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Developing an Emergency Action Plan
Posted on 16. Jul, 2014 by admin in Summer 2014
By TONY GALLO
Are you aware that an emergency action plan is required by the United States Department of Labor for all businesses?
U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards 29 CFR 1910.38 requires an emergency action plan be in writing, kept in the workplace and available to all employees for review.
For smaller organizations, an emergency action plan is still required but the plan doesn't need to be written and may be communicated verbally.
The purpose of an emergency action plan is to organize actions during a workplace emergency. A well-developed emergency plan and proper employee training may result in fewer employee and customer injuries and also less structural damage to the business.
A poorly designed plan — or worse, no plan at all — could likely lead to disorganization and confusion during the emergency, which may lead to injuries and higher losses.
OSHA states at a minimum, the plan must include but is not limited to the following elements:
1. Means of reporting emergencies.
2. Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route.
3. Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical operations before they evacuate.
4. Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed .
5. Names of persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the emergency plan.
Your plan should be constructed with the thoughts of employee and customer safety and how to reduce losses to your business.
The following three sections should be included in your plan:
1.Emergency Preparedness
2. Emergency Response
3. Disaster Recovery
Each business should have emergency supplies ready. These supplies should be stored in the manager's office or a back area on a shelf off the ground.
Items for the Bag
The following are some but not all items that should be included in your emergency bag:
• Battery-Operated Flashlight
• Battery-Operated Radio
• Extra batteries sized to fit the flashlight and radio
• A Safety Whistle
• First Aid Kit
• Evacuation Diagram of Building Posted in the Manager's Office
There are many different kinds of emergencies. Some strike without warning and some give us ample time to prepare.
Hurricane Season
You will need to develop a specific emergency action plan for all types of emergencies.
The emergencies that are most likely to impact your business are:
• Power Outages
• Flood
• Fire
• Tornado
• Hurricane
• Winter Storm
• Civil Disturbance
Since we are now in hurricane season in the United States, let's review what actions should be included in your hurricane emergency plan section.
Hurricanes generally provide some warning before striking. The store owner/manager should monitor the hurricane path via the news and also call local authorities for updates.
Your business should start minimizing the possible exposure of all merchandise to water and make sure all electrical devices are unplugged.
All electrical devices such as TVs, DVRs, small electronics, etc, should be moved to an area that would not be affected by any resulting water.
You should bring inside all merchandise that is being displayed outdoors.
If your business does not have a roll down door, the owner/manager will need to make a decision on whether to board up or tape the store's glass front. This decision should be made well in advance of the hurricane to allow you to purchase the necessary supplies at the local hardware store to undertake either task.
All component terminals should be covered with a plastic bag to reduce water damage. All computer systems on the floor should be moved to the top of the counter before leaving.
If the store is closing, the manager should try and make a bank deposit of excessive funds if at all possible and check the alarm back-up system.
Use Your Safe
Important: If the store is to be closed due to any emergency situation, the safe should be filled with as many company assets as possible, i.e.: cash, jewelry, small general merchandise loans or inventory, before leaving.
Use your safe as your "lifeboat" during an emergency. Safes are designed to withstand long periods of attacks from thieves and most will not be able to get into a safe no matter how long they attack it.
So why is it so important to have a well-developed emergency action plan?
According to studies conducted by the Gartner Group in recent years, 60 percent of businesses are under-prepared for disasters and emergencies and 40 percent of companies that experience a disaster go out of business within five years.
Many large and small businesses don't realize the need to prepare their store and employees for a disaster/emergency event.
Without a well-defined emergency plan your company will likely struggle or fail to remain in business after an emergency.
Be safe and be profitable.
Tony Gallo is the senior director of Sapphire Protection (www.sapphireprotection.com) with more than 30 years in the loss prevention, audit, safety, and risk/emergency management fields. For 17 years, Tony was the director of loss prevention and safety for EZCorp, which has more than 1,300 pawnshops and financial loan service locations. Tony is a licensed security consultant and has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from New Jersey City University. He is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security, Robbery Investigators of Texas and the Loss Prevention Foundation. Contact Tony at email@example.com and follow him on Twitter at @SapphireProtect.
Goin' Fishing
Posted on 16. Jul, 2014 by admin in Summer 2014
When I graduated from high school, we were the kings and queens of the campus. As I recall, we were royalty. We were the seniors.
Then I went to college. As a freshman in college, I was once again a pauper and at the bottom rung of the educational ladder, even though deep inside I still felt like I was a king, just temporarily dethroned.
My roommate in the college dormitory was a high school football all-star and an Ohio punt, pass and kick champion.
He thought he would star on the college football team (a Mid-American Conference team). He returned from try-outs with a very different perspective.
He was the top dog at his small town high school, but he was now competing with the top dogs from high schools all over the state and country – bigger fish from bigger ponds – and he was out of his league.
If you think I'm just reminiscing about days-gone-by, you are partially correct. However, the big-fish-little-pond effect was actually conceived about students in school, not business. However, its meaning still applies.
Small Fish – Big Fish
Although our average pawn transaction still falls within the industry average, we make thousand dollar (or one comma) transactions all the time. Upon occasions, we will make a pawn loan, sell or buy something in the five digit area. Five digits is a big transaction around here. Remember, I'm still a small fish.
My son, on the other hand, the director of acquisitions for a real estate investment fund, does two comma deals on a regular basis.
I received a text message from him last week. "Just sent out my first term sheet with three commas. Will see how it goes next week."
Three commas? Let's see, thousand, million, and then billion. I guess my transactions fall a little short. Kinda makes me feel like a minnow. Maybe even a guppy.
Still, I strive to be a top pawnshop in my area. I may not be the largest or the best in every aspect, but I'm always trying to improve myself and my pawnshop. Even though at times I feel as though I adhere to a quote attributed to Willie Nelson: "Don't come to me for wisdom; come to me for experience."
But whether you are a small pawnshop or a big pawnshop, when you stop moving forward and try to coast on your past successes, it's probably time to …. go fishing.
Tip No. 216
Windows 8 is here. It's even had a birthday. Windows 8.1 was released in October 2013, and the next update, Windows 8.2, is right around the corner.
Those in the know are spreading rumors of Windows 9 and speculating a release date of late 2014 to early 2015. And others say Windows 10 will be a "cloud OS."
Various computers in my store are running Windows XP, 7 and 8. It can take a second or two, now and then, to remember which end of my cursor is up.
Similarly, I'm using version 2003, 2010 and 2013 of Microsoft Office, depending upon which computer I'm sitting in front of at the time.
Since I learned to use Windows Vista, the transition to Windows 7 was quite easy. And, maybe I was fortunate, but I never had any Vista issues.
Maybe this year I'll get everything standardized. (Probably not.) If nothing else, it's really time to upgrade the XP computers.
As I have said once before (Tip 195), I find Windows 8 to be more "touchy feely" and consumer oriented, rather than a solid business operating environment. Many of the new features of Windows 8 are designed for touchscreen hardware, like tablets.
Any power user wants to take his hands off the keyboard as little as possible which precludes even using the mouse unless absolutely necessary. This is why there are so many key functions to provide shortcuts and key combinations. For example, Ctrl+Z to Undo Typing and Ctrl+Y to Repeat or Redo Typing.
This saves me time (considering all the mistakes I make) from moving my mouse all the way to the upper left hand corner and clicking on those left and right circular arrows.
As many others agree, I find Windows 8 to be quite clumsy for business use, so I found a free download to regain some of my Windows 7 "feel" on the computer.
Classic Shell for Windows 8
This powerful free/donationware utility adds the features back to Windows 8 that, in my opinion, Microsoft should never have removed.
Classic Shell™ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it.
The main features are:
• Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
• Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
• Find programs, settings, files and documents
• Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
• Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer
Classic Shell has been in active development for four years and has more than 10 million downloads. The latest version is 4.0.2. www.classicshell.net/
Bonus Tip No. 1
Also, while you're at it, download a free copy of Gadwin PrintScreen.
Although the newer versions of Windows do allow for use of the PrtScn button, actually getting it from the screen to printer paper is a long, drawn out procedure (in relative computer terms). I like things fast and simple – push a key on the keyboard and out comes a piece of paper with the intended content.
The current versions of Windows, requires at least a four-step process: Alt + PrnScn, open Microsoft Windows Paint, click Paste (or Ctrl + V), then Print (or Ctrl + P).
Yes, in Paint you have a lot more options before printing; however, for 99 percent of my needs, I just want a hard copy of the information on the screen, not necessarily the whole 10-page document I may receive with Ctrl + P.
Gadwin PrintScreen is a flexible screen capture that is equipped with excellent screen capture apps that are free. It has sophisticated features, user-friendly interface and customizable settings for shortcut key associations; capture preferences and output. www.gadwin.com/printscreen/
Tip No. 217
Over the years, I have told you about many of our "in-house" designed and fabricated store display fixtures.
I have always been fond of coat hangers and PVC pipe. They can be manipulated into varying shapes in order to support and display many items. (You know that old saying, "If you can't fix it with a hammer, a coat hanger or duct tape, it can't be fixed.")
One day, I noticed my hand-held video game systems were just lying flat on a shelf. Nothing was necessarily wrong with them, except for the fact that they were just lying there.
After a little thought, I designed a cardboard easel to hold them up and at an angle. This provided a much better appearance that was more visible to the buying public. But I still didn't care for the look.
Next, out come the coat hangers. After a few cuts and bends with a pair of pliers and diagonal cutters, I had a wire easel which provided a less obtrusive view of the small hand-held game system than the cardboard.
As it happened, a catalog came in the mail a few days later from a supply house which specialized in retail store fixtures. While glancing through it before filing it away with other catalogs of like kind, I happened across a section: "Display Fixtures, Easels and Risers."
Besides having an assortment of wire easels (not a good as mine), they had an even larger variety of clear acrylic easels which (I hate to admit) were sturdier and better looking than my custom designed coat hanger wire easels.
I purchased a dozen of their 3.5L x 3.5Wx 4H x 1 inch deep slot (to hold the hand-held video game systems) Acrylic Book Easels designed for displaying books, videos, software and other flat items. They only cost $2.59 each.
This style was also available in four other sizes and five additional varieties, each in multiple sizes.
Not only are these very attractive looking (since they are acrylic, they are practically invisible), they are sturdy and help display my product with a little class. I'm planning to buy additional shapes and sizes in the future for displaying other items in my store.
Sometimes, the use of professionally made fixtures will really enhance the presentation of your merchandise.
I purchased mine from Retail Resource (www.retailresource.com/), but a Google search for "acrylic book easel" yields different results in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles.
Tip No. 218
Do you (or your staff) carry firearms on your person? If so, do you carry openly or concealed?
While I'm not going to argue the logic for either choice; to carry or not to carry and open carry vs. concealed carry, I will just say my preference would be concealed carry.
Just because you may be familiar with firearms and accept them as commonplace, don't expect that all of your customers share the same opinion. Not everyone loves firearms.
Some patrons may think if you need to wear a firearm in order to be safe in your pawnshop, maybe they shouldn't stick around.
Don't get me wrong, I'll defend your right to carry a firearm if you so choose. I would just prefer it to be concealed for this particular purpose. I think it presents a better appearance for you, your employees and your store.
I was in a pawnshop a while back and I noticed the proprietor was carrying a handgun, exposed, on his waist. A Glock Long Slide is hard to miss. When questioned, the pawnbroker told me the local constabulary suggested he carry a firearm.
