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Rainforestation Nature Park
Welcome to Rainforestation Nature Park
Latest News
Minibeasts Wildlife, International cuisine & discover rainforest milestones
Posted: 05 Mar 2020
Peppermint insects hatch – A second generation of peppermint stick insects has hatched alongside strong stick insects and crown stick insects at the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre's display on loan from Minibeast Wildlife. Each week own...
Barron Falls
Posted: 05 Mar 2020
The Barron Falls put on a magnificent show at the end of January after a week of monsoon rain bringing onlookers to vantage points including Kurandas Barron Falls Boardwalk or The Edge Lookout at Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. We can't wait f...
Mayi Wunda Dance
Posted: 25 Nov 2019
Discover the culture of the rainforest Aboriginal people on weekends at the Original Kuranda Rainforest Markets.
Kuranda has been the home of the Djabugay people for tens of thousands of years. They called Kuranda, Ngunbay, which means pla...
Featured Listings
Kuranda Rainforest Adventure Paddle
The Kuranda Rainforest Paddle Boarding Experience is the perfect relaxing paddle boarding trip for people of all levels of fitness. The water is very flat and flows smoothly and gently, so you don't have to be an expert paddle boarder.
Kuranda Riverboat Cruise
The calm waters of the beautiful upland Barron River provide great photographic opportunities whilst your local guides share their vast knowledge of this unique area. The river is home to a host of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, turtles, snakes, water dragons and fish together with ove...
Barron River | White Water Rafting
Book Barron River Rafting from $136, perfect for first time rafters with tea and coffee served at the end of the trip. This afternoon Cairns Tour is only 20 minutes from Cairns, with no rafting experience necessary. Perfect for anyone 13 years and older looking for a fun afternoon of adventure!
Best of the Cairns Tablelands Tours
Best of the Cairns Tablelands highlights include Herberton Historical Village, Coffee Works, Australian Platypus Centre & Smokehouse Cafe, Mt Uncle Distillery and the Curtain Fig Tree. Spend the day exploring the high-country west of the Cairns city, sampling local produce in the food bowl of Tropic...
About Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands is located 90kms south-west of Cairns. It ranges from 500m to 1280m above sea level and covers 620km² with a total population of approximately 45,243 people.
The Tablelands is renowned for its mild tropical climate and is spared the climatic extremes of floods, droughts and destructive cyclonic winds. Its pleasant temperatures range between 17°C and 25°C from September to June and between 5°C and 14°C from July to August. The region enjoys cool summer nights and mild, sunny winter days and does not suffer from the high humidity experienced in coastal areas.
The World Heritage listed crater lakes - Barrine and Eacham - are the blue icons of the green Tablelands. Popular with visitors and locals alike. There is a huge range of visitor opportunities in this part of the world.
Scenic drives, rainforest walks, giant trees, boat cruises and plenty of wildlife. Both Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine have circuit walks around the lakes edge. 4.5 km for Lake Eacham and 6.5 km for Lake Barrine. The walks provide an opportunity to experience remnant Tablelands rainforest and see some wildlife such as the musky rat-kangaroo and more than 100 bird species.
There is a short walk at Lake Barrine to the 1,100 year old Twin Kauri Pines and at Lake Eacham there is a short 700m self guided walk from the picnic area. Lake Eacham is ideal for a picnic or barbecue and a swim in the deep clear water. Lake Barrine is the place to go for a Devonshire tea or a light meal at the historic teahouse. The teahouse also offers regular guided boat tours of the lake. A great opportunity to see turtles, eels and water birds.
Close to Lake Eacham is the magnificent Gadgarra Red Cedar, a grand survivor of the logging era in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. This forest giant is typical of the type of trees that were once common on the Tablelands.
At the other end of town is the picturesque Malanda Falls tumbling over a basalt lava flow, filling the historic Malanda swimming pool. Here at this recreation area you can enjoy a swim, a picnic and a walk in the rainforest. The Falls also has an environmental information centre that features the volcanic history of the area and a cafe.
Malanda is part of the traditional lands of the Ngadgon-Ji where they continue to play an active role in the local community. The Malanda Falls Environmental Centre features a Ngadgon-Ji display.
While in Cairns Highlands be sure to visit the Mungalli Falls, 13km from Millaa Millaa along the Palmerston Highway. Mungalli Falls is the highest waterfall on the Tablelands, approximately 90M high. It is a 15 minute walk from the top of the falls to the bottom, and there are swimming holes above and below the falls. At the Tea House beside Mungalli Falls you can buy country style lunches, Devonshire teas, snacks and drinks.
Visitors and locals can take time out and enjoy a barbecue lunch at the popular "Platypus Park" which has been built on the surrounds of a local freshwater stream. This park can be found on Herberton Road heading towards Herberton and is only 5 minutes out of Atherton. Barbecues are supplied for your convenience and the park has a fenced playground area. And of course don't forget to see the main attraction at this park – the local platypus.
Visit Mt Hypipamee National Park and see the Crater formed as a result of escaping gases blasting a vent hole clean through solid granite. The Crater is some 120 metres deep with a 70 metre pool of still water. Situated approximately 25 kilometres from Atherton on the Kennedy Highway. Whilst here take the walking track which will lead you to Dinner Falls and see the various mountain falls and enjoy a swim in the various swimming holes along the way. These Falls become the Barron River which flows into the ocean at Cairns.
The Millaa Millaa Falls in the Cairns Highlands is the first of the three waterfalls on the Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit, 3km off the main road. Frequented by locals and tour groups alike as it is a popular swimming spot. You may even see the Ulysses Butterfly and Platypus late in the afternoon. There are many iridescent dragonflies that stay still long enough for you to be able to take a photo of them. There are plenty of parking spaces at these falls, shelter, barbecue and picnic facilities are available too. Millaa Millaa falls is one of the most photographed images in the Wet Tropics.
Visit the cultural, spiritual, historical Rocky Creek Memorial Park, established in 1995 and situated on the site of the 2/2 Australian General Hospital laundry and medical stores site, at Rocky Creek adjoining the Kennedy Highway near Tolga. Several Army Divisions camped on the Cairns Highlands during 1942-45. Approximately 60,000 Australian soldiers were treated for war related conditions at these hospitals, by a caring and efficient staff of approximately 2,000.
There are 63 military unit plaques. The units represented in the Memorial Park have an association with the Rocky Creek Australian Army Hospital or the troops that trained or provided unit support on the Cairns Highlands area during the World War II. There are three allied and community plaques displayed in this park, this area being established for Anzac Day 2001.
Take a tour by car through the natural rainforest of the Cairns Highlands. Throughout the trip you will also see plantations of pine and eucalypt trees, rainforest of the State Forest and Wet Tropics.
The road is suitable to conventional vehicles and is a very comfortable and enjoyable drive. Start your tour from Danbulla Road (Lake Tinaroo) and this scenic drive will lead you to "The Chimneys" and the Cathedral Fig before reaching your destination at Boar Pocket Road (Gillies Highway). It is not unusual to see native rainforest animals such as Scrub Turkey Hens and cassowaries wandering beside the roadway and occasionally crossing your path. You could be surprised at any time during this tour with the presence of other native animals
Getting to the Atherton Tablelands
There are four ways to get to the Atherton Tablelands from the coast.
- Gillies Highway
- Kuranda Highway
- Rex Range Road
- Palmerston Highway
Your choice of route will depend on where you are starting from, and what other attractions in Tropical North Queensland you want to see during your day.
From Cairns:
Gillies Highway
When travelling to the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns, there are two roads you can take. One begins at the southern side of Cairns, the other from the north. The Gillies Highway ascends the mountain ranges starting at the small town of Gordonvale. (24km south of Cairns). There is good signage along the way so it's difficult to get lost. At the top of the range, you drive past the turnoff to Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, until you arrive at Yungaburra. This range is only 16 kms long and takes approximately 35 minutes to travel. The views are magnificent, and the cool mountain air most invigorating.
Kuranda Highway
At the Smithfield Shopping Centre roundabout, a large sign will direct you to turn to the left. This is the very start of the Kuranda Highway. This gentle road is a pleasure to drive. The rainforest is lush and green, and the views of the Coral Sea are spectacular. At the top of the range is the village of Kuranda, but if you continue on your drive you will eventually reach Mareeba. The flora along this road varies from thick rainforest to Australian scrub. If you intend to continue past Mareeba, you will turn left at the major intersection. This long straight road will take you to the tiny township of Tolga, and then onto Atherton or Lake Tinaroo.
From Port Douglas, Mossman or Daintree Rainforest:
Rex Range Road
The Rex Range is regarded as the most beautiful ways to travel to the Atherton Tablelands. This road begins at the base of the mountains near Port Douglas (69km north of Cairns), so it is ideal if you're visiting Port Douglas in the morning and then intend to head up the mountains in the afternoon. Alternatively, you could make this trip in reverse. 12 kilometres north of Port Douglas, the Rex Highway takes you through the Mossman sugar cane paddocks before climbing the mountain to Julatten and Mt Molloy.
From Innisfail:
Palmerston Highway
Starting at Innisfail (93km south of Cairns), the Palmerston Highway stretches through Wet Tropics rainforests of Johnstone River Valley to Millaa Millaa. Picnic areas, waterfalls and camping grounds can be found along the way. Although this is the longest route from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands, many people believe it is the easiest drive and the most scenic route. If you can allow about an hour and a half for travelling time, and are keen to see as much of the tropical north as you can, the Palmerston Highway may be a good choice for you.
To reach the highway, drive south from Cairns through the cane fields and banana plantations until you reach Innisfail. At this town, good signage is located beside the main roads providing directions to the start of the highway. The highway is in very good condition so vehicles can maintain 100km/h for almost the entire length.
Atherton Tablelands Travel Guide
The Atherton Tablelands is Tropical North Queensland's highland getaway. This mountainous plain is nestled between the Bellenden Ker Range and the Great Dividing Range, at an altitude ranging from 600m to 1100m. The air is cool and fresh. The flora is perpetually green and lush. Despite being only 1 - 2 hours drive from the coastal town of Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands offer an escape from the modern hustle of city life. This is Australian countryside at its very best.
Visitors to Tropical North Queensland often assume that the main attractions are found on the coast, or in coastal waters. Destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest, and attractions like Skyrail, white water rafting and wildlife parks are all routinely part of any tourist's itinerary. But many people forget that the mountains straddling Cairns hide a pristine environment that is every bit as special as the coastal strip.
All towns throughout the Atherton Tablelands have their own special attractions;
- Yungaburra has a huge monthly market where unique arts and crafts are sold
- Atherton has the crystal caves and volcanic mountains
- Mareeba has an annual rodeo
- Tolga has a woodcraft gallery
- Herberton features a historic village
- Millaa Millaa has the waterfall circuit
- Malanda has a historic cinema
- Ravenshoe has amazing wind generators
- Chillagoe has ancient limestone caves.
- Canoeing on the Lagoon at Mareeba Wetlands
- Canoeing at Mareeba Wetlands
The Atherton Tablelands is home to World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks, mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. It is also rated as one of the richest agricultural plains in Australia. If you enjoy bush walking, bird watching, wildlife tours, hot air ballooning, water skiing, fishing, or just lazing around and enjoying the scenery, the Atherton Tablelands has something to offer you.
Accommodation at the Atherton Tablelands includes hotels and motels, bed and breakfast homes, backpackers, farm stays, and caravan and camping parks. Fine dining restaurants are plentiful, and weekend country markets are a fascinating treat that the whole family enjoys.
Every town has a special highland getaway. Brisbane has Toowoomba, Sydney has the Blue Mountains and Melbourne has the Dandenong Forests. Cairns is no exception. We have the Atherton Tablelands.
The Atherton Tableland is an ideal self-drive destination, and we are happy to assist you with car hire, should you be taking up this option. There are also an outstanding selection of Atherton Tablelands Tours which are better for travellers who only have a short time in the area.
Atherton Tablelands - Hiking tracks
The Atherton Tablelands is an excellent area for bushwalking and hiking for many reasons. Not only is the climate mild and comfortable, but the diversity of forests - from dry scrub to wet rainforest - provides walkers with an array of choices. Depending on the length of a hike, multiple forms of forestry can be encountered.
Many hikes throughout the Atherton Tablelands require a permit because national parks feature heavily across the landscape. However there are some other trails that are perfect for day-adventures and can incorporate children into the experience.
Tinaroo Dam Hike
A circuit track that leads from the dam wall along the top of a ridge and back to the wall is a challenging hike that takes approximately 2.5 hours. The beginning of this hike is very steep and children may have difficulty getting to the top of the ridge. But it is worth the effort because the views are spectacular.
From Tinaroo Township, drive towards the dam wall and follow the road to the other side of the wall. On the left side of the road is a dirt car park where you can safely leave your vehicle. Walk approximately 50m back down the road and on the right side is a small wooden fence and a sign prohibiting the use of motorbikes on the trail. There are no other markings to indicate the presence of this trail.
The end of the trail emerges onto a dirt road, and you need to follow this road to the left for approximately 200m. Pass over the cattle gate, and you'll be back at the Tinaroo Road.
Lake Barrine Walk
This is a 6km circuit track that follows the perimeter of Lake Barrine, suitable for all ages. It has a bitumen surface leading to a wooden viewing platform that overlooks two giant Kauri Pines that are over 1100 years old - a magnificent sight.
The walk begins at the picnic and swimming area of Lake Barrine, which is beside the teahouse, and ends on the opposite side of the teahouse. We recommend you allow one and a half hours for the hike to give yourself time to read the informative displays along the way and appreciate the unique rainforest.
Lake Eacham Walk
Similar to the Lake Barrine Walk, the Lake Eacham perimeter walk extends for 4km around the crater lake. It features a bitumen surface, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Along the way, hikers will see elk and staghorn ferns, strangler fig trees, wait-a-while palms and hundreds of tree ferns. The walk begins near the grassy picnic area on the banks of the lake, and ends at the turtle-viewing platform.
Kauri Creek Walk
The Kauri Creek Walk is a five and a half kilometre full circuit track, meandering through riverine vegetation along Kauri Creek. It then ascends through plantation pines and along a forestry road. The track is intended for intermediate to advanced walkers, although beginners can make the walk to the Red Cedar Tree (located one kilometre along the track) before returning to the picnic area.
For more information about hiking and bushwalking in the Atherton Tablelands, contact The Tablelands Walking Club.
Rules to follow when hiking anywhere in the Atherton Tablelands include the following:
- Hike on marked trails and walk single file to prevent damage to plants and trees.
- Do not light fires in the forest.
- Carry out all rubbish, including vegetable matter.
