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GEO 12: International Year of the Cooperative
The United Nations has declared 2012 to be the "International Year of the Cooperative." This issue of GEO explores the significance of this declaration, ways that it connects with broader cooperative movement strategies, and other dimensions of building a stronger global cooperative/solidarity economy movement.
- Introduction: The International Year of the Cooperative by Ajowa Nzinga Ifateyo and Christina Clamp (GEO)
2012: Year of the Cooperative
- The Power of Cooperation
- 2012 – Not Business As Usual by Charles Gould (International Co-Operative Alliance)
- International Year of the Cooperative Inspirations by GEO Editors
- CICOPA-North America Formed by Jessica Gordon Nembhard and Jim Johnson (GEO)
Strengthening Cooperative Movements
- Creating Democratic Education Resources for Building a Democratic Economy by Brian Van Slyke and Andrew Stachiw (The Toolbox for Education and Social Action)
- Cooperative Principles and the Common Good by Michael Johnson (GEO)
- Cooperatives and Worker-Owned Enterprises as Transformative Strategies by Immanuel Ness
- Marketing Your Cooperative During IYC – What Steps Will You Take to Observe the International Year of Cooperatives? by Andrea R. Cumpston (National Cooperative Business Association)
Cooperative Policy
- Will the U.S. Government Legislate Cooperative Development? by Peter Frank
- SBA Recognizes Worker Cooperatives as Small Businesses by Micha Josephy (Cooperative Fund of New England)
Global Solidarity Economies
- Italy's Slow Revolution: A Twist on Solidarity Economics by Alberto Corbino
Activites and Resources
- 18148 reads
A weekly email newsletter connecting you with our latest issues, articles and special features. Subscribe now!
Movement Pages
Recent Issues
- 4: Sociocracy / Dynamic Governance -NEW!
- 3: Cuban Worker Co-ops
- 2: Building Regional Solidarity Economy Networks
- 1: Expanding the Reach of Food Co-ops
- 18: The Southern Cooperative Movement
- 17: Scaling-Up the Cooperative Movement
- 16: Intentional Communities and Solidarity Economics
- 15: Advancing the Development of Worker Co-ops-ADWC 2013
- 14: The Anniversary Issue
- 13: The Frank Lindenfeld Memorial
- 12: International Year of the Cooperative
- 11: Lessons for Today from "Black Like Me"
- 10: Occupy! Connect! Create!
- 9: Collective Action: Research, Practice and Theory
- 8: Worker Cooperative Development Models
- 7: The Cooperative Advantage
- 6: Inter-cooperation is Key
- 5: Education For Economic Liberation
- 4: Land, Food, Childcare, Laundry, and a Book
- 3: Worker Cooperative Replication
- 2: Strengthening the Movement
- 1: Grassroots Democracy In Action


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Brian Dorsey Studios
Brian Dorsey Studios
Expect the unexpected with this team of award-winning photographers
It's not often you find a photography company with award-winning shooters that also have a sense of humor. And that's just what you get with Brian Dorsey Studios. Just check out the bios on their website and you'll see each member of the team is creative, a professional, and doesn't take him or herself too seriously. And it shows in their work, too. They capture the unexpected, along with all of the classic moments you don't want to miss.
For over 11 years Dorsey's Tribeca-based Studio has been bringing an inspiring level of professionalism to the wedding photography industry. Constantly recommended by New York City's top wedding planners, and named "One of the Top 10 Weddings Photographers in the World" by American Photo Magazine, Dorsey and his Associates are known globally for their extraordinary images that seem genuine rather than posed. While clients rave that their creative eye and sensitivity are amazing, it's their ability to make couples feel comfortable and actually enjoy the process, allowing them to capture images with that refreshing air of authenticity.
In addition to day-of services, Brian Dorsey Studios also offers engagement portrait shoots, destination wedding photography, wedding album design and production, photo booths, and videography.
Basic wedding day coverage with associate photographers begins at $8,425. With an album, $12,425. Engagement portrait sessions from $1,475. Meetings are by appointment only.
79 Reade Street near Church St., Studio 2C, (212) 227- 6772, briandorseystudios.com
Instagram, @brian_dorsey_studios
All photos courtesy of Brian Dorsey Studios

subset: commoncrawl


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z Systems : Red Alerts
IMS V12, V13 or V14 - potential for IMS to write incorrect log data
Title: IMS V12, V13 or V14 - potential for IMS to write incorrect log data and/or over-write 64-bit (key 7) common storage which might belong to another address space. Users Affected: Users of IMS that are on V12 or later, - who are using log buffers in above-the-bar storage (BUFSTOR=64), or - have callers who supply an above-the-bar log record to the IMS Logger, such as: - IMS 64-bit Fast Path buffer manager - installation-written or vendor-written software Description: The IMOVE macro (used by the IMS Logger) uses 32-bit instructions to advance the addresses of the source and target destinations. If the address being advanced is a 64-bit address which crosses a 4GB boundary, then the updated address is incorrect since only the low-half of the address is updated. The two areas of IMS that are exposed to this are the IMS Logger and the 64-bit Fast Path buffer manager. The IMS Logger is exposed to the problem if the storage allocated for the log buffers crosses a 4GB boundary. If this is the case, a log record will contain inaccurate data and an attempt will be made to inadvertently write to another location in memory. If this location is key 7, the data will be overwritten; if it is not, IMS will ABEND0C4. The 64-bit Fast Path buffer manager is exposed to the problem if its BPND5 area crosses a 4GB boundary. To encounter the problem, not only would the area have to cross a 4GB boundary, but log record data must exist in the location where the boundary is crossed. Recommended Actions: (1) Determine exposure from IMS Logger or 64-bit Fast Path buffer manager The IMS Support Center is shipping a diagnostic utility as a ++USERMOD which will determine the exposure of a given IMS system. This can help a customer gauge the urgency for which they should take action, if any. The utility runs as a stand-alone batch job and determines: 1. If the log buffers are above the bar, and if the storage allocated for the log buffers crosses a 4GB boundary. 2. If the 64-bit Fast Path buffer manager is enabled, and if the storage area which might contain a log record crosses a 4GB boundary. To download the utility, obtain it from: Site: testcase.software.ibm.com Directory: fromibm/im File name: IM97624A.trs The file contains ++USERMODs for IMS versions 12, 13, and 14. Instructions for running the utility are in a ++HOLD card along with its return codes. If a customer cannot (or does not wish to) run the utility, instructions for determining the exposure via a series of /DIAGNOSE commands are in the ++HOLD card. (2) Determine exposure from other programs which invoke the ILOG macro: Installation-written or vendor-written programs can detect if they pass log records which reside above the bar by searching for the flag PRMLL64 which is set by the invoker of ILOG in the ILOG parameter list. (3) Apply PTF if exposure is identified If an exposure is identified, the exposed IMS should be: 1. Brought down cleanly (for example, with the /CHE FREEZE or /CHE DUMPQ commands) 2. Cold start IMS with the PTF applied for the appropriate version. The PTFs can be downloaded from ShopZ and are: V12: UI42725 (APAR PI71688) V13: UI42726 (APAR PI71701) V14: UI42685 (APAR PI71702) A cold start is necessary to prevent the reading of potentially inaccurate log data. 3. After all previously exposed IMS systems in a data sharing group are successfully started with the PTF applied, if there is the possibility of needing to run a database recovery before regularly scheduled image copies will be taken, it is recommended that image copies be taken of all appropriate databases. This eliminates the possibility of reading potentially corrupt log data during a recovery. To read the complete text of this Red Alert as well as previous Red Alerts please use the above link.
Red Alert IMS
Todo lo relacionado con IMS y bases DL/I
1 mensaje • Página 1 de 1
- LuisFer
- Colaborador Senior
- Mensajes: 407
- Registrado: 27 May 2006, 16:06
- País: España
- Ciudad: Madrid
- Ocupación: Otra
Red Alert IMS
Estan implicadas las BBDD FastPath (FPBP64=Y) e IMS log buffers above the bar (BUFSTOR=64)
No me sigas, puedo no guiarte, no vayas delante , puedo no seguirte, caminemos juntos y sé simplemente, mi amigo.
1 mensaje • Página 1 de 1


