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New international preschool finds pricey space to fill a gap
The city's latest international kindergarten Safari Kid, which opened in January, says finding a suitable venue was one of its biggest challenges
With an increasing number of local parents enrolling their children in international schools, two more international kindergartens have set up shop in Hong Kong since the start of the year to cater to the growing demand.
Both have found the high land prices one of the biggest obstacles to keeping fees low.
United States-based kindergarten group Safari Kid opened its first Hong Kong branch in Pok Fu Lam in January. It aims to provide more places for expatriate children, whose parents find it increasingly difficult to secure suitable preschool places for them.
"I think it's definitely a problem," Jared Dubbs, Safari Kid's Northeast Asian regional head, says. "[Hong Kong] parents are obsessed with finding good quality education for their children, and rightly so."
Laura Southwood, whose child is enrolled at Safari Kid, says many local parents are sending their children to international schools for their bilingual programmes. This has narrowed the range of options for expat children, who would find it tough and confusing to go through the local education system, the public relations representative says.
"I think there are many choices available for Hong Kong people; but not so much at the international stage, which is where Safari Kid … is trying to fill the gap," Southwood says.
The 7,600 sq ft kindergarten charges from HK$1,800 to HK$14,000 a month for classes of various durations for children aged one to six.
Dubbs says the group spent half a year trying to locate a venue for the school with plenty of outdoor space, but failed. To compensate, the school tries to get as much natural light as possible into its classrooms.
"It was very difficult [to secure our venue]," he says, declining to reveal the cost of renting the school premises.
Singapore-based EtonHouse International Preschool, which also opened its first Hong Kong branch in January, agrees that finding the right property is a challenge.
The kindergarten, not related to British boarding school Eton College, says the high property prices is a reason for its high fees.
Safari Kid sets its fee level based on market demand and those of similar kindergartens, Dubbs says. The school, which can provide about 100 places, has admitted 90 pupils so far.
Dubbs is proud of the school's philosophy, which divides pupils by their abilities rather than their ages, and focuses on developing children's maths, science, reading, writing, public speaking and communication skills. There is one teacher to every eight children to every teacher.
Interestingly, the Hong Kong branch was started after Safari Kid's Asia chief executive officer Aniruddh Gupta, who lived in the city for about a year from 2012, could not find a kindergarten in line with his own educational philosophy for his two-year-old daughter.
Now based in Singapore, Gupta says the group will open a centre there in September and another in Malaysia next month.
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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2014/03/07 - MetrixLab, a leading global provider of marketing analytics and research solutions, increased revenues by +22% to 49M ($67M) in 2013 - MetrixLab.com.
This is a result of a change in strategic direction that is expected to drive further growth in 2014.
Several trends are coming together to challenge the 100 year old business model behind Market Research. The proliferation of consumer data will drive a significant change in the development of deep, actionable insights, and the speed at which they are delivered.
The Market Research industry needs to broaden its perspective from reliance on survey data to integrating always on social data, geospatial data, and newly available data from the internet of things. Not only will skill sets need to evolve but a mindset change is crucial for success. The good news is that tech savvy market research companies who are passionate about data and insights are best equipped to benefit from the data revolution. -states Han de Groot, CEO MetrixLabs new strategic direction is to move away from exclusive reliance on survey data to become a data source agnostic consumer insights provider.
I strongly believe that tomorrows complex business decisions require streaming insights derived from many internal and external data sources that become more accessible every day. We will invest heavily in building a data aggregation, integration and analytics infrastructure. he concludes.
About MetrixLab
MetrixLab (metrixlab.com) is a global provider of marketing analytics and research solutions. We turn data from surveys, social media and sales channels into actionable insights that help leading brands drive innovation, brand engagement and customer retention. Headquartered in Rotterdam and San Francisco with 15 offices across the US, Europe and Asia, MetrixLab collects and analyses data from millions of consumers in more than 50 countries.
Agency / Source: MetrixLab | Macromill
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subset: commoncrawl


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Fondant Baby Blanket-Stitching, Details?
Decorating By springlakecake Updated 12 Jan 2007 , 6:23pm by Tkeys
Thinking of making a fondant baby blanket for the top of a shower cake. I have seen some with a "stitching" like impression on them. Just wondering where I can get something like this to give the blanket some details. Any other suggestions on cute details welcome, as well as any tips on making the blanket. Thank you!
Wilton has a fondant cutter/embosser wheel - one of the embossing wheels creates the "stitching" look
I forgot to say that I think some people roll out the fondant using the embossed fondant rolling pins to creat designs/embossed patterns on the fondant, too, or can use a "stamp" to emboss the fondant and create designs like a quilted effect on the blanket. Hope that helps.
Oh okay, I have that. Which one makes the stitch though? the zig zag one?
I would use the one that looks like teeny horizontal lines..they look like stitching when you roll it over something..
Also, if you have a new clean stamp(Michael's often has them in the bargain bin), you could use that to pattern your blanket!
The one JaneK just recommended - it looks like tiny lines, or a flower almost . . . it has spaces in between each line, and when you roll it, it creates a dashed line and the stitching effect. I just used it on the baseball hat cake I did - it was pretty cool how it works. I kept thinking other people's stitching looked like it was spaced further apart than mine came out, but it looks really nice.
oh oh oh! I was thinking of the ribbon/embosser thing. I do have the other one you are talking about too. Okay, I see which one you mean now! Thanks!
yw! there is probably a picture of it in the purse tutorial . . . it is the same one used for making the stitching on the purse cakes.


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Deaths of Tom Bosley and Barbara Billingsley herald aging of two generations' TV parents
My first thought on hearing Tom Bosley had passed away today at age 83: Mr. C has left us all.
That's because his classic role as Ritchie Cunningham's dad on the '70s-era TV series Happy Days was the culmination of a career's worth of cuddly father roles -- turning Bosley into a trusted father figure for a generation of fans.
It brings a pang of sad realization -- geez, was Mr. C really THAT old? -- that another generation felt last week when news broke that Leave It to Beaver star Barbara Billingsley had died at age 94. Suddenly, two of the actors seen as the embodiment of ideal TV parenting are gone, and we're left with vague echoes of the loss that comes from seeing a trusted figure leave our lives.
In such awful coincidences, we are reminded of time's march -- a fact that's easy to forget when an eightysomething Betty White is cracking jokes on Saturday Night Live or 76-year-old Florence Henderson is twirling through a routine on Dancing with the Stars.
But our TV moms and dads are getting on in years, people. We're going to have a lot more painful goodbyes coming. And a lot more painful reminders of our own mortality, which we can avoid through a steady diet of reruns and retrospectives.
Bosley was a tough one. Not only did he play the ultimate '50s dad on Happy Days, he was a different kind of patriarch on The Father Dowling Mysteries, where he played a crime-solving cleric. He had already been a television fixture for decades, appearing everywhere from The Love Boat to Mission Impossible in a string of roles that followed an early career on the stage.
A Jewish Chicago native who somehow wound up playing a Catholic priest and the ultimate Presbyterian dad, Bosley's friendly voice and aw shucks manner grounded many of his best performances. He pulled it off so well, Howard Cunningham landed in 9th place on TV Guide's list of TV's greatest dads; a part he nearly turned down in a show spun off from a episode of the anthology series Love, American Style.
Billingsley, a film actress who found TV immortality as June Cleaver, was one of the last surviving actors from the family sitcoms which were popular in the 1950s, including Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
In the same way those characters helped mold the ideal image of suburban parenting and families for one generation, Bosley and shows such as The Partridge Family, The Brady Bunch and even Good Times helped shape a different generation's ideas of what family meant and could be.
We all know loss is a part of life. But this child of TV is feeling particularly bereft right about now.


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Jacksonville (Fla.) Forrest defensive lineman Vernell Trent made an official visit to Iowa State last weekend. And the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Trent was smitten enough to tweet that he had committed t...
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ASK A QUESTION How do I say "How can I help you?"
I am making a badge for a skit in spanish. I am a jewelry store owner and my badge is supposed to say "How can I help you?"
Would it be... "Cómo puedo ayudar a ustéd?" OR "Cómo puedo ayudarle?" OR "Cómo ayudarle?" OR Something else???
Please answer ASAP. Thanks!!!
6 Answers
I like ¿Cómo puedo ayudarle? because I think a jewelry store owner would use the formal mode of address (as opposed to someone working in a store geared to teens, for example, who might choose to be more informal.)
Hi! ¿Cómo puedo ayudarlo?
is correct. Good luck
I think the verb "servir" is more appropriate in this situation than "ayudar".
"¿En qué puedo servirle?" What can I do for you? May I help you?
You can also say:
¿En qué puedo ayudarle? = How can I help you?
Can be used when addressing one person in a formal way.
or ¿En qué puedo ayudarles? = How can I help you?
Can be used addressing a group of people in a formal way
I hope this helps
I believe the answer that you are looking for is; ¿Cómo puedo ayudarle?
I agree with Sheily in that "servir" is more common in these cases.
It´s just a personal opinion, but in the case of a badge I would have it say simply "Para servirle."