- Do not take dogs on hikes, unless you are able to keep them under strict and close control. Kangaroos, bandicoots and snakes are tempting chase-targets for dogs. Be aware, however, that dogs are forbidden on some tracks.
Atherton Tablelands - History
Atherton Tablelands history is a rich, and at times convoluted, story of hardship and battles against the odds. As you enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this region, it's hard to imagine the kind of difficulties that early settlers experienced.
The history of settlers at the Atherton Tablelands is traced from its beginning in 1875 when it was discovered by the explorer and prospector, James Venture Mulligan. He was passing through the area on one of his many expeditions in search of fertile lands and valuable minerals such as gold and tin. Of course, Aboriginal people had inhabited this land for tens of thousands of years prior to Mulligan's arrival, and this history is explained in Aboriginal History in the Atherton Tablelands.
While Mulligan was passing through the Atherton Tablelands he met a pioneer grazier, John Atherton, from whom the name of the region is derived. Mulligan informed Atherton of tin deposits in the area now known as Herberton, who then passed this knowledge further to another party of explorers headed by John Newell. These men formed an alliance, forming the pioneer town of Herberton.
For tin mining to be successful, a track needed to be carved through the jungle from Herberton to the main shipping terminal on the coast, Port Douglas. Workers toiled under harsh conditions, combating wild animals and tropical diseases. The track, when finished, passed through the present Main Street in Atherton. Bullock teams hauled food and other essential supplies up and down this road to sustain the mining community at Herberton. This track was also used to drag lumber to the coastline and establish a major timber industry.
The township of Atherton, originally called Prior's Pocket, formed from the temporary camp that sheltered men as they travelled along the Herberton-Port Douglas track. The growth of the timber industry also meant that felling occurred throughout the Atherton Tablelands, so men were often stationed along the track for extended periods of time. Atherton officially became a town when the first lots were sold on 23rd February 1886.
Life for European settlers (British Isles, northern Italy, Germany, Middle East, Greek, Albanian, Sicilian, Swiss, French) in the Atherton Tablelands was spent either mining for tin or gold, or lumbering. Along with Europeans, many Chinese, Malaysians and Indians came to work the land. The Chinese, mostly market gardeners, were on the lookout for opportunities to grow maize, and found prime conditions at the Atherton Tablelands. Up until 1919, Chinese were responsible for approximately 80% of all maize harvested in the region. Atherton had a Chinese population of more than 1000, with it's own Chinatown and Chinese temple.
The timber industry grew into a major force throughout the Atherton Tablelands, with Kauri Pine and Red Cedar being the prized timbers. Trading firm, Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., developed the idea of floating logs down the Barron River in a similar manner to Canadian lumberjacks who floated logs down the Fraser River. An experiment was arranged to float eleven logs down the Barron River to the coast, and they all successfully arrived with little damage. This success encouraged the timber companies to chop down as much cedar as they could before the wet season, when the rise in water levels would rush the timber to the coast. Unfortunately that year the wet season was tremendously heavy and the Barron River swelled so high that most of the logs wre stranded in backwaters on the edge of the river. When the river levels dropped, the logs were scattered for hundreds of miles all the way from Tinaroo to Smithfield. The few logs that did make it to the coast were badly damaged as they passed over the mighty Barron Falls. The fiasco was deemed a total failure and was never attempted again.
In 1925, access to the Atherton Tablelands was thrust open to the world with the construction of the Gillies Highway. For the first time, it was possible to drive from the coastal strip to the Atherton Tablelands, and back, in one day. The road was one-way only, so lengthy delays were often experienced at both ends. Atherton's water supply was completed in 1929, and was upgraded by a pipeline from the Barron River in 1956.
In 1955, the Queensland Irrigation and Water Supply Commission commenced the construction of Tinaroo Dam on the Barron River. Located about 10 miles from Atherton, the purpose of the dam was to provide irrigation for tobacco farms in the Mareeba-Dimbula area, and to prevent millions of litres of water flowing down the Barron River to the sea every wet season. The concrete irrigation channels brought a guaranteed water supply to almost 100 000 acres of undeveloped land that could now be used for farming. This was a tremendous boost to the economy of the region. The dam was the first one of its size built in Queensland. The capacity of Tinaroo Dam is approximately three-quarters of the volume of Sydney Harbour long with a spillway of 250 feet.
Today, farming is still the major industry at the Atherton Tablelands. Sugar cane, corn, maize, beans, strawberries, macadamia nuts and lettuce have replaced tobacco farms as primary industries. Cattle grazing and chicken rearing are also major industries. The Atherton Tablelands has also grown into a popular tourist destination, with Tinaroo Dam being the focal point.
Atherton Tablelands - Aboriginal History
The history and culture of the Australian Aboriginal people stretches back for tens of thousands of years, and the Atherton Tablelands is an important part of this history. Although modern day historians are largely uninformed about indigenous history prior to European contact, we do have records about the impact of white settlement on the Aboriginal lands, the conflicts that resulted, and the rules and inequalities forced upon the native people. The story of Aboriginal history in the Atherton Tablelands since 1884 is bleak, showing the catastrophic deterioration of a strong culture that once thrived in this mountainous region.
As described in the general history of the Atherton Tablelands, white settlers first established villages and towns in the area in 1886. For two years prior to this, explorers had been searching the area for viable economic resources such as timber, tin and gold. These explorers had come in contact with Aborigines and displayed a distinct lack of grace and understanding for their ancient culture. Conflict between the two groups became intense and the killing of cattle and crops in acts of retaliation by Aborigines became economically unbearable for white settlers. Indiscriminate killings of Aboriginal people resulted, creating a gulf of animosity between white and black.
In desperation at losing their economic interests (cattle and crops) the settlers near Atherton pressured the government into conciliating the rainforest Aborigines. In early 1889, a police constable aided by Aboriginal interpreters made contact with the resisting rainforest Aborigines and coerced them into a truce: If the Aborigines ceased attacking the white folk, the settlers would return the favour and supply them with food.
This strategy was successful in stopping the violence between white and black people, but it did not halt the downfall of the Aboriginal way of life in the area. To the contrary, some anthropologists have suggested that the nullification of Aboriginal resistance took away their only method of defiance to European invasion of their land.
From 1897 to 1971, the 'Restriction of the Sale of Opium and Protection of Aboriginals Act' was created with the purpose of looking after the perceived interests of Aborigines. This act authorised committing aborigines to a reserve and detaining them there against their will, and permitting the forced separation of husbands from wives, and children from mothers. Specific justification for these actions was not required - the word of the white man was apparently more trustworthy and educated than the black man. These events fractured families and altered the courses of many young Aboriginal lives.
By Federation in 1901, some Aboriginal men living at the Atherton Tablelands were employed on the land felling timber, erecting fences and working stock. Women were often employed by a family to help with domestic chores. In the 1920's and 30's and again in the 1950's and 60's, a tourist display was held in the Malanda displaying the local skill of tree climbing and some cultural traditions. During these years, however, the wages of Aboriginal workers was strictly controlled and divided between landowners, local authorities, and the Aborigines themselves. Allocation of wages was determined on marital status, age, and whether an Aboriginal was full-caste or half-caste.
In the first half of the 20th century, the ideal of Aboriginal missions as a way of "saving" the Aboriginal people from "themselves" was in full swing. People were sent compulsorily to missions at Yarrabah (Cairns), Monamona (near Kuranda), Palm Island (Townsville) and Woorabinda (Rockhampton). The missions aimed to protect some aboriginals from murderous reprisals by white landowners, but the unintended consequence was the further damaging of Aboriginal culture by discouraging language, tribal tradition and in some instances, family ties.
The result of the past 120 years is a sad indictment of one culture controlling another.
Less than a handful of Aboriginal families remain in the Malanda area, even though some who were sent away to missions did return to their homeland when released. There are few surviving speakers of the indigenous Atherton Tablelands language, Ngadjon.
Atherton Tablelands - Flora and Fauna
The plants and animals living at the Atherton Tablelands are every bit as magical as their cousins in more prominent areas such as the Daintree Rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef. In fact, the Atherton Tablelands are included in the 1988 World Heritage Listing with these two other major tropical ecological areas. The natural beauty and fragility of the ecosystem throughout the entirety of Tropical North Queensland is one of the most pristine in the whole world, and the Atherton Tablelands is a vital part of this make up.
The Waterfalls & Crater Lakes District of the Atherton Tablelands covers less than one thousandth of the Australian continent, but brims with an abundance of wildlife species far beyond its scope as a small region. Flora and fauna include:
* 18% of Australian bird species
* 62% of Australian butterfly species
* 30% of Australian frog species
* 23% of Australian reptile species
* 39% of Australian marsupial species
* 60% of Australian bat species
* 25% of Australian plant genera
* 65% of Australian fern species
This remarkable composition of plants and animals makes the Atherton Tablelands prime territory for bird watching and ecological activities. A vast amount of biological research is conducted throughout the region, and the list of plant and animal species, and benefits that come from the rainforest, grows larger every day.
The diversity of plant form throughout the Atherton Tablelands means the type of forest you are travelling through can suddenly change from rainforest to dry scrub in the space of a few kilometres. An example of a small pocket of forest, unique to a limited area, is the Tolga Scrub. This is one of the last remaining fragments of the endangered Mabi rainforest. It once covered areas north and west of Malanda, but is now limited to only 26 hectares (65 acres) near the small town of Tolga. The scrub is 2 kilometres long and only 100 metres wide, bordered by a highway, railway line and other man-made infrastructure. Despite being the most drought resistant type of rainforest in Australia, scientists are concerned that human activity will threaten the survival of the unique Tolga scrub. Widespread clearing has resulted in several endemic plant species being listed as 'vulnerable to extinction'.
The history of flora and fauna in the Atherton Tablelands stretches for millions of years into the past. From 3 million to 20,000 years ago, extensive volcanic activity occurred leaving hundreds of conical hills, flooded craters, scoria cones, lava cones, maars of irregular distribution and red soil that is excellent for agriculture. Extinct remnants of volcanos can be found near Atherton, at the Seven Sisters hills, and crater lakes are found at Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine. Scientists believe these lakes were formed approximately 12,000 years ago when molten hot magma in the centre of the earth rose to the surface and heated the water table. The intense hot steam resulting from the boiling water table was trapped underground until massive explosions facilitated its release. Huge cracks appeared in the ground and the trees that once lathed the mountainside were levelled and burnt. Eventually, over hundreds of years, water filled the craters and the trees grew back to create the tranquil lake used today by families and tourists for recreation. The lake is fed by underground springs so it retains a constant water level and is unaffected by drought. Trees surrounding the lakes grow to 55 metres high.
The lakes and creeks at the Atherton Tablelands are home to a great diversity of freshwater fish. 78 of Australia's 190 species occur in these waterways, and the most common fish family is the Rainbow Fish. Waterfalls create natural barriers to fish migration, meaning that some creeks have isolated subspecies of fish that are found nowhere else in the world. This is a phenomenon called endemism, and is of particular concern for scientists because the pollution and destruction of a single waterway can lead to the extinction of a subspecies.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and Lake Eacham (a closed volcanic crater filled with water and isolated from all other watercourses) is the centrepiece of this unusual story. The Lake Eacham Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia eachamensis), which is very similar to the Eastern Rainbowfish, somehow found its way into the volcanic lake many hundreds of years ago. Scientists are unsure how the fish entered the waters of Lake Eacham. Unfortunately for the small brightly coloured fish, humans introduced larger native fish into Lake Eacham and these bigger fish ate the Rainbow Fish into extinction. However, it was soon revealed that hobbyists had been illegally collecting the Rainbow Fish from Lake Eacham and successfully breeding them in captivity. These private stocks of Rainbow Fish because the source for monitored breeding to reintroduce the fish to the lake. But alas, the same large fish that ate the Rainbow Fish to extinction was still living in Lake Eacham and proceeded to wipe out the new stock in the same manner as it had previously.
A few years later, researchers working in Wet Tropics rivers and creeks found genetically identical versions of the Lake Eacham Rainbow Fish in the Tully, Herbert and Johnstone Rivers and Dirran Creek. How these fish entered these rivers from the closed Lake Eacham system is a mystery that scientists are still working to solve.
Birdlife in the Atherton Tablelands is diverse. A small selection of birds commonly seen may be found below.
Atherton Tablelands Birdwatching
* Australian Bush Turkey
* Eastern Whipbird
* Topknot Pigeon
* Orange-Footed Scrubfowl
* Golden Whistler
* Southern Boobook
* Brown Cuckoo Dove
* Victoria's Riflebird
* Lesser Sooty Owl
* Australian King Parrot
* Spotted Catbird
* White-throated Treecreeper
* Crimson Rosella
* Tooth-billed Bowerbird
* Yellow-breasted Boatbill
* Lewin's Honeyeater
* White-headed Pigeon
* Rufous Fantail
* MacLeay's Honeyeater
* Wompoo Fruit-Dove
* Barred Cuckoo-shrike
* Grey-headed Robin
* Superb Fruit-Dove
* Cicadabird
Cairns Highlands - What's in a name?
In July 2003, Tropical Tablelands Tourism introduced a new marketing name to re-brand the Atherton Tablelands as being proximate to Cairns, with a mountainous airy image of cool, tropical and green, and decided upon the name Cairns Highlands.
While the reaction has been mixed from locals and residents, many businesses have embraced the new name with gusto, incorporated it into their products, and even registered trademarks.
The idea to re-brand the Atherton Tablelands as Cairns Highlands came about as a result of a federally funded tourism strategy report which was compiled by a panel of tourism industry experts from across Australia.
The tourism strategy looks at ways to sustain the tourism industry into the future by considering the resources and facilities available, other opportunities that may exist to expand tourism, and marketing directions.
According to Senator Ron Boswell, the report recommends that the region markets itself as the 'Cairns Highlands' to capitalise on the Cairns name which is familiar to most tourists. "Hopefully this will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the Tablelands and the length of time that they stay in the region," he said.
"The Tablelands will always be known as 'The Tablelands' to locals, however the 'Cairns Highland' name will be a new brand that the tourism industry can use to market their products and get a bigger slice of the tourism pie up in Far North Queensland."
Introducing the Tablelands Region - taken from the Tablelands Community Plan 2021!


