text:
Wellness Complete Health canned dog food receives the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.
The Wellness Complete Health product line lists 7 canned dog foods.
Each recipe below includes its related AAFCO nutrient profile when available on the product's official webpage: Growth, Maintenance, All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Important: Because many websites do not reliably specify which Growth or All Life Stages recipes are safe for large breed puppies, we do not include that data in this report. Be sure to check actual packaging for that information.
Click the links below to compare prices at an online retailer.
- Wellness Complete Health Duck and Sweet Potato [A]
- Wellness Complete Health Senior Formula (3 stars) [M]
- Wellness Complete Health Just for Puppy (4.5 stars) [G]
- Wellness Complete Health Turkey and Sweet Potato [A]
- Wellness Complete Health Chicken and Sweet Potato [A]
- Wellness Complete Health Venison and Sweet Potato [A]
- Wellness Complete Health Lamb and Sweet Potato (2.5 stars) [A]
Wellness Complete Health Turkey and Sweet Potato was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.
Wellness Complete Health Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, ground barley, sweet potatoes, carrots, ground flaxseed, carrageenan, canola oil, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, tricalcium phosphate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes controversial item
|Estimated Nutrient Content
|Guaranteed Analysis
|Dry Matter Basis
|Calorie Weighted Basis
The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Turkey is considered "the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey".1
Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is turkey broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is turkey liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index, barley can help support more stable blood sugar levels.
The fifth ingredient includes sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The sixth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they've first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The seventh ingredient is carrageenan, a gelatin-like thickening agent extracted from seaweed. Although carrageenan has been used as a food additive for hundreds of years, there appears to be some recent controversy regarding its long term biological safety.
The eighth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That's because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With one notable exception…
This food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Wellness Complete Health
Canned Dog Food Review
Judging by its ingredients alone, Wellness Complete Health canned dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product's meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 23% and estimated carbohydrates of about 33%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 36% and a mean fat level of 25%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 31% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 68%.
Below-average protein. Above-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Wellness Complete Health is a meat-based canned dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.
Those looking for other canned products from the same company may want to check out our review of Wellness Core and Wellness 95%.
Wellness Dog Food
Recall History
The following list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 directly related to this product line. If there are no recalls listed in this section, we have not yet reported any events.
- Wellness Dog Food Recall of March 2017 (3/18/2017)
- Wellness Dog Food Recall October 2012 (10/30/2012)
- Wellness Dog Food Recall May 2012 (5/5/2012)
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls sorted by date. Or view the same list sorted alphabetically by brand.
To learn why our ratings have nothing to do with a product's recall history, please visit our Dog Food Recalls FAQ page.
Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisor's recall notification list.
Dog Food Coupons
and Discounts
Readers are invited to check for coupons and discounts shared by others in our Dog Food Coupons Forum.
Or click the buying tip below. Please be advised we receive a fee for referrals made to the following online store.
Important FDA Alert
The FDA has announced it is investigating a potential connection between grain-free recipes and dilated cardiomyopathy. Click here for details.
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor is privately owned and is not affiliated (in any way) with pet food manufacturers. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive an affiliate fee from certain online retailers when readers click over to their website from ours. This policy helps support the operation of our blog and keeps access to all our content free to the public.
In any case, it is always our intention to remain objective, impartial and unbiased when conducting our analysis.
For complete information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
Notes and Updates
01/18/2018 Last Update
- Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication, 2008 Edition ↩


text:
November 5, 2007
Remember in the late 1990s when those laser pointer pens were so popular?
My first experience seeing one was in a movie theater. Before the movie started, I looked up at the white projection screen and noticed this red dot dancing all over it. I looked behind me a few rows and saw this youngster with his laser pen in hand, pointing it towards the screen . . . uncontrollably laughing along with his friends.
Yes indeed, new technology has provided us with many forms of entertainment.
A reader recently e-mailed and asked what I thought "the next big thing" would be.
Here it is.
On July 24th of this year a company called Microvision, located in Redmond Wash., signed an agreement with Motorola July 24 to develop products for its new "PicoP" (pico projector) display engine technology.
PicoP could be described as a "miniature digital projection module" that is able to "beam" or project, large high-resolution digital images or video streams onto a screen, wall, or any nearby surface.
This technology uses an "ultra-miniature laser-based display engine." This low-powered device is very small, which allows it to be "embedded" with many types of mobile media devices including cell phones and laptop computers.
The Digital Light Processor (DLP) chip component uses microscopic mirrors and an intelligent light switching system. This chip displays images in grayscale and a color wheel applies filters to turn the images into full color. The DLP chips provide rich color and a high-resolution display.
PicoP technology uses Microvision's "MEMS" scanner, which incorporates a 1 millimeter mirror that "paints" images pixel by pixel. A "spectrally pure" laser light delivers colors of red, green, and blue lasers. This connects into an optical chip that combines the laser light into a single focused beam. Lastly, there are integrated electronics to control the MEMS, modulate the laser light, and handle the video source connection.
With the embedded PicoP technology used in a mobile device like a cellphone or handheld media-player, a sales presentation at your business or a client's location will be easy. There is no need to make connections from your computer to a projector, or finding a power outlet and setting up a viewing screen.
PicoP will also project information to vehicle overhead displays.
The Microvision web site has an image gallery showing the various situations where PicoP technology is used.
I find it amazing how these tiny laser-based projectors are able to provide the "big-screen" DVD viewing quality experience from devices like cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA) and digital cameras.
PicoP will make it simple (and fun) to share with our family and friends those home movies, photographs and popular YouTube videos.
Alexander Tokman is Microvision's president and CEO. He stated, "In our pursuit of high volume consumer and automotive applications, we are partnering with world-leading manufacturers to bring the PicoP, our ultra-miniature, low-power projection display technology to market."
Rob Shaddock, chief technology officer for Motorola said, "Working together with Microvision, we are pursuing ways that projection technology can redefine how mobile consumers view and interact with the media they take with them."
I was very fortunate to contact Matt Nichols, who is the director of communications for Microvision. He was able to answer a few of my questions about PicoP.
Ollig: "Which products will have the PicoP technology incorporated into them at first?"
Nichols: "We see an accessory projector (only about the size of an iPod) as the first consumer product that will contain the PicoP display engine. An accessory projector would connect via a simple cable to the host device (mobile phone, iPod, laptop, digital camera, etc.) to project video and digital images. Following the accessory projector, we expect to see OEMS [original equipment manufacturers] of handset devices designing the PicoP display engine directly into the host device; some of the types of applications are pictured here in our [web site] image gallery."
Ollig: "Will support for Microsoft Power-Point presentations be available using PicoP?"
Nichols: "Yes, the PicoP is designed to accept both video and data input, so any application running on the host device will be projected through the PicoP display engine."
Ollig: "Matt, when do you think we will see PicoP technology available in devices for individuals to purchase?"
Nichols: "Our goal is to have the first PicoP-enabled projector in the market by the end of 2008. It is important to note that PicoP is the enabling ultra-miniature projection technology (a display engine) that will be embedded into consumer electronics devices (mobile phones, laptops, PDA's, gaming devices, etc.) to create a large, projected, full-color image. We sell the PicoP to OEMS to design into their consumer products. "
I hope you visit the Microvision web site, because this really is . . . "the next big thing."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
United Airlines, Team USA Members Launch United's 2014 Olympic Advertising
Fans can get an inside look at airline's new commercial and connect with athletes
Feb 05, 2014, 10:22 ET
CHICAGO, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and members of Team USA are offering social media fans and followers today a sneak peek at the airline's 2014 Team USA television advertising campaign.
Members of Team USA featured in United's ads are tweeting and posting links to the airline's all-new 60-second commercial, "Athletes Aboard," via their personal social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Narrated by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and actor Matt Damon, the first of three commercials will air during NBC's broadcast of the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony, featuring:
Gracie Gold, Figure Skating: @GraceEGold
Shani Davis, Speedskating, @ShaniDavis
Sarah Hendrickson, Ski Jumping, @schendrickson
Erin Hamlin, Luge, @erinhamlin
Ralph Green, Para Alpine Skiing @bkskiman
Dallas Roberts, Bobsled, @DRobUSA
Allison Jones, Para Alpine Skiing, @Jonezyrocks
Steve Langton, Bobsled, @StevenLangton
Nick Cunningham, Bobsled, @BOBSLEDR
Travis Jayner, Speedskating, @travisjayner
Curt Tomasevicz, Bobsled, @ctomasevicz
Melanie Schwartz, Para Alpine Skiing
Athletes will also post links to exclusive behind-the-scenes videos of the commercial shoot – which the airline filmed in a United hangar in Los Angeles on board a Boeing 777 aircraft – and provide friends and followers with updates via the hashtag #AthletesAboard. Additionally, United will include the hashtags #AthletesAboard and #TeamUSAfriendly in posts on its social media channels, enabling fans to get all of the latest updates from the airline and athletes.
"As the official airline of Team USA for the past 34 years, we are again flying U.S. athletes to training events, competitions, U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the Olympic Winter Games," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president of marketing and loyalty and president of MileagePlus. "Customers, fans and followers can engage with members of Team USA through social media channels and cheer them on as they go for the gold."
Throughout the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, customers can view interactive United and Team USA content on the New York Times website; watch videos featuring United and members of Team USA on Yahoo Screen; and read United-sponsored posts on BuzzFeed. Fans can view all of the United-sponsored Team USA content at united.com/TeamUSA. The 2014 Team USA advertising campaign also includes two 30-second television spots, print, digital, and outdoor advertising; and airport signage in United's eight continental U.S. hubs.
United developed the campaign with its global creative agency McGarryBowen. Horizon Media, Inc. managed the media investment and Momentum Worldwide supported the overall campaign.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 36 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO)
SOURCE United Airlines