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- //Home
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- //Raya Brass Band
A brass band with a big beat.
Raya Brass Band
Dancing on Roses, Dancing on Cinders
US: 10 Jan 2012
UK: Import
The music of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean often attracts in musicians not necessarily associated with it by birthright. Just as Jewish klezmer music drew jazz clarinetist Don Byron to its intricate melodies and tricky rhythms, the brass-driven folk music of Macedonia, Greece, and the Balkans has pulled its own share of musicians into the fold, and New York City's Raya Brass Band stamps their own infectious groove on this tricky genre.
"This draws a lot of us to the music," Greg Squared, Raya's clarinet and saxophone player, says. "The challenge of the meters. All over the Balkans, you get lots of dances and songs in seven or sometimes in nine. But in Greece, you get tunes in 9/7, these amazing compound odd meters with certain beats that swing and stretch."
But the complexities of the music aren't always apparent in Raya Brass Band's second full-length, Dancing on Roses, Dancing on Cinders. The band effortlessly cruises through the tricky odd-meter pieces, augmenting the twisting horn lines with heavy backbeats and handclaps that are a little more East Coast than Eastern Bloc.
The group's collective jazz knowledge is evident in their solos as well—it's possible to hear more than a few "blue notes" in the torrential streams of the soloists. Jazz clearly also weighs heavily on the band's compositional sensibilities as well: "Tavernitsa," an original by trumpeter Ben Syversen, features a brief interlude between the trumpet and sax solos that wouldn't be out of place on an uber-hip modern jazz recording. The transition is briefly jarring, but ultimately pleasant, and speaks volumes about the band's eclectic flavor.
Tuba player Don Godwin deserves much of the credit for the band's surging pulse—his nimble solo on "Hasapikos" is more than a little reminiscent of sousaphone phenom Kirk Joseph's work with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and his playing on "DJevadov Cocek" is so funky and choppy it almost sounds like a hip-hop bass sample. But percussionist EJ Fry is a force to be reckoned with as well: "Nevestinsko Oro" opens with his propulsive tupan (double-sided bass drum) groove before blooming into a lovely major chord.
Another highlight is Squared's opening solo on "Melochrino", a Greek santouri (hammered dulcimer) song translated to saxophone. Squared slips and slides out of pitches in the unaccompanied intro to the song, threading his way in and out of your ear's comfort zone: at times he flirts with dissonance, but always resolves his explorations with a vocalist's practiced restraint.
Dancing on Roses, Dancing on Cinders is a compelling album, but it's not one that should be forced on anyone unaware of what they're getting themselves into: the music can at times start to sound same-y to anyone unacquainted with brass band music or Eastern European/Mediterranean music in general. This isn't the band's fault: their robust rhythms and assured sense of melody do more than enough to keep you interested. But it's not a record to get your aunt raised on Johnny Mathis.
Rather, get out to one of Raya Brass Band's live gigs. They're guerilla-style affairs that have been conducted everywhere from street corners to inside Russian bathhouses. Find a seat somewhere away from the teeming mass that will quickly surround the group, and watch as five people conjure a massive party around them. Then see if you can resist the temptation to get up and start dancing. It's pretty unlikely.
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Zenit tell Barcelona to double offer for Arshavin
NYON, July 8 (Premier Liga) - Zenit St Petersburg have told Barcelona to double their offer for Andrei Arshavin.
The Russians remain determined to keep their star forward, who was subject to a reported £12million offer from Barcelona last week and is also thought to have attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
A spokesman for Zenit upped the ante on Tuesday by claiming it will take £24million to prise Arshavin, who starred for his country at Euro 2008, from the UEFA cup holders.
'We have had only one firm offer for Andrei and that came from Barcelona,' said Pavel Pivovarov, head of administrative and legal affairs for Zenit, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
'We have not accepted it but if they double it, we would consider selling.'
Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter says his client would prefer to move to England but insisted it would only be for a club in the Champions League.
'Andrei would like to play in the Premier League but he will not accept an offer from clubs like Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
'There are only four British clubs he would play for and they are in the Champions League.
'It's not about money, it's about a team and professional ambition. Zenit is negotiating with several clubs.
'We are now waiting for a phone call from Zenit president Alexander Dyukov to allow us to negotiate his personal terms with one of them. It's most likely he will be heading for England.'
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The power of incumbency, as we wrote last week in making our state legislative election recommendations, is increased exponentially in California, which for the most part has become a one-party state. The ability to raise money while facing opposing candidates who cannot command either funds or voter registration, make Democratic incumbents virtually immune from losing elections.
And the time for new congressional leadership representing Santa Cruz County will come; based on the two races this year, however, that time is not now.
Local members of Congress work hard to maintain community ties. Perhaps no one has done this better, year in year out, than Democratic Congressman Sam Farr of Carmel.
For instance, last Friday Farr was at the groundbreaking for a new Metro bus center on River Street in Santa Cruz. Then that evening, he was in Aptos for that area's annual Chamber of Commerce award dinner.
Yes, both events occurred near the Nov. 6 election, but Farr is not a drop-in visitor to Santa Cruz County. At age 71, after 10 terms in the House of Representatives, he's a familiar presence in the district. (The election is for the 20th District. Farr currently represents the 17th; the designation has changed because of redistricting.) He's long been a strong advocate for clean ocean policies, ag programs including organic farming, assistance for veterans, education and supporting tourism. A staunch liberal voice, he's also a reasonable man with a good sense of humor and the wisdom to change what he can and accept that government can't provide all solutions to all people.
Farr is opposed by Republican Jeff Taylor, who is running for the third time. Taylor, a 53-year-old Salinas resident, is mostly a pro-business, anti-abortion conservative who admirably has the independence to consider the need for increased tax revenue to get the country out of debt.
Farr, however, remains our choice for Congress in the 20th District.
Parts of Santa Cruz County are in the 18th Congressional District where Palo Alto Democrat Anna Eshoo, 69, also is seeking an 11th term. Eshoo currently represents the 14th District, also changed through redistricting. Most of Eshoo's district is in the Peninsula and Silicon Valley, and she has worked on patent and trademark issues, broadband access and spectrum, housing and campaign finance reform.
Eshoo faces token opposition from Republican Dave Chapman, 56, of Woodside, Chapman is a software engineer whose views on guest workers and the monetary supply are out of step with most voters in the district.
Eshoo should be re-elected in the 18th District.


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← Back to the full Events Listing
Mar 1
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 7:00 AM
The Elks Opera House - 117 E. Gurley St., Prescott
December '63, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Saturday, March 1st @ 7:00pm $22/$25 The music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons comes to life in this re-creation of a Frankie Valli concert experience. DECEMBER '63 showcases all your favorite songs from Frankie Valli including the one of a kind classics that have been thrilling audiences for decades inlcuding everyone's most popular singles from the musical The Jersey Boys. Before The Beatles landed on the shores of the United States, The Four Seasons were the most popular band in the country. The British Invasion created a huge shift in American pop music tastes but yet, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons continued to knock out hits.
The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.They are one of the best selling groups of all time, having sold 175 million records worldwide. In 1962, the group released their first album, featuring the single "Sherry" which was not only their first charted hit but also their first number-one song. The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several million selling hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry, (their second #1 hit), Walk Like A Man, (their third #1), "Candy Girl, and several others. From 1962 to early 1964, only The Beach Boys matched the Four Seasons in record sales in the United States.
This re-creation of a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert will have you reaching for the high notes as our cast and band take you on musical journey with stops at every phase of the careers of Frankie and the boys. Come on out and enjoy a night of timeless classics!


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Stewart announces plans to leave Pinellas in December
Pinellas County superintendent John Stewart has changed his mind again.
He told board members this morning that he will work for the 101,000-student district through December, leaving the seven-member board nine months to find someone to replace him.
"I will be leaving the district in December simply because of personal direction in my life," Stewart, 68, said at the end of the school board meeting.
This latest news comes two months after Stewart indicated to board members that he'd be willing to stay through the end of the 2012-13 school year. At the time, board members cheered his agreement to remain in the district. He's told them as recently as October that he had no desire to stay past December 2012, but said in January that he'd thought more about it. Board members have unanimously voiced overwhelming appreciation for Stewart's quick and steady leadership in a district recently rocked by administrative tumult.
Asked this morning what made his change his mind, Stewart was reserved.
"I think it's time for me," he told the Gradebook following the meeting. "I want to be with my wife."
He declined to talk about his decision further. Stewart said he shared his decision with board chair Robin Wikle prior to the meeting.
But other board members and top level staff said they were surprised by his announcement. Board member Linda Lerner, who chairs a board subcommittee on the superintendent search, said she'd like to arrange a short meeting next Tuesday to discuss next steps.
Stewart was hired in September to take control of Pinellas schools after the board fired former superintendent Julie Janssen. He led the Polk County school district for 13 years until 1996 and later spent three years working was deputy superintendent in Pinellas under Howard Hinesley. He went on to join the Florida High School Athletic Association before retiring in 2009.
Though hired in Pinellas as an interim leader pending a formal board search, board members decided to remove the word "interim" from his title. In his short time over the district, he has sought to improve internal and external communication, tackle middle school reform and, his latest effort, reorganize the administrative staff.