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A few of you have suggested that we post our show notes more often here to encourage more voicemail messages and such. We've been doing that for HorsePLAY! LIVE and The Gaming Death Podcast but we welcome any and all kinds of voicemail. Here are some of the things we've been discussing if you want to keep the conversation going:
- Why Hearthstone is such a big deal
- Tips and tricks for Marvel Puzzle Quest & Hearthstone
- Is Hearthstone a pay-to-win game?
- Greatest games of all time (The GOATs)
- Our defining moments in gaming
- What are the most random games you've ever played that you think most missed (and should play)?
- Games that were great because they inspired new concepts
- Games that are great because they are still fun years later
- Why are Internet trolls so prevelant?
- Drunken karaoke (thanks DekardC)
- XBox Originals Channel – YAY or NAY?
- Console gaming is dead – it's all about all-in-one entertainment!
- How close are we to drones delivering our goods?
- Marvel Agents Of SHIELD vs. Arrow
- Objectification of women and biases surrounding geek girls
- The rise and fall of social games (a.k.a. Facebook SPAM)
- The cardinal sings of League Of Legends players
- Have we as consumers become too spoiled or impatient?
- Broke Wars: Nintendo VS. Sony
- Sony predicts 1.3 BILLION loss over fiscal year
- Indie games are the future of gaming!
- No, we're tired of indie games.
- No, we're tired of big studio regurgitations.
- We geeks are just jaded all around, amirite?
- Transistor art style: beautiful or more hipster pandering?
- Microtransactions VS. Macrotransactions
- Popular games with the worst virtual economies
- What defines the value of something?
- Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare.. Does anyone care?
- Capcom is bouncing back – Mega Man, PLEASE!
- Can gardening be considered geeky?
- Fantasy sports can be geeky.. Sports themselves, not so much.
- How do you define a geek or nerd?
- Labels suck.. But they have a purpose!
- #RetroFriday VOTES for NES, Genesis, arcade, etc.
- Sports games are games too!
Hopefully those snippets should provide some good talking points. There's a lot of gaming stuff there but anything geeky or random is cool, y0. Speaking of RANDOM, on Episode 81 of The Gaming Death Podcast, they brought up the horror frog…
Yes, this is a real thing.
According to the NewScientist, the horror frog breaks his own bones to form claws. WTF? It's the real-life Wolverine! That is pretty darn sick. I can relate, too, because my home life is often just as masochistic! LOL.. Sorry, I could not resist!
Personally, I find nature so fascinating. Here in Georgia we see all sorts of weird critters, like the paper wasp. These wasps are comparable to hornets and are usually found down South, where creepy crawlers seem to be abundant. The coolest thing about the paper wasp is that it builds nests out of a paper-like substance. It creates this substance using harvested materials and it's own saliva. Kinda gross yet kinda neat.
I had one of these things hang out with me in my house recently. It was surprisingly friendly but that stinger was scary. Lately the wasps here in Georgia fly really close to me, especially by my ears or the back of my head.. It makes me feel…. Violated. O_O
Anywho, on future episodes of HorsePLAY! LIVE we're going to be returning to our roots in League Of Legends and cover more indie games (of course). We'll continue Hearthstone talk too since that's definitely on rotation for years to come. On EP22 or so, we should be wrapping up the #RetroFriday kicker series. With that…
Tell us what your favorite moments in gaming are. What made you a dedicated or hardcore gamer? What are your G.O.A.T. picks for games, both tabletop and digital? Are there any games you really love that you think people missed?
While we'll be ending the #RetroFriday mini-series, we'll continue to do weekly videos and streams. Be sure to join our Steam community groups. Simply look up #YOHTAI, #RetroFriday, and HorsePLAY. The links are also scattered throughout the site. 8)
Do you have any fun stories or random thoughts to share? Call us and leave a voicemail at (206) 415-4987 – if you don't, Stewie will PEW PEW PEW you with his ray gun! Also, take this poll, por favor.