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According to the National Association of Realtor® (NAR) 2016 was one of the best years for the real estate indus
try since 2006
Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops closed 2016 at 5.45 million sales, surpassing 2015 (5.25 million). It was the highest total for existing-home sales since 2006 (6.48 million), NAR reported.
"Solid job creation throughout 2016 and exceptionally low mortgage rates translated into a good year for the housing market," says Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist.
However, the final month of 2016 saw existing-home sales drop 2.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.49 million, NARreported as sales in December were only 0.7 percent higher than a year ago.
"While a lack of listings and fast rising home prices was a headwind all year, the surge in rates since early November ultimately caught some prospective buyers off guard and dimmed their appetite or ability to buy a home as 2016 came to an end," Yun says.
5 Key Stats From December's Housing Report
Here's a closer look at some key indicators from NAR's December existing-home sales report.
1. Home prices: Median existing-home price for all housing types in December was $232,200, up 4 percent from a year ago ($223,200).
2. Days on the market: Thirty-seven percent of homes sold in December were on the market for less than a month. Properties, on average, stayed on the market for 52 days in December, up from 43 days in November but down from a year ago (58 days). Non-distressed homes took an average of 50 days to sell while short sales took the longest at a median of 97 days on the market in December. Foreclosures sold in 53 days, on average.
3. Cash sales: All-cash sales comprised 21 percent of transactions in December, down from 24 percent a year ago. Individual investors make up the bulk of cash sales. They accounted for 15 percent of homes purchased in December, unchanged from a year ago.
4. Distressed sales: Foreclosures and short sales ticked up to 7 percent in December, up from 6 percent in November. Still, distressed sales are down from 8 percent a year ago.
5. Inventories: Total housing inventory at the end of December fell 10.8 percent to 1.65 million existing homes available for sale, the lowest level since NAR began tracking the supply of all housing types in 1999. Inventory is now 6.3 percent lower than a year ago.
Some of the factors suppressing sales in December may continue in 2017.
"Housing affordability for both buying and renting remains a pressing concern because of another year of insufficient home construction," says Yun. "Given current population and economic growth trends, housing starts should be in the range of 1.5 million to 1.6 million completions and not stuck at recessionary levels. More needs to be done to address the regulatory and cost burdens preventing builders from ramping up production."
If you decide to venture into the real estate market in 2017, make sure you have the right title company. Property Title & Escrow, LLC can help you make sure your real estate sale goes slowly.
Real Estate Trends By Region
Here's a closer look at how existing-home sales performed in December across the country:
• Northeast: existing-home sales decreased 6.2 percent to an annual rate of 760,000, but remain 2.7 percent above a year ago. Median price: $245,900, which is 3.8 percent below December 2015.
• Midwest: existing-home sales fell 3.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.28 million in December, but remain 2.4 percent above a year ago. Median price: $178,400, up 4.6 percent from a year ago.
• South: existing-home sales were unchanged from November, remaining at an annual rate of 2.25 million. Sales are now 0.4 percent above a year ago. Median price: $207,600, up 6.5 percent from a year ago.
• West: existing-home sales dropped 4.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.20 million in December, and are now 1.6 percent below a year ago. Median price: $341,000, up 6 percent from December 2015.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®


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Good Food & Wine Show Perth is just around the corner – Kleenheat's 2-for-1 ticket offer
This year Kleenheat's again excited to get behind the Good Food & Wine Show Perth, returning to the Perth Exhibition & Convention Centre for three mouth-watering days from 14 – July 2017.
Enjoy a fun day out with friends discovering new foods, new wines and latest products from hundreds of local and international exhibitors.
Your new favourite food and drinks are only a sample away at the Good Food & Wine Show Perth – this year set to include loads of new features and classes, the return of old show favourites, and plenty of celebrity chef appearances.
Local produce set to shine in the Kleenheat Kitchen
Western Australia is spoilt for choice with loads of wonderful produce and fresh local flavours on our doorstep.
See some of our best produce shine in east-meets-west taste sensations at the Kleenheat Kitchen during the Good Food & Wine Show in Perth.
Local foodies and 2015 My Kitchen Rules semi-finalists Eva & Debra will take you from their culinary heritage to the secrets of modern Asian cuisine – inspiring tasty dishes to recreate and devour.
Showcasing delicious local produce from Harvey Beef, Mount Barker Chicken and Buy West Eat Best, the Kleenheat Kitchen is a free event not to be missed.
Celebrity chefs galore
Watch some of Australia's best-known chefs and restaurateurs on stage as they cook delectable dishes live on the Good Food Theatre stage.
The talents of Adam Liaw, Gary Mehigan, Manu Feildel, Matt Moran and Nicole Gow will be on display, along with tricks and tips to inspire new taste sensations in your home.
Good Food Theatre is included with your ticket – just choose your favourite chef and get there early as there's no allocated seating.
Kleenheat customers can enjoy our special 2-for-1 ticket offer
Being a Kleenheat customer is all about enjoying better value. That's why we're excited to announce our partnership with Good Food & Wine Show Perth means Kleenheat customers can see all this year's action for less with our special 2-for-1 ticket offer. Customers will have access to this offer through our monthly newsletters.
Head to the Good Food & Wine Show website for full details on everything to see and do across three big days in Perth.
Keep an eye out for more from Kleenheat in the lead-up to this year's show!
2017 Good Food & Wine Show Perth
Opening hours:
Friday 14 July, 9:30am – 4:30pm (day session)
Friday 14 July, 5:30pm – 9:30pm (night session)
Saturday 15 July, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 16 July, 9:00am – 5:00pm


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Donate and help us make a world of difference
Cambridge Global Health Partnerships volunteers improve healthcare and make a lasting difference to people in low- and middle-income countries at no cost to the NHS.
We have supported more than 200 volunteers to work in over 30 countries worldwide.
Your gift can help is make a huge difference. With your support we can:
Please help us make a world of difference to people in need of health services by making a donation to Cambridge Global Health Partnerships (choose Cambridge Global Health Partnerships from the 'key appeals' list).
You don't have to go overseas to help!
We are a small programme trying to make a big impact in global health. We are always looking for wiling, enthusiastic and passionate individuals to contribute to our work. You can make a difference by:
Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust.
A company limited by guarantee (company number 10469089) and a registered charity (charity number 1170103)
© 2018 Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust


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She had been in a loveless marriage for years – decades maybe. If asked, she talked about it openly, and even those who didn't know somehow knew. A mutual friend approached me, "it's become the elephant in the room," she said. "She can't see how much this is impacting her." Over the years, this relationship had stolen her joy, her beauty. It was making her bitter and angry – her sense of self was seeping out at the seams.
There is nothing quite as lonely as being in a lonely marriage.
"I cannot imagine what is making her stay."
I sat quietly for a moment on this one – such a loaded question - a question with no right answer.
Life has given me a crash course in relationship. Over the past several years many people (both men and women) have discussed openly with me the measures of unhappiness in their marriages. Some of these are close friends, others just acquaintances – but the stories are mostly the same.
If asked, my advice is solid– do everything you can do to save your marriage. And, whatever you choose to do, whatever the outcome, fully accepting that you made the decision that was right for you is the key to future happiness.
Why do people stay in unhappy, unhealthy situations?
For one, there's the convenience factor. The logistics of life are complicated and casting a stone into the waters of your reality will certainly create ripples . A lot of people are satisfied with going through the motions and simply don't want to deal with the disruption that would be caused by divorce.
Then, there's the kids. Of course, it is always the kids. That was the one factor that kept me in my marriage for such a long time. Eventually, I learned what was broken beyond repair in my marriage was ultimately hurting my children because I was accepting unacceptable behavior by doing nothing. I've written more about this here.
A lot of women say it's about financial security. There is a very real and legitimate fear about going back into the workforce for those who have chosen to stay at home to raise children for an extended period of time.
Answers from some men I've spoken with are disappointing. Mostly, because, quite honestly, I want to expect more. For them, they say it's a matter of logistics and appearance, they don't want to upset the status quo – almost all of them have expressed they don't want to do their own laundry. Seriously. And they don't want to give up the 'daily living' of family life – naming house, dog, kids - sometimes in that order. Rarely is there mention of the woman they have chosen to betroth; her feelings, her needs. Guys, if this is you, things really are that bad. (See if you can help fix them.)
Join my Divorcing Well group - it's free!
For me, it was the dream – I didn't want to give up the dream of the perfect, whole family I had conjured in my head, even though my reality was far from it. And of course, the kids - because it's always about the kids.
While jobs and kids and dogs and houses are important, I don't think that's the real reason people choose to stay in unacceptable situations. It goes much deeper than that.
There are only three ways to correct any uneasiness in your life:
You can change the situation,
You can leave it,
You can accept it.
Anything less creates unhappiness and steals your joy.
There are many people in this world who aren't happy unless they're unhappy. They wouldn't tell you this of course, mostly because they don't understand it themselves. They've identified with their pain in such a way that it's become a part of them – so a life without it would seem mostly like a death. To feel alive, they re-create this pain a little bit every day. This is done one choice at a time.
Their partners are forced to find satisfaction and fulfillment outside of the marriage – in affairs, in kids, in work and in hobbies. Once one partner has an out in the relationship, the other must find an equally weighted out in order to stay in the union – otherwise, it breaks apart.
This creates what I like to call 'the spin cycle' – where life is filled with emotional turmoil to such a point that there is never any time to think about – and deal with – the real relational issues. This way of living robs you of your peace and your sanity.
But you have a choice – there is always a choice to change your current situation; if you want to.
No one is a victim -
Here's to making it great.


