text:
Zoloox, an online company responsible for putting up an enlightening blog site focusing on travel and education, publishes articles that will truly be useful to its target readers.
Recent articles published by this popular blog are "The Influence of Parents on their Children's Education" and "Motor Homes — Ways to Enjoy your Vacation."
As a rule, Zoloox makes it a point to circulate content that will make a positive impact on readers.
"A popular blog is not enough. It should also educate readers and help them to adopt an upbeat perspective in life," company representative Maria Nelson said.
Zoloox gave some recommendations to bloggers and writers on how the content of blog posts should be crafted well.
Content in a popular blog must be edifying which means it must give helpful information to readers. It must explain to them one or a couple of new concepts and answer one of their questions. Details can vary from common knowledge to specialized or technical matters that visitors normally look for in the worldwide web. For business owners, consumers usually ask about product features, brands, and tips. Content also needs to drive traffic to that particular website.
Zoloox also clarified information must be motivating. Factual details are not enough to convince readers. Content should be attention-grabbing and maintain the attention or people from the start to the end of the article. Experienced bloggers use figures, humorous stories, comparison, and figures of speech. These are techniques that make people pay attention to what they read. Good blogs are not very technical so it is advisable to have a conversational tone. Use terminologies and phrase that can be understood effortlessly. Boring content will surely turn off readers right away.
The popular blog is very relevant. Appropriate content applies to the business, brand or niche as well as target audience for which the article was written. Blog authors know important and pertinent facts come from extensive research. They need to sustain the relevance of their writing pieces so readers will want more.
These are rules that potential bloggers have to follow. What makes Zoloox stand out is the quality of its published articles. Quality content is a no-brainer in the field of digital marketing. Subject matter must adhere to these guidelines. Otherwise, the blog may not captivate the hearts and minds of individuals who try to read it. Smart writers must check and recheck their articles before publishing them online.
Unless the elements of an informative blog are met, it will be hard for bloggers to achieve what they want and need to achieve in the near, short and long-term. Always remember the rules and this will make it easy for bloggers.
Zoloox is conveniently located at 221 Moore Street, Brooklyn (New York) 11206. Bloggers and readers can take a look at its website at http://www.zoloox.com or call telephone numbers 718 487 5218. Or, send an email to [email protected] The company's authorized contact person is Ms. Maria Nelson.
Maria Nelson
Company: Zoloox
Address: 221 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone: (718) 487-5218
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.zoloox.com


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Product Description
Freezer Specifications
- Gross Volume: 210 Litres.
- Net Volume: 195 Litres.
- Multimode operation: Choose between freezer, chiller or fridge mode.
- Chill in Technology: Cooling retention for up to 36 hours during power cuts.
- Internal Housing: Aluminium with Thicker insulation.
- Current Draw: 5 - 7A (+-700Wh/d)
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 751 mm x 860 mm x 725 mm.
- Weight: 32kg.
- 1 x Plastic basket included.
Solar System Kit Breakdown
- 1 x 210L Green Line Solar Freezer.
- 2 x SonX Deep Cycle Batteries.
- 2 x Foldable galvanized solar panel brackets with adjustable settings.
- 2 x Renewsys Solar modules, 25 year 80% yield, including 4m of 2,5mm cable with junction box and harness.
- SSS battery management and control system with visual interactive panel.
- Harness with 6mm battery cable for ease of connection.
- Main fuse function.
Additional Information
- Maximum input voltage from solar panels 24Vdc (VOC) on a 12v system.
- Packed Dimensions (WxHxD): 815mm x 895mm x 742mm.
- Packed weights: 35kg.
Additional Information
Additional Information
|Please note that stock availability is subject to prior sales. Prices exclude delivery. The image serves as an example of what the product looks like and may differ slightly in appearance.
|Guarantee/ Warranty
|12 month product warranty
|Refrigerator/ Freezer Type
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|Fridge/Freezer Voltage

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Open Britain
Despite being drawn from different political parties, all of us campaigned proudly and passionately for Britain to remain in the European Union. The result was not the one we wanted, but of course we respect the democratically expressed verdict of the British people.
The UK may have voted to leave the EU, but the certainty ends there. What does Brexit actually mean? Europe will continue to be our biggest trading partner and a pivotal ally in a range of areas, from national security to climate change. The negotiations to leave will be long and complex with unprecedented stakes, not least maintaining the Union. All of us who value our United Kingdom must be vigilant against the result being used as a catalyst to break it up.
Those of us on the centre ground cannot afford to leave others to answer the many fundamental questions now being asked. For some the referendum result represents an outright and permanent rejection of globalisation and a return to another era by pulling up the drawbridge. Others see it is a chance to dismantle the drawbridge altogether and cut loose in the global marketplace through mass deregulation. For a few, anti-immigration populism is more than a temporary political strategy.
For us, none of these interpretations is right. Nostalgia is not a strategy. Internationalism and interdependence are perpetual and essential for prosperity and security and it is now more important than ever that we champion and protect an open society.
If we interpret the referendum result as a vote for a more insular and less inclusive country, or one in which the only way to advance working people's living standards is to turn our face against the world, we will have converted a defeat into a tragedy. The challenge now is to renew the case for Open Britain.
We do not believe that a vote to leave the EU was a vote for a closed Britain. We believe we are at our best when we are open — open-minded, open for business, open to trade and investment, open to talent and hard work, open to Europe and to the world. That is what we are campaigning for.
However, we must learn lessons. June 23 was a moment of change. The strength of feeling is clear. Free movement of people cannot continue as it has done. It has to be reformed. This was not an expression of prejudice but rather a desire for managed migration and concern that rapid immigration can put pressure on public services and local communities. Britain must be open to talent, but with more ability to act if excessive competition in labour markets hurts our economy.
For too long we have ducked an open debate over immigration. That was true in the referendum campaign but it is also true of all the major political parties in the past decade or more. As a result, untruths have been allowed to prosper and a balanced debate never materialised, leading many to feel that legitimate concerns were being dismissed. This must change. Calls for reform must sit with a positive argument about the benefits that immigration brings.
Concern about immigration is part of a wider view that the global economy doesn't work for all. However, focusing on immigration alone will not answer people's genuine grievances about lack of opportunity, low-paid jobs and the barriers that stand in the way of a fairer, more equal society.
Those who rejected economic warnings in the referendum campaign did so because they themselves felt rejected by the political mainstream and faced an economy that was failing to spread opportunity. Inequalities in growth and living standards have been laid bare but, in our view, people didn't reject the global economy — their vote was a call to share more equally in it.
There is no path to prosperity that does not include competing with other major economies, integrating into global supply chains, attracting international investment and ideas or developing new sectors. Post June 23, we know that an argument for a global economy must acknowledge the limits of free trade alone to deliver higher living standards for all. An open economy must be coupled with a national strategy to deliver more equitable economic gains through regional regeneration, investment in infrastructure and far wider educational opportunities.
For an Open Britain to be a fairer Britain we must reject false choices, whether between being open to the world and remaining in the EU's single market; whether between a competitive economy and protections for workers and consumers; between being open to talent and having greater control over immigration; or between embracing change and valuing tradition.
In this new context Open Britain, which will be launching this week, will be a cross-party grassroots campaign for Britain to have the best possible relationship with Europe in the future now that the country has voted to leave. This means working closely on trade, security, workers' rights and environmental protection.
We will want to shape the debate in parliament but, more importantly, in the country as well and will be organising campaigning activity in all regions. We want to be for the 100%, not just the 48% who voted "remain", because while division may have characterised the result on June 23, we refuse to accept that we have to be a divided country.
Anna Soubry MP is a former Conservative business minister.
Pat McFadden MP is a former Labour business minister.
Norman Lamb MP is a former Liberal Democrat health minister
Sign-up at: http://www.open-britain.co.uk/


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iGEM Europe Jamboree 2011 is available in the ConPass mobile app
Download the iGEM Europe Jamboree 2011 app to your phone or tablet
You must first download and install the ConPass Mobile App onto your device. Within the ConPass mobile app, you can select and install your event from the list of available events.
Download the app by searching for "ConPass" in your app store, clicking on the link below, or by scanning the QR-code using the QR-code reader on your phone. Follow the instructions on your screen.


text:
There are lots of interesting things about Beatle. His name isn't really Beatle, for one, but the name 'Beatle' is a pretty fitting nickname, since his real name is actually John Lennon – for real. Beatle's eccentric, astrological crazed mother is a huge fan of the pop group, The Beatles, and I reckon that's all I need to say about that!
Another interesting thing about Beatle is the fact that he's a twin, but he's no ordinary twin. Beatle's sister, Winsome, was born 45 days after Beatle, making her birthday fall on a completely different day, in a completely different year to Beatle's. How many twins can say that about themselves?
And then there's Beatle's limp. Beatle had a stroke a couple of years ago and his gimp walk is something that is a constant reminder of his ordeal. A stroke sounds like something only old people experience, but Beatle is living proof that old people's health problems can plague the youthful, too. I reckon all these things together make Beatle one pretty interesting character.
Then, on freaky Friday the 13th, in a remarkable twist of fate, Beatle meets Destiny, and his story gets even more interesting…
Destiny McCartney can't freaking believe that this Beatle guy's name is really John Lennon. I mean, come on, how trippy is that? He she is, Destiny McCartney, just minding her own business at the bus stop after a disastrous Friday afternoon, and along comes John Lennon. Of course, he's not the real John Lennon – the musical genius – but you have to admit, it's pretty freaky all the same. The irony is certainly not wasted on her, or him, for that matter.
There are lots of interesting things about Destiny, too. She's the second youngest sibling in a family of nine kids. Although most of her siblings are in their twenties and beyond, a lot of them still live at home. I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a house full of so much chaos!
Another interesting thing about Destiny is that she's always up for a bit of fun. In a bout of boredom one afternoon, Destiny and her friends answer a 'Stalker Wanted' advertisement in their local newspaper, thinking that the person who paid for the advertisement is the one who wants a stalker, but then a whole bunch of crazy things start happening to Destiny and her family and she realises that maybe, just maybe, she's made a huge mistake. What kind of person answers a 'Stalker Wanted' advertisement anyway?
The most interesting thing about Beatle and Destiny, though, is not how much they like each other, but how much their lives are already so intertwined, and they have absolutely no idea. Beatle and Destiny's freak meeting on that uneventful Friday afternoon proves that maybe fate has a little more control over our lives than we really care to admit. Some people are just meant to be.
Beatle Meets Destiny is a belly aching, hilarious read. Destiny and Beatle are such unique characters and their story is like a breath of very fresh air. Set in Melbourne, Australia, Beatle and Destiny's story flows effortlessly off the page into what felt like was a real-life drama. This is one book that I think would make a rocking, Indie Australian film. I hope someone out there in film-land thinks the same one day.
This is Gabrielle Williams first novel for young adult and I sincerely hope that it is not her last. I'd recommend this book to anyone, of any age, gender, or nationality.


text:
- Description
DetailsShare the captivating experience of ultra-wide IPS viewing technology, stunning Full-HD1 resolution, and a 10,000,000:1 dynamic CONTRAST ratio radiating from the HP Pavilion 22xw IPS LED Backlit Monitor2. The noticeably slim, contemporary design delivers exceptional performance on an edge-to-edge bezel-less screen that is Technicolor certified and environmentally friendly - all at an appreciable price.3
Amazing angles
Share consistent high-color fidelity with In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology across a 54.6 cm (21.5") diagonal screen. A stunning vantage point for everyone, from almost any angle.
Distinctively modern and accessible
The contemporary thin profile is enhanced by the modern white and silver colors. The open WEDGE stand design provides convenient access to VGA and HDMI port connections.
Captivating imagery
Color and clarity radiate from the screen with Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, incredible 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 16:9 aspect ratio, and quick 7 ms response time.
Display Display number of colours 16.78 million colours Native aspect ratio 16:9 Pixel density 102 ppi Color gamut 72% Display surface Matt HD type Full HD Display LED Display technology IPS Display diagonal (metric) 54.6 cm Contrast ratio (dynamic) 10000000:1 Viewing angle, horizontal 178° Viewing angle, vertical 178° Pixel pitch 0.248 x 0.248 mm Aspect ratio 16:9 Viewable size, horizontal 47.6 cm Viewable size, vertical 26.8 cm HDCP Yes 3D No Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Display brightness 250 cd/m² Response time 7 ms Display diagonal 54.6 cm (21.5") Contrast ratio (typical) 1000:1 Ports & interfaces DVI port No VGA (D-Sub) ports quantity 1 HDMI ports quantity 1 Multimedia Built-in speaker(s) No TV tuner integrated No Built-in camera No Design Colour of product Silver, White Audio Built-in speaker(s) No Performance Built-in speaker(s) No Built-in camera No Management features On Screen Display (OSD) Yes Plug and Play Yes Thin Client Thin client installed No Ergonomics VESA mounting Yes Tilt adjustment Yes Tilt angle -2 - 25° On Screen Display (OSD) Yes Stand-by LED Yes Power LED Yes Plug and Play Yes On/off switch Yes Power AC input voltage 100-240 V AC input frequency 50/60 Hz Power consumption (max) 24 W Power consumption (standby) 0.5 W Power consumption (typical) 23 W Annual energy consumption 30 kWh Energy efficiency class A Power consumption (off) 0.23 W Camera Built-in camera No TV tuner TV tuner integrated No Technical details On/off switch Yes Colour of product Silver, White Operational conditions Operating temperature (T-T) 5 - 35 °C Storage temperature (T-T) -20 - 60 °C Operating relative humidity (H-H) 20 - 70% Storage relative humidity (H-H) 20 - 90% Indication Stand-by LED Yes Power LED Yes Certificates Certification CB; CE; ERP; ISO; TUV-Bauart; EAC; EEI; IS1121; SASO; SABS; CSA; FCC; ICES-003; NOM; Smark; VCCI; KC; PSB; ISC; CCC; CECP; CEL; BSMI; RCM; MEPS; SEPA;
E-standby; Technicolor.
EPEAT compliance Silver Energy Star certified Yes Weight & dimensions Width 49.9 cm Depth 5.06 cm Height 30.3 cm Weight 2.82 kg Width (with stand) 49.9 cm Depth (with stand) 15.1 cm Height (with stand) 38.4 cm Weight with stand 3.54 kg Packaging data AC adapter included Yes Quick start guide Yes Manual Yes Cables included VGA Packaging content AC adapter included Yes Quick start guide Yes Manual Yes Cables included VGA
- Specification
SKU J7Y67AA#ABU-Feed
- Delivery
Delivery information
To cater the needs of all customers, we offer two delivery options at checkout so you can choose one which best suits your requirements.
Free UK Delivery
In this option we will deliver your product free of charge but it will take 3 to 5 working days for the product to be delivered.
Next Working Day Delivery
If you want your desired product to be delivered next working day you will have to place your order before 3pm. The delivery charge is £6.95 at the time of placing order. This option does not include delivery on Saturday or Sunday.
- Reviews


text:
Seabury Blair Jr. : From Belfair to Allyn: a 150-mile Nautical Challenge for Paddlers
And now (with apologies to Monty Python) for something completely different: a 150-mile paddle in six months, more or less.
It's called the Puget Sound Challenge, which isn't likely to please all those folks in Hood Canal, where about half of the nautical miles are located. No matter: the idea is to raise awareness of the Olympic Kayak Club and funds for Washington Water Trails.
The sponsor is the Olympic Kayak Club, although I suspect our very own Mr. Paddlehead, John Kuntz of the Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo, had a hand in dreaming up the Puget Sound Challenge. The idea is to paddle from Belfair State Park to Allyn from April to October, 2009.
"The purpose of this event is to create a fun challenge unique to Washington State, raise money for Washington Water Trails and create a great paddling experience for all," according to the club's news release. "You can paddle all segments in any order, at any given time, or with any group."
To join the Puget Sound Challenge, all you do is send the club a $25 donation to cover the cost of a Challenge boat decal and T-shirt, an end-of-the-paddle celebration in Allyn and a $5 contribution to Washington Water Trails. Paddlers know that group as the driving force in establishing paddle routes and campsites throughout Western Washington waters.
The Olympic Kayak Club has scheduled the official beginning of the event for 9 a.m., April 4, at Belfair State Park. The Challenge's official end is at noon at Allyn Waterfront Park, Oct. 10; but paddlers can stroke at their own pace and figure out their own schedules — just save Oct. 10 for the big party.
Though separated by barely 5 miles, Belfair and Allyn are 150 nautical miles apart by water. The plan: start at Belfair on April 4 and paddle southwest, then north up Hood Canal, hang a hard turn to starboard and paddle south down Puget Sound, stroke up Hale Passage and through Pitt and Drayton passages, then north up Case Inlet to Allyn.
The kayak club has broken the paddle down into reasonable day or weekend chunks, and has made up a schedule for its members. Any paddlers are welcome to accompany club members as they row, row their boats, merrily, merrily along.
Their schedule:
April 4: Belfair State Park to Tahuya Bridge.
April 18: Tahuya Bridge to Dewatto.
May 2: Dewatto to Anderson Cove.
May 16: Anderson Cove to Misery Point Boat Launch
May 30: Misery Point to Salisbury Point.
June 7: Salisbury Point to Norwegian Point.
June 20: Norwegian Point to Kingston Marina.
June 27: Faye Bainbridge to Kingston Marina (reversed for tides).
July 18: Faye Bainbridge to Fort Ward.
Aug. 22: Olalla Bridge to Manchester State Park (reversed for tides).
Sept. 5: Olalla Bridge to Wollochet.
Sept. 19: Filucy Bay to Wollochet (reversed for tides).
Oct. 4: Filucy Bay to Herron Island.
Oct. 10: Herron to Allyn.
For more information, visit www.olympickayakclub.com.
I wonder: is anyone crazy or strong enough to try the Puget Sound Challenge on consecutive days? How long would you take?
Seabury Blair Jr. is the author of Backcountry Ski! Washington; Day Hike! Olympic Peninsula; Day Hike! Columbia Gorge; and Stummick, Hardbody and Me. E-Mail him at email@example.com.


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American Arbitration Association (AAA)
From WikiMediation
(Created page with '{{Organization Copyright}} ==General Information== * Official name: American Arbitration Association (AAA) * Country: USA * City: New York * Type of organization: non-profit org…')
Current revision as of 09:22, 30 June 2010
[edit] General Information
- Official name: American Arbitration Association (AAA)
- Country: USA
- City: New York
- Type of organization: non-profit organization
- Date of creation: 1926 – 1996 (International Centre for Dispute Resolution®)
- Interests: Arbitration - Mediation - Training
- Fields of expertise: All types of Disputes
[edit] Overview
The American Arbitration Association ® (AAA), with its long history and experience in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, provides services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court.
The AAA role in the dispute resolution process is to administer cases, from filing to closing. The AAA provides administrative services in the U.S., as well as abroad through its International Centre for Dispute Resolution ® (ICDR). The AAA's and ICDR's administrative services include assisting in the appointment of mediators and arbitrators, setting hearings, and providing users with information on dispute resolution options, including settlement through mediation. Ultimately, the AAA aims to move cases through arbitration or mediation in a fair and impartial manner until completion.
Additional AAA services include the design and development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems for corporations, unions, government agencies, law firms, and the courts. The Association also provides elections services as well as education, training, and publications for those seeking a broader or deeper understanding of alternative dispute resolution.
[edit] Public Statement
The American Arbitration Association (AAA) has created a customer focused alignment of its resources through five new divisions. The divisions include Commercial; Construction; International; Labor/Employment/Elections; and State Insurance ADR disciplines. They encompass expertise in specific caseloads, which will provide AAA customers with easier access to the information they need and with more customized service that addresses the specific nuances of their industries.
As the new alignment evolves, the AAA will continue to have 30 worldwide offices, including case management centers and maintain all of the traditional AAA benefits.
[edit] About the International Centre for Dispute Resolution
The International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR), the international division of the AAA, was established in 1996 to provide the same high-quality alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services available in the U.S. to individuals and organizations around the globe. Like the AAA, the ICDR administers cases impartially and efficiently while successfully tackling the additional challenges of resolving international conflicts.
The ICDR's expertise in the administration of international arbitrations is well recognized. The ICDR has established cooperative agreements with 62 arbitral institutions in 43 countries worldwide. These agreements enable arbitration cases to be filed and heard virtually anywhere in the world.
Once a case is filed utilizing the ICDR's international rules, case managers who are fluent in at least 13 languages and experienced in the complexities of overseas arbitration and mediation matters work to keep clients up-to-date on the progress of their case and assist in resolving these cases expeditiously. The ICDR maintains a worldwide panel of more than 400 independent arbitrators and mediators to hear and resolve cases.
The ICDR, which handles several hundred multinational cases each year, also maintains offices in Europe and Mexico City, Mexico.
[edit] Arbitration
Arbitration is a time-tested, cost-effective alternative to litigation. Arbitration is the submission of a dispute to one or more impartial persons for a final and binding decision, known as an "award." Awards are made in writing and are generally final and binding on the parties in the case. The AAA's arbitration services include access to its superior case management services, well-screened expert neutrals who undergo continuous training, and the AAA's Rules and Procedures that govern the various ADR processes.
AAA arbitrators possess years of industry-specific knowledge and experience. The AAA's Panel of Arbitrators includes more than 7,000 individuals located throughout the world. Their conduct is guided by the Association's Code of Ethics for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes. Information about AAA arbitrators is available to parties who have already filed a case.
The AAA's Rules and Procedures cover arbitrations across a wide variety of industries and case types. These rules and procedures detail the steps in the resolution process and ensure that all parties to a case are treated fairly and equitably. The commercial, consumer, employment and labor rules, as well as the rules for state programs can be found in this section of the website.
[edit] Case Administration
The AAA provides world-class third-party case management that offers clients a variety of value-added services to ensure efficient and effective administration of arbitration and mediation cases. The dispute resolution process begins with the initial filing of a case, selecting the appropriate arbitrator or mediator, and proceeds on to the hearing, making a decision, and closing of a case.
In addition to skilled case managers assigned to assist with the procedural elements of a case, the AAA provides a variety of enhanced case administration services.
AAA Arbitration Roadmap helps guide clients from the case filing stage forward, advising them about the options available and how best to manage the arbitration process to save on cost and time.
AAA Enhanced Neutral Selection Process for Large Complex Cases (LCC) allows for a more customized approach to choosing a neutral for a case. Parties in LCCs get access to five tools that provide enhanced screening options based on client-selected criteria.
Case Management Teams improve on AAA's winning customer service. A team approach to case management, where a case manager serves as the primary point person but the ultimate responsibility for a case rests with an entire team, gives clients confidence that cases are covered at every level at all times.
Solutions Manager SM is a supplemental resource to case managers and the teams, serving to guide parties through the broad range of resolution alternatives. This helps clients to structure dispute resolution solutions most appropriate for the case at hand.
[edit] AAA Mission and Principles
The American Arbitration Association was founded in 1926, following enactment of the Federal Arbitration Act, with the specific goal of helping to implement arbitration as an out-of-court solution to resolving disputes. This legal framework was passed by Congress and signed by President Calvin Coolidge.
The AAA's staff members and neutrals continue to live out the principles on which the Association was founded.
The AAA's official mission statement and vision statement are based on three core values: integrity, conflict management, and service.
The AAA has long held its mediators and arbitrators to strict codes of ethics and model standards of conduct to ensure fairness and impartiality in conflict management. To further ensure the AAA's integrity, however, the Association also developed Standards of Ethics and Business Conduct for its staff, as well as a general Statement of Ethical Principles to expand on its core values as an organization.
Finally, the AAA -- as a not-for-profit organization -- has a core dedication to service, and particularly education, in the field of alternative dispute resolution.
[edit] Mission
"The American Arbitration Association is dedicated to the development and widespread use of prompt, effective and economical methods of dispute resolution. As a not-for-profit organization, our mission is one of service and education.
We are committed to providing exceptional neutrals, proficient case management, dedicated personnel, advanced education and training, and innovative process knowledge to meet the conflict management and dispute resolution needs of the public now and in the future."
[edit] Vision
"The American Arbitration Association will be the global leader in conflict management built on integrity, committed to innovation and embracing the highest standards of client service achievable in every undertaking".
[edit] Commitment to Diversity
"The American Arbitration Association is the global leader in conflict management with core values of integrity and service. Our integrity demands impartial and fair treatment of all people with whom we come in contact, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or other characterization. Our conflict management services put into practice our goal for the resolution of disputes between parties with different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds.
Because of the breadth of the AAA's work and the global reach of its services, we recognize the importance and contribution of a diverse work force, a diverse Roster of Neutrals, a diverse Board, and commit to respect and increase diversity in all our endeavors".
[edit] Contact
1633 Broadway, 10th Floor New York, NY 10019 - USA
Tel./Fax. 212.716.3975
Email: email@example.com


text:
10 favorite splurge-worthy home decor shops
I am a big fan of layered and collected spaces. In our home or when working with clients that is what I strive to create. Mixing high-end decor and furnishings with vintage or thrifted treasures can create a unique surrounding no matter how high or low of a budget you have.
I am a big proponent of shopping local and hunting for quality vintage pieces, but sometimes you come back empty-handed or can't find exactly what you are looking for. I also live in a region right now that is short on high-end decor shops and furnishings, so I do A LOT of sourcing online.
Whether you can only splurge on one great designer sofa and have to source the rest from big box retailers, it's all about creating the right mix. You really do get what you pay for, unless you score an amazing vintage piece for cheap. I'm all about finding treasure, but I also appreciate a quality well-built new piece of furniture or decor.
Knowing where to splurge and where to save is something I've learned through trial and error in my own home. I'd rather save a couple of months to get that really fab mirror I love than try to find a cheaper version that I most likely will regret. Buy what you really love and it will always be stylish to you. When I started this approach in my home, it was a big game changer. I have pieces from 10 years ago I still get asked about and love just as much today as the first day I bought them. This isn't about being trendy, it's about collecting what speaks to you. That is how you get a space that you will love for the long haul.
Whether it be a really great coffee table or pair of bookends, adding something a bit more artisan and polished to a space really takes it up a notch. You can tell the difference in the finishes and quality, so yes, it is worth the money.
Here are my 10 favorite shops I frequent to find those special pieces. They are all online and have been great to purchase from. These shops all carry fabulous makers. You won't be disappointed with their selections. Some are more decor and gift oriented and others offer everything you could possibly want for your home. You can score some barware and smaller decor items that won't break the bank so don't discount these shops if your budget is tighter.
These are my 10 most shopped online retailers when sourcing specialty pieces (in no particular order)...
One stop shopping for lighting, furniture, mirrors, rugs, and decor. This online source carries some of my favorite brands like Arteriors, Bungalow 5, Cyan, Taylor Burke Home, Times Two Design, and more.
Fantastic source for accessories, wall decor, lighting, furniture, pillows and rugs. Excellent selection of makers. They also have fun offerings for the littles too!
Fabulous brand selection for furniture, lighting, decor, bed and bath. You can also visit their sister site Layla Grace from their homepage and find even more!
Everything for your home from glam to modern to boho. An excellent rug selection and decor selection.
Such a fun shop for furnishings, gifts, and decor. Great makers and the barware shop is a favorite here. Offering a custom pillow studio with designer fabrics.
This sale site of curated shops is always worth checking out. Quality pieces and they are growing their vintage offerings. Definitely something for every taste and I always love shopping their site. Better be ready to buy because things can fly fast!
Unique finds for your home. I love their art selections and they have an awesome blue & white shop! A bit of an eclectic mix and it's always changing.
Blogger Mandy Kellogg Rye has really knocked it out of the park with her online shop! Great offerings for tabletop, barware, gifts, and decor.
It's no surprise that one of my all-time favorite magazines has an equally amazing online shop. Anything and everything for your home, for you, and even for your kids.
Yes, another sale site, but they keep the focus on designer goods. You can find some really great decor pieces here and get a bit of savings too so it is worth checking out.
♦ ♦ ♦
Those are my 10 that I currently frequent when I am looking for entertaining goods, a quality furniture piece, or a fabulous piece of home decor. Everyone deserves a little glamour in their life, don't you think?
RELATED: 13 bedrooms that will make you want to redecorate
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5 tips for creating unity and flow in your home
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DIY wallpapered doors


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We have a publicly funded healthcare system for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. The Government requires that all patients prove they are eligible to receive publicly funded healthcare and that we gather proof of eligibility status from each patient we see. In the case of an emergency this will be done as soon as possible after care. If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare you will be charged for your care.
If we ask you for proof of eligibility, please do not be offended. This is standard practice for all patients of any background. Even if you are a New Zealand citizen, we are required to confirm your eligibility. This initiative has been introduced in recent years. Patients who have been treated in the past, prior to this initiative, may now be asked to provide documentation to prove their eligibility. We understand that you may find this frustrating; however this will ensure that you are not charged for your appointment by mistake. If you have confirmed your eligibility with another District Health Board (DHB) you must still confirm this when you visit us. Once eligibility status has been recorded by us, patients will not usually be asked again.
You will be asked to provide copies of either:
For more information about eligibility please view our Frequently Asked Questions [PDF, 53 KB] or visit the Ministry of Health's website(external link).


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Hello, adventurers!
I hope life is treating you well. 🙂
The other day, I ran across a Facebook post prompting readers to write a six-word memoir in the comments. Some were funny. Others were poignant. I thought for a moment how I could sum up my life thus far in six little words.
From the moment I could read and write, I kept a journal. My maternal grandmother made sure I wrote in it as often as possible. As I grew older, my love of music grew, and I devoted more and more chunks of time to piano practice and singing. However, if I truly wanted to uncork my thoughts at the end of the day, writing was my go-to therapy.
Whether a person's legacy is continuing generations, a charitable contribution to a beloved institution, a published work, or simply loving and funny memories for friends to hang onto, one usually likes to be remembered.
The six-word memoir challenge made me think about for what I would like to be remembered. Then, three short sentences popped into my head. "I came. I saw. I wrote."
I hope to continue writing as long as I am able, and I hope my words help others as they traverse the journey of life. After I'm gone (hopefully many, many years from now), I pray a few readers peruse a piece I've written and think, "Me too! So I'm not the only one!"
In closing, I encourage you to think of six words that describe your life. Some people may find this exercise easy. A few may have so many blessings (or struggles) that limiting their life's story to only six words almost seems impossible.
I'm curious to see what you have to say! If you'd like to share your six-word memoir, please comment below. 🙂
Happy Trails,


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What Rallyverse Plan do I have? Now that is a great question. You signed up for Rallyverse and you forgot what plan you are on. Or you are looking for features you think you should have but you don't see them. Well we can solve that problem very quickly.
Step 1 – Navigate to your Profile Card
It is easy, just click on your profile picture icon to reveal a submenu. The first item in your submenu is the profile name of your current profile.
Click on your profile name and you will see your profile card. This will provide you will all the details about your current profile.
Step 2 – Find your plan on the Profile Card
Just below the search box on your Profile Card you will see a section titled – Your Plan. That will tell you which plan you are one. Rallyverse offers 3 plans – Premium, Professional and Enterprise. As you can see below Rallyverse is on the Enterprise plan.


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Edie Nadelhaft
Edie Nadelhaft is a New York-based painter and mixed media artist whose work has been widely exhibited at museums, art fairs and galleries. Ms. Nadelhaft studied painting and art history at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and S.U.N.Y. Purchase. She received her BFA with Honors from The Massachusetts College of Art & Design.


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Long hairstyles for older women have always been a symbol of elegance and class after reaching such an idealistic age. Obviously women of that time love to flaunt and dress up too.
play an important role in conveying about the personality of a female. Long hairstyles are more glamorous, versatile in terms of styling and elegant looking.
Older women have a lot of parties and dinners to get to. It is impossible to give short hair a new look and style every time. That is why they try to grow their hairs long and cut layers from the front.
This gives them a fresh look and they get to keep their long hairs which are stylized easily.
Long hairstyles for older women 2020 include dangling curls with a fringe or back combed hair from the front. Another very popular hairstyle, and the most common one, is that of perfectly ironed hair.
There is no competitor of this hairstyle. It is elegant and classy. Nothing makes an Eastern dress look glamorous but the ironed hair flaunted to perfection.
The older ladies look stylish and amazing supporting long locks with the perfect hair color to match their skin.
Long hairstyles for older women in 2020 are very versatile in terms of styling which means they can be tied up in different ways and left open too.
They can be tied up in a perfect bun or even a messy one to give a casual look. These hairs can be half ties and half left open. Summing up the fact, the long locks of hairs are easy to stylize than shorter hair.
It has been noted that there are a very few famous older female celebrities who support short hair. Most of them have a decently long length of hairs.
Talking about the most famous celebrities, Oprah Winfrey continues to support shoulder length hairs curled up perfectly despite all the latest trends and fashions.
There are very famous models who are gorgeous and known for their beauty, Tyre Banks, also continues to support long brown dangling hair with shorter bangs or fringes from the front. This just gives her a fresher look but she doesn't compromise her long hair.
Older women flattering with long red curls can really inspire thousands women all around the world with their healthy and gorgeous look. Women and girls even with young age can also create this look with the help of simple curling iron.
Similarly, older women with long beach wavy style have also dashing look which women and girls can wear of almost all age groups. You can style them even in the age of 15, 20 or 30 years old.
You can create unique style of center parted long bob cut to achieve this perfect style. If you have round face shape, you may create off center parted style, which is also one of the gorgeous styles for older women.
Long curly hairstyle for older women with golden hue also looks awesome with loose wavy style.
You have to create bang style with side swept thin hair to get more chic look along with long loose curls.
Women in their mature age may also follow the attractive look of Laura Dern because of her beautiful golden and blonde curls with fantastic bounce and volume. This style is also suitable for female of all age groups.
Beautiful female star Marcia Cross with her charming green eyes and attractive center parted copper long tresses is also one of the best styles for older women.
Women in their old age should follow this regardless their age and face shape. We assure you for elegant and chic look, if you follow her cute style.
All of us know very well the classic bob hairstyle which is one of the favorite styles for all women. So, we also recommend this ever green best style for ladies in their mature age.
Although, there are so many style in bob cut, but here we would like to discuss long bob haircut with blunt cut. If you have naturally sleek hair then this is one of the favorite styles for you to get stunning look.
We would also like to mention here the beautiful long layered locks with blonde and brown style for older women. To get this awesome look they should follow the look of charming personality Christie Brinkley.
Long layered haircut with curls and side parted style always obsessed others. You can create this look easily without any special hairstyling technique.
Long brunette silky locks for mature women 2020 with side swept style also inspire others. Charming loose waves framing one's face shape beautifully is a wonderful hairstyle to get younger look in mature age.
Similarly, there are a lot of other older women who love their long locks and never compromise on them. Long hairstyles for older women in 2020 are just very easy to stylize.
They can be tied up in an elegant bun, in a messy fishtail or just a simple ponytail. The best thing about long hair is that they never go out of fashion.
They look beautiful in any color, any cut and any hairstyle; the hairstyle has got to be pretty of course!
Women all over the world love keeping their long hairs and there's no shame in letting them have them. There is a variety of hairstyles to follow for long hairstyles for older women.


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Today many organizations are exploring new, more cost-effective ways to manage and process large amounts of data. One alternative to traditional RDBMS solutions is open-source NoSQL solutions.
NoSQL databases are non-relational and designed for storing unstructured data. They provide many benefits including flexibility, scalability, and performance that many businesses need to drive new, innovative services and revenue streams.
Download this guide to learn about:
The top five open-source NoSQL databases: Cassandra, Couchbase Server, HBase, MongoDB, and Neo4J
The pros and cons of using each of the top five open-source NoSQL databases
Support options for the open-source NoSQL databases described in this guide
This clear and concise reference guide will provide you with the background needed to help you determine if open-source NoSQL technologies are right for your business—as either a complementary technology to an existing RDBMS or as a replacement.


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The African Union and the Libya Conflict of 2011
This memorandum outlines the African Union (AU) peace initiative for Libya during 2011, arguing that the proposal was unfairly derided and dismissed by the western powers. The African approach was based on a realistic appreciation of the perils of civil war in Libya and the shortcomings of forcible regime change. A combination of NATO pressure and AU diplomacy might have avoided some of the problems that emerged during and after the regime transition in Libya.
Libya's "Brother Leader" Muammar Gaddafi was a controversial and divisive figure in Africa, and the eruption of armed resistance similarly ignited diverse responses. While the Arab world, Europe and the United States tended to view the 2011 Libyan uprising as a turbulent version of Tunisia's democratic uprising, sub-Saharan African leaders saw the contest between Gaddafi and his rivals as a variant of the Chadian wars, threatening a lawless mercenarism that could easily spill across borders. African leaders found Gaddafi erratic, egotistical and frequently offensive, but many were leery of forcible regime change, fearing that what followed could be worse. Warnings about possible fallout from the Libyan conflict were repeated in statements by the African Union Peace and Security Council from March 2011 onwards. The AU consistently spoke of an "inclusive transition" to democracy in Libya, meaning a process in which Gaddafi would step aside peaceably.
The AU Peace Initiative
The first protests in Libya occurred immediately in the wake of the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, and the AU response should be seen partly in the context of those revolutions. The guiding principles for the AU were the Lomé Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes in Government (2000) and the Constitutive Act of the African Union (2002), which prohibited unconstitutional changes in government. The drafters had not foreseen the possibility of democratic uprisings, although these had occurred in Sudan (1964 and 1985) and non-violent demonstrations and civil society mobilization had hastened the democratization of many African countries after 1990. But the AU did not use these principles to buttress the status quo, but rather to stress the democratic nature of the uprisings and the continuities with the democratization wave in sub-Saharan Africa of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The first AU discussion on the Libyan crisis was at the Peace and Security Council (PSC) meeting of 23 February, and focused on the Libyan authorities' repression of demonstrations and the threats that Gaddafi was making against the opposition. The next discussion, held at the level of heads of state on 10 March, forged the African diplomatic response to the Libya crisis. The PSC proposed a high-level ad hoc committee made up of Heads of State, anticipating that this would have the required clout and influence to facilitate a negotiated solution in Libya and rally the international community behind the AU's efforts. The meeting was chaired by the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. He and other Heads of State had quickly recognized that the Arab Spring meant that Gaddafi could not survive. The other key intervention was from Déby: "beware of opening the Libyan Pandora's box." He feared spillover to Chad and other African neighbors. The themes of the meeting included the need for a ceasefire, for humanitarian assistance (including the rescue of African migrant workers), and for an inclusive peace agreement combined with a democratic transition. Instead of applying the its newly-developed doctrine of supporting democratic uprisings, the AU interpreted the Libyan conflict through its more familiar lens of responding to a civil war.
The most substantive element was paragraph 7, which became known as the "roadmap":
The current situation in Libya calls for an urgent African action for: (i) the immediate cessation of all hostilities, (ii) the cooperation of the competent Libyan authorities to facilitate the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy populations, (iii) the protection of foreign nationals, including the African migrants living in Libya, and (iv) the adoption and implementation of the political reforms necessary for the elimination of the causes of the current crisis.
Although Gaddafi leaving office was not explicitly mentioned, the roadmap was designed as a way for the Brother Leader to step down in a timeframe of months, handing over to an inclusive interim government that would pave the way for elections. The AU set up an Ad Hoc High Level Committee, and scheduled its first meeting in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on 19 March, after which the Panel members would fly to Libya.
Meanwhile, the U.S., France and Britain were following a different track, and driving UN policy. A week later, the UN Security Council met to consider the escalating crisis and especially the threat to Benghazi. The three African countries on the Security Council (Gabon, Nigeria and South Africa) all voted for Resolution 1973. If just one had abstained the resolution would not have passed. The resolution refers to the AU efforts in its preambular section, including calling for a ceasefire and noting the decision of the AU "to send its ad hoc High Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution." But the operative provisions of Resolution 1973 were different entirely.
The crux of the disagreement between the AU and NATO occurred when the Ad Hoc Committee met in Noakchoutt on 19 March, hosted by President Aziz. Mauritania provided a plane to fly to Tripoli the following day, but that was the day on which the no fly zone came into effect. The Panel members received a curt message from the U.S. and the UN saying that, should they proceed with their visit, their security could not be guaranteed. The communiqué published at the end of the meeting reflected the disappointment and anger of the participants for not having been allowed to travel to an African country for a peace mission.
The Ad Hoc Committee met again in Nouakchott on 9 April. This time the UN gave permission to fly to Tripoli and they met with Gaddafi the following day. It was reportedly a stormy meeting with recriminations on both sides. The African leaders that they had no option but to enter into dialogue with opposition groups, they said that the Libyan Government similarly had no choice but to negotiate with the TNC, and that any solution had to be based on the aspirations of the Libyan people to democracy and respect for human rights. The members of the Ad Hoc Committee also argued that Libya lacked the means to stand up to the international coalition and its leader should therefore be realistic about its options. Finally, they told Gaddafi that the delegation would continue to Benghazi whether he liked it or not: they were not seeking his authorization. Gaddafi accepted, in principle, the AU roadmap including the ceasefire and negotiations. The next day the AU leaders (with the significant absence of Pres. Zuma) flew to Benghazi, where the TNC leadership rejected the plan. Mustafa Abdel Jalil announced that the roadmap was not acceptable because it did not include the immediate departure of Gaddafi. "Gaddafi must leave immediately if he wants to survive," he said.
The AU's principal diplomatic advantage was that only African leaders could make the case to Gaddafi that he should both stop his assault on civilian populations and step down, with any credibility. A combination of African access to Gaddafi and NATO leverage over the TNC could have provided the basis for a negotiated settlement. However, this possibility was never pursued.
In addition to the TNC's rejection, the AU roadmap had several major problems. First, the nature of Gaddafi's departure was not specified. In particular, it was not clarified whether he should depart the country or go into internal exile. Following the adoption of the Roadmap, the AU began discreet talks with leaders across Africa to find a country willing to receive Gaddafi. A number of hopeful openings were registered, and the AU passed on information about these efforts to its international partners. Another idea floated was that Gaddafi could retire to Sirte or Sebha, where the AU would provide a small military force to guard him.
Another problem was that while the AU had proposals for a ceasefire, including monitors (e.g. in Misrata) or an inter-positioning force (e.g. on the front line near Benghazi), member countries did not show enthusiasm in coming up with the military observers and troops needed. Not a single African country volunteered to send observers to Misrata when the AU proposed the idea at its Extraordinary Summit on 25 May, and none was ready to send the battalions needed to enforce a ceasefire.
Third, Africa was divided. While most of the continent wanted Gaddafi gone with minimal disruption, a few leaders were still sympathetic to the "Brother Leader," among them Museveni and Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. South African President Zuma's position was ambiguous. Some other African leaders were so antipathetic to Gaddafi that they would have no truck with compromise. Sudan was heavily involved in supporting the TNC. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi not only nurtured personal disgust towards Gaddafi, but was also furious over Libyan support to Eritrea, and insisted that Gaddafi should step down. Nigerian leaders were also eager to see Gaddafi depart.
Lastly, not unrelated to the TNC position, the NATO countries were opposed. This hampered the AU financially as well as politically. The European Union funded a major part of the AU's conflict response budget, including a small but flexible fund for rapid response to political emergencies. The response to AU's request for funding was delayed for weeks.
At an Extraordinary Summit meeting in May, the AU called for an immediate pause in fighting, for ceasefire monitors, and for a Framework Agreement for Political Solution. Five days later, President Zuma flew to Tripoli to present the proposals, focusing on a ceasefire to be monitored by the AU, UN and Arab League, leading to a transitional period culminating in elections. The key question was, would Gaddafi be ready to step down? The African leaders who had interacted with him in April were convinced that his commitment to the roadmap remained, including his promise not to be part of the transition. However, the meeting with Gaddafi was a disappointment: he restated his commitment to "not being part of the negotiation process" but also insisted he was not ready to leave the country. Gaddafi's family members and close supporters had reportedly vetoed the plan for transition. The next day in Benghazi, Mustafa Abdul Jalil again said that there was no possibility of talking to Gaddafi, who had irredeemably lost credibility and was just playing games. The clearest statement from the chair of the AU Ad Hoc Committee followed a week later, when President Abdel Aziz told AFP that Gaddafi "can no longer lead Libya. His departure has become necessary… He must be made to leave without causing more damage."
The AU pressed on, hoping that the way in which the war had apparently descended into stalemate would make both sides accept the need for a negotiated solution. But by this time the logic of the battlefield was ascendant, and in August, TNC fighters entered Tripoli and the war swung decisively in their favour. Key African government such as Nigeria and Ethiopia recognized the TNC in the following days, and called for the AU to do the same. Thereafter, the AU's diplomatic efforts were at best remedial, reiterating its proposal for a national dialogue and an all-inclusive transitional government.
The AU roadmap for a negotiated transition to a post-Gaddafi order in Libya had no guarantee of success. The internal political dynamics in Libya made it a difficult proposition, like the negotiated end to civil wars in many African countries. However, the approach of an inclusive negotiated settlement was not given a serious chance. It was killed by France, Britain and the United States.
The outcome has damaged Africa. The AU was unable to convince Libyans, Africans or the world that it was a credible interlocutor for peace in Libya. Africa did not present a united position, and did not provide the financial, military or diplomatic resources necessary for the AU initiative to prevail. Africa did not even provide a good account of its intent and strategy to the general public, as a result of which the AU position has been widely misunderstood, and the AU itself has suffered a crisis of leadership. Africa's weakness has benefited nobody. The Libyan people, the new government and NATO may regret that the African option was not pursued.
The African dimensions to the Libyan war shine a spotlight on any justifications for NATO's intervention in terms of R2P. The blocking of the AU diplomatic initiative indicates that the decision to escalate the military intervention beyond the defence of Benghazi to an agenda of regime change, could not be justified as a last resort. There were options for a negotiated settlement that could have been pursued. Indeed, a partnership between the UN and the AU could have benefited Libya and both organisations.


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Pictures Of Beyonce & Jay-Z's Baby Blue Ivy Carter's Face
See Beyoncé's Baby Blue Ivy Carter at Age 1!
Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z have shared many pictures of their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, since her birth in January 2012, but today, we're getting a rare look at the 1-year-old's adorable face. This new photo of Blue Ivy being held by her mum is reportedly a still from Beyoncé's HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream. The film, some of which Beyoncé shot herself, premieres in the US tonight.


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Product Description
Material: Polar fleece
Rawr like a mighty dinosaur. Get a look that would definitely give you an appeal that is so strong and huge like a beastly dinosaur. Well, you can now definitely get it with your own set of dinosaur animal kigurumi onesie. Use it as your pajamas or just even hang out with your friends wearing this awesome kigurumi and pretend to be a mighty creature like the beastly but cuddly looking dinosaur.
Machine Wash Cold, Non-Chlorine Bleach, Dry Flat, Do Not Iron, Do Not Dry Clean


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What are your favorite masses?
My favorites are: Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Beethoven's Op. 86 and Op. 123, Messe de Notre Dame, Bach's Mass in B minor, Puccini's Messa, Mozart's Great Mass K. 427 and Palestrina's Missa Nigra sum, Missa Papae Marcelli and Missa Viri Galilaei. Victoria's Missa Gaudeamus.
Haydn's Nelson Mass.


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The St. Regis Atlanta
Lethal Rhythms does approximately 400 weddings each year…
Recent Testimonials At:
St. Regis
" DJ Joel Rabe is a pleasure to work with and an absolute ball of energy and fun! He made us feel at complete ease on our big day. We love music and he was so open to taking all in all of ideas and working with what we gave him as well as adding his own fabulous suggestions. He is epitome of professionalism, getting back to all of our questions quickly and taking time to meet with us and prepare us for our day. He made sure to connect with our planner and have everything coordinated so it was one less thing for us to worry about. Also he went with the flow, we had last minute changes with timing and speeches and you would never know because he is so amazing! Every single person has said our wedding was the most fun wedding they've been to and that is all due to Joel! He's above and beyond!"
Janette + Dan
St. Regis


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As truck developed within the last century, bumpers have advanced greatly. Old vehicles got very rudimentary material bumpers that have been rigidly installed to the vehicle's framework. Once the bumper was solidly struck it could either damage the thing that was struck or was destroyed itself. This design continued to be fairly continuous for many decades, even while bumpers changed from simple bits of material beams into very highly-styled chrome-plated monstrosities. About forty years back, some bumpers started out to be designed and created from various energy-absorbing plastics and were more built-into styling of the automobile. vengeance front bumper
Today's bumpers for vehicles, SUV's, mini-vans, cross-overs and even many pickups have reached the main point where they are scarcely recognizable as bumpers but may actually be an area of the overall vehicle. The energy-absorbing metal bumper superstructures are made to be light and portable yet meet very strict recommendations for absorbing effects regarding a major accident. However, those superstructures are completely concealed from view by highly styled very soft plastic bumper comforters which enable the flowing entrance and rear end treatments on modern vehicles. black steel front bumper
However, these tender plastic bumper features are extremely vulnerable to being destroyed by fairly humble impacts which appear on a regular basis and which are simply just part of typical driving a vehicle. Stones, stones and other street debris are usually hurled at them from other vehicles. They get influenced by objects including the bumpers or swinging entry doors of other vehicles, shopping carts, and car parking barriers. Rear end bumpers can be used to rest objects that happen to be being raised into or from the cargo areas. Many of these daily occurrences can bring about unsightly harm to bumpers. black steel elite front bumper
Your vehicle's bumper is made to absorb bruises and the bumps of day-to-day driving a car, but a bumper can easily bring back the truck appearance. black steel accessories


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MAHÉ, Seychelles, 20 December 2019 – The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has collaborated with the local lottery organiser, MAZ Millions, to provide international tourists with a chance to win one of several luxury dream holidays to the exotic islands. Launched ...Read More »
Popular Travel Destinations in Africa
As the second biggest continent in the world, Africa is renowned for its wildlife and expansive landscapes. This is a continent that mesmerizes visitors with images of crystalline waters, vast grasslands, exotic fauna and flora, white-sand beaches, and majestic mountain ...Read More »
Tourism Savvy Party Registers In Seychelles
Mahé, Seychelles, 18 June 2019 – A new political party headed by Seychelles' former tourism minister, Alain St Ange presented documents for 'One Seychelles' to be registered with the Electoral Commission. According to the Seychelles News Agency, the chairperson of ...Read More »
Tourism Sidelined at Seychelles SONA
Mahé, Seychelles, 04 March 2019 – Seychelles President Danny Faure's State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week has prompted the island nations' tourism industry to wonder if it has been sidelined. Commenting on the SONA, Alain St Ange said ...Read More »
Seychelles Bans Plastic Straws
In another step to help protect the environment of Seychelles, the importation of single-use plastic straws will be banned as of 01 February 2019. According to the Seychelles News Agency, the island nation's ministry of environment will ban the importation of ...Read More »
Seychelles needs more hotel rooms
Seychelles is facing a difficult situation in its need for hotel rooms. According to Alain St Ange, the former Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, the shortage of hotel rooms will impact on airlines because contracted ...Read More »
Seychelles Launches Blue Bond for Healthy Oceans
SEYCHELLES, 06 November 2018 – The Republic of Seychelles has launched the world's first sovereign blue bond — a pioneering financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects. The bond, which raised US$15 million from international investors, demonstrates ...Read More »
Taxis Block Off Kempinski Hotel Seychelles
MAHÉ, Seychelles, 28 August 2018 – Kempinski Hotel's GM Masami Egami felt the brunt of angry Seychelles Taxi Association members for not abiding by the rules and regulations of Seychelles. Kempinski Hotel Seychelles was totally barricaded by taxis and no movement ...Read More »
Tenerife & Seychelles Discuss Tourism Cooperation
GHANA, July 2018 – Meeting on the sidelines of the Routes Africa 2018 conference, key speakers Stephanie Wear Pintado of Tenerife and Alain St.Ange of Seychelles met to discuss the tourism potential and possible cooperation between their two countries. "Tenerife Island and Seychelles are ...Read More »
Oldest Seychelles Resident Turns 120
New Year's Day on Denis island is not solely about ringing in another year – it also marks the birthday of one of our most famous island residents. Toby, the oldest giant tortoise on the island, celebrated his 120th birthday ...Read More »
Seychelles Counters Heroin Threat
For a small island State such as Seychelles, where tourism is the pillar of its economy and any challenge becomes a tourism industry problem, heroin abuse may pose a threat to its tourism industry. It is with this in mind ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism #29
In this festive season edition, the editorial covers Seychelles beaches again being recognised as being among the best in the world. We also touch on Seychelles being a leader in the field of the Blue Economy and Sustainable Tourism, mentioning the ...Read More »
Eco-Friendly Hotels: Acajou Beach Resort
Dating back to its opening in 1996, the Acajou Beach Resort has had ecology at the heart of its ethos. The hotel is named after the French word for 'mahogany' in reference to the natural timber-themed design of its construction, ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #21
In this 21st Report, I tackle the concept of 'Tourism for All' without any discrimination, be it colour of the skin, religious belief, political affiliation, gender, disability, or sexual preference, and expound on the need to accept the concept; that what is good ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #20
Seychelles today has embraced change. Some change everyone is happy with, others are being questioned, but change is here and the people remain determined to see it through because it should safeguard the industries that keep the economy of the ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #19
My quote for this report is one about actions in daily life by those who feel insecure:- "When you blame others, you are avoiding some truth about yourself." Tourism remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy and some visiting personalities from ...Read More »
Africa's Hidden Exotic Islands
Africa itself is a fascinating, magnificent continent. To think that one continent could be made up of such unique topography and terrain, unlike any other place on earth, leaves one in a state of awe and wonder. From sand dunes, ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #18
My quote for this week's Seychelles Report is by Richard Branson:- "The key to success in business is all about people, people, people. It should go without saying, if you look after your people, your customers and bottom line will ...Read More »
Seychelles Unveils New Website
The Seychelles Tourism Department has launched its official website allowing the general public and trade partners to have easier access to information on the department's role, as well as the different services it offers. The Tourism Department falls within the ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #17
My quote for this week is repeated often by many serious leaders:- "The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice we give to others." I've no idea who first echoed these wise words, but suffice to say, ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #16
Talk is easy. Walking the talk is more difficult. The Seychelles business community does not talk for the sake of talking, they put their money where their mouth is and help create the economy of the country and provide employment. ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #15
Change, for the benefit of the country, and change for the betterment of the People is necessary to avoid stagnation, which is often the result of the same old record playing for much too long. This statement leads to my ...Read More »
Seychelles and China Sign Tourism Agreement
Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Seychelles' Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine and Dr Li Jinzao, the Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation. The MoU was signed ...Read More »
Africa Hotel Valuation Index 2017
HVS, the global hospitality consulting firm and host of the THINC Africa conference, launched their 2017 African Hotel Valuation Index (HVI) at the conference. This year sees the fourth edition of the African HVI, which includes more markets and increasing ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #14
My quote for this week is another one by the legendary Nelson Mandela as he worked to get more people to join the public life of his country. "No Single Person, No Body of Opinion, No Political Doctrine, No Religious ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #13
My quote for this week's report is one by the Bishop Denis Wiehe, the very respected Roman Catholic Bishop of Port Victoria from his 2013 New Year Message. "Respect for each person is the basis for true democracy" Often and ...Read More »
Seychelles Tourism Signs MOU with Seoul Tourism
Sherin Francis, Chief Executive officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Tourism Association (STA), while on a working visit to Korea. The MOU was counter signed by Mr Jeongrok Park, the Vice ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #12
Hate has no home in the lives of those who value inclusion, tolerance and random acts of kindness. Many may be familiar with the song lyrics, "Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me." Many of you share ...Read More »
Seychelles Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Korea Office
Sherin Francis, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board heads to Seoul in Korea for what is being described as a 'major mission' for the period 28th August to the 2nd of September. The working visit by Mrs Francis coincides ...Read More »
Seychelles Tourism Board Relocates
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) will soon be running its operations to market and promote the Seychelles islands as a tourist destination from a new location. The STB will be moving from the Espace building in Victoria, on Mahé Island, where ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #11
I am starting the 11th edition of the Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report with a quote from the respected Mahatma Gandhi: "Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #10
My 8th Report concerning the lack of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Seychelles prompted significant feedback from readers. One particular point that was raised by a troubled reader is that construction companies tend to book a lot of airline ...Read More »
Seychelles to Speak at Pacific Islands Conference
Former Seychelles President James Alix Michel has been invited to attend the 1st High-Level Pacific Blue Economy Conference (PBEC) under the theme 'Sustainable Oceans in a Changing Climate' organised by the Pacific Islands Development Forum to be held in Suva ...Read More »
Saint Ange on Seychelles Tourism Report #9
I begin this report with a well-known quote from the great philosopher, Socrates: "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser." Following a discussion last week on the economic status of our island Nation, Air Seychelles confirmed ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #8
I start this edition with a quote I really appreciate from Winston Churchill: "You cannot reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks." Whether the masses realize it yet or not, Seychelles is facing challenging ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #7
Reactions from my Fifth Tourism Report revealed a marked interest across the board concerning the exorbitant costs of building material on Praslin and La Digue Islands. Government fees and levies on barges and cargo boats are crippling the tourism industry ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #6: In Memory of Louis D'Offay
Louis D'Offay, the well-known and highly respected hotelier from the Seychelles island of Praslin, died on the 18th July 2017 leaving the industry he led for many years in shock and dismay. Louis, the much-loved tourism personality, was a father and ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #5
Among the varied suggestions arising my last Report is the proposal for a Tourism Conference, an idea that I have been toying with ever since. The discussion in last week's Report regarding the proposed ring-road from Anse Lazio to Mont ...Read More »
Hotel Valuation Index: Africa
The third edition of the HVS/STR African Hotel Valuation Index offers critical information on 21 African hotel markets and the countries, including hotel value changes and projections through 2016 and intelligence on market dynamics. Numerous factors influence the value of ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #4
My 3rd Tourism Report prompted much feedback from loyal readers. One key point that was raised by many readers was the general and pervasive loss of respect for one another in the Seychelles. This was highlighted by stories of the ...Read More »
Saint Ange Tourism Report #3
Welcome to Edition 3 of the Saint Ange Tourism Report from Seychelles. By Alain St.Ange. Many thanks for all the feedback and good wishes. To the tourism trade and your staff members in Seychelles, I can only reinforce that we are ...Read More »
UNWTO Candidate St.Ange on Labour Day 2017
Monday 01 May 2017 – International Labour Day is Workers Day and the Global Tourism Industry is proud to be associated with such a worthy event. These were the words echoed by Alain St.Ange, one of the six candidates vying for the ...Read More »
The Race for UNWTO Secretary-General
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) announced the names of seven candidates who will be competing in the race for the top tourism industry post of Secretary-General to replace Taleb Rifai when his term ends in December this year. ...Read More »
Seychelles-Kenya Talks to Boost Aviation and Tourism
Thu, 06 April 2017 – Seychelles and Kenya have made great strides in further consolidating bilateral relations during President Danny Faure's State Visit to Kenya. Some of the key agreements made by the two Heads of State have already transpired into concrete actions following bilateral talks on Monday. ...Read More »
IGLTA Issues Statement on UNWTO SG
John Tanzella, the President/CEO of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (ILGTA), has issued a statement to remind the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) member countries of the importance of this niche tourism sector ahead of the upcoming UNWTO Secretary-General ...Read More »
Kenya Represented on WTFL Advisory Board
Since launching in 2009, the World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) has been professionally supported by an international Advisory Board. Jacinta Nzioka of the Kenya Tourism Board has become the Advisory Board's newest member. WTFL said that after a detailed talent search ...Read More »
PMAESA Endorses Alain St.Ange for UNWTO Top Post
The Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), based in Mombassa, Kenya, has pledged its support of Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Ports are an ...Read More »
Camaraderie in Race for UNWTO Top Post
A wonderful demonstration of ethics and values was evident at the launch of the campaign hosted by the Brazilian Ambassador in Spain for the upcoming elections for the post of Secretary-General for the UNWTO by Marcio Favilla at the Brazil ...Read More »
Seychelles Candidate for UNWTO Secretary General heads for Madrid
Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the UNWTO, left the Seychelles on Monday afternoon via Ethiopian Airlines and arrived in Madrid last night, ready to present his official documents and formalise his candidature this week. As he ...Read More »
Seychelles Minister of Tourism Resigns
News broke earlier today that Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles had presented his letter of resignation to President Danny Faure, President of the Republic of Seychelles. According to the Seychelles News Agency, a statement from the president's office on ...Read More »
Seychelles Debates 2017 Tourism Marketing Strategies
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) organised its end of year marketing meeting last week aimed at informing the representatives of the tourism trade on the various developments taking place on the key markets. The meeting is also known to be ...Read More »
Seychelles Welcomes Qatar Airways Inaugural Flight
Qatar Airways landed in Seychelles on Monday 12 December on what was the start of their seven weekly flights to the mid-ocean islands. After the four hours flight from Doha in Qatar, the airline was given a warm welcome inclusive of ...Read More »
Seychelles Message on World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day message from Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles – islands dependent on their tourism industry. As the world marks Tourism Day it is important for us in Seychelles to say "Happy Tourism Day" to each and ...Read More »
Seychelles Reflects on Sainthood of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, the nun whose work with the dying and destitute of Kolkata made her a global icon of Christian charity, was made a saint on Sunday 04 September 2016 – Read more at: www.seychellesnewsagency.com The Republic of Seychelles ...Read More »
Seychelles has Best Air Quality in the World
According to recent findings of the Environmental Performance Index, Seychelles has been found to possess the best quality of air on the planet, scoring a massive 98.24% overall out of 100. Seychelles topped the list of a total of 180 ...Read More »
'My Seychelles Experience' Video Competition Heats Up
Four finalists have been selected in the 'My Seychelles Experience' International Video Competition, which was launched globally by the Seychelles Tourism Board on 29th July 2015 and ended on 29th January 2016, for a chance to win an all-inclusive VIP ...Read More »
Seychelles Carnival 2016
The Seychelles Tourism Board has confirmed the dates of the 2016 edition of the island's Carnaval International de Victoria, the event set to continue to bring together the different cultures and people from around the world to one place. Dubbed ...Read More »
Seychelles Tourism On Global Islands Partnership
Minister of Tourism & Culture of Seychelles, Alain St.Ange had the honour last week to be appointed as Senior Advisor of Small Islands Eco-Marine Tourism Development for Nias Islands of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. The partnership has been initiated ...Read More »
Seychelles Minister Alain St.Ange Acknowledges Awards
"The 2015 Tourism Eminent Achiever Award in Africa is a sign of appreciation for one's work", said Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. Minister Alain St.Ange added another prestigious accolade to his already impressive collection, ...Read More »
Seychelles Renews Links with Notting Hill Carnival
Representatives of UK's Notting Hills Carnival Roadshow and Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria met in London to discuss their future cooperation. Claire Holder of the UK's Notting Hill Carnival and Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and ...Read More »
A good tourism industry is good for Seychelles
"A good tourism industry is good for Seychelles and each citizen should bear this in mind". The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St.Ange echoed these words during an interview he gave on the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation's popular News ...Read More »
Seychelles Tourism Board brings trade on SA road show
Main image: Seychelles travel trade participants from the 2014 South African road show. The Seychelles Tourism Board and 15 trade partners will be heading to South Africa next week to market the destination and generate business for the destination's product ...Read More »
Seychelles Biggest Event a Success
For decades the Seychelles has seen activities and events being organized but never before has one event captured the imagination of the people of Seychelles and earned their support. The launch of the Carnaval International de Victoria five years ago ...Read More »
World Travel Awards in Seychelles
Mr Graham E. Cooke, the President of the World Travel Group, the organisers of the World Travel Awards has confirmed during the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin that he would be staging the 2015 Awards in the sought after ...Read More »
South Africa & Seychelles Cooperate
Tourism Ministers Derek Hanekom of South Africa and Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles met in Berlin as they led their country's delegations to ITB. The two tourism ministers had met recently in Johannesburg and this Berlin meeting was an ideal ...Read More »
Southern Africa: Island hopping at its best
The Southern Africa region consists of 15 countries, including Madagascar; Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania – perfect island hopping destinations. By Kwakye Donkor. The Southern Africa region consists of 15 countries, namely, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, ...Read More »
Praslin Culinary & Arts Fiesta – Seychelles
A team from the Seychelles Tourism Academy working on the Praslin Culinary and Arts Fiesta, was on the island at the end of last week to update their Praslin partners and hoteliers on the latest developments and what remains to ...Read More »
Art in the Seychelles
Seychelles is renown as a 'melting pot of cultures' but there's also a rich tapestry of artistic creativity scattered about this Indian Ocean paradise that attracts an eclectic mix of artists and sculptors who can best be described as bohemian. ...Read More »
UK trade rates Seychelles in Top 10
The UK travel trade has rated Seychelles amongst the Top 10 destinations in the world for the best wedding and honeymoon experience for 2014. The results have been published in the Perfect Places magazine which comes out once a year ...Read More »
Property Review – Kempinski Seychelles
If a 6-star grading exists for accommodation establishments in the Seychelles, that would be my rating for this superb resort. From the friendly and efficient attention of staff on check-in to the luxurious room amenities, wide ranging facilities and ample ...Read More »
Durban to Seychelles Yacht Race Announced
The 'EAST 3 ROUTE' Organisation of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, Swaziland, Mozambique and Seychelles met with business community leaders in the Seychelles, on the sidelines of the Carnival International de Victoria 2014 – duing which a Durban to Seychelles Yacht Race ...Read More »
Seychelles Launches 'Kiddies' Carnival
The 2014 edition of the annual Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria is all set for its official opening on Friday the 25 April. This year the carnival is being jointly co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte and South Africa KwaZulu ...Read More »
Seychelles delegation ready for La Reunion island's Festival "Liberté Métisse''
Seychelles is marking its presence at the La Reunion island's Festival Liberté Métisse (mixed freedom) with a twenty member delegation. Upon confirming its attendance at this year's fourth edition of the Festival, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture officially announced the ...Read More »
Seychelles Creolization Festival a resounding success
Tourism Tattler was invited by the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange to attend the 2013 Festival Kreol, which took place in Victoria, Mahé from 25 to 31 October. Tattler journalist and photographer couple, Jeannie and Keith ...Read More »
Seychelles born Marketing Specialist receives Australian recognition
The Ashdown-Ingram 2013 National Conference that was recently held in Melbourne brought together the Senior Directors of this Australia wide Company and all Senior Managers from the States of Australia. Ashdown-Ingram celebrated their REACH Gala Dinner with Repco Australia as ...Read More »
SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea… all sails ahoy!
Everyone interested in the sea can finally go to Beau Vallon to the much awaited SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea, being held from Friday 22 November to 24 November at the Regatta site at Beau Vallon, Seychelles. Although ...Read More »
Seychelles Festival Kreol to be launched with 'Grande Case' feel
The annual Festival Kreol is to be staged in Victoria, Seychelles from 25-41 October 2013 and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture have made known that they are planning the Festival Opening Ceremony in the centre of Victoria with a 'Grand ...Read More »
Destination Marketing: The Quest for Funds
Tourism marketing, be it in support of destinations, attractions, airlines, airports, hotels, resorts or events, has become a very expensive game. The ability to reach audiences, attract awareness, excite interest, and ultimately to convert into action – arrivals, bookings, bed-nights, ...Read More »
Magic Circus coming to Seychelles
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture together with the support of dedicated partners have confirmed that they will be hosting the Magic Circus of Samoa, on 20 September 2013. The people of Seychelles will ...Read More »
Elsia Grandcourt takes over as Director for Africa at UNWTO
Taleb Rifai, the Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) announced at the 20th General Assembly of the UNWTO that Elsia Grandcourt, the former CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board had been appointed as the new Director ...Read More »
Seychelles elected on the Executive Council of the UNWTO
Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture who was leading an important delegation to the 20th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) did his country proud when the Seychelles candidature was successful ...Read More »


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In a lot of ways, dealing with a birthday party for kids is a lot easier than a party for adults. Since they don't drink or smoke, there are no wine stains or gross cigarette butts to pick up. And while talking to a kid may sometimes feel as painful as talking to your husband's dull-as-dishwater boss, he won't hold it against you if you yawn mid-conversation.
On the other hand, adults at parties rarely throw tantrums, spit out their food or get so excited that they pee. You take the good with the bad.
If you're planning a birthday party for a child, there's definitely going to be some collateral damage. Coming up are 10 ways to make sure that your house doesn't look like a war zone after all the kids go home. At the very least, we'll help you get it back to normal as quickly as possible.


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Article update – A very knowledgeable reader (Nick, in the comments below) pointed out that while the information below is correct, it is incomplete. Dispensaries are not required to capture name and ID number for recreational sales, but they are required to ensure that they do not sell the same customer more than 7 grams of flower (or four immature plants) in a day. This is what the current temporary rules say on page 10:
(5) A dispensary is not required to maintain a record of the name of the individual to whom a limited marijuana retail product was sold but the dispensary must have a system in place that is outlined in their policies and procedures for ensuring that an individual is not sold more than one-quarter ounce of dried leaves and flowers in a day or more than four immature plants.
This of course creates a logistical issue. I'm told that some dispensaries take pictures of people to get around this, but a lot of dispensaries ask for ID to get enough info from it to fulfill the temporary rule listed above. I want to apologize to Nick, I know he received some flack for what he was pointing out, but he is 100% right.
I have been receiving e-mails from readers in Oregon who are alarmed by dispensaries asking for their IDs when they purchase recreational marijuana. 'I do not want my ID number and info on some list for the government to maintain' is a common statement that people say. And understandably so. It's great to be able to buy recreational marijuana, but if that comes with being put into some database where all of your purchases are tracked, then is it worth it?
And that of course doesn't even touch on the fact that we live in an age where identity theft is all too common. If dispensaries capture personal information and don't take the proper steps to safeguard it, that one purchase at a dispensary could potentially lead to some serious issues down the road. I do know that there are dispensaries out there that are going as far as taking a photocopy of IDs from customers, with others just typing in all of the info, and others just writing down some stuff but not capturing everything from the ID.
So what is required from dispensaries in Oregon that sell recreational marijuana to customers? Below is info from the FAQ section on the Oregon Health Authority's website:
Q. Are dispensaries required to record the names of those purchasing recreational marijuana?
A. No. A dispensary is not required to document the names of retail customers who purchase recreational marijuana products. However, the transaction must be captured in the Point of Sale system and include the following:
- The type of marijuana product sold
- The amount of marijuana product sold
- The birth date of the individual who bought the product
- The sale price
- The date of the sale
As you can see, the name of the customer is not required to be captured, nor is their ID number required. Dispensaries obviously have to check your ID to ensure that you are over 21, but they are not required to write down your ID number, and certainly aren't required to photocopy your license, per the state agency that is in charge of overseeing recreational sales. At least, until the OLCC takes over.


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I'm not sure if this news is welcome or distressing to Bitcoin's hardcore libertarian ideologues, but the U.S. Justice Department and the SEC are about to give the virtual currency their blessing as offering a "legitimate" financial service, according to representatives from both agencies. That news helped to briefly drive the price of Bitcoin above $900 yesterday.
Of course, the U.S. government now has skin in the game. After shutting down Silk Road, an illegal drug trafficking website, the FBI walked away with the site's Bitcoin stash, which amounted to about 1.5% of all Bitcoins in circulation.
If the government accepts Bitcoin as legitimate, half the gritty, underground appeal is gone. But for optimistic Bitcoin buyers, acceptance by the suits is a bullish sign of broadening demand for the anti-currency.
Demand from China helps, too. BTC China recently because the world's largest Bitcoin exchange, overtaking Mt. Gox of Japan, and is using venture capital money to expand.
So, what's the story here? Has the anti-currency come of age? Is Bitcoin "a thing" now?
No, it's not. Frankly, it's asinine, but I'll get to that in a moment.
If you want to join the speculation party, be my guest. The "value" of a Bitcoin in dollar terms has tripled in the past month as the price has gone parabolic. Who's to say it can't triple again in the next month?
But don't put any money in Bitcoin that you can't afford to lose. Bitcoins lost about 75% of their value in April, and at the time its price was less than half what it is today.
Furthermore, the arguments backing the currency are flimsy at best.
The Flawed Argument for Bitcoin
Let's start with its role as an anti-currency untainted by the world's central banks and their quantitative easing.
If investors truly were concerned about debasement of the currency and a loss of purchasing power, then the prices of gold and other monetary precious metals would be rising.
They're not.
After a brief blip this past summer, the price of gold has resumed the downtrend that started in October of last year. Gold is down about 30% in the past 13 months. Silver's decline has been even more devastating, off about 40% since last October. Platinum? The price action has been a little more volatile, but platinum is also down about 20%. (ZeroHedge puts this into wonderful visual perspective in a recent post.)
I'm not the biggest fan of gold as an inflation and currency hedge. If I want to be out of the mainstream financial system, I prefer to buy something with tangible value, such as land or rental real estate. Gold collects no interest or rent, and in the event that all hell broke loose and society collapsed into anarchy (a perpetual Mad Max goldbug fantasy, it seems) gold would be as useless as paper currency.
The only currency that would have any value would be shotgun shells.
But all of that said, if Bitcoin were rising due to "fundamental reasons," such as currency debasement, then precious metals should be following. The fact that they are not makes the rally highly suspect.
Furthermore, while the "full faith and credit" of the United States of America might not mean as much as it used to in the era of government shutdowns and default scares, what exactly are you putting your faith in with Bitcoin? An algorithm? The generous spirit of anarcho-libertarian hackers?
Given its anti-establishment ethos, you're getting into bed with people with a questionable respect for the law. Earlier this month, a Chinese Bitcoin exchange "disappeared," taking more than $4 million in Bitcoins with it. And this happened just days after a hacker stole $1.3 million in Bitcoins from an Australian online bank.
Bottom Line
Bitcoin is a bubble. Of course, bubbles can be fun, and it's possible to make a killing in them. Plenty of speculators walked away from the greatest bubbles in history -- everything from the Dutch tulip bulb bubble to the 1990s Internet bubble -- laughing all the way to the bank.
So, I'm not going to wag my finger and tell you not to speculate. But I do recommend only trading with money you can afford to lose.
And most importantly, take profits along the way.
Charles Lewis Sizemore, CFA, is the chief investment officer of the investment firm Sizemore Capital Management. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Click here to receive his FREE 8-part investing series that will not only show you which sectors will soar, but also which stocks will deliver the highest returns. This series starts Nov. 5 and includes a FREE copy of his 2014 Macro Trend Profit Report.