subset: commoncrawl


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Givat Shmuel, Israel – January 24, 2011 – Cimatron Limited (Nasdaq: CIMT), a leading provider of integrated CAD/CAM solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts, announced today that Fitso Soluções em Tecnologia Ltda. has been appointed to serve as a reseller of Cimatron's products in the Sorocaba region and parts of São Paulo city, Brazil.
Fitso is based in Sorocaba city, a large industrial region around 100 km from São Paulo city. The company was founded by Davi Assaf, a CAD/CAM expert with several years of experience in CimatronE. Assaf and his team will provide tool makers and manufacturers in the region with full sales and support services, and help customers to shorten delivery times and reduce costs.
The appointment of Fitso as reseller is part of an aggressive growth plan in Brazil, which is one of the largest industrial centers in the global community. Last December, Cimatron announced two new resellers for Brazil: CimaCAD, based in Joinville city, which covers the Santa Catherina state area in southern Brazil, and MTC, located in Indaiatuba city, which serves the Campinas region of Brazil.
"We are happy to welcome Fitso as Cimatron's third Reseller in Brazil", said Alexandre Censi, Cimatron's country manager for Brazil. "Our efforts to expand our presence through Resellers are proving successful, and we are getting the word out that Cimatron is now stronger and more established in Brazil."
For more information on CimatronE's activities in Brazil please contact:
Alexandre Censi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +55-11-8272-8512
About Cimatron
With over 28 years of experience and more than 40,000 installations worldwide, Cimatron is a leading provider of integrated, CAD/CAM solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts. Cimatron is committed to providing comprehensive, cost-effective solutions that streamline manufacturing cycles and ultimately shorten product delivery time.
The Cimatron product line includes the CimatronE and GibbsCAM brands with solutions for mold design, die design, electrode design, 2.5 to 5 Axis milling, wire EDM, turn, Mill-turn, rotary milling, multi-task machining, and tombstone machining. Cimatron's subsidiaries and extensive distribution network serve and support customers in the automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer plastics, electronics, and other industries in over 40 countries worldwide.
Cimatron's shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol CIMT. For more information, please visit Cimatron's web site at: http://www.cimatron.com
This press release includes forward looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such statements may relate to Cimatron's plans, objectives and expected financial and operating results. The words "may," "could," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions or variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Cimatron's ability to control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward looking statements include, but are not limited to: currency fluctuations, global economic and political conditions, marketing demand for Cimatron products and services, long sales cycles, new product development, assimilating future acquisitions, maintaining relationships with customers and partners, and increased competition. For more details about the risks and uncertainties related to Cimatron's business, refer to Cimatron's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cimatron cannot assess the impact of or the extent to which any single factor or risk, or combination of them, may cause. Cimatron undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For More Information Contact:
Idit Pass Lagziel
Marketing Manager
Cimatron Ltd.
Phone: +972 73 237 0298
Email: [email protected]
Ilan Erez
Chief Financial Officer
Cimatron Ltd.
Phone: +972 73 237 2114
Email: [email protected]


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Good morning-woke up to 16 degrees today...now that's cold!!! quick typeby-hope everyone stays warm and has a nice weekend.......bye
Hi Everyone,,,
Weird. No Patsy and Warren...
Off to Cape May with my daughter, grandson and husband......hope the weather clears up
Have a great weekend
Hi All I see Patsy still is not on.
She became a grandma today. Baby Boy Gavin
Good night sweet dreams
Good morning All. Have a great Sunday.
Baby it is cold here in Staten Island.
Give me the hot weather anytime...
Hi Everyone,
Had a great time in Cape May with my grandson!!!!
Patsy still can't get on. Want to congratulate her and her daughter on the birth of her grandson, Gavin Robert born 12-7-13. She said to said hi to all.
Hi Everyone,
Had a great time in Cape May with my grandson!!!!
Patsy still can't get on. Want to congratulate her and her daughter on the birth of her grandson, Gavin Robert born 12-7-13. She said to said hi to all.
Hi-good morning everyone...cold herein Chicago-with about 4 inches of snow on the ground..going down to 0 tonite..Congrats to Patsy on her new grandson....nothing like being a Grandma!!! Judy-glad u enjoyed Cape May..have a great day...(hard for me to get on here today)...bye
Hi All!
Temperatures here in St Paul feel somewhere between -30F to 2F. But that's OK cause we like it that way.
Stay warm!
Hi All!
Temperatures here in St Paul feel somewhere between -30F to 2F. But that's OK cause we like it that way.
Stay warm!
Hi all,
Cold and it snowed yesterday.
I have not been out since Monday. Had surgery on my mouth so stuck inside but that is ok.
Hi Anna stay warm
Hi Judy your grandson is growing so fast. ADORABLE
Patsy must be on cloud nine right now enjoying her little Gavin
Have a great day
Hi Prodigalson I am freezing my a-- off lol Stay warm also
Good nigh sweet dreams keep warm you New yorkers...
These beautiful words NEVER get old:
Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.
"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus.
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Love it and going to copy it and put it on facebook.
Thank you Prodigalson.
Snowing and cold here in Staten Island.
Good night sweet dreams to all.
Hello all again. Patsy, congrats on the grandchild. I still remember the first one. Now we have 7. Oldest 22 and the youngest 10.Hi T Bone. I have to watch for the same problem I explained a while back. If it crops up again I will disappear again. Judy, good to see you and also Anna on here.
We have had the harshest winter in Florida since we moved here. Plenty of mornings in the 30's. The best part is of course no SNOW which you up North have had plenty of. Today, high 70's in the afternoon. Carol is doing quite well and is enjoying our apartment and all the amenities. We both have gained weight since coming here. Good for Carol. Not so good for me. I am cutting down on the desserts to see if that helps. I had a Colonoscopy earlier this month and a Cystostopy today. Both with good results. PSA up a little. Bears watching. As Porky Pig always said "Thaaaaaaaaats all folks".
Hi Judy. I saved the current page in my favorites. So far it has brought me to the current posts. When a new page starts I will have to change that page to my favorites. Anna, I am sure you will love Florida. One word of caution. Do not let people talk you into getting rid of all your winter clothes. You will need at least some of them in Dec-Feb. I clicked on the blue Icon and got absolutely no response. No Pictures no nothing!!!! Yes, I do have pictures on my computer.
I guess that this color is Lilac or something close. Anyway the color selection works!
How come you guys let the New Mayor of NYC eat Pizza with a knife & fork???
Hello Fellow slopeites,
Last year I asked a question that I never got an answer to. With Easter coming up I wondered if they still have the Cross of Easter Lillies on display in the Hot House in Prospect Park at Easter time. The Line used to go around the building and way up the path for viewers. I am talking 70 years ago so if they are still doing it that is great!
Okay, a trivia question What Hotel was right next to the St George in Brooklyn. It is where Carol and I spent our wedding night?
Hello All, Anna. Soon you will be a member of the retired folks group. I have been retired 21 & 1/2 years and it beats work any day.
The Hotel that Carol & I stayed in on our wedding night next to the St George was.....The Towers Hotel. WE EVEN WENT BACK ON OUR 1ST anniversary AND SPENT THE NIGHT. The FIRST TIME WE STAYED THE FEE WAS $10.50 +TAX. A year later it was $12.50 +TAX. It was a very nice Hotel, not a fleabag! It was at 25 Clark St and is now probably part of the St George complex. I still have the paid receipts for both nights.
The St George had the only indoor Saltwater swimming pool in NY. Its main ballroom was the largest in the city. We stayed at the Towers because all our friends and relatives thought we would be at the St George. We did not want to be disturbed on our Wedding Night.