text:
Northern Italy's Best Sights, Ruins & Most Infamous History Lie on the Shores of Lago di Garda. Join me on an off-the-beaten path tour of Lombardy.
In This Northern Italy Article You Will Discover:
- The Best Sights in Northern Italy
- The Ancient History of the Brescia Region
- Why The Town Of Salo is So (In)Famous
- And More!
"Mussolini was not a good man," Leonardo whispers. His left arm touches my shoulder, as if to assure me of the veracity his words, while his right arm points to the former home of Benito Mussolini's best friend, a man who was hauled off to the crazy house at the end of the Second World War.
This conversation is one of the most striking memories of my trip to Northern Italy. I am in the town of Salo, a gorgeous lakeside city known for leisure, sailing and being the last official home to Mussolini's fascist government; and Leonardo, a man of similar age to myself, seemed to be apologizing for his country's role in the Second World War.
For Gen-Y Canadians such as myself, the Second World War may as well have ended a thousand years ago. But for nations who found themselves on the wrong side of the gun barrels, it may as well have ended yesterday.
I nod at Leonardo's statement.
"Yeah, I know."
Then we head to the boardwalk for an eiscafe (iced coffee).
I am standing lakeside in the Brescia Region of Northern Italy, an area that stretches throughout eastern edge of the province of Lombardy. It is home to scenic lakes, wonderful Roman ruins and pleasant towns galore, yet the entire area seems to be off the average Western tourist's radar. Northern Italy is all Milan and Verona, it would seem.
But as I was a guest of Tourism Brescia, Milan was merely my airport and the closest I got to Verona was staring at its brown and beige buildings from across Lago di Garda (Lake Garda); perhaps the most beautiful of all Italian Lakes. After an exploration of the best of Brescia, however, I departed Italy without any sense of want.
Grotte di Catullo
One of the most amazing ruins in all of northern Italy, the Grotte di Catullo is a shining example of just how advanced and opulent the ancient Romans could be.
Located on tip of Lago di Garda's Sirmione Peninsula, these 2,000-year-old ruins are one of the largest and most striking ever to be unearthed in Northern Italy.
These ruins are all that are left of the massive, 167-metre-by-105-metre private edifice of the Catullus family. The edifice is best known for being where the Roman artist Gaius Valerius Catullus whiled away hours during the first century BC, writing poetry inspired by Lago di Garda and tending to his horses — during the time Julius Caesar was murdered in Rome.
Today, it is a marvelous walk-through ruin, where one can get up close and personal with architecture pre-dating Jesus Christ — with no crowds. No velvet ropes. No security guards. Just ancient stone that whispers the poetry of the ages.
As I walk through the ruins, I can't help but reach out and touch history — I place my hand against a two-millennia-old Roman arch and close my eyes.
I can hear the ghost of Caesar.
I wander further through the ruins, stopping at a cliff's edge and staring out over Lago di Garda. When one thinks of Italian lakes, famous Lago di Como (Lake Como) often jumps to mind, and Garda is often mentioned in passing. This seems an injustice to beauty of Garda.
A breeze wanders in from the Alps, on the opposite side of the near-400-sqaure-km of lake in front of me, and caresses my face. The injustice of recognition Garda endures may seem unfair, but then again, maddening crowds would surely be to this place's detriment. Maybe a touch of secrecy is OK, for now.
Near to the Grotte di Catullo, Sirmione sits like a mini-Venice on the shores of the Lago di Garda. The town is a tourist hotspot, primarily housed inside an 800-year-old castle, Commune di Sirmione, where canals of emerald lakewater wind through the stonework and hoards of tourists eat lunch and browse the shops. It is a hub of activity.
But I have to admit, after the quiet solitude of the Grotte di Catullo, a little people-watching will do me good. Especially when combined with a wood-fired pizza and glass of red wine.
Leonardo helps me with my voyeurism.
"Those women are from Turkey," he says, pointing to a group of females dressed in matching yellow-and-black couture. Leo explains that Italian women wear their hair flat, while the Turks like to poof up their coiffures. I'll take his word for it. Our menus are in Italian, German and English. This could be the most touristy spot in all of Brescia.
Salo is a rich man's town, Leonardo explains.
Stone-walled estates line the shores of Lago di Garda throughout Salo, as do exclusive spa retreats, well dressed Italians and Lamborghinis. The town is famous for sailboating and luxury tourism, and infamous for being both the birthplace of Italy's fascist regime, and the final stronghold of that particular government.
But for me, Salo is the Northern Italy of my dreams. We enjoy iced coffee on a lakeside boardwalk. Sailboats pass by, heading for waterborne excursions in the shadow of the Alps. Venetian architecture, a remnant of when the Republic of Venice ruled the region in the 12th Century, is prominent throughout the city. It is a perfect mix of the calm I felt in the Grotte di Catullo and the activity of Sirmione. And it is a perfect final memory of my trip through the lesser known side of Northern Italy.