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By Mary Jordan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, April 3, 2005; Page A36
Wearing a black lace veil and clutching a picture of Pope John Paul II, an elderly woman here explained why she saw the pope as a personal hero, not some faraway leader from Rome.
"He consoles those who have nothing," Agripina Leonardo de Zepeda said as she stepped out of the city's main cathedral during the pope's visit in the summer of 2002. All around her, Mexicans who had barely enough to eat had spent precious pesos on bus fares to the capital, just so they could catch a glimpse of an elderly man in his popemobile.
In Mexico, as in much of the developing world, millions of people felt a personal bond with John Paul, in large part because they took solace in his message: "In the last analysis, Christ will identify himself with the disinherited." He spoke those words here, and similar ones in ghettos in Africa, Asia and elsewhere in Latin America.
Perhaps above all, John Paul was known here as a voice of the marginalized and for using his pulpit to draw attention to the dark side of capitalism and globalization, which he believed widened the divide between haves and have-nots.
"The human race is facing forms of slavery which are new and more subtle than those of the past," the pope said in 1999, talking about the poor. "For far too many people, freedom remains a word without meaning."
His crowds were always bigger and more emotional in developing countries than in the United States and Europe. The numbers were on his side: Three-quarters of the world's population lives in the developing world. John Paul's call for the superpowers and the super-rich to take more responsibility for the poor -- for instance, by forgiving debt -- was applauded there.
The pope "had great sympathy for the issues of the indigenous peoples," said Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala, a Nobel Peace laureate and prominent voice of the region's Indians. John Paul met with these groups often, held Masses specifically for them using Indian languages and rituals, and canonized the first indigenous saint of the Americas, Juan Diego, in Mexico.
"He spoke to me personally before asking publicly for forgiveness from the indigenous people for the conquest and colonization," Menchu said in an interview. After the Spanish arrived here in the 16th century, backed by the Roman Catholic Church, the conversion of native people to Catholicism was often brutal.
Echoing the thoughts of many here, Menchu said people were endeared to John Paul, but not necessarily enamored of the church he represented. While the church hierarchy and the institution are viewed by many as elitist, Menchu said, the pope was seen as a humble man. "There is an affection for him despite all the differences we may have with the church."
John Paul's persistence despite personal suffering -- his physical discomforts from Parkinson's disease and the gunshot wound he suffered in an assassination attempt in 1981 -- added to some people's admiration.
"He is an example of strength," said Matilda Lopez, a middle-age woman begging in the streets of Mexico during the pope's 2002 visit. "As sick as he is, he keeps going," agreed Benito Diaz, an organ grinder playing for donations nearby. "He is an example to follow."
The pope's life as a young man in communist Poland was said to inspire his categorical rejection of any "offshoots" of communism, as he once described liberation theology. In the 1970s, the rising popularity of that theology -- a blend of Catholic teachings and Marxist-inspired calls to class struggle -- caused a fissure in the Latin American church.
Many priests in the region were urging the poor to rise up against dictators and corrupt autocrats. But the pope came down hard against these priests. The church expelled many of them, particularly in Nicaragua, where some clergymen had joined the armed Sandinista movement.


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Are children worth it? That's a question many adults are asking today, and as they look around at mortgage debt and popsicle mess and day care woes, many are deciding they're not. I think kids ARE worth it–and if society doesn't agree, we're in trouble.
I talked about this back in a column in 2005, and I thought I'd rerun it now. I understand some women don't have children, even though they desperately want to, because of infertility issues, and this column is definitely not directed at you. I know how painful that is. But more and more are choosing not to have kids, and I wanted to address that today.
I'm really not sure why I had children, except that I was supposed to. I wanted someone to love me, and I wanted to love in return, but I didn't think about it much beyond that.
Fifty years ago, that would have been true for just about everybody. Today it's not. More and more people are choosing to remain childless (and more are childless not by choice, but that's another story). In Canada our birth rate now hovers around 1.6, far below the replacement level needed of 2.1. And it's not because families are getting smaller; it's because more people, even those in committed relationships, are choosing not to have families at all.
While for an individual couple this may be the best choice, for a society it certainly isn't.
If we want Canada as a nation and a culture to survive, we need a higher birth rate. So why is it plummeting?
I read recently on Steve Janke's blog the proposition that it's because children no longer have value. Before you jump all over me, let me elaborate. At one point, Janke explained, children were your retirement savings plan and your health insurance. They took care of you if you were old or sick. Once the government stepped in into these roles, we didn't "need" children in the same practical way we did before.
I would even go one step further and say that in those glorious "olden days" when people walked to school uphill both ways, children would have added economically to your household. They were expected to help on the farm or the business. Having children enabled you to have a larger house, a larger farm, and generally prosper more than you would have otherwise. Today it's the opposite. Children don't add; they subtract. We live in a child-centred world where it is us who are expected to work: we must drive our kids to lessons; sacrifice time to help them with homework; save a fortune for their education. When we have kids, we have more work, not less work.
And so I think there's something else going on. If you're a young adult surveying the parental scene, you see harried parents chronically short on cash because hockey costs so much this year. You see them tying themselves in knots because their toddler won't sleep through the night, their seven-year-old can't read, or their teenager has gotten into the wrong crowd. It looks like a recipe for an ulcer.
The one thing you can't see is what's going on inside those parents.
You don't see what happens in the heart the first time you hold your baby. You can't see what being a parent does to you; how it makes you love life so much more, care about the world so much more, or brings a richness to your life you never believed possible. I am not saying that non-parents can't experience love; only that being a parent is a joy like no other, and cannot truly be comprehended until one experiences it.
There once were enough societal and economic pressures to have children that people tended to make that choice, and so they did experience that joy. Today, with those pressures gone, how many will decide not to procreate, and in so doing lose the joy that we only realize once we've already taken the plunge?
At one point parenthood was one of the experiences that we all had in common.
We had all gone through labour in some form or another, or stayed up all night with a child with croup, or kissed a boo-boo. Even if language or religion or culture or class separated us, we were all parents. When we lose these shared experiences we lose a shared culture. Parenting is hard work, and it requires more sacrifice today, perhaps, than it did a century ago. But it is still worth it. I know some will always choose to remain childless, and that's okay. But I hope our country as a whole does not turn its back on parenthood. Babies are our future, and they really are irreplaceable.
After this column was out, I was interviewed on CBC radio and asked on a TV show to talk about why kids are worth it. You can see a little clip from that TV show here.
Enjoy this column?Every Friday I send out my weekly blog roundup--with my Friday opinion piece--and lots that happened on Facebook and Pinterest, too. Don't have time to read the blog everyday? Get the Roundup!
And when you sign up, you'll also receive my FREE ebook The Best of Reality Check, with my 20 favourite columns from my 12 years of writing.
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text: Morris Communications selects Tacoda Published on July 18, 2003. Most Popular New York--Morris Communications Co. L.L.C., a diversified media company, has selected Tacoda Systemsâ Audience Management System to provide audience profiling and targeting. Morris is the 10th major media company to deploy AMS. Morris online properties include The Augusta Chronicle, The Florida Times-Union and the Savannah Morning News. In this article: BtoB


text: Christopher Isherwood mai 10, 2015Frédérick Jézégou Ajouter un commentaire Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique and not too much imagination Christopher Isherwood quotesQuotes :Christopher Reeve "Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean." Christopher Reeve quotesChristopher Parker – a lot of fun "Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get the bill." ~Christopher ParkerWilliam Christopher Handy "Nature was my kindergarten." William Christopher Handy quotesChristopher Livingston – endless possibilities "I've always believed that a mind that wasn't learning was as a body of water standing still, growing stagnant, but a mind willing and capable to grow, the possibilities are endless, as a rushing river or the mighty oceans." ~Christopher Livingston Laisser une réponseCliquez ici pour annuler la réponse. Nom(obligatoire) Courriel (ne sera pas publié)(obligatoire) Site web Commentaire


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Nicole Ritchie looks like some kind of legendary designer that only exists in fictional novels or movie screens. It's hard to believe that she just dresses like this as she goes about her daily life but it's true because we see press photos of her daily. This is just how fab she is.
This is a Rick Owens jacket, a Stella McCartney fringe top and a Fendi 2Jours calf hair handbag. Our fave aspect of the bag is how it comes monogrammed with your initials. It can't get more high class fashion than seeing your initials printed in gold across luxurious leather. The black and grey colors of the back are very stylish but the flash of yellow adds much-needed drama to the bag.