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How to make money? There is no easy money solution. Our members discuss proven ways to earn money, money making methods, money in internet, money making ideas and to make money online. We also discuss stock markets in India, mutual funds, loans, insurance, savings, investments and credit cards.
Discuss the credit cards and debit cards from Indian banks. We also discuss secured credit cards, how to apply for credit cards in India, reward credit cards, compare the credit cards in India, credit cards for students, business credit cards, best credit cards without annual fee, credit card offers, no annual fee credit cards, visa and master card credit cards, compare paypal and credit cards, low interest and balance transfer. We analyze the credit/debit cards from Citibank, American Express, ICICI, State bank of India and other banks in India.
I got benefit by using HDFC...
Income tax questions, tips, strategies to save income tax. We focus on Income tax rules and regulations in India. Questions/Answers from NRIs about tax in their countries of residence are also discussed.
This is the forum to discuss mutual funds in Indian stock markets. Our members extensively discuss the analysis of mutual funds, stocks and options. We also discuss index funds, mutual fund scandals, tips and tricks to invest in ideal and profitable mutual funds, top mutual funds in India, how these funds work, what factors to consider before investing in mutual funds, investment and performance of mutual funds, dividend mutual funds and global mutual funds.
We discuss investments, free investment research, best and safe investments, tax efficient investment, investment companies, real estate investment, fidelity investments, financial investments and investing in securities and equity. Our members also discuss efficient and proven methods for saving money, savings bonds, money saving tips, fuel saving tips, ideas to save more money, savings accounts, high interest savings, coupon savings and tips to boost retirement savings,
This is the forum to discuss stock market in India, stocks, futures, commodity, forex, index futures, stock futures, commodity futures, forex futures, Indian company stocks, futures trading in India, Indian commodities and successful trading methods in Indian stock market. You may get good tips from other members to trade stocks and options in Indian market.


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Our Office Listings
106 1034 Wellington Street in Halifax: 2-Halifax South Residential for sale (Halifax-Dartmouth) : MLS®# 201806531
106 1034 Wellington Street Halifax B3H 2Z8 : 2-Halifax South
TH06 - 2 Bedroom A city escape located close to the hub and bought to life through a fusion of modern architectural design and pastoral serenity. Scaled, configured, and designed to complement both the neighbourhood and the surrounding greenscape, Gorsbrook Park is a condominium residence that offers not only sophistication and strong contemporary appeal, but also the unique: parkside living in the heart of the South End. OPEN HOUSE HOURS AT SALES CENTRE, 1034 WELLINTON ST.: Thurs, Sat & Sun 1-4pm or by appointment
Data was last updated August 5, 2020 at 06:30 AM (UTC)


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Thanksgiving is past us and now it is on to the Christmas season. The holidays also bring Santa movies and the likes that only stick around through what a few of my colleagues refer to as "Festivis". Widgets that promote movies seem to be some of the most popular and viral that I have seen thus far. The content meets all of the criteria for a good widget:
- Relevancy – promotion of an upcoming or current event.
- Engaging content – usually streaming video.
- Opportunity to interact – video to watch, clickthrough URL to pursue.
- Supporting marketing campaigns on tv, print and internet display ads.
- Strategic promotion – so many of these widgets are ad served which increases exposure and grab rates.
What are the steps for creating a good widget strategy?
- Determine where widgets fit within your marketing strategy – brand awareness, direct response or audience extension.
- Generate ideas for content that is engaging, has longevity and is viral in nature (you want a widget that is worth sharing). One easy way to do this is to leverage existing content or tools on your own web site that you know your visitors find popular. In the case of movies, leverage story lines and character features to produce interaction options that will appeal to your target audience.
- Develop content that aligns with your target audience – if the movie is rated "G", I think you probably know who you are going after 😉 In most cases though, companies are engaging their development resources (most likely Flash developers or creative services teams – internal or agency) to turn those content ideas into rich creative assets.
- Ensure that data collection is in place. I cannot stress this piece enough because it is at the root of ensuring you can optimize your widget for maximum spread and distribution. There are three target areas for data collection: 1) Instrument your widget for custom events when possible. What this essentially means is utilize custom eventing APIs provided by your widget serving platform (like Clearspring of course) to capture events that are specific to your widget. If you have a blue, red and yellow button on you widget, you are going to want to know which color your visitors are clicking on – you have to define these areas and pass the keys for them to enable reporting on these type of events. 2) Insert a tag for your site's web analytics tool. If you have the bandwidth and can afford to do it, tag your widget. You won't get all of the rich spread and relational data points that your widget serving platform can provide, but you will be able to track that off-domain audience and understand your extended audience reach. 3) Append campaign codes or query string variables to track incoming links back to your site. If you are the web analyst looking at your widget traffic, you are going to want to know which widgets are driving audience back to you web site.
- Use a widget serving platform, like Clearspring, that will provide sharing tools for visitors viewing your widget to use. Companies like ours are building the bridges to all of the social networks and blog vendors so you don't have to.
- Seed your widget where visitors can find out. You don't want to bury your widget on your web site, you want visitors to find it easily and know that it is available for them to grab. One of the cool things about movie promotions are their large advertising budgets 🙂 Don't you wish we all had one of those….sigh. Studios love to ad serve their widget (purchase an ad buy and run a widget as the piece of creative instead of just a regular banner or rich media asset). More on this topic in the future, but think about your effective CPM….it goes down the more your widget spreads and is viewed off the ad position.
- Measure and optimize your widget. Near and dear to my heart, Clearspring analytics provides very robust analytics to measure where your widget is being viewed, where it is spreading from and how visitors are interacting with it. There is a lot of rich data that can be mined and analyzed with respect to widgets. Use the data to evaluate how your widget is performing and then adjust accordingly. Creating a baseline of metrics will help you as a marketer understand if your widget strategy is working – and provide a comparison for future campaigns.
Widget strategies provide a new set of challenges for marketers. They don't differ from traditional marketing, they just require taking the tools that we already have at our fingertips and rearranging how we use them. The Fred Claus widget below is a look at a widget strategy well executed.
- Widget includes interactivity such as the "Sibling Rivalry Quiz", streaming video trailer of the movie.
- Call to action – "Get Widget" is prominently placed and "Visit Site" invites users to learn more about the movie.
- This widget was ad served which created more visibility for the widget to be "grabbed". Many widgets are simply placed on a company's website and new placements of the widget are generated from there. Ad serving takes that seed placement and puts it on steroids so to speak. Your widget will be viewed across multiple websites and to a larger audience – which in turn creates more opportunity for more of those "first generation" placements. A larger "first spread" almost guarantees a larger "second generation spread" and so forth.
If you are reading my blog, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what resonates and what you'd like to hear about in future posts!


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Stay Connected…
let us know if you find broken links, out-of-date or incorrect material in these sections…. thanks!
You can get our updates and content in a variety of other ways that are more convenient or preferable!
Socialize with us!
See our Social Icon links at the top of this website and see our other content and networks including YouTube, Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Our volunteers and contributors regularly update and manage a number of other services offered by 4WardEver UK.
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If you prefer, you can subscribe by RSS or FeedReaders direct to your browser (for more information about Readers and how to set up and use them, click here). No email is required – updates are sent direct to your browser or your preferred RSS news reader.
Our list of RSS feeds: All 4WardEver RSS News Feeds
There are many types of RSS readers available to use on the Internet. We would generally recommend 'FeedShow' for its simplicity or for those that are relatively new at using browser-based RSS or Readers.


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NolaPro is incredibly powerful Accounting Software
Over 100 add-ons and tons of setup choices.
Run your books the same way
you run your company.
Easy. Affordable. Flexible.
Need specific accounting functions or inventory control?
No problem. Just ask us to modify NolaPro.
What other software will allow you to do this?
Using a specialized cloud solution?
Or have you written your own web-based app?
Integrate NolaPro easily for instant financial management!
Want your own scalable accounting app?
Don't reinvent the wheel.
Order NolaPro source code.
Serious inquires only please.
While most applications would never change their program for you... NolaPro welcomes all requests to fulfill unique operating needs.
More powerful than many of its commercial rivals... its features are impressive too.
Since 2010, we have been enjoying the NolaPro cloud accounting software for its ease of use, flexibility, and the fact that it is the most cost effective option we could use to meet our needs.
NolaPro is a powerful and intuitive software tool, and I've found the program to be a pleasure to use.
Everything for our needs, including ease of use and great customization capabilities which I haven't found in any other web-based software.
Don't let the free price tag fool you. This is for serious business.
For free accounting software NolaPro offers an especially robust inventory module.
One of the top web-based business applications of the year...
For a small business, this is a perfect program, with no cost and lots of room for expansion.