text:
Support Your Family's Health With These Seven Healthy Family Activities
Sedentary Behavior in Kids Today Increases Risk of Obesity Many children today sit too much and don't move enough. They're lured by less-than-healthy foods and technology overpowers their lives. As parents, you're probably very aware of these problems and you're eager to find solutions. Whether you're attempting to start the New Year healthily or getting


text:
War of words between Shaan and Mawra Hocane does not end!
The latest Bollywood flick Phantom, which was banned in Pakistan, caused quite a furor in the country. Saif Ali Khan's statements further caused conflagration, as Pakistanis spoke out against the depiction of Pakistan as a safe haven for terrorists. Shaan Shahid and Mawra Hocane have taken to the social media and issued statements against each other.
It all started when Mawra Hocane tweeted a couple of messages on Twitter, stating that if Phantom was anti-terrorism it should be supported. Shaan took objection to the actress' tweets and called for her to be banned, from his official Facebook account.
Also read: Does Shaan want Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane banned?
Following Shaan's harsh status update, Mawra penned an open letter for Shaan and her fans, which was a tit for tat response towards the Waar actor. Mawra had claimed that she did not need to prove her loyalty towards Pakistan and that she had not seen the trailer of Phantom before tweeting about it.
You'd think the episode was over, but Shaan taunted Mawra again yesterday. The actor indirectly slighted Mawra Hocane with another status update on Facebook, this time not referencing the actress directly.
Though Shaan did not name anyone in particular, it seems obvious that the actor was referring to Mawra Hocane when he pointed out that those who garner fame often forget those and what made them famous.
Will Mawra Hocane pen another letter for Shaan Shahid or will the younger Hocane sister ignore Shaan's latest taunt and put an end to the episode altogether?


text:
Flat Rate Technician
- Employer
- Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
- Location
- Annapolis, MD
- Posted
- Jul 13, 2018
- Closes
- Jul 16, 2018
- Function
- Accountant, IT
- Industry
- Specialty Trades
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Are you looking for a challenging career as an Automotive Technician in a well-established and successful Fortune 500 company with excellent benefits and competitive pay? Jaguar Land Rover of Annapolis, a Penske Automotive Group dealership, is looking to add to the team of Technicians in Annapolis, MD. We encourage technicians of all levels to apply for this exciting opportunity. Working in a challenging environment, you will be committed to achieve goals and work closely as part of a team as well as on your own. Brand experience is preferred, but not required. Previous experience as a technician in a dealership environment is required. Come work in one of our state of the art facilities and have the opportunity to work on some of the top vehicle brands in the country. At Penske, we cultivate a winning team spirit and promote passion for quality. Our Team Members are the driving force behind our success. Join our team by APPLYING TODAY! Penske Automotive Group is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. All applicants must possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record. Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision Advancement Opportunity 401K Positive Working Environment Automotive Technician, Tech, A-level, B-level, C-level, lube technician, lube tech, express technician, express tech, master technician, master tech, shop foreman, ASE, dealership, mechanic, automotive mechanic, apprentice, automotive repair, hourly, flat rate, FR, HR, hourly


text:
You can find out anything on the Internet. At least it seems that way. The reality is, if you are doing research online, you're liable to stumble into information that looks true but actually isn't. And this can scuttle your research easily. Happily, Web site Lifehacker recently presented several tips on how to conduct better research on the Internet. Follow these guidelines and you'll soon be finding the truth online.
Watch for your bias
No one is free of bias. We all have our own strong opinions. These views, though, can skew our online research. That's why, Lifehacker recommends that researchers first understand their own biases before performing online research. For example, if you believe that life starts at conception, you may not be willing to acknowledge studies or opinion pieces taking the opposite side. This can ruin your online research even before you start. Be sure, then, to take what Lifehacker calls your confirmation bias into account before you start scanning the Internet for your research.
Quality of information
Once you're searching online, be wary of articles that aren't backed up with references or scientific facts. Lifehacker says that poorly researched articles, which frequently end up online, are the only things that can ruin your online research faster than can confirmation bias. So be sure to only include articles that come from respectable sources, such as government agencies, accredited universities and well-respected researchers, in your online research.
Specialized online research
To find the current and most comprehensive studies on your subject, you'll need to expand your search beyond the usual suspects of Google, Bing and Yahoo! Instead, turn to specialized scholarly searches that will yield more in depth information. Google Scholar and Scirus are powerful tools for academic research. So is PLOS, run by the Public Library of Science, and the United States Library of Congress.


text:
Feb 22nd – Renovation Update
Three weeks ago I was calling contractors and having them in to quote on doing renovations with the goal of having everything complete in early March. I guess that was a little ambitious of me. Both in the matter that I had a lot of decisions to make (I'm a slow decider) and in that contractors have their own way of dealing with time and deadlines.
Here's what has been accomplished, along with approximate working hours to complete.
Carpet removal from upstairs – 8 hours
Staple pulling & clean up – 9+ hours
Taking carpet to recycle depot – 1.5 hours
Removing cabinet doors in kitchen (hinges & handles) – 2.5 hours
Removing wallpaper in kitchen & clean up – 10 hours
Cleaning out kitchen cupboards & boxing items – 3 hours (only 1/2 done)
Removing face plates, switch covers & hand rails – 1 hour (1/2 done)
Researching & Buying supplies:
Flooring – Home Depot / Kent / Happy Harry's / Floors Plus
Paint – Home Depot / Kent / Color Your World / Sherwin Williams
6 hours meeting with friends and contractors for quotes & discussing plan of action
3.5 hours meeting with real estate agents
4 hours (2 separate evenings) – researching paint colours in general
6 – 8 hours (with my sister on a Saturday) – Happy Harry's / Floors Plus / Kent – Bought flooring / handles / hinges / backsplash tile and carted everything from the car to the house. Had to make two trips to Kent to get the flooring. Looked at kitchen lighting.
1 hour (lunch break) – researching paint colour
Random other things that needed to be done.
4 hours – sorting items, donating to Value Village, putting items on kijiji
2 hours – emailing Photo Tour participants & Young & Fearless participants about photo pick ups.
Undetermined amount of time for kijiji & photo pick ups.
2 hours Financial Planner
1 hour finding out exact debt amounts (Line of credit / vehicle / mortgage)
That appears to be a total of approximately 64 hours in the last 3 weeks. Geeze, no wonder I'm exhausted! And, that doesn't count the 10 – 15 hours of overtime I've done at work in the last two weeks.


text:
This post for how to properly store holiday dinnerware and its shop have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.
All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubSeason #CollectiveBias
While the parties and entertaining are just getting underway, in about a month we'll all be in clean up mode (sniff, sniff!). I wanted to share my simple tricks for storing holiday dinnerware (so you don't even have to wash it next year when you pull it out!).
My mother began giving me my Christmas dinnerware the year my husband and I got married. She would give me a couple of pieces every year. Sometimes, she'd hit the after-Christmas sales and I'd end up with several sets at a time. It's been such a treasured collection. While I'm definitely a self-proclaimed dish junkie, this is truly the only set that has been completely mine. All of my other sets came from antique stores, thrift stores, estate sales, and relatives that passed on. This Christmas set is truly the only set of dishes I own that came straight from the store (via my mom!). And now that my mom is getting older, she passed on her same Christmas pattern to me as well (she actually had all the serving pieces in her collection). I truly treasure this set and look forward to pulling them out every year. Here's how I take care of them so they always stay in tip-top condition.