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NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview
By Clark Judge, Sports Xchange
Talk about old-school football. The last time these two met, the Panthers won, 10-9. That was November at Candlestick Park, and this could be a repeat — though Carolina is a slight underdog Sunday when it hosts San Francisco at 12:05 p.m. The game is being televised by FOX.
That makes no sense when you consider the Panthers are home, where they were 7-1; that they've won 16 of their last 20 games, dating back to last season and that they've won eight of their last 10 vs. the 49ers, including the last four.
Plus, their only home defeat? It was a 12-7 decision to Seattle where running back DeAngelo Williams fumbled at the Seahawks' 8 with five minutes left.
So what gives? Oddsmakers trust San Francisco's playoff history. Under Jim Harbaugh the 49ers have been to two conference championship games in two years, and the experts are telling you that experience could swing the vote. Otherwise, the two teams are so similar this one's almost too close to call. Both have young quarterbacks who win games with their arms and/or their legs; both have impressive rushing attacks; and both have suffocating defenses, with each ranked among the league's top five (Carolina is second; the 49ers fifth).
One area where there is a difference: Pass catchers. The 49ers have a cadre of good ones, led by Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree — and, remember, Crabtree didn't play vs. Carolina earlier this year The Panthers' Steve Smith insists he'll play, though he downgraded himself after Thursday's practicing, saying he thought he "overdid it." With Smith handicapped by a sprained knee, the Panthers' are reduced to Greg Olsen and Brandon LaFell, and look how that played out in their Week 17 loss to Atlanta: They produced 149 yards passing.
If Carolina is going to keep San Francisco from making another conference championship game appearance, the Panthers must harass Kaepernick as they did in November when they sacked him six times, intercepted him once, and held him to a career-low 91 yards passing and 16 yards rushing. Kaepernick has taken responsibility for that loss, promising to make amends, but the onus is on the 49ers' offensive line to keep pass rushers like Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson off their quarterback.
Something to consider: The Panthers ran for 100 or more yards in 38 of last 46 games, but good luck here. Reason: San Francisco is the only team not to allow a 100-yard rusher this season. Of course, the Panthers allowed only one 100-yard rusher since Week 14 of 2012 and only five rushing TDs this season.
Saturday, 3:35 p.m. (FOX)
Seattle was supposed to bury all those road-kill jokes with its upset of Philadelphia last week, and it did ... for one game. But that was then, and this is now, and now the Seahawks must win where they couldn't earlier this season and where nobody but Arizona has won in the past two years. The Saints insist they're ready for the upset, but look at the betting line: Few believe them.
It's easy to see why. Seattle flummoxed Drew Brees in a 34-7 demolition last month, holding him to a season-low 147 yards passing, and, yeah, OK, so the Saints beat Philadelphia without Brees throwing for a gazillion yards. That's because Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson ran for 185 yards, and let's be honest: You think that's going to happen again? It's not, even though Pierre Thomas is likely to be active. The Seahawks allowed only four rushing TDs this year and held opponents to 3.9 yards a carry.
But there's more. The last time these two met in the playoffs was here, and New Orleans was the defending Super Bowl champ and Seattle a 7-9 division winner. So what happened? Yep, the Seahawks won. Brees is 1-3 here, and that's not an aberration. This is a tough spot for anyone but Seattle to succeed, and if the Saints are to pull the unthinkable they must not play from behind, force Russell Wilson into atypical mistakes and hope their defense plays as well this weekend as it did last.
Otherwise, they're road kill. Again.
Something to consider: No team scored on Seattle on its opening drive this season, making the Seahawks the league's only team not to allow an opponent to score on its opening series.
Saturday, 7:15 p.m. (CBS)
Trust me, New England would've liked to have seen Andy Dalton more than it would Andrew Luck. As he proved last weekend, no game is out of reach for Luck, with the Colts' quarterback producing an NFL-best 11 fourth-quarter or overtime victories in his first two seasons. Luck and the Colts are confident they can pull the upset, mostly because the Patriots' defense is vulnerable and Indianapolis, not New England, has the momentum.
And that's great, except for one thing: Tom Brady. The Patriots' quarterback has been stripped of his five leading receivers from last year, one of his best pass blockers and the team's top three defensive players, yet all he did was produce an NFL-record 11th division championship. Now, Brady could be without Aaron Dobson (he was in a walking boot this week), but since when have roster deletions deterred this guy? He's not only unbeaten at home in 2013; he's 11-3 there in the playoffs.
Nevetheless, this could be closer than people anticipate. Luck is hot, and the Colts believe they're this year's out-of-nowhere team. Maybe. But if they're going to pull the upset, they must bottle up the Patriots' backs and squeeze Brady into sacks and atypical errors. Otherwise, it's over.
Something to consider: Indianapolis won three of its last four road divisional playoff games, but New England is 2-0 at home vs. the Colts in the postseason.
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
These two have met 108 times, but this is their first playoff game — and it's one oddsmakers make the most lopsided of the weekend. Don't ask me why. I know the Broncos are rested. I know Wes Welker is back. I know the Broncos are home where they're 13-4 in the playoffs and 7-3 in the divisional round. And I know they have a quarterback who set a league record with 55 TD passes.
But I also know San Diego beat them here a month ago, won six of its last eight in Denver and is 2-0 vs. Peyton Manning in the playoffs. I also know the Chargers aren't under the pressure that Denver ... er, Manning ... is. Denver was the best team in the AFC ... maybe football ... last year and didn't win a playoff game, and stop if you've heard this before. Manning is 9-11 in the postseason, including seven one-and-dones, and this game is about ending that conversation before it gets started.
For San Diego, the formula is simple: Run the ball effectively, don't commit turnovers and keep pass rushers off Philip Rivers. Do that, and the Chargers have a chance. One problem: Running back Ryan Mathews, who was so effective in the Bolts' victory last month, is hobbled by a bad ankle that sidelined him the second half last weekend. Mathews will play, but how reliable he'll be is another matter.
Something to consider: The Chargers haven't allowed one opponent the second half of this season to produce 400 yards in offense. They allowed 400 yards four times in the first eight games and 500 twice.
Five guys it's good to be this weekend
1. Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman. In his last 12 games at home, he has nine interceptions, two touchdown returns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
2. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. He's not only 15-1 at home; he has 33 touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a 112.8 passer rating.
3. New England quarterback Tom Brady. He's 10-4 vs. the Colts and 11-3 vs. everyone at home in the playoffs.
4. Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy. He has 24 sacks in his last 25 games, including seven in his past two.
5. San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis. He has 100 yards receiving in four of six playoff games and averages 97.2 yards per contest. He also has six TDs and is tied with teammate Anquan Boldin for most catches (11) by an active NFL player of 25 or more yards in the playoffs.
Believe it ... or don't
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will broadcast the Denver-San Diego game Sunday. So what? So the Broncos are 6-0 this year when those two work their games, including a 28-20 defeat of the Chargers.
Then there's this, San Diego: A No. 6 playoff seed and No. 1 seed have met five times in the past five years, and the No. 6 seed won four of them. The Chargers are the sixth-seed in the AFC.
Since the NFL moved to the 12-team format in 1990, NFC top seeds are 19-4 on divisional weekend, while AFC No. 1 seeds are 13-10.
With a victory Sunday, San Francisco will advance to its 15th conference championship game, tying Pittsburgh for the most conference championship-game appearances since 1970.
San Diego led the league in 10-play drives with 39 this season. The Chargers also led the league in third-down conversions at 49 percent and fewest three-and-out drives (13.8 percent) Denver was second in fewest three-and-outs at 15.3 percent.
At 2-0, San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick has the most road playoff wins of any quarterback in 49ers' history. Honest. Joe Montana was 1-3, John Brodie 1-1, Steve Young 0-3 and Jeff Garcia 0-2.
The Broncos are the first team in league history to have five players score at least 10 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Seattle's Marshawn Lynch leads the NFL with 19 100-yard rushing games since 2011. His 39 touchdowns since then are also the most, two more than Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.
Denver allowed the fewest sacks (20) this season and produced a league-high six games without a quarterback takedown.
San Diego has 14 takeaways in its last seven games, or double the number it had in its first 11.
Ten numbers that may mean something
3-0: San Francisco's playoff record under Jim Harbaugh when leading at the half.
5: Career blocked kicks by Seattle's Red Bryant.
9: Carolina players who remain from their last playoff team (2008).
9-3: Record of Anquan Boldin's teams in the playoffs.
10-6: Philip Rivers vs. Denver.
20: San Francisco rushes of 20 or more yards, best in the league.
17: Russell Wilson career 100 passer ratings.
90.5: Colin Kaepernick's average rushing yards per game in the playoffs.
92: Cam Newton passing and rushing TDs his first three seasons, second most in league history.
139.6: Russell Wilson's passer rating last time he played New Orleans.
Clark Judge, a Senior NFL Writer for The Sports Xchange, has covered pro football since 1982 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.