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It is hard to find a bargain in the US market these days. The major indices are at their all-time high and bond yields are close to their all-time lows. Stocks have had quite a run up and investors hunting for income have driven up the prices of most dividend paying stocks. However, there are still a handful of companies in the S&P 500 that are near their 52-week lows at these stratospheric levels of the index.
The Screener
The following list has been screened for only dividend payers belonging to the S&P 500 index with a current price of 0-5% above their 52-week lows. The screener has yielded one company in Basic Materials sector, four in Consumer Goods, two in Financials, two in Technology, and one in Services. Without any further ado, heres are the companies that fit the criteria.
1. Avon Products Inc (AVP) manufactures and markets beauty and related products with operations all over the world. The major categories of products include beauty products, fashion products home products and nutritional products. The stock is currently priced at $13.60, which is 2.87% higher than its 52-week low of $13.22. AVP yields 1.76% and has seen six different insiders purchase the stock this month.
2. Citigroup Inc (C) is a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions. The company's Global Consumer Banking segment provides traditional banking services to retail customers through retail banking, commercial banking, Citi-branded cards, and Citi retail services. It offers various banking, credit card lending, and investment services through a network of local branches, offices, and electronic delivery systems. The stock is trading at $46.99, which is 4.38% higher than its 52-week low of $45.02. The stock yields 0.09%.
3. Coach Inc (COH) is a popular brand in fashion, especially handbags. The company also makes accessories, wearables, jewelry, sun-wear, travel bags, watches and fragrances. Coach Inc markets its products to consumers through a network of company-operated stores in North America, and Asia. In addition the company sells its products to wholesale customers and distributors in approximately 25 countries. The stock is currently trading at $42.12, which is 1.2% higher than its 52-week low of $41.62. The stock yields 3.21%.
4. Family Dollar Stores Inc (FDO) operates a chain of self-service retail discount stores primarily for low- and middle-income consumers in the United States. FDO currently operates 8,100 stores in 46 states. Merchandises include consumables such as household chemicals, paper products, food products, health and beauty aids, hardware and automotive supplies, pet food and supplies, and tobacco, home products and fashion accessories. FDO is currently trading at $57.84, which is 3.86% higher than the 52-week low of $55.69. The stock yields 2.14%.
5. International Game Technology (IGT), a gaming company, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets casino-style gaming equipment, systems technology, and game content for land-based and online markets worldwide. The company offers casino-style games; casino-style slot machines that determine the game play outcome at the machine; wide area progressive jackpot systems with linked machines across various casinos; and central determination system machines connected to a central server, which determines the game outcome, encompassing video lottery terminals used primarily in government-sponsored applications and electronic or video bingo machines. IGT is trading at $12.22, just 0.49% above the 52-week low of $12.16. The stock yields 3.6%.
6. Loews Corp (L) Loews Corporation operates primarily as a commercial property and casualty insurance company. The company provides risk management, information, warranty, and claims administration services; management and professional liability insurance, and other specialized property and casualty coverage; commercial surety and fidelity bonds; and warranty and alternative risk services for vehicles. It is also involved in the transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gathering and processing of natural gas. Loews is currently trading at $43.25, which is 1.6% higher than the 52-week low price of $42.57. The stock yields 0.58%.
7. Leucadia National Corp (LUK) through its subsidiary, Jefferies Group LLC, primarily operates in the investment banking and capital markets sector. The company also owns and holds investments in various other businesses, including beef processing, manufacturing, energy projects, asset management, and real estate. It is engaged in equities research, sales, and trading activities; financing, securities lending, and other prime brokerage; wealth management; fixed income sales and trading; futures, foreign exchange products, and commodities trading; and equity and debt financing activities, as well as provides equity capital markets, debt capital markets, financial advisory, mergers and acquisition, and restructuring and recapitalization services in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company also processes, packages, and delivers boxed beef, ground beef, hides, tallow, and other beef and beef by-products. Leucadia is currently trading at $25.60, which is 4.36% higher than the 52-week low of $24.53. The stock yields 0.98%.
8. NetApp Inc (NTAP) engages in design, manufacture, and marketing of networked storage solutions. The company supplies enterprise storage and data management software and hardware products and services. It offers FAS Storage Platform based on Data ONTAP, an operating system (OS) that supports storage area network (SAN) and network-attached storage (NAS) environments; storage efficiency technologies, such as FlexVol, FlexClone, and Deduplication technologies; and storage management and application integration software comprising OnCommand management software that controls, automates, and analyzes shared storage infrastructures. NetApp is currently trading at $34.19, which is 2.55% above the 52-week low of $33.34. The stock yields 1.75%.
9. Rowan Companies Inc (RDC) Rowan Companies plc provides offshore oil and gas contract drilling services. The company owns and operates 30 self-elevating mobile offshore jack-up drilling units and ultra-deepwater drill ships. It operates in the United Kingdom and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, the Middle East, the United States Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Asia, West Africa, Trinidad, and Egypt. Rowan is currently trading at $30.86, which is 3.17% higher than its 52-week low of $29.91. The stock yields 1.3%.
10. Ralph Lauren Corp (RL) designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products worldwide. It offers apparel, including a range of men's, women's, and children's clothing; accessories, home products and fragrances. The company sells its products under various brand names and sells its products to department stores, specialty stores, and golf and pro shops, as well as through its retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and its e-commerce sites. Ralph Lauren is currently trading at $148.81, which is 2.22% higher than the 52-week low price of $145.58. The stock yields 1.21%.
Do you own any of these stocks? The stocks may provide some attractive valuation and will need further research before investing.
Full Disclosure: None. My full list of holdings can be found here.


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From the desk of Jenny Haggerty:
The holidays make me nostalgic for past times I've never actually experienced, so I leapt at the chance to spend the Yuletide season with Jane Austen. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas is the twelfth installment in a series that features one of my favorite novelists as an amateur sleuth, but so far I hadn't managed to read one of them. It seemed high time to rectify that lapse, especially since author Stephanie Barron studied European history in college and then worked as a CIA analyst, highly suitable credentials for writing a story of intrigue set in the past.
The book opens on a blizzardy, bitterly cold evening with Jane Austen, her mother, and her sister Cassandra traveling by coach to the home of Jane's eldest brother James and his family in Hampshire. Unfortunately when they reach the end of the public line the women find that James has sent an unlighted open horse cart for the last few miles of their journey, even though it's dark outside and blowing snow. Both Jane's mother and sister have their heads bowed to prevent the snow from stinging their faces, so it's only Jane who sees the rapidly approaching carriage heading straight for them. There's a terrible crash and the ladies are thrown to the floor of the now ruined cart, but almost as shocking is the language of the gentleman in the carriage. Raphael West comes gallantly to their rescue and certainly acts with consideration and grace, but he proves he must be some kind of freethinker by swearing in front of them without reservation. Jane is intrigued. Continue reading


text: Victor's boyfriend cheated on him. He tries to forget about it by pleasuring himself. That wasn't enough. A friend comes over and together they decide another action to get revenge. Victor proceeds to get his dick sucked and unleashes a giant load on his friends face. Victor's revenge is bitter sweet.


text: DAKOTA SMITH has conducted a workshop series for the past 3 years ranging from Appalachian Music and International Hip Hop lectures to children's leadership classes. He has also worked with the Center for Leader Development on a variety of initiatives that focus on creating more inclusive communities through engaged dialogue and storytelling. Recently he presented a workshop at the 2016 Community Development Society International Conference entitled Alliedness: Tangible Space Versus Creating Space for Underrepresented Communities


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Online Registration opens March 15
Register Online at http://sdbmwcca.motorsportreg.com
Come on out to Qualcomm's Southeast Lot on Saturday, April 29, and celebrate a special event with us! The Spring Fling autocross commemorates Rich Gehring, who was the backbone of our Chapter for over 30 years. Rich served on the San Diego Chapter Board of Directors in many different roles, but the role that he was famous for was that of Equipmentmeister. Rich kept all of our autocross and driving school equipment, along with our truck and trailer, in perfect working order for more years than we can remember. He was at every autocross and HPDE, where he would help set up and run the event. Rich gave an immeasurable gift to our chapter through his time, generosity, knowledge, and experience. His exceptional kindness and his genuine smile continue to inspire us.
Back in his day, Rich won more than his share of autocross trophies, so celebrate his memory by engaging in one of his favorite events--a fast and fun San Diego Chapter autocross!
The helmet standard has changed to require Snell 2010 or 2015 ratings. Check yours now to be sure it's up to date—rentals are very limited.
Online Registration opens March 15


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About Us
The 1st Groombridge unit (Brownies and Guides) started in 1924 and is a member of Girlguiding UK, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in the UK with about 600,000 members. There are similar organisations throughout the world and Girlguiding UK is a founding member of the world association that unites them.
We meet regularly, usually once a week during school terms. There are also other opportunities for both Brownies and Guides to take part in special activities and events throughtout the year, for example, go away on holiday, to camp or on an overnight sleepover.