text:
Hi Guys,
Ok I'm pretty much in love with everything Michael Kors at the moment, I can't stop window shopping online, filling up my basket and wishing Santa will remember I've been sooo good this year! Ok I know It's not going to happen but a girl can dream!! I was originally lusting after the Jet Set Chain Tote Bag, which I had considered buying myself as a birthday treat for my 30th next year, but since discovering this awesome online store – Psyche I've added about a zillion more things to my wish list, and rather fancy the Susannah Quilted Bag now!
- Black Susannah Quilted Shoulder Tote Bag £343.99
- Black Long Goat Hair Gilet £778.99
- Black Soft Leather Ankle Strap Sandals £158.99
- Purple Zip Shoulder Jersey Shift Dress £168.99
- Women's Gold Sport Chronograph Champagne Dial Watch £228.99
- Black Sloan Quilted Clutch £193.99
Psyche sell loads of other designer brands including Gucci, Barbour & Armani Jeans, they also have an outlet section with loads of bargains, you should definitely check them out for some Crimbo treats!
Are you a Michael Kors fan? I'd love to hear what would be on your wishlist!


text:
One of the things that I think is not that well developed in the Crossfit manifesto is the idea of training frequency and indeed the relationship between frequency and intensity. All their statement says is :
Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense.
Fair enough, but from my own training experience, the research and the ability to live a normal life, I think that training hard and intensely "5 or 6 days" a week is not the best solution.
This is where I think the thoughts of Art Devany are useful. One of the ideas that he proposes in his essay "Evolutionary Fitness" is that we would do well to look at optimal human activity patterns in terms of a "power law" distribution. This is a concept that he develops more in a post on his blog today:
Power Laws in Nature
The idea - in a simplified form - is that as the intensity of your exercise increases, its frequency should fall. You will get lots of rest, lots of easy low intensity movement and a few random bursts of hard, high intensity exercise.
Combine brief, but intense, work outs in a gym (the FT zone) with a wide variety of activities that mix intensity and duration randomly (mixing the IT and ST zones with brief spurts into the FT zone). Roller blading, bicycling, walking, sprinting, tennis, basketball, power walking, hitting softballs and so on are the sorts of activities that mix IT and ST fibers with intermittent FT action.
There is no hard and fast prescription to all this - it is about randomness, intermittency, a routine lack of routine. I try to put this into practice through lots of walking, daily balance exercises and a couple of gym/weight sessions a week, one interval based trying to work on VO2 max, one strength/power focussed. Always using "functional" movements - basically what Chek describes as primal patterns:
I've proposed that any primal man or woman who could not perform any of the primal patterns (squat, lunge, bend, push, pull, twist and gait) from a standing position, would have perished.
Read the post and the essay. Interesting and thought provoking.
Back to the Crossfit statement - "Routine is the enemy" needs to apply to intensity as well as other parameters.


text:
We all know the feeling. The children constantly knocking over their wooden train tracks, not being able to fix it themselves. You, the parent, end up being needed every 30 seconds to help put the train tracks back together, as your little ones don't know how yet.
Thankfully, there are some alternatives. Some are great. Some are not so good. To help you find the best solutions and avoid the worst, we will be covering some of these alternatives.
Why you should never use glue
Gluing wooden train tracks to your child's play surface is one of the best and worst solutions. Parents often regret using this method because they decide they want to remove the tracks from the surface in the future. Sadly, this is impossible to do without leaving a permanent mess. Many children don't like this method either. It doesn't let them customize the track. For these reasons, we recommend you go with a different track securing method.
Why you should always use tape
Using tape is one of the best alternatives to gluing train tracks, It is semi-permanent, and you probably have some lying around your home. Some tape types are better than others though, so here is a quick rundown of the different types.
Duct tape
Duct tape is a very good choice because it offers a very powerful grip and a long lasting stickiness. However, duct tape is notorious for leaving sticky residue behind after being removed.
Luckily, there is a residue-free duct tape available online and in some stores. This means that you will have to go shopping again to buy a new roll of duct tape, which you may want to avoid.
Masking tape
Masking tape is another solid option, but it is nowhere near as sticky as duct tape is. Masking tape is a good alternative to traditional duct tape because it leaves no residue. The best part is that you probably have some masking tape in your home.
How you can use felt to secure wooden train tracks
It is easy to place a piece of felt over your train table and either secure it permanently or just let it sit there. While this won't secure your wooden train tracks perfectly, it will stop them from sliding around.
Some parents like to place a piece of Velcro on their train tracks to attach the track to the felt more securely. This is a fine option, but it will ruin the felt over time.
No other option? Then glue.
If you decide that your only option is to glue the train tracks, then you should consider gluing only a single track. This may offer the stability you are looking for while still allowing you to change up the surrounding track every once in awhile.
If your child is still a toddler it may be best to pick up a single train set and permanently glue it to the table, as you can start collecting more pieces as your child gets old enough to take care of them.


text:
Triple A batteries – yes, the best and long lasting batteries for your electronic devices. Whether you are camping and need them for your flash light, or you want to power up the remote or the gaming pad, they are there to make experience greater! However, which one is the best? Well, read on to find out. Here are the Top 3 rechargable batteries on the Australian Market.
Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery
Energized created one of the highest rated lithium AAA batteries on the market. They offer up to nine times longer usage than other brands especially in digital cameras because the cameras are known to drain too much of them. Also, their shelf life is up to 15 years, which is good if you want to keep them around for emergencies. One thing, in particular, is that Energizer uses very light material when constructing these batteries, which their weight is one-third less than a standard battery. They are leak resistant and perform very good in tough temperatures. Online, there are only good reviews, so investing in them is a good deal.
Duracell Ultra Power AAA Battery
Well, who doesn't love the bunny? These batteries last more than any other brands. The reviews have shown it, well people I know have shown it, so they are really good. I've read online that one dude got up to 90 hours of constant use while he was camping with his head lamp – simply amazing. Their most powerful AAA batteries can last up to 10 years without any usage. It has a power check circle that grants the user to see how much is remaining so they can be easily replaced. They have a more affordable price at the same specification – a good investment indeed.
Panasonic Evolta Alkaline Battery
Lastly, we go through the Panasonic Evolta AAA battery. They also have good online reviews and receive good and fair rating when using digital cameras. Even though that Panasonic says they are good for all devices, it is usually used for devices that do not need to change their batteries too often, such as remote controls and smoke detectors. This battery can last up to six years without any usage and it is better than other normal batteries around 20%.
There you have it the big three AAA batteries brands. It is up to you which one you choose, depending on your budget, your preferences and the type of device you are going to use it. To find one is easier than before thanks to the help of the internet. Order online and they will arrive in your mailbox in no time.


