of the bill's sponsors, said. "North Carolina's gas tax is the highest in the southeast and one of the highest in the nation. That hits people in the wallet. The impact of gas prices on small businesses and consumers is a problem."
The bill calls for a cap on the current gas tax until June 30. During that time period, it also calls for a study of the gas tax, to look at other ways of generating revenue for the State Department of Transportation. One such idea involves a switch from taxing on gas to taxing per mile. Modeled after similar programs in Oregon and the Netherlands, the plan would charge people based on the number of miles they drive annually. Satellite technology, similar to GPS, would be installed in cars.
"All our cars are getting better mileage than years ago," Horn said. "Our whole concept of how we fund transportation needs to be overhauled."
The idea of a gas tax overhaul, including a switch to taxing per mile, was originally brought up in 2009, when a committee was appointed to study the issue. The Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission turned in their report in February 2009, calling for the switch to take place, but nothing came of the study.
Tax cap would cost jobs?
Opponents of the current bill argue a cap on the gas tax would cut jobs and create funding problems for road projects, moving forward.
"Any change to our funding structure will decrease the number of projects we can deliver in the future," State Department of Transportation Communications Director Greer Beaty said. "As it is, we have to plan out 5 to 10 years to fund projects. If there is a change, ultimately, there would be projects delayed."
Department of Transportation projections estimate that capping the tax until June would delay 400 miles of road resurfacing and 72 bridge repairs. Beaty also pointed out a portion of the bill that called for the department to make reductions. In making the reductions required, the bill reads, the department may eliminate positions.
Also during the Finance Committee hearing, Christie Barbee, a lobbyist for the Carolina Asphalt Paving Association, estimated that up to 2,800 construction jobs could be lost, if the gas tax is capped.
Horn, who serves as a member on the House Appropriations Committee, disagrees, pointing to unspent transportation dollars as a way to cap the tax, while determining alternative solutions.
"Currently there is more than $31 million in unreserved funds sitting there," Horn said. "That comes from canceled projects and highway projects that came in under budget."
Horn's plan would require $95 million in cuts, according to the state fiscal staff. He proposed to address that by taking the $31 million currently unspent from the transportation fund, leaving $64 million needed in cuts. To address that, the state would trim $20.3 million from the interstate budget, $8.2 million from the urban loop fund, $2.1 million from the state's secondary roads budget and $2.1 million from the transportation funding given to municipalities. Addressing the remaining $31.3 million shortfall would be up to Department of Transportation officials. State staff members estimated the shortfall would mean 30 to 40 days delay on some loop and highway projects.
"We were told capping the tax would mean about a month's delay on some of these projects," Horn said. "In my experience, prices go up real fast and go down real slow. What we would gain outweighs the benefits the 3 cent tax increase would bring."
Beaty said that the Department of Transportation would not adjust their list of funded projects, unless the bill passes through the General Assembly next year. The increase to 38.9 cents was included in this year's budget for the department.
"We're going to move forward until we're told otherwise," Beaty said.
The House and Senate reconvene for the short session Feb. 16.