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Is your website bringing the desired output? Are you getting the expected traffic for your business? Is the website bringing operating revenues for you? Or, is the investment that you made on the website really paying you off? If the answer to any of these questions is "No", you really need to get your act together. Only a Web Application Security Software St. Pölten Austria can help you from here.
Without a doubt, the websites are a worldwide window presenting your business. People do actually perceive the products and services of your company after looking at your website. So, a well-maintained website is something crucial for any business. Every business needs to maintain the website in order to rank top on the search engines, attract and retain customers, provide updated information on product and services etc to the public.
Here are a few points telling in details as to why maintaining a website is important
Present your Business in an exclusive way
One of the prime things that people will look for, to know about the company's background is the company's website. And, first impression is definitely the last one, for long term. What if they visit your website and find a two year old post crawling on the top and no more recent updates, certainly a hit to your brand. The visitor will certainly not come back again. Because nobody is interested to know what you were two years back, all that matters is how active you are online. So, updating your website regularly can help create a very good impression on the visitors and hence present your business in the true light. Now it's the time of apps.
Boost your Search Engine Ranking and Drive More Traffic
To rank higher on the search engines, your site needs to have fresh content loaded regularly. The more you will keep it updated; the better will be the results. On the other hand, if you keep it sedentary, Google stops new caching and may bring down the ranks. As a result, you stop getting good traffic to the site and thus may be able to generate lesser revenues. And with the mobile apps flourishing, you need something in those lines.
Retain Customer Interest
A well maintained site helps to retain the customers and sustains a good level of relationship with them. And, without any doubt consumer is the king of any business. So, a website must be customer centered and properly maintained at all times and get a supplementary app done too.
Reflects your Corporate Image
Your website reflects your corporate image. Having a shabby one will present you as a bland company among the visitors. For instance, if it has broken links, errors, outdated information, dead or blank pages, and an unappealing look, the perception will be one which will be difficult to break. And it is not one time, every time the visitors have to be given a professional impression. The Web Application Security Software St. Pölten Austria should give you the new edge.
For every website one of the most overlooked components is the ongoing maintenance of the website. And our experience says that updating the fresh and the new content from time to time keeps it on top and thus helps you reach your online goals both in terms of branding and revenues.


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As you know, we love science here in Boogieville. However, as I'm sure you've also gathered, we also understand that bullshit is a virus that can infect anything. Or, to put it another way, or in context (as you prefer), scientists are potentially as full of crap as anybody else and so they don't get no free pass on the last helicopter leaving the stinking bullshit-crazed hordes for the land of bovine-free pastures. Or something. It's late, OK? Well, it's not late but it's been a vaccination day here in Boogieville, as in a real vaccination day not some faecal metaphor I've (badly) made up, and I always get crazy on vaccination day because the idea of deliberately injecting my kids with germy crap just makes me a bit hyper-active. For want of a better word. For the very reason that I don't entirely trust doctors because they are as susceptible to bullshit as…etc etc.
My point* is this:
When you're tempted to believe something just because it's 'science', remember this:
Cigarettes may be useful for distance runners
Or: You can prove anything. If you want to. Or even if you don't 'want ' to but snakes curling around your subconscious do.
'The review paper is a staple of medical literature and, when well executed by an expert in the field, can provide a summary of literature that generates useful recommendations and new conceptualizations of a topic.
'However, if research results are selectively chosen, a review has the potential to create a convincing argument for a faulty hypothesis. Improper correlation or extrapolation of data can result in dangerously flawed conclusions.' [emphasis mine]
And it may well be – and most often is – the case that the bias is subconscious and is simply a product of the prevailing cultural mores.
'…take the phenomenon of "White Hat Bias", where researchers distort "information in the service of what may be perceived to be righteous ends". And even the most objective and ethical researcher is still going to be looking at data through their own world-view, which may cause them to miss something that is in the data, or to "see" something that isn't really there.'
This is something that Steven Jay Gould at least had a handle on (yes, I'm finally getting round to reading 'The Mismeasure of Man'), though he's not the only one. And this is basically the whole bloody point of Cordelia Fine, but maybe now a man has said it (again), it'll be regarded as a real thing rather than some shrieking-feminist-optical-illusion.
Most scientists, however, still don't really get it. They still think they can shrug off their prejudices when they shrug on their nice white lab coats, like the coat is some sort of super-hero cape that confers upon the wearer the power of super-objectivity.
As with the racism we're all guilty of, you have to accept there's a problem to find your way to a solution. Scientists, like everybody, have to accept they do have bias; only then can they do their utmost to negate it. Otherwise, you're just blowing smoke up your arse.
When you're a raging misogyistic homophobe with a lifetime membership of the KKK who just happens to be a 'scientist', just to say 'I'm not biased, me' does not actually remove your bias. Amazing, I know, but TRUE nonetheless.
So when you're next pondering an article that tells you you'll never rule the world because women are more suited to ironing and that's just the way it is, and you are considering thinking the article may be THE TRUTH, haul your running shoes on, spark up a fag and chainsmoke through a marathon, and see where 'independently reviewed truth' can get you.
Note: I really wouldn't do this. I suspect you might die.
*There is no real point to this post. I just thought it was an interesting article.


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Imagine building a health clinic in Uganda, studying in London, or interning with a multinational company in China. You can make these experiences and more a reality when you study abroad. In an increasingly global marketplace, having experience in or knowledge of another culture is a valuable asset. At Drake, you can study abroad for a semester, academic year, summer, or January Term in more than 70 countries.
We highly recommend working with Drake International to find an approved program that best suits your needs personally, professionally, and academically. Drake International also maintains a list of approved programs. Visit "Where Can I Go?" to research approved education abroad programs.
If you have additional questions or would like more information, please contact Drake International at 515-271-2084.


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Jerry Springer is Coming to South Dakota
The Price is Right Live! is coming to the Swiftel Center in Brookings, but there's been a change in plans. Jerry Springer has now been tapped to host the show!
Jerry Springer will replace host Todd Newton for the tour date. Springer, 68, is known for his long-running talk show "The Jerry Springer Show," now in its 21st season. He has also been mayor of Cincinnati, an Emmy award-winning newscaster, host of the dating game show "Baggage" and much more.
Springer has hosted limited engagements of "The Price is Right Live," which hits the Swiftel Center stage on Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m.
The event will not be taped or televised and is not a try-out for a broadcast episode, but will still feature the atmosphere and games of the TV show.
The Price is Right Live! is an interactive stage show that gives contestants from the audience the chance to "Come On Down" to win appliances, vacations and even new cars by playing your favorite games from the show like Plinko to Cliffhangers to the Big Wheel, and even the Showcase!
Tickets range in price from $30-$50. Get more info now.


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Will liberals go back to sleep now the "messiah" has arrived?
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Now that Barack Obama has become the 44th President of the United States we offer a challenge – will those who elected him be able to progress past their fawning idolatry and actually pressure Obama to deliver on his mandate of "change," or will the architecture of the Bush police state remain in place while the American empire expands?
Obama's acceptance speech assertion that "change has come to America" is likely to signal the beginning and end of the "change" that millions of Americans naively thought they were voting for.
That's it folks, the puppet has been rotated. Sorry to be so cynical, but the "change" you thought you were electing is already over and done with. The color of his skin matters about as much as whether he has an R or a D next to his name. The egregious spending will continue, government will balloon in size, American soldiers will be used as cannon fodder for more interventionist wars of the military-industrial complex, U.S. citizens will continue to have their phone calls tapped and their rights curtailed, and the Federal Reserve will continue to rule the financial system with an iron fist while the middle class is squeezed out of existence.
How can Obama claim that "change has come to America" when he hasn't even set foot in the White House? What specifically has Obama promised to change beside his plan to redecorate the White House?
It seems that a lot of the truthers and activists, as well as the liberal left, seem to have forgotten that the responsibility to "change" America rests with the American people. As Gandhi said, we have to be the change we want to see in the world.
Obama is no messiah, he is a representative, a public servant, for those that elected him into office. Will those that voted for him in the name of changing eight years of Bush administration malfeasance hold his feet to the fire and demand the repeal of the American police state that Bush has crafted, or will they simply go back to sleep and consider their work done simply because another Democrat is in office?
The majority of liberals gleefully supported or simply ignored the bombing of Serbia and the genocidal sanctions against Iraq because of the cult of personality built up around Bill Clinton. Will Obama be another ideologue for the left to associate their power with or will they actually demand that he restore America to the Constitution? Will the left ninny and obsess about non-issues like gay marriage and welfare programs while allowing the Bush police state to remain in place?
Remember, the Democrats were handed the Congress and the Senate in 2006 with a mandate for change. What has changed since that time? Nothing whatsoever. American troops are still in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Patriot Act is still in place, phone calls are still being tapped and war criminals who committed impeachable offences still go free.
But in an attempt to avoid being labeled "right-wing racists" and all manner of spurious labels now being carelessly heaped upon anyone who doesn't follow the herd and bow down at the feet of Lord Obama, we're going to remain constructive and set Obama, and by extension those that voted for him, some challenges to bring real "change" to America and restore the country to the Constitution and the ideals of the Founders that Obama mentioned in his speech last night.
Let's be generous and give Obama the whole four years of his initial term to make significant progress on the following issues. Here are some questions about "change" that we are going to be keeping track of until 2012.
– Will Obama repeal Patriot Acts I and II as well as reversing Bush's signing statement and acknowledging the repeal of the John Warner Defense Authorization Act?
– Will Obama support Dennis Kucinich's efforts to bring war crimes charges against Bush, Cheney and others for deceiving the country into a war or will he protect them against such charges like Nancy Pelosi has done?
– Will Obama bring war crimes charges against Bush, Cheney and others for authorizing torture and will the torture of suspects under U.S. detention, a complete violation of both the Constitution and the Geneva Conventions, cease under an Obama administration?
– Will Obama withdraw American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan without sending them away again to bomb another broken-backed third world country in the name of a UN-supported "humanitarian" war?
– Will Obama end the warrantless secret surveillance and phone-taps of American citizens?
– Will Obama follow through on his rhetorical support for the second amendment or will he seek to ban guns as he did in Illinois?
– Will Obama cease his support for the Bush-administration backed banker bailouts, hated by the majority of Americans, and target the real cause of the problem – the Federal Reserve – or will he continue to give taxpayers' money to banks who are merely hoarding it all for themselves?
– Will Obama seek to continue the militarization of America and preparations for martial law through Northcom and the secret government or will he dismantle the police state that has been constructed over the last eight years by the Bush administration?
There can be no excuses – either Obama will be proven to be a liar or he will, backed by Democratic control of Congress and the Senate, follow through on his mandate for "change".
People like Congressman Ron Paul are too long in the tooth and have watched too many political campaigns to glibly jump on the bandwagon of political platitudes.
Those caught up in Obama fever who would have otherwise voted for Ron Paul should heed the warnings of Dr. No.
As the coming of the new messiah drew closer, Paul had some sobering reminders for a CNN audience last night, pointing out that Obama will not cut spending, government will get bigger and more intrusive, foreign policy will remain the same and unpopular financial bailouts will continue.
We hope we are wrong, but forgive us for our cynicism, because whatever has emerged from the two-party monopoly in the past has always proven to be the problem – not the solution.
This article was posted: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 6:26 am