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Executive Summary
This report is a thorough analysis of Indonesias Wealth Management and Private Banking sector, and the opportunities and challenges that it faces.
This report is the result of WealthInsights extensive research covering the high net worth individual (HNWI) population and wealth management market in Indonesia.
The report focuses on HNWI performance between the end of 2010 and the end of 2014. This enables us to determine how well the countrys HNWIs have performed through the crisis.
Independent market sizing of Indonesia HNWIs across five wealth bands
HNWI volume and wealth trends from 2010 to 2014
HNWI volume and wealth forecasts to 2019
HNWI and UHNWI asset allocations across 13 asset classes
Number of UHNWIs in each state and all major cities
Fastest growing cities and states for UHNWIs (2010-2014)
Insights into the drivers of HNWI wealth
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The Challenges and Opportunities for the Wealth Sector in Indonesia 2015 is an unparalleled resource and the leading resource of its kind. Compiled and curated by a team of expert research specialists, the database comprises dossiers on over 60,000 HNWIs from around the world.
With the wealth reports as the foundation for our research and analysis, we are able obtain an unsurpassed level of granularity, insight and authority on the HNWI and wealth management universe in each of the countries and regions we cover.
Report includes comprehensive forecasts to 2019.
Key Highlights
Indonesian HNWIs held 28% (USD66.5 billion) of their wealth outside their home country in 2014.
Foreign asset holdings are expected to increase to USD101.1 billion by 2019, accounting for 30% of the countrys total HNWI assets.
The Asia-Pacific accounted for 49.8% of Indonesian HNWIs foreign assets in 2014. This was followed by North America with 21%, Europe with 13.2%, Latin America with 8.1%, Africa with 4.3% and the Middle East with 3.6%.
Indonesian HNWI allocations to the Asia-Pacific increased steadily during the review period compared with other regions, rising from 44.6% in 2010 to 49.8% in 2014.
WealthInsight expects HNWIs to slightly increase their level of investment in the Asia-Pacific region over the forecast period, to reach 52.7% of foreign HNWI assets by 2019.
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1 Introduction
1.1 Details of this Report
1.2 Definitions
2 Executive Summary
3 Indonesia Key Facts
4 Distribution of Wealth in Indonesia
4.1 HNWI Volume and Wealth Trends
5 Competitive Landscape
5.1 Domestic private banks
5.2 Foreign Private Banks
5.3 Wealth managers
5.4 Family offices
6 Key Drivers
6.1 INR-USD Exchange Rate
6.2 Real GDP Growth
6.3 Per Capita GDP
6.4 Domestic Market Capitalization
6.5 Commodity Index
6.6 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)-Inflows and Outflows
6.7 Inflation Rate
6.8 Interest Rate
6.9 Balance of Payments
6.1 Government Debt
6.11 Stock Market Performance
6.12 Wealth Breakdowns
7 About WealthInsight
Figure 1: HNWI Wealth Band Definitions
Figure 2: Map of Indonesia
Figure 3: Indonesian Asset Price Performance (%), 2010-2014
Figure 4: Indonesian HNWI Performance (USD Billion and HNWI Volume), 2010-2019
Figure 5: Indonesian vs Global HNWIs (%), 2010-2019
Figure 6: Indonesian Exchange Rate-INR-USD, 2010-2019
Figure 7: Indonesian Real GDP Growth (%), 2010-2019
Figure 8: Indonesian GDP per Capita (USD), 2010-2019
Figure 9: Indonesian Domestic Market Capitalization (USD Billion), 2010-2014
Figure 10: Indonesian Commodity Indices, 2010-2019
Figure 11: Indonesian Foreign Direct Investment (USD Billion), 2010-2019
Figure 12: Indonesian Inflation Rate (%), 2010-2019
Figure 13: Indonesian Money Market Rate (%), 2010-2019
Figure 14: Indonesian Balance of Payments (USD Billion), 2010-2014
Figure 15: Indonesian Government Debt as a Percentage of GDP (%), 2010-2019
Figure 16: Indonesian Stock Market Performance (Index), 2010-2014
Figure 17: Indonesian HNWI Wealth vs GDP Ratio (%), 2010-2019
Figure 18: Indonesian HNWIs-Volume by Wealth Band, 2010-2019
Figure 19: Indonesian HNWIs-Wealth by Wealth Band (USD Billion), 2010-2019
Figure 20: Indonesian HNWIs-Wealth per Capita (USD Million), 2010-2019
Table 1: HNWI Wealth Band and Group Definitions
Table 2: Indonesian Exchange Rate-IDR-USD Exchange Rate, 2010-2019
Table 3: Indonesian Real GDP Growth (%), 2010-2019
Table 4: Indonesian GDP per Capita (USD), 2010-2019
Table 5: Indonesian Domestic Market Capitalization (USD Billion), 2010-2014
Table 6: Indonesian Commodity Indices, 2010-2019
Table 7: Indonesian Foreign Direct Investment (USD Billion), 2010-2019
Table 8: Indonesian Inflation Rate (%), 2010-2019
Table 9: Indonesian Money Market Rate (%), 2010-2019
Table 10: Indonesian Balance of Payments (USD Billion), 2010-2014
Table 11: Indonesian Government Debt as a Percentage of GDP (%), 2010-2019
Table 12: Indonesian Stock Market Performance (Index), 2010-2014
Table 13: Indonesian HNWI Wealth vs. GDP Ratio (%), 2010-2019
Table 14: Indonesia-Appendix One
Table 15: Indonesia-Appendix Two
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TEAM Wales have failed in an appeal against the decision that led to Sean McGoldrick's loss in the boxing semi-finals this afternoon.
The St Joseph's fighter was beaten by Northern Ireland's Michael Conlan in his semi-final at the SECC and failed to become the first boxer to retain a Commonwealth Games title.
The 22-year-old, who won gold in the 56kg division in Delhi four years ago, lost a unanimous decision after Conlan was unable to continue following an accidental clash of heads in the second round.
The fight was stopped on medical advice just 13 seconds before the end of the second and the Northern Irish man took the verdict 20-18 with all three judges.
Team Wales launched an official appeal for the TV footage to be reviewed because they believed the referee originially signaled that the cut was initially caused by a glove before a big clash of heads.
But Glasgow 2014 boxing officials have rejected that appeal and McGoldrick must settle for bronze.
"It was heartbreaking," said Wales national boxing coach Colin Jones after the defeat.
"We looked at the video evidence and we thought that the blood appeared a long time after there was supposedly a clash of heads. There was a clash of heads but the blood didn't appear until 25-30 seconds later."
"In that time, Sean had got in a couple of good blows that we thought had actually caused the cut."
"We think it's right that we look after our boxers," he added. "We put the appeal in - and it was quite a lengthy appeal. They came out on the side of Michael Conlan.
"We accept the final appeal but we've got to be seen to be doing the best by our boxers and that was what it was about."
"I just feel as if it is a little unfair to go out like that when he was coming into his best form.
"I did not see a clash of heads but there might have been one.
"I thought the ruling was if there was an accidental clash would not come into it and they would have awarded Sean the contest."
Conlan said the cut was caused by a clash of heads but Jones believes the Northern Irishman will not be passed fot to fight for gold tomorrow.
"It's a very bad cut and I doubt very much whether he will box again in the final," he said.
"You are going to get the cut issue coming up all the time but I don't think head guards are an issue.
"It's very unfortunate and I have not had to deal with a cut with any of the Welsh boys at the moment.
"It's the way that you are taught and some people dive in dangerously with their heads and with low movements you are going to have cuts."