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Reasoning and Diagnostics Pt 1
Diagnostics is all about decisions. And what is a decision? It is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration. Therefore, efficient and effective diagnostics is about drawing the right conclusions at the right time. How do we do that? Amongst other things, by making sure our logical and critical thinking skills are up to scratch. This series of articles aims to help us with that by looking at the principles of human reasoning.
I want to add a little extra context and motivation. Why? Because this is going to read like a textbook chapter (sorryÂ…!) and it might not be obvious that taking the time to understand human reasoning will help us fix vehicles. However, seeing as we go back to basics whilst fault-finding, why not do it now when weÂ're trying to understand our logical and critical thinking? You wouldnÂ't learn to identify all the systems and components in a vehicle without learning the physics needed to understand how they work together, so why would you learn how to make diagnostic observations without making sure you were correctly piecing them together to draw your conclusions?
Should we care? Yes, because diagnostic technicians are undervalued and their logical and critical thinking abilities, necessary for effective diagnostics, are often overlooked. Also, when reasoning, humans have a habit of making the same types of mistakes. If we can be made aware of them, they might be avoided. Then, we will have improved our reasoning skills and become better diagnosticians.
Our most important diagnostic tool is our brain. Most of us are aware of the benefits of training, which in some ways is like adding or updating a software program within our brain, bringing with it new fault-finding knowledge and skills. What about our brain's "operating system"; are our logical and critical-thinking skills working okay behind the scenes? It won't do any harm to check for any bugs and make sure everything is running smoothly.
How do humans arrive at conclusions? We make inferences. An inference is a step within reasoning, where we use existing information to generate new information; i.e. getting "four" after "putting two and two together". When explaining our reasoning, we present the relevant information as an argument; a collection of statements (premises) supporting a conclusion. Usually, our arguments present either a guaranteed conclusion (deductive reasoning), a probable conclusion (inductive reasoning) or a possible conclusion (abductive reasoning). Other kinds of reasoning exist but we'll focus on these.
I keep mentioning critical-thinking. What do I mean? If we are drawing conclusions, we need to check or improve the validity and strength of the arguments behind them; that is what we do when we apply critical-thinking. How though do we apply our critical-thinking to check the logic of arguments? IÂ'll show you but the process can feel like wading through treacle as it needs discipline and precision; just like the fault-finding process! Hence, if we donÂ't exercise and train these traits thenÂ… well, we might as well get out the diagnostic dartboard...
Where to begin? WeÂ'll start in this article with deductive reasoning, use it to establish some basic principles, and then continue in a subsequent article with inductive and abductive reasoning. This order doesnÂ't infer that any one kind is any more effective or useful than another; we use them all, both during fault-finding and in our everyday lives.
In an ideal world, we would like to guarantee that our conclusions are true. Where we can use them, sound deductive arguments will provide this guarantee. Consider the following simplified argument we might hear within our workshops:
The engine needs fuel to run. The engine can run. Therefore, the engine has fuel. From the implication of the statement "the engine needs fuel to run" within the situation in which "the engine can run", the argument guarantees its conclusion; i.e. assuming its supporting statements are true, its conclusion is guaranteed true. This is defined as a valid argument. Validity is necessary because having true supporting statements doesn't guarantee a true conclusion, e.g. as in this example:
The engine cannot run. An engine needs fuel to run. Therefore, the engine has no fuel. In this argument, other factors might be preventing the engine from running, so it is invalid; a potentially true conclusion isnÂ't true enough. From a fault-finding perspective, we need to be aware of a deductive argumentÂ's validity, otherwise we might mistakenly accept a conclusion as being true, when there are alternative explanations.
As suggested above, validity is not the only important issue. The following is a totally valid argument, if the supporting statements are true, as it would guarantee its conclusion: All hybrid engines have flux capacitors. Flux capacitors warp space-time. Therefore, all hybrid engines warp space-time.
Therefore, for our arguments to be sound they must have true supporting statements and be valid, as in our first example above. If we can totally accept sound arguments, does that mean we must discard all others? For example:
The engine is sounding terrible. The valves must be bent. Therefore, the engine is knackered. This argument is neither valid nor sound: it doesnÂ't logically demand that the conclusion is true and the second supporting statement is not guaranteed true; sometimes easily rectified problems can make an engine sound terrible and is it a fact that the valves are bent? Despite this we canÂ't totally reject the conclusion, it could still be true. We just need to challenge ourselves to provide a better argument to justify it.
Our take away summary: deductive arguments must guarantee the conclusion, as there must be no room for any alternative explanations. If they can guarantee a conclusion and all the supporting statements are true, then the argument is sound. Sound is good!
Critical thinking and deduction
We've covered a lot of ground and it might have felt confusing – even though it is supposed to be logical – but this is just human nature getting in the way as we are programmed to take shortcuts and jump to conclusions. To bring us back to reality, let's use an attempt at diagnostic deduction to show us exactly where critical-thinking helps:
Faulty coil packs cause a misfire. The engine has a misfire. Therefore, a coil pack is faulty. Seem familiar?! The supporting statements are true and the conclusion is plausible, and very tempting to accept, as we "know" it's a common fault but, we can tell that this argument is invalid, as something else might be causing the stated misfire. So, here is the point: without any further consideration of any other facts, critical thinking can tell us that a decision to fit a new coil pack based on this argument would be invalid. Therefore, this type of critical thinking is the logical underpinning to asking "what would you test next if the part you were considering fitting did not clear the observed symptoms?" I.e. before we are even to consider any tests, we must first determine that our argument is unsound.
When to use deduction
We usually employ deductive arguments when the scope of our diagnostic deliberation is narrow, such as during specific system tests (e.g. "DPF regeneration does not start until the exhaust temperature is above 650 ˚C. The exhaust temperature is 450 ˚C. Therefore, DPF regeneration has not started.") or, specific component tests, which hopefully could be the last test in your search if it has become sufficiently narrow (e.g. "A volt drop above 250mV between these two points on this wire would indicate a high resistance fault. The Volt drop is 3 Volts. Therefore, the wire has a high resistance fault between these points.").
What next?
But what do we do if we donÂ't have perfect knowledge regarding the way a system works (and it is arguable that we can never have perfect knowledge) or if we are at the start of a diagnostic investigation and all we have is a symptom that we canÂ't easily connect to a possible system or component failure? This is where we can use inductive and abductive arguments to help drive the process forward. We will examine induction and abduction in future editions.