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Checking Status of Your Tax Refund? There's an App for That
IRS Commissioner Shulman said of it: "This new smartphone app reflects our commitment to modernizing the agency and engaging taxpayers where they want when they want it. As technology evolves and younger taxpayers get their information in new ways, we will keep innovating to make it easy for all taxpayers to access helpful information."
The app, which is available for free at the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace, allows taxpayers to try several features formerly available only on the IRS website. Those features include:
- "Where's My Refund?" Taxpayers have been able to check the status of their federal income tax refund online for the last few years. Now, with IRS2Go, taxpayers can check the status of their federal income tax refund on the go. The app uses the same information as the Web-based version: Social Security number, filing status used on the tax return and the amount of the expected refund. If you e-file your return, the refund app will generally be usable within 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return. If you file your return using paper, you'll need to wait longer: about three to four weeks.
- Sign Up For Tax Updates. If you need help with your taxes in the form of tips and reminders to help with tax planning and preparation, you can sign up on the app to receive Tax Tips from the IRS via email. Through tax season, you'll receive about one tip per day from the IRS; after tax season, expect them more infrequently.
- Follow the IRS on Twitter. Since you can tweet from your smartphone, why not follow the IRS on Twitter? You can sign up to follow the IRS Twitter news feed, @IRSnews through the app.
- Contact the IRS. The app offers a list of frequently called IRS numbers, together with hours of operation. The app also links to helpful information on the IRS website.
If I had to guess, I would think the IRS is considering a future app that would allow you to file your return or make payments directly from your smartphone. The technology certainly exists: TurboTax released a consumer version of a filing app earlier this month.


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i could really use your help !!!
i am maltese man haha
do you have some maltese grandmothers? since your surname is maltese!!!!!!!!!
Hey mate just went on your fantasy league thread to post, and see its closed. Are you still doing this db, if your having trouble with it Im only a PM away or if you've given up on it I don't mind taking over as I think this is a really good idea.
hey mate. i saw your database, not bad work. i was wondering can you edit that nation file you were talking about, for creating nations, continents... and give me link for download. i dont want mess with that because i dont know how to do it... tnx in advance
hi mickiac, yes they both qualify, the problem of the "ferdinands" is that i dont quite know the places INSIDE london, i only did people who date the city of birth as london
Great databases mate Do both monaco and London get drawn for the 2014 world cup qualifiers? and some players are from London (Ferdinands) who aren't put in. If one main player gets injured for London it is so hard
i can not download graphics is there any other way i can get them
cheers mate, do u think you could get a facepack for the legends????
thank you man.
Im The Dude
Super Moderator
Premium Member
Get in the Van.
Why So Serious?


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Samsung has quiet a successful year with likes of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge surpassing those of Apple iPhone 6S was nonetheless big acheivement and now the launch of Galaxy Note7 is bound to make winter even fierce.
Samsung Galaxy Note7 will arrive on August 2 will roll out across major countries by end of month and is expected to feature edgier design like S7 Edge with less rounded designs just like the Note 5.
Moreover it is expected to arrive with Iris scanner and will mark the beginning of a new era and an improved S-Pen which will feature even levels of pressure sensitiveness for acurate drawings and flawless scribbling experience.
It is also expected to rock newly anounced Gorilla Glass 5 which has better resistance against falls from over 1.2 meters height and will surely prevent some sad sefie experiences.
The pricing is expected to be premium and a dual sim version will be released in all the countries where dual sim is in trend.


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Do theaters tailor their previews of upcoming films to certain audiences? As I wrote in my last blog, prior to viewing Zero Dark Thirty, I had to sit through six such previews, every one of them an action thriller; a full twenty minutes of explosions, gun fire, car crashes and sexy women.
By now, you've already made your decision: not on the quality of ZDT as film, but on whether to see it or not, because you already know the plot (If you care to read reviews, Netflix lists 170 of them). The issue is the question of torture and extra-judicial violence in general.
Many reviewers of ZDT, and several politicians, have criticized the film for implying that torture led to Osama Bin Laden's death. Few, however, have questioned whether we should applaud the action itself. How ironic that as I write these words, news comes in that Chris Kyle, the celebrity author and ex-Navy Seal credited with 150 kills in Iraq (and who had criticized the President for being soft on the Second Amendment) was himself killed by another veteran – at a shooting range.
These are all mythic issues.
Some critics side with director Kathryn Bigelow, a self-proclaimed lifelong pacifist, who has stated that "…depiction is not endorsement." She claims that she included the torture scenes because not to would have been to "whitewash history." Glenn Kenny concurs: "…rather than endorsing the barbarity, the picture makes the viewer in a sense complicit with it…" Andrew Sullivan adds, "…the movie is not an apology for torture…It is an exposure of torture. It removes any doubt that war criminals ran this country for seven years." Even Michael Moore writes, "It will make you hate torture. And it will make you happy you voted for a man who stopped all that barbarity…" (all quotes from the Wikipedia article). No comment from MM that Obama's drones strikes killed 176 Pakistani children in 2012, nor that the President has claimed legal authority to murder American citizens abroad).
But here is the real problem I have with the film, aside from the fact that it ignores all of the political and most of the moral implications of the death – the murder – of Bin Laden and several other people. It has less to do with rational themes and more to do with images. As I wrote in my book:
"This is war's attraction – it allows men to enact their longing for initiation while serving a transpersonal cause. Thus, as long as we have uninitiated men we will have war. Jungian therapist Robert Moore (no relation to Michael) writes, 'There is no way to understand the attractiveness of war without understanding the unconscious seduction of the archetype of initiation.'
Rational minds recoil at the thought of war, but young men react mainly to images. This is why the film director Francois Truffault…said that it is impossible to make a truly anti-war movie. Even if films show war's horrors and absurdities, the images go to the oldest parts of the brain and beyond: to the drive for initiation."
This at least is clear: it is impossible to make an American anti-war film, because our heroic mythology simply doesn't allow for the possibility of defeat. Can you imagine Bigelow making this film in 2010, at which point the search for Bin Laden remained an absolute failure?
Some filmmakers grounded in older cultures that understand tragedy and loss were able to counter the seductive pull of the image and create masterpieces such as All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), which is still available on Netflix. But such films remain quite rare among the thousands of war movies made in the past century.
In other words, depiction almost always is endorsement, and no one should understand that concept more clearly than a highly intelligent director such as Bigelow.
And there certainly are other issues that she glossed over (or deliberately framed). Every single CIA agent in ZDT is presented as idealistic rather than cynical, reluctantly violent rather than sadistic. The film also portrays both the spooks and the Navy SEALs as young, hip (lots of beards), diverse (several black and women agents) – and drop-dead gorgeous. They encounter breathtaking adventures as often as tedious deskwork. In other words, it makes a career in the CIA look very attractive.
From the perspective of image, it is hard not to conclude that ZDT is essentially a CIA recruitment film. And because these heroes and heroines are perfectly willing to break the law (at least as most of the world outside of Washington and Hollywood interpret it), firstly by torturing suspected terrorists and secondly by invading the airspace, property and quite a few lives of a sovereign ally (Pakistan), they embody our mythic American hero. As I wrote in my last blog: Here is a big secret: this hero has as much contempt for democracy as does his opponent. Can you imagine Rambo – or Barack Obama – waiting for congressional approval?
Journalist Matt Taibbi gets to the core: "The real problem is what this movie says about us. When those Abu Ghraib pictures came out years ago, at least half of America was horrified. The national consensus (albeit by a frighteningly slim margin) was that this wasn't who we, as a people, wanted to be. But now, four years later, Zero Dark Thirty comes out, and it seems that that we've become so blunted to the horror of what we did and/or are doing at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo and Bagram and other places that we can accept it, provided we get a boffo movie out of it."
That's why the theater managers showed all those action previews. They knew very well what kind of people were coming to see ZDT. They weren't students of politics or history, but members of that high-rolling demographic of young, uninitiated males. Maybe not CIA material (they'd be at the university film showings), but potential cannon fodder for the next war. And how could Kathryn Bigelow not know that?