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Is that a unique IBM / Lenovo error code - That means the BIOS can't find
what to boot. You need to ensure your BIOS will boot the hard drive in
normal MBR mode and not trying to boot in UEFI mode. Double check that the
boot partition is active on the hard drive (partition work / view mbr). You
can also install BIBM now and it should boot up on the system if the BIOS
can boot the hard drive. (You may want to press your BBS key (boot
selection) and select the HD in MBR mode, not UEFI).
"hime3" wrote in message news:email@example.com...
error message: error 1962; no OS found. Microsoft discusses this. One issue
is MBR. I set HD0 to EMBR.
I did not use script.
Yes Brian, set BIOS to boot only to Legacy mode. TBWinRe & BIBM boot.
BIBM does not show X: Boot partition showing in F4 TBLaunch list. What is X:
Boot partition?
Before restoring IFW full HD image and starting again, would redoing
Instructions beginning with #1 be practical?


text: db Integra Election Reporting Console HOME | Help Macoupin County election 2001 Consolidated filters Party Contest Precinct contests report report format City of Benld Mayor City of Benld Clerk City of Benld Treasurer City of Benld Alderman Ward 1 City of Benld Alderman Ward 2 City of Benld Alderman Ward 3 Village of Brighton President Village of Brighton Clerk Village of Brighton Trustee Village of Brighton Trustee Un. 2-year Village of Brighton Library Trustee City of Bunker Hill Mayor City of Bunker Hill Clerk City of Bunker Hill Treasurer City of Bunker Hill Alderman Ward 1 City of Bunker Hill Alderman Ward 2 City of Carlinville Mayor City of Carlinville Clerk City of Carlinville Treasurer City of Carlinville Alderman Ward 1 City of Carlinville Alderman Ward 2 City of Carlinville Alderman Ward 3 City of Carlinville Alderman Ward 4 City of Carlinville Alderman Ward 5 Village of Chesterfield President Village of Chesterfield Clerk Village of Chesterfield Trustee Village of Dorchester President Village of Dorchester Clerk Village of Dorchester Treasurer Village of Dorchester Trustee Village of Eagarville President Village of Eagarville Clerk Village of Eagarville Trustee Village of East Gillespie President Village of East Gillespie Clerk Village of East Gillespie Trustee City of Gillespie Mayor City of Gillespie Clerk City of Gillespie Treasurer City of Gillespie Alderman Ward 1 City of Gillespie Alderman Ward 2 City of Gillespie Ald. W. 2 Un. 2-year City of Gillespie Alderman Ward 3 City of Gillespie Alderman Ward 4 City of Girard Mayor City of Girard Clerk City of Girard Treasurer City of Girard Alderman Ward 1 City of Girard Alderman Ward 2 City of Girard Alderman Ward 3 City of Girard Ald. W. 3 Un. 2-year Village of Hettick President Village of Hettick Trustee Village of Hettick Trustee Un. 2-year Village of Lake Ka-HoPresident Village of Lake Ka-Ho Clerk Village of Lake Ka-Ho Trustee Village of Medora President Village of Medora Clerk Village of Medora Treasurer Village of Medora Trustee Village of Modesto President Village of Modesto Clerk Village of Modesto Trustee Village of Mt. Clare President Village of Mt. Clare Trustee City of Mt. Olive Mayor City of Mt. Olive Clerk City of Mt. Olive Treasurer City of Mt. Olive Alderman Ward 1 City of Mt. Olive Alderman Ward 2 City of Mt. Olive Alderman Ward 3 City of Mt. Olive Alderman Ward 4 Village of Nilwood President Village of Nilwood Treasurer Village of Nilwood Trustee Village of Palmyra President Village of Palmyra Clerk Village of Palmyra Trustee Village of Royal Lakes President Village of Royal Lakes Clerk Village of Royal Lakes Trustee Village of Royal Lakes Trustee Un. 2-year Village of Sawyerville President Village of Sawyerville Clerk Village of Sawyerville Treasurer Village of Sawyerville Trustee Village of Sawyerville Trustee Un. 2-year Village of Scottville President Village of Scottville Clerk Village of Scottville Trustee Village of Shipman President Village of Shipman Clerk Village of Shipman Treasurer Village of Shipman Trustee Village of Standard City President Village of Standard City Clerk Village of Standard City Treasurer Village of Standard City Trustee Village of Standard City Trustee Un. 2-year City of Staunton Mayor City of Staunton Clerk City of Staunton Treasurer City of Staunton Alderman Ward 1 City of Staunton Alderman Ward 2 City of Staunton Alderman Ward 3 City of Staunton Ald. W. 3 Un. 2-year City of Staunton Alderman Ward 4 City of Virden Mayor City of Virden Clerk City of Virden Treasurer City of Virden Alderman Ward 1 City of Virden Alderman Ward 2 City of Virden Alderman Ward 3 City of Virden Alderman Ward 4 Village of White CityPresident Village of White City Trustee Village of White City Trustee Un. 2-year Village of Wilsonville President Village of Wilsonville Clerk Village of Wilsonville Treasurer Village of Wilsonville Trustee Barr Township Supervisor Barr Township Clerk Barr Township Highway Commissioner Barr Township Trustee Bird Township Supervisor Bird Township Clerk Bird Township Highway Commissioner Bird Township Trustee Brighton Township Supervisor Brighton Township Clerk Brighton Township Assessor Brighton Township Highway Commissioner Brighton Township Trustee Brushy Mound Township Supervisor Brushy Mound Township Clerk Brushy Mound Township Highway Commissioner Brushy Mound Township Trustee Bunker Hill Township Supervisor Bunker Hill Township Clerk Bunker Hill Township Assessor Bunker Hill Township Highway Commissioner Bunker Hill Township Trustee Cahokia Township Supervisor Cahokia Township Clerk Cahokia Township Assessor Cahokia Township Highway Commissioner Cahokia Township Trustee Carlinville Township Supervisor Carlinville Township Clerk Carlinville Township Assessor Carlinville Township Highway Commissioner Carlinville Township Township Trustee Chesterfield Township Supervisor Chesterfield Township Clerk Chesterfield Township Highway Commissioner Chesterfield Township Trustee Dorchester Township Supervisor Dorchester Township Clerk Dorchester Township Assessor Dorchester Township Highway Commissioner Dorchester Township Trustee Gillespie Township Supervisor Gillespie Township Clerk Gillespie Township Assessor Gillespie Township Highway Commissioner Gillespie Township Trustee Girard Township Supervisor Girard Township Clerk Girard Township Assessor Girard Township Highway Commissioner Girard Township Trustee Hilyard Township Supervisor Hilyard Township Clerk Hilyard Township Highway Commissioner Hilyard Township Trustee Honey Point Township Supervisor Honey Point Township Clerk Honey Point Township Highway Commissioner Honey Point Township Trustee Mt. Olive Township Supervisor Mt. Olive Township Clerk Mt. Olive Township Assessor Mt. Olive Township Highway Commissioner Mt. Olive Township Trustee Nilwood Township Supervisor Nilwood Township Clerk Nilwood Township Highway Commissioner Nilwood Township Trustee North Otter Township Supervisor North Otter Township Clerk North Otter Township Highway Commissioner North Otter Township Trustee North Palmyra Township Supervisor North Palmyra Township Clerk North Palmyra Township Highway Commissioner North Palmyra Township Trustee South Palmyra Township Supervisor South Palmyra Township Clerk South Palmyra Township Highway Commissioner South Palmyra Township Trustee Polk Township Supervisor Polk Township Clerk Polk Township Highway Commissioner Polk Township Trustee Scottville Township Supervisor Scottville Township Clerk Scottville Township Highway Commissioner Scottville Township Trustee Shaws Point Township Supervisor Shaws Point Township Clerk Shaws Point Township Highway Commissioner Shaws Point Township Trustee Shipman Township Supervisor Shipman Township Clerk Shipman Township Assessor Shipman Township Highway Commissioner Shipman Township Trustee South Otter Township Supervisor South Otter Township Clerk South Otter Township Highway Commissioner South Otter Township Trustee Staunton Township Supervisor Staunton Township Clerk Staunton Township Assessor Staunton Township Highway Commissioner Staunton Township Trustee Virden Township Supervisor Virden Township Clerk Virden Township Assessor Virden Township Highway Commissioner Virden Township Trustee Western Mound Township Supervisor Western Mound Township Clerk Western Mound Township Highway Commissioner Western Mound Township Trustee Multi-Twp. District #1 Assessor Multi-Twp. District #2 Assessor Multi-Twp. District #3 Assessor Multi-Twp. District #4 Assessor Multi-Twp. District #5 Assessor Park Commissioner Farmersville-Waggoner P.L.D. Trustee Girard Township Library Trustee Grand Pr. of the West Lib. Dist. Trustee Carlinville CUSD 1 Board Franklin CUSD 1 Board Northwestern CUSD 2 Board Panhandle CUSD 2 Board Girard CUSD 3 Board Virden CUSD 4 Board Mt. Olive CUSD 5 Board Staunton CUSD 6 Board Waverly CUSD 6 Board Gillespie CUSD 7 Board Bunker Hill CUSD 8 Board Southwestern CUSD 9 Board Greenfield CUSD 10 Board Litchfield CUSD 12 Board LLCCD 526 Trustee L&CCCD 536 Trustee Reg. Board of School Trustee (Brown, Cass, Morgan, Scott) Reg. Board of School Trustee Un. 4-year (Brown, Cass, Morgan, Scott) Reg. Board of School Trustee (Calhn, Greene, Jersey, Mac.) Reg. Board of School Trustee (Christian & Montgomery) Brighton Betsy Ann FPD Trustee Issue $3,373,000 Bonds To Bld & Equip Ext. Not To Exceed $18,750 Levy Tax Not Exceed .05% For Em. Crew & Eq. Tax Rate Inc. .3245% To .40% for Girard FPD Contest Village of Palmyra President Candidate Name Total Votes Vote % * C. Ralph March (PRO) 138 100 Precinct North Palmyra 2 Candidate Name Total Votes Vote % C. Ralph March (PRO) 47 100 Precinct South Palmyra 1 Candidate Name Total Votes Vote % C. Ralph March (PRO) 91 100 Copyright © 2020 Integra Business Services. All rights reserved.