text:
OH crud, oh crud, oh crud… I wasn't planning on blogging…
No caffeine…
It's late…
My tooth, jaw & ear throbs… {abscess tooth…not worth blogging about…bad words come to mind}
I recognize this feeling; this reason for the emergency blog. It's that constant thought, that continuous plan of creation running through my mind. The blue prints are being sketched out in my brain and I can't seem to focus on anything else…this thought, this idea …
I'm obsessing.
It happens.
Here's the dilemma – plain and simple…
Do I invest in myself? Or do I keep living my life for other people?
Wanna know something funny? That Ironic kind of funny… At first I typed keep living my "lie" for other people and that's true as well. I work, I survive, I'm not miserable, but none of it is really for me. It is a lie. It's a classic "do what ya gotta do" type of thing.
But what happened to do what you love? Do what makes you happy?
Dreams right?
I desperately wanted a life in the military. It's me, I'm well suited for it. One problem, children kept sprouting from my body. {wink} So I formed my own regime.
I wanted to go to school; Mr. B wouldn't let me. Control.
I want, I want, I want…blah It's all whatever, I can always find the bright side to the bad picture.
What if, that thought, that desire just keeps creeping back in?
What if you feel like you were blessed with certain creative abilities to…I don't know…
Do you continue to ignore them? I'm not happy right now. Oh sure, my marriage is fine, my kids are wonderfully awful, and work is moving right along. But me, that lil inner giggling girl that used to live inside my hopes and dreams isn't giggling anymore.
She's tired. She just dyed her hair to cover the grey. She laughs now at the chances missed because it's easier than feeling bad about them. But the chances missed are collecting. That pile of wadded up paper is starting to block out the light that used to fill the room.
Invest? What if I fail?
I don't mean crash and burn you stink type of thing. I mean, I'm tired when I get home. I have family, work, husband, church and chores that take up my time.
What if I just don't have it in me?
But what if I do?
The writing is moving along. My trusty side kick Sheila Bee is on her way to being my biggest {only} fan as she's editing my paper world. But I'm talking about my shops. That's an immediate thing.
What if I do?
What if I don't?
Survival is Good… But Living could be better.
I don't have answers on this one. I just needed to get it off my chest. Strangely 'someone' isn't in the mood for talking.
{Hey Nay, maybe my talking drained him! Hahahahahahahahah!}
But even when 'someone' doesn't always get it…you guys always do.
{Hey Nay, maybe my talking drained him! Hahahahahahahahah!}
But even when 'someone' doesn't always get it…you guys always do.
It's a rare time when the game plan is being written and even more unlikely when you have a lil tiny stash to support the game. I just can't figure out which way to go. Continue on the slow path or jump in like I used to. I just don't know
Thanks for listening…I'm taking my tooth to bed. A week from now, I'll be putting it under my pillow. Odd lesson learned. If I wasn't so tolerant to pain, I would get this crud taken care of before it got bad. Let's be honest; I probably haven't learned any lesson. {smirk}


text:
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I want glasses like that.
No, this has nothing to do with parenthood and yes, everybody's FB-ing the crap out of it but so what? This is genius.
Posted by Ali at 9:28 PM 1 comment:
I've been awake exactly 43 minutes and have already cleaned up 2 rounds of cat puke and a giant lake of toddler pee.
Posted by Ali at 7:43 AM 1 comment:
Monday, August 9, 2010
This is what happens when I single-parent it.
For the record, it takes less than 5 minutes for a toddler to coat himself in Vaseline. And yes, I know this for a fact.
Posted by Ali at 5:48 PM 1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
And that's because now I'm doing it all by myself.
Now before you feel too sorry for me. I am defintiely not all alone. I have an amzaing network of friends and family that would drop everything to help me if I asked them to. I am a very lucky person in that respect.
But none of those amazing people are a parent to my children. They love them...for sure...but it's not the same as sharing the day-to-day care and responsibility of the kids with a partner.
In years past I have often said that "single parents are my super heroes". The few times that my husband would go away and I had the girls on my own I would sing the praises of those that did this all the time. But I always knew back then that there was an end date to my life as a solo parent. That one day he would be home.
I have no reassurances like that anymore. There is no end date. There is no guarantee this is not my life for good now. And let me tell you that is a very sobering and scary thought.
If we need groceries - I have to go shopping.
If I don't feel like making lunches (and I never ever do!) there is no one else that is going to do it for me.
If one of my girls has a nightmare - I get woken up and have to cuddle and soothe them back to sleep.
This is a serious adjustment for me. Because even though - in reality - I used to do all that stuff anyway when I wasn't on my own...I knew that I had a back up if I needed it. There was always the option to pass the buck.
Add to this major change the fact that I am also adjusting to being a self employed and working at home and my schedule is all kinds of messed up!
In fact...I'm pretty sure I never had a proper schedule to begin with. Me thinks that might be the problem.
I am very lucky in that when I struck out on my own in business I secured 2 great clients right away and they keep me very very busy. But finding a balance between both jobs as well as trying to meet the needs of my kids and manage a household on my own has been nearly impossible. There was no way I could do everything...
Let's just say my vacuum and I barely know each other anymore.
And I have convinced myself that the bathtub is self-cleaning.
Don't judge me...I'm adjusting.


text:
I'm joining in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day this month. Kindly hosted by Carol over at May Dream Gardens - it's an opportunity for gardeners from all corners of the globe to get together and share what's blooming and blossoming in their gardens of the 15th of every month. Head on over if you want to join in!
It's been really difficult to decide what blooms to share with you all - therefore this is Part 1 of 2. As well as playing catch up in garden, I'm also playing catch up in downloading and editing my garden pictures. Being that this is the first year I'm recording everything in the garden, I don't want to miss anything out.
The first of the Rhododendrons are flowering R. Shamrock and R. Baden Baden - they would normally be joined by Rhododendron Taurus but as it has struggled with Cushion Scale this last couple of years it was removed from the garden last week.
|Rhododendron Shamrock
|Rhododendron Baden Baden
|Tulips National Velvet and Aqueligia Spring Magic Pink
Soldanella villosa - requires a moist cool shady spot. This one grows in a container unlike the others in borders which have yet to flower. it's common name is Snowbell and will push it's dainty little flowers up through the snow on the mountain tops of Europe.
|Soldanella villosa
Erysimum kotschianum - Alpine Wallflower, prefers a sunny well drained site. It has settled in well in the Alpine Trough. It's bright yellow flowers really do stand out.
I've 2 Clematis flowering right now - both have not come through winter unscathed.
Clematis cartmanii Pixie - an H3 hardy evergreen climber. Protected in winter with fleece thrown over it and stored against a sunny wall for shelter. Certainly not abundant in growth but has produced a few of it's waxy blooms. It will be given a larger container later in the season when it has finished flowering.
|Clematis cartmanii Pixie
Clematis alpina Helsingborg has flourished in the garden this past few years but a 'cat fight' between one of my cats and a stranger that ventrued into the garden saw the clematis almost torn apart from it's support. I spent a whole afternoon recently carefully snipping and untying all all the damaged stems. Only 1 single stem has survived. I live in hope that it will regenerate from the base.
|Clematis alpina Helsingborg
Fritillaria, Primula and Narcissus from previous posts are still looking well enough to be considered 'flowering'. The usual spring herbaceous plants are flowering - I will be including them in Part 2 of this post.
If you've liked any of my plants and want any more information on them you can follow the links I've provided to my 'What's Growing' pages - here you will find growing information on each plant.
Thank you for joining me this May GBBD - please come back soon.


text:
Real Estate News
Garden City Realty develops mobile audience
Garden City Realty reported last week that 33 percent of the traffic to its website comes from smartphones andd tablets.
The company has recently completed several enhancements to its mobile and web sites, said Kimberly Raley-Kimes, including a booking capability, full site viewing and sales search.
Garden City Realty has gotten more than 46,000 visits to its mobile website via smartphone this year, she said.
The company has recently loaded vacation home listings to the website and it lists the homes geographically.
"Anything we do moving forward must definitely keep the integrity of the Web site intact while staying abreast of what's necessary to keep us on top of the market," she said in a news release.