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I am back from Bradford
4:20 am
In spite of weeks of Jewish extensive and relentless lobbying against me, my message. my book and my music, despite of a campaign that started with Jewish 'anti' Zionists and ended with a ludicrous demand by the Board of Deputy of British Jews to pull out my concert, Raise Your Banner Music Festival didn't surrender. They stood firmly for truth, justice and freedom of speech.
I guess that the message is clear, the Zionist lobby is falling apart!!!
The gig was a massive success. the room was sold out. We played for almost 3 hours for the most enthusiastic and supportive audience.
Also, In Bradford last night, there was not a single sign of protest against our concert. I guess that Sayan Nick Lowles who was very active falsifying documents in the name of Hope not Hate, probably realised towards the end of the week that the game was over for him. He is now exposed for what he is- an avid advocate of the Zionist crime.
I am off to bed now.
The Wandering Who-A Study of Zionist and AZZ tactics - available on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk


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Vintage Wedding Photography of Joanna and Mark
Wow! Really, it's the only word that can sum up Joanna and Mark's vintage inspired themed wedding. There was an extraordinary amount of detail throughout the day, so much for a wedding photographer to get carried away with. But the details, as many and fantastic as they were, were also testament to the huge effort so many family and friends had gone to help Joey and Mark collect things for their day. To see how much effort went into the day, you need to check out Joanna's blog, My Vintage Vows. It might be a bit quiet for the next few weeks though, honeymoon 'n all!
There were quite a few familiar faces at this wedding as I had photographed Mark's sister's wedding (Nina & Sam, Framlingham Castle Wedding Photography) a few years ago. And there were a few familiar traditions like the Polish bread and salt ceremony and the vodka toasts – although the toasts were a little more subdued this time! Here are a few of my favourite images. You can see the full gallery by clicking this link : Vintage Wedding photography
Handmade order of service
As good looking as the groom and best men were, I'm sorry to say that the stunning view across the Wirral Peninsula won out for this wedding photograph. Sorry lads.
Simply beautiful wild flower bouquet
Confetti wrapped in sheets of music
Assorted teacups painstaking collected, everyone of them different. The same goes for the side plates at the tables
"Lets get under the umbrella that grannie is wearing"!
Mark didn't look for long – permission for lower lip to wobble. Cant blame him, Joey was stunning
First kiss – let the poor girl up for air man!
This is something I had not seen before, lavender on the floor of the church as you walked in. It gave off the most amazing smell as you entered the church squashing it all under your feet. Definitely a top tip for other brides
Vintage wedding needs a vintage car to drive away from the church. I don't think the bunny-hopping was vintage though.
Vintage vuvuzela.
Aah, the vodka toasts. Things are still a little hazy after Nina and Sam's wedding. What's the betting these two didn't look too perky on Sunday morning?
A big thank you has to go to these two guys – the best men were superb. They organised the group shots at the church in double-quick time and made my life very easy. They could make a fortune if they were to go professional at it. Not sure about their movie acting skills, they probably wouldn't make so much money if they tried to go professional at that …
Blue Steel. Uh huh, you know it.
Lead guitarist appears from inside the smoke machine for a brief breath of fresh air before heading back in.
4 Comments
[…] bits and pieces together for the day has meant asking various family and friends to help out. Joey's vintage wedding had asked all of her guests to keep an eye for antique tea cups, in shops, out and about even in […]Reply
[…] and Mark's vintage themed wedding had a lighter touch with these dried rose petals in confetti cones. Odharna and James's […]Reply
[…] was a real bonus to find out that in the first round of images submitted that the photograph from Joey & Mark's vintage inspired wedding did not only receive an award but came third overall. To be ranked amongst […]Reply
Your pictures are amazing.. I did Jo Marshalls dress and she sent me a link to your site, you are very talented…
Gorgeous Pics, the best I have seen in a while!!
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6 Aug 2010
Pestana Group announces its entry in Morocco
The Pestana Group has signed an agreement for the management of a new luxury aparthotel in Casablanca, which will become the group's first ever property in Morocco.
The new Pestana Casablanca is a modern four star condo-hotel with 104 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The beachfront aparthotel is part of Anfa Living Resort, a multi-purpose venture designed by Norman Foster & Partners located in the exclusive Boulevard de La Corniche, close to Casablanca's historic centre.
Pestana's first investment in Africa follows the company's expansion in Europe with the opening of the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa in London last February and a forthcoming new property in Berlin.


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Well For Living provides a comprehensive care package to meet a variety of needs in the community. Our Personal Assistants provide straightforward social needs to help and assistance around the home.
We believe in honesty, integrity and pride in what we do and respect for those we do it for. What matters is that the assistant services you receive are the best fit for your lifestyle and specific to your needs – no matter how much or how little you require.
You only pay for the services you use, we can help you with:
- Cleaning, ironing and preparing meals
- Shopping, collecting prescriptions or walking the dog
- Company and help whilst recovering from illness
- Accompanying you to appointments or social activities.
- Welfare Advice
- Befriending & Mentor Support
Firmly behind the company is LASS, a non-profit Health & Social Care voluntary organisation who have been advocating and advising for over 25 years in many matters pertaining to health and wellbeing.
For more information, please visit our questions and answers section.


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What is it? The Undead Feats, of course.
|You were expecting something less necrotic?
What's In The Book?
The latest installment in the Feats of Legend series has 22 feats, brought to you by myself, Brian Berg, and by Simon Peter Munoz (who runs the Creative Repository Blog, which you should check out if you haven't already). These feats are for characters who are undead, who hunt undead, or for characters who have access to the undead bloodline.
What do they do? Well, there are 22 feats, so there's a lot of nasty tricks in this book. You'll find feats that let you poison undead, feats that increase your knowledge of undead, and feats that allow you to hide from undead. You'll also find feats that increase undead creatures' natural armor, feats that allow the undead to gain fast healing whenever they kill a living foe, and even feats that allow the undead to resist their greatest bane; positive energy!
If you want to throw your players a curve ball, or if you're a player who wants to really make the most of your character's undead heritage, The Undead Feats is definitely a book you should have on your shelf.
As always, thanks for stopping by! If you want to make sure you don't miss any of my updates, then follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. If you'd like to help support my blog, then please stop by my Patreon page to become a patron today! Even as little as $1 a month can make a big difference.


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Knowledge Adventure has been producing educational games for kids for more than two decades. From abc games to spelling and grammar games, there are educational games for little ones of all ages on Preschoolers can find out and practice pre-reading, early math, art, music and social science skills in StoryLand, the location produced just for three to 5 year olds. I know a lot of kids now use Wikipedia, even although they should truly be looking at all the footnotes for references.
Thank you for sharing all these excellent sources, I am a homeschooler and we are performing Higher College Biology, as soon as we get to Human Body systems, I am definitely going to use these. Some computer games force children to strategy ahead and can be successful at developing their strategic considering capabilities. Not only are games exciting, interactive , and social, but they are also wonderful tools for finding out. From practicing your company capabilities to studying about book keeping in your courses at on the internet colleges for accounting, these games will assist you get a handle on your company college lessons. Learning games are especially useful for younger youngsters and can help create confidence whilst enhancing the expertise required for success in school.
Teaching ESL in kindergarten to three- and 4-year-olds, is restricted to action-primarily based activities, playing games, singing and dancing with 5- and 6-year-olds the methodology of teaching English as a foreign language is extended by using storytelling, function play and dramatization strategies. Reduce road trip tension with educational games that can be played on mobile and tablet devices. This is a brain-education site, for absolutely everyone, exactly where logic & thinking meet entertaining & games.
This game made math exciting for kids by forcing them to quickly resolve math troubles as an integral part of the game's fast paced shooter gameplay. One of the first and most extensively identified computer game for kids was The Oregon Trail. If you can not locate the studying game you want, appear for it in the 'All Games' list on the homepage, exactly where the games are listed in alphabetical order. Keep the finding out games and activities light and they will progress through them in their own time.
All our old friends from Sesame Street seem in understanding games and videos here. On the web educational games for youngsters have verified to be quite useful finding out tools. ABCya's award-winning Fourth Grade laptop games and apps are conceived and realized under the direction of a certified technologies education teacher, and have been trusted by parents and teachers for ten years. Educators have taken benefit of this truth to produce personal computer games specifically designed for children.


