text:
EXCLUSIVE: Deadpool Dons the Venom Symbiote in "Back In Black" #1 First Look
Comic Books
Showing results 56-95 of 221
Marvel has provided CBR with an exclusive preview of "X-Men" #6 by Brian Wood and David Lopez. "Battle of the Atom" continues 10/9 and Rachey Grey may be the X-Men's only hope!
Dark Horse has provided CBR with an exclusive preview of Brian Wood and Paul Azeceta's "Conan the Barbarian" #21. Conan and Bêlit run for their lives on October 16.
For the finale of his adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Queen of the Black Coast," writer Brian Wood calls on "DMZ" partner Riccardo Burchielli to illustrate a lurid, violent farewell for "Conan." Plus, exclusive art.
Brian Wood talks to CBR about the upcoming final issue of "Mara" at Image Comics, concluding the story of a teenage sports star with super-powers transforming into a god and maybe blowing up Earth.
Courtesy of Dark Horse, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Star Wars" #10 by Brian Wood and Carlos D'Anda. Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles infiltrate an Imperial Destroyer Oct. 9!
"Star Wars" writer Brian Wood speaks with CBR News about his desire to bring a fresh take to familiar characters, introducing new faces and future developments of his Dark Horse Comics series.
"Battle of the Atom" continues in Brian Wood and David Lopez's "X-Men" #5 as the series "maintains its distinct quality and more" through Wood's writing and Lopez's art.
Writer Brian Wood answers this week's X-Position reader questions about his final arc of "Ultimate Comics X-Men" and what "Battle of the Atom" means for his fledgling "X-Men" ongoing.
"X-Men: Battle of the Atom" celebrates the 50th anniversary of the mutant team and CBR News spoke with editor Nick Lowe about the big events from the first two installments in the crossover.
With Jubilee going from a carefree mutant, to a vampire and now a mom in the pages of Brian Wood's "X-Men," ROBOT 6's Carla Hoffman considers what it all means for her future.
"Ultimate Comics X-Men" scribe Brian Wood discusses "World War X," his final arc as ongoing series writer, which pits Kitty Pryde's Utopia against Jean Grey's Tian in an all-out mutant war.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Star Wars" #8 by Brian Wood, Ryan Kelly and Dan Parsons. Han and Chewie go blaster to blaster against Boba Fett August 14.
Continuing with his nearly all-female line up on Marvel's "X-Men," Brian Wood is joined by artist Terry Dodson for the next arc which features the pointy return of Lady Deathstrike.
Dark Horse has provided CBR with solicit information for Brian Wood and Garry Brown's "The Massive" #16 and covers for #16, 17 & 18 along with an exclusive preview of Issue #14.
"X-Men" writer Brian Wood joins X-Position to answer your questions about Jubilee, the reappearance of John Sublime and upcoming details for both "X-Men" & "Ultimate Comics X-Men."
In Kelly Thompson's latest installment of SHE HAS NO HEAD, she explains why Brian Wood's new X-Men title is all she has ever wanted in a superhero comic book.
James Hunt gives "X-Men" #2 by Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel 5 stars, saying the X-book is "the first in years that's managed to click with the characters in a way that feels both modern and familiar."
Courtesy of Dark Horse, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Star Wars" #7 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. Princess Leia takes the Rebels' secret mission to the next level July 10.
Courtesy of Marvel, CBR presents exclusive previews for Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's "X-Men" #2 and Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli's "Guardians of the Galaxy" #4!
Kelly Thompson gives "Ultimate Comics X-Men" #27 by Brian Wood and Mahmud Asrar 4 stars, calling the penultimate issue of the current arc "a gem of a cliffhanger as the arc barrels toward the final issue."
Courtesy of Image Comics, CBR presents an exclusive preview of Bran Wood and Ming Doyle's "Mara" #5. The miniseries' penultimate issue hits stores June 19.
Join CSBG's Kelly Thompson as she takes a detailed look at each of the six regular cast members of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's new "X-Men" series.
We know there's a lot to choose from and some tough decisions to be made, but we still want to know: Who is your favorite member of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's new X-Men team?
In a special Axel-in-Charge guest spot, "X-Men" Editor Jeanine Schaefer and writer Brian Wood reveal the secret origins of the all-female team, their new sci-fi villain and issue #1's last page reveal.
After months of anticipation, the first issue of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's "X-Men" series has hit stores, and CBR wants to know what you thought of the series' debut!