text:
Kung Foot: Enter the...foot
Last week, Ubisoft held an event for Rayman Legends, a game that's been a long time coming thanks to a delay on account of incoming multiplatform ports. While I figured we might just about have seen everything we need to know about the much anticipated platformer, Rayman creator Michel Ancel and company had a few more surprises up their sleeves, one of which was the multiplayer minigame Kung Foot.
Kung Foot was conceptualized as a sort of one-off, fun addition, marked as something you "can play with your friends, maybe at night, drinking or not." It bears resemblance to Sportfriends' insanely fun and simple BaraBariBall, but without the death pits. As you can see in the header, it's just pared down soccer, basically, but it's fabulously fun.
Kung Foot support up to four players, which means you can throw goalies into the mix. Even with just two players, it's a blast, as you hit the soccer ball and try to score more goals than your opponent before time runs out. Simple, done before, still great. Naturally the ball speeds up after each hit and things go hectic. It has the addictive, adversarial spirit of a lot of simple browser games like Just the Tip. I can see myself wasting a lot of time on it. As Ancel noted, "this is the biggest Rayman game ever." Stay tuned for more.
You are logged out. Login | Sign up


text:
Quackquack is a dating website that allows people to mingle. One can create one's profile for free, upload photos and update personal information. Quackquack has over 2.5 lakh registered members and the website ensures total privacy. It also displays relevant searches from one's city. It provides chat facility and even ensure photo privacy settings.
Subscribe with us to get the latest updates on Top Ten Lists. You email address is secure with us and we won't spam you.


text:
Stern's emotional investment pays off for NBA
Among the faces of the NBA, the characters who define its history and place in sports and society, one belongs to an individual who cannot jump, shoot or run. He never coached or owned a team and, in a somehow fitting sight gag in his land of giants, can be fairly described as conspicuously short.
David Stern, unlike any pro sports commissioner before him or likely to follow, belongs among the faces of his game, having grown past his role as the NBA's chief executive to a symbol of his times for good, bad and everything in between.
Right there with Magic and Michael and LeBron - who all can be identified by just one name in a sign of how far the league has come - Stern almost inexplicably but undeniably belongs.
Longevity alone did not put Stern on that Mount Rushmore. His 30-year run as NBA commissioner ends Friday, with plaudits hailing his stewardship of the league from obscure to ubiquitous, local to global, dying to thriving.
Yet none of that is what makes Stern's three decades unique among his small group of peers. It isn't the NBA's success or its spectacular growth that puts Stern there. His place in sports history is unique because of something less tangible.
Yes, he could talk and sometimes act as if it were his league, but we all referred to it that way, as if he were pulling strings on every development.
Kobe Bryant gets hurt. "Bad news for David Stern." LeBron James gets a favorable call. "You think David Stern would have LeBron foul out in the Finals?" The Spurs play the Cavaliers in the Finals. "David Stern is not going to like the ratings for this one." (Well, that one probably was true, but what other sport would be identified that way?)
League was his baby
It is not just that Stern has been around for so long and through pro basketball's golden era. Pete Rozelle steered the NFL from a Sunday diversion to a dominant American sports goliath, but even he wasn't as tightly associated with the league - or his league identified just by mention of his name - as Stern has been with the NBA. Bud Selig? Please. Gary Bettman is vilified, Roger Goodell relatively unfamiliar.
To many around the world, Stern is the NBA. And it all, from Stern at his best to worst, comes from the same place.
To Stern, it was all personal. The NBA was not his job. It was his adopted child. And no matter how a child matures, a parent never stops being a parent.
Stern could be heavy-handed, even imperious in his edicts. To some, many who actually run the teams and play the games, that style was off-putting at best, though that is probably to be expected after 30 years of decision-making.
Yet the style that might have seemed inappropriate and even the role we all assigned to him came from the same place as his strength. He took it all so personally. He took parental pride in Michael Jordan's becoming a cultural icon as shorts everywhere grew baggy and heads were shaved.
Stern looked personally wounded in the low points, from the brawl in Auburn Hills to the four work stoppages under his watch. He argued for his league, even in decisions that clearly were about the business of basketball and the enriching of owners' bank accounts, with the unwavering certainty of a cable news pundit.
Stern could be volatile. He was incredibly demanding of those working in the NBA's Olympic Tower offices, especially those closest under him. He presumed devotion to the league approaching his own. In recent years, he has been increasingly prickly and combative when challenged. Yet even that did not seem to be about just advocating for his sport or position as much as protecting something he loved.
Of course it was personal. Once he left his parents' deli, Stern spent his career associated with the NBA, first with the law firm representing the league, then as general counsel and ultimately as commissioner. This was his life's work. The result is nothing but personal.
The measure of the NBA's growth under his watch has often pointed to the league's going from late-night, tape-delayed broadcasts of the Finals to a ubiquitous presence, with live coverage in 215 countries and territories. The world has grown much smaller in 30 years, but the telling change is not that an event that once could not been seen live in Boston now has fans waking up early in Beijing but that nothing seems surprising about that.
As Dallas owner Mark Cuban, a frequent foil, put it Wednesday, Stern took the league from second-rate to second in global popularity.
Rich legacy, to be sure
Extending the league's commercial reach so far was good business, but it was also a leap of faith.
As much as when shaking hands on draft night - starting with Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984 - to handing over the championship trophy each June, Stern has reveled in his glory in those corners of the globe where his league has gone far beyond any other American sport.
The net worth of the league has grown from $400 million spread over 23 teams to $12 billion with 30 teams, and that is probably as much of a bottom-line legacy as anything.
Yet the image is about something else.
He is not there with Magic and Michael and LeBron because of the money he made owners or the number of people setting alarms in Shanghai. The emotional investment Stern brought to his office and demanded of others made him more than the guy running the league's business. That's why we identify the NBA with the short guy in the suit. That's the legacy that will endure.


text:
Even though I still have a 2010 layout to share, I thought I'd post some cards for a chanhe. I went through my paper scraps and made 4 mini-kits out of them. I figure I'd be able to get one or two cards using each kit
As I started, I'd worked out a few "rules" for the cards:
1. Try to use mostly the papers in the pack.
2. You can look for more papers if needed, but it has to be from the scrap box.
3. You're allowed to use embellishments, stamps, punches from your stash.
4. Continue until you finish everything from the kit.
Can you believe I got 7 cards out of it?! Ok, they're not brilliant - I am no stamper, I am lazy about colouring and my cards won't get any prizes, but still...
I digitally coloured one of my images then added a bit of stickles on the bubbles.
Another one using the same coloured image:
One of my favourites.
I wanted to make at least one girlie card, so I added the red cardstock and the flowers.
Something a little different:
That's 6 cards, the last one need the final touches...


text:
NEW High Performance PCB Antenna
35 x 6mm Quad Band GSM/GPRS, 2G & 3G/UMTS PCB Antenna
The Echo 1A is a GSM & 3G tuned PCB antenna, setting the bench mark high with an impressive level of performance across all the frequencies despite being an extremely compact antenna solution. With a miniature footprint size of 35 x 6mm, the Echo 1A is perfect for applications where internal space for components is limited or when using an external antenna is simply not appropriate. Its miniature design allows this antenna to be fixed to the inside of an enclosure or directly onto a PCB with little hassle. Common applications for this embedded antenna include: waterproof / water tight designs, portable solutions and general GSM applications that require a compact invention.
Stocked and ready to ship with the following cable lengths / connectors:
- 100mm 1.13mm coax cable with IPEX connector
- 100mm 1.13mm coax cable with GSC connector
- 200mm 1.13mm coax cable with IPEX connector
- 200mm 1.13mm coax cable with GSC connector
Read more news...
Device connectivity made simple
Want reliable cellular connectivity?
Mobile M2M module market to triple in three years says Infonetics
Want connectivity that manages itself?
Struggling with your GSM connection for M2M?
How does your signal analyser measure up?
Internet of Things would speed care to wounded soldiers
5G Wireless: What We Know (and Don't Know) So Far...
Want to know what extra features the Quantum Data 780C boasts?
M2M connections increasing, but don't call it IoT!
How do your cellular results stack up?
Want to maximise your signal strength?
Wish you didn't have to carry all those SIMs?
Remote monitoring of temperature with SMS/Email alerts
Selecting the right M2M modem for your IoT application
5 ways to improve 2G/3G signal strength for M2M devices
Self-managing modems ensure optimum network connectivity


text:
The Citizens of the World After School Program will be offered to students Mondays through Fridays from dismissal to 6:00pm. ALL FAMILIES MUST REGISTER EVERY MONTH by the designated due date. For safety purposes students will not be allowed to participate in the ASP if a monthly form has not been returned. No phone calls, notes, or same-day online orders requesting ASP will be accepted. Late forms complicate program operations and will be assessed a fee of $15 and a child's participation in the program may be delayed.
ASP ends promptly at 6:00pm, late pick-up (anytime after 6pm) will be subject to late fees of $1.00 per extra minute. Late pick-up fees are due at pick-up and should be paid no later than the following day. If a parent is more than 10 minutes late to pick up their child on two or more occasions the child will be temporarily removed from the program. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions or concerns about ASP.
***Please fill out the registration form on this page, and complete your payment at the bottom of this page.***


text:
Mahoning Valley Flight Crew in New Castle
Mahoning Valley Flight Crew visits Croaker's Kegs and Corks in New Castle
Location: Croaker's Kegs & Corks
Address: 2017 West State Street, Suite E, New Castle, Pa.
Website: www.croakersbrew.com
Hours: Mon.: 5 to 8 p.m.; Weds.: 6 to 9 p.m.; Fri.: 4 to 8 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Available for Purchase: Beer- and wine-making supplies, on-premises brew experiences, merchandise.
By Jim Cyphert,
Mahoning Valley Flight Crew
Is it coincidence that frogs hop and a key ingredient in craft beer is hops?
Mara Palipchak, owner of Croaker's Kegs & Corks in New Castle, Pa., says her home brew shop's name comes from her love of frogs. The Flight Crew instantly made the frog-beer-hops connection.
Palipchak and her husband, Chris, opened Croaker's in March 2017.
"We share a love of brewing," Mara said. "We supply the area's wine and beer hobbyists with what they need to 'Keep their hobby bubbling.'"
The Palipchaks also inspire new brewers to give the hobby a hands-on try.
"Our other motto is 'Make great beer right here,'" Mara said. "This represents our brew-on-premises establishment, where customers pick a recipe and brew under our direction."
Once the beer is made, fermented and carbonated, customers return to bottle it. Many recipes are available, as is some customization. Batches can be one, five and 10 gallons.
"This is fun for couples, birthdays, and wedding parties to make a unique keepsake or custom brew, and of course, for those who simply love beer and want to make their own," Mara said.
We met Mara and Chris in November at the BrewHaha! fundraiser for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. They were aggressive in their desire to participate in an event for a good cause and let the community taste their beers.
They asked if we had interest in brewing our own beer (that's akin to asking a kid on Christmas Eve if he'd like to open a present a little early).
While some of us have tinkered with home brewing, our expertise is in tasting great craft beers. But the work itself was one of the most enjoyable parts of this experience. We added the grains and hops, and waited … a long time.
What do you do at a home brew shop while you're waiting? You sample beers. Thirteen in our case – from an Apricot Blonde to a Russian Imperial Stout. We even got to tap into a few special beers the Palipchaks had in reserve.
Here's our take on the beers we enjoyed, including our very own Pahk the Cah New England-style IPA:
Pac-Man Apricot Blonde Ale
Joe Sanfilippo
"You don't need a quarter to try this version of Pac-Man. If you have the time, Croaker's can help you brew Pac-Man Apricot Blonde Ale, an amazing blend of apricot, caramel, Pilsner malt and Cascade hops. This one has a nice fruit flavor with a mild hop finish. It's perfect for any occasion."
Arbalaster English-Style IPA
Jim Cyphert
"This beer is great for those who crave a little hoppiness, but don't want a hop slap. Mara said this beer was custom brewed for a friend who wanted to share the story of the family name while doing some holiday visiting. Arbalaster is an English-Style IPA crafted with English malts and yeast. A malty flavor is present with the smooth-but-forward hoppiness of the Denali hops used to create the aroma and the Warrior hops that finished the recipe in the dry hop. I was really drawn to this beer."
Uncle Joe's Russian Imperial Stout
Jason Jugenheimer
"We were fortunate to sample this from Chris' personal stock, which is a nod to his Russian heritage and named for 'Uncle Joe' Stalin. First brewed in England for Catherine II of Russia, the Russian Imperial Stout has developed into a style known for higher ABVs. This particular one was aged with French oak spirals giving it a slightly earthy and malty taste. A touch of rye helps to level out the booziness, but its near-black pour and richness will keep you warm as winter fights to stay around. So put on your Ushanka and raise your glass.
Danger Noodle American IPA
Roger Gillespie
"Our visit to Croakers was a feast for the senses — the aroma of the boil and great homebrews to sample. I was really impressed with Croaker's Danger Noodle IPA. Brewed with Experimental and Denali hops, this American Pale Ale delivers a nice hop slap at the beginning but softens at the finish with pale malt and honey malt to complement the flavors."
Black Pearl Oyster Stout
Brian Long
"Don't freak out when you hear the word oyster, unless you're allergic to shellfish. But yes, this Stout is indeed made with fresh oysters, and the shells are added to the boil as well. This "roasty" Stout, balanced very nicely with Hallertau hops, drinks very well with a subtle sweet, briney finish. I found it quite unique. And, what better time of year to try it than during Lent?" Pahk the Cah New England-Style IPA
Dave Shively
"What do you get when six craft beer fanatics handcraft a very special brew together? A New England-Style IPA (NEIPA), which we affectionately refer to as 'Pahk the Cah.' With the varied beer styles to brew, we decided to concoct a NEIPA because it's the one style we all enjoy immensely. As winter fades into spring, Porters and Stouts have moved to the back burner and Ales have moved front and center. Our experiment couldn't have turned out more perfect. We tinkered with Mara's suggested IPA recipe to create a hazy, opaque-colored beer with a great hop aroma and a smooth finish. The name? We felt it captured both the New England accent and the style of beer perfectly."
Recommended Flight Pattern: Hop on over to New Castle with a group of friends and experience what it takes to brew your very own tasty craft beer.
(Requires free registration.)