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Fantastic 4 Continued...
With Finn's fascination of all things super hero...we knew it was time to gather all the super heros for one big day of action packed fun! Finn and his daddy delivered invitations in manilla envelopes marked "TOP SECRET" and addressed to each of the kids superhero name. Some of those in attendance were:
The unsinkable Carson Brown
The Incrdible Hulk "Hoggan" Boys
The Kent "Clark" kids
Wonder Boy "Boles"
The high flying daredevil (this was for Finn's uncle Blake, who is a pilot and may be his #1 hero)
Cat Girl and Wolverine (as to elude to Finn's cat loving aunt Tracy and very hairy uncle Micah)
oh...and my personal favorite...Fat Man and Robin (for Finn's Grandpa and Nanny) among many others. We had a good laugh putting these together.
To set the scene we took some of the many cardboard boxes from our garage and painted them gray. We then took black and yellow paint samples we had gathered from Home Depot and attached them to the boxes to create lights on our buildings. It was a simple and cheap way to create a cartoon city! Grandpa then ran his custom made slip n' slide under the tower of buildings.
Some Super Heroes came flying in with their capes, but for those that didn't we had a super solution....
Upon arrival each each of the kids grabbed a bag and decorated their own superhero mask made from felt. We also took standard kitchen trash bags and cinched them to create capes in which the kids could decorate (many thanks to Aunt Tracy for coming up with that one!). It was so fun to watch the kids running around the yard all dressed up.
Luckily Finn's Aunt Kindsday got a hold of him that day to play dress up. They gathered everything that they could from his room...and then Kindsay fashioned a SUPER "S" from our left over felt. I think he looked SUPER cute. Undies over the p.j.'s always a good look.
Each place setting held a water gun and that day each SUPER Hero got to be "Faster than a speeding bullet"....
This led to knocking over buildings in sheer delight...
and a serious SUPER Hero stand off in a battle of tug-o-war on the slip in slide.
Their strength amazed us all! :)
They were also able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but decided it was more fun to knock them down.
Like every Super Hero they also had to conquer their weaknesses. We had a kryptonite hunt where the kids gathered all the sparkly green rocks we had spray painted days earlier and hid. They had to be carefully contained in the kryptonite case but the kids did it with the greatest of ease.
They also had to survive the rope swing and the custom made slide into the pool that grandpa built.
as well as THE VOLCANO! Finn is currently AS equally obsessed with Volcanoes as Super Heros... so we knew that if we could find a way to incorporate one into the party we would make his day. Finn and his daddy spent time constructing the project and painting the volcano in the garage and by party time it was ready to explode.
The kids all gathered around and waited for the diet coke and mento erruption. It was big smiles, squeels and excitement from them! ...followed by a "let's do that again" daddy!
The day finished up with presents and Finn's very own capes! He actually got two which he puts to very good use. He is always wearing one of them wherever he goes.
Lastly, what is a birthday without a cake? The Sweet Cheeks girls delivered big time for me on this one. I was so excited to see what they would come up with and they took the inspiration and ran with it! They made all of finn's cake dreams come true!! ...He could not stop talking about his cake or nibbling on it prior to candle time. :) Many thanks to everyone over there for being so awesome!!


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In order for me to step into my new role a few changes have to be made. The first of which is the name of my blog, Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately the "Disney" portion had to be changed. I have been Disney Donna Kay for almost 4 years now, and the transition to Magically Donna Kay will take some getting used to-for all of us!!
The good news is the blog, Facebook and Twitter won't be changing. I have created a new Facebook page for my work with WDW Guru Travel - WDW Guru Donna Kay. I won't be harrassing you with Guru ads, I promise. I will be letting you know about specials from time to time, and you will be seeing a little about Universal and Cruises. But the vast majority of posts will continue to be Party Boards, Crafts, Disney Quotes and Disney History.
I am also adding a button which will link you directly to me for all of your vacation needs, Disney, Universal, cruises and even Aulani in Hawaii! Even if you just have vacation questions I'll be happy to help you out. :)
One last thing, say HI! to Mo. He's our mascot and you will be seeing him here from time to time. As a matter of fact, you can take Mo on vacation with you and send us pictures and go on the Mo Wall of Fame at WDW Guru!
Training is going great and I'm learning new things everyday! Wish me luck!!


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Dulles International Airport was the first U.S. airport designed for commercial jet travel and was dedicated on November 17, 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. The following guide will tell you what you need to know about airport amenities, parking, ground transportation and more.
- Dulles Airport is located 26 miles from Downtown Washington DC in Chantilly, Virginia. The physical address is 1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166 See a map.
- Dulles Airport is the closest international airport to Washington DC. A short runway at Washington National Airport limits the size of the aircraft that are permitted to fly there so international passengers need to fly in and out of Dulles or BWI.
- Thirty Seven Airlines serve Dulles International Airport: Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Alaska Airlines, ANA, American Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Copa Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian, Frontier, Icdlandair, Jet Blue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Porter, Qatar Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Saudi, Southwest Airlines, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Virginia Atlantic, and Volaris. For information about flight reservations and pricing, check online with a reservation service.
- There is plenty of available ground transportation. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal. Advance reservations are not needed. SuperShuttle, a van service offers shared rides within the metropolitan area. Metrobus operates an express bus service between Dulles Airport and downtown Washington, DC. Washington National Airport is served by nine car rental companies located on site. For all the details, see a guide to getting to Dulles Airport and Washington DC.
- Dulles International Airport has hourly, daily and economy parking lots. Public parking includes two daily garages, four economy parking lots and one hourly lot in front of the Main Terminal. Free shuttle buses are provided to transport passengers from the parking lots to the airport. PAY & GO is an automated payment system with payment machines located in the lower level of the terminal near the east and west exit doors and on the pedestrian bridge near the Daily Parking Garage. Read more about airport parking
- The free cell phone waiting area makes it easy to wait for a passenger. There is a designated area available for drivers to wait in the vehicle for arriving passengers (limited to one hour). It is located at the intersection of Rudder Road and Autopilot Drive.
- There are nearly 100 shops and restaurants in the Airport Terminals with a mix of national, local and regional retail and food concessions. The airport is added new stores and restaurants and upgraded its facilities in 2015. Among the world-class retail brands are Burberry, Coach, Estée Lauder/M.A.C, Kiehl's, L'Occitane, Michael Kors, Montblanc, Thomas Pink, Tumi, Swarovski, Vineyard Vines, and Vera Bradley. New dining options include Carrabba's Italian Grill, the Starbucks wine bar concept, Starbucks Evenings, Bracket Room Sports Lounge and The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck.
- There are many hotels conveniently located within a few miles of the airport. Got an early morning flight? You may want to considering staying overnight at a hotel near Dulles International Airport. See a list of hotels near Dulles
- The Washington, DC area is served by three different airports. To learn about the differences Between National, Dulles and BWI Airports, see Washington DC Airports (Which One is Best).
For more information about Dulles International Airport, visit the official website at www.metwashairports.com.
Thanks for letting us know!
Tell us why!


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Read about what our girls say about Sarah Bonnell
"Sarah Bonnell has given me multiple opportunities to develop many skills and boost my confidence."
Sarah Bonnell helps students be heard and have a voice in what goes on around our school and not just leave it up to the teachers to do all the decision making.
Our school has a wide range of extra-curricular clubs which helps the students to improve their learning whether its Maths, English, Science or Music, Art or Drama; our school does it all!


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Interrupting my wholesome family feed with a few of my favourite moments from this year's Halloween Party at School House Farm! So many terrific costumes and the decor was outstanding!
3rd Annual Facepainting BBQ
3 years ago, I was hired to do some facepainting at an end of the summer backyard BBQ for a local Tsawwassen family. Their guests all had children and the host felt it would be advantageous to have some "entertainment" and "distraction" to allow the adults to enjoy one another's company with as little whining and pestering as possible. It went great and I was overjoyed to be invited back for a second year. I brought along my button maker for my second gig as an extra activity for the kids, ages 3-8. Another fantastic evening.
This evening's gig was BY FAR the best! It's crazy seeing all these kids only ONCE a year. They are still so young that a year really does a number on them. I know when I get the call for next summer, the oldest girl will definitely be my height!
This year I offered a photobooth along with the facepainting. OH YEAH BABY.
I can not put into words how much fun I had. One of the parental units came over and were thanking me for taking care of their kids and I just shrugged it off telling them that I was doing two of my favourite things with the sweetest and most well-behaved group of kids, it was MY PLEASURE. seriously. i could have stayed another 4 hours.
I don't know if it is just the girls growing up or if they feel more comfortable after 3 years of this facepainting, but they were just a full on blast. They yelled my name throughout the evening to watch them do their gymnastics, their "routines", handstands, and crazy poses. Even our token boy, 10 years old, was impressed with my ability to paint the Diamond Sword from his favourite videogame, Minecraft.
They were blown away at my level of talent and imagination, that they could witness hand painted illustrations of their favourite characters or ideas come to life. YOU ARE THE BEST PAINTER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!! No, I'm not. I went to Emily Carr and I witnessed dudes painting 10 foot high-realism oil paintings of celebrities and I can safely say that stuff is outta my league. This lighthearted and playful illustration gig is where it's at for me!
I really love this gig and hope after putting this out there that more people hire me for this Combo Service because it is truly the funnest thing in the world!!!!! OH! And the frosting and cherry on top was that they all gave me the biggest group hug at the end of the night!!! BEST GIG EVER.