I asked if any other employees were also carrying a firearm, and he started to point out those who had guns.
Another mistake. As I said previously, if you are going to carry a firearm, I believe it should be concealed. And next, it should be a secret.
You should show your W2, your medical history, talk about your most intimate fantasies and everything else before you tell people that you are carrying a (concealed) firearm.
It's nobody's business but your own (and maybe the guy who sold you the holster, if applicable).
Telling people that you carry a firearm is a security breach that may come back and bite you later.
Gun stores may be an exception. Everyone working in a gun store and usually pawnshops that specialize in firearms seems to be openly packing heat. Who would ever think of robbing a gun store with all the employees well-armed? (Well, there are stupid robbers.)
Anyway, in this case (a gun store environment) the openly exposed firearm and accompanying holster may also be viewed as an advertising tool.
I talked with the proprietor of the above mentioned pawnshop a few months later (think Willie Nelson here). He still carries a firearm, but now a smaller model and it is concealed.
Tip No. 219
I know I have most of you fooled into thinking I'm a nice person. Well, I am to a degree. I do also have my breaking point and this sometimes involves the not-so-very-well- behaved (or attended) children of my customers.
You know, the ones who should be wearing strait jackets, muzzles and leashes (all at the same time). Don't tell me you have never had them in your pawnshop.
Children that venture behind your showcases and counters, turn up the volume on every television, play every guitar within reach, tear off price tags, try to climb on and ride the bicycles (usually knocking them over in the process) and run around the store like it is a roller derby rink. Worse yet, their parents pretty much ignore them!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention they wipe their noses on the fronts of all the glass showcases.
Since it's not usually a good policy to throw these little "future customers" out of the shop, we often reward them just prior to leaving. Yes, that's right, we reward negative behavior.
I have a box of plastic slide whistles in my desk drawer at all times. I buy them from one of my musical instrument wholesalers.
We give these little demons a slide whistle and instructions on blowing it (loud) right before they leave with hopes that they will annoy the hell out of their parents on the way home in the car.
For less than $2, I now have my way of getting even. Money well spent in my mind. I have noticed, the next time their parents come in to see me, they are always alone.
Many of the tips I offer will be of more benefit to newer pawnbrokers, but some more experienced pawnbrokers may find something 'new' and interesting, also.
If you are new to this column, I share three or four tips per issue that you can use in your pawnshops to help sales, security, merchandising, or make life a little easier.
Since we all run our pawnshops differently, I try to cover a broad range of subject areas to appeal to a wide scope of interests.
Many of these tips come from personal experience (that translates into trial and error). Others come from fellow pawnbrokers kind enough to share something that has worked well for them.
You may even want to contribute a tip or two for future columns.
Ric Blum is a vice president of Ohio Loan Co. in Dayton. He has served as president of the Ohio Pawnbrokers Association, secretary/treasurer of the National Pawnbrokers Association and as a member of the board of directors and the board of governors of the National Pawnbrokers Association. Please feel free to e-mail your comments or tips that you would like to see included in this column to firstname.lastname@example.com or mail them to Ric Blum, Ohio Loan Co., 3028 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH 45406.
Pawnshop Sues Police Chief Over Seizures, Due Process
Posted on 16. Jul, 2014 by admin in Summer 2014
By RICHARD WEATHERINGTON
It is not easy to sue and win against an agency that oversees the very business a pawnbroker depends upon. Although the constitution protects from the illegal seizure of property and provides guarantees of due process, pawnbrokers often must fight tooth and nail to try to exercise those constitutional protections.
A Louisiana pawnshop filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against a local police chief under Unuted States Code Section 1983, alleging an illegal seizure of property and a deprivation of its rights to due process under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United State Constitution by the actions and policies of the chief of police and others.
The complaint alleged that the chief of police individually, at all times relevant, had been the chief of police and that as an individual, he had disregarded the clear and explicit statutes of the State of Louisiana and the Constitutions of the State of Louisiana and the United States.
The pawnshop claimed that the chief was liable in his individual capacity in the following ways:
1. Disregarding the applicable clear and explicit statutes of the state of Louisiana: the chief of police was directly responsible for the development, permitting the development of, and/or acquiescence in policies, procedures, practices, and customs permitting and encouraging members of the police department to seize private property unreasonably and without due process of law and making that the official policy of the city.
2. Disregarding the applicable clear and explicit statutes of the state of Louisiana: The chief of police had developed, permitted the development of, and/or acquiesced in policies, procedures, practices, and customs that encouraged and condoned the improper seizure, retention, and disposal of property by city personnel by the following acts and omissions:
a. Hiring officers who had no qualifications or inadequate qualifications in the matter of seizure and retention of property;
b. Failing to properly train persons hired by the police department in proper techniques of seizing and retaining property so as to avoid the unconstitutional deprivation of property interests without due process of law, and
c. Failure to properly develop proper policies relating to the seizure, retention, and disposal of property that addressed the rights of those having an interest in the property.
3. By engaging in such acts and omissions, the chief of police had thereby made the unreasonable and improper seizure of property without due process of law, the official policy of the police department.
4. In engaging in and following the policy of the city to permit or condone the improper seizure and disposal of private property by employees of its police department, the chief of police violated the civil rights of the pawnshop under the color of state law, giving rise to damages, while acting both in his individual and in his official capacity as chief of police, disregarding the applicable clear and explicit statutes of the state of Louisiana and the constitutions of the State of Louisiana and the United States.
5. Further, not only should the chief of police have known that his actions were in violation of clear and explicit state statutes and the constitutions of the State of Louisiana and the United States, but he or representatives of his department were expressly informed by the pawnshop's counsel in a meeting before the lawsuit was filed. Despite that knowledge, the chief of police continued to violate the due process rights of the pawnshop.
The chief of police, who had been named as a defendant individually and in his official capacity as chief of police, filed a "Motion to Dismiss" the pawnshop's claims against him in his individual capacity under the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12 (b)(6). The pawnshop opposed the motion.
Factual Matter
The District Court noted that Rule 12(b)(6) allows for dismissal of an action "for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted."
Although a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion does not need detailed factual allegations to avoid dismissal, the plaintiff's factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above a speculative level.
A plaintiff's obligation "requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do."
The Supreme Court explained in 2009 that a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.
"A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged."
In evaluating a motion to dismiss, the court must construe the complaint liberally and accept all of the plaintiff's factual allegations in the complaint as true.
Conclusory allegations or legal conclusions masquerading as factual conclusions, noted the court, will not suffice to prevent a motion to dismiss. In addition, the general rule that "a court must accept as true all of the allegations contained in a complaint is inapplicable to legal conclusions."
Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, "will not survive a motion to dismiss."
In this case, noted the District Court, the chief of police argued that he was entitled to qualified immunity because the pawnshop's allegations were not made with adequate specificity.
More specifically, the chief contended that the allegations were not adequate to satisfy the heightened pleading burden applicable to a claim against a public official in his individual capacity.
The chief submitted that the pawnshop had simply added the word "individual" to general allegations and that such disguised official capacity allegations were not sufficient to escape a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal.
The chief claimed that the allegations failed to sufficiently state "what in particular he did or failed to do, much less give the court enough information to ascertain whether his actions were objectively unreasonable and clearly established as such on the day that such actions occurred."
More specifically, the chief sought dismissal because the pawnshop had not alleged he was personally involved in any constitutional deprivation and/or that any alleged wrongful action on his part was causally connected to the alleged constitutional deprivation.
Ric Blum of Ohio Loan Co. Named Pawnbroker of the Year
Posted on 10. Jul, 2014 by admin in Summer 2014
The National Pawnbrokers Association, the leading trade association representing the pawn industry, is pleased to announce that Ric Blum of Ohio Loan Co. in Dayton, Ohio, is the recipient this year's Pawnbroker of the Year Award. A member of the National Pawnbrokers Association since 1990, Ric Blum is a visionary leader whose tireless commitment and dedication have helped strengthen the pawn industry. He has served on the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors, and as Secretary/Treasurer, and he continues to offer support through contributions to industry publications, participation in fundraising events, and community outreach.
Gold Still Glitters
Posted on 17. Apr, 2014 by admin in Spring 2014
By CHARLENE KOMAR STOREY
Gold can make pawnbrokers a lot of money when it's going for top dollar. But it isn't necessarily a tragedy when prices slide, say both consultants and successful pawnbrokers.
"When the price of metals started dropping, a lot of pawnbrokers started wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth," says Steve Krupnik, president of Cloud Ten pawnbroking consultants and a former long-time pawnbroker.
"It was almost silly to me."
Both Krupnik and Jerry Whitehead, CEO of Pawnshop Consulting Group, point out positive sides to the decline in gold prices — not least the return of many pawn businesses to a concentration on core metrics.
"We preach core business metrics, being very aggressive with loan balances," Whitehead says firmly. Pawnbrokers needs to pay attention to the basics, he says, adding that during the gold boom many pawnbrokers strayed away from the pawn business.
Similarly, Krupnik tells his clients that the gold business can always be there and always be profitable: The key is to treat it as simply another of your key metrics.
Krupnik recalls his past experience with the gold cycle, when he was running a pawn business. "During the last metals boom, I made a lot of money when it went up. I made more when it went down," he says.
The key is to keep marketing, but change its focus, Krupnik says. "People will act to prevent loss." Advertise that they should sell their gold before the price drops further, he advises.
Less Competition
Both consultants agree that pawnbrokers are benefitting from the disappearance of the fly-by-night operators.
"Most pawnbrokers operating in the United States are still dealing in metals — it's 30 percent to 60 percent of their overall loan business," Whitehead points out. In contrast, "Gold buyers are packing up and going away."
"Pawnbrokers should be jumping for joy because all their competitors are going out of business," Krunik says. "All those 'We Buy Gold' stores — gone. All those hotel gold buyers — gone."
Tim Birkle, who owns four Vista Pawn outlets in Idaho, says the fly-by-nights are gone from his areas. "One guy is still here, who was here before," Birkle says. "The smaller places pretty much closed up." Besides the slump in prices, Brikle says that crackdowns by the authorities helped: The fly-by-nights didn't like having to follow the same regulations pawnbrokers face.
Keeping gold in perspective regardless of price has paid off for Birkle. While he admits that the volume is down from a year-and-a-half ago, Birkle still takes quite a bit of gold in.
"We still have our foot on the metal in marketing," he says.
That approach is echoed by industry leader David Schoeneman, owner of Shane's The Pawn Shop in Chicago Heights, Ill. "We advertise aggressively and consistently on TV," he says. "It's less now than a year ago, but people come."
Keeping Customers
Birkle emphases that he doesn't confuse making a quick buck on gold with losing a lot more by alienating long-time customers.
Yes, says Birkle, if gold takes a real dip, he might have some conversations with casual pawners. "But if someone has been bringing in the same chain every month for a couple of years, I'm just going to give them the same money as I always did."
That's Krupnik's advice, too. "Just because gold drops, don't adjust your loan price with regular customers," he says.
"That regular customer has no idea what that bracelet would melt for," Krupnik points out. "If the customer has picked up the bracelet 15 times, there's no reason she won't pick it up the sixteenth time.