Brett has recently come to the realization that Rogue is his favorite X-Man, just in time for the debut of Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's "X-Men" #1.
Kelly Thompson gives Brian Wood & Olivier Coipel's "X-Men" #1 5 stars, calling it "the definitive superhero relaunch" and placing it on the short list for best superhero book of the year.
Free Comic Book Day draws record crowds! Marvel returns to Wizard World Philadelphia! Brian Wood and Jeanine Schaefe talk "X-Men"! The reverence for capitalists in superhero comics! Plus more!
This week, Marvel E-i-C Axel Alonso explores the modern X-Men line from Brian Bendis' reinvention of "Uncanny" to Jason Aaron's school stories to Brian Wood's incoming all-female team.
Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel's long-anticipated "X-Men" #1 debuts on May 29, and CBR has an exclusive look at the first issue, along with a preview of "Indestructible Hulk" #8 by Mark Waid and the legendary Walt Simonson!
It's X-Wings versus TIE Fighters in this exclusive preview of Brian Wood and Carlos D'Anda's "Star Wars" #5! The latest issue of Dark Horse's hit series goes on sale May 8.
Courtesy of Marvel, CBR presents an advance preview of "X-Men" #1 by Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel featuring an all-female squad of mutants. The book goes on sale May 29.
Fan-favorite creator Brian Wood discussed his vast library of work during a panel at C2E2, covering everything from "Star Wars" & "Conan" to "The Massive" & "X-Men" and beyond.
CBR News spoke with writers Jason Aaron and Brian Wood with Editor Nick Lowe about this fall's "X-Men: Battle of the Atom" crossover, involving "X-Men," "Uncanny X-Men," "All New X-Men" and "Wolverine & the X-Men."
As "Amala's Blade" #1 and "The Massive" #11 hit stores, writers Steve Horton and Brian Wood discuss their respective projects, balancing family with work and the difficulty of getting inside a barbarian's head.
Writer Brian Wood pulls double duty in this week's X-Position as he answers fan questions about "Ultimate Comics X-Men" and his upcoming Marvel NOW! reboot of "X-Men."
Courtesy of Image Comics, CBR has exclusive previews of Brian Wood, Ming Doyle & Jordie Bellaire's "Mara" #4, plus "Cyber Force" #4 and "Miniature Jesus" #1. All three issues go on sale April 17.
Courtesy of Dark Horse, CBR presents exclusive previews of Brian Wood & Declan Shalvey's "The Massive" #11 and Matt Kindt's "Mind MGMT" #10. Both titles hit stores April 24.
Kelly Thompson gives "Ultimate Comics X-Men" #24 4 stars, saying the issue by Brian Wood and Mahmud Asrar "continues to deliver a tale epic in scope and personal in execution."
Archives: All | Comic Books | TV/Film | Video Games | Web Comics


text:
What is the future of design?
Category: Books, Designers/Studios, Events/Exhibitions,
Posted: Jun 12th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Last week I was fortunate enough to see Frank Chimero speak at the Portable event at Brisbane's Edge. It was an inspiring afternoon where questions were asked of designers about the way we work and why we do things?
Drawing on findings from his book, The Shape of Design, Frank asked us 'What does it mean to be a designer in 2012?'
Many designers are currently in a state of flux. Trying to decide which direction to take as new media, apps and the long present web explode. Leaving conventional print spinning in its wake. Aside from technical changes and and the need to stay current within our industry we also need to consider what is good design? Creating work that is not only aesthetically pleasing but that can communicate, and can move. Graphic design must continue to challenge but also be benevolent regardless of the form the end product takes.
Coming away from the event and finishing reading The Shape of Design, I was able to clarify a few things about the way I have been feeling about graphic design. Our industry evolves so quickly its hard to keep up but I have learnt that if we always ask the why? Question the conventions? This allows us to problem solve with fresh thinking, with a new direction. To not be scared of the unknown. Our design process, our ideas are the consistent element.
"Think of the content, tone and format of a brief as levers on a machine. Play with the settings." Frank Chimero
Oh and one last thing for Brisbanites. The Asia Pacific Design Library now has Frank's top 10 inspirational books available for your perusal.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Latest news for cefachlor
Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 150 user reviews.
Dressing up your blog posts with editorial images is a great way to capture [cefachlor] your readers attention and spice up your website. A common pitfall when trying to is thinking that any picture that comes up on a Google image search is fair-game to use in a post. cefachlor This leads to people innocently violating copyright cefachlor, and not even realizing it. luckily, plenty of image creators actually want their content to be used by others on the web. After watching this video tutorial, you will be able to find images that can be used to illustrate your blog posts without violating copyright.