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C&G Gallery Welcomes Photographers Charles Biddle and Mark Perrott
— "Signs" Exhibit Premieres with Opening Reception on Feb. 15 —
PITTSBURGH – Cohen & Grigsby will feature the work of photographers Charles Biddle and Mark Perrott as part of the "Signs" exhibit presented at the C&G Gallery. The public will have the opportunity to view the exhibit through April following the opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Western Pennsylvania natives Charles Biddle and Mark Perrott have been photographing signs in paint to neon for nearly 30 years. "Signs" features images captured in cities across the United States, presenting a glimpse at the heart of a changing America, with certain truths and timeless design at its core. From glowing neon to corrugated lettering, each sign represents a mark on the timeline of the evolution of Americana.
"I have photographed signs for the better part of 30 years, all the while watching the mid-20th century heyday of neon disappear," said Mr. Biddle. "What the losses have taught me is an appreciation for those signs that have endured the twists of fate and continue to serve their purpose with timeless design and the bonus of a shared history."
The artist reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the C&G Gallery, located in the firm's office at EQT Plaza, 625 Liberty Avenue. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and to view their photography.
To make an appointment to view the "Signs" exhibit, please call 412-297-4900.
For more information about Cohen & Grigsby, please visit cohenlaw.com.
Since 1981, Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. and its attorneys have provided sound legal advice and solutions to clients that seek to maximize their potential in a constantly changing global marketplace. Comprised of more than 140 lawyers, Cohen & Grigsby maintains offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Naples, Fla. The firm's practice areas include Business Services, Labor & Employment, Immigration/International Business, Intellectual Property, Real Estate & Public Finance, Litigation, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Estates & Trusts, Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights, and Public Affairs. Cohen & Grigsby represents private and publicly held businesses, nonprofits, multinational corporations, individuals and emerging businesses across a full spectrum of industries. Our lawyers maintain an unwavering commitment to customer service that ensures a productive partnership. For more information, visit cohenlaw.com.


text: Deadline for MN Horse Expo Applications Wednesday, February 1, 2017 11:00 PM 11:59 PM 23:00 23:59 Google Calendar ICS Interested in being part of the Minnesota Walking Horse Association's demo team at Expo this year? Apply by February 1, 2017! Download the application in Word or PDF.Read more about the Expo here. Posted in promotion, deadline Tagged promotion


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In June 2014 Scott delivered a keynote with Swedbank CEO Michael Wolf on trends in Financial Service Innovation at Swedbank's senior management retreat in Stockholm, Sweden with its top 150 global executives.
SwedBank is one of the largest banks in Scandinavia. Founded in 1820, it employs over 16,000 people, and does $5 billion in annual revenue.
For more information, please see:
"Successful Startups Solve Heart Attacks, not Headaches"
In May 2014 Scott delivered a keynote address at a luncheon with SwedBank Chairman, CEO and members of Swedish Parliament, at SwedBank's 5th annual "Growth Days" event in Umea, Sweden. Scott also delivered a keynote dinner address at the Governor's residence, highlighting Silicon Valley's impact on growth, jobs, and industry in Sweden. His dinner keynote was given to Swedish MPs including the majority leader and chair of the foreign affairs committee, governors, ambassadors to the US and China, and CEOs. His panel was covered by Swedish TV, and Swedish press such as Infotech Umea.