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BFI to Re-release Blade Runner in UK
The BFI is to re-release Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic Blade Runner: The Final Cut across the UK from April 3, 2015. The version set to be shown is the 'final cut', created by Scott in 2007 – the 25th anniversary of the film's release – and fully restored from the original negative.
The Empire Strikes Back Voted Greatest Movie of All Time
Empire Magazine has polled over 250,000 obsessive movie fans to come up with the 301 greatest movies ever made, a list that is led by the 1980 classic Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. This same poll was conducted back in 2008, which, at the time, found The Godfather taking top honors. It has now slipped into second place.read more
Harrison Ford Has Officially Been Offered the Main Role of Blade Runner 2
Alcon Entertainment has an offer out to Harrison Ford to reprise his role as Rick Deckard in its sequel to "Blade Runner," to be directed by Ridley Scott again.
Harrison Ford Confirms Talks About His Return to Blade Runner
"Yeah, we've been chatting about it… I truly admire Ridley as a man and as a director, and I would be very happy to engage again with him in the further telling of this story."
Oh my God, oh my God!! Excuse me, I'm fangirling like a boss right now. Han Solo, Indiana Jones AND Rick Deckard may return? I know it has been said before but it is a lot more exciting to hear it from DA MAN himself.
Blade Runner Sequel Gets New Writer
Even with Ridley Scott back in the director's chair and original writer Hampton Fancher on script duty, the idea of a Blade Runner sequel caused more trepidation than word that replicants were running loose for most fans. News that Green Lantern co-writer Michael Green is being brought aboard to work on a new draft may not help matters.
Of course, it's far to early to judge a film when no one has seen so much as a piece of concept art, let alone a trailer, and things are still at a very early stage on this one. While Scott has talked about his vision for certain scenes, no plot details have leaked yet beyond the basic idea that it will be set a few years after the 1982 original and we don't know whether Harrison Ford will be involved in any capacity.
In addition to work on Lantern, Green has also contributed to the unproduced Flash film and The Fantastic Four, and he most recently worked on Robopocalypse's screenplay with Steven Spielberg – which should give us some confidence. He also did at least one draft of Moses project Gods And Kings, so let's hope he can do justice to the original film.read more
Prometheus Blu-ray Reveals Blade Runner Connection
Although the timeline of Prometheus and Blade Runner are separated by seventy years, an Easter Egg on Prometheus Blu-Ray suggests the stories take place in the same world. The special feature reveals a few lines of text written by Peter Weyland (the elderly CEO of Weyland Corporation that funds the expedition aboard the scientific vessel Prometheus).
Win Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Set!
Canadian fellow fans,
Tribute Entertainment is giving you the chance to win 1 of 5 free Blade Runner Gift sets for Harrison Ford's movie Blade Runner. Sets include a 4-Disc Blu-ray™/ DVD, an all new concept spinner car for collectors, an Action Lenticular hologram and a 72-page Art Production Book. The contest is open to all legal residents of Canada.
The Blade Runner on Blu-Ray Contest ended December 10, 2012read more
'Blade Runner' Score Re-Created for 30th Anniversary
BuySoundtrax Records is proud to announce the release of the Blade Runner – 30th Anniversary Celebration available at for pre-order at www.buysoundtrax.com on September 5th and digitally and via other soundtrack boutique retailers on September 19, 2012.
Celebrating 30 Years of Blade Runner
Three decades after its release, Ridley Scott's movie of the Philip K. Dick novel remains an icon of knotty science-fiction film mastery.
30 Things You Should Know About "Blade Runner"
It seems it's all about Blade Runner around here lately… I just can't help it, I'm too excited about the sequel, even if it has not been written yet. Anyway, the following is a list of 30 cool facts about Blade Runner you might not know:

subset: commoncrawl


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CHICAGO, Illinois November 17, 2012 – Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has one tough battle ahead of him – one he believes is just as difficult as the one President Abraham Lincoln waged to abolish slavery in the 1860s:
Quinn, a history buff, was asked over the weekend if he had seen the new Steven Spielberg biopic, "
"I've already seen it. It's an excellent movie," remarked Quinn to the media. "If you want to see how Democracy works, see that movie. You will appreciate the battle to get pension reform if you see the movie and see how hard it was to abolish slavery and get that amendment for the people. And they went to great lengths to use the Democratic process properly."
But using the Democratic process properly is the issue for Quinn.
The crisis of unfunded public pension liabilities is splitting the state in two, dividing brother against brother.
Special interests against the taxpayer.
But the Civil War-era comparisons do not end there.
"Pension reform is indispensable. I'm 63-years-old and I can say that my entire lifetime,
So will the schism of
Not likely.
Illinois, downgraded twice in the last year by Standard & Poors, has the worst credit rating in its history and is second only to California in poor credit.
Moody's has rated Illinois worst-in-the nation.
Illinois pensions gobbled up $6.75 billion – almost all - of the state's revenue this year. Next year, the cost will rise by another billion.
If President Obama and Congress cannot reach a deal on the fiscal cliff,
Just five years ago, the state's unfunded pension obligations were only $20 billion. But this week, the Civic Federation of Chicago recently upgraded its estimate from $83 billion to a whopping $96.9 billion.
The out-of-control liability continues to grow with skipped payments, pension perks and early retirement.
Democrats have been in control of the state legislature since 1983 and strengthened their political hand on Nov. 6, gaining veto-proof supermajority control.
So the proverbial pension reform ball is once again in the Democrat's court and to
Back on January 1, 2011, Illinois Democrats and Republicans joined in passing i.e. sneaking through a late night 67% increase in the personal income tax rate – the largest in the state's history.
They promised it would be temporary.
But that was then, this is now.
Back in August, after the state legislature's twice-failed attempts at pension negotiations, the Chicago Tribune asked in an editorial: What does 'temporary' really mean?
Does 'temporary' mean 'permanent'?
Well, does it?
If Quinn and the Democrats go back on their word to
William J. Kelly is an Emmy award-winning TV producer and conservative columnist. He is also a contributor to the American Spectator and Breitbart.com. He is a native from
Email questions to him at email@example.com. Find him on Facebook/Williamjpkelly
Read more of Bill Kelly's Truth Squad in The Communities at the Washington Times.
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Business Directory We offer a listing of all available businesses, manufacturing and services in Prescott and area.
(Visit the how do I page and register in the Prescott business directory)
Prescott Business Profile Each month we will feature one of our Prescott Business Success Stories.
Economic Development & Planning Current opportunities available in Prescott.
Did You Know? Facts about Prescott and doing business here.


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Humidity 83%
Winds 10.4mph
Humidity 83%
Winds 10.4mph
Dec 18, 2013 5:33 AM by Meteorologist Maclovio Perez
Dense morning fog. Sunny and warm today. High 75. Warmer weather will be with us until the weekend as at the next storm gathers in the Rockies. Gusty southeast winds will bring in the warm air off the gulf which will increase humidity. Highs by Friday near 80. Next storm gathers on the west coast and will be another ice storm for North Texas beginning Saturday. Clearing weather for Tuesday and cool and crisp weather for Christmas Day.
15 hours ago
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Featured Video
I've shared before that my family knows its history inside out and backwards. I can… Read More
March 13, 2013
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, and across the world people will be celebrating all things… Read More
March 16, 2012
book.box (bukboks)
n. A cardboard receptacle, typically rectangular in shape
with lid, containing words, pictures, ideas and dreams, often
accompanied by excitement, anticipation and the love of reading.
© 2013 Book Talk. All Rights Reserved.


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UNREC FOCUS: July 2012- n° 17
The Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
In response to the conclusion of the Conference on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 27 July, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently released a statement expressing disappointment that the Conference concluded its four-week-long session without agreement on treaty text. However, he noted that States have established 'considerable common ground', which States can build on for future discussions. Click here to read the full statement.
Check out the dedicated UN website on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at http://www.un.org/disarmament/ATT/.
Khartoum Declaration on Small Arms Across the Neighboring Countries of Western Sudan
Art for Peace 2012 International art contest for young people winners announced
A total of 12 young artists have been announced as winners in the United Nations Art for Peace contest, which ran from 1 February to 30 April and attracted 6,623 entries from 92 countries. UNREC encouraged young people particularly from Africa States to participate to the contest and gave certificates to participants from Togo. For more http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/dc3360.doc.htm. The winning artwork can be seen at http://www.unartforpeace.org
UNREC begins baseline study on SALW in the Republic of Congo
Training on law enforcement during Elections in Togo
15 April, 2012: Counter-Terrorism workshop- Dakar, Senegal.
24-26 April, 2012: "Gender-Based violence and Small Arms in Africa seminar"- Johannesburg, South Africa.
3-4 May, 2012: "Sub-Regional conference on the issues of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Processes"- Kigali, Rwanda.
14-18 May, 2012: 34th meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC) – Bujumbura, Burundi.
UNREC provided information on the latest developments in the field of disarmament and arms control at the recent UNSAC meeting and was requested to provide assistance to States through ECCAS in fast-tracking the implementation of the Sao Tomé Initiative.
During her stay, Ms. Angela Kane met with Togolese government officials and the staff of UNREC. The government, members of the diplomatic corps in Togo, members of civil society, and the press participated in a briefing she held on military expenditure and development.
Click here for more information.
21-23 June, 2012: African Union DDR Workshop on Reintegration of ex-combatants- Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
UNREC is pleased to welcome Mr. Thomas Markram as Chief of the Regional Disarmament Branch.
Launch of micro website:
Disarmament Treaties Database:
Since 1978, the United Nations has been publishing the status of multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements, presenting data on signatories, parties of relevant agreements and the texts of the agreements themselves.http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/
Library Resource on Disarmament:
UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe Produces Library Resource Document on Disarmament in English and French Link to the resource
For more information on any aspect related to the UNREC Focus, please contact Jérôme Tatrabor at jtatrabor(at)unrec.org.


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- Snake Sits Down with the Poynter Brothers
- London Vicious Sweeps CXBL Elite Series Title
- 2014 PSP World Cup Field Layout Released
- Chapter 6 of Internal Damage, "High Hopes"
- Chapter 5 of Internal Damage, "Chopping Block"
- Interview with Baltimore Revo, Going Pro at PSP Chicago
- 2014 PSP Chicago Open Field Layout
- Chapter 4 of Internal Damage, "Blindsided"
- Riley Sullivan and XSV Part Ways, New Players Added to Roster
- Baltimore Revo Goes Pro, Enters PSP Challengers Division
Video: 2012 JRab Devastation Alaska Clinic, Part 1
- Updated: August 27, 2012 at 7:49 PM
907 Paintball held the First Annual JRab Devastation Clinic in Anchorage, Alaska this Summer (2012). Justin "JRab" Rabackoff and Chad Busiere of Tampa Bay Damage both taught the clinic to eager paintballers from Alaska.
This is a part one of our Alaska experience.
Watch us drop our GoPro into the ocean and see Halibut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ35crkMCEc
We wanted to give you a taste of everything that was experienced in Alaska…from paintball to Halibut fishing in Homer to salmon fishing in the Kenai/Russia river to the Salty Dawg Saloon.
Alaska is beautiful. Period.
Clinic sponsors: 907 Paintball, G.I. Sportz, Dye, and Social Paintball.
To play paintball in Alaska visit: http://www.907paintball.com
Special thanks to Todd Glidewell and Steve Rabackoff for making this trip possible.
Boy Wonder a.k.a. Eddy Souza – Tampa Breeze
- http://www.gisportz.com


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"It's not the despair… I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
History will record (or maybe it won't) that on March 9th 2012, a horse was applauded back into the unsaddling enclosure at Wolverhampton by his owners, having finished 5th in a 0-55 contest over 6 furlongs.
An unlikely tale you might think, until you realise that that horse was of course the superbly supported #twitterhorse, Trending…
And what exactly was it about this run – rated just 49 by the Racing Post (i.e not very good) that encouraged his owners to break into applause? It is that word that keeps cropping up in these blogs. Hope.
Having put in two runs at Kempton that would have made a police horse blush (or whatever horses do when they are embarrassed), Trending finally gave his faithful supporters just a glimmer…
From his wide draw, Trending was restrained out the back early and up to his usual tricks, throwing his head around and refusing to settle. Stone last early and potential embarrassment shortening up by the second.
However, as the race developed it became clear that this cheek-pieced son of Dark Angel was arguably travelling better than a couple – no, make that three or even four. Entering the straight, he still had all but one to pass. Would he find anything? On all known form, probably not.
But no – the horse was inhaling rivals in the straight. Ok, artistic licence – but he was definitely passing a few, 8th, 7th, 6th and – thank god – respectability as he ran right to the line to finish 5th of thirteen.
Maybe he needs further? What if he could settle? Maybe he doesn't like kickback? Better on turf?
Suddenly, we had a contender again. We even (half) impressed the sages at Timeform – Trending "one to keep an eye on" the verdict of the Halifax scholars.
There is always someone to pour cold water over things, though. This time it was the Handicapper. Clearly unimpressed by the race, he put the horse down 2lb for the run to a mark of 49**.
We'll show him. Now, we just needed a race we could win.
(** Note: With most horses you want their rating to go down to give you a theoretically better chance at the weights when you next run. But, when you get to around 50 – you don't want them to fall any further, otherwise you will struggle to even get a run in a race. This is the problem when you end up in the bottom rung of racing's rating pyramid)
A quick glance at the programme book confirmed there were very limited opportunities for 3yo gelding rated 49 – so we needed to strike soon and try to get that rating up.
Wolverhampton, 23rd March, 0-55 for 3 year olds over 7f. D-Day.
Will it be joy or despair for "The Twitterati" at Dunstall Park? Well – we need to get a run first – and if two horses come out (they should do) and we get a decent draw (not out in the bloody car park again please), then despair is definitely still a decent favourite, but joy isn't quite the hopeless outsider that it has been in recent starts. And – the main thing is we have hope; hope going in – and with a bit of luck, hope coming out.
We'll always take that.


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Meaning and name origin
Iman \i-man\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Iman), is pronounced ee-MAHN. It is of Arabic origin, and the meaning of Iman is "belief, faith". Made familiar in modern times by supermodel Iman.
Iman has 2 variant forms: Eman and Imani.
A suggested similar baby name is Ima.
Iman is not a popular first name for females but a very popular surname or last name for all people (#19131 out of 88799) (2000 U.S. Census).
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Hedda Gabler is both a play and a fictional character created by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. First published in 1890 and premiered the following year in Germany to negative reviews, the play Hedda Gabler has subsequently gained recognition as a classic of realism, nineteenth century theater, and world drama. A 1902 production was a major sensation on Broadway starring Minnie Maddern Fiske and following its initial limited run was revived with the actress the following year.
The character of Hedda is one of the great dramatic roles in theater, the "female Hamlet," and some portrayals have been very controversial. Depending on the interpretation, Hedda may be portrayed as an idealistic heroine fighting society, a victim of circumstance, a prototypical feminist, or a manipulative villain.
Hedda's actual name in the play is Hedda Tesman; Gabler is her maiden name. About the title, Ibsen wrote: "My intention in giving it this name was to indicate that Hedda as a personality is to be regarded rather as her father's daughter than her husband's wife." [1]
The action takes place in a villa in Kristiania (now Oslo). Hedda Gabler, daughter of an impoverished General, has just returned from her honeymoon with Jørgen Tesman, an aspiring young academic — reliable but uninteresting. It becomes clear in the course of the play that she has never loved him, that she married him for economic security, and she fears she may be pregnant. The reappearance of her former lover, Ejlert Løvborg, throws their lives into disarray. Løvborg, a writer, is also an alcoholic who has wasted his talent until now. Thanks to a relationship with Hedda's old schoolmate, Thea Elvsted (who has left her husband for him), he shows signs of rehabilitation, and has just completed what he considers to be his masterpiece. This means he now poses a threat to Tesman, as a competitor for the university professorship which Tesman had believed would be his. It became clear earlier that the couple are financially overstretched and Tesman now tells Hedda that he will not be able to afford to have her do a great deal of entertaining or to support her in a lavish lifestyle.
Hedda, apparently jealous of Mrs. Elvsted's influence over Ejlert, hopes to come between them. Tesman, returning home from a party, finds the manuscript of Ejlert Løvborg's great work, which the latter has lost while drunk. When Hedda next sees Løvborg, he confesses to her, despairingly, that he has lost the manuscript. Instead of telling him that the manuscript has been found, Hedda encourages him to commit suicide, giving him a pistol. She then burns the manuscript. She tells her husband she has destroyed it to secure their future, so that he, not Løvborg, will become a professor.
When the news comes that Løvborg has indeed killed himself, Tesman and Mrs. Elvsted are determined to try to reconstruct his book from what they already know. Hedda is shocked to discover, from the sinister Judge Brack, that Ejlert's death, in a brothel, was messy and probably accidental. Worse, Brack knows where the pistol came from. This means that he has power over her, which he will use to insinuate himself into the household (there is a strong implication that he will try to seduce Hedda). Leaving the others, she goes into another room and shoots herself.
The play was first performed in Munich, Germany, at the Königliches Residenz-Theater on 31 January 1891, with Clara Heese as Hedda. The first British performance was at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, on April 20 the same year, starring Elizabeth Robins, who directed it with Marion Lea, who played Thea. Robins also played Hedda in the first US production, which opened on March 30, 1898 at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York.
Many popular actresses have played the role of Hedda: they include Eleanora Duse, Alla Nazimova, Asta Nielsen, Eva Le Gallienne, Anne Meacham, Ingrid Bergman, Jill Bennett, Janet Suzman, Diana Rigg, Isabelle Huppert, Kate Burton, Kelly McGillis, Fiona Shaw, Annette Bening, Judy Davis, and Cate Blanchett for which she won the 2005 Helpmann Award (Australia) for Best Female Actor in a Play. In 2005, a production by Richard Eyre, starring Eve Best, at the Almeida Theatre in London has been well-received, and later transferred for an 11½ week run in the West End. The play was staged at Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theater starring actress Martha Plimpton, who is credited with bringing renewed modern interest to the play. British playwright John Osborne wrote an adaptation in 1972, and in 1991 famed playwright Judith Thompson presented an inspired adaptation of the play at the Shaw Festival. Thompson adapted the play a second time in 2005 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, Canada, setting the first half of the play in the nineteenth century, and the second half during the present day. Early in 2006, the play gained critical success at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds and at the Liverpool Playhouse, directed by Matthew Lloyd with Gillian Kearney in the lead role.
The play has been filmed a number of times, from silent movies onwards, and in many languages. In 1975, Glenda Jackson was nominated for an Academy Award as leading actress for her role in a British film adaptation, simply titled Hedda. A more recent American film version (2004) relocated the story to a community of young academics in Washington State.
Film adaptations
Derivative Works
Tony-award winning playwright Jeff Whitty wrote a play titled The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler, which was commissioned by South Coast Repertory. The play is populated by fictional characters including Medea and follows Hedda's adventures after the end of her play.
See also


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Our Aim:
- To provide a highly quality of service at an immediate response.
- A reliable service; available for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- passengers and all their belongings are fully insured.
- Our telephone operators are very helpful to meet all our customer's needs.
- All long distance journeys must be booked in advance by telephone, taxt message or online.
- Fares quoted in advance.
- Helpfull friendly and courteous drivers.


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Kingdom Causes, the regional association of cities, is now City Net. Our new name/logo represents our role as bridge builders among catalytic leaders and collaborative movements in cities throughout Southern California. The net is a web of connectivity, care and concern.
We believe that God is already at work in our cities. The reality is that His love for our cities and everyone in them far surpasses ours. Believing this causes us to take the posture of a learner when we rally around a citywide vision.
Our story begins in the city. Several of us were working for the shalom of our cities, inviting people to partner and collaborate as the Church of the City, disturbed by the injustices in our communities and encouraged by the signs of hope. Check out the latest blog posts here!