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Q: What is the difference between a wired and a wireless
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wired and a wireless
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I noticed that Audessey keeps setting my front speakers to Large after running setup. Yes I am running a sub. Is it ok to manually set them to small after the setup runs?
Most definitely set them to small!!!
Unless AVR has double bass setting, then small. If mains set to large without double bass then subs will not be active with mains.
If you have measuring gear then you could try double bass(which means sub active and mains also full range) and see if FR improved or not compared to setting them to small with crossover.
Typically though, a capable sub will do far better than most "tower" speakers. The placement of the speakers in the room, however, has a big impact on bass response and the overall room modes. So experimentation will typically yield the best results compared to rote dogma.
I personally would set the center on large... and your towers on small (if you are planning on running your subwoofer all of the time) otherwise, set the towers on large (if the towers can handle the full frequency) also, it is really going to depend on your listening habits. Cheers and Happy Listening!
Why the center on large?
Polk TSx250c - don't set to large (ignore him lol)
set to small 60hz at the lowest
Your Polk Tsx250c is capable and appears to be able to play a full range signal. Set it to large (listen to it for a bit) then set it to small, and see what you think of the differences... have fun man!
We are all here to give and get advice, and that's all...(LOL)
As mentioned earlier; set all speakers to SMALL (recommended by Audyssey). Then all signals below cross-over frequency from all channels will be sent to sub. Double-bass (or LFE+Main) is not recommended, since this will send low frequencies to both sub and main front speakers. Which of course can be kind of iffy regarding sub + main canceling each other out.
TSX 250c is down 3db at 58hz (polk specs) so it is Definetely NOT full range.
Set it to small.
"2liter" if you are gonna give advice please get it right.
53 Attachment(s)
Just because a speaker is physically "large" doesn't mean it should be set to Large. The decision to send a speaker a full range signal or to apply a crossover should be made based on the low frequency extension of the speaker. If you send a speaker a signal it is not capable of reproducing, that signal is LOST, never to be heard. If, instead, you re-route that signal to a different speaker, (the subwoofer), that IS capable of reproducing it, you'll actually get to hear it.
The Polk TSx250C being discussed in this thread has a -3 dB point of 58 Hz. It's a ported speaker, so it will roll off at 24 dB/octave below 58 Hz. That "spec" is likely measured at 75 dB. If one measured the -3 dB point of that speaker at full Reference Level of 105 dB, that -3 dB point would more likely rise to 80 to 100 Hz, or even higher. Also, the room interaction with the speaker will affect the -3 dB point and the maximum output capability. There is about 1.5 octaves below 58 Hz down to 20 Hz, not to mention any infrasonic content that might be placed in the center channel. If you send content below 58 Hz to that speaker, you'll hear virtually NONE of it. OTOH, if you re-route it to the subwoofer, you'll hear as much of that content as the sub is capable of reproducing, (which presumably is far greater than the output of the speaker.) There is NO DOUBT, it would be advisable to set that speaker to Small, and set a crossover on it. 80 to 100 Hz would likely be optimal. (Actually, at 105 dB those ports will be chuffing away making bad noises at port tune, so it's even less advisable to send these speakers a full range signal.)
The Polk TSx550T mains present some different considerations. They have a -3 dB point of 36 Hz. Even that is not a true "full range" speaker as there is a whole octave from 40 down to 20 Hz, and 2 more octaves below that down to 5 Hz. There is plenty of content recorded in the L/R channels in movies down to those frequencies. If you send these speakers any of that content you will hear virtually NONE of it. Re-routing it to the subwoofer will provide a much better chance of hearing it, (depending on the capability of the sub.) The main speakers do have deeper extension than the CC, and therefore it might be possible to use a lower crossover than the one used for the CC. However, it is still advisable to use a crossover, but one could experiment with 40, 60 or 80 Hz crossovers. (Personally, I would probably opt for an 80 Hz crossover, but I would base that off of in-room response measurements and listening tests.)
There are several other reasons for using crossovers and re-routing the deepest bass to the sub:
Amplifier Headroom: The deepest bass consumes the most power. It takes four times as much power to go 1 octave lower in frequency. It takes 4X as much power to reproduce 40 Hz as it does 80 Hz. That eats up amplifier headroom quickly. You can free up significant amplifier headroom by re-routing the bass to the sub. Subs generally have their own dedicated amps that are more powerful than the individual amp channels in a receiver. Re-routing the bass to the subs allows the entire system to playback louder, cleaner and with less distortion. It also protects the speakers from amplifier clipping.
Placement Issues: Bass drivers are highly influenced by their in-room placement. The peaks and nulls caused by room reflections can result in 20 dB or greater differences in frequency response anomalies. Some of these can be mitigated by changing the placement of the drivers in the room. However, speakers need to go where they need to go for imaging and presenting the optimal soundstage. They leave little flexibility for adjustment to optimize the bass response. The sub, OTOH, can be moved around to find the best possible location for the "transfer function" of the sound to the listening position. Re-routing all the bass to the sub allows that bass to be reproduced optimally in the room.
EQ Issues: EQ can be applied to a single subwoofer output much more effectively than trying to EQ each main channel individually. Systems like Audyssey, (depending on the version of Audyssey in use), can do a better job of EQ'ing a single subwoofer channel, with all the bass sent to that single channel, than it can trying to EQ each speaker's bass individually.
Overall, I can think of no reason why the speakers in the OP's system should be set to Large/Full Range. For the multitude of reasons above, applying crossovers to all the channels will result in a much more optimal system, one that can playback louder and cleaner, and with better sound quality, than a system without crossovers. His system includes a subwoofer. It ought to be the best bass reproduction speaker in his system. He should use it for the reason he bought it... to reproduce the bass in his system.
You gave bad advice. He doesn't have a center speaker that reaches down to 20hz. My center speaker goes lower than his, and I still set mine to small.
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Robins are one sure sign of spring. Mount this charming swell-bodied copper Robin Family Weathervane on your roof or cupola this spring. The mama robin holds a worm in her beak and is about to feed her four hungry chicks. The unit comes complete with brass directionals, copper globes, and steel mast.
Browse the many different styles of Weathervanes -- animals, birds, objects and icons.
Today is the Royal Wedding. Prince William marries the lovely Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey today. Larry, the Downing Street cat, shows solidarity wearing a Union flag bow-tie in the Cabinet Room at Number 10 Downing Street on Thursday, April 28, in London.
Images: MSNBC PhotoBlog
Here is one dog you can keep outside all the time. This weather-resistant Dog Solar Lantern will light up your garden and walkways. The solar lantern absorbs energy from the sun during the day and throws off a charming glow at night.
Super cool deals over at FetchDog this weekend. Our FetchDog friends are holding a May Day Sale. Use coupon code FSA2565. Sale ends at midnight CST on 5/1/11.
We think we have found a People's Pharmacy for pets -- a book of pet care tips using brand-name products and home remedies. Joey Green's Amazing Pet Cures: 1,130 Simple Pet Remedies Using Brand-Name Products is by (surprise) Joey Green, the author of more than 40 books. He is a former contributing editor to National Lampoon and a former advertising copywriter. He appears regularly on news and entertainment television programs and at home and garden shows across the country.
For instance, he suggests using ChapStik to stop a bleeding claw, Listerine to reduce itching, vinegar to douse cat smells and and fabric softener in your pet's bath to soothe dry skin. All products have been tested for safety. Sounds like a great Mother's or Father's Day gift.
All doggies love their mommy, right? Dress your pet to tell the world this Mother's Day, Sunday May 8th. This adorable Love My Mommy Dog Tee is comfy and casual wear for your best bud. In XS to XL for all sizes doggies for year-round wear.
Keep your cat healthy and safe with fresh clean drinking water. This Petmate® Cat Infinity Elite uses advanced filtration to remove impurities and odors from your water. Its UV Germicidal Light destroys harmful bacteria and viruses. The unit comes with a plunger cap to reduce spillage.
This sharp-looking Simplehuman Brushed Stainless Steel Pet Food Storage Can is made of durable, fingerprint-proof stainless steel. It holds up to 32 pounds of pet food for your dogs, cats and birds with an airtight seal to keep food fresh.
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You can make it easy for your backyard birds to find materials to fortify their nests this spring. This Bird Nest Depot is a stoneware supply station that helps birds build new nests. It has convenient nooks offering twigs, ribbon, animal hair, and natural fibers. Handmade of stoneware by Jo-Ann and Gerald Warren in Canada.
There's a 72-hour spring mega sale going on over at PETCO.com. A discount of 20% is reflected in sale prices site-wide and will automatically be applied at checkout. Plus receive Free Shipping on orders of $59 or more. Sale ends April 24, 2011.
A recent study has demonstrated that Pfizer's flea and tick preventative ProMeris may be unsafe for your pet. In rare cases, ProMeris has been linked to an autoimmune disease Pemphigus foliaceus, or PF, which presents as lesions on the face, nasal planum and ears along with lethargy, fever, pain, anorexia, lameness.
These side effects are serious, so if your pet takes ProMeris, please call your veterinarian. Click the link to read the article for more information and check out a safe new flea and tick product for your pet.
Our relationship with our pets has been changing over the years. The just-released Your Dog: The Owner's Manual: Hundreds of Secrets, Surprises, and Solutions for Raising a Happy, Healthy Dog by Dr Marty Becker--the popular veterinary expert from Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show--and and his side-kick Gina Spadafori, was written for seasoned dog owners as well as those just starting out or needing a refresher.
It's chock full of tips and tricks. Dr Becker will counsel you on finding the right dog for your family's lifestyle, provide methods to prevent dog health problems, tips on exercising and using food puzzles to prevent weight gain plus how to save money on medication, both traditional and alternative.
Don't get caught unprepared when you are out and about with your pup. For sudden downpours this waterproof Fashion Pet Red Roll-N-Go Raincoat with attached hood will come in handy. It rolls up to attach to the leash or easily fits into small purse, pocket or bag.
We love going on walkies with our dogs in the evenings after dinner, but sadly the mosquitoes are beginning to bite. We don't enjoy the itchy welts or the alternative of spraying chemical mosquito repellant on our skin and breathing it in. The Bugsaway® odorless Insect Shield® apparel for both men and women repels biting and potentially disease-carrying insects.
This clothing wicks away moisture and is quick-drying with sun guard of 30+ to help protect your skin from potentially harmful UV rays. Choose from short and long-sleeved shirts (button-down and jerseys), pants, socks, shorts, drawstring brimmed hats, caps, bandanas for yourself and your dog, all in a variety of colors.
When we maintain an aquarium, we are responsible for the quality of the environment that keeps our fish, plants, invertebrates, and corals flourishing. It is important not to introduce any contaminants which can affect the health or even survival of the aquarium inhabitants.
Coralife Aqua Tongs were developed for such a purpose in marine and freshwater aquariums. They have a powerful grip for grasping large objects and precision control for small, delicate objects, making it possible to work safely in hard-to-reach areas of the aquarium. They are designed to last for the life of your aquarium.
Top Photo: Fluval Edge Aquarium
If there is a live Easter bunny in your future this April, help your rabbit explore his or her new surroundings safely. This stylish Peter's Walking Rabbit Jacket has Velcro and quick snap buckles for easy on and off with an elasticized leash.
If you want to lighten things up a bit, try this. The 2011 Yoga Dogs created by photographer Daniel Borris is a full-color collection of 45 different dogs and puppies performing human yoga poses.
The extreme flexibility of the photos might make you wonder what exactly went on with the dogs during the shoots. No harm done, just digital manipulation on the photographer's part. This fun book also includes information about the poses along with some cute canine life-lessons.
We know that dogs love their caves and dens, but we haven't quite made up our mind about this DogEden Dog House over at Miller Pet Products. This is an underground naturally heated and cooled dog house.
The indestructible shell is partially buried creating a natural den habitat preferred by dogs. It is self-heating and self-cooling. From the site: "When It Is A Cold -2 F/-18 C Outside. It Will Be A Warm 48 F/ 9 C Inside. When It Is A Hot 105 F/41 C Outside. It Will Be A Cool 72 F/22C Inside."
This Lazy Pet Deluxe Cat Window Perch will enable your indoor cat to watch the world go by this spring in comfort. The perch is made of supportive orthopedic foam with an extra plush Berber cover which is removable and washable. Easy to assemble--no tools required. A bonus toy for your kitty is included.
Add some visual interest to an ordinary tree in your yard or a fun touch to the porch. This Animal Chase Set shows a dog who has treed the cat that is chasing the squirrel and finally the bird. The dog leans against a tree or post and the others attach. You can order the set or just one or two to suit your taste and space.
For Easter, we are sure your pup would love the real thing, but these bunny toys will be irresistible as well.
This Pink Bunny Dog Toy is made of super soft corduroy plush material. The Bunny has a tantalizing squeaker and knot on each arm for chewing.
This adorable Tugzee Bunny Boiled Wool Dog Toy is perfect for a game of tug-of-war! Each Tugzee is unique as they are entirely handmade by Nepali artisans.
If you plan to add a bunny rabbit to your family this Easter, this Super Pet My First Home Complete Rabbit Kit is the the ultimate starter kit containing everything you need to bring your pet home successfully.
Each cage is constructed from chew-proof coated wire and stain-resistant plastic parts. You also get bedding, food, treat, toy, water bottle, food dish, and pet care guide. The deep scatterless base removes easily for quick cleaning.
Many cat owners are familiar with the popular Kitty Washroom with a litter box capacity up to 15" x 18" we featured a few years ago. This attractive litter box concealer has now been kicked up a notch to fit a jumbo size litter box and also the automatic litter box. The new Cat Washroom Bench for Large and Electronic Litter Boxes pictured above is roomy enough to hide your litter box and keep the mess inside, while providing a useful storage spot.
The entrance can be placed on either side of the unit to suit its location in your room. Inside it has a convenient, removable partition wall that creates a space to store litter, scoop and other supplies. A pre-cut hole in the back panel allows the cord of the automated litter box to go through for the convenient access to the outlet. Internal Dimensions: 36.5" wide x 20.25" long x 21.5" high.
Some of our dogs have a sensitivity to grain. Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food provides a balanced diet with no wheat, rice, corn or other grains. New Zealand venison is the single animal protein source to further minimize digestive issues, along with sunflower oil to help improve skin & coat. The recipe contains no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners
Thinking about adding a cat to your family? Whether you're a veteran cat owner or a newbie, this just-released paperback The Complete Cat's Meow: Everything You Need to Know about Caring for Your Cat by Darlene Arden will get you up to speed in state-of-the-art kitty care and maintenance.
Cat's Meow covers everything cat owners need to know about health, nutrition, behavior, and training. It also shows you how to introduce a new kitten to other pets, handle behavioral problems, and make life comfy for cats of all ages. The book includes captivating photos of a wide variety of breeds.
This good-looking cast aluminum Hummingbird Sundial Bird Bath combines form and function. It provides a refreshing spot for the backyard birds and adds a charming touch to your yard.
It is crafted from an original wood carving with a powder-coat finish for durability and is rust-free for long-time use. The Sundial and Pedestal are available in Bronze, Moss Green and Verdigris and are sold separately.
One messy chore we all would love to avoid is cleaning up after our pets. This Clean Response Swivel Bin and Rake Set makes pick-up fast, easy and more hygienic.
The set extends to over three feet tall to help avoid the painful and inconvenient bending down generally involved. The large capacity bin saves time with less unloading and is compatible with plastic grocery bags or use without.
Here's a look back at the super cool gear we dug up this past March for our pets and the people they love. We are looking forward to spring and an amazing April!
You can follow Super Cool Pets daily on Facebook and Twitter. If you use a feed reader you can subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also sign up to receive our weekly email newsletter and catch up on all your Super Cool Pets news Monday mornings.
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Law Office Of Thomas Landis
Harrasment, threatning, asking for my daughter who is a minor, calling me at work
Complaint Rating:
Contact information:
Law office of Thomas Landis
315 E Girard Ave.
Phillidelphia, Pennsylvania
United States
Phone: 215-642-3400
Called me and woke me up stating that they were a law firm looking to collect money owed to Gordons. They told me that if I didn't settle for what they were asking that they would take me and my grandmother to court and take away her house and savings. Still half asleep they convinced me that I could settle the dept for less but I had to give them something to hold for the next few weeks. I gave them my bank and routing numbers
and the were to wait till Nov, 14th before they could cash it. After I hung up I kept thinking about the way things were handled and it just seemed fishy to me. I got on line and typed in Thomas Landis and a list of other peoples complaints came up. I went to the bank and cancelled the check and a few days later got a message from a Scott Summers telling me that I had commited fraud and that they would be taking me to court. They called me at work, which I got on the phone and asked them to please never call me there again. They called my grandmothers house looking for me and asking who Ariel Perdue was and if she was avalible. Ariel is my daughter who is a minor. I recieved two other calls so far that sounded harrasing and rude.
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ANDRE ACIMAN is in the Upper West Side home of his father, keeping a sad vigil over the man he says taught him how to like literature. His father, 93, has fallen into a coma. He's been ill for quite a while, and Aciman, author of "Call Me By Your Name," has been a devoted son.
"He is a very sophisticated man. In many ways, he is the father in the novel; I didn't make that up," Aciman said on the phone, referring to the scholarly patriarch whose Italian villa was bursting with sparkling members of the intelligentsia.
"It is hard to have a person like that (in your life); they are never satisfied. In the same time, they are not satisfied with themselves. They help you define a world that is very exacting, which is why I have very high standards when it comes to literature."
Aciman, 57, is quick to chuckle and sees the humor in some of the things he says and writes.
Peaches, for instance. There is a scene in "Call Me By Your Name" in which a peach is used in an erotic manner, and Aciman is constantly approached by readers who feel the need to share with him their own experiences with various food items. "They're thinking that's what I'm interested in. Instead, oh God, why are you telling me this?"
Aciman's intent with his first published novel was to explore the whole idea of intimacy, which comes in all guises, he says. "It's what we hunger for. We need to be close to someone. It happens to be particularly urgent when you are a teenager."
Seventeen-year-old Elio in "Call Me By Your Name" has a passionate yearning for Oliver, 24, the scholarly summer guest at his family's villa on the Italian coast. To read the passages is to be instantly reminded of one's own youthful consuming crushes. They ring so true, in fact, that Aciman gets asked a lot of personal questions about his own life.
"I don't like to say if there is an Oliver in my life, that remains private business. But if your heart is in the right place when writing a book like this, it's as good as having experienced it yourself," Aciman says. "For it to be true, it doesn't have to have happened. You have to have thought it through, to take it to the end point."
His wife of 20 years is always his first reader, and in the case of "Call Me By Your Name," which she loved, his first question to her was if she thought it would be embarrassing to their three children, all of whom are in high school. "She said, 'Absolutely not.'" And are the kids happy about the book? "Not really!"
His teenagers aside, the reaction to the book has been astonishing. "People tell me things about their lives. Many, many, many men have homosexual relations and have never told anyone. And, for some reason, here is their chance," Aciman says. "It's a tribute, not to me as a writer, but to the pain a lot of people go through in life."
Aciman was born in Egypt, but his family moved to Italy when he was 15, then to New York City four years later. His voice still reflects the languages heard in his home while growing up: mostly French, but also Italian, Greek, Arabic and Ladino. Aciman teaches at the City University of New York. His memoir, "Out of Egypt," was published in 1996.
"Call Me By Your Name" came about because of a yearning to go back to Italy. (He is going back next year, on a sabbatical.)
"I woke up one morning, and I wanted to be in Italy at that moment. It was a confluence of very desiring thoughts that worked themselves into something - I didn't know what to do." What he did was go into his office and start writing. Three months later, he sent it to his agent, who sold it the next day, setting off the rush of curiosity regarding Aciman's private life.
"Which of those (characters) am I? Am I Elio? Am I Oliver? Or the poet? Or the Father? I would be all of them, every single one of them," he says emphatically. Reflecting on Elio's broad-minded, gregarious, yet thoughtful father, he says again how his own father is very much the same man. "That's the kind of father I had, until a few days ago," he mused. "When I was 14, he told me once you take off your clothes with someone, once there is no inhibition, everything is OK."