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Ann Gilbert, director of Fitness for Shapes Total Fitness for Women, leads a team of 16 fitness managers and more than 250 personal trainers and group fitness professionals. She is well-known as a presenter and has received the IHRSA/ACE Trainer of the Year Award. For the past 10 years, she has served as a faculty board member for the Fitness Academy, an educational resource for continuing education in the Tampa Bay, FL, area. She can be reached at [email protected].
When asked why they join a fitness facility, many women use the words transform, tone, lose, gain and reduce. Few say "strength," few say "strong" and most all shy away from the word "build." Women join a group rather than a facility. They insist on day care, and they want an opportunity to be pampered and find harmony. They are attracted to all things social in the club setting and will watch for a sale more often than not. Today, it is imperative to offer dynamic programming that focuses on women's needs and can assure an increase in usage, referral and retention.
The following are the top 10 programs that I'd suggest offering your female members:
1. Weight-loss challenges. The popularity of weight-loss challenges is on the rise in most facilities. In-house weight-loss challenges, similar to those that members watch on TV, combine the benefits of accountability, recognition, completion and socialization in a well-planned program that will keep female members coming to the club. Offering a cash prize will increase participation. When challenges are run by your personal training team, the programming often leads to one-on-one training.
2. Dance-based group fitness. Dance tops the charts in popular group fitness programming. Dance classes should be easy to follow, allow members to join when they want and should not require them to learn dance steps. Most group fitness directors plan these classes for all ages and schedule them as often as seven days a week. If you add a class any time your group fitness room is empty, the members and guests will fill up the space. Most women appreciate the non-competitive atmosphere, the fitness challenge and, most of all, the fun factor of dance classes. Add variety by changing the classes monthly to feature Latin, hip hop, street, Broadway or belly dancing.
3. Thirty-minute, coached workout sessions. Most women-only facilities offer coached workout sessions. Most female members will tell you that time is their major challenge. Promote the workouts as the time-saving way to get fit and to stay fit.
4. Quality of life seminars. Plan monthly seminars that focus on aging gracefully, health issues, healthy cooking, basic nutrition and exercise prescriptions for special populations. The specialized programming options can be open to the public and promoted within the community. A seminar series also can be a great promotional tool for personal trainers wanting to be seen as the club's experts. Many club owners charge for the series as they would for small group training and encourage attendance in the whole series.
5. Harmony series. Create a series of mind/body blend programs, then watch your yoga and Pilates populations grow. Update the interior of your mind/body studio or design a new space for it. Then, add tai chi, a stretching class, self defense and empowerment meetings to your class schedule.
6. Walking groups. By implementing a walk-off-the-weight program, you help women combine a fitness goal with a desire to work out in a group. You can be assured of participation from new people and your existing members. Eventually, you could advance the group by bringing in a personal trainer to coach and lead them as a team to participate in a local walk/run event.
7. Aquatics programming. Baby Boomers are the next wave of participants in your aquatics programming, so you need to update and evaluate your programming to assure it has the intensity and formatting that will attract this growing population. Plan classes, such as aquatic dance, Baby Boomer boot camp, aqua Pilates, even an aqua run to attract female Boomers who are moving from land-based classes.
8. Semi-private lessons. By offering a variety of semi-private lessons, you will increase your revenue instead of losing it to private studios or facilities. Many of the lessons can focus on dance. Bring in ballet for people over 50. Hire a ballroom expert and form buddy or coed groups to learn how to ballroom dance. Ask your popular group fitness instructors to teach hip hop, salsa or Latin specialties, pole dancing and belly dancing. You also can offer lessons beyond dance. For example, ask a local chef to plan a cooking series.
9. Wall of fame. Design and implement a wall of fame to recognize your members' accomplishments and results. By doing this, you brand your facility as one that cares about recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of your members. In coed and women's facilities alike, a monthly update of members' stats, strategically placed near the group fitness studio or changing areas, can be as important to member loyalty as a popular group fitness class.
10. "Try before you buy" options. Allow women to try your services before they buy them by using coupons. Also, promote an affordable menu of services to guests and new members. Women love coupons and watch daily for sales. Be smart and offer a set of coupons or "try me" passes when you meet and greet new members. Use the coupons for drawings and giveaways during member parties. You can even use them in mailings or in marketing campaigns.


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Suffolk DA probes Sandy work in Brookhaven, Islip, Babylon
The Suffolk County district attorney's office has issued subpoenas to three towns as Sandy-related investigations into how tens of millions of taxpayers' dollars for cleanup was spent on Long Island widen beyond Nassau County.
Officials at the three towns -- Brookhaven, Islip and Babylon -- confirmed receipt of the grand jury subpoenas. The sources said the district attorney's investigation will widen into at least two more Suffolk towns -- Huntington and Smithtown.
Under the subpoenas, municipal officials must produce records kept to comply with state labor law on "prevailing wage" provisions and whether workers were paid legal wages, the sources said. The sources also said the investigation is focusing on the political process used in selecting debris-removal contractors.
Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota confirmed Monday that his office began investigating local governments in early February. The district attorney's office is using auditors from county Comptroller Joseph Sawicki's office as part of its probe, he said.
Monday, criminal investigators served subpoenas in the Town of Brookhaven and Town of Babylon. A subpoena was served in the Town of Islip on March 12, according to a source. The towns must produce documents by April 19, a source said.
Federal records show that as of last week across Long Island, towns, villages and the counties had undertaken projects totaling $247.5 million, for which $178.1 million has been disbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice also is investigating how county officials entered into emergency contracts with companies doing storm cleanup.
Three weeks ago, Rice's office issued subpoenas to Nassau County and Looks Great Services Inc. of Huntington seeking documents related to $70 million in cleanup work that company did after the October storm, Newsday has reported. Nassau investigators expanded that probe by issuing subpoenas to A-H Construction and Renu Restoration and Contracting. A Looks Great official has said the firm is being fully cooperative with authorities, while a Renu official said that company has never done work for Nassau. Officials with A-H Construction have not responded to calls for comment.
The sources said Monday that Looks Great has done storm cleanup work in at least one Suffolk town.
New York State was declared a federal disaster area a day after the Oct. 29 storm hit. In Sandy's wake, millions of dollars in federal relief began flowing into 13 counties, including Nassau and Suffolk.
Spota eyes ethics, wages
In Suffolk, prosecutors want to know how that money was spent, the political process that picked contractors, and whether procedures laid out in New York State General Municipal law as it relates to how government picks contractors were followed, the sources said.
The state Department of Labor requires that contractors and subcontractors pay the prevailing rate of wage and fringe benefits to all workers under a public works contract. Employers are required to pay the prevailing wage rate set for the locality where the work is being performed, according to the Labor Department's website.
The pay rates are set by law and vary from county to county. The law also requires that all contracts between a government entity and a contractor must contain wage schedules. Willful falsification of the payroll certification can lead to criminal prosecution, according to the sources.
Conviction for falsifying certified payroll records carries a maximum penalty of from 1 to 3 years in prison; failure to pay the proper wage -- depending on the amount at stake -- can be a felony carrying a 5- to 15-year prison term.
State law also requires that contractors file certified payrolls for the work done and each municipality must have a person who receives and reviews the payrolls to ensure the correct pay rate is cited and that employees' names, days and hours worked are listed and signed by the contractor. The contractor must also pay health benefits or the equivalent in wages.
The City of Long Beach, which was ravaged by Sandy, has received $24.3 million from FEMA for its $32.4 million debris removal. In Babylon, debris removal so far has cost around $5.4 million, for which FEMA has said it will pay about $4 million. In Islip, the town has conducted $12.7 million in debris-removal operations, federal records show, for which FEMA has agreed to pay $9.5 million. Brookhaven has so far conducted $8.28 million in debris removal, with FEMA committing $6.2 million. Under existing FEMA regulations, the agency pays 75 percent of an approved project's cost. The municipality pays the rest.
3 Suffolk towns' responses
Brookhaven, Babylon and Islip said they would cooperate with Spota's probe.
"We are happy to cooperate with District Attorney Spota's request for information regarding contracted work following Hurricane Sandy," said Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer. "District Attorney Spota has been a leader in ensuring a fair workplace environment and protecting Suffolk County taxpayers."
Mike Walsh, deputy town attorney for Islip, said the town provided Suffolk prosecutors with about four boxes for documents after receiving the subpoena last month. "I don't know exactly what they are looking for," he said. "It seems like they're making sure the contractor was paying prevailing wage, but that would be speculation on my part."
Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine said: "The town is cooperating and we welcome the oversight of the DA's office."