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Gabby is turning 16 and enlists the help of her older sisters to plan her big day. But when Tess and Alexis take control, they start making decisions based on what they want instead of what Gabby wants. Will their sweet little sister feel left out at her own Sweet 16 party? Meanwhile, things heat up when Tess falls hard for a rocker, and Alexis' lawyer advises her to tone down the party girl image. And as her court case continues, Alexis is confronted at Gabby's party by one of the victims of the bling ring.
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Capital Investment
Anytime Fitness, the world"s first 24-hour fitness, tanning, and reciprocal membership franchise, offers the convenience and affordability people are seeking in a fitness club!
"Skin, Body, Massage!"
$150,000 Capital Required
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$51,341 - $200,594 Capital Required
Exclusive Body and Facial Waxing Studio!
$117,000 - $230,000 Capital Required
Founded by Dr. Tim Reilly and Kanna Reilly seven years ago as a private company, they identified the need for a one-stop-shop for Laser treatments and medical grade facials. A spa...
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Omega Studio Salons offer nicely equipped, independently operated studio sized salons at a fraction of similar concepts.
$90,000 - $399,000 Capital Required
The health club designed specifically for adults over 50. Hands-on supervision, interactive user-friendly equipment, effective workouts - with turnkey support to ensure your success!
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Get Thin With Dr. Quinn Weight Loss program – a truly professional and comprehensive physician-supervised weight loss program!
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Urbana Wellness Spa is a sophisticated, singular day spa that offers high level of quality services and spa experience. Our goal is to create a vibrant and healthy environment for our...
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Teeth Whitening Dealership. Maui Whitening is a series of dealerships dedicated to providing convenient, quick and affordable, jaw-dropping teeth whitening sessions.
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Sport Clips was the first truly national brand to exclusively target the 150 million men and boys who need a haircut place to call their own. Today, with more than 850 locations in 38...
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Total Nutrition is the fastest growing retail nutrition franchise with low cost entry, a direct manufacturer partnership, and exclusive product lines. Turn your passion into a business!
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Personal Training Professionals (PTP) is a high-end personal training and health management franchise. In addition to personal training, PTP offers: one-on-one Pilates, Massage Therapy and...
$143,300 - $223,000 Capital Required
Ranked Among Best: Entrepreneur Magazine 2014 Franchise 500 The World's first digital gym where we're using powerful technologies to make it easier for people everywhere to lead healthy,...
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$50,000 - $250,000 Capital Required
From the moment a potential client approaches a Mona Spa and Laser Center to the moment they leave, every aspect of their experience should represent the ultimate in comfort, luxury, and...
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Welcome to Walpert Healthcare, Inc. We are the leader in the $2.4 billion MedSpa industry. Our proven system for operations and management helps our licensees successfully open and grow...
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If you desire the freedom and independence to own and operate your own business, combined with the satisfaction of helping others achieve their health and fitness goals, then join 21 Minute...
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No they get paid have some pride and stop them. If the cards have issue with it step up and do something.
OK Nick, here is what I need you do. Go over there and grab me some water, a towel, and make yourself comfortable while I WRECK THIS ISH.
My name is Mark Sanchez. I am here to save you.
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Someone needs to ask Carroll what his deal is.
SF Giants, SF 49ers, Sac Kings since birth.
this is weak if u dont wanna get embarassed play harder plain and simple ....i wish these coaches would grow some balls and call it like it is. its not my responsibility to stop my own team from scoring thats ur teams job if we beat u 70 to 0 every week so be it get better.
I rather die a BULL, than live a COWard!!!!!!!!!!!
didn't watch the game but from the stats it looks like they weren't i mean they didnt pass much...they ran more which is what you're suppose to do plus they had 2 def td's but i could be wrong
Yes. But there is no problem with it. Arizona players get paid to score on offense and prevent scores on defence same as Seattle's, its not the Seahawks fault that the Cardinals were inept in all areas of the game yesterday. As I've read in other threads "you play till the final whistle", thats all Seattle did
Jeez I ask one honest question and I get the short end of the stick.
20+ years from now I and others will look back @WMXXX and say remember when Brock Beat The Undertaker? More people will remember his only loss more than those 21 Straight wins.
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Hotel CEOs talk about Wi-Fi and other tech issues
Hotels face new challenges as they continue to recover from the recession, including tech-savvy, Web-surfing travelers who have different expectations as guests than do prior generations.
USA TODAY assembled five of the industry's top executives last month at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles in the LA Live JW Marriott hotel for a discussion of the industry's latest developments. They were: Marriott International CEO J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr.; InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) CEO Richard Solomons; Carlson CEO Hubert Joly; Choice Hotels CEO Steve Joyce; and Eric Danziger, CEO Wyndham Hotel Group.
The discussion ranged from hotel Internet fees to iPad apps, new lobbies and chainwide hotel renovations. The hour-long event was moderated by USA TODAY's Barbara De Lollis . The text has been edited for clarity and length.
BLOG: Read Hotel Check-in for more industry news and insider info
MORE: Follow Hotel Check-in's BarbDeLollis on Twitter
USA TODAY: Internet access is a top amenity for travelers. With the iPad revolution, bandwidth use is growing at a faster pace. What are you doing in response?
Marriott: Well, we're working to try and get down to a few (Internet) suppliers, because in the past we had a bunch of suppliers, like 80 or 90. We have 3,700 hotels and everyone's hired their own supplier, so we're trying to narrow the number so we can increase bandwidth and improve the service. It's a huge problem. Everyone wants to talk in the room and they want to download everything they can. It's getting to be quite a challenge.
IHG: I also think we're going to have to look at things like differential charges. (For instance,) basic wireless you could get for free and maybe you pay more for high speeds so people who really want it can get it. We all see it as an issue. It's one of the big dissatisfiers that you see in a lot of hotels.
Carlson: Free Internet is the greatest demand in terms of amenities of the travelers. It's almost like having water or air conditioning in the room. So we have a strategy of offering this for free at an increasing cost (to hotel owners).
Wyndham: We offer it for free in most of our brands, though not all of them. But whether you charge or whether it's free, you'd better have some dependability and reliability because it will become the single source of complaints. By the way, truck drivers who stop at Super 8 are using mobile devices, so it is widespread.
Choice: We have been free for a long time. It is interesting that the last remaining places where hotels are getting away with charging for it are at the upper-upscale and luxury levels. I think the expectation is that it should be provided free.
USA TODAY: Can offering free Wi-Fi help differentiate a hotel chain from others?
IHG: The question is not whether (free Internet) becomes a differentiator. I think the bigger issue you're going to see is the small chains or the unbranded hotels are going to find it just continually harder to compete. You see sales of iPad devices and mobile are up, so (providing free Internet) is very hard if you're a small player.
USA TODAY: How has the iPad revolution changed the way travelers book rooms?
Choice: We were out really quickly trying to chase the iPhone user and then the Droid user. Business from mobile reservations is up 255% this year. But the interesting thing is it's not mobile or PDA, it's iPads, so we're scrambling to get an iPad application out in a month or so. Our customers used to drive down the road, read a billboard and pull over someplace. Now they're looking at an app, and they're evaluating the seven different hotels within 7 miles. They're looking at the price and looking if they can drive another 20 miles, if they can save $5. If we're not on the device they're using to book, we're not visible.
USA TODAY: All of your companies — excluding Carlson — recently invested in Room Key, a new hotel search site. Why do you think customers want another online choice?
Marriott: It's an opportunity for you to go the on Web in the search engine, see a variety of brands and then pick the one that you want to go to and go directly to it. In our case, when you do, if you go to Marriott through the Room Key search engine, you get your Marriott Rewards points. If you go through Expedia or another site, you don't, so that is an advantage to the customer.
USA TODAY: It's getting easier for travelers to find customer reviews on your websites, whether from TripAdvisor or your guests. How is your company embracing this trend?
Carlson: On any shopping website, be it sporting goods or electronics, you have that readily available. On Amazon.com they have tons and tons of comments. This is the nature of the Internet, where information is pervasive. Ignoring it is like you're trying to stop the tide with your two hands.
Wyndham: We're going to have TripAdvisor (reviews). The consumer wants it. We know that 40% to 60% go to TripAdvisor.
IHG: We are moving to reviews on our site. It makes a lot of sense. It's what consumers want.
USA TODAY: Is there any other benefit to having customer reviews on your site?
Wyndham: There is a side benefit. Ultimately, I believe the quality of the product will improve (because) now you have direct feedback from a consumer to an owner or manager that you must respond to.
Choice: When you struggle to see how you're going to engage customers, this is one that resonates most. It causes some unique issues, so we actually went out with a trial two, three years ago and put our own customers' reviews — not TripAdvisor's. We are now going back and looking at a combination. It was clear our reviews by themselves were not sufficient.
USA TODAY: When will travelers be able to use smartphones to unlock a hotel door?
Choice: We're working on it. Clearly you will check in and be able to enter your guest room in five years from your PDA.
USA TODAY: Many of you talk about customizing the hotel experience to a specific audience. Is that the next trend?
Choice: I actually think for the next several years, value is much more important than customization. I don't know any segment of the business where people aren't demanding more value, and I think that will remain until people feel like they have recovered their wealth, which is going to be 10 years from now. It's free Internet, free parking, free breakfast and other services they want but don't want to pay additional for.
USA TODAY: Can you point to a requirement that customers don't want to pay for?
Wyndham: I'll give you a goofy one. I always wondered why it was a brand standard in most mid- and upscale hotels to have a bathroom phone. Is that something that customers say makes a difference? To me, I'm not touching the phone in the bathroom, and wouldn't that money be better spent on giving customers something they really want? A complete review of brand standards came as a result of the downturn, and it's to the consumers' benefit.
USA TODAY: Another since the recession?
Marriott: One of the things we're trying to do is have our manager at the front desk at check-in and check-out greeting customers, thanking them for their business so there's a manager present who wants to take care of the customer on a personalized basis. We encourage that.
USA TODAY: Hotel rates are projected to rise this year, but will we see them rise everywhere?
Carlson: The gateway cities are going to be a place where rates are going to continue to rise. If you look at the trends, particularly business travel, what's growing faster in 2012 is international travel. That tends to hit the gateway cities.
Marriott: There are a lot of so-called gateway cities that are not getting a rate increase, such as Washington, D.C. Government is cutting back. Congress is in session three weeks a month instead of four.
Choice: What you're seeing is the elimination of a lot of discounts, so you'll have a shift that changes the overall rate that's paid. But the reality is, we're not seeing any markets where hotels are making very aggressive price increases.
USA TODAY: As travel rebounds, will you add back jobs?
Marriott: It depends on the demand of the particular hotel. We're not adding back people just because things are going better. But there are cases, such as this conference here in Los Angeles. We're staffed up, but after you guys leave, there won't be many people.
IHG: We learned, as we do in every downturn, how staff can be more efficient through multitasking. In some places, we've seen staff engagement go up and service go up because people have taken on more roles. The other thing to remember is that for a lot of owners, they have rising energy costs, rising people costs … so I don't think you're going to see massive increases in employment because the top line is going up.
USA TODAY: Many chains, including Marriott, are reinventing their lobbies to make them inviting, social places. Do guests like the new look?
Marriott: The feedback is terrific, because it's an opportunity to socialize, have something quick to eat, sit in the lobby and work on your computer. At this hotel here (LA Live), you look at the people in all their little pods and areas talking, meeting, visiting and eating. It's a socialization of the lobby, which has never happened before in our industry, because people used to go in the lobby, check in, check out and then leave. Today, they're all over the lobby, and they're coming back to the hotel and using the lobby for a drink afterward.
Posted | Updated


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1500 Alamo Pintado Rd
Solvang, CA 93463
Phone: 805.688.3032
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web Site: buttonwoodwinery.com
Tasting Room Open Daily 11-5
Estate vineyard, culinary events, indoor/outdoor tasting, picnic garden area, sustainable farming practices
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch, the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort gives wine tourers enough outdoor activities to warrant a real vacation.
The Santa Ynez Inn has been honored with the AAA 4-diamond award rating every year since opening.
Fess Parker Winery consistently creates wines of the highest quality. Led by a talented winemaking team that includes two former recipients of the André Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year Award—Eli Parker and Blair Fox—the wines are routine winners in all of the top tier wine competitions
Naturally warm and elegant, Hotel Corque personifies Santa Barbara wine country, making it an ideal retreat for anyone wishing to settle back in this special part of the world.
Set on two miles of private, natural beach within minutes of the charming community of Santa Barbara, the four-star Bacara Resort & Spa provides its guests an unrivaled vacation destination.
T&T: As a farm first and then a winery, do you think Buttonwood Farm Winery was ahead of its time?
KS: Our Founder Betty and her family were always ahead of their time, with a keen philosophy on the ecological way to farm. There has always been a respect for the land and a philosophy of husbandry, and forward thinking to a time when people would get back to what makes sense.
T&T: You have a lot of farm to table events on the calendar. Why?
KS: Well, we like to eat! Happily, we grow so many delicious things here (row crops, pomegranates, olives, almonds, peaches, herbs, and of course, wine.) But what we really enjoy is the time around the table. Wine, food, and companionship are the ultimate, down-to-earth luxuries. We eat, drink, laugh, discuss, meet new people, reaquaint with those we've known, and take a breath. It's an adult "time-out" to get back to the most important thing of all: communing personally with each other. We are a farm, and have been since 1966. Way before it was cool, we were green and locavores. It has just always been that way. Oh, and we like to eat!
T&T: Do you get involved with the planning of the farm to table events?
KS: For the major events, like our All Farm Dinner, I recommend wines for each course, which are always served family style! But, none of us are absolutely steadfast about this; if someone likes a particular white wine, and they want to have it with a meat course, who am I to insert my opinion? Really, it comes down to seasonality more than anything. There are foods that are seasonal and there are wines that seem to be as well. We bottle some wines very early after vintage to just carry us through the coming year, and others are aged to be hearty and are more autumnal than summery. The foods on the table really dictate this more than I.
Each of these distinctive properties provides a sublime setting, exceptional cuisine, and a plethora of activities (even wine tasting experiences!) right on its grounds, making it difficult for some guests to venture out.
Read This Story
This region has been planted to commercial grapevines since the 1960s and has transformed into one of the top wine destinations in California.
Ten years ago, a small independent movie called Sideways was filmed in the Santa Ynez Valley and was released to rave reviews. As an added bonus, an unsuspecting star was born: the Santa Ynez Valley.
Santa Barbara wine country is a genuine gem with plenty to do and see. So slip out over the hill and get to know the land where the winegrapes grow.
Discover Editor in Chief Wendy Van Diver's top 13 Santa Barbara County tasting rooms.
Just two hours up the coast from Los Angeles in the northern part of Santa Barbara County, there's a sensational sunsoaked valley just waiting to be explored. The Santa Ynez Valley is as diverse as it is beautiful. Its undulating landscape is both wild and tame, promising adventure, serenity, and romance at every turn.
Today, there are six annual Destination Races, introducing runners from all over the world to six unique North American wine countries.
In the history of California wine, Santa Barbara wine country is a new frontier. Meet nine of the region's most talked about vintners, destined to make their own marks in Santa Barbara wine.
Even the name "Santa Barbara" makes people smile. Soaked in sunshine and serenity, the beautiful little city is located on California' s Central Coast just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, making it a great getaway for couples, friends, and families.
From the Eastern Seaboard to the heart of the Midwest to the Pacific West Coast, there are so many wonderful places to tour, taste, and stay. In this section we explore the wine regions of Asheville, North Carolina, Galena, Illinois, and Solvang, California.
Rich in cultural diversity and heritage, Santa Barbara County has much to celebrate. It's a land of sunshine, fresh produce, fun people, and wonderful wines.
Beautiful Santa Barbara County embraces rambling cattle ranches, quaint western towns, rolling oak-peppered hills, white beaches, and the charming seaside city of Santa Barbara—home to Touring & Tasting and its editor.
There are many fine winemakers in Santa Barbara wine country. The vineyards here are spread far and wide—from Northern Santa Barbara County to Santa Maria Valley to Santa Ynez Valley to the Santa Rita Hills.
From Santa Maria to Santa Ynez, Solvang to Santa Barbara, experience fun, new ways to tour wine country and taste wines in Santa Barbara County.
Discover what makes tasting rooms great in Santa Barbara wine country.
After spending the day wine tasting, discover great places to have lunch in Santa Barbara wine country.
Click here to see the full list of events.


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(KTSF By Jo Wan)
"I think kids education predominate the Asian community" says Cupertino resident Mahesh Nihalani. Many Chinese and Indian immigrants moved to Cupertino for it's well known high achieving primary and secondary schools. Monta Vista High School is ranked number 23 out of all the public schools in the nation. However, the rapid influx of Asians to Cupertino community has spawned temporary tension especially on education. On November , 2005, the Wall Street Journal's special report entitled, The New White Flight, raised many controversial issues between Asian and Caucasian communities. The article pointed out that , in Silicon Valley, two high schools with outstanding academic reputations are losing Caucasian students as Asian students move in. Cupertino resident Darryl Stow feels that despite fierce competition, Cupertino is a great community. Othersuch as Chinese and Indian parents think the competition makes kids and schools better. Another Caucaisan resident Helene Davis feels the peer pressure is really what helps her two daughters strive to succeed. They are surrounded by people who are very well-educated.
(Copyright 2011 KTSF. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)


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Shirazette Tinnin, who was born in Chapel Hill and graduated from Appalachian State University, is a supple, take-charge drummer who excels at the many rhythmic variations that come under the jazz umbrella these days. She represents the technically advanced, broadly integrated evolution of jazz time-keeping as it incorporates not only swing, but also rock, hip-hop, African, Latin and other grooves.
This is what we hear throughout "Humility: Purity of My Soul" (Hot Tone), wherein Tinnin leads various combinations of rhythmically astute, soulful, highly articulate band members.
The only familiar tune is the late tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance," which Tinnin and company initiate with an insinuating drums, bass and jabbing keyboard rhythm. The insistent groove subsides for a reflective tenor solo by Camille Thurman and a spacy electric piano solo by either William Delisfort or Rachel Eckroth (the personnel list isn't clear) and then there is a return to the theme. The solo section comes across as a lyrical alternate to the more typical funk workout favored by other bands.
Tinnin likes to shift intensity and moods during a performance, as further demonstrated by her "Her Powerful Locs" and McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance." The former, the album's lead-off tune, establishes the band's killer instinct: intense melody lines, heavy drum beat, Tom DiCarlo's muscular bass lines, a dazzling Thurman solo interlude and a slamming Delisfort piano solo. With the Tyner tune, there is additional rhythmic flexibility, aggression and excitement.
Twelve musicians appear on the album, mostly in five- or six-piece units, including, on the rockish "My Human Condition," the lyrical alto saxophonist Tia Fuller. Bassist Mimi Jones, who performs on three tracks, and Thurman, who performs on eight (including as vocalist on one) are connected with Tinnin in additional ways: Tinnin and Thurman appear on Jones' "Balance" and Tinnin also appears on Thurman's "Origins" (both on Hot Tone).
Correspondent Owen Cordle
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And finally, as Mark Twain said: "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
Enjoy the discussion.


text:
Conners Corners NF
- Designer: Nick Curtis
- Design foundry: Nick's Fonts
- Source: Nick's Fonts
Here's another collection of ornate border elements gleaned from the 1888 specimen books of James Conner's Sons United States Type Foundry in New Tork City. Refer to the PDF guide for detailed, yet simple, instructions for constructing nine delightfully different border patterns.
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National Geographic HD Wallpapers
Thanks to National Geographic
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text: ok, sooo i'm 21, and i basically have zero self-esteem or self-confidence. not exactly something i like saying about myself, but it's true. I always feel socially awkward, ugly, and inferior. my friends all tell me i'm being ridiculous, but all i do is scrutinize all the things wrong with me. i hate my face, my smile, how serious i can be, the fact that i don't read as much as i used to. i am always comparing myself to everyone else, i know it's like the worst thing in the world to do, but i can't help it. it's just become a habit now. i just don't know what to do and need to find something before things get worse.


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WILMINGTON — Even with the financial markets recovering, it isn't always easy to find something to smile about on Wall Street.
But the Archer Group, the Delaware Valley's fastest-growing interactive marketing firm, in a project for the Investment Technology Group (ITG, Inc.), has found a way to make investment professionals show the lighter side of their personalities.
Building on the pop art style used in the New York-based independent agency research broker's new advertising campaign, the Archer Group developed "Create Your Popside" an online micro-site/utility that lets users upload a photo of themselves (or anything else), add a humorous caption and have it stylized in pop art form.
With only grassroots marketing, the micro-site drew enough interest from web surfers to attract nearly 30,000 votes in its "Create Your Popside" competition. The contest winner has been awarded an Apple iPad. The Archer Group is now updating the micro-site to focus on the contest winner and drive a larger audience to the gallery of entrants.
"Many of ITG's clients are busy portfolio managers who work in a stressful environment. ITG asked us to develop an interactive mechanism that would strengthen their brand while giving their clients and prospective clients the opportunity to take a break, have some fun and share the results with their friends and business colleagues," said Lee Mikles, founder and CEO of the Archer Group.
The microsite's name, "Create Your Popside," parallels ITG's marketing message, "Building the New Buyside," and its execution builds on the Archer Group's previous success with "Hoagieman," an easy-to-embellish interactive character created to promote hoagie sandwiches sold by the Wawa convenience stores.
"We take pride in our work for clients in the financial services industry, and enjoyed the challenge of helping ITG strengthen its brand by building a more personal relationship with its clients," Mikles said.


text:
Setting up Raspberry Pi as a DHCP, NTP, and DNS server
Little Service
The versatile Raspberry Pi can serve many roles on a home network. We'll show you how to set up the Pi to provide some important network services.
The tiny US$ 35 Raspberry Pi computer [1] is gaining attention around the world as an education tool and a plaything for hobbyists. But, many users are discovering that the Rasp Pi can do real, practical things for a small network. After all, the Raspberry Pi is a real Linux computer, complete with an Ethernet port and USB ports.
The system is admittedly light on resources – with only 512MB memory and file storage on an SD card, but for simple tasks that aren't too resource-intensive, the Pi performs well. The fact that the Pi runs with very low power usage and hardly takes up any space are actually benefits in some scenarios, especially on home networks with little space and low demand.
This article describes how to set up the Raspberry Pi to perform a few common network services, including:
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TGXf Project Warns of File Transfer through Screen Pixels
Weird data transfer technique avoids all standard security measures.
Industry Giants Announce a Fix for the Password Mess
FIDO alliance declares the beginning of the end for old-style login authentication.
Poll: Vote for the Best Open Source Software for Photographers
The Linux New Media Awards have honored the most significant products, projects, people, and organizations for open source/Linux every year since 2000.
Debian Gets Forked
Legendary Uber-distro splits over the systemd controversy.
Linux Mint Project Releases Mint 17.1
New LTS version offers many refinements for the Cinnamon and Mate desktops and significant improvement under the hood.
CeBIT Open Source Forum Call for Papers
One of CeBIT's most successful forums returns in 2015.
TOR Network Isn't So Anonymous
A new study says it is possible to unmask 81% of TOR users.
.NET Goes Open Source
Redmond joins the revolution by turning the .NET Core Runtime into a GitHub project.
Drupal Advisory Unleashes a Torrent of Attacks
Users only had 7 hours to update before the intrusions started.
HTML5 Gets Promoted to a Standard
It's official: The new web arrives


text:
This weekend, as part of Spaces of Contestation, Gabiel Saloman and Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion will be presenting the Peoples' Procession Against the Pipeline in Burnaby on Saturday, April 12. Want to help us get the word out? Here's a video by Gabriel Saloman (also showing in the window of 236 E Pender!) that you can share:
Oil Change? Join the People's Procession, April 12
Posted on April 9, 2014 by Keith Higgins
About Keith HigginsExecutive Director of UNIT/PITT since 2010. Artist, writer, publisher.
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Last reply was 8 months ago
Direct link on youtube is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZM_uzgWSVA
"@unitpitt: Oil Change! Join the People's Procession, April 12 http://t.co/vcRBMpGOq4". #ellen4vancity #fb


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- Here Is Guy Fucks His Super Hot Wife In Hotel Room


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|Chic Spotlight: Culinista Author, Jill Donenfeld
Chic Spotlight: Culinista Author, Jill Donenfeld
This Cincinnati native just released Party Like A Culinista, a fun-to-read, easy-to-follow guide to throwing delicious parties easily and without stressing out!
Cincy Chic: In your terms, what is a "culinista"?
Cincy Chic: What inspired you to write the book?
Cincy Chic: For what type of person is this cookbook a good fit?
Cincy Chic: What's your favorite recipe in the book?
Cincy Chic: You're a Cincinnati native. Whereabouts in the Queen City did you live and where are you now?
Cincy Chic: Tell me about your career before you got into writing the cookbook.
Cincy Chic: What's next on the horizon for you?
Cincy Chic: What do you love most about Cincinnati?
More articles by this author


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Mohawk VIA Vellum - RHODAMINE - 80lb Cover - 26 x 40 Card Stock Paper - 500 PK
|This product is associated to the following category pages:
PAPER (Full Size Sheets)
Recycled Paper and Envelopes
Envelopes and Paper with Recycled Content
Mohawk VIA
Pink Paper and Envelopes
Pink Card Stock
Paper - 198-216 GSM
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Write a review | No reviews for this product.
Mohawk VIA Vellum - Card Stock Paper
by Mohawk Paper Mill
- Package: 500 Sheets
- Paper size: 26-x-40
- Basis Weight: 80lb Cover (216gsm)
- Finish: Vellum (this is NOT translucent vellum)
- Acid Free (Archival)
- Luxurious toothy finish
- 30% pcw
- Windpower electricity
- Electronic printing guarantee (within substance range of printer requirements)
Via Vellum boasts of a lovey color palette with a versatile color range. The VIA Vellum has a toothy surface for consistent performance that helps everyday print projects run just as planned.View all Mohawk Paper Products or View all Mohawk VIA Products
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What's Trending? Group VasectomiesGroups of male friends are undergoing this minimally invasive surgery on the same day so they can recover together. Recently, one group came to WakeMed Physician Practices - Urology.
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text:
A Hollywood Stylist's Advice for Regular People
Kate Young decrypts formal dressing in her new book.
Skip to content, or skip to search.
Skip to content, or skip to search.
Kate Young decrypts formal dressing in her new book.
Exposed hip bones and formal summer whites ruled the red carpet.
A depressingly large club.
Pulling a Victoria Beckham.
Currently a comb-over.
Another night of hard partying in Miami.
Plus a Hamburglar sighting.
The fall season gone famous.
From "the Rachel" to the time she wore a braid to the Oscars.
If you're lucky, lots of backhanded compliments.
Graphic brows, goth nails, brooding dark lips. And oh, yeah, the bag.
Nicki Minaj wins for her three costume changes.
The 2013 Tribeca Film Festival Vanity Fair Party, EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD NYC's Spring Benefit, and more.
From Edie Sedgwick's iconic pixie to Agyness Deyn's platinum boy cut.
"Now that I see all of these young actresses with short hair, I can't wear it this way," one woman told her stylist.
It's still surprisingly edgy.
Floor-length gowns headed to a Target near you on April 14.