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This piece is poetry therefore we did not change the original formatting.
i've been asking myself a lot of questions lately…namely, "where the hell am i?" not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually (all the same thing if you ask me, but you haven't so i'll save that for another blog).
i've wound up on many an unfamiliar new york street corner, wide-eyed and soggy-tailed, forced to remember that i was never a great girl scout…"always be prepared" extends now to a change of yoga clothes and a stash of condoms…which, upon further, socially relevant examination, probably goes to show you that, in my short time as a daisy scout, i really got the point of all that stuff. you never know what life's going to throw at you, so keep it real, and keep it safe. back to the blog. getting up off of familiar ground is unsettling, to say the least, but liberating in that it necessitates presence- awareness of body and mind in order to not topple over, or end up in a crazy relationship, or broke…we'll get to that later. my point today is that no one told me freedom was going to be so precarious, so read on for my experience so far.
i'm watching myself more closely these days, and from a certain vantage point, i look a little…well, lost, actually.
maybe that was the point. not so long ago, i recall glorifying the benefits of getting lost in my new city (from the safety of my home, surrounded by my loved ones.) now that i am on this journey, part of me is not so sure; "where the hell are we going?!" she asks. well, thankfully i don't have to grit my teeth and lie to my frantic self, just quote someone else's line of wisdom that appeared in my inbox today: wise, wise angel o' mine announced, "getting lost is not a waste of time." oh, thank god…
although sometimes it feels that way, in a big way. the goal, i suppose, is to stay on the path.
to sit with yourself, all of yourselves, and listen. deepak chopra said, "great change is always preceded by chaos," and i have to say this current current of chaos running through me is definitely playing games with my head. cyclically wondering why i can't seem to sleep enough, or get enough ice cream, or find anything to slow down the thoughts, some well-trained part of me knows that i have to stay with it, breathing, in order to usher in the change that is imminent.
a common question these days, from the people i'm meeting in new york, to friends back home and even myself late at night, is, "so, why did you move?" i liken this urge to uproot and move away to a scout's trek (this theme suggests that maybe i'm destined to be a scout leader…) through the woods: the pack follows the leader that way, and i see a cumbersome and mysterious trail leading…nowhere. i have to take it! i have to know what's down there! and suddenly i'm alone on the path i chose, and it's terrifying! but what i know is that it's worse to live with the feeling of not having chosen my own way. i have increasing clarity around what is important to me and what i'm willing to do for it, what i want to do with myself in the long run (i'll tell you about that later), and that impulse has pushed me here, into the rawness of my own heart. girl scouts of america…
watch out, here i come. you'll always be prepared for wet, bendy sex. tongue. in. cheek…
this morning, as i sat picking apart every little choice i've made so far, demonizing myself for being human and a little vulnerable, i was finally able to wrench myself free for long enough to come to the conclusion that i was, in fact, acting like a dance mom to myself. i shouted at the tv screen of my overactive mind, "how about a little compassion, eh? she's 13! going on 30!" and then i remembered an article that a friend recently shared with me about kicking bad habits (i would call judgment a pretty nasty habit).
the author wrote, "We do it until we don't do it."
a fairly simple breakdown of releasing old patterns through compassion. just like we have to trust our loved ones to get where they need to be on their own time, we must find that same trust in ourselves and the time it takes to get the lessons we need to learn figured out. all of our vices are ours for a reason: they are our greatest teachers. so on this ever exciting and sometimes treacherous path, i'll hope for continued grace, and remembrance that:
the tremble of tears that shifts the ground beneath you
will make mountains one day
nature is at work inside of us
in light and love,
keep your head up.
Stacey Ramsower: I was raised in the Southwest, traveled to the west coast, Texas coast, Brazilian coast, and now reside on the east coast. My favorite book is "Jitterbug Perfume," by Tom Robbins, and my favorite poet/performer is Ani Difranco. I thank my mom for always buying me pretty journals and always asking me if I've written anything lately.
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Ed: Kate Bartolotta


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Northrop Grumman's long-serving E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform is about to have a major update which will create a next-generation capability for any users in the region that want to increase the range and effectiveness of their airspace and sea lane control. This new configuration features an entirely new set of onboard systems and a rotating active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar.
"We have essentially emptied out the airplane and repopulated it with new technologies," said Tom Trudell, Northrop Grumman's manager for international business development on the E-2C program.
In the new configuration, the copilot in the right seat becomes a weapons controller, making him a fourth man addition to the three controllers in the rear of the aircraft. There are also plans to cross train one of the operators in the aft section to perform part of the copiloting functions.
Singapore, Japan and Taiwan all operate the E-2C, with India as a potential customer as well. Unlike the U.S. Navy, which uses the Hawkeye as part of its carrier air wing, all of these customers operate the aircraft from land, which allows it to carry more fuel and extends its range. According to Northrop Grumman representatives, India had considered trying to operate the aircraft from the Russian-built Gorshkov aircraft carrier that they acquired recently, but after exhaustive studies they have elected not to make their AEW&C function a carrier-borne asset.
The first prototype of the new-generation Hawkeye rolls off the production line in 2007 with new configuration production beginning in 2010.


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I have had a lot of interesting feeling coming up as I prepare for my 90-day challenge.
(If you would like to follow me through this challenge, either by joining in or just reading about the adventure, here is the article that outlines my plan.)
Researchers say it takes 21 days to break a habit.
I am pretty sure it takes about one second to fall back into a bad habit once we have "broken" it.
Which is why it is so important to find something healthy to fill the emptiness of whatever it is we are trying to let go of.
Let me begin with an explanation of why I am doing this. I mentioned my current life challenges vaguely in the above article, as well as in other articles, but I never offered clarity.
This is really hard for me to say so I am just going to be very blunt……
Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest
I lost my driving privileges for 90 days.
Yes, I have been gasping for air, breathing through the struggle and fear and panicking at times. The first few weeks after receiving this awful news I was full of fear, sadness, anger, confusion and, quite frankly, just about every uncomfortable emotion possible.
Where was my conscience? Where was my consciousness?
The "hows and whys" of this issue are not important. What is important is how the hell I am going to get through this!
I am a single mom living in a somewhat remote area of New Hampshire. I drive every single day of the week! Not to mention the guilt I feel as a role model to my daughter as well as to my yoga students. (That is another article entirely)
In spite of the challenges of this tidal wave moving through my life, I have found so many blessings, I am incapable of wallowing in self misery. (well, not for very long anyways.)
Some of my blessings; a big community of supporters willing to help me with travel during this time, a guardian angel that helped me pay for my lawyer, more down time at home to focus on my writing (be careful what you wish for folks, the universe provides in mysterious ways!), lots of downtime with my daughter and the opportunity to be an inspiration to others as I remain strong through this speed bump!
I am not saying I am perfect. I have spent moments of despair crying while embraced in the warm arms of my down comforter. My go to safe haven.
For the month that I had left to drive around, fearing the impending doom of my license suspension, I found myself seeking out comfort in unhealthy ways.
Trust me, I was very aware that this would have to be temporary, but sometimes eating a pint of ice cream and washing it down with a glass or two (or three or four)of wine while watching the saddest movie ever, can really get those hidden emotions to come bubbling up.
I am not afraid of my dark side, sometimes I am all too willing to jump into the process with both feet before I even know what I am meant to be processing.
So instead of continuing with these old ways of coping that tend to keep me rooted in pain, I decided to attempt something different. I have decided that through this challenge I will be able to address what is coming up in a healthy and conscious way. I will sit in meditation, ingest only unprocessed foods and beverages, continue with my daily yoga practice and I will journal. The writing is in place of me telling my sordid drama over and over to all the wrong people or to the friends that have heard the story a few too many times.
I am determined to make a breakthrough in my healing process. I am determined to also make changes and adapt the challenge to my needs. I wish to honor my feelings without judgement, be gentle with myself, get in tune with myself, learn about myself and love myself.
I refuse to give up on my dream because of this. I have worked too hard for too long to get clear about my path. I am not going to be led astray now!
I feel that life is challenging me. It seems like life is asking me if the things I have been focusing on are truly what I want in my life. Life is telling me that I really need to remain true to my authentic self. Life has slapped me in the face with the fact that some of my recent choices were not in alignment with this.
In the days that I approached the challenge I questioned my ability to remain true to the guidelines I set out for myself. I felt fear as I prepared myself to let go of my, oh so comforting, unhealthy comfort habits. I felt a little bit panicky as I prepared to share my truth with the world. Self doubt came bubbling up in so many ways.
I decided to move forward in spite of the fear.
In the first few days I decided to change the challenge a bit. (The Ganesh meditation will now be in the morning. The prosperity meditation, with all five parts, will now be in the evening). I have had to adapt the challenge in the last few days due to unforeseen circumstances. (my daughter was sick and needed my full attention so I had to start a day late). I think that any adaptation is okay as long as I stick to keeping things healthy for me. It will take some time to fall into a good rhythm with the meditations, especially in the mornings. I am prepared to be patient with myself.
What I have found is that this challenge is the one thing that I have control of while my life seems very out of control and uprooted.
This whole lack of transportation thing really puts on damper on my overly developed sense of single mom independence. ( I can do everything myself, damn it!) It has caused me to slow down when all I really want to do it run.
This challenge is not only about self discipline, it is also about getting to know myself from the inside out. For me, this is yoga off of the mat.
I hope you will stay tuned as I continue my adventure and share my journey of healing with you!
Nichole Gould is the founder of Barefoot Warrior Yoga in The White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a Student of life, yogini, yoga teacher, landscape gardener, single mother, organic pizza waitress and lover of all board sports, she considers herself a jack of much and a master of none. She can also be found dabbling with guitar playing, singing off key, reading from her many stacks of books or writing poetry. Feel feel to peruse her Facebook page or contact her via her website for more insight into her ever curious mind.
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Ed: Kate Bartolotta


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Sheila and Allan Neifeld of Philadelphia announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Renée Neifeld, to Jason Evan Salus, son of Aileen and Joel Salus of Warminster.
Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Education degree from Arcadia University. She is the library media specialist at the Tinicum School in the Interboro School District in Delaware County.
Jason earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Temple University. He is the director of real estate development for Mount Airy, USA, and a member of the Conshohocken Borough Council in Montgomery County.
Lisa is the granddaughter of Esther Mandel and the late Maurice Mandel of Hallandale Beach, Fla.; and the late Betty and Hyman Neifeld of Philadelphia. Jason is the grandson of the late Meriam and Morris Rosen, and the late Rose and Irving Salus, both of Philadelphia.
The couple is planning a December wedding in Philadelphia.


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These Hard Times
How To Survive These Hard Times
Home Page - More Information
Free stuff
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if you are homeless.
Money To Pay The Bills
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2014 IRS mileage Allowance - Save money
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Target makes a big move following furor over the company's transgender bathroom policy
Posted August 28, 2016
Target, a popular retail chain, has announced it will spend $20 million in the coming months to add single-stall bathrooms to hundreds of its stores — a move that comes following furor over the store chain's transgender bathroom stance.
The company announced in April — amid debate over North Carolina's law requiring people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex — that transgender patrons would, instead, be allowed to use the bathroom that corresponds with their self-described gender.
"In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways," a company blog post read at the time. "Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity."
Debate immediately ensued and, months later, Target is emphasizing an alternative option: private bathrooms.
"Some of our guests clearly are uncomfortable with our policy, and some are supportive," Cathy Smith, chief financial officer of Target, told reporters during a Wednesday conference call, according to NPR.
Single-stall bathrooms are reportedly already available in 1,400 of the company's 1,800 stores, with Target announcing it will outfit the remaining locations with private restrooms by 2017.
Company spokeswoman Katie Boylan told USA Today Target isn't altering its transgender bathroom policy, but the company has heard from both supporters and opponents and is "listening" to both sides.
"We get it," Boylan said. "Some like it, some don't."
The debate over Target's policy came in the form of intense protests and calls for boycotts from prominent conservative groups.
The American Family Association, a conservative activist group, was among those who rallied against Target's position, collecting more than 1.4 million signatures and urging people to boycott the retailer; others followed suit.
"Target's policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," the American Family Association's petition reads, in part. "And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women's bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?"
The bathroom announcement was made as Smith also spoke about Target's decreased quarterly earnings. Sales were down 7.2 percent, and traffic to the company's stores declined — the first decrease in nearly two years, according to The Washington Post.
The company didn't necessarily blame its sales woes on the transgender bathroom debate, though, saying electronics sales were down, and grocery departments need to be improved.
That said, there is reportedly a sense among executives of a definite need to attract the audience that was turned off by the initial bathroom policy, The Washington Post explained.
As Deseret News National has noted, Target is hardly the first store to enter the transgender debate, with a longtime Macy's employee claiming he was recently fired for questioning the store's transgender policy.
In a separate incident in 2011, another Macy's employee was reportedly fired for refusing to allow a biological male who identified as a female to use the lady's dressing room.
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