text:
Offf Festival 2011 - Main Titles
Category: Animation / Motion Graphics, Events/Exhibitions,
Posted by: Jen
Posted: Aug 2nd 2011
No. of comments: 0
Posted: Aug 2nd 2011
No. of comments: 0
I've just stumbled across the main credits for the Offf Festival (held in June in Barcelona) and, as the write-up on vimeo states, they're pretty epic.
Amazing work by PostPanic.
Speakers included; Alex Trochut, Erik Spiekermann, Hey Studio, MWM, Stefan Sagmeister, and Shillington grad, Timba Smits. The work you can see on the Offf Website was a colaboration between Timba and Steven Rhodes, another Shillington graduate, on an ad they created for Monster Children for the college last year. Great stuff!


text:
Thursday, August 26, 2010
New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies (Treats for Co-Irkers)
This review is slightly tainted however, because upon reading the recipe and making my shopping list for the ingredients, I failed to notice that the dough must rest in the fridge for 24 hours before baking. Well, today was going to be my shopping day this week and since I now had to make the dough yesterday in order to bake the cookies today, it was either make do with the chocolate I had on hand, or go to Wal-Mart in my pajamas yesterday morning to buy the special chocolate called for.
In hindsight, which still remains 20-20 even though the rest of my vision has gone to hell in a hand basket, I could have gone to Wal-Mart in my pajamas because if your local Wal-Mart is anything like my local Wal-Mart, you see people in their pajamas all the time. And oddly, what concerns me more than the fact that they're wearing pajamas is the fact that the pajama tops and bottoms don't match. What's this world coming to? And more importantly, why do I even notice such things?
OK, back to the tainted recipe. The original recipe calls for bittersweet chocolate. I had semi-sweet and I had unsweetened chocolate, so I met somewhere in the middle by grating the unsweetened chocolate and combining it with some chopped semi-sweet chocolate and some semi-sweet chocolate chips. That wiped me out of the total 1 1/4 pounds of chocolate I had in the house. Has necessity become the mother of intervention? I'll let you be the judge and decide if I need help.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (modified slightly from the New York Times)
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (I used kosher salt)
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into chunks
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, grated
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
sea salt
1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Stir all chocolate into dough using a wooden spoon. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. The original recipe recommends using 3 1/2 ounces of dough per cookie and baking six cookies per baking sheet, but I thought that made for an entirely too large cookie. So I dropped the dough by tablespoonfuls on to the prepared cookie sheet, then sprinkled lightly with sea salt and baked until golden brown, but still soft, 10-12 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 3-4 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day.
The verdict? I think these were quite possibly the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. I also think that by grating the unsweetened chocolate, it made for a more consistent chocolate flavor throughout the entire cookie. This is definitely a recipe worth repeating.
98 comments:
- Becky said...
I have yet to try this recipe. Yours look delicious.
- August 26, 2010 at 2:42 PM
- Natalie said...
mmm these are on my list of choc chip cookies to try! yours are so pretty!
- August 26, 2010 at 2:43 PM
- Leslie said...
You grated the chocolate...no wonder they look so good (and remind me of the Doubletree cookies). Lucky co-irkers!
I've made these before, along with the Thomas Keller chocolate chip cookies, and I ended up cobbling together a hybrid recipe that's pretty fine. In fact, you have me thinking about cookies, so I may have to whip up a batch tonight...
And the pajama thing confounds me in general, like when did people start wearing clothes that look like pajamas to work? Do they wear suits to bed? What's up with that?
- August 26, 2010 at 3:23 PM
- June said...
I am pretty sure I've never been more jealous of anyone than I am of the co-irkers. These look absolutely sublime.
- August 26, 2010 at 6:36 PM
- Nanan said...
Those are beautiful!
- August 26, 2010 at 7:09 PM
- scrambledhenfruit said...
I'd like to be one of your hubby's co-irkers! I haven't tried making these yet, but they're on my list. Yours look scrumptious!
- August 26, 2010 at 8:01 PM
- Moogie said...
Girl... these look like the best cookies I've ever seen. Those damn co-irkers better not say anything bad about this treat. I'll be really pissed if I have to drive clear to Indiana and slap some people silly.
- August 26, 2010 at 8:31 PM
- Julie said...
Hi, Mags! I've been wanting to make these forever! These look amazing! Can't wait to make them!
- August 26, 2010 at 8:52 PM
- Barbara Bakes said...
I made these cookies last year and while they may not be my favorite chocolate chip cookie, they are definitely fabulous. I'm sure they're even better because of the grated chocolate.
- August 26, 2010 at 10:01 PM
- Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...
Oh, I just came across your blog and love it!
The cookies look delicious!
Thank you for sharing!
- August 26, 2010 at 11:58 PM
- The Urban Baker said...
i love this cookie recipe. i love making it for a crowd and I feel the "resting" period is key. Yours look delicious!
- August 27, 2010 at 8:00 AM
- Marly said...
These look fabulous. Who knew that tried and true recipe could be improved upon. Looks like a hit!
- August 27, 2010 at 3:23 PM
- Amanda said...
I agree, this is one great recipe! I think it's been a couple of years since I made it though. They look fabulous mags, such lucky co-irkers! ;)
- August 27, 2010 at 6:24 PM
- Co Irker said...
Sheesh - no pressure there, Mags. Brutally honest, huh? Well, here goes:
I've made this recipe before and they were good - great, in fact, but yours...
They're show stoppers. Your melding of the chocolate? Pure genius. That hint of sea salt? Inspired. That crisp edge and soft center? Heaven. And let's not forget how they looked - Professional (yes with a capital P).
The only bad thing about them - there weren't enough to go around. There was much gnashing of teeth, wailing, and beating of breast from those unlucky co-irkers who were not fast enough to grab this amazing manna. To those sad few I say "You snooze, you lose."
And, Mags, these were the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. But if you think you can do better we will happily sample your next culinary creation. That's how devoted we are to food, err, I mean you.
Thank you so much our cunning, caring calodemon.
- August 27, 2010 at 7:37 PM
- Elisha Josephine said...
I am in love with this recipe. I made it a few weeks ago for the very first time, and although I made a whole batch, all of them were devoured in less than three hours (my family helped quite a bit). Then I made them to sell as refreshments at a play I was in, and they were part of the spread at an art opening I had with some friends. Everyone loves them! And they seem pretty fool-proof, too. It's good for me, because my oven is quite tricky and so I am so glad when cookies bake right (not overdone or underdone like they usually turn out). These cookies are beautiful! The lighting is great in your photographs, too :)
- August 28, 2010 at 11:23 AM
- Katrina said...
Wow, you are kind of brave to use unsweetened chocolate. The cookies look fantastic.
NYT cookie recipe is my favorite ccc and my go-to (which I've adapted a bit, too). And I almost never chill the dough that long, sometimes not at all and they are still fabulous cookies.
Mismatched pajamas, or clothes that are inside out--whatever!
- August 28, 2010 at 9:29 PM
- Katrina said...
Have you sent any of those pictures to TS or FG? THOSE are what I'd want to see there.
- August 28, 2010 at 9:31 PM
- Mags said...
Katrina: Yes, I submitted them to both places. Foodgawker accepted. Tastespotting still has them on hold for now. Thanks for commenting!
- August 29, 2010 at 2:02 PM
- Jessica said...
Delicious! Can't wait to give them a try...with your modifications of course! Yum.
- August 30, 2010 at 3:03 PM
- Karen said...
I really like the look of the grated chocolate in these - very pretty!
- August 31, 2010 at 10:27 AM
- Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...
Yum! Those look lovely. I still haven't tried that recipe yet. What's wrong with me?
Also, for the record... I always get dressed to go to Wal-Mart... Don't want to risk my photo showing up on People of Wal-Mart. And I also notice when people's pajamas don't match. :)
- September 1, 2010 at 8:30 PM
- Jackie said...
What tool did you use to grate the chocolate.
- September 1, 2010 at 11:26 PM
- Mags said...
Jackie: I used the grater on my food processor.
- September 2, 2010 at 3:33 AM
- Megan said...
I usually use semisweet and bittersweet when I make these. I've also tried them with just AP flour and like the recipe better than when I use cake and bread flour. So many combinations. But the salt on top is a must! As is eating the raw cookie dough.
- September 2, 2010 at 3:51 PM
- Pretty. Good. Food. said...
Mmmm, these looks so good! I definitely want to try these :)
- September 6, 2010 at 9:43 PM
- smspizza said...
thanks for nice recepts :))
- September 15, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I tried this recipe today and unfortunately, my cookies are nowhere near as pretty as yours!
The cookies themselves look chocolately, like a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie.
Do you have any idea why they look different?
- March 6, 2011 at 6:17 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Taylor: It could be the size of grater you used to grate the chocolate,making it more fine than what mine was? How did they taste?
- March 6, 2011 at 6:55 PM
that's probably it! the grater I used was really fine. they were good, just not as good as I hoped! I'll probably try them again!
- April 11, 2011 at 4:37 PM
- jenn said...
These are the prettiest chocolate chip cookies I've ever seen!
- June 28, 2011 at 3:12 PM
- Souffle Bombay (Colleen) said...
These look great! What a pretty photo!
- July 19, 2011 at 8:08 AM
- Christine Bongiovanni said...
OMGOSHHHhhhh! I baked these tonight and they have replaced my previous first place recipe! YUM!
- August 2, 2011 at 9:36 PM
- Kirsten @ Mushki Loves said...
Hi! I'm a new follower! I found you on pinterest! I love your blog! If you want stop by and say Hi! www.mushkiloves.blogspot.com
Have a great night!
- October 5, 2011 at 10:03 PM
- Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING said...
Your recipe was made by The Farm Girl and then voted on in our challenge the #1 recipe.... so come on over and take a look and feel free to grab the ULTIMATE RECIPE Button, if you wish!
- October 14, 2011 at 1:43 PM
- Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING said...
Sorry, I attached the wrong link!
- October 14, 2011 at 1:53 PM
- Barbara | Creative Culinary said...
I've seen legions lament the wonder of this cookie so I tried them. Maybe it's my stupid altitude...no, not that I am personally so tall but that I live at 5280' - nothing seems to measure up to the accolades.
Then I made a chocolate chip cookie a few weeks ago with brown butter and a combination of molasses and sugar instead of store bought brown sugar and I think I've finally found my chocolate chip cookie nirvana. I dare say...anything is better with brown butter!
I do love the idea of grating the chocolate though...so thanks a bunch for that suggestion. Will do!
- October 23, 2011 at 2:01 PM
- kimB said...
These cookies look scrumptious, but it will be a long while before I can make them :( I have no electric mixer and only use all-purpose flour. Just can't see buying cake flour and bread flour for a single recipe...
Congratulations on your adaptation!
kimB from Alaska
- November 14, 2011 at 3:06 PM
- Tierney said...
I stink at being domestic or baking or doing anything that requires lots of concentration, but I have to go to a cookie contest tomorrow and I figured I should try to do better than my last cookie endeavor. (I did Tollhouse premade cookie dough and put sprinkles on them and told people I made cake batter cookies. Haha.)
Anyway, I have this contest, and no one expects anything of me, so I figured I would make something amazing. I found this recipe, painstakingly followed the million instructions (from scratch is SO much harder than Tollhouse Easy Bake!), and even refrigerated it!
My addition to this recipe was bacon. Yes. Bacon. I made it crispy with maple syrup and brown sugar, and rolled the cookie balls in the diced pieces. I doubt I would ever win a Best in Show at a Cookie Contest, so maybe I will win Most Unusual!
Anyway, I just tried one and they are amazing. I feel so accomplished! And domestic! If I win, I will thank you in my speech.
No more Tollhouse for me! (Okay, that's a lie. I still love me some Tollhouse.)
Tier aka The Most Undomestic Diva Ever
- December 5, 2011 at 9:40 PM
- Tierney said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- December 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Tierney: LOVE the addition of the bacon!
- December 6, 2011 at 9:20 AM
- Tierney said...
Update to my comment:
I WON the cookie contest, much to my surprise and the surprise of most people who know me.
Even if people didn't love the bacon, EVERYONE agreed it was probably the best chocolate chip cookie they ever tried!
I will say that the bacon is super polarizing--people will either LOVE it or HATE it. Men really loved it when I took the leftovers to work, and most of the ladies took some home for their husbands to try.
Hmmm....maybe this is the key to getting married.
Anyway, thanks so much for the inspiration! And my little award!
- December 7, 2011 at 7:25 AM
- Maria@healthydiaries said...
I just made these from my Christmas party last night, and out of 20 different cookies, these were the crown pleaser! SOO GOOD!
- December 11, 2011 at 8:12 PM
I just made these for a class at school, and although they taste great, they are really flat! Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I did wrong so I can fix it next time?! Thanks!
- December 12, 2011 at 12:18 PM
- Katie Anderson said...
Just made these. They have been "sitting" in the fridge until time to pull them out today. They are as hard as a rock so I really couldn't "spoon" them out. Instead I used a knife and cut them. Cooking currently so I will update in a few. The dough is scrumptious
- January 16, 2012 at 12:31 PM
- Katie Anderson said...
Ok. The family thinks they are good....."Why are they salty?" Was the first question. Anyone want to tell me what the purpose of the sea salt on top is? It is "strange" as my husband and children put it.
- January 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Has anyone tried freezing this recipe in logs or Freezing the scoops for future use?
- February 5, 2012 at 11:43 AM
- Susie said...
I just made these to take as a dessert tonight for a dinner party. OMG...they are delicious. Had to adapt the recipe to what I had, and only used 4 oz of grated bitter chocolate and 4 oz of chunks, and then 12 oz of choc chips. They are still amazing even with those changes! Love the salt/chocolate after taste. :)
- February 10, 2012 at 10:12 AM
- Emily said...
Still laughing about co-irkers. :) And Walmart People. Love the idea of grated chocolate. I have made these and I do think they're better after they've been refrigerated. I LOVE America's Test Kitchen's Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies when I don't have time to let the dough rest. :)
- February 10, 2012 at 7:27 PM
- Asiya @ Chocolate & Chillies said...
My sister in law made these over the weekend and they were so good!
- February 13, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Best cookie ever...period. cant stop eating them!
- March 24, 2012 at 9:39 PM
- Dunn with Care said...
heres my q. I would love to try this recipe but i dont have cake flour and bread flour around since all i use is ap flour. can i use ap flour in this recipe to replace all other flour's mentioned?
- April 1, 2012 at 5:10 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Dunn: I'm sure you could use AP flour, but I'm not sure how much you would need to use, plus it would probably affect the texture a bit. Try it and let me know how it goes, ok?
- April 1, 2012 at 6:40 PM
These look absolutely AMAZING! I'm stuck in the airport for the next 4 hours, and all I want to do is eat these cookies! I have never made cookies using unsweetened chocolate... I can't wait to try these when I get home!
- June 8, 2012 at 8:32 AM
- wendell98 said...
I made these last night and they are delicious! I wasn't paying attention and threw in milk chocolate chips (instead of semi-sweet) so I tried to compensate by tossing in some bittersweet ones as well. So, I had quite the mix of chocolates, but it's okay. I'll try them again sometime following the recipe as written! :)
- June 16, 2012 at 3:46 PM
In a fit of PMS crave-rage, I scoured the internet for THE perfect chocolate chip cookie tonight and, I have to say, this recipe rocked my socks right off....
I made the base the same, only halving the recipe, substituting half of the butter portion with margarine, and using the chocolate I had on hand (which happened to be an undevoured scrap of a Hershey's special dark bar finely chopped, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and some Andes Mint crumbles left over from Christmas. Don't judge me...)
Also, to save precious time I smeared the dough evenly inside a large glass mixing bowl and popped it into the freezer until it was firm.
The finished product was deeply chocolaty, mintyfresh, crispy and soft all at the same delicious moment. My ovaries thank you...
Don't hesitate to be creative with this one!
- July 30, 2012 at 12:28 AM
In addition to the above comment, here are some pictures of my superb results!
Yummy, yum, yum!
- July 30, 2012 at 1:18 AM
How many cookies does thus recipe make?
- August 6, 2012 at 3:51 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Jecika: Depending on the size you make the cookies, from 1 1/2 dozen to 2 1/2 dozen. I made them smaller than the original recipe said to so I ended up with more cookies.
- August 6, 2012 at 4:29 PM
- Unknown said...
PJs in Wally World? That's nothin'!!! I had to stop by the bank the other day and walked up behind a young lady in pink pjs with her fuzzy slippers on. I could only conclude she was dragged out of her sickbed due to an untimely deposit she had to make. Also she looked sick. Yikes!
Susan, a fellow cook from Indiana and "over 50" as well!
- August 9, 2012 at 2:30 PM
- Caroline Labalie said...
Thank you for the recipe! The recipe sounds amazing! Although there is so much chocolate in this recipe I probably won't make it too often- here in Paris the chocolate alone in this recipe will probably cost around 10euros (13 or 14 dollars). Expensive for a batch of cookies!
Has anyone made these with white chocolate or a mix of white/dark?
- August 16, 2012 at 4:02 AM
These look great! After they have cooled, are they hard or soft cookies? Thanks! :)
- August 16, 2012 at 2:17 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Anonymous: They're chewy, with a slightly crisp outside. I hope that helps!
- August 16, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Easily the best chocolate chip cookies ever! A big hit with everyone I've shared them with. Don't spare the salt. Delicious.
- September 3, 2012 at 5:53 AM
- Kate said...
I love the look of these cookies! so chocolatey!
- September 19, 2012 at 1:09 PM
How important is it to refrigerate the dough for 24-36 hours? Can they be made right away? I'm going to try right now and I'll let you know but just wondering if there is any reason.
- October 9, 2012 at 7:19 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Jess: I hope they turned out OK for you! The refrigeration solidifies the butter (which was at room temperature when the dough was mixed) and this will make a difference in the outcome of the cookie... shape, texture, etc. Should still taste good though!
- October 10, 2012 at 5:28 AM
- Alix said...
Did you flatten the dough on the cookie sheet or leave it a blob?
- October 18, 2012 at 6:19 PM
I have made these multiple times and they are always a HUGE crowd pleaser!! I consider them my "love cookies" because it takes a little time to grate the chocolate but they are always appreciated and well worth the effort. Thanks for sharing:).
- November 2, 2012 at 9:23 PM
- Amber447 said...
I just made these and they're flat and crunchy, to the expert cookie bakers out there, what have I
done wrong? Everyone seems to say wonderful things about these cookies, but they're not what I had dreamed they'd be. A bit of a disappoint after patiently waiting while the dough sat in my fridge for the last 24 hours. I must have made a mistake, everyone raves about them.
- November 5, 2012 at 8:13 PM
These are a bit labor intensive but seriously the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. one minute too long in the oven and the texture is ruined though.
- November 20, 2012 at 7:06 PM
my first time baking chocolate chip cookies from scratch and they were excellent! these cookies are the best ones i've ever had. one minute too long in the oven though is enough to ruin a batch so bake five first to test how long your oven would need to cook it and then bake the whole batch. a bit more labor intensive than I would like but every bit worth the effort. the pictures helped tremendously.
- November 20, 2012 at 7:08 PM
- Amanda Byrd said...
There are 8 ounces in 1 cup. Is this a typo with the flour and sugar measurements or am I reading this wrong? Thanks!
- December 3, 2012 at 6:14 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Amanda: Fluid and dry ingredients measure differently and I've found in baking that weighing ingredients makes a big difference in the results, especially when comparing the weights of different flours. Hope this helps!
- December 3, 2012 at 7:07 PM
- Leslie C said...
Absolutely THE BEST chocolate chip cookie our family has ever had. We have really spent time focusing on quality family moments for Christmas in lieu of presents. Making these cookies together was an immediate treasured memory and the end product was an extra blessing. Thank you SO much for sharing.
- December 29, 2012 at 11:10 AM
- Jaci said...
With all the fabulous comments I guess I will have to bake some cookies :) It's been ages!
- December 30, 2012 at 1:58 PM
I am in the process of making these gorgeous cookies. The dough is now chilling in the fridge. Was your dough very dry and crumbly? I noticed mine seemed fairly dry when I made it and now after 15 hours of chilling, it is even more dry. Will my cookies still be okay? Is there any way I can save them?
- March 2, 2013 at 1:10 PM
- Teresa Stultz said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 11, 2013 at 3:42 PM
- Teresa Stultz said...
These have become my go to chocolate chip cookie recipe. Although mine don't look as delicious as yours, I have even gotten many request for them. When I volunteer to bake something, people have asked me to make my chocolate chip cookies. My daughter's teacher even asked me to make them for a teacher appreciation lunch. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
- June 11, 2013 at 3:44 PM
- Teresa Stultz said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 11, 2013 at 3:44 PM
- Lindy Jacoby said...
Thank you for the delicious recipe! I have made it many times! I posted it on my blog today just so you know! http://lindyjacoby.com/2013/07/16/recipe_chocolate-chip-cookies/
Thank you again!
- Lindy
- July 16, 2013 at 8:58 AM
- Camine Pappas said...
Hi! I'm the culineer from www.ifeellikecooking.com and a fellow post 50ish gal. Definitely plan on trying this. And just so you know, I never wear pajamas to Walmart. Haha!! Heck, I wear lipstick to the mailbox so you know how weird I am. Will let you know how they turn out!
- July 16, 2013 at 2:29 PM
My daughter said these taste somewhere between a chocolate cookie, brownie, and fudge!
- July 26, 2013 at 12:17 PM
I've made this version and the NYT version and I know it's just a simple tweak but I looooooooove your version so much better.
- November 14, 2013 at 12:13 PM
I have made this recipe multiple times for the guys at work and they have been a resounding success. Even when it looked like I might have some to take home...it never happened. The addition of the unsweetened chocolate makes this such a decadent cookie without the overwhelming sweetness of milk chocolate. Thanks so much for this, I now have my chocolate chip recipe!
- February 11, 2014 at 12:40 PM
I have a question--2 eggs doesn't seem enough for the amount of flour, sugar and butter. I saw the NYT recipe that I pinned has 4 eggs. Is this correct?
- March 8, 2014 at 11:05 AM
does the dough have to refrigerate for that long? or is it okay to use it right away?
- March 30, 2014 at 6:46 AM
- Doaa younnes said...
شركة رش مبيد بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الحشرات بالرياض
مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
شركة تسليك مجارى بالرياض
شركات كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
شركة تسليك مجارى
شركة تسليك مجاري بالرياض
كشف تسربات المياه
تسليك مجارى
- April 9, 2014 at 3:59 PM
- New England said...
These look pretty and delicious! I wonder, though, if I could use all wheat flours - wheat pastry flour with wheat bread flour? Would they come out okay, or would I have to add nuts or dried cherries to balance the texture, off?
Thanks for this recipe, it is one of the BEST I've even seen for chocolate chip cookies. :)
- April 23, 2014 at 2:02 AM
- Marie Nickerson said...
Have to tell you I made this cookies on this past Thursday.I only had the 2 sticks of unsalted butter so of course substituted salted only used 2 oz of graded unsweetened choc got tired of the grating.I totally missed the sugar only put in Brown! I used a whole bag of dark chocolate,half of milk chocolate and the chopped 8 oz of semi chocolate. MY family thinks this is the BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES IN THE WORLD!!!So even with the mistakes they were delish!
- October 4, 2014 at 1:46 PM
I made this for a tailgate a couple weeks ago... they were a huge hit! And my husband said "these are the only kind of cookies you ever need to make!"
Thanks for sharing!
- October 28, 2014 at 4:01 PM
- Kat said...
I've had a yelp account for as long as I can remember, and although I've had both amazing AND awful experiences at different restaurants/bars, I haven't ever taken the time to leave even a single word comment. These cookies, however, warrant a comment. I just stuck the dough in the fridge (after sampling, of course :) ) and felt I needed to let the blogging/pinterest world know how incredible your recipe is. This is my 5th time making these in a year. Why do I feel that this is somehow outstanding? Because I don't have a mixer. Not even hand-held. I use a fork to mash the butter & sugars, mix the eggs, and I use a great quality chef knife to both chop and 'grate' my chocolate. I'm writing with a very sore hand/wrist, but it was still so very worth it. Every time I make these cookies, I am asked for the recipe, or to make them again for a family/friend function. This case in particular is for a Secret Santa being held at the Borgata in AC for my boyfriend's family. Pretty sure these cookies are what made his family decide to accept me as one of their own when I made them last.. So thanks for that!
- November 13, 2014 at 5:22 PM
- Maryann Deruelle said...
I made this cookie recipe last year for Christmas and my adult son said they were the best cookies he's ever had. This is a great recipe and I'm making it again for this year. The salt really compliments the chocolate.
- December 11, 2014 at 12:23 PM
Made these cookies today and WOW! Awesome! Best chocolate chip cookies ever! The unsweetened chocolate levels the sweetness out giving you joy in every bite! Thanks for the recipe!
- June 23, 2015 at 3:25 PM
- شركة تنظيف بن طامى said...
شركة تنظيف بالرياض
شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض
شركة تنظيف فلل بالرياض
شركة تنظيف شقق بالرياض
شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض
شركة جلي بلاط بالرياض
شركة تنظيف بيوت بالرياض
شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض
شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
شركة نقل عفش بالرياض
شركة تخزين اثاث بالرياض
كشف تسربات المياه
شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض
افضل شركة دهانات بالرياض
- September 6, 2015 at 8:37 AM
- butt said...
Well, very good content, content, let a person feel a special comfortable feeling. Like the content is every reader want, so such content will be concerned.
graniet tafelblad
- October 17, 2015 at 3:32 AM
- Bee Gianni said...
If you get the chance, try the chocolate chip cookies recipe from The Double Tree Hotel. THE BEST. if you can't find them they're on my Pinterest board, Cookