text:
If you read my blog, you probably already know about the carnage that hit the world and the futures markets today, and might be looking to see how I plan to trade this market. Maybe the Spec has some well thought out game plan to make loads of money tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I do not. My focus now is on capital preservation, not hitting the jackpot. While it is true that fortunes can be made on panic driven days like tomorrow is sure to be, they can just as easily be lost.
I have placed logical stops on my three small long positions, and plan to do little else by way of trading. I am not going to watch any stocks on my watchlist. If I do get the itch to trade, I will make sure to use extremely small position size and will only trade index or sector ETFs.


text:
The story takes us back to 1542 when "El Mozo" as he was nicknamed, Francisco de Montejo founded Merida, a Spanish colonial city that exudes tradition in its streets, plazas and avenues, which belies its cosmopolitan reality. Its reputation of peace and serenity has led many Mexicans to move there, looking for the security long lost in the major cities. Not only Mexicans but also Europeans and Americans seeking something more than sun, sea and sand, are beginning to gravitate to this enchanted city, captivated by its nightlife, theater, cinema, street performers, restaurants, and people watching. Being a university town, keeps a younger spirit, intermixed with locals, expatriates, businessmen and outlying Indians dressed in their traditional garb, selling their wares on the streets and plazas. Merida is also well known for its textiles, leather and handicrafts, which are very reasonably priced, due to it's being off the tourist route. This is an old, well kept, clean and lovely city, which has something for everyone, and deserves at least a three day stay, especially on a Sunday, to get to know it better.
That's why, every year possible, Bill Milligan M.D. returns to this city with his huaraches, seeking the perfect shine, only to be found in the main plaza, with its variety of shoe shine boys and men. His latest pair of huaraches was bought on his previous trip in February of this year, while attending Merida's five day carnival. Since that time he hasn't had a shine. He loves his huaraches and they have become his summer and spring favorites, as he says, their simplicity, soft leather and comfort, become a natural extension of his feet, whether walking short or long distances, around the house or outside working in the yard. The soles are made of old, thick tire treads, which last forever, and the uppers, of soft, pliable leather, that molds to the foot and allows the environment to flow through, cooling and massaging the foot. Were it not for the cold weather, he would live in them year around.
At times he sounds like a tour guide for Merida, obviously in love with this city, and enjoying his return to "center city", reminding him of previously living in Philadelphia, and now living in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. His previous carnival trip here, he describes as civilized and both adult and family oriented, which he viewed from the balcony of his hotel, overlooking the carnival route, while enjoying a glass of vino. He was "hooked" on Merida after his last trip, thinking of what it would be like to own a center city, Spanish courtyard type of house, perhaps converting it to a wine bar with local artists decorating the massive interior courtyard walls with their indigenous and more sophisticated pieces of art. He's a dreamer, but a realist, and has seen many previous dreams come to fruition with time.
The culinary delights of this city are impressive, with regional Mayan dishes predominating, but tucked away are special jewels, of which our favorite was Amaro, serving a combination of regional and vegetarian dishes in a large courtyard, under a huge hundred year old tree, while listening to a guitarist sing beautiful Cuban ballads. This became our respite from the outside and sometimes noisy city. Once you walk through the ancient wooden doors and take that first sip of vino, you are transported to another time, limited only by your imagination. Restaurant Amaro, was an eighteenth century mansion, where Andres Quintana Roo was born, a journalist, poet and dreamer, and where his spirit still lingers in that courtyard. He became an Ambassador and congressman with a devout social sensitivity, which eventually led to the southern part of the Yucatan, being named after him.
Two vinos later we exited those ancient walls and headed for the main plaza, with one thing in mind, ShoeShine, shoeshine and shoeshine. We weren't disappointed, as the plaza was full of people, activity, and shoeshiners. Now came the hard part, which one could take on the task of lovingly clean, rehydrate and shine my most coveted pair of shoes. Finding the right person requires the analytical mind to step aside and permit the right brain to intuit the correct path, which occurred within minutes of entering the plaza. Even haggling over the price was avoided, as he knew he would get the "gringo fee", but it was OK. Twenty pesos seemed a fair price, the equivalent of one dollar and sixty cents, and it was settled.
As he sat back in the chair on that beautiful, sunny day, in that lovely tree lined plaza, I knew everything would be fine. Dialogue was minimal, he knew he had a task in front of him, and here sat a foreigner with a Latina, which was probably a bit discombobulating for him, but it would all be over in a matter of fifteen or twenty minutes and he would be putting a twenty peso bill in his pocket. As he began cleaning one shoe, it was evident that he was serious about his work, rarely looking up, even when hit with mundane questioning.
Stepping down off the chair, it was obviously one of the best shoe shines he had ever had in Mexico. That sense of guilt about not taking care of my huaraches was now gone, and he felt relief, at least for the present, before he started putting them through the everyday grind again. Now it was time to enjoy the delights of the plaza and its people.
All over the plaza, activity was buzzing, from the vendors with their small stands, selling handmade jewelry, purses and clothing, to the taco stands with their mixture of aromas, beckoning one to step closer for further gustatory inspection. All ages, sizes, shapes, and colors were represented, many with traditional Indian garb from their respective villages, each unique in its own way. Classical music could be heard coming from a remote area of the square, which was the Friday afternoon special, presented by the local orchestra. Looking across the square, one could see them, all in starched uniforms, seated underneath one of the large arches of a government building. Another small group, with men in all white garb and women in beautifully embroidery dresses were wandering around the plaza, playing folkloric music and dancing from Oaxaca. This was a special group, specially trained in regional music and dance, which came from Mexico City as a cultural exchange program with Merida. After strolling through the plaza, we headed for the sorbet café, located outside and underneath one of the grand arches, where we indulged in a mango sorbet and double espresso.
The main plaza in Merida, built by the Spaniards, houses a magnificent Cathedral, the oldest in Latin America, along with an imposing two story governmental building, the Palacio municipal, which occupies one complete side of the plaza. Lovers chairs are sprinkled around the interior of the plaza, where young and old alike, sit facing each other but separated physically by a concrete arm, which insures minimal touch, in case the chaperones attention has been diverted. This is a place for one to go sit, relax, walk; people watch or play, if of the appropriate age. There is a civility here, which is accepted by all, and makes this a very special place for people to congregate. Merida has all the trappings of a bustling little city, whether it be a new and imposing Theatre, an old and prestigious University in downtown, an up and coming art district, impressive museums, numerous café and espresso bars, restaurants of all varieties, art galleries, major department stores (Sears, Liverpool, Homedepot,etc.), and a fine cigar and wine bar. It has a bit of everything for everyone and surely deserves a stay, making sure a Sunday is included, as streets are closed, traffic diverted, and pedestrians and bicycle riders take to the streets. And when tired of the urban life, take to the highways, as the surrounding terrain extending from Merida outwards for a one to two hour journey, is loaded with interesting towns and ruins, many still undiscovered, and lovely people who complete this archaic journey back to pre-Columbian times.
Bill Milligan and Yndiana Montes thank SEFOTUR for their support on this trip. Also Maison Lafitte and Hotel Intercontinental Presidente for their stay; as well as Turistransmerida for their transportation from Merida to Chichen Itza.
Amaro Restaurant: Calle 69 by 60 and 62. Centro Histórico, Merida.
Text and photos: Bill & Yndie

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ready-to-wear style commentary by Melissa Ogier
In New York: André Leon Talley & Andrew Bolton talk Rei Kawakubo
Fashion diaries out, please. On 18 June, André Leon Talley, Contributing Editor of Vogue, will be in conversation with Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute at The Met. Together they will discuss the work of Rei Kawakubo as well as the curation, design, and major themes of the exhibition, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des […]More


text:
COMM to COSTA RICA
Our next COMM to Costa Rica trip begins:
COMM to Costa Rica 2018
Students enrolled in Intercultural Communication (COMM335) and students enrolled in Tourism Communication (COMM485) took part in an adventure of a lifetime. We traveled to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. We visited tourism sites, interacted with Ticos, and reflected on intercultural interactions to help apply course concepts to real life. We participated in eco-tourism, sustainable-tourism, and cultural tourism. And overall, we were very Pura Vida.
COMM to Costa Rica 2019
Students enrolled in Framing Pura Vida (COMM289) will travel to the beautiful country of Costa Rica over Spring Break. You will experience the Pura Vida lifestyle first-hand. Additionally, you'll gain hands-on knowledge as you witness the course concepts come to life in real application. This is a high-impact course, which will impact the rest of your life. You'll understand Pura Vida; you'll become Pura Vida.
Why Costa Rica?
Pura Vida Life
Bang for you Buck
Delicious Coffee
Natural Beauty
"This was the most incredible and epiphany-filled journey I have ever been on."
"Costa Rica was an absolute dream. The people blew my expectations out of the water. They were more than just welcoming, they were kind and caring and so loving of our entire group."
Going on this trip has been my best decision in college by far.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the hotels. The staff was so incredibly welcoming, accommodating and loving to us and the actual rooms themselves were pretty nice.
COMM to Costa Rica gave me an incredible opportunity to travel and learn about a new culture, while also making friends with people I otherwise never would have met. I will forever value the experiences I had during our trip and the knowledge that I gained from the class component of 485 as well.
Costa Rica is truly an incredible experience!
Certain views, especially on the bus ride up to La Fortuna, were so gorgeous that I really had a hard time believing that people actually get to live here and see such a wonderful sight every time they go to the store. NOTE TO TARVIN: YOU'RE FOREVER THE BEST PROFESSOR AT TAMU. A LEGEND. Thanks for being so relatable, caring, and cool.
For future travelers, here are some expectations you might have. I will confirm or deny their validity:
Costa Rican food is probably like Mexican food.
True and false. Sure, there is rice, beans, and chicken. I suppose that is like Mexican food, but it is NOT This was an expectation I did not even realize I had; I expected spicy, flavorful food. Most of the food is pretty bland, and salt and pepper have to be requested (they don't just sit on the table in most places). Expect some really incredible, exotic fruit, though.
Costa Rica is lush and wet.
It rained a few days while we were there, even though it was not the rainy season. Everything was lush and green. It was beautiful.
Sloths everywhere.
I thought sloths were going to be like squirrels or raccoons, but during the entire trip I only saw one from a distance. Same thing for monkeys, until we went to Manuel Antonio! There were a lot of monkeys there. Still no sloths, though.
My showers will be lukewarm at best.
False. I had perfectly hot showers every night, except for one night.
Why Study Abroad?
Discover yourself while learning global perspectives
Cultural Discovery
Enjoy incredible new foods, customs, and traditions
Social Connections
Meet new friends that will be lifelong
Future Graduate Programs
Proves commitment to learning new perspectives
Future Employment
Employers want diverse perspectives and proof of your commitment to growth
Trip Itinerary
Fly to Costa Rica
Depart Houston and arrive in San Jose!
Walking tour of San Jose.
Travel to Northern Region
Bus trip over the beautiful mountains to the North.
Visit small towns along the way (including Sarchi, Grecia, and Zarcero).
Arrive in La Fortuna.
School Visits
Visit the Green Forest School in the morning (K-11).
Visit the Universidad Tecnica Nacional in the afternoon.
Relax and enjoy the Hot Springs in the evening!
Travel to Monteverde
Hike through the rain forest to the Lava Flows on Arenal Volcano.
Bus ride around Arenal Lake and up the mountain to Monteverde.
Night hike through the Cloud Forest!
Witness the Southern Cross (the Southern Hemisphere's version of the Northern Lights).
Santa Elena Cloud Forest
Hike through the beautiful Santa Elena Cloud Forest.
Be on the lookout for the rare, beautiful Quetzal bird.
Participate in Sustainable Tourism by planting trees in the reserve.
Travel to the Beach
Arrive in Jaco region (Playa Hermosa)
Enjoy the peaceful Aerial Tram through the Rainforest.
Have fun on the Crocodile & Bird Boat Tour down the Tarcoles River.
Beach Day
Visit Manuel Antonio National Park (the most beautiful beach). Watch out for the monkeys, raccoons, and iguanas trying to steal lunch.
Enjoy appetizers at El Avion restaurant.
Return to San Jose for end-of-trip celebrations.
Paint your very own Oxcart wheel! (Oxcarts are the national symbol for the country due to the importance of coffee exports).
Coffee Tours at Britt Coffee (mmm, it's delicious).
Costa Rican folklore evening and fun dinner at Mirador Tiquicia.
Fly home
Leave San Jose and arrive back in Houston


text:
Wizard of Oz Festival coming June 20-21
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the "Wizard of Oz," Downtown Development Authority Director Linda Curtis has worked to organize the Wizard of Oz Festival.
The festival will take place June 20-21, and will feature a number of events and activities throughout Ionia.
The guest of honor for the Wizard of Oz Festival is Mary Ellen St. Aubin, who is the wife of the late Parnell St. Aubin, who played a munchkin in the original "Wizard of Oz" film.
"Mary Ellen was born on Sept. 21, 1920, and began her professional acting career at the age of only 13. Her petite stature of 44 inches provided the opportunity to perform with various dance troupes throughout the nation. In 1946, she made her movie debut in 'Three Wise Fools,'" Curtis said.
In November 1947, the St. Aubins married. Parnell St. Aubin was 16 when he traveled to Hollywood to become one of the 124 original munchkin soldiers for the "Wizard of Oz" film, according to Curtis.
"Following the production of the soldier scenes, he returned to his hometown of Chicago and began work at Pullman Aircraft, which supplied planes for World War II. Following the war, Parnell again returned to his professional acting career and became the advertising spokesperson for several companies, including Sherwin Williams," said Curtis.
Mary Ellen St. Aubin will be available throughout the festival for attendees to meet, Curtis said.
Events will kick off at 11 a.m. June 20 with a meet-and-greet session with official "Wizard of Oz" characters at the Ionia McDonald's. At 2 p.m. June 20 and 4 p.m. June 21, the "Wizard of Oz" will be playing at the Ionia Theatre. In addition, there will be a free "Meet, Greet and Photo Shoot" event at Walgreens from 6 to 7 p.m. June 20.
"Admission is only 25 cents to the movie in honor of the ticket prices when it was released in 1939," Curtis said.
At 4 p.m., there will be pie judging contest at Aunt Stephie's restaurant. To participate in the Auntie Em's Pie Baking Contest costs $3, and will include only fruit pies. Participants can only enter one pie into the contest, and will be judged on presentation, crust, overall taste, consistency, texture and creativity. All winners will receive a ribbon, and the overall winner and first place winner will receive a gift package.
From 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 20, the Music on the Green Evening of Praise concert will be going on, and individuals should bring their own lawn chairs.
Events June 21 will start with the Snap Fitness Caregiver Awareness .1k, 1k and 5k and also, there will be a drive at Michigan One Community Credit Union where individuals can drive a vehicle to support a non-profit organization. This will last until 2 p.m.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21, there will be the "Auntie Em's Quilt Show" at the Blanchard House, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., it will be Buddy Poppy Donation Day. All poppy donation proceeds will be directed toward supporting local veterans.
Throughout the day June 21, there will be a souvenir booth featuring "Wizard of Oz" collectibles and memorabilia, as well as specialty concessions, an Emerald City Jewelry Emporium at Dood's Jewelry, a vintage trailer display and a visiting session with International Wizard of Oz Club Membership Chair Karen Owens.
The Dorothy look-alike contest will begin at 10 a.m. at Promo Print and Stitches II, and the Wicked Witch look-alike contest will be held at the same time at the Ionia Theatre. From 11 a.m. to noon, there will be a Scarecrow and Professor Marvel look-alike contest at the Blanchard House, and a Glinda look-alike contest at Pizza Hut.
Look-alike contest participants are encouraged to dress and act like their character, said Curtis, and also should be able to recite a line from the moving matching their character. No live animals will be permitted, so Toto representatives must be stuffed animals, according to Curtis. Look-alike contests will be available for Dorothy, Glinda, the Wicked Witch, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Wizard of Oz/Professor Marvel.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Touch-A-Truck, sponsored by the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative, will be hosted at the Ionia Community Library, and the Friends of the Ionia Community Library will be hosting a book sale at the library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, the Friends of the Ionia Community Library will be hosting children's activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Library Street.
At 11:15 a.m. June 21, there will be a meet-and-greet session at Michigan One Community Credit Union featuring Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Wicked Witch.
At noon, the Masters of Mayhem will be hosting a "hurl challenge" in the Steele Street corridor, and from noon to 6 p.m. the Civil Air Patrol Wizards of Science will host activities on the corner of Dexter and Main streets, such as stomp rockets.
From 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., individuals can meet the official "Wizard of Oz" characters at Pizza Hut.
At 1 p.m., the Soap Box Derby will begin on Depot Street, and at 1:45 p.m., the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion look-alike contests will be held at the Lamplight Grill.
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. there will be "Music on the Bricks" at Main Street Music, and at 3 p.m., all contest winners from the festival will be announced at the Ionia Theatre.
In addition, there will be a silent auction at the Blanchard House from 1 to 5 p.m.
For the event, downtown businesses are able to sponsor a lamppost or participate in a window decoration contest promoting the festival. Windows will be judged based on their creativity, use of space, theme and overall impression. The top three window displays will receive ribbons, and the overall favorite will receive a trophy.
Lamppost decorating is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. June 19 and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 20. Decorations must have a Wizard of Oz theme, and clean-up is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23. The cost to enter is $20 per lamppost, and applications are due June 15.
Curtis is seeking vendors to participate in the festival June 21, and can cover a variety of areas from shabby chic to commercial to antiques.
"We want downtown businesses to participate in the contests and get involved with the festival," Curtis said.
Two T-shirts will be created for the event, one with a sponsor showcase and the other featuring downtown Ionia. The shirt will say, "75 Year Journey" and "Macatawa to Ionia."
"Frank Baum summered in Macatawa in the time when his books on the 'Wizard of Oz' were written," said Curtis.
From 1899 to 1909, L. Frank Baum and his family would take the steamship from Chicago to stay at their cottage in Macatawa, Michigan.
"Mr. Baum was often seen writing and relaxing on the front porch of the summer home he tenderly named, 'The Sign of the Goose.' Did he pen a portion of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' during this time? We can only imagine that he did. The book was published in 1900 and the movie was released in 1939. Seventy-five years later, the community of Ionia celebrates this special anniversary by hosting a Wizard of Oz Festival," said Curtis.
Sponsors are also needed for the event.
"We are looking for sponsors to help fund celebrities and events," said Curtis.
Forms for sponsors, vendors and those interested in participating in contests are available through Curtis at 616-527-1420 or via email at email@example.com, or on Facebook at "Wizard of Oz Festival - Ionia," where there is a complete schedule of events.


text:
The Spanish exchange students with Laurelhill Community College pupils at City Hall
A windswept visit to the Antrim Coast for Laurelhill pupils and their Spanish link school
YEAR 11 GCSE Spanish students from Laurelhill Community College recently had the exciting opportunity to practise their Spanish whilst showing off all that Northern Ireland has to offer to the foreign traveller.
The College has strong links with a secondary school in Canjayar, Almeria and with the College's foreign friends they visited the famous North Antrim coast.
In addition to this excursion, they visited Queen's University and City Hall whilst taking in the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens along the way.
The Spanish students also had the opportunity to sample some typical fare in an Ulster Fry.
A great time was had by all.
Ulster Star


text:
Published by Sternberg Press, Berlin, 2012, 312 pages (colour & b/w ill.), 18.8 × 25.3 cm, EnglishPrice: €26 (Temporarily out of stock)
An anthology that examines the poetics and politics of interior experience within the frame of contemporary art. Through diverse discursive modes—commissioned essays, conversations and talks, historical writings, and artistic projects—this anthology, the first CCS Readers volume, examines the poetics and politics of interior experience within the frame of contemporary art.
Texts by Anni Albers, Doug Ashford, Gaston Bachelard, Angelo Bellfatto, Nova Benway, Gregg Bordowitz, Johanna Burton, Theresa Choi, Beatriz Colomina, Lynne Cooke, Moyra Davey, Tom Eccles, Diana Fuss, Jennifer Gross, Elizabeth Grosz, Roni Horn, Jenny Jaskey, Susanne Küper, Elisabeth Lebovici, Nathan Lee, Zoe Leonard, Dorit Margreiter, Josiah McElheny, Helen Molesworth, Georges Perec, Juliane Rebentisch, David Reed, Lisa Robertson, Joel Sanders, Virginia Woolf, Amy Zion.


text:
The Best Ideas for Wall Art for Children's Room
Children are very creative, which is why every mother and father should turn the bedrooms of their children into a magical space. Using wall arts or wall decors, decorating your children's bedroom is never too hard. Remember, wall arts or wall decors come from various sizes, patterns, colors, and types that you can choose from and according to the design you want to achieve.
You may be in for more than one refreshment when it comes to decorating your children's rooms when they grow up and develop their own tastes. You may have a budding scientist who wants her wall to have dinosaurs and solar systems.
A kid's room is their safe place for learning and playing and being artistic, so don't shy away from colorful, whimsical artwork and photography waiting to be explored with inspiring scenes from around the world.
For children, the best wall art should be vivid, vibrant, and open up the imagination of your child. Wall art for children should be enjoyable, and fresh new ideas that will make them think should be explored.
If you are interested in turning your child's bedroom into a magical world, here are some of the ideas!
Kid's Drawings or Painting
You don't have to spend a fortune decorating rooms for your kids. And, if your children are old enough, they may also engage in the process of making their own wall art like the one they paint or draw.
Consider converting your child's art into framed art for their bedroom if you want custom wall art. To build an exclusive gallery wall that you'll be proud to show off to friends and family, simply buy identical frames in different sizes. You may also forego the frames and convert the artwork into individual canvases using a top company for printing canvas.
Animal Wall Art
Buying canvas prints of fascinating animals, from lions, tigers, cats to elephants, is intensely intriguing, especially for your kids! If your kids love animals and are interested in images, this animal wall art is a perfect option!
These animals' wall art for sure will capture your little ones' imaginations bringing them to the world of the jungle!
Family Portraits
Adding a touch of your unforgettable family moments makes the child also remember that special event. A captured family photo turned to wall art is another idea you can hang in your child's room. Whether it's a beach day, Thanksgiving day, birthday, family reunion, or just a family time at home, are sure to make your little ones happy!
To get a high-quality printed canvas for a child's room, you can check out Panel Wall Art's custom print service. What makes custom art better is you can have it customized into 3 panel wall art which creates a focal point in their bedroom.
Unicorns, Rainbows, and Fantasy Lands
Awaken the imagination of your little one with wondrous pictures of far-off fantasy lands. For kids, the best wall art can encourage wonder and creative play. Try out smaller wall art pieces depicting unicorns, rainbows, or fairies. Make an enduring impression of fantasy scenes with larger wall art that can add rich color to your children's rooms.
Pet Photos
Does your child have a pet in your home? If they have, take a high-quality photo of your pet and have it printed on canvas. A pet canvas wall art creates a connection to your child, and for sure, this is a treasured item they will have until they get older.
You can take photos of your pet alone or with your child enjoying their morning jogging or playing outside the backyard. All is possible with custom wall art; what you just need is a great photo!
Rocket Ships
This rocket ship's wall art brings your child's imagination to a different dimension they have never seen before. This is an excellent wall art to widens your kid's knowledge.
Likewise, rocket ships are a reminder of the potential for human technological development and the unexplored realms of the universe. In addition, rocket ships have the power to help humanity reach space, a concept that is infinitely thrilling for young boys and girls!
All these ideas of wall art for kids' bedrooms will make your planning and designing easy. If you are looking for a top-notch and trusted company to provide you with premium canvas prints, just contact Panel Wall Art.
Simply search for your canvas wall art on our collections or send your favorite image, choose your desired print size, and place your order! What are you waiting for? Browse our website today!
Source: https://panelwallart.com/blog/


text:
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper.
Conventional wisdom stresses the importance of starting your day with breakfast. But is it really necessary? I often hear from my clients that they are not hungry in the morning or don't have time for breakfast. The research is really clear about the importance of breakfast for many reasons so I always encourage them to try to have some sort of meal before they head out for the day. With a little prep the night before and/or creative thinking, everyone can make breakfast a part of their day. Here are some reasons you should make an effort to include breakfast.
Breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after the overnight fast that happens while you sleep. If you skip breakfast, you are effectively trying to run your body on empty. It's like trying to start the car with no gas.
A large study found those who eat most of their calories in the morning have a lower BMI than people who save their calories for dinner even when they ate a similar number of calories.
Eating a protein filled breakfast (think eggs or protein smoothie) helps keep blood sugar balanced during the day and leaves you feeling full longer (possibly leading to less calorie consumption).
Eating the bulk of your calories for breakfast can lead to greater weight loss over time than filling up at dinner. Breakfast seems to jumpstart your metabolism, leading to greater calorie burn throughout the day.
Breakfast seems to be very important for success in school. A review of 47 studies about breakfast discovered that eating breakfast seems to improve cognitive function related to memory and test grades.
Some good ideas for breakfast include;
- Eggs with whole grain toast.
- Steel cut oats with nuts and berries.
- Quinoa porridge.
- Protein fruit smoothie.
Photo from flickr.


text:
[Written by TurkeyRanch]
The purpose of this thread is to educate the public and membership about the potential health risks of butane created cannabis oil, as well as the dangers of working with the solvent butane itself.
As the popularity of butane honey oil increases, more and more people are trying to create their own at home. This is extremely hazardous for several reasons.
If your thinking about attempting a butane extraction, please read this thread first for your own safety, and the safety of those around you.
Here is Mycotopia's existing Lab Safety thread, please read
This is a thread of reported butane explosions on ICMag.com, updated regularly. There is a new explosion weekly, if not daily at times. READ THIS. There are new accidents reported every 1-3 days. People are dying at an alarming rate. Don't be one of them.
Here are some of the reasons butane is more dangerous than other commonly used solvents:
*Butane has an explosive limit (EL) of 1.8%- 8.4%, which is a wide range, and more dangerously, a very low lower explosive limit (LEL). Meaning as little as 1.8% butane in the atmosphere, and the atmosphere becomes explosive. Because it evaporates so rapidly, it can easily achieve the needed 1.8% quickly even with ventilation, while less volatile solvents evaporate slower making it less likely to achieve an explosive concentration.
*Butane pools, so low ignitions sources like compressors in refrigerators, desktop computer towers, static electricity from clothes or shoes, or pilot lights in stoves or water heaters can cause ignition.
*Butane is a gas at room temperature and pressure, so when released from the can produces a high amount of vapor (and an explosive mixture) rapidly, as opposed to traditional solvents which are typically liquids for longer at 1 atmosphere, and produce vapor slower.
*Butane is odorless, so it is hard to detect concentrations of it.
List of inside ignition sources:
Computer fans
Static spark from clothes
Water heaters
Refrigerator compressors
Oven/heater pilot lights
Playstations/xbox/game system
Battery operated devices
Fans, plugged in appliances
Anything with an electric motor
List of outside ignition sources:
Pool/hot tub pump
Electric fence
Static from clothes
Cig Smokers
* remember butane pools! and can travel distances in concentrations, like into your neighbors yard, and their hot tub pump. . . Boom
Canned butane is poisonous, and produces an unhealthy smoking product.
Don't believe the hype, your "triple refined butane" that the head shop sells still has all kinds of nasty petrochemicals in it as lubrication from the manufacturing and packaging process. FACT: These carcinogens will end up in your oil if you use butane from a can.
Link to butane "mystery oil" byproduct
GCMS mass spec analysis of the lubricant oils used in canned butane ie "mystery oil"
In summary, there were simple Alkanes present as long as C-16, which are not of health concern at the levels present.
In addition there are aromatic Alkenes present, that are of serious concern, but not at levels remotely close to exposure limits.
The concern with those Alkenes is really not reaching toxic limits, but the fact that some are known carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, etc.
IE: Cyclohexane, isocyanato, which most likely came from the gaskets and seals used in the cans and process, because it isn't found naturally in butane.
Nasty bad shit, with an no exposure limits established and an intravenous LD-50 mouse of 13 ppm and present at the level of .000000001728 concentration, or .001728 parts per millionth. That is about 7500 times lower than the LD-50.
Another bad nasty present was Benzenamine, 3,5, at the levels of .035778 parts per billionth, with a Permissible Exposure Limit of 2 ppm TWA for 8 hours. That is 56000 times lower than Permissible Exposure Limits.
Benzene 1,1 showed up at a concentration of .000000003678, or .000003678 PPM, with a Permissible Exposure Limit of 110 ppm TWA 8 hours.
Using plastics like PVC pipe to blast oil leeches weird phthalates in the oil, which are not safe to smoke.
Tips: if you still choose to blast butane oil from cans:
Never extract or evaporate inside any structure.
Extract at least 100 feet from any ignition source.
Evaporate the butane outside, away from ignition sources, until the oil is no longer fluid. DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME, EVER, TO EVAPORATE BUTANE.
Even electric burners can spark if dust or particles fall on the hot surface, causing ignition.
Keep trays of evaporating butane/oil 100 feet from any ignition source.
Use glass extraction tools.
Use a vacuum purging system to completely remove butane, or let oil sit for a minimum of 2 weeks before consumption.
Edited by Sidestreet, 10 July 2015 - 11:19 AM.


text:
I've recently been going through a bit of a 'worrying' phase – issues keep jumping out at me that have taken on a whole new significance now that I am a mum.
One issue that trailed across my mind the other day was triggered when I noticed that some other mummies refer to their 1-year-olds as so-and-so's 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'. All as a bit of fun, but it got me thinking, is this appropriate?
I vividly remember feeling horribly confused at games of 'kiss chase' in the playground at age 5 or 6. I knew my parents wouldn't approve but I didn't want to be left out, I wanted to feel 'liked' but then I was uncomfortable when the boys did catch me.
So, today I pose a question: what do you think is appropriate? Should young children be referred to as 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' by adults? Are childhood games like kiss chase harmful or just innocent fun?


text:
Warning: This post may contain strong notions of nostalgia and love for the Mediterranean life.
Dear Cyprus,
It's been one month since we climbed on a plane and flew away from you. Hold up, scratch that. That was pathetic. Don't expect me to get all cheesy. This isn't quotes from a romantic film. This is simply a reflection of past days, an eternal gratitude for having a dual nationality, and an appreciation for living on the fantastic island of Cyprus for nine years of my life. Read on, I dare you.
Well, with the Sunshine being my constant companion, my days in Cyprus were bright, vibrant and colourful… but as the Sun always sets, there were periods of darkness too, shadows of something less fortunate and alleys that led to nowhere but a dead-end. Combinations of love, hope, elation, rage, grief, disappointment, indifference, and frustration was there. Get real, we face challenges regardless of whether you live on a Mediterranean island or not. Nonetheless, a fraction of my life has been stretched across the perimeters of you, within your Beaches, the fields and the houses of relatives. I called you my home, with your culture running through my blood, your hospitality exuding through my character and your passion for food etching within my personality.
Being an adventurer, I love to travel. Exploring this sweet island of mine was an adventure in itself, even if I was only discovering 9,250 square kilometres of this world. Now that I'm in England, that statistic is increasing, along with more of my global travels, and the travels to come in the future. Cyprus has shaped my childhood, has moulded me into another person that I would not have been if I had stayed in the UK. So, why is this island so important to me? I cannot answer you. To live in a place like Cyprus is living in a holiday destination, only I am not a tourist. I was living on a postcard… A beautiful, picturesque postcard. I was educated there, and I was welcomed there. That's special. It is a place where the humidity was stifling, the air swirled with cigarette smoke and the fresh smells of the salty Sea, and lest we forget, the aroma of food; Our lifeline, our everything.
To conclude: Who am I?
I am a reflection of two diverse nationalities. A mirror into two dimensions of civilisation. I am a TCK- a Third Culture Kid. I'm just another girl who is made of two parts of the world, two cultures, two ideals, parallels and polarities. I am a product of two lifestyles strung together by Fate's industrious hands. Can I fully explain who I am? To you, I'm just a British Cypriot who has alternated between both countries in the 18 years of my life. To me, I am a new version of two places. There have been days of isolation and days of craving memories that are long gone. Fragments of a Universe of opportunities, and times that are over. I told you this wouldn't be cheesy, but I guess I was wrong. Come and talk to me of my lands, and I may just smile, laugh or cry. Expect anything. Expect all three.
There are no borders to how much I miss Cyprus, but the more I miss that place, the more I realize that England is a part of my DNA too. It's cultivation run though my veins too, affecting the way I think, speak and do. Let's hope you aren't a place shrouded in mystery in my future, dear Cyprus. Life is marvellous. Life is colourful. Life is dismal. No matter where I am, England or Cyprus…or hopefully somewhere else, I am content knowing that I will be led by the One who can make my trust without borders, restrictions and limits. This Gap Year is going to be fun. I can sense it.
So, will I miss you, Cyprus? Decide that for yourself.
your faithful citizen,
Emilia Alice Djiapouras.


text:
One of the best ways to keep your smile clean and your teeth healthy is through regular dental hygiene exams. We recommend that you come see us for an exam and cleaning every six months.
What is a dental hygiene exam?
Dental hygiene exams are more than just a thorough cleaning of your teeth. This is where we look for any irregularities in your mouth and address any concerns that you may have about your oral health. If you have any questions about your teeth, this is a great time to have a conversation with us.
What will happen at my hygiene exam?
One of our main focuses during these check-ups is open and honest communication between doctor and patient. This is why we use tools such as digital X-rays and cameras to aid our examinations. These project images of your mouth onto the screen and make it simple and easy to show and explain what's happening inside your mouth. At Edwards Family Dental, we treat our patients like family. In this spirit, we believe in explaining all of your dental options and treatment and mapping out all your choices for you clearly and transparently. This will allow you to make the best possible decision for your oral health. We will give you all the facts and help you every step of the way.
Why are hygiene exams important?
Even if you brush and floss regularly, bacteria and plaque can still easily build-up around your teeth. As part of your exam, we will scrape away these build-ups. Additionally, conditions such as oral cancer can have little to no side effects, and are treated much more effectively if they are caught early. A hygiene exam will help us catch serious conditions quickly, which will lead to more effective treatment. They will also allow us to watch any changes in your teeth, mouth, tongue, and gums to keep everything healthy and on track.
What if I'm scared of the dentist?
We understand that phobias surrounding the dentist and dental treatment are quite common. We are here to do anything we can to ease any anxiety you have surrounding dental treatment. One of the ways we do this is through offering nitrous oxide, aka laughing gas. If you are apprehensive about your treatment, laughing gas may help to ease some of your stress and to relax. Laughing gas is a mild form of sedation dentistry that will simply calm your nerves and help you to feel more at ease. When your treatment is over, the effects of the gas will wear off in just a few minutes, so that you can go about your daily activities.
You should plan to come in for an oral hygiene exam twice a year to make sure everything is running smoothly. If you are due for an exam or cleaning, or if you haven't been to the dentist in a while, give us a call today. We will schedule an exam and cleaning and get your dental health back on track in no time.


text:
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is going to miss receiver Cordarrelle Patterson — but not because of the sweet moments moments they shared. To the contrary, Gilmore is going to miss the fights.
Patterson joined the Patriots for just one season after New England acquired him in a trade with the Oakland Raiders. In 2018, he had 21 receptions for 247 and there touchdowns with 42 rushes for 228 yards and one touchdown. He signed with the Chicago Bears on a two-year deal during 2019 free agency.
He and Gilmore must have had some heated matchups during practices during the 2018 if that was Gilmore's strongest takeaway from his time with Patterson.


text:
Firstly, empathy is crucial to creativity and innovation. Only by really spending time thinking through the needs, frustrations, and aspirations of our colleagues and clients can we identify what they really need from us.
It is also critical for teamwork and leadership. It enables us to be sensitive to the motivations and frustrations of others. It helps us to influence more effectively by stepping into the shoes of others and adjusting our behaviour accordingly.
What is empathy exactly?
Empathy and sympathy are often used interchangeably, but they actually are separate ideas that can be usefully compared. Sympathy has to do with caring about others and wishing them well. Sympathy is meaningful, of course—but it doesn't require a lot of energy or intentionality.
Empathy is something more difficult. It involves trying to imagine what someone else is experiencing: allowing yourself to feel (albeit second-hand) some of what they are feeling.
Empathy is a talent. As human beings, we're able to empathise with our friends and family, but also with someone we only learned about a few moments ago on the television. If an alien were to analyse our daily lives, they'd probably remark on our near-magical ability to connect to one another through our imaginations.
How can we become more empathetic?
Firstly, we have to admit that empathy difficult. Most of us find it scary, for a number of reasons…
- We might be angry at, frustrated with, or simply dislike the people with whom we are trying to empathise.
- We might worry that if we empathise too deeply we'll have to change our views and lose power as a result.
- We might be concerned that we simply don't know enough about the other person to make a good guess of how they feel.
These difficulties should help us to recognise that we can't always be perfect at empathy.
However, if we are generous enough to spend time thinking about people we find difficult, brave about trying new ideas, and cautious about making assumptions, we can learn a lot. Here are a few ways to practice empathy at work:
Be more curious
When there are so many pressures, we often feel like we simply don't have time to think about others. How often have you mentally filled in the end of someone's sentence, rather than waiting to hear what they say? How often have you said of a difficult colleague, "that's just how she is"? This kind of attitude is understandable in a busy and stressful environment, but in the long term, it can weaken our relationships and lead us to make faulty assumptions about our colleagues and clients. To combat this, we need to pay closer attention to the inner world of others, and be more open to learning something new about them.
Action: Each day spend a few minutes thinking through the inner world of someone you work with. Challenge yourself to find something new or unexpected.
Focus on detail
Being properly curious also means being thorough.
Action: To really get into what someone else is thinking, ask yourself a lot of questions about them e.g.:
- What motivates them?
- What frustrates them?
- What do they value
What might they be worried about today?
Try an empathy experiment
If you're not sure what someone else is feeling or thinking, you might want to take a more radical approach and literally put yourself in their position. Here's a real example of an empathy experiment in action:
In the mid-1970s Patricia Moore, then 26, was working as an industrial designer at the top New York firm Raymond Loewy. She wanted to create a refrigerator door for someone with arthritic hands, so she decided to conduct an empathy experiment and discover the realities of life as an eighty-year-old woman. She put on make-up so she looked old and wrinkly, wore glasses that blurred her vision, clipped on a brace and wrapped bandages around her torso so she was hunched over, plugged up her ears so she couldn't hear well, and put on awkward, uneven shoes so she was forced to walk with a stick. For three years she navigated different American cities in her new persona. Based on her experiences and insights, she was able to design a whole series of innovative products that were suitable for use by elderly people. She is credited as one of the founders of Universal Design, an approach in which products are designed non-exclusively, for use by the widest range of consumers possible, including the disabled and elderly, which has now become standard in the industry.
Empathy experiments are useful for understanding both customers and colleagues. For example we could spend time trying to buy products as if we were the consumer, or trying our hand at some of the gruntwork on a project to better understand how it feels to be a more junior member of the team.
Empathy works like a muscle; it's something we learn to use and strengthen over time. The more we practice thinking through what others are thinking, the more frequent and intuitive it will become.
We can all become more empathetic. It isn't as easy as it sounds. But it is one of the most valuable skills we can develop in work, and in life.


text:
Promotion & Marketing Law Book
The Promotion & Marketing Law Book (the "Dierson Book") is a compendium of laws and regulations affecting promotion and marketing activities. This book has been compiled for industry and academic guidance, and to serve as an educational reference on promotion marketing matters; an indispensable desk reference for marketers, agencies, suppliers, and lawyers. It is an invaluable resource including key articles, and federal and all 50 states' promotion and marketing laws. The book provides laws and regulations changes, giving the industry an up-to-date guide to every state's specific guidelines.
This is the 8th edition of the book, with a brand new format and searchable subscription. Subscribers will be able to log in and search each state to quickly and easily find the information they need.
Features include:
- A directory of all 50 states
- Keyword search capabilities
- Note-taking functionality
- Download/Export options
and more!
This product is available to ANA Corporate Marketer members and Corporate Associate Members only.
For questions about Dierson Law Book, contact Ed Kabak at firstname.lastname@example.com or 646.708.8123


text:
As per my 2017 Annual Review, these were the things I mentioned I was working toward:
1. Way to exercise outside of DST
2. More consistent way to work on music
3. Beyond the Track
4. New language on Duolingo
5. Public classes
So, allow me to ponder over those things, and add on top of it…
What went well in 2017?
Jar of Awesome: I've adopted the idea of having a Jar of Awesome (first read it on Tim Ferriss' Tools of Titans book), and on January 1st of 2018, I've put a jar in a place that's easily visible and accessible at home. By December 31st, the jar was full of reminders of our gratitude throughout the year!
Riding Trip in Europe: This is a bucket list type of endeavor. Back in late 2017, I've seen a post about this tour. I knew that was something my wife and I would love to do, so I had set it as a goal for 2018, which we have accomplished!
Learning Other Languages: I continued using Duolingo to learn and practice other languages. I've finished Italian, continued practicing it for a couple of months, and then a started and finished German. Both languages came in handy for my trip to Europe mentioned above. Last year I mentioned I was running my longest streak ever on Duolingo, at 144 days. I went all the way up to 300+ days, but ended up breaking the chain after completing one day a few minutes after the counter resets. That's ok: I started over and am now back to a streak of 175 days! For almost a year I had my daily goal set to 50 XP, but I had to lower it to 20 a few months ago. I figured it's better to lower it than break the chain, and will likely go up to 50 soon.
Meditation: my last year's post shows a streak of 236 of meditation. I got over 300+ days. But then, there was one bad day that threw me off, and the chain was broken. It's ok; I started all over the next day! I'm now running a 140-day streak. I've just passed 1000 sessions overall, which makes me happy. Some days are easier than others, but it's important to keep the practice every single day.
Beyond the Track: last year I've mentioned that this was going to be something I'd be working towards. And I really did! I've held one meetup every month, the entire year. I was also the main speaker for most of the meetings, and edited/published videos of all meetings so that people who couldn't attend were at least able to watch it online (and a good number of people did!).
SportBike Track Riding: I enjoyed so much riding my bike at track days in 2017, I planned to do the same in 2018. Well, I did more than twice as many track days! I've been improving my riding consistently, and having a lot of fun.
New Original Songs: I wanted to work on music more consistently, since I have a big backlog of ideas for songs. I've managed to finish and publish two new songs, and have a third one almost ready to be released earlier this year. The interesting thing about the two songs I published is that I didn't spend a lot of time working on them. On the first one, released in late March, I've put together some parts I had for a song, showed the inspiration for lyrics to my singer buddy Roberto Gallaeci, and we knocked it down in just a few sessions. For the second song, released in early November, I already had the music, lyrics and vocals all written, so I only had to sit down and record everything, which I did in about 2-3 weeks. So, while I'd like to have recorded more songs, I'm happy with how productively I was able to put out two songs that I'm really proud of (and can't wait to put out the new one, which is almost done!).
Trainings Delivered for Improving: Twice this year I've had to lead trainings with less than 10 days notice; something that popped-up and someone was needed. Without going into details, I just have to say I'm very happy with the evals I got from both trainings.
Involvement at Improving: I've continued growing my involvement with Improving's "extra-work" related activities (such as doing presentations at conferences and user groups). I'm specifically pleased with the feedback I got from attendees to several of my presentations. That's something I've always enjoyed doing, and knowing that people enjoy my talks is always a great motivator.
What didn't go so well?
Exercising: Last year, I mentioned I needed a way to exercise outside of DST. I've failed at that. While I did do some exercising during that period, I'm not proud of the low frequency. For this year, I've taken the Evernote's Ever Better Challenge and created the commitment with myself to do any sort of physical activity for at least 20 minutes, every day, for 30 days. Exercising is very boring for me, but I have one core motivation to do it: I need to be fit in order to take my Sport Bike riding to the next level!
Public classes: I enjoyed teaching some internal classes at Improving early last year, and I considered offering them as public classes. However, I decided to shelve that idea as I pursued other goals throughout the year (the goals that were achieved and mentioned in the "what went well" section.
What am I working toward?
Continue Growing Beyond the Track: I'm digging this work I'm doing and I've been getting great feedback from people saying how much this initiative has helped them. I'll continue having the monthly meetups, but I plan to grow it outside of the in-class meetings. I have tons of ideas, I'm acting on them, and I have even created a Patreon page for Beyond the Track, so I can build a bigger community around it and get help to keep pushing it forward.
SportBike Track Riding: I'll continue doing it! I'm putting together specific goals I want to achieve this year, the kind of progress I want to make, what tracks I want to ride, and will go have fun!
New Opportunities at Improving: As I look into growing within the company, I'm analyzing some opportunities and settings some goals to pursue this year. I'll quite possibly blog about it as things materialize.
This was a quick summary. There are other things that went well, much like there are other things that didn't go well. Oh, and there are also other things I'm working toward! But I think this is a good way to start off this year.


text:
Valentine's Day is a pretty divisive holiday. Some people love it and some people avoid it like the plague. Some of us only remember it exists when there's a "Red Hot" middle school dance they have to sort of chaperone.
Here are some of the people who you meet on every Valentine's Day and gifts for them for sticking it out, year after year.
The adamantly anti-Valentine's
Mostly high-school aged teenagers dressed in all black who haven't yet figured out that ignoring the day is just as effective.
Gift: This someecard.
The Galentines
Drunk girls celebrating their lady friends and the power of female friendship.
Gift: A subjectless email with this YouTube video.
My dad
Found in a Godiva store right before his evening commute home, with small gifts for his children (aka grown-up me and my also grown brother) and a bigger version for his wife that inevitably given to the kids.
Gift: A desk calendar, because one year, Dad will remember a little bit before the morning of.
The last minute gifter
Unless you are stocking up on a significant other's favorite brand, no, drugstore chocolate will not cut it. Just cook or order dinner like a grown up.
Gift: a GrubHub or Seamless account.
The bargain hunter
Found in all drugstores on Feb. 15th, stocking up on all discounted candy and novelty High School Musical Valentine's Day cards.
Gift: Nothing. They have it figured out.


text:
Today is my Birthday! I'm 24!! Happy Birthday to me!
As a special birthday gift, I'm asking everyone to donate $24 – A perfect donation would be $24 – $1 for every year that I've been alive.
Donations can be made here: http://my.artezpacific.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=357503&Lang=en-CA
I'm excited for my birthday, but I'm even more excited that in just 23 Days I'm going to start the adventure of a lifetime. Climbing the largest freestanding mountain in the world, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
I undertake this challenge as part of the Climb2Remember team for the benefit of Alzheimer's Australia NSW. I am actually the champion of this event and was the one who from day 1 helped to get it off the ground. Cannot believe in just 23 short days all that hard work will come to fruition.
I've raised a lot of money so far, but my goal is $10,000 and I still have a ways to go! For this bithday, for this year only, I ask for absolutely NO PRESENTS. I don't want gifts of any kind, all I would like from you is a generous donation to my charity fundraising page.
$5, $10, $20 or $100, whatever you can spare! Every $$ counts.
Your generosity and support will mean a lot to me on this special day, my birthday.
I will be taking on my biggest Adventure yet, Climbing Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer's Australia NSW! I will Climb Kilimanjaro in honour of my Grandpa who passed away from Alzheimer's in 2008. I was in Africa when I found out and I said at the time I would one day do this for him, in his memory! We are raising money for Alzheimer's Australia NSW to raise awareness and the necessary funds for prevention of the disease that affects so many. Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke. We must prevent and find a cure as it's not a normal part of aging, and does affect 100,000's of Australians.
Help me reach my $10.000 target by donating to my online fundraising page:
KILI COUNTDOWN – 23 Days to go


text:
The retail industry has been feeling the impact of the COVID-19, and as brands strategize for temporary measures or plan for long-term adaptation, one question has emerged: How will retail brands evolve in the face of this prolonged crisis and its impact on consumers? There seems to be two approaches of looking at this question.
The optimists believe that if brands play their cards right and respond to this protracted crisis with genuine, impactful, and creative actions, they can emerge from this with a more loyal customer. In addition, brands have been forced to undergo a drastic shift towards digital. If underlined by the right technical and strategic foundation, this shift could help them deliver, understand, and measure much more sophisticated customer experiences across a wider array of channels—a key differentiator in the age of omnichannel.
The less cheerful view holds that brands entering the pandemic with already slim profit margins will only find themselves in worse situations. Many will simply be swept away, lacking the resources to adapt effectively and in time. The vision presented here is not one of creative renewal. Rather, it believes that the pandemic will lead to the emergence of retail oligopolies.
At the moment, no one can predict the exact shape the retail industry will take in the wake of COVID-19, but there are some shifts of which retailers should be aware. And again, it is important to examine from both perspectives.
The habits of social distancing will carry on
Social distancing has been, fortunately, imprinted in the minds of most people around the world as a necessary and responsible measure towards minimizing COVID-19's spread. It might seem silly that some are debating whether people would even shake hands again, but the unease about the proximity of others, so deeply linked to such a traumatic event, could last for a long time.
For malls, this can be very bad news, especially as they were already a declining footfall before the outbreak. The same goes for many retail brands, since a reported 88.6% of retail sales took place at brick-and-mortar stores in Q4 of 2019.
However, this could provide an opportunity for brands to recalibrate their efforts, bid farewell to legacy approaches, and commit to—or double down on—their digital transformations. Indeed, the pandemic has accelerated the migration to e-commerce, as baby boomers and middle-aged consumers, who traditionally prefer to shop in store, have been forced to explore online shopping. According to Rakuten Intelligence, online orders from full-assortment grocery merchants skyrocketed by 210.1% between March 12 to March 15, versus the same period from last year.
Due to the reliance on digital, brands equipped with the right tools will be able to uncover more insights into their audiences to target more effectively and provide experiences that further separate them from the pack. Furthermore, while social distancing has planted fear in some, it may have also left many desperate for interpersonal contact and the normalcy it represents. As the pandemic abates, we could even see a surge of traffic to brick-and-mortar as people seek to finally experience being among others once again.
The benchmark of brand loyalty
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment claims in America rose to a record 3.28 million in the week of March 20. A Morgan Stanley report also projects American gross domestic product to fall at an annual rate of 30.1% in April-June, and that unemployment could average 12.8% over the period. Goldman Sachs is projecting a 24% annualized drop in output in the next quarter.
The pandemic has inflicted profound economic damage, and as a result, brands have begun furloughing and laying off their staff to minimize expenses and keep themselves afloat. Many have shut down parts, or the even entirety, of their operations as the financial stress mounts.
Consequently, consumers have begun identifying brands that have shown a commitment to valuing people over profit and providing for their employees during such trying times. According to a report by Social Media Link, over 55% of consumers believe they would hold a positive view of brands that keep customers and employees safe. Showing empathy (40%) and recognizing the new normal (38%) are some of the other factors that will contribute to a positive brand perception.
Messaging is key as well. Tone-deaf advertisements and disingenuous posturing, however meticulously dressed, could draw severe, and swift, backlash, especially given the gravity of the crisis. Victoria Beckham, for example, received wide criticism for leveraging a taxpayer scheme to pay staff during the pandemic.
As always, brands need to be genuine. They shouldn't paper over the crisis, nor would it suffice to devise a hashtag and secure the platforms of a few influencers. They need to identify the concrete ways in which they can help employees, consumers, and communities—and actually do it. Ideal Bite Community Kitchen, a restaurant near Detroit, is donating food to organizations such as Cass Community Social Services (CCSS), a nonprofit organization working with at-risk communities in the city.
Sincerity demonstrated through sustained action matters, and it is one of the few ways retailers can win over the long-term trust of consumers.
Small retailers must change to sustain
While larger brands must battle high overheads and staffing costs to prevent folding, smaller brands will also have to deal with the lack of resources to adapt effectively and quickly. As of March 29, more than 50% of non-essential small businesses were no longer in operation, resulting in over $26 billions of lost wages since the lockdown.
Small business relief funds have started to emerge. For example, San Diego has partnered with local financial institutions to provide zero-interest microloans to affected businesses. This, however, may not always be enough. Small retailers themselves will have to evolve.
They could, for example, take a leaf out of direct-to-consumer companies' playbooks, who are seeing a great deal of success right now. This will, of course, require them to develop more seamless online commerce capabilities. Small retailers may also leverage their existing resources to create new revenue sources and product delivery methods.
The Bookshelf in Cincinnati, OH, for instance, predominantly caters to senior citizens above the ages of eighty. It has started offering curbside pickup and mail delivery to abide by social distancing. They've even added a personal touch by photographing their different books and sending them over to customers to browse. Going above and beyond to get products to consumers may not be easy, but it is fundamental to ensuring sales as well as customer loyalty even in difficult times.
Retail after COVID-19
COVID-19 is an unprecedented event. It has foregrounded the ongoing demand for genuine corporate messaging and social commitment; it has forced retailers to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and embrace innovative business models, with severe consequences for those that fail to keep up. There is no predicting what awaits retail after COVID-19, but the future after the crisis depends on how we respond to it.
How do you think retail will change after COVID-19? Leave a comment below or speak to our experts to see how we can help.
Meeting new consumer needs and expectations is critical to business success.Learn more
According to Deloitte digital report, Customer Experience is the top most priority for businessLearn more
According to Omnichannel Research Report India, more than two in five Indian marketers have setLearn more
Agile marketing is more than just a buzzword these days – it's the new standard. The success ofLearn more
Excellent customer service and experience are key in the insurance industry.Learn more


text:
David Plouffe says President Obama is focusing on governing and helping the middle class, not campaigning.
Post by: Anderson Cooper
Filed under: 360° Interview • President Barack Obama • Raw Politics
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°


text:
I have great pleasure in presenting to you an original, never before seen story, by David Rae.
It is a sequel to my story, 'Topper's Shop'.
When Sarah got back to the flat, her roommate opened the door.
"You're back," she said.
"Yes," said Sarah.
"So did you get things fixed?"
Sarah thought for a moment; what things. She couldn't remember them now.
"I suppose," she said.
"Good," said Rachel, and put a cup of tea down in front of Sarah.
"Thanks," said Sarah.
"Earl Gray," said Rachel, as if somehow that was important. "Do you want a digestive?"
"Yes please," said Sarah. And Rachel handed her a plate with two biscuits.
"Is Mike coming round?" asked Rachel.
"Who? Oh, Mike, No, I don't think so."
"Don't you want to talk about it?"
Talk about what, thought Sarah. There was really nothing to say. She put her cup down and looked at Rachel. Why was she so eager to talk about things? Talking never did any good. She and Mike had talked and talked and talked. It had been no good. What good was it? Mike told her all about how he felt, all about how he didn't love her any more, all about how he'd found someone else. Someone better he had said. Someone who didn't cry all the time, someone who wasn't sad all the time. Now she wasn't sad either.
Words are no use, thought Sarah. All they did was hurt people. Mike had promised to try again, but it had been no good, it had only been words. Sarah had known that. Every word he said just made it worse.
"I think," said Sarah, "That it is all over."
"Oh honey," said Rachel, "that's so sad."
Again Sarah shrugged. Was it sad? It seemed as if it didn't matter. Mike had moved on. And now so had she.
"Could I get a copy of your notes from today's lecture?" asked Sarah.
"Of course," said Rachel. She got up and rummaged through her rucksack.
"I'll never get Sociology," said Sarah.
"Don't be silly," said Rachel, "You got a B+ on your last paper."
"I guess," said Sarah.
"We're going out to Casey's tonight. Want to come?"
"No thanks," said Sarah, "I think I need an early night."
"Of course," said Rachel, "want me to stay in? I think we have fish fingers in the fridge I could make for you."
"No you go," said Sarah. "I'll be fine."
"Just need some time to yourself?" asked Rachel. "To think about things. I understand."
Did she want time to herself, wondered Sarah. She knew she didn't want to think about things. What was there to think about?
"Are you sure," said Rachel as she put her coat on. "You know where we are, if you change your mind."
"Yes," said Sarah.
"And you've got my number on your phone too."
"I do," said Sarah.
For some reason, Sarah felt desperate for Rachel to leave. She could feel something rising up inside her. Keep calm, she told herself and took another sip of tea.
Rachel hadn't been gone long before Mike phoned.
"What do you want, Mike," said Sarah when she picked up.
"Don't be like that," said Mike. "I'm just checking you're ok."
Why? wondered Sarah. What would he do if she wasn't? All he wanted was to make himself feel better. She felt the words coming up in her throat, all of the anger and hurt and then, just as quickly it was gone again. What did it matter?
"Thanks," she said. And then an awkward silence settled.
"So it's done then," said Mike finally.
"Yes, it's done," and then more silence.
"Okay," said Mike, "well, I guess I'll see you?"
Would she? Sarah didn't think she would see Mike. He didn't go to any of her classes and to be honest she didn't want to see him anyway. But it all sounded so final. So complete.
"Yes, see you around," said Sarah. Although she felt there should be more words, she could not think of anything else to say.
"I'm sorry," said Mike.
"Yes, me too," said Sarah. And then she wondered what Mike was sorry about, what she was sorry about. Things happen and then they're over. There was no point going over things. She wanted him to hang up and leave her alone.
"Goodbye," she said.
"Yes, goodbye," said Mike and then the call ended. For a moment, just for a moment, Sarah wondered if things could have been different, and then she realised she didn't care. Mike could do what he liked, and so would she. Right now she wanted just to sit and be alone.
Sarah slunk off to her room and lay on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling. Everything was fine. On the bedside table was a doll. Where had that come from? she thought.
She got up and walked over to the doll. When Sarah picked it up, it seemed to fit perfectly into her arms. She held it to her and sniffed. A scent of vanilla and talcum powder. Suddenly she felt empty, as if there were a hole inside her. For a moment there seemed to be two Sarahs standing in the same place.
"I don't want to," said Sarah. "I want to stay the same forever. I'm not old enough."
She put the doll back on the bedside table, and picked up her phone.
"Hi Rachel are you still at Casey's?" From the background noise of laugher and music, Sarah could tell that she was. "I'll be there in half an hour. Give me time to change and call a taxi."
Sarah hung up and rushed to shower. Whatever she had paid Topper, she thought, it was definitely worth it.
For another story that has Topper's Shop, but not Sarah, read Forget About Me.


text:
A Christmas Yarn is now available for pre-order! And to celebrate, I'm having a little giveaway. Check out the Rafflecopter widget at the end of the post.
Blurb: Librarian Gavin MacCauley isn't expecting any surprises this holiday season. It's the usual rush of helping patrons, and knitting items to donate to the local hospital. But his world is turned upside down by the cutie who walks into knitting club looking to learn how to crochet a scarf.
Jonathan Mercier has just moved to town and is desperate to find a new craft for his traditional, handmade gift for the aunt who adopted him. When his elderly neighbor strong-arms him into attending the library's knitting and crochet club, he falls hard for the kind (and hot!) librarian running the class.
But with Christmas coming, and time running out to finish the gift, will these two find the time for each other?
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | All Vendors


text:
Riot Fest 2017: Day Three in Review
A woman had three rules scribbled on the back of her black denim vest: Eat pussy. Chug whiskey. Hail Satan.
And after suffering two scorchers, the gods – or Satan – blessed the final day of Riot Fest with a little cloud coverage and a gentle breeze.
Here's a look at some of Sunday's performances.
Views from the front row: A typical Menzingers fan pumps his fist up in the air and really emphasizes the "f" in "fuck."
(Bonus: All the way in the back of the crowd, a man tried to find a window among a sea of bobbing heads to see the stage. On his right calf, he had a tattoo that read: "Straight Edge (For Some of My) Life XXX.")
The Menzingers have a knack for making you hate yourself. It's plain and simple: growing up is a pain, and the changes – no matter what they are – are inevitable. The Pennsylvania-based punk band wasted no time in diving into heavy hitters like "The Obituaries," "I Don't Want to be an Asshole Anymore," "Thick as Thieves" and "After the Party." A sweaty fan in a white T-shirt mimicked vocalist Greg Barnett's screams.
Truth be told, The Menzingers couldn't have posted a harder question than this: "Oh, where are we gonna go? Oh, now that our 20s are over?" – F. Amanda Tugade
Views from the front row: A young security guard examined his uneven tan lines. His co-worker hands him a bottle of sunscreen, but he refuses. – F. Amanda Tugade
Views from the front row: A group of boys claimed a coveted spot. One of them told a photographer that he hasn't moved all day; he's been there since 11 a.m., waiting for this very moment.
(Bonus: "I feel like I can't breathe," said a fangirl, moments before the lights dimmed and Paramore stepped on the Radicals Stage. "My stomach is turning.")
Hayley Williams has not aged, not one bit. For many who grew up alongside with her, it was plain to see the impression the songstress has made on them. Williams is the girl-next-door with a spunk. Her energy and her spunk seeped through her performance on stage. As Paramore kicked off its set with its latest hit, "Hard Times" and a recent number "Still Into You," it was clear to see the pop-punk band continues to evolve through time. – F. Amanda Tugade
The grandfather's of indie took the stage on the final night to play Keep It Like a Secret in it's entirety which was a rare treat. Built to Spill have been masters of blending pop melodies, unique riffs, and simple, but beautiful solos. Naturally, KILAS has a balance that marries the innocence of There's Nothing Wrong With Love and the maturity of Perfect From Now On that holds up even after nearly two decades.
Doug Martsch may be a humble man, but it's clear that his guitar skills and beautiful solos (although subtle to some) are quite phenomenal, which was really highlighted during "Carry The Zero" and "Time Trap."
They then launched into "Else" – a track with such morose beauty that offered a brief reprise before going into the rocking homage, "You Were Wrong."
Keep It Like a Secret is definitely an album that harkens back to an age of indie rock that was more honest and innovative. It's no secret that Doug Martsch was heavily influenced by comparatively heavier bands such as Dinosaur Jr. and that element was crystal clear as Martsch flowed into the dark, jammy realm of "Broken Chairs" to cap off their set. – Jennifer Roger
The smell of weed continued to waft in the air as the L.A. lo-fi pop darlings put on a fun and easy show during the sunset of the fest's final night. Bethany Cosentino and Co. brought the relaxed vibes which was a great way to help close out the Indian Summer weekend in Chicago. – Jennifer Roger
There were a number of highly anticipated bands this weekend, but Dinosaur Jr. had droves of people sprinting toward the stage to catch a moment of You're Living All Over Me. And the 30 year old album certainly stands the test of time, combining rough and distorted guitars with J. Mascis' deceptively soothing vocals.
"Little Fury Things" pulsated with heavy, unrelenting kick drums echoing throughout the park, and "Sludgefeast" stayed true to its name, bringing in that beautifully dirty guitar tone. "Just Like Heaven" was of course a fan favorite, providing a final boost of energy for the three-day festivities.
Mascis effortlessly shredded throughout the evening, never missing a beat except during "Tarpit" when he repeated one line of lyrics twice, but who cares? It's Dinosaur Jr. – Jennifer Roger
All photos by F. Amanda Tugade


text:
Sarz Nobody Wins Interlude Lyrics
Sade! What's up now? Yunno,
I mean you've just been kind of down
Is it because of that same guy, like what's happening?
Girl! (Sigh)
After we broke up, I've just been a little
I dont know, you know how I feel now,
He said he was gonna call me when he was back in town,
It's been three weeks now,
Haven't heard from him, dunno if I should text.
Like, I honestly don't know what to do.
I mean… I know this is over and I might as well forget about him
But I really like this is connection, my body just tingles ahh!
Your body is tingling for the D!
What you need is proper D! Sho ti bo!
Get out there and get you some jump off D!
Do you understand?
Something to take your mind off of this guy.
I. I won't lie,
I've had some jump off D that was good, I still…
Written by; Sarz & WurlD
Produced by; Sarz
Released date; 27th July 2020
Album/EP; I LOVE GIRLS WITH TROBUL


text:
May 4, 2012
Quintet Sfumato is featured at Queens New Music Festival from May 10-13 at the Little Secret Theatre (Studio 104, 44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City, Queens). This trailblazing festival seeks to highlight and promote composers, musicians, and ensembles living and creating new music in the borough of Queens.
Saturday, May 12, 5 pm;
The Cosmos – Nature and Spirit: Quintet of the Americas
The program also features wind quintets: The Stuff of Comets by Dylan Glatthorn, Winter Music by Adam Shoenberg, Sfumato by Yao Chen, Mo Suo's Burial Ceremony by Xinyan Li, and Short Winds by Sean Friar.


text:
The fash pack out in full force for Copenhagen fashion week.
The statement mini. The perfect edition to your new season wardrobe.
Zimmermann dress. SHOP HERE
Miu Miu dress. SHOP HERE
Fringe, tan, leather … there is nothing I don't love.
Green with envy.
Camilla and Marc Knit Top. SHOP HERE
A nautical illusion …
Alexander Wang Skirt. SHOP HERE
Shona Joy Dress. SHOP HERE
The reason Elena Perminova is a global trend setter.
Suede is such a huge trend this coming season. Whether it be a suede mini, jacket, dress or an A-line midi (my pick) incorporate this statement trend into your new season wardrobe … you won't regret it.
Country Road Skirt. SHOP HERE
Monochrome duo.
Stripe on pattern on black on blue … the ultimate pairings.
The IT bag of the moment. Say hello to Faye …
Chloe Small Faye Bag. SHOP HERE
Carine Roitfeld working monochrome to perfection .
Double D. Denim on denim … it never fails to turn heads.
Country Road shirt. SHOP HERE
Frame Denim jeans. SHOP HERE
Lady in red …
Each and every one, right on point. From the Dior sunglasses to the Proenza Schouler bag to the layers of stripes. This is one stylish trio definitely worthy of street cred.
Style.com, The Urban Spotter, Style.com, The Urban Spotter x3, Style.com x3, Le 21eme x2, Style.com x3


text:
Sustainable gift range
Our gifts can be used by our visitors on their journey throughout New Zealand and take home as a memory of our beautiful country. The new sustainable Waitomo Glowwworm Caves souvenir range is focused on reducing single-use products and offer quality "reusable for life" products.
We love our region and we are committed to keeping it beautiful for future generations. Discover Waitomo has a strong commitment to sustainability and we make great efforts to minimise the environmental impact of our operations. As part of our commitment to the guardianship (kaitiakitanga) of our land and environment the Waitomo Glowworm Caves retail store offers a sustainable range of products that aims to reduce the carbon footprint of our visitors. These include products such as:
- Reusable coffee cups
- Quality drink bottles
- Re-usable straws
- Travel cutlery sets
- Beeswax food wraps
- Carry bags made from recycled plastic
Each purchase from our sustainable gift range also contributes to supporting the ongoing native tree planting initiatives of our environmental team.
Caring for NZ. Caring for Waitomo.


text:
Alissa Hazlett has been living in the Akron area most of her life. She grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, went away to study at Bowling Green State University, then moved back to Akron after graduating. She now works in the public relations department at Akron Children's Hospital. She says the organization "is most definitely a city asset!"
Alissa feels she's "very lucky to have been able to move [her] career back to Akron." The city has "so much to offer, from insanely great restaurants and breweries to beautiful parks and trails. I love being able to call it my home."
When asked what her favorite thing about Akron is, Alissa said: "Oh man, this is really hard! I think one of my absolute favorite things about Akron is our access to Summit Metro Parks. They're such an incredibly beautiful asset to our area and one I love to use, whether I'm going for a run or setting out on a hike with my husband and pup."
Follow Summit Peeks on Twitter to get a look at Alissa's Akron this week.


text:
Beautiful island with lot o spas. After seeing the movie Avanti, which was partially filmed at the Island and it takes place there, I had to visit this place. I already did twice and I really love it. Today it is here for my Insta Friday.
Insta Friday: Ischia
08 Jun 2018 Leave a comment
in Europe, Italy Tags: IF, Ischia, Italy, photo, photography, photos, sea, sun, sunset, travel, vacation
Insta Friday: Rome
01 Jun 2018 Leave a comment
in Europe, Italy Tags: food, IF, Italy, photo, photography, photos, Rome, travel, vacation
Trip across the borders in todays Insta Friday. Visit to the eternal city of Rome, the main sites and ice cream :-).
San Gimignano
17 May 2013 5 Comments
in Italy Tags: architecture, country, culture, Europe, holidays, Italy, nature, photography, photos, postaday, travel, UNESCO, world heritage
Another my post in Czech language, mostly pictures from beautiful city San Gimignano in Tuscany in Italy, where movie Tea with Mussollini was also taken. Love its huge towers, hidden streets, lovely wine and tasty olive oil 🙂 .
via San Gimignano.
Cinque Terre
10 May 2013 1 Comment
in Italy Tags: country, Europe, Italy, nature, outdoors, photography, photos, travel
Please find my post about Cinque Terre. Lots of shots and a few words about the area in Czech. I hope you will enjoy it.
A Word A Week Photo Challenge – Island
07 Feb 2013 18 Comments
in A Word A Week Challenge, Challenges, Culture, Europe, Italy Tags: architecture, culture, Europe, Italy, postaday, travel, UNESCO, vacation, venetian lagoon, world heritage
For A Word A Week Photo Challenge – Island I chose colorful Italian island Burano. It is placed in Venetian Lagoon and you can easily reach it from Venice with the vaporetto.
Or you can come there over the bridge, which was our first choice. We came to Burano from even smaller island Mazzorbo, where in fact was nothing much touristic but port and beautiful houses.
Burano is very famous for laces and the first shop is close to the port and bridge as well.
Specailly in Italy and Venice I love to take pictures of laundry. All the white or colorfull dresses and fabrics on the sun makes the buidlings living and warm.
Burano houses are sooooooooooooo colorful. In fact when the owner wants to paint the house, he must ask government and he recevies the "approved" list of colors for his spot :-).
We came to Burano from Murano, another small island on Venetian Lagoon. Murano is more like a small Venice and it is full of glass factories and glass shops. Maybe you have heard the term "Murano glass".
After walking through the colorful island, wandering along the channels, over bridges, taking Italian coffee … time to leave with vaporetto to another place at this beautiful archipelago.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique
05 Feb 2013 21 Comments
in Europe, Italy, UNESCO, Weekly Photo Challenge Tags: architecture, culture, Europe, holidays, Italy, postaday, travel, UNESCO, vacation, world heritage
This week's Photo Challenge Unique reminded me one funny story that happened in 2007 and we still use it as our family fun. I want to share it with you.
It was our first family trip with tent and car and we chose Italy because of the food and nice architecture. We went throught the whole country down on eastern side, up on western side. One of our most favorite places became Apulia, the heel of Italian shoe. One of the places you cannot miss there is Alberobello, town written in UNESCO's World Heritage List for its unique and beautiful buildings called "trulli".
When we came to Alberobello, we supposed there will be trullo everywhere. To our surprise, we were not able to find anyone. And then we saw it: arrow – SENSO UNICO! We don't speak Italian but the message was clear. This points somewhere where something Unique (UNICO) and Sensation (SENSO) is, my husband supposed that UNICO stands for UNESCO.
We followed the arrow, then we have parked the car and then we followed the arrows by walk. There were a lot of them and always we found one small trullo in between houses, so we were right. It was a little bit strange that the number of trulli was so small, most of them were used as storages but we were also invited in by one kind lady, and it was a laundry with washing machine, nothing really much touristic. Small disappointment. Finally we found a special trulli house / museum, which we visited. And then, from the higher window of this house, we saw it. Hundreds of trulli, just at the opposite site of the city. We went there and we were amazed by the beautiful white city. Later we also found out the meaning of SENSO UNICO, it's ONE-WAY ROAD. But for us, SENSO UNICO is something Unique and Sensational, preferrably under UNESCO protection :-).
Travel theme: Festive
26 Dec 2012 3 Comments
in Culture, Europe, Feasts, Italy, Travel Theme Tags: culture, Europe, history, holidays, Italy, postaday, Rome, travel, vacation
Theme Festive for Travel theme during advent time. What should I put in? I already wrote about Prague Nativity scenes, Christmas Markets at the Old Town, Christmas Crafts Markets and Czech Christmas Ornaments. What should I write more about Christmas? I decided to go for another Festive theme. In September I was in Rome and by coincidence I saw some festival there, which looked strange and funny for me. Here are the pictures from this feast. At Piazza Venezia we met a group of strange dressed gentlemen, they had hats decorated with feathers from fowls tails, some special traditional and honorable uniform. The Mayor of Rome was also present.
Then we walked to Colosseum, and listened to some music we saw big group of musicians in uniformas coming around us.
And the third, soldiers with fowls tails on the hats were coming, performing music, and then dancing special and short dance (therefore I didn't managed to make movie with it :-(), after which they left to Colosseum direction.
So that was my festive meeting with "fowls tails" celebration in Rome.


text:
Believe it or not, it's almost time to tuck away those cutoffs and off-the-shoulder tops. Why? Well, in some parts of the world, it'll start getting chilly soon. And even though we've got plenty of warm days left here in SoCal, it's not too early to start thinking about fall fashion finds. Ease into the new season by picking up a slouchy bag — they're just the thing to play off of fall's more structured and tailored pieces, like trench coats, moto jackets and blazers. Plus, these bags are casual and cool, so they'll lend an air of laid-back luxe to your sundresses now and look great paired with riding boots when you dust those off in a few weeks.
Save: River Island Dark Red Panel Slouch ($74)
Steal: Rebecca Minkoff Isobel Leather Hobo Bag ($295)
Splurge: Jimmy Choo Mardy Leather & Genuine Snakeskin Shopper ($1,495)
Images courtesy River Island, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom


text:
Behind a dominant effort down low, the Owls picked up their seventh straight victory in a 66-53 win over East Carolina.
For the game, Temple outrebounded the Pirates 49-26, making ECU pay dearly, as they outscored them 19-2 on second chance opportunities.
Temple would cruise from there, stretching its lead to as large as 18 before picking up a 66-53 win to improve to 19-7 on the season and 10-3 in AAC play.
Will Cummings would lead the Owls in points, notching 17 in the win, but not to be overlooked are the efforts of Jaylen Bond and other players down low that allowed Temple to dominate.
Bond finished with seven points and 16 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Dingle would pitch in nine rebounds for the Owls as well, as Temple continued to kick it into high gear heading down the home stretch of the regular season.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat


text:
4453 Boundary Road, Vancouver
Free delivery (after 4 pm)
Phone: 604-438-6446
Now accepts debit as well as cash
Greetings food fans. I was very excited to review this next gem in that jewel-encrusted crown of RC eateries, Zorro's Pizza and Spaghetti House. Yes! Zorro's is back! Many of you already know, since it happened back in February – Zorro's reopened!
Many were stunned and saddened by the passing of Tony Siliverdis, the man behind Zorro's. The pizza became legendary. As RC's Eating Out restaurant review guy, I was saddened to find myself having never tried it. The more I heard about how great it was, the more I regretted having never had the experience.
Alas! Wayne Bergquist and his mom, Cynthia Ostonal, have come to the rescue, apparently just in time. "When we contacted the Siliverdis family, we found that they had pretty much given up looking for someone to take over the business and were getting ready to sell everything at an auction."
Thank goodness for Wayne and Cynthia. Short of building a time machine, there was no way for me to ever try a legendary slice of that Zorro's pie.
It's the exact same menu. I had to have the legendary Jerry's Special (named after Tony's son). Bacon, salami, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, olives, green peppers, pineapple, fresh tomatoes and lean beef.
I was not disappointed. My Jerry's actually lived up to all that hype. It was old school: thick and delicious and I will definitely be back to try more. Now, as admitted, I never had a true one of Tony's creations, so I cannot compare, but I can honestly say that I was very impressed. A deal at $22. Yes, this baby is so thick, one slice is pretty much a meal for some. I had about four of the eight because it was just so good and I was stuffed!
Wayne is using the exact same recipes for the dough. I found the crust to be like a freshly baked pastry – chewy, delicious and thick – but not too heavy. Even the thick crust at the end, which you often might leave behind, was good to the last bite.
Well done guys! Mikeal Hunt, Zorro's new pizza chef, should be proud.
Wayne has been enjoying Zorro's pizza since he was about 16 years old. He's about 40 now, so that's a lot of Zorro's. Wayne knows how it should taste. "We're making it the same, but we're making it better," he says. "Maybe a little less 'wet.' We're also going to be adding some new pizza to the menu. We now have a Double Cheeseburger pizza and Sweet BBQ pizza."
And what does Billy Hopeless of the Black Halos – (un)official ambassador of Zorro's pizza, say? "My picture is up on the wall with Tony's—that's gotta say something. I only hope they can keep it as faithful as they have to the legacy they are carrying on as there has never been a better pizza than Zorro's. If I wasn't so busy planning my next attack with the reunited Black Halos and living in Gastown so far away from my old hood, I'd probably have jumped in to keep the old oven cooking."
Well friends, what are you waiting for? Get on the phone and get yourself one of the best deep dish pizzas. Bon appetit.
Comments from the RCC News website regarding Tony Siliverdis
Mr. Dunlop
Rest in peace, my friend, you will always be remembered as a great man with a beautiful family; hardworking and best pizza in Vancouver for sure. You delivered pizza to my family for 30 years. We will miss talking to you about anything and everything; going to miss you; love you.
J. Mihaichuk
My family home was up the street in the 70s to the late 90s. I was at Zorros Pizza way too much. I loved the family and of course the pizza was amazing. Still after all this time I remember the great man Tony was, always a smile, sometimes a glare, but always a person all of us could trust. He will be missed. I only wish I could have brought my kids to Zorro's to meet the man, the Legend.
I recently went to Zorro's for pizza as I live out of town. I'm sorry for your loss as your father was a wonderfully kind human being. I worked shift throughout the early 1990s and would drop by for food to take to work and chat with your mom and dad. They were very kind people. I was pleased to be able to introduce my 8-year-old son to your father about a year ago and chatted like the old days. My son liked your father and your dad gave him a free can of pop. Your father was old school and will be sorrowfully missed. My son told everyone your father's pizza was the best he ever tasted.
Read more about Tony Siliverdis of Zorro's
Copyright 2018 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


text:
The body of the Metropolitan Service officer who was killed by the Westminster terror attacker last month was today laid to rest.
The funeral of PC Keith Palmer took place at Southwark Cathedral in central London.
Thousands of police officers lined the route of a 2.6-mile funeral cortege starting at the Palace of Westminster.
PC Palmer, 48, who was married with a five-year-old daughter, was guarding the Houses of Parliament on 22 March when he was stabbed by Khalid Masood.
More than 5,000 rank-and-file officers from every force in Britain spread their way along the two-mile cortege route from Westminster to Southwark Cathedral (left), where the constable's funeral took place ahead of a private crematorium. The 48-year-old (inset left), a loyal Charlton Athletic fan, was murdered by terrorist Khalid Masood in the London terror attack as he stood guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Paying tribute to the officer during the service, the Reverend Prebendary Jonathan Osborne said PC Palmer had 'laid down his life for each one of us'.
Met commissioner Cressida Dick – the first female head of Scotland Yard who took the helm today – then read the WH Auden poem Funeral Blues, which starts with the line 'Stop the Clocks' and asks for 'the traffic police men to wear black cotton gloves' in mourning of a loved one. After the poem was read, Rev Osborne added: 'Keith died doing his duty, and it was as if in those moments the clock stopped.' The cortege had snaked through central London and crossed Lambeth Bridge, avoiding the scene of the atrocity on Westminster Bridge. There, visibly distressed police officers bowed their heads as a mark of respect, while others shed tears for the constable


text:
After every school shooting (and there have been many – and not just in the United States) the news reports become saturated with expert insights and armchair analyses of the shooter. Was he disturbed? Was he sad? Was he bullied? Classmates are interviewed, and a picture is painted of the teenage outcast turned murderer. Such an extensive coverage, but I have yet to read an in-depth interview with the shooter's mother. How can we even begin to imagine the pain and guilt of a woman who gave birth to a boy and ended up with a monster?
Lionel Shriver imagined it in this powerful novel. In We Need To Talk About Kevin, Eva Katchadourian writes a series of letters to her husband, eighteen months after their 16-year-old son Kevin killed nine people in his own school. The book is not just about Kevin – it's about motherhood, marriage, the nature of evil and violence, Middle America, traveling, women and their wants and their bodies, the United States and its shame. It is told through Eva's eyes, so we as the reader have no choice but to see things as she sees them. Was Kevin truly born evil, or were Eva and her husband partly to blame? I don't know. It is hard to tell. The novel is absorbing and beautifully written; as suspenseful as any horror story, as insightful as any work of art. Throughout the novel, Shriver manages to withhold an important piece of information from us, and when she reveals it, it feels like an arrow to the chest.
I was in a haze after I finished this book. Stunning.