text:
iPad Apps for Learning
Positive Path Forward Meeting Presentations – Oct 8, 2013
Michelle Morley's Google Doc Link – SST Presentation Oct 8, 2013
Various Apps:
List of iphone/ipod/ipad apps for learning from the Ministry of Education
Proloquo2Go – like digital PECS. Can be a student's voice – used to make requests, express wants, needs and feelings – about $200
Proloquo Update Link – http://www.assistiveware.com/proloquo2go-30-now-available
Voice Dictation – allows students who have difficulty writing to record their voice instead
iModeling – create a model of steps for a student to follow to learn a skill or carry out a routine to develop indenpendence
Screen Chomp – can draw and then record words to your drawing to play back. For example, can use with fractions – draw a pie and then label it with your voice to say this is 1/4th. Very cool! Can pause, rewind and replay their learning for reinforcement. Allows students to self-assess….write, talk, record, reflect.
Shape Puzzle Free – gives you a shape like a zebra and you have to put the puzzle pieces together to create it….also a very cool app.
Scribble Kid – can color and draw with various templates available – also good for demonstrating knowledge fractions etc.
Pocket Pond – touch the fish and they will move away – calming water sound – good for cause/effect, motor skills, visual coordination, processing
Singing Fingers – finger paint using sounds – can add any sounds to the visual creation you've made. Watch the intro YouTube video that downloads with it to see how it works
Chalk Board – draw on an electronic chalk board with lots of colors to choose from
Story Kit – has stories to read, but doesn't appear to read them aloud.
Educreations – can draw a picture and record you voice on the drawing to explain what you've created….can use this to demonstrate knowledge
Quick Voice – can speak instructions/steps on here for a student to play back when needed
Futaba – word games
Math Puppy – Bingo and Math Challenges for Kids
Hungry Fish – have to feed the fish bubbles that add up to the number on the fish
Rocket Math Free – basic facts and time
Sock Puppet – can be used to record, review and reflect through the use of puppets
Toontastic – animated page where you can create characters, develop dialogue and tell a story
Feltboard – allows students to express themselves creatively
Star Walk – point ipad any direction in the sky and learn about stars and planets
Qwiki – interesting way to gather information from the net – takes bits and pieces from many sites and puts a video together for you on a topic your inquire about
iMovie – create videos, books etc.
Keynote – like powerpoint
Speech Journal – can be used to record learning over time – allows for reflection and inquiry learning. Take snapshop of your learning (picture) and document your process as you learn.
Keynote – allows you to create multi-media presentations.


text:
DENVER (CBS4) – They say their plan will create jobs in Colorado. Both Democrat and Republican state lawmakers have floated legislation they hope will boost Colorado's economy.
CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd talked with Republicans on Thursday about their ideas for this year. They say it's all about scaling back business regulations.
Speaker of the House Frank McNulty said it isn't a flashy agenda, but he insists it is exactly what job creators say they need to grow their businesses.
Republicans traveled across the state last year meeting with business owners and they say again and again they heard unnecessary, burdensome regulations are getting in the way of job creation.
After 82 years in business, Denver Bookbinding went from 30 employees to 10 in the last 5 years. The recession and e-books are in part to blame.
"We are watching pennies," owner Gail Lindley said.
Lindley said mounting red tape is making it tough to stay in the black.
"Throughout the years we see more and more regulation coming up. Some of it makes sense and some of it doesn't make any sense at all," she said.
She says the results can be dire. Last year Lindley says the only die plate maker in Colorado was regulated out of business, costing jobs and forcing her to turn to an out-of-state vendor.
"This has cost us increased time and money," Lindley said.
"Our focus is going to be, what we can do to clear the way for job creation?" McNulty said.
He says he's heard Lindley's pain. The Republican jobs agenda is focused on regulatory reform, including simplifying the permitting process, giving businesses a grace period to fix infractions instead of automatic fines, and requiring state agencies to work with businesses when crafting new rules as well as explain why they are needed.
"What we've seen is too much rubberstamping going on. We want to make sure we know what these rules do and the effect these rules have on job creators," McNulty said.
Lindley will take all the help she can get.
"I would like to see people coming across the aisle and look at the bigger picture and not say, 'I'm a Democrat, I'm a Republican,' but come across and say, 'What is the best for all?' "
There may be room for compromise. Boyd spoke with minority leader Mark Ferrandino. He told her there are some, in his words, sensible ideas on regulatory reform in the Republican package that Democrats can work with. But he says he's not sure how any of them will create jobs.
The Democrats' first bill they'll introduce would give an advantage in the bidding process for state contracts to companies that employ Coloradans. Other bills would prevent discrimination in hiring based on credit scores and provide incentives to buy Colorado products.


text:
One of the most common questions I am asked by clients is: 'should I pay off my debt or invest my surplus cash?' It is a fair question and there is no right or wrong answer, like so many other questions related to organising your own personal finances. However, there are some key points which are worth considering.
Generally, there are two types of debt – deductible and non deductible. As the name suggests, deductible is debt where we are able to claim a tax deduction for part or all of the interest payments, whereas with non deductible debt we can't.
The most common type of non deductible debt is a property mortgage, with interest rates anywhere between 4.99% – 6.00% at the moment. Therefore, any capital directed towards your (say) mortgage is providing you with a guaranteed return of 4.99% – 6.00% per annum (based on this example). So the question you should ask yourself is if you decide to invest rather than pay off debt, can you guarantee your investment will return in excess of 4.99% – 6.00%? Or if you have a credit card, potentially 15.00% plus? Of course, there is also the effect of tax and fees but for the sake of this conversation (and getting too technical) I have left this out.
Deductible debt is different because it can provide you with tax relief, depending on your individual taxable income position. Let's not get confused though – debt is still debt and you are usually going to be better off without it, but some debt (like deductible debt) may in fact be 'good debt'.
This is one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself when making any investment decision as it will have a large impact on the level of risk you should be taking. If you have a long-term approach and therefore do not need access to your funds for at least 7 years, then investing in shares and property may be appropriate. And if we take a look at the long term historical average returns for these asset classes, we see healthy figures in excess of 8% per annum.
I would stress that each and every one of us considers this question in great detail as the answers will be a key driver in determining your strategic plan. For example, if you wanted to reduce your tax bill at all costs then paying off deductible debt may not necessarily be the right decision. Or if you wanted to achieve the highest, guaranteed, risk-free return available then paying off your non-deductible debt may be more appropriate.
Taking a step back for a moment, all of the above would be irrelevant without one key factor – surplus cash. If I can give you one piece of advice today, it is to do whatever you can to put yourself in a cash-flow positive position, because if you spend more than you earn, it is difficult to achieve anything.
From here, you open a number of doors for yourself in regards to setting yourself on a path which will lead you to achieving all those things you listed when you answered question 3 above.
Chris Giaouris, CFP®
Shadforth Financial Group
Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and has been providing personal wealth management and financial advice since 2008. Over this time he has built specialised knowledge in superannuation, retirement strategies, tax planning and portfolio management. Chris also has extensive experience in the UK Pension sector where he has assisted a number of clients with the transfer of their UK superannuation capital to Australia.
He believes financial planning is not solely about investments or strategies, but more importantly it is about helping you (the client) make smart choices with your money so you can focus on things more important than money.


text:
Garage Doors
Universal Supply is your one-stop-shop for garage doors and accessories in Southern & Central New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware. We have the brands you can trust and the service you need to get the job done.
Need A Pro? Find A Dependable Garage Door Contractor HERE!
- Contemporary Styles
- Openers
- Steel, Wood & PVC
- Traditional Styles
Contact USC for all of your garage door needs!