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Topic: MacBook
Google announces $999 Pixelbook touchscreen hybrid notebook, optional $99 pen accessory
10/04/2017, 01:10 pm
With a 12-inch touchscreen, convertible form factor, optional stylus input, and integration with Google Assistant, the new Google Pixelbook hopes to compete with both Apple's MacBook and iPad Pro lineups.
Apple looking to develop custom ARM chips for future Macs, cutting out Intel - report
09/29/2017, 10:09 am
Apple is not only interested in chip production for the iPhone and iPad, but developing its own CPU for laptops, modems for the iPhone, and its own touchscreen processing system, a new report claims.
Inside iPhone 8: new 29 watt Fast Charging like iPad Pro, using USB-PD
09/22/2017, 08:09 pm
Apple's new iPhone 8 supports new Qi wireless charging pads as a wireless convenience, but if you're in a hurry to recharge, you'll want to plug it in to take advantage of the significantly faster charge you can get using a standard 10 or 12 watt iPad adapter. New to iPhone 8 is an even quicker "Fast Charging" feature that uses the 29 watt USB-Power Delivery specification associated with USB-C and USB 3.1 to get you from zero to 50 percent in 30 minutes.
Deals: 2017 13" MacBook Air for $869 ($130 off); 13" MacBook Pros as low as $1,199; $100-$150 off 12" MacBooks with no tax in 48 states
09/11/2017, 02:09 pm
With Apple's Sept. 12 event on the horizon, Apple authorized resellers are discounting Mid 2017 hardware with instant and coupon savings of up to $130 off popular configurations. Save $130 on the 13" Air or snap up a 13" Pro for $1,199 after a $100 discount. Apple's 12" MacBooks are also $100 to $150 off with no tax outside NY and NJ.
What to expect from Apple's Sept. 12 event: iPhone X & 8, Apple Watch with LTE, 4K Apple TV with HDR
09/09/2017, 02:09 pm
This Tuesday, the first-ever event at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Apple's iconic iPhone. It's expected to be headlined by a new OLED model known as the iPhone X, but that's not all the company has in store. AppleInsider gives you a complete rundown of what to expect.
Watch: 2017 12.9" iPad Pro vs. 12" MacBook
08/24/2017, 07:08 pm
Apple packed a ton of processing horsepower and cutting edge display technology into its latest iPad Pro series, but is it enough to replace a full-size laptop? AppleInsider takes a closer look in this comparison video.
Deals: 12" MacBooks for $999 ($300 off); 27" iMac 5K for $1,199; $300 off 13" Touch Bars; AirPods in stock w/ free 2-day shipping
08/21/2017, 11:08 am
Kicking off this solar eclipse Monday, Amazon is knocking $300 off Apple's 2016 12" MacBook, bringing the price down to $999. An upgraded Apple refurbished 27" iMac 5K is also $1,199 with no tax outside NY. Meanwhile, Late 2016 13" Touch Bars are $300 off instantly with no tax in 48 states.
Intel details 8th-generation Core i7, i5 processors suitable for MacBook, dual-core MacBook Pro refresh
08/21/2017, 10:08 am
Intel launched its 8th-generation processors on Monday, starting with the with the new 'U-series' chips for notebooks boasting a 40 percent performance boost compared to the previous generation, though while this series is suitable for use in MacBooks and the dual-core MacBook Pro, it won't help provide users with a 32GB memory option.
2017 MacBook Deals: High-end 15" for $2,549 ($250 off); 512GB 13" Touch Bar for $1,824 ($175 off); 12" MacBook for $1,199 w/ no tax in 48 states
08/17/2017, 03:08 pm
Shoppers looking for deals on Apple's latest Mid 2017 models can take advantage of bonus coupon savings in addition to already reduced pricing this week. Pick up the high-end 15" MacBook Pro with Radeon 560 graphics for $2,549 or the 512GB 13" Touch Bar for $1,824 ($175 off). The 12" MacBook is also $100 off with no tax outside NY and NJ.
Deals: 2017 15" MacBook Pro for $2,249 ($150 off); $200 off 27" iMac 5Ks; 13" Touch Bar for $1,499 ($300 off) w/ no tax in 48 states
08/08/2017, 01:08 pm
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Apple's 2017 Back to School for Europe offers free wireless Beats with Macs & iPad Pros
08/07/2017, 04:08 pm
Apple on Monday launched its 2017 Back to School promotions for a number of European countries, offering free wireless Beats headphones with the purchase of a Mac or iPad Pro on top of existing educational discounts.
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08/02/2017, 05:08 pm
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New TSA rules will require airline travelers to remove Apple iPads, MacBooks from bags
07/26/2017, 02:07 pm
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07/26/2017, 11:07 am
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How to backup, wipe and restore your Mac before selling it
07/17/2017, 07:07 pm
Planning to sell your Mac? AppleInsider covers the step-by-step process of backing up your files, wiping the hard drive and restoring everything on a new machine in this video.
Apple's 2017 Back to School promo offers wireless Beats with Macs & iPad Pros
07/12/2017, 11:07 am
Apple on Wednesday launched its annual Back to School promotions for the U.S and Canada, offering qualified shoppers wireless Beats headphones if they buy a Mac or an iPad Pro. Alternatively, Apple-authorized resellers are offering their own great deals on new Mac purchases for students and non-students alike.
Watch: 2017 13" MacBook Pro vs. 2017 12" Retina MacBook
07/05/2017, 08:07 pm
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar and 12-inch Retina MacBook were recently updated with Intel's latest-generation Kaby Lake processors. They both start at a base price of $1,299, but what are the differences, and which one is right for you?
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06/30/2017, 01:06 pm
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Review: 2017 MacBook Pro fulfills the promise of the line's redesign
06/24/2017, 12:06 am
At the WWDC, Apple took the opportunity to toss the new Kaby Lake i7 processor into the the redesigned 2016 MacBook Pro chassis. If you liked the 2016 but didn't jump, you'll be even happier with the 2017.
Deals: $200-$345 off 2016 12" MacBooks; 2017 27" iMac 5K for $1,699 ($100 off); $70 off 2017 13" MacBook Air
06/23/2017, 11:06 am
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I arrived at the XOHM WiMAX event in Baltimore just in the nick of time this morning. Barry West, the CTO and President of XOHM Sprint Nextel, was describing the network and it was interesting to me in the calculated approach he used. As a current 3G customer, I look at my service as an "anywhere" type of wireless broadband solution, pending coverage of course. West positioned WiMAX in a more consumer-friendly language, calling it "A hotspot as big as a city." Folks know what a hotspot is, he contends.
In terms of availability, today was more about devices than the network. After all, the network is here in Baltimore and it is up and running. It's worth noting that it's running at around 70% coverage, meaning there are definite bubbles or pockets of Baltimore not yet covered. West says there are around 180 towers in play and the complete Baltimore roll-out will use near 300.
So what about those devices? Currently, there are notebooks models from four vendors with integrated WiMAX capabilities: Lenovo, Acer, Asus and Toshiba. In 2009 we'll see Panasonic, Dell, Samsung and Sony join in with integrated WiMAX in notebooks. Bear in mind that Samsung and Panasonic have a very limited presence in the U.S. notebook market, so it's really Dell and Sony that are the story here. The WiMAX edition of the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet has been available for some time and now those devices can enjoy the service. As announced this morning, ZTE will have a USB modem for WiMAX; based on what I heard today, we might see availability of the TU25 this month. Barry also mentioned that there are 20 devices undergoing certification now, so there's more in the pipeline. Interestingly, although WiMAX is based on a standard protocol (802.16e, in this case), the certification process may surprisingly not be as open as some might hope and could be an additional adoption barrier. Considering the geographic challenges right now with just 70% of a single metropolitan market covered, WiMAX doesn't need another challenge.
One less challenge is the purchase process. West explained that consumers will have a multitude of options in terms of where to get equipment and more importantly, that the equipment is separate from the service. Six Best Buy stores in Baltimore, as well as on-line retailer like Amazon and NewEgg will carry XOHM equipment. Device activation is alleged to be easier than traditional 3G activations and unlike approaches tied to phone numbers or SIM cards, XOHM devices have service tied to their unique MAC addresses. Unfortunately, we didn't see any activation examples.
We did see the service, or rather the end results of the service. I jumped in a van that was outfitted with a large flat-panel display in the back. On the display was a custom Google Maps application that tracked the location of the van so we could see our ride in real time. More importantly, the map showed a star on our route each time the WiMAX signal was handed off from one tower to another.
I ran various speed tests during the ride and noticed a few things:
- Overall, the speeds were impressively high and the latency was relatively low when compared to my current EV-DO Rev. A solution. I witnessed download speeds over 5 Mbps with uploads over 2 Mbps. Latency was in the 70 to 100 ms range.
- I noticed "speed bumps" when we started to roll from a complete stop at a light or a sign. The speeds dropped by around 30% but only for a second. I'd call it a noticeable blip if you were watching for it, but most users and applications wouldn't likely notice.
- Watching for signal hand-offs between towers showed similar "speed bumps". Again, not deal-breakers.
Second is the dreaded VoIP question: will XOHM allow it on their WiMAX network, especially as it could further dilute Sprint's voice business? West says that WiMAX at its core is a mobile data network and voice is just another data application. He went on to say that XOHM would actually encourage VoIP services and even mentioned Skype by name.
Third is how to handle existing 3G customers that also find themselves in range of a WiMAX network. There will be aircards by the end of the year that offer a dual-mode, i.e.: they'll work on both EV-DO and WiMAX networks. When pressed about cost of such a service, Hesse hinted at customer's paying more than they currently do since they're getting more service.
Lastly, I chatted with others about the network itself. I know that today was about the devices, but in the end XOHM is selling a service. Many people I spoke with were cautiously optimistic about the network itself. One comment worth repeating is paraphrased this way: the network is a like Swiss Cheese. The cheese is really good, but it's full of holes. That's an appropriate summary and worth remembering over the next two years because that's about the time we should see AT&T and Verizon start rolling out their LTE solution. It's going to take a large amount of resources for XOHM to have a solid foothold in those two years.
In fact, they don't yet have all of those resources. Hesse said that they have about $3 billion in capital to get a nationwide WiMAX network implemented but it's going to take $5 billion. Somehow XOHM either needs to ramp up revenues very quickly or check the deep pockets of their partners and turn this basic Swiss Cheese into a fine Gruyère.