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I have too much stuff. You probably have too much stuff, too. And she does…and he does. You know that people in this country have a problem accumulating too many things when we have TV shows like HOARDERS, HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE, STORAGE WARS, STORAGE HUNTERS, AMERICAN PICKERS, PAWN STARS, HARDCORE PAWN, COMBAT PAWN, PAWN KING, PAWN QUEENS, AUCTION HUNTERS, AUCTION KINGS, AUCTION PACKED, AUCTION HOUSE, AUCTION MAN, AUCTION SQUAD, GARAGE SALE, GARAGE SALE KINGS, CELEBRITY GARAGE SALE…you get the gist. We now have so much stuff, we're entertained by watching how other people store and sell all their stuff. And we tell ourselves "I'm not so bad…I still have a path to my refrigerator." or "Those people collect junk—I, on the other hand, collect valuables."
Okay, so things around my place aren't piled so high that I can't get to the refrigerator—if that were the case, I wouldn't have to worry about going to the gym—BUT I'm appalled at the way things around me seem to multiply when I'm not looking, how every nook and cranny seems suddenly to be full, how I tend to hang on to things that I will probably never need, and if I do need them, I won't be able to find them!
When I got out of college, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment. I was just starting out, so I didn't own enough things for it to be junky. But then my hobbies started to take over: books, canvasses and painting supplies, sewing notions and fabric. And for people like me who always want to be prepared, it was comforting to have things that might come in handy in an emergency, or if a neighbor rang my doorbell. It was worth the time and trouble of stockpiling useful things in order to triumphantly say, "Yes, I do have an extra 9-volt battery!"
I moved from my one-bedroom apartment into a two-bedroom townhome with a one-car garage, and quickly expanded into it. (More furniture, clothes, hobbies.) From there I moved into a 4-bedroom home with a basement and a two-car garage and (you guessed it) filled it up. Fast forward several years, and I was tired of maintaining a big house, so I moved into two-bedroom condo and "downsized." Luckily, my sister was moving into her first house at the same time, so I gave her all my extra stuff and she was happy to have it. Years later, I'm still content in my yard-less condo, but one day I looked up and realized "creep" had set in: my lower level, which is my guest room and my office, resembled a warehouse from the boxes of books that arrived and I hadn't made time to sort through and dispense. My upper level was constantly cluttered because I brought work there more and more since writing downstairs in my chaotic office was impossible.
Something had to give. So even though I couldn't spare the time from my writing schedule, I took the time to coordinate an office renovation I'd been putting off, and to go through every inch of my living space to unclutter and streamline. Lots of bags went to Goodwill, more went into the Dumpster. Once I got over my initial inertia, the process was liberating. My new office is wonderful—I'm hoping (praying) my productivity will soar to make up for lost time. Meanwhile, I'm implementing a new code: when something comes in, something has to go out! And no more stockpiling "useful" items—in the event of an unlikely emergency, Walgreen's is open 24/7. 🙂
What room/area of your living space is driving YOU most crazy with clutter?


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We are a childcare center/learning academy currently accepting children 6 weeks - 10 years.
Major crossroads Rt 3/State St & W. Granville Rd. Commerce Dr. is behind the UDF & Car Wash. We are located in the building that used to beThe Learning Center of Sunbury next to Eagle Auto .


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- Description
Additional Information:
This Cobra CDR 855 BT 2.0 MP Bluetooth Dashboard Camera is in great working condition. The unit has been fully tested and is completely functional.
Included in the Box:
Dash Camera with Bluetooth, Suction Cup Mount, Low Profile Adhesive Mount, 8GB Micro SD Card, Vehicle Power Adapter, HDMI Cord.
The item is securely packaged in an Original box.
Cobra CDR 855 BT 2.0 MP Bluetooth Dashboard Camera Description:
Drive HDTM Dash Cams allow drivers to protect their vehicle, relive their drive and share interesting footage by continuously recording video of the road ahead in 1080P Full HD video. The CDR 855 BT is Cobra's most advanced, user-friendly and feature-packed dash cam. It includes a two-inch LCD screen, ultra-wide 160° viewing angle and embedded G-Sensor to automatically save and protect clips if an impact is detected. In addition, the CDR 855 BT is the first and only of its kind to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth® Smart wireless technology. The smartphone connection enables new features including embedded GPS location, time, G-Force and speed information footage, as well as providing alerts for upcoming speed and red light cameras, live police locations and shared radar alerts from the iRadar® Community.
Cobra CDR 855 BT 2.0 MP Bluetooth Dashboard Camera Specifications:
- 1080P Full HD - Records the road ahead in 1080P Full HD Video.
- iRadar Community - Bluetooth enabled alerts to Red Light Cameras, Speed Cameras, Live Police Locations, and Shared Radar Alerts.
- Bluetooth Enabled GPS - Embeds exact location and time into video recordings. Free PC software allows you to view video along with location and G-Sensor information.
- 160° Viewing Angle - Ultra-wide viewing angle films the entire road and your peripherals
- Easy to Use - Simply mount, power, and drive! The intuitive user interface makes setup and controls a snap.
- Reviews


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Home Appliances, Vending Machines – Even Cruise Ships – Get an Infusion of Cortana Intelligence & Machine Learning
A quick overview of recent customer case studies involving the application of Microsoft's AI, Big Data & Machine Learning offerings. Carnival Maritime Predicts Water Consumption on Cruise Ships The Costa Group's fleet of 26 cruise ships sail all over the world. The industrial equipment on their ships have thousands of sensors that collect data in… Read more


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KITCHEN NOTES: Recipe Development::Chocolate Banana Poppyseed Cake
The seven bananas sitting on the counter were quickly turning to a solid black save for the spot where the sticky tape held them together. Once again I had been overzealous in my banana purchase, thinking I'd make another banana cake, banana oatmeal scones, and some banana cookies. Somehow in the course of the previous two weeks, the bunch got neglected and should have been tossed. However, I wanted to see if I could make at least one recipe.
I'm not a banana fan to begin with. If they're bright yellow with no spots, I might eat them a few times during the year. If they're the slightest bit mushy, I won't eat them. Neither will my children. However, the guilt of letting the bananas turn past their prime got me to try salvaging them. Sadly, I ended up tossing the remaining three bananas.
Looking through the various cake recipes I wrote during my summer in Berlin last year, I decided to combine aspects of each into a new recipe. Thus was born this combination of flavors using "drunken" bananas, chocolate in the form of a powder, and poppy seeds. I wasn't sure how it would taste, but the result was surprisingly better than expected, although one could definitely note the strong banana taste.
There were mixed reviews from each family member in regards to this cake experiment. Cinnamon immediately stated that it tasted like brownies. Saffron said it tasted like bananas, chocolate, and poppy seeds - exactly what it was. My Sagey had a few bites until he no longer wanted it and pushed the plate away while my husband used the German words "gewürze kuchen" (spice cake) to describe the taste. Hearing all of this feedback, I was already changing the recipe in my head.
This was Sunday cake for this past Sunday - a tradition that the children have lately grown to expect, along with Sunday dinner eaten at the "fancy" table. It was important to get a cake made this past Sunday seeing how I was unable to make one last weekend. An unfortunate throat ache, which sent me to unwillingly see doctors and more unwillingly take medication, robbed me of a couple weeks of time. When you have children who bring home illnesses from preschool, you're bound to get your turn in the sickness merry-go-round. With three children, you can expect months of illnesses throughout wintertime. Truth be told, this is the main reason for the lack of posts since late last autumn. Now with spring lurking around the corner and bringing with it some much needed warmth, making it possible to eat our meals outside again, I look forward to a healthier and more productive existence.
Chocolate Banana Poppyseed Cake
makes one 9" cake
200 grams all-purpose flour
50 grams natural cocoa powder
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt (I used Pink Himalayan)
50 grams poppy seeds
100 grams unsalted butter, melted and cooled
200 grams granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
320 grams mashed bananas (ended up being from 4 small, overripe bananas)
100 ml buttermilk
Heat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9" springform pan.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
Add poppy seeds to the melted butter and leave to cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in the sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and bananas and mix until fully incorporated.
Starting and ending with the flour mixture, carefully whisk in the buttermilk (in two additions) and flour mixture (in three additions). Make sure not to over mix. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted in the middle comes out almost clean (a few crumbs attached is fine).
THE NOTES (as jotted down in my journal):
What started out as a simple chocolate cake turned into a recipe combining elements from four of my previously developed cake recipes: chocolate hazelnut cake, chocolate cinnamon plum cake, lemon poppy seed cake, and banana cake.
At first I thought the flavors might be a bit too complicated, but despite the "drunken" bananas the flavors worked surprisingly well together. The cake was moist and the crunch resulting from the addition of the poppy seeds added another element of texture.
Changes I would try for next time:
Remember to treat the cocoa powder as part of the flour percentage in calculating baker's percentages. I forgot and thus need to compensate for the extra grams the cocoa powder contributed although the cake rose nicely and was relatively moist.
* Increase amount of butter. Due to the reduced fat content of the natural cocoa powder, more fat needs to be added to compensate for this fact.
* Add an egg yolk. Egg whites dry out a cake while egg yolks contribute to its tenderness. Even though the cake was not dry, I would like to see what happens when I add the extra yolk.
* Add more sugar. Cocoa powder has no added sugar. Increasing the amount by another 50 or 75 grams would counter this. Since these bananas were super sweet to begin with, the reduced amount of sugar was not as noticeable.
* Increase poppy seeds to 60 grams. More crunch is always good for added texture.
* Use a combination of all-purpose flour and cake flour. I'll start with half of each and see what happens.
* Increase baking soda. To counteract the acidity in the cocoa powder, more baking soda might be needed. Might not be necessary if reducing the amount of cocoa powder.
* Use bittersweet bar chocolate (such as Valrhona or Callebaut - about 65%) in addition to the cocoa. Melt the chopped bar chocolate with the butter. In this case, you might not want to increase the sugar amount by too much.
* Reduce cocoa powder. Try 35 grams or 40 grams.
* For another version...omit the bananas and try a simple chocolate poppyseed cake.


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New Sensations and director Eddie Powell have revolutionized the category of "Couples Porn" with their Romance Series. Rather than strip away the hot and hardcore action of most traditional porn, the Romance Series gives real context to the action. With connected scenes in a story that actually makes sense, acting that isn't laughable and great chemistry between performers, The Romance Series hit a home run on every level.
The latest installment in this series Lost and Found features the ever amazing Allie Haze, Zoe Voss, Kimberly Kane and more. It snagged our highest rating, The XCritic Pick and impressed one of our toughest reviewers.
If you haven't had a chance to check out this amazing series, Lost and Found is a great place to start!
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your vision
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your dream
High quality personalised service
to home builders & renovators.
Craig and his team of experienced builders specialise in architecturally designed homes, renovations and are reclad specialists in the Northland areas of Whangarei, including One Tree Point, Marsden Cove, Bream Bay, Ruakaka, Waipu, Langs Beach and Mangawhai.
In addition to new custom home builds and house plans, they also cater for smaller projects such as farm buildings, light commercial, kitchens, bathrooms, replacement windows, decks, insurance work, repairs and maintenance.
Craig takes great pride in sharing the dreams and vision of clients from early in the process, choosing the right building location and section through to design, construction & finishing details such as fencing, driveways and landscaping.
Involving Craig early in your project means you can discuss ideas and cost saving methods which will create a high quality, low risk construction that is timely, on budget & hassle free. Find out how we can help you.


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Ting Luo
- Name
- Dr. T. Luo
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 2727
- email@example.com
Dr. Ting Luo is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Institute of Political Science. She works on the ERC funded research project on "Authoritarianism2.0: The Internet, Political Discussion, and Authoritarian Rule in China".
She studies Chinese politics, elections and comparative politics. She holds a PhD in government and a MSc in public policy and administration from London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BA in political science from Nankai University in Tianjin, China.
Her PhD research examines how a village's economic strength and economic autonomy affect the political competition between local government and challengers in China's village elections, drawn upon extensive fieldwork in a rural county of Guangdong Province. She argues that in China's village elections, only when village wealth is autonomously achieved can the electoral competition be free from the manipulation and control of local government.
› Curriculum vitae Ting Luo
- Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen
- Instituut Politieke Wetenschap
Work addressPieter de la Court
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden
No relevant ancillary activities


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Lying to yourself—it sounds so harsh when you put it that way. The more gentle way to frame the question is: "Do you tell yourself reassuring things, things that probably aren't entirely true, so that you can live with the financial decisions and compromises you're making?" That's a little less blunt, but, when you think about it, no less unsettling.
Tool of the day: 'Will My Money Last?'
Once your nest egg has reached your mental "magic number" — $500,000? $1 million? $5 million? – it's tempting to start to fantasize about an early retirement. Before you do, you may want to test-drive MarketWatch's "How Long Will My Money Last?" calculator.
'Future you' to you: Save more money
Merrill Edge, a division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, today unveiled an online tool that has just a whiff of science-fiction to it. The tool takes its inspiration from recent research that suggests that younger people who are exposed to visual approximations of what they might look like when they reach retirement age tend to save more.
A retirement to-do list for the president
Challenges await on Social Security, Medicare and elder-care, and retiree savings
States Try the Retirement-Plan Business
Encore: A California law would set up 401(k)-like plans for employees whose companies don't have them
For many, "senior" phone plans don't ring true
Encore: Older cell-phone owners are using more data, but their calling plans may be stuck in the pre-Internet era
3 Ways to Regain Control of Your Retirement Savings
Nearly two-thirds of investors say they have little or no control over their effort to their retirement savings, a new study shows. Here's how to cope.
What's Your Financial 'Plan B'?
- iStockPhoto
You've probably got a "Plan B" for if your car breaks down (call AAA) or if you run out of beer at your summer BBQ (break open the liquor cabinet). But if you're like most Americans, you don't have a "Plan B" in the event of a financial mishap, a new study finds.