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Usage and Potential of the Business Model Concept/
(Excerpt from an article submitted to the CAIS)
Because business model research is a rather young research domain it still has to prove its relevance. Its main area of contribution could be in the creation of concepts and tools that help manager to capture, understand, communicate, design, analyze and change the business logic of their firm.
In the following sections we will outline some of the general roles that literature proposes for the business model concept (i.e. the use of formally described business models). We have identified five categories of functions, which are understanding & sharing, analyzing, managing, prospects and patenting of business models. In section IV we will specifically describe the business model concept's role in IS.
Understand and Share
The first area in which business models can contribute is in understanding and sharing the business logic of a firm. Concretely, business models help to capture, visualize, understand, communicate and share the business logic.
Capture. As explained earlier, the business model of a company is a simplified representation of its business concept. However, the business model is rarely explicitely described in a conceptual way. Experience shows that in many cases people are not always capable of communicating their business model in a clear way (Linder and Cantrell 2000). Furthermore, because people have different mental models they will not automatically understand the same thing under a business model. Thus, a generic and shared concept for describing business models becomes necessary. Such a framework can be understood as a common language between stakeholders to formulate business models in a way that everybody understands.
Visualize. Human's ability to successfully process complex information is quite limited. As can be shown theoretically and empirically, processing information through the visual system can substantially increase the degree to which complexity can be handled successfully (Rode 2000). Using a conceptualization to capture business models, means that with little additional effort they can be presented graphically (Gordijn and Akkermans 2003).
Understand. Nowadays business models are increasingly complex, particularly those with a strong ICT and e-business component. The relationship between the different elements of a business model and the decisive success factors are not always immediately observable. Therefore the process of modeling social systems and in this case business models help identifying and understanding the relevant elements in a specific domain and the relationships between them (Morecroft 1994; Ushold and King 1995). In addition, the visual representation of a business model can dramatically enhance understanding.
Communicate and share. We have already made a point that the business model concept helps capturing, understanding and visualizing the business logic of company. Being able to communicate and share this understanding with other stakeholders is simply a logical consequence of the foregoing. Formalizing business models and expressing them in a more tangible way clearly help managers to communicate and share their understanding of a business among other stakeholders (Fensel 2001). This is particularly important for the dialogue between people with different background, such as managers and systems architects and engineers.
The second area in which the business model concept can contribute is in analyzing the business logic of a company. The business model becomes an ew unit of analysis (Stähler 2002). Concretely, they can improve measuring, observing and comparing the business logic of a company.
Measure. Having captured the business model in a first step it may become easier to identify the relevant measures to follow in order to improve management. This would facilitate the choice of the indicators of an executive information system for monitoring the strategy implementation (Camponovo and Pigneur 2004), using for example a balanced scorecard approach with its financial, customer, internal business, and innovation perspectives (Kaplan and Norton 1992). This is all the more relevant since in e-business the indicators to follow are still an issue of debate.
Track & Observe. The business logic of a company constantly changes due to inside and outside pressures, as shown in section above. Therefore a structured approach to business models is important in order to understand which particular issues have changed over time.
Compare. Similar to observing a company's business model over time, a structured approach allows companies to compare their business model to the ones of their competitors. This is based on the reasoning that things are only comparable if they are seized and understood in the same way. Also, comparing one's business model to the one of a company in a completely different industry may help gaining new insights and foster business model innovation. Related to e-business and to dynamic industries this can help incumbents understand how aggressive new competitors and startups work.
The third area of contribution of business models is in improving the management of the business logic of the firm. The business model concept helps ameliorating the design, planning, changing and implementation of business models. Additionally, with a business model approach companies can react faster to changes in the business environment. Finally, the business model concept improves the alignment of strategy, business organization and technology.
Design. Designing a coherent business model where all the elements are mutually reinforcing or at least optimized is not an easy task. Nowadays business models are quite complex and their success is often based on the interaction of a number of apparently minor elements. This is even more the case since technology increases the range of imaginable business models (Lechner and Hummel 2002). Having a business model conceptualization at hand that describes the essential building blocks and their relationships will make it easier for managers to design a sustainable business model.
Plan, Change & Implement. When a company decides to adopt a new business model or to change an existing one, capturing and visualizing this model will improve planning, change and implementation (see Figure 7). It is much easier to go from one point to an other, when one can exactly understand, say and show what elements will change. In this regard, Linder and Cantrell (Linder and Cantrell 2000) speak of so-called change models that are the core logic for how a firm will change over time to remain profitable in a dynamic environment.
Figure 7: Planning, Changing and Implementing Business Models
React. Capturing, mapping and understanding creates the foundation for improving speed and appropriateness of reaction to external pressures. A conceptualized business model helps business model designers to easily modify certain elements of an existing business model (Petrovic, Kittl et al. 2001). This is without doubt essential in an uncertain and rapidly changing competitive landscape.
Align. We argued earlier that the business model concept can serve as a federator between the triangle of business strategy, business organization and technology. In other words, the business model forms a sort of conceptual bridge that makes it easier to align these three. Chesbrough and Rosenbloom (2000), for example, see business models as a mediating construct between technology and economic value. The business model concept could become an important tool to further develop and improve existing methods of business and IS alignment (Osterwalder and Pigneur 2003).
Improve decision-making. Having claimed that the business model concept enhances understanding and communicating the business logic of the firm we deduce that decision makers make more informed, and hence, better decisions business model and decision making (Hayes and Finnegan 2005). Asides from this, business models are a new unit of analysis (Stähler 2002) that can be observed and compared, help defining measures and should therefore also improve decisions.
A fourth area of contribution of business models refers to the possible futures of a company. We believe that the business model concept can help foster innovation and increase readiness for the future through business model portfolios and simulation.
Innovate. Similar to the argument of improving change and increasing reaction capacities in the firm, We believe that a formal and modular business model approach can foster innovation. In fact, specifying a set of business model elements and building blocks, as well as their relationships to each other, is like giving a business model designer a box of Lego stones. He can play around with these stones and create completely new business models, limited only be his imagination and the pieces supplied. Amit and Zott (2001) explicitly perceive the business model as a locus of innovation. Mitchell and Coles (2003) even see business model innovation as a source of competitive advantage.
Business model portfolio. Based on Allen's law of excess of diversity in evolutionary theory (Allen 2001) one may argue that it could be interesting for a company to maintain a portfolio of business models in order to be ready for the future. The idea behind Allen's law is that a sustainable and successful evolutionary strategy requires an amount of internal diversity superior to that of the environment. Allen suggests that agents need to have a stock of potential strategies to be set off in the face of unpredictability in environmental change (Andriani 2001). In the case of a company this would mean having a stock of business models in order to cope with change.
Simulate and test. Simulating and testing business models is obviously the dream of every manager. Though simulation will never be able to predict the future, it is a way of doing risk free experiments, without endangering an organization (Sterman 2000). By simulating and testing possible business models, managers will be better prepared for the future. Similarly, in the domain of e-business Richards and Morrison (2001) compare this kind of simulation tool to a sort of flight simulator that allows building better e-business strategies.
Increasingly entrepreneurs and companies in e-business have the possibility to patent e-business processes and even entire aspects of their business model (Beresford 2001). Therefore business modelling may potentially have an important role to play in this legal domain. For example, Priceline based much of its business strategy on a patent whose technology matches bids from buyers with interested sellers on the Net (Angwin 2000). Consequently, patenting of e-business methods has also started to create a number of legal battles. A famous one is the case between the online retailer Amazon.com and the online arm of the bookseller Barnes & Noble (B&N). Amazon.com, who received a patent for its "one-click" ordering system attacked B&N for patent infringement, supposedly caused by its "express lane" checkout system on the B&N website (Lesavich 2001). It remains to be seen in what direction patenting business models and business processes moves.


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Breast Cancer Action Kingston (BCAK) is a registered charitable organization working to support and educate women and men living with breast cancer, their families and the community. Membership in BCAK is open to everyone. Members receive our TODAY newsletter, information about upcoming events and the opportunity to become more involved in our organization.
Memberships are renewable on an annual basis – 1 January to 31 December. Types of memberships include:
- individual
- a family (family members living in the same household)
- charitable organization
- corporate (business, agency or organization not registered as a charity)
Cost is only $30 for individuals, families and charitable organizations. Corporate membership is $50 per year and is tax deductible.
Join Online
To become a member or renew your membership, please complete the form below – the form will prompt you to submit payment through our secure PayPal site which allows you to pay using your credit card or PayPal account.
Please be assured that all contact and payment information is kept strictly confidential.
Download Application
Alternatively you can download and print a hard copy of the application, or obtain a copy of the form from our office and submit the completed form with payment to our office at
110 – 650 Dalton Ave.
Kingston ON K7M 8N7
If you have any questions, or require further information please call our office at 613-531-7912. Office hours are noon to 4:00 p.m.. Tuesday through Friday.

subset: commoncrawl


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Could Tesla's In-House Charging System Hold Back the EV Market?/
If you look back at the short-term history of the electric vehicle market, you will see the name of Tesla Motors plastered everywhere. This is a company which has literally dragged the electric vehicle market kicking and screaming into the modern day and while it has now been joined by some of the heavyweights of the automobile industry, Tesla will forever be associated with the electric vehicle market and its early success.
Despite the fact that the company is cooperating with its competitors by licensing out its electric drive system the situation with regards to Tesla's growing recharging network is very different. At this moment in time the company is literally "going it alone" with regards to electric vehicle charging stations, designing specific technology, and services to meet its own individual customer base.
Should there be a universally accepted charging protocol?
It seems unlikely that Tesla Motors will join the general recharging network movement and will instead look to go it alone by using the latest technology and systems available to service its own growing customer base. This could cause a medium-term problem for the electric vehicle charging market because, while the company is focused upon the luxury end of the market at this moment in time, it does have plans to attack the mass market.
Quote from ElectricForum.com : "Each day seems to bring news of extended charging networks around the world, from the US to the UK, from Australia to China. Have you seen an increase in the number of charging stations in your area?"
If Tesla was to introduce an affordable electric vehicle, which the company plans to do by 2017, this would mean (as things stand at the moment) the company using its own specific recharging technology as opposed to any universal system in place by 2017. As a consequence, if Tesla's affordable EV became as popular as some of the near mass-market electric vehicles of today, this would put electric vehicle charging companies in a very difficult situation.
Charging for the masses not the niche market
If, as many expect, we see the creation of a universal electric car charging protocol in the short to medium term, and we can assume that Tesla will not join this for the foreseeable future, this could affect the finances of the recharging industry. As opposed to installing one charging station which could fulfil the needs of all electric vehicles, areas where Tesla vehicles are popular might need to see an additional Tesla technology charging station installed as well (it is also worth noting that non-Tesla vehicles would not be able to use Tesla charging services as they stand today).
It may well be that Tesla will at some point come on board with regards to the wider electric car charging industry but at this moment in time the company is certainly looking to go it alone. Whether indeed the company decides to operate specific in-house technology charging services for the luxury end of the market, while accepting the universal protocol for the forthcoming affordable EV, remains to be seen.
While there is no doubt that Tesla has pushed the electric vehicle market to the current point where sales are set to double in the U.S., there is some confusion and some concern about the emergence of different electric car charging technologies. It may well be that Tesla decides to maintain its own charging services for those driving the luxury vehicles currently on offer, while perhaps accepting an almost inevitable general protocol for the charging of mass-market electric vehicles in the future.
This will certainly be an interesting element of the electric vehicle market as it continues to grow and sales figures continue to beat expectations.


text: I had a little surprise package show up late last week. The gals over at Girl ExtraOrdinaire sent the cutest shirts for Roxanne and her bridesmaids. We at The Wedding Pink are grateful for their donation this year as well as last year. Thank you Girl ExtraOrdinaire for helping make Roxanne's dream wedding become a reality!


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I've been raving about it on Instagram and Twitter for weeks now, so it's about time I share my love for my Gabrialla maternity support belt here too!
The Gabrialla maternity support belt provides a medium level of support and is secured by velcro. You basically velcro it under your belly and then secure two more straps towards your back (Katie has a video on how to put it on!). The belt is supposed to provide both abdominal and back support and helps to promote proper posture. It's definitely a must have for running while pregnant for me!
Why I love the Gabrialla Maternity Support Belt:
- Cost: On Amazon, the price is exceptionally reasonable. You can get it for as low as $30.
- Support: For me, it provides an adequate amount of support. I am still running at 29 weeks pregnant which makes my heart happy. I was starting to deal with round ligament pain more and more on my runs and this has helped substantially. I also feel like it provides a good amount of back support as well.
- Easy to use. It is pretty simple to put on. Also, because it secures with velcro, you can adjust how tight it is for a customized level of support.
I am actually borrowing my Gabrialla from my friend Heather. Heather had her second daughter in March and wore it throughout her pregnancy and was running until the end. Then Leslie Ann used it and worked out until the day she went into labor. All three of us carried our babies differently but all of us LOVE the Gabrialla.
SO – if you're pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, consider getting the Gabrialla. I am not sure if I would be comfortably running at this point without it. I definitely wouldn't be running at the pace I am without it. Here's to hoping it carries me all the way to the end
Disclosure: I was not asked to review this product and my friend bought it herself. I just REALLY like it and wanted to share my love with you all and hopefully help another preggo out
Like what you see? Make sure to follow with Bloglovin'! I would love to hear from you on Facebook or Twitter! Need a daily dose of Emmalyne? Find us on Instagram!


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Your ring bearer or flower girl is cute, but you're cuter. This is a must-have sign for them to wear as they walk down the aisle before you make your big entrance. Your ring bearer or flower girl can wear this draped around their neck or you can attach it to a wagon if your little attendant is still pretty little. Please don't leave children unattended with this product.
For your reference, this sign is shown in the first pic with Slate ink and Blush ribbon. The second example shows Black ink and Black ribbon (colors vary from screen to screen). Printed on one side only.
Once we receive your order, our small team of designers will review the details and begin production. All printing is done in-house on 80# linen texture cardstock, and the order then moves to sewing. We add a 100# core and the three sheets are then stitched together. See our spec image for further details.
•All paper is made in North America and sourced through sustainable forestry
•Ribbon is made in the USA
•Signs ship flat in custom box.
Our color cards are meticulously calibrated and regularly checked against standards. We do our best to show our product in action. Sometimes that requires photo manipulation. We aim to keep scale and color as accurate as possible.
This is an awesome set of 2 pennant flags perfect if you have two ring...
A sweet, romantic banner perfect for your bridal shower, engagement pictures or wedding day. For your...
Eat, Drink & Be Married - the most perfect, romantic banner personalized for your big...
Perfect for the trio of children in your wedding ceremony, this adorable set of 3 handcrafted...


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The Cristalline is a multi-faceted lifestyle service to help you create balanced energy within all aspects of your life.
Our full-service interior design team provides interior therapy for your home infusing our combined 32 years of design acumen and refined style. We explore how personal aspects of your life are reflected in the state of your living environment, and how in turn your physical environment is affecting the major tenants of your life- from your career, health, well-being and relationships.
Classical design is a mirror of the human mind. It's how we see the world.
-Robert McKee
Much like a therapist might analyze your life experiences affecting your present state and provide tools to handle the emotional aspects of your life, we take a similar approach in exploring areas of your home life as a mirror to your present state. We then create design solutions to remove the physical and energetic obstacles in your space that are preventing growth and a greater sense of fulfillment. We leave you with a harmonized home that creates improved balance and well-being.
The Home should be the treasure chest of living.
-Le Corbusier
For the individual, our resident crystal expert works one on one or in private groups to show you how to balance the energetic body through the use of crystals. These are powerful aids in creating a balanced mind and body and their use in healing goes far back to ancient times. Most simply they can aid in meditation, but their magic lies much deeper. Whether the need is to calm and relax, to energize and ignite ideas or to heal old wounds, crystals can help to open up the pathways to lead you to greater achievements and an overall stronger sense of self.
If we look at the path, we do not see the sky. We are earth people on a spiritual journey to the stars. Our quest, our earth walk, is to look within, to know who we are, to see that we are connected to all things, that there is no separation only in the mind.
-Native American, Unknown


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Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment
(608) 263-5210
At the UW Health Pediatric Fitness Clinic, we offer a multi-disciplinary team directed by leading researchers in pediatric obesity and staffed by a team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dieticians. All are committed to providing a comprehensive, research-based approach to improving the health and fitness of your child.
Typical patients are 5-18 years old. For special circumstances, please contact (608) 263-5210.
Most health insurance plans cover the evaluation and follow-up visits. Parents interested in the program should contact their insurance provider for benefit information prior to scheduling the first appointment.
Learn more about what to expect at your child's first visits.
Scheduling an Appointment
Parents interested in the program should contact their insurance provider for benefit information prior to scheduling the first appointment. If your insurance company requires a referral for this visit, please ask your child's doctor to submit a referral electronically or via fax. If they have any questions, they can call (608) 263-5210.
The clinic serves children from 5 to 18 years of age who have concerns related to their overall fitness, ability to exercise, sensory issues that affect their nutrition, history of high cholesterol, blood sugar, or insulin, or who simply want to get fit. Note that the clinic will see patients outside of the listed age range above. For special circumstances, please call (608) 263-5210.


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Welcome to Core Focus!
Core Focus – Episode 1 – Lori Engel
In this episode, we are discussing the topic of human resources in small businesses. My guest, Lori Engel, has been a high-level human resources officer at divisional and corporate levels and has seen her career span from the east coast in North Carolina to now residing in Oklahoma. You can learn more about Lori at http://www.uhruc.com/
Core Focus – Episode 2 – Phil Wilson
My conversation with Phil (founder of Approachable Leadership) picks up again in this episode of Core Focus. Today, we discuss Power Distance. Phil talks to us about how we as leaders need to be aware of power distance within our organization and how it relates to being approachable. Don't forget to learn more about what Phil is doing with Approachable Leadership and to check out his book "The Approachability Playbook: Three Essential Habits For Thriving Leaders and Teams" and start maximizing your leadership qualities!
Core Focus – Episode 3 – Chris Porter
My guest today is Chris Porter, and we are talking about the key that businesses need to stand out and have a voice in a crowded marketplace. Chris is currently the Director of Operations at eXpect3 Digital Media, a marketing and advertising agency in Tulsa, OK. Chris has done marketing from small mom and pop stores all the way to major motion pictures. He has done everything from sales, art direction, branding, and creative directing. You can learn more about what Chris is doing at www.expect3.com
Core Focus – Episode 4 – Toni Ragsdale
Today we are joined by Toni Ragsdale from Ragsdale & Associates. Toni has a Bachelor's of Science for Iowa State University. In this episode, Toni gives us some incredible insight into how to sell your business. If you'd like to learn more about selling your business and the steps to take towards that, you can learn more about what Toni does at broker.bizbuysell.com/ragsdalebiz
Core Focus – Episode 5 – Linda Glass
Today's guest is Linda Glass of Bancfirst. Linda has been helping Oklahoma businesses with SBA financing for over 20 years. In this episode, Linda tells us about the different SBA loan programs and how you can use them to grow your business. You can learn more about what Linda does at bancfirst.bank
Core Focus – Episode 6 – Matt Davis
Matt Davis of Davis Business Law discusses legal traps many small business owners can avoid with a little planning. You can learn more at davisbusinesslaw.com
Core Focus – Episode 7 – Piyush Patel
Piyush Patel, author of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work, discusses the imperative of culture in your small business. It's not just for big businesses! Learn more at leadlovetribe.com


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This ambitious project converted an existing conference center and built a new business center to accommodate retail, training, administration, archives and a girls' lounge for the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. JLL drove schedule and budget, ensuring that it was completed on time and under budget.
To view more projects like this, go here.


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Hodgetts & Lewin To Give KeyNote At MediaProCamp'11
"Reinventing Yourself To Stay Ahead Of Your Competition" is an appropriate theme for MediaProCamp'11. It's a perfect reflection of all the facets of the ever-changing media industry. And no one knows more about staying ahead of the competition than our two chameleon-like speakers, Philip Hodgetts and Marcelo Lewin.
Both are dynamic, informative and entertaining speakers who will bring very different perspectives--and experiences—to back up their advice. You won't want to miss them as they come together for the first time at MediaProCamp'11.
Philip Hodgetts is president of Intelligent Assistance and one of the brains behind Big Brains for Rent bigbrainsforrent.com He's also a master editor and developed AssistedEditing.com T aking The Boring Out Of Post. Hodgetts is also the author of "The New Now - Grow your business" and ProAppsTips.com You can follow his personal Blog at: http://philiphodgetts.com
Marcelo Lewin is an internet business mogul, media educator and video journalist. Previously, he founded and was the CEO of Pixel Heads Network. After having sold a few of his online companies, Marcelo created www.FilmmakingWebinars.com. Webinars For And By Digital Filmmakers. He presents FREE some of the top experts in the industry on a weekly basis—including Philip Hodgetts. It is the flagship web site for Lewin's NewMediaWebinars.com, LLC which creates and produces educational based and information rich, live webinars focused on digital media creators. Each of his businesses focus on specific topics (e.g. digital filmmaking, coding, podcasting, etc.) for specific viewers (e.g. Filmmakers, Web Developers, Podcasters, Photographers, etc.).
Don't miss these two entertaining speakers—Together, only at MediaProCamp'11
EVENT: MCAI's Annual MediaProCamp
DATE: Saturday June 4, 2011
TIME: On Site Check-in 8:00 to 9:00AM Event Ends at 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Santa Ana College's Digital Media Center
1300 S. Bristol St
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Free parking on site
COST: FREE to all media Professionals if you pre-register online at OC New Media Meetup Group http://www.newmedia.meetup.com/82/


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Anyone any ideas?
It has taken a while to sort (had not seen these instructions before!)
With the aluminum remote:
Skip to the next or previous chapter (if no chapter markers are present, this will skip 1/20th of the video length, or 30 second intervals whichever is longer.) Press - then the forward or rewind button to skip chapters Press the Down button, then Right or Left to skip chapters.
It is a bit rough (as compared to DVD controls) but it does work!


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A new deadly "sex superbug" has been found in two individuals in Hawaii, after surfacing in Japan in 2011. H041, a form of gonorrhea that is resistant to all antibiotics presently available, is considered as deadly as AIDS, and is much faster at killing people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants upward of $50 million from Congress to find an antibiotic that will kill the virus, which has also been found in California and Norway.
Alan Christianson, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, said:
This might be a lot worse than AIDS in the short run because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly. Getting gonorrhea from this strain might put someone into septic shock and death in a matter of days. This is very dangerous. People need to practice safe sex, like always. Anyone beginning a new relationship should get tested along with their partner. The way gonorrhea works, not everyone knows they have it. And with this new strain it's even more important than ever to find out.
Although gonorrhea was largely controlled in recent years, there has been a recent rise in its number of cases; Utah had 74% more cases in 2012, Minnesota rose 35%. The CDC stated, "During 2010-2011, 61% (31/51) of states, plus the District of Columbia, reported an increase in gonorrhea rates."
The most recent antibiotic used to treat gonorrhea, cephalosporin, has now become ineffective around the world.
Professor Cathy Ison, who runs the National Reference Laboratory for Gonorrhoea in the U.K., said, "There is a possibility that if we don't do something then it could become untreatable by 2015."


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In her lawsuit, Marcella Johnson claims that Oracle has a "retroactive re-plan" that reduced her earned commissions. The company retroactively increases quotas or decreases commission rates on past sales so that sales employees are paid less than what their existing compensation plans required. In other words, Oracle allegedly systematically decides to change commission formulas to reduce the commission payments—long after they have been earned and sometimes even after the cheque is signed.
Often, sales employees rely on their commissions as their wages, not as a bonus. In Johnson's case, she received her commission fees as per the rate in her contract. She was hired in March 2013 to sell human resources and personnel management software and was paid the specified commission fees in November and December. But she was then given a reduced rate that was made retroactive as of June 2013. Consequently, Johnson's commission balance was negative $20,000, and she had to work until June 2014 to repay the amount.
This isn't the first time that Oracle has been sued for labor law violations. Just last month the US Department of Labor filed a discrimination suit claiming the Redwood Shores-based company pays white men more than women and minorities working in the same jobs, and favors Asian workers in recruiting and hiring, according to bizjournals.com. Furthermore, it hasn't complied with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance requests for employment data and records…
The lawsuit says that Oracle engages in a "claw back" scheme (the recovery of money already dispersed) so that it aligns with financial forecasts and bottom-line targets. (According to Silicon Valley Business Journal, Oracle plans to shed 441 jobs in Santa Clara during the first quarter of 2017.)
• 'It shall be unlawful for any employer to collect or receive from an employee any part of wages theretofore paid by said employer to said employee.'
• Section 223, which prohibits employers from 'secretly [paying] a lower wage while purporting to pay the wage designated by statute or by contract.'
• Section 2751, which stipulates that contracts must be shown in writing to employees, with the imputation that Oracle cannot change its compensation plans without presenting sales employees with new contracts.
Johnson is seeking to certify the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all Oracle commission-sales employees since 2013. The suit seeks $150 million in financial damages.


text: Dogwood Party Rentals has been busy with some great events and beyond gorgeous photo shoots. Our friend Thistle and Honey sure knows how to get us on board for a shoot. Just mention the beach, and we are in. We drove out to Bodega Bay for a fun nautical shoot with the talented Jeremiah and Rachel Photography. Today, we wrapped a gorgeous warm fall shoot here in town with Britt Taylor Photography. Again, Thistle and Honey created some great florals and styled the pants off these shoots. Here's a few behind the scenes pictures. Can't wait to share the professional images.


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Tooth Replacement
Porcelain Fixed Bridges
Fixed bridges are a non-removable option to replace missing teeth. They're comprised of two crowns affixed to neighboring – or anchoring teeth. The artificial teeth then sit in between, replacing the missing teeth. They're strong and durable, but will need to be replaced after many years.
Typically a fixed bridge involves two or more appointments. The first visit to Dr. Buttaro for a bridge entails taking a mold for the permanent bridge and preparing the anchoring teeth for the crowns. The bridge is placed and checked for proper fit and alignment during the second visit. The bridge may be temporarily fixed to allow for any adjustments, and then permanently cemented at a later appointment.
Advantages of a fixed bridge:
- Maintain facial shape
- Fill gaps from missing teeth
- Prevention of teeth shifting
- Stronger and more durable than standard dentures
- Restore better chewing


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Baked Zesty Carrots
Ingredients30 m servings 326
- Adjust
- Metric
Directions{{model.addEditText}} Print
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place carrots in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl combine cream, horseradish, onion, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over carrots.
- Combine melted butter and corn flakes; sprinkle over carrots.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 326 calories; 30.6 12.8 1.7 36 576 Full nutrition
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ReviewsRead all reviews 57
72 Ratings
I've made this numerous times. My husband loves it. I've always steamed fresh carrots instead of frozen. Have also used crushed Ritz crackers, regular crackers and shredded wheat. Never had the ...
Was good, but nothing special. I'm not a huge horseradish fan, but the flavor was not too strong. I will probably keep looking for a good carrot recipe.
I've made this numerous times. My husband loves it. I've always steamed fresh carrots instead of frozen. Have also used crushed Ritz crackers, regular crackers and shredded wheat. Never had the ...
This recipe is good, but I'll make it differently next time. In my opinion, the recipe calls for too much mayonnaise. Next time, I'll use half the amount. I used fresh baby carrots. I crumbl...
Delicious recipe! However, don't do as one reviewer suggested and cut down on the mayo. The sauce made "as is" was perfectly pourable...just right. I did add the horseradish "to taste" as I made...
We used fresh baby carrots that we boiled for 4 minutes, then proceeded with the recipe. I loved it (and I don't usually like recipes with horseradish). But, my husband said it was "just okay." ...
I scaled this down to 2 servings, because I wanted to taste it before serving to the pickies. I thought it was really good. I did cut the mayo a bit, but it still had a nice tang. Will make a...
We loved it! I used fresh carrots instead of frozen and it turned out great. I will be making this again.
This was excellent! I loved it, my husband REALLY loved it and even my son loved it! Then I took the leftovers that night out to my Aunt and Grandfather and they loved it! I used just sliced fro...
This recipe is really delicious. I really enjoyed it, though the people that don't like horseradish or mayonaise did not. More for me!


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Education Guide introduces Learning Euleilah Australia, whom offer an exciting learning community in the heart of your Euleilah Area. Find enrolments from many different Training Organisations.
Address: 585 Coast Rd Baffle Creek via, Rosedale QLD 4674
Address: 21 James St, Rosedale QLD 4674
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Not only do young Brits play more online and console games than anywhere in Europe, it's also a favourite pastime for many of them.
Surfing the internet and watching TV is taking a back seat compared to gaming for many young Brits (primarily men), according to a new study by the 2009 UK National Gamers Survey. The survey is backed by TNS and Gamesindustry.com and say teens in the 13-19 year bracket spend on average 11 hours per week playing games, and boys as young as eight spend seven and a half hours a week.
Gaming could soon replace internet and TV as the whole nation's favourite pastime. "In several cases, young and old are even moving away from traditional media and spend their free time playing games instead," said Stephen Palmer, Group Director at TNS Technology. He's probably right too, as gaming already has overtaken reading newspapers and magazines as preferred pastime.
Traditionall non-gamers say they are gaming more with 86% of girls playing games and a surprising 42% of people over the age of 50 spending more time gaming than reading magazines.
Brits are also less inclined to resort to piracy, despite the economical downturn. Compared to ten percent of gamers regularly pirating console games in the Netherlands, only four percent of Brits do the same.
"Gaming has rapidly expanded in popularity and now appeals to as wide an audience as TV and the internet," Palmer said, and the study reveals that mobile phones and social networks such as MySpace and Facebook are the game platforms of the future. This is ironically the only gaming platform the UK is behind on, however, with 11% of the gamers indicate it's their primary gaming destination, a number half that of the USA.
On the other hand, mobile gaming has gone up 20% in the last year, which is more than double the increas of many other European countries. This is likely due to iPhone and other popular smartphones being introduced recently.
"The variety of games on offer has drawn in segments of the population that would not ordinarily be associated with gaming, which has turned the traditional view of the 'gamer' on its head. With the pressure put on media through advertising cuts, gaming is emerging as the forum through which to target consumers of the future," said Palmer.


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Hi Chuck, I think you and I spoke about this once but let's do an article on the Nor Cal Vintage VW & Porsche Treffen? I am a little bias since I put it on but it is a very different kind of show...because it's a gathering not a show.
Let me know,


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Cheers, Creative Enthusiasts!
I cannot believe two years have gone by since Giant Leaps Creative opened its doors. What an honor it has been to serve my spectacular clients! I have really enjoyed celebrating each of their stories, passions and missions here in these blog posts. When I started this business, there were three tenets that I built the foundation on:
1) Generosity
2) Gratitude
3) Listening
On the day of Giant Leaps Creative's second anniversary in business, I am so honored to have been featured in a Live Your Legend blog post. I find it fitting that the first quote that they feature is this:
"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention."
–Rachel Naomi Remen
Listening can be such an underrated skill and gift that we give each other. I do my best to really listen closely to my client's needs, goals, wishes and desires. I find out exactly what they are looking for, what they are passionate about, what their vision is, and then I do my very best to give it to them. Thank you to each and every one of you, my clients, for allowing me to serve you with my talents and skills in a manner that creates a win-win for each of us! Yes! That's what it's all about! And each of my clients has given me gifts in return.
I have had the absolute privilege of creating magic doing work I love with Scott and Chelsea Dinsmore of Live Your Legend, and I will cherish those experiences for the rest of my life. The gift that they have given me in return is the friends, colleagues, and business partners that I have found in the larger Live Your Legend community. The other gift LYL gave me is the hope and courage to rock this entrepreneurial adventure, but also the bravery to reach out to other entrepreneurs that I greatly admire to use their mad skills as my mentors. One such mentor is NY Times best-selling author turned friend and colleague, Karen Salmansohn. Read all about how I achieved this awesome goal in the LYL blog post. I am honored to be featured in this post alongside some amazingly talented, passionate, and highly skilled colleagues of awesome! Thank you LYL Team! You guys rock! See you at this year's WDS next week!!
Can I help create your promotional materials for your important, world changing mission or business, or help you with your new website launch, branding, T-shirt or invitation design? I invite you to contact me so that I can offer a free consultation and price quote for any of your design needs. Have an awesome week and happy creating!
To your creative endeavors!
Onward and upward.
Cathy Broadwell
Giant Leaps Creative LLC


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STS –119 is delayed again over concerns about Flow Control Valves (FCVs).
When a date (maybe March 14th) is confirmed I will post the date.
Friday, February 27, 2009
STS-119 delayed indefinitely
STS –119 is delayed again over concerns about Flow Control Valves (FCVs).
Monday, February 23, 2009
Expected Launch Of Space Shuttle
The space shuttle Discovery is due to launch on Feb.27th, at Kennedy Space Centre on it's mission to The International Space Station.
It has been delayed, but hopefully this launch will take place.
More info:-http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
NASA delays launch of Discovery yet again
From Orlando Sentinel
STS-119 has been delayed again with fuel valve problems.
More from the Orlando Sentinel here…
Monday, February 16, 2009
ESPN The Weekend
From February 27th to March1st 2009. Walt Disney's Hollywood Studios is hosting an event called ESPN The Weekend, Sports stars will be attending and mixing with the crowd, and to add to the fun there will be an interactive sports zone and of course your favourite Disney Characters.
For more information go to -http://espn.go.com/espntheweekend/
Friday, February 13, 2009
Golfing Event Being Held for St. Jude Children's Hospital, Cancer Research Centre.
Universal Orlando Resort presents a Celebrity Golfing event at Orlando's Mystic Dunes Golf Club on Monday March 16th.
A total of 32 teams will compete in the tournament.
Former MLB, NFL players will take part in the event.
Celebrities Derrick Brooks, Phil Niekro, Bill "Maz" Mazeroski, Jim McMahon and others will be participating.
On Sunday, March 15th from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. there will be a welcome reception and pairing party held at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.
The event will raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, cancer research centre.
Information found at :- http://orlando.golfersguide.com/orlando-golf/golf-news/former-mlb-nfl-players-to-participate-in-inaugural-celebrity-shootout-at-mystic-dunes-golf-club.html
Friday, February 06, 2009
Sport Events
If you require sport event information in Orlando, here is a taste of what's on offer in February:-
Wednesday Feb. 11th 2009
Sport: Basketball. Magic vs. Denver
Place: Amway Arena
Time: 1 day
More Info: www.orlandomagic.com
Friday Feb. 13th 2009
Sport: Baseball. USSSA Presidents Day Challenge III
Place: Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex
Time: 3 days
More Info: www.orlandosports.org
Friday Feb. 13th 2009
Sport: Auto Racing. NextEra Energy Resources 250 Camping World Truck race
Place:Daytona International Speedway
Time: for 1 day
More info: www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Saturday Feb. 14th.2009
Sport: Baseball. USSSA 1st Annual President's Day Games
Place:Seminole County Softball Complex
Time: 2 days
More info: www.orlandosports.org
Sunday Feb. 15th 2009
Sport: Triathlon. Florida's Great Escape Triathlon
Place: Lake Louisa State Park
Time:1 day
More info: www.orlandosports.org
Saturday Feb. 14th 2009
Sport:Soccer.Disney's President's Day Soccer Festival
Place: Disney's Wide World of Sports
Time:2 days
More info: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com
If you want more information on specific events, click on Question and Answers http://orlandoqna.blogspot.com/
Music Events
Here are a few music events that are happening around the Orlando area
VENUE: Performing Arts Centre Livingston St.Orlando,
EVENT: The Festival of Orchestras: The Boston Pops, Conductor Keith Lockhart
Date: March 8th 2009
Information: http://www.festivaloforchestras.org/season/
VENUE: House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando
EVENT: Orlando Rocks: Javier Productions Presents, Puerto Rican Power Con Invitado Especial, Ismael, Miranda and Tony Tun Tun.
Date: February 13th 2009
Information: http://www.hob.com/tickets/
VENUE: The Hard Rock Café Universal Drive
EVENT: Gypsy Kings
Date: 11th February 2009
EVENT: Morrisey
Date: 1st March 2009
Information: http://www.hardrock.com/live2/live.asp
VENUE: Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida
EVENT: Rossini Weekend. The Bach Festival Society and Orlando Opera are performing.
Date: 21st February
Information: http://www.bachfestivalflorida.org/
VENUE: Amway Arena Florida
EVENT: An evening with Fleetwood Mac [More info: http://www.fleetwoodmac.com/ ]
Date: 20th April 2009
Information: http://orlandovenues.net/
Own a Home in Orlando Blog
Check it out for investment or relocation properties in the Central Florida area, including: Celebration, Kissimmee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, Hunters Creek, Winter Park and many more locations. - destinationcentralflorida.blogspot.com.
Impartial expert advice with professional and friendly client relations is their speciality.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Orlando Weather - February 2009
The weather prediction for the next 10 days seems to be mainly sunny with a few clouds, although today rain is expected.
Monday February 2nd- rain, chance of thunder. high 66F low 50F
Tuesday February 3rd- sunny, high 60F low 37F
Wednesday February 4th- sunny/cloudy, high 53F low 32F
Thursday February 5th- sunny, high 57F low 40F
Friday February 6th- sunny, high 67F low 45F
Saturday February 7th- early fog, sunny/cloudy, high 71F low 51F
Sunday February 8th- sunny, high 68F low 56F
Monday February 9th- sunny, high 73F low 55F
Tuesday February 10th- partly sunny, high 78F 60F
Wednesday February 11th- sun/showers, high 78F low 57F
Archive suggests:-
Expected high –76F
Expected low-56 F
Expected high-81 F
Expected low-63 F
From our Orlando Weather Blog.
More archive and weather information can be found on our web-site:-


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Posted by Editor on 02/3/10
Toronto-based bicycle manufacturer Cervélo is one of seven companies nationwide that has been recognized for innovation. The high-end bicycle manufacturer received the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters', Zurich's Canadian Innovation Award for Manufacturer of the Year. The Toronto Star interviewed company co-founder Phil White Here.
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Brighton Fringe sets out to stimulate, educate and entertain all year round through a diverse range of events, performances and workshops.
During May, Brighton Fringe welcomes international performers and audiences as it showcases the creative heart and soul of the city and its unique cultural heritage. This vast celebration of the weird, wild and wonderful has grown out of, and is inspired by, home-grown talent. more than 30% of events are put on by artistic companies based in Brighton & Hove.
We are committed to helping the arts flourish. Brighton Fringe is completely open-access, which means anyone can register and put on a Brighton Fringe event as no selection criteria is imposed on participants. This enables both new and established performers to take risks and entertain audiences. We also help artists develop professionally through a range of year-round workshops, mentoring and bursary programmes.
We also work closely with festivals worldwide and international networks such as the World Festival Network and World Fringe Alliance to further support performers in touring, fundraising and developing.
To find out more about Brighton Fringe take a look at our Annual Review.
Brighton Fringe's vision
Our vision is to be an internationally acclaimed open-access arts festival and year-round professional resource, that stimulates, educates and develops audiences and artistic communities.
- We will achieve our vision by bringing people together and acting as a catalyst for creativity.
- We believe in equality and respect for all.
- We are transparent, honest and trustworthy.
- We are friendly and professional.
- We are open and responsive.
We enjoy what we do.
Brighton Fringe is a registered charity but does not rely on public funding, in fact, less than 3% of our income is generated from public sources. Other sources of revenue include participants' registration fees, advertising, corporate sponsorship and Friends memberships. The organisation has also built a portfolio of mutually beneficial partnerships with a range of local Brighton businesses.
Charity Number - 1116367; Company number - 5578256; VAT number - 892 5694 68
Company Documents: Articles of Association


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While stress may or may not necessarily cause infertility, infertility definitely causes stress. Stress is any change in your routine or health. It is very important to get stress under control as this may be the single most factor in helping infertile women achieve conception. When the mind is in a state of disarray, the whole body is too.
All the hormones in the body are interrelated. When the body is under stress, this causes high production of high levels of cortisol which in turn leads to significant reduction of progesterone, resulting in estrogen dominance. A high level of estrogen is the leading cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome wherein the imbalance leads to formation of small cysts in the ovaries. This may hinder fertilization and render the woman infertile. Likewise, when the woman is under stress, spasms may occur in the fallopian tubes and uterus, causing problems in ovulation and implantation.
For men, the disturbance brought upon stress on the hormones may alter the production, quality, count or motility of sperm.
Physical effects of stress
Pushing your body hard at work and play causes you to burn out and lead to depletion of the energy it needs to restore itself. This lack of energy causes sluggish activity, poor mental performance and hypoglycaemia in extreme fatigue. All these are stressors and may affect the normal functioning of the body's daily processes.
Another effect is the lowering of the immune defence. Reducing stress may help in enhancing the proteins within the uterine lining that are involved in implantation. Likewise, this may also help in increasing blood flow to the uterus, which also affects conception.
Emotional effects of stress
Couples who are constantly trying to conceive may oftentimes feel that their efforts aren't enough. After months of trying and doing everything coming down to nothing, they may feel that there must be something missing in their efforts and that something that must be done. They may start to doubt themselves, feel guilty, pity themselves and resort to self-blame.
In recent studies, "trying too hard" may actually play a role in up to 30% of infertility problems. In the same research, it was discovered that pregnancy was more likely to occur during the months couples reported feeling happy and relaxed. It was less likely to occur during the months they reported feeling anxious or tense.
Infertility Treatment – Stress Reduction Techniques Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of inserting long needles into various pressure points throughout the body in order to stimulate the flow of energy and benefit different body organs. It may not actually reduce stress but it may help in restoring balance on the effects of stress in the body. Acupuncture has been reported to improve blood circulation to the pelvic region and reproductive organs. With this relaxation of the reproductive organs, there is increased possibility of producing healthier eggs or sperm.
In the Oriental point of view, stress causes the liver to become hot and inflamed, therefore pressure points that are associated with the liver are used. Ear acupuncture or auricular therapy has been known to treat emotional and physical stress effectively. In general, acupuncture helps in stimulating the central nervous system and helps increase the production of endorphins and encephalins, which are naturally occurring chemicals in the body that improve a person's mood and overall feeling of well-being.
Yoga for infertility stress is designed to make women take their minds off the tension of infertility and reduce their anxiety. Emotionally, women can feel empathy and support from others who are also dealing infertility problems of their own, thus reducing negatives, stressful feelings about themselves. Yoga focuses on bringing the body at present at all times, so that stressors of infertility can be temporarily set aside.
Deep Meditation
Most people who get on deep meditation do so because of its beneficial effects on stress. Hormones and other biochemical compounds in the blood indicative of stress tend to decrease during deep meditation practices. Fertility massage helps your body heal, restore and rejuvenate thereby releasing stressors from your system.
Massage therapy works by decreasing the body's physical signals of stress, including heart rate and brain waves. In the same manner as acupuncture, massage helps relax the uterine muscles from spasms caused by stress.
Not only does reducing stress assist in natural conception, it also proves to be useful in assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF. Of those who were able to produce eggs, those who were most stressed were 20% less likely to achieve fertilization success.
Patients with the highest level of stress at the time of ovulation had ovulated 20% fewer than those women with less stress. Moreover, the process of undergoing these fertility procedures can cause a great deal of stress that that it can stop even the most successful treatments from working. These findings do not suggest that stress management is a definitive treatment for infertility.
Until today, doctors and researchers alike are still trying to understand, but they do know that once stress reduction techniques are employed, there seems to be something that happens to a person that allows them to get pregnant when they couldn't get pregnant before. These approaches help normalize menstrual cycles, improve quality of sperm and egg and improve quality of relationships and life of the couple.


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'I try to remove myself as much as possible fromthe process and let the result be as in tune andtrue to its function as it can be''That's inherently where I don't want to be. I don't wantto create work that has an opinion. I try to removemyself as much as possible from the process and letthe result be as in tune and true to its function as itcan be. It's not about form following function, it's aboutallowing the human need or the purpose of the productto be fully relevant to the end user without interventionby me, because no one cares about me, they care aboutwhat they're doing. We're trying to create solutions thatlive in an ecosystem that's truthful.'His luminaire designs perhaps exemplify his approach.
'Lighting for me is another way to look at solving
problems that we solve in, say, furniture but lighting
is quite different. It has a magic to it that furniture
tends not to have.' A crucial difference is that he is not
concerned with the object but the effect it produces.
'The actual result, the throw of light, what you see as
the illumination, that's what the product is. So when
I approach the design of a light, it's not the fixture, it's
the throw of light.'
He recalls visiting a designer lighting exhibition at
London's V&A museum some years ago. 'There were
all these lamps hanging there in a perfectly well-lit
room but it had nothing to do with the throw of light.
I found that really frustrating because to me it's about
how does light land on a surface, how does it illuminate
something, how does it carve out its form? For some
reason it's something our industry tends to not pay that
much attention to, it's all about the aesthetic, the object.'
The Vessel pendant, originally conceived with 3M
and now a Humanscale luminaire, is a good example.
'I think when design comes from me alone it's quite
limited. I think collaboration with others who have
skills I don't have is where things elevate. What makes
Vessel so special is that I sat down with an optical
physicist on the team. I put a big piece of paper on the
table and drew a roughly 1.5m circle and I said that
I needed light that lived in this circle. I said that the
luminaire needed to be no higher than this distance
from the table and no lower than this distance and so
on. And I said, "How do we do this with an LED and
with no glare?"'
The physicist took the parameters and, working with a
ray trace programme he had himself developed, came ▼
Opposite: the Dome lamp, for Danish brand Mater, was inspired by a
trip to South America and the fact that the Moon appears to be upside
down in the southern hemisphere. ' The Moon is opaque, it doesn't
throw light, it only bounces light downwards'
of the studio's expert network. 'I like to think that this
is what separates us from a lot of folks and really why
we like to work with clients that are flexible enough. We
will get a brief for a project and we will investigate that
brief with the client. We bring in other people to help
validate targets they may have in their brief. We may
discover their brief is potentially not as good as they
thought, and they are possibly missing opportunities.
Effectively we will rewrite the brief with the client. We
work all the way from the initial supply point, where
they get the materials, through to how does it actually
live in someone's life. We never go straight to design.'
Or 'design is not a guessing game' as he says on his
website. But while he is the hard-headed businessman,
there is a softness to his approach. He constantly
refers to the natural world as an inspiration. He has a
butterfly in a box in his office. He has an extraordinarily
rigorous, purist approach to design. Far from wishing
to impose his ego, ideally, he says, he would like to
somehow effect the design by alchemy and absent
himself from the process altogether. 'Obviously we
have to make the thing, we have to design it, we have
to engineer it, we're still intervening and that frustrates
me, but that's the reality. I wish we did nothing.'
Inevitably he uses a metaphor from nature to clarify.
'If you're walking though the park and you look at two
trees, I don't think you'd say that the tree on the left
looks nicer than the tree on the right, or that the tree
on the left looks like it's from 1980, or you don't like
the shape of the branches. I don't think you get that
specific in terms of a critique. I think you see them as
trees, they're beautiful, they are what they are and the
result of an ecosystem. Whereas if I put two cars in
front of you, you could happily say the car on the left
looks like it's from 1980 and you don't like it or you do,
or you don't like the colour or you do. I think you can
critique because that is an opinion.


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Barely one voter in seven now believes he is fit for the job of prime minister, the YouGov survey indicates.
However none of Mr Brown's likely replacements - including David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary - would save the party from an election humiliation at the hands of the Conservatives, the poll finds.
The poll's findings throw into sharp relief the dilemma facing the Labour Party as they consider whether to force Mr Brown to stand down. It shows that none of the Cabinet ministers who might seriously challenge him would improve Labour's standing with the electorate.
Mr Miliband's implicit criticisms of Mr Brown in a newspaper article earlier this week, and his subsequent refusal to rule out a challenge for the leadership, have triggered open conflict in the Labour Party.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Mr Miliband telephoned Mr Brown yesterday afternoon. One source said he apologised for the furore the article caused.
However, after Mr Brown's closest allies said Mr Miliband had "one last chance" to back the Prime Minister in a BBC Radio Two phone-in, the Foreign Secretary once again refused to give full support, instead admitting Labour was "in a hole" and appearing to revel in suggestions he should take the top job.
Speculation was further stoked when it emerged that Mr Miliband had cancelled a trip to India planned between September 7 and 10, when any move against Mr Brown would be most likely to be launched. A Foreign Office spokesman insisted that the trip had always been provisional.
Some Labour backbenchers yesterday expressed their anger at Mr Miliband's intervention.
Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe, called Mr Miliband a "non-entity" and urged Mr Brown to dismiss him. "I would have a sacked him. I think he's been grossly disloyal," she said.
Bob Marshall-Andrews, MP for Medway, accused Mr Miliband of "pretty contemptible politics" and said his behaviour had been "duplicitous".
However Denis MacShane, a former Europe minister, said Mr Brown's allies must end their attacks on the Foreign Secretary. He said: "The national interest is now being damaged by these anonymous attacks on Miliband."
On Wednesday, Number 10 authorised a campaign of briefing against the "disloyal" and "immature" Foreign Secretary. However, amid growing talk that dozens of MPs and ministers are ready to back Mr Miliband, Mr Brown himself showed signs of retreat and Downing Street even issued a statement backing him.
"We agree with David that the whole party should pull together, take the fight to the Tories and focus on dealing with the real issues affecting people's lives," it said.
In another sign of Mr Brown's dwindling authority, not a single Cabinet minister yesterday spoke out in support of the Prime Minister, despite repeated requests from Downing Street for public shows of loyalty.
His ministers' reluctance to fully endorse Mr Brown chimes with voters' dramatic loss of confidence in him.
Just 15 per cent of voters questioned by YouGov this week said they believe that Mr Brown is "is up to the job".
Only Sir John Major has ever recorded such a low approval rating, in 1995, two years before his Conservative Government suffered the worst election defeat in modern history.
Sixty five per cent of voters say Mr Brown is now a "liability" for Labour, up from only 25 per cent in June last year when he took office. Forty-four per cent of people say Labour's electoral prospects would improve if Mr Brown was replaced.
The poll, carried out between Tuesday and Thursday this week, confirms that Labour remains far behind David Cameron's Conservatives.
The Tories are on 47 per cent and Labour is on 25 per cent, a 22-point lead that would give Mr Cameron a landslide victory at a general election.
Only 9 per cent of voters said they believe Mr Brown is "in touch with the concerns of people like me." Fifty-two per cent say he "lacks the qualities needed to lead Britain effectively through its current economic problems" and 53 per cent, say Mr Brown dithers.
But exactly half of voters believe replacing Mr Brown as Prime Minister with another Labour MP would make no difference to Britain.
So grave is Mr Brown's plight that many voters have started to pity him. Forty-two percent said they feel either "very sorry" or "fairly sorry" for the Prime Minister.
But the YouGov poll also contains some cold comfort for the Prime Minister, showing that that none of the Labour figures currently considered possible replacements would significantly improve the party's standing.
With Mr Miliband as leader, Labour scores 24 per cent against 47 per cent for the Conservatives. Under Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, the figures are 24-45. Were Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to take over, Labour would fall to 17 per cent, in third place behind the Liberal Democrats on 18 per cent and the Conservatives on 50 per cent.
In fact, the only Labour figure who could significantly narrow the gap with the Tories is the man the party forced out of office last year: Tony Blair. Yet even with Mr Blair as leader, Labour would trail the Conservatives by 32 per cent to 41 per cent.
On the Radio 2 phone-in yesterday one caller urged the Foreign Secretary to "get that God-awful man Brown out".
Mr Miliband declined to rebut the criticism of the Prime Minister, saying: "We have got to take the right decisions. It is very difficult in a downturn for leaders right around the world."
Another caller, told Mr Miliband: "You are the sort of person we need as Prime Minister." The Foreign Secretary laughed and said: "That's very nice of you."
Mr Miliband insisted that he is not campaigning to oust Mr Brown. He said: "I have always wanted to support Gordon's leadership".
-- YouGov elicited the opinions of 1,949 adults across Great Britain online between July 29 and 31. The data have been weighted to conform to the demographic profile of British adults as a whole.


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Jands Vista Lights Another Award-Winning Event
July 26, 2010 05:21
Once again, a Jands Vista T2 console has provided lighting control for an event winner at the InfoComm / LSA Staged Events Awards. Freeman received the 2010 'Best Overall Staging for a Corporate Industrial Entertainment Event' award for their work on the American Library Association's Annual Conference.
The annual awards are held at the InfoComm tradeshow and represent achievements in AV excellence in some of the most unique and challenging environments.
One judge commented on the winning Freeman event: "It is difficult for a lighting submission to grab attention when it's up against so many great total staging projects with video. But lighting is one area that can own a show if it is done properly and this event exemplifies the power of light over the audience."
Freeman, a world-leading provider of integrated services for face to face marketing events, provided full lighting, audio, video and scenic elements for the winning conference. The multi-day event featured 20 guest speakers discussing their works as well as an awards ceremony.
The event lighting design was by Freeman AV Chicago's in house LD, Anne Sedlock with programming by Dabney Forest. Anne let Dabney choose her console of choice, the Jands Vista T2, a popular choice in Freeman AV Chicago's rental inventory.
Anne commented: "We use the Vista T2 on almost all this style of show. It provides us with the flexibility and the ease of use we need to get our shows up and looking great in very little time."
The challenge was how to give the single stage a unique look for each day of the conference presentations, as well as for the awards ceremony. Anne's lighting concept was to make the stage scenic elements really stand out by using numerous unique looks to keep the lighting fresh.
For the main scenic element, a massive curved frame covered in white spandex material, Anne used Chroma-Q® Color Split™ LED fixtures to provide subtle looks of gradiant color uplighting from the base of the structure. Chroma-Q® Color Block™ compact LED units were used to get into the many curves of the scenic piece and add highlights where needed, as well as adding a hint of color to the drape line upstage. In addition, Vari-Lite VL3500 Spots provided a layer of downlighting and texture. All fixtures were chosen from Freeman AV Chicago's in-house inventory.
Summarising her experience of the Vista, Dabney commented: "It's not often we get such a great canvas to paint our lights on. As with many shows, for the ALA we got very little time to program. The Vista allows me to create looks efficiently and quickly. I know I can rely on the speed that the Vista's interface offers to do the things I need to both fast and easily, whether 'drawing' precise shutter cuts on my VL3500s, quickly moving icons around my layouts as the rig changes, or copying whole looks across different fixture types. Then of course, there's 'extracts'. In the current economic environment, it's rare for a show to allow for the kind of programming time that was standard in years past. Frankly, without the Vista I could not have made the intricate looks the show needed in the time I had available."
A.C. Lighting Inc. is the exclusive North American distributor for the Jands Vista and Chroma-Q LED product ranges.
For more information on the Jands Vista, visit www.jandsvista.com.
For more information on the Chroma-Q LED range, visit www.chroma-q.com.
All Chroma-Q LED products are licenced by Color Kinetics. Chroma-Q and all associated product names are recognised trademarks, for more information visit www.chroma-q.com/trademarks. The rights and ownership of all trademarks are recognised. The information contained herein is correct at the time of printing, however as we are constantly refining our product range we reserve the right to change the specification without notice. E&OE.
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Today's blog post come to you courtesy of Sharf Associate Librarian, Rochelle Pienn. This past summer, Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf substantially added to our holdings a large and historically important cache of rare books, original diaries, and photograph albums. Their generosity was not limited to the two dozen or so boxes of books shipped to our library, but also included funds enabling us to keep Ms. Pienn hard at work accessioning and documenting the materials. Here is her report on one particular photograph album from the Sharf's most recent gift to the library.
In the winding terrain of Waziristan, before the formation of Pakistan in 1947, the Wazirs and Mahsuds clashed in episodes of violent conflict on the British-occupied Afghan border and in former British India. This original photograph album from the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Collection at the Wolfsonian museum library contains rare pictures from one of the more intense military operations of the British kind in the contested region.
Upon first opening this album, I discovered two distinctive sets of photographs: some smaller, showing men in candid shots, and others larger, and apparently strategic, depicting marches through a specific landscape. Part of the excitement of processing rare photograph albums includes what I like to call the "spy" factor—that spark of desire to solve a mystery from the past with the most elusive of clues.
The album begins with a painterly image of Khyber Pass by B. R. Tundan. Tundan was a civilian and a professional photographer. Further captions and soldiers' scrawls on the backs of photos informed me that the subject of Tundan's pictures was the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire, 48th Regiment.
This photo shows the Regiment crossing the Baran bridge as it proceeds to cover as much harsh terrain as quickly as possible. I contacted the Northampton Museum in the U.K., which houses the official records of the Regiment since its deactivation in 1960. John Sims, a historian, and Jenny Hand, a curator, both helped me piece together more of the story of this compelling photo album: Tundan and his associates, along with occasional photographic rivals, made a series of pictures showing the Regiment running its paces in 1936, during the Waziristan Revolt. These photos served as a guide to troops perusing the area.
Troops here arrive at their base at Rail Head. This photo is attributed to James Cass. Historian John Sims noted that Tundan and his colleague's pictures were carried around by soldiers who kept their own personal albums. An earlier researcher of this album indicated that scenes in the photos possibly portrayed a previous military regiment known as the Wana Column, a group originally created to quell the first Waziristan revolt, ten years previous.
In fact, it's more likely that these unidentified British soldiers were part of the troops sent to squelch Pashtun religious leader Faqir of Ipi's anti-Hindu and anti-British attacks during the Waziristan Campaign of 1936-1939. Today's Taliban traces its ancestry to the warrior Pashtuns. The delicate threshold of religious intolerance between various Muslim and Islamic factions and Indian religions erupted regularly during British occupation. The British cautiously aligned themselves with Indian sensibilities per their years of colonialism in that country.
These photos show scenes from Dalhousie, a well-established British retreat at the foot of the Himalayas.
The British troops descended upon the fighting in the Khiasora Valley. Afterwards, the region quieted for the most part, with Faqir of Ipi making an escape into Waziristan. He became an enemy of what is now today's Pakistan until his death.
"A scout's post" rises suddenly in the bare hillside.
Here, the British Army meets with native tribes, dictating terms of their surrender.
The typical gallows humor of the British soldier also included racist attitudes, as shown in this cartoon:
The railroad at Bannu Station allowed for more efficient movement of men and supplies:
The Indus River bridge was a critical supply route.
Valley bridges cut dramatically through the mountain landscape.
The unknown owner of the album displays "General Views" of Razmak in these smaller amateur photos.
This aerial shot of the organized camp at Dambil illustrates the sheer determination of the British military to infiltrate foreign soil. The camp's stronghold was the site of bloody combat between Gurkhas (British and Indian soldiers from Nepal) and Pashtun warriors.
Tension occurred between unyielding religious rivals in this turbulent part of the world no less during episodes of history than it does today. While the British continued to strive for peaceful coexistence between hostile tribes as would serve imperial interests, long-term calm would repeatedly elude all stakeholders of the region, so diametrically opposed in their beliefs.


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Imagine going to work knowing that what you do each day positively affects the lives of the people in your community. Working at the Y, you'll discover more than a job—you'll enjoy a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you. Our staff members of all ages are from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. They enjoy the personal satisfaction that comes from nurturing the potential of youth and teens, improving the nation's health and well-being and providing support to our neighbors.
Locally, most paid positions at the Y are seasonal or part-time. Our wage and salary schedule shows the type of jobs and the pay ranges. Full-time positions are only announced occasionally because of our high staff retention. Current job openings.
Types of positions when available:
- Membership – Membership Staff, Receptionist, Office Assistant, etc.
- Preschool & Child Care – Preschool Teacher, Child Care Teacher, Child Care Aide, etc.
- Afterschool Programs – Afterschool Teacher, Afterschool Aide, Enrichment Instructor, etc.
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- Fitness – Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, Fitness Attendant, PE Instructor, etc.
- Recreational Activities – Rock Climbing Instructor, Youth Center Staff, Program Leader, etc.
If you would like to apply to a current job opening then print, complete and submit an Employment Application.
If you are specifically applying for a summer camp position then complete a Camp Application.
All applicants must successfully pass a background check after an initial interview or conditional offer of employment. We follow the State of Oregon Department of Education guidelines.


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Happy Sunday fellow readers and bloggers! Its a gloomy, cold, windy day here. And I'm slightly under the weather too. So why not compile some awesome links I found this week? Hope you enjoy 🙂 Comment away!
And please follow me on Bloglovin' 🙂
Mmmmm… African Origins of Southern Food
There really is a scientific reason…Why do you get "Emo" during Yoga?
How about these delicious looking Green Smoothie Pancakes?
Or this incredible split pea soup? Which I've never actually home-made before…
Cesar Milan has the best job ever – "The Dog Whisperer".
Ohhhh I missed my puppy. Here's sweet Gus for you all to love 🙂
We eat granola every week for breakfast. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could make our own scrumptious crunchy coconut granola?
Loving these wise words for Heart-opening Vinyasa moves.
Because I know everyone wants to be more like Jane Fonda. ❤
Pumpkin ANYTHING. This oat bread looks killer.
Please care about elephants – this next year could be crucial for them.
Basic vinaigrette has been on my list for-ev-er. Instead of using premade, cheapy salad dressings.
Want glowing skin? Eat these foods.
Even though I'm not in college anymore, these are some great tips for staying healthy while in school!
And I'll end with a gorgeous post about Self-Love ❤ Please read.
Have a lovely Sunday, people! 🙂


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We met Warren in Las Vistas Condominium while we were vacationing. After we made an offer for a condo in the same place, he gave us specific detail @ the process of buying a condo as a foreclosure. It was admirable for me to experience his patience with my American husband, who was ambivalent due to fear. Warren was not pushy, he answered so very many questions my husband had all along. He was diligent with the legal documentation, transferring of the fees and cost of the condo. I am very grateful for how warmth personality, commitment to get us through our barriers. Most of all, he earned our trust.
I would highly recommend him to people who wish to have a resourceful, honest and compassionate agent.
Warren recently helped me to buy a property in Puerto Vallarta. He was very willing to set up appointments and accompanied me to several viewings. He assisted me with my final choice, then helped me through the buying procedure. Warren is helpful and knowledgeable as well as polite and courteous at all times.
Our first meeting with Warren wasn't planned, we walked into his office off the street. Since that time we've become good friends with Warren. Warren has proved to be knowledgeable, reliable and hard working for our cause, yet he was never pushy. He's very approachable and always willing to help us with non real estate questions concerning living in PVR and we had a lot of those types of questions! We highly recommend him to others looking to live or invest in PVR paradise.
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By Kate Every
A modern English Literature degree. A "flexible and wide-ranging course", just, you know, without anything written by women or non-white Europeans. Two years into a literature degree I'm constantly confronted with issues of difference as categorized by feminism or post-colonial studies, but somehow a programme that teaches the importance of these literary movements manages to carefully sidestep actually including anything by women or non-Europeans on the course. Unless these groups are focused on through tokenistic modules such as "Global Literatures", a blaring disclaimer, just in case anyone thought the course could be perceived as racist. We assure you it's not, I mean look at this module that's all about foreigners and "their" literature.
A semester on the Renaissance came up with expected results: Shakespeare, More, Sidney, Spenser, Wyatt, Donne. The list of dead white males could continue for quite some time. Well I guess you could make quite a case for the lack of source material for women's literature of the time. But that's just it, there is plenty of women's literature. Yet it can only be approached in that way, look at these clever women from the 16th century who could actually write poetry or prose: let's anthologize them altogether, so they can continue to be subjugated by their gender classification just as they were back when they were writing!
Let's fast forward to the 20th century, and to a land that prides itself on its multifarious population. The modern American literature course doesn't offer up much hope either. Walt Whitman, Raymond Carver, Tennessee Williams, Ezra Pound, William Faulkner, Thomas Pynchon, Paul Auster. Ooh how about including Nella Larsen, she may not have been as major a literary figure, but African American and a woman, ticking two boxes at once means she's a keeper! Oh and don't forget Elizabeth Bishop, need to represent the gays somehow!
Perhaps this reading of the module programme is somewhat too cynical. But my point stands. It still feels as though groups that do not represent the dominant culture are rather ungracefully shoehorned into the curriculum to show some kind of diversity. The fact that a module could even be called American literature without even batting an eyelid to a continent-wide group of cultures (outside those of the USA directly) is alarming. Canada (a country that is actually larger than the USA), the Caribbean and Central and South America in their entirety do not even get a look in. That's not even to mention indigenous groups whose literature is perfectly easily accessible.
In 2013, a university of academics who are fully aware of, even preaching about, the pitfalls of patriarchal and colonial dominance in literature, it is worrying to think that this continues. I wonder when, in practice, things will actually change?


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text: November 17, 2014 at 3:27 PM A look back at the 2A, 1A, 2B, 1B state volleyball tournaments Posted by Sandy Ringer Unfortunately, we were not able to send reporters to the state volleyball tournaments in Class 2A, 1A, 2B or 1B. Again, for complete results, please check the brackets here. Top-rankled Tumwater beat No. 3 North Kitsap 3-0 in the 2A championship match. But, boy, where the Thunderbirds pushed to the limit before that. They had to… More Comments | More in Volleyball | Topics: 1A, 1B state volleyball tournaments, 2B


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San Clemente Pier
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A shot of the San Clemente Pier in San Clemente, CA. I was hoping to get a decent shot of the pier at sunset. I managed to witness the most amazing sunset I've ever experienced. I was so amazed I phoned my wife as it was happening (and I was getting the shot).
4 responses
Christopher Long said (20 Dec 2007):
The colors are just stunning!! Beautiful capture.
Lis Bokt said (26 Dec 2007):
DarKat gave props (1 Jan 2008):
Amy Nelson said (22 Jan 2008):
Stunning colors!
Also by Steven M Johnson
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Pink Ice
With an over-the-top ethnic chic look, this ecommerce website has that feature of bold simplicity that will bring young customers running to your online doorstep. Definitely destined to be a hit for online shops catering to young shoppers looking for casual clothing and ethnic fashion accessories.
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Ride Four Ever
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Keene ISD Notice to Persons with Disabilities
Website Accessibility
The Keene Independent School District (Keene ISD or "District") is committed to making our content accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities. This includes parents, students, employees, and all others associated with our district. If this applies to you, and you would like to provide feedback or report a concern, please contact our Keene ISD Administration office.
Website Accessibility Information
Keene Independent School District (Keene ISD or "District") is committed to adherence to accessible technology standards as measured according to the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C's) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 2.0, Level AA and The Web Accessibility Guidelines Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAI-ARIA) 1.0 techniques for web content.
Third-Party/Hosted Web Services
Some of the online services provided by Keene ISD to our visitors through links on our website were not created by, nor are they maintained by Keene ISD; they are a subscribed service.
Every effort is made to ensure the products and services to which we provide and subscribe meet or exceed the accessibility standards adopted by Keene ISD. Upon discovery that a third-party/hosted web link or service on the District's website is inaccessible to a person with disabilities, a request for access to inaccessible content may be made using the procedures explained below. The District will review and determine its ability to provide the content in an alternative manner. The District will endeavor to provide third-party content in an accessible format to the extent feasible.
Who may complain?
A student, parent, staff member, or member of the public may file a complaint or grievance.
How is a complaint submitted?
Complaints may be submitted orally or in writing, via US mail or email, or by completing the Keene ISD Web Accessibility Complaint Form below:
Written Complaint forms should be emailed or sent via US mail to:
Keene Independent School District
Attention: Shaye Ford, Administrative Assistant
PO Box 656
Keene, Texas 76059
Oral complaints may be made by:
Calling (817) 774-5201
Visiting the Keene ISD Administration Office
during business hours (8:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday).
3625 E Highway 67, Building C
Keene, Texas 76059
What information should be included in a written complaint?
A complaint or grievance regarding the inaccessibility of the District's public website content should contain the following information:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your email
- Your phone number
- The URL of Resource
- Issue
- Desired Solution
For your convenience, you may use the following form to submit your complaint.


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This morning I embarked on my first CITY MAIL delivery-route, and observed a lot as I negotiated the streets of Halifax: from as far south as Hollis and South, to as far north as Kane Pl. in the Hydrostone neighbourhood.
The CITY MAIL box at Trident on Hollis St.
Here are some of my initial observations/reflections:
– Wandering the city with purpose provided a fresh and dynamic orientation to the streets: before, I was an aimless wanderer — but my engagement with the city's roads and built environment transformed Halifax into the background of a journey through a maze-like series of paths and nodes — streets ending abruptly were my foe, and I had to rely on the map of the city I had created in my head, and friendly folk on the street to achieve success
– I experienced the true meaning of the "Travelling Salesman Problem"which had been introduced to me through GIS — using the program's algorithm function to develop delivery routes that minimize path-over lap and maximize efficiency. As an actor within a wider delivery system I found the greatest challenge was route-planning, and was frustrated when I had to back track.
– The systems of the street numbers often lie! The street numbers up Newton hop – skip – and jump, skipping hundreds of houses — this instilled doubt as to my orienteering capabilities as I tried to locate houses along parallel streets based on inference.
– CITY MAIL gave me the vehicle to tap into an otherwise invisible network in Halifax centred in the North End. A lot of the mail-boxes I delivered to were very far from the North End, but indicators such as the Ecology Action Centre's "No Fliers Please" stickers, and "We Support Our Postal Workers" affirmed that these houses in the South and West were distant outposts along a centralized network of communication.
– Many mail boxes, such as the one above, are located outside — which is indicative of the immense trust folks place in others in the city – or perhaps a tacit reverence for the written word; it would be unimaginable to leave your email inbox open on the street giving others the opportunity to rummage through it.


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John Legend's "All Of Me" can't quit the top slots on the Billboard charts, it played during Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's first dance, and now it's getting the Nashville treatment courtesy of a little country twang—and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland and Hunter Hayes.
At the CMT Music Awards last night, Legend took to the stage at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena with Nettles and Hayes for a decidedly country take on his biggest hit yet. Honestly? It's gorgeous, a crossover triumph that shows how universally relatable and stunning Legend's writing is.
"All Of Me" is such an impossible-to-ignore ballad that it'll work in any format. Seriously—if someone made a metal version of it, we'd listen to it and probably love it just as much. (The mandolin, emphatic acoustic guitar-strumming from Hayes and Nettles' soaring vocals were nothing to sneeze at, either.)
Watch Legend, Nettles and Hayes give "All Of Me" a country makeover above. Here's hoping this version gets cut for real and we've got two excuses to throw the tune on repeat.


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- Cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1 can (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust dough
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 3 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
- 3 large mushrooms, thinly sliced
- Half a 13.75-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and sliced
- Half a 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and sliced
- 1/2 cup pickled banana pepper rings
- 2 ounces provolone cheese, shredded or sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 13-inch pizza pan or baking stone with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with cornmeal. Place pizza dough on pan and, starting at center, press dough out with hands to cover pan. Using your fingertips or a pastry brush, coat dough lightly with olive oil. Bake 5–8 minutes, or until light golden. Remove crust from the oven and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese. Cover with tomato slices, onion rings, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, and banana pepper rings. Top with provolone cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Return pizza to the oven and bake 17–22 minutes more, or until crust is deep golden.
Yield: 13-inch pizza.
Serving size: 1/8 of pizza.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
Calories: 207 calories, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 11 g, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Sodium: 622 mg, Fiber: 3 g
Exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat. Carbohydrate choices: 2.
This recipe was developed by Tami Ross, a Diabetes Nutrition Specialist and Certified Diabetes Educator in Lexington, Kentucky.