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Excellent Companion John Sermon
50 years in the Holy Royal Arch
At the meeting of the Duke of Portland Chapter on the 20th September, the Grand Superintendent Richard Gutteridge presented a certificate to celebrate Excellent Companion John Sermon completing fifty years in Royal Arch Masonry.
John was accompanied by his long term friend Excellent Companion Graham Aitken.
The ceremony, which also included the Exaltation of a new Companion, and the festive board was enjoyed by all.
The presentation was preceded by the following address to the Chapter by the Grand Superintendent (a copy of which is available for download at the end of this item):
"Companions, it is my pleasure this evening to present a Certificate to celebrate Excellent Companion John Sermon completing fifty years in Royal Arch masonry.
John Barnett Sermon was born in 1931 into a strong local family. His chosen occupation was that of a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and these skills were of great benefit to the province when he became a Director of this Hall Company.
John was initiated into the Duke of Portland Lodge on the 25th October 1956 but almost ten years elapsed before being Exalted into the Royal Arch, entering the Marquis of Titchfield Chapter on 11th July 1966. To put this date in context, this was just a couple of weeks before the England football team last won the World Cup. So began fifty years of Royal Arch Masonry and membership of four Nottinghamshire Royal Arch Chapters.
John became a founding member of the De Vere Chapter as it first Principal Sojourner and four years later he progressed to be its Zerubbabel for two years from the 5th May 1977. Only nine days later he also reached the same office in his mother Chapter the Marquis of Titchfield. Being in the chair of two Chapters during the 1977/78 season must have proved a demanding time.
It was on the 17th April 1984 John became a founder member of this the Duke of Portland Chapter as the first Haggai and progressed to be its Zerubbabel in 1985. The Chapter records show what an active First Principal he was. For example, his first meeting after being installed carried out two complete ceremonies and four new Companions were exalted. Regular requests were made to province for dispensations to cope with the volume of new members. John along with Excellent Companions Bill Bradbury and Mike Jeffrey are the last surviving founders of this Chapter.
John became a joining member of the Notts First Principals Chapter in 1984 and became Zerubbabel in 2001. Again he doubled this up by coinciding it with a second spell as First Principal of the Duke of Portland Chapter.
If you place John's membership of these four Chapters end-to-end, you arrive at a total membership of some one hundred and twenty-two years and he has been a Most Excellent Zerubbabel six times.
John's contribution to Provincial Grand Chapter was recognised by appointment to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1987 and he was appointed a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of Supreme Grand Chapter in 1998.
John was elected an honorary member of the Duke of Portland Chapter in 2010. Even after relocating to Devon he has continued to regularly correspond with the Chapter expressing his encouragement to the members and he has attended whenever it was possible. I am told of a lovely letter from January 2009 when he apologised to the then Scribe Ezra for his non-attendance, but advising them against contacting his sponsors regarding his enforced absence as they had long passed to the Grand Chapter above.
John has now completed fifty years of Royal Arch masonry with great distinction, a wonderful achievement and one of which he should feel rightly proud. On behalf of the Province, the members of your Chapters and the other companions present this evening, I congratulate you and thank you for your contribution.
Excellent Companion John I have much pleasure in presenting you with this fifty years' certificate."


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(Posted Mon. Apr 14th, 2014)
By National Corn Growers Association President Martin Barbre
It is easy to argue against something, playing upon common fears and perpetuating misconceptions. Time and time again, arguments based in far-fetched possibilities slow our progress toward a future based in science and progress. The most contrarian amongst us holds back society like a brutish bully pushing down anyone who dare point out his fallacies or flaws.
In the world of agriculture, anti-GMO activists have become the bully that suppresses any party who dare stand up to their cult of the contrary. With no proof for their position, they simply argue against science and progress using circular logic. They beat down objections because they cannot win the debate.
Their tactics have become predictable. In the open arena of social media, they wallop products like Cheerios, companies like General Mills and now politicians like Rep. Mike Pompeo for having the audacity to speak in defense of biotechnology. Issuing public taunts and hurling baseless insults, these agenda-driven activists paint anyone or anything who wants to base policy or practice in science and progress as somehow subversive.
They ostracize and pushdown anyone who refuses to accept their authority, baseless or not, as the dictator of dietary dogma.
Much like a mean girl in high school, these anti-GMO activists launched a social smear campaign on Rep. Pompeo's Facebook page. Ganging up on an official elected to represent his fellow Kansans, the angry mob pummeled Pompeo with a barrage of insults under a post asking for summer interns. Calling him names like "corrupt pig," they used every verbal weapon, from exaggeration to outright obscenity, to try and intimidate Rep. Pompeo.
It was an organized attack meant to squelch thoughtfully written legislation meant to keep important decisions about food safety in the hands of trusted scientists at the FDA and out of the very clenched fists that typed the assault.
What they didn't realize is that men and women of principle and conviction can still stand up to bullies. Rep. Pompeo did so on April 9 in announcing the introduction of The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. In putting forth this legislation, he bravely stood his ground in defense of a science-based regulatory system that values the safety and welfare of America's families, not acrimonious activists.
It can be tough to speak up when a loud, angry bully continually tries to torment you into submission. Yet, when we stand together, we find strength in the realization that many others are on our side.
Stand with Rep. Pompeo. Reps. G.K. Butterfield, Marsha Blackburn, Jim Matheson and Ed Whitfield did by cosigning this significant, bipartisan legislation. Add your name to theirs by urging Congress to complete action on The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.
Our Representatives stood up to bullies in a public way. Click here to show them your support.


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By Andrew Brown
When it comes to boosting profits at the dealership, it's all in the presentation.
"We offer customers a menu of packages, so they can pick and choose whatever they want," says Alla Tripolsky, finance director at Osborn Automotive. The Lakewood, Colo., dealership starts by enticing car buyers with maintenance products. "If the customer prepays for oil changes, they get a discount. It certainly helps with customer retention," she says, because customers who return for maintenance establish a relationship with the dealership.
Last November, the dealership sold 108 cars, 68% of which were tied to maintenance products. "We guarantee ourselves that 74 of those 108 customers will come back," she says.
"If we can get them in for an oil change, at some point theyhave to change that air filter," she says. "They'll have to change those tires."
The maintenance offerings often have a trickle-down effect. If a customer has a particularly large bill or needs a new car, the salesperson can educate the customer about the dealership's financing programs. Plus, the maintenance coverage is financed into the loan and has an added benefit of facilitating warranty sales. "We usually couple the maintenance products with extended service contracts, which help sell the service product," Tripolsky says.
Osborn Automotive's integrated sales and service process has paid off: half of the dealership's business comes from repeat customers and referrals, she says.
Saturn of Lancaster uses the menu approach, too. Rather than just quoting a payment, the Lancaster, Pa., dealership relies on its salespeople to present finance and insurance options. "If you have a menu in front of [customers], you can talk them through it," says John Anastos, the dealership's F&I manager. "When a customer sees a description of what they get, the process is easier."
The dealership, which sells about 90 cars per month, utilizes technology provider DealerTrack to create personalized menus for each customer. "You can show four options, you can show three options, multiple terms, and multiple interest rates," Anastos says. "You can make it exactly what the customer is looking for."
Since implementing the system in 2005, profits from ancillary sales have shot up 60%, he says.
Meanwhile, Osborn Automotive uses a similar software solution called MenuVantage. "It's customizable, and it allows us to present 100% of the products to 100% of the customers," Tripolsky says.
Among specific products, guaranteed asset protection (GAP) is one of the most profitable for dealers, especially as loan terms lengthen.
"I'm seeing more 72-month as opposed to 60-month loans, so due to that, GAP insurance is becoming more popular," says Orlando Cadiz, finance manager at Phoenix Motor Co. The longer terms increase chances that cars may be totaled.
"It has a huge value to customers, and it's a very easy sell," Anastos says. "It's not an expensive policy. Selling someone a $400 investment on a $30,000 loan is not too difficult."
Plus, the longer the loan term, the higher the price for GAP coverage.
Some states restrict the amount that dealers can mark up the GAP coverage they sell, but not Pennsylvania, Anastos says. The average markup could be anywhere from 50% to 100%.
Posted in New Solutions
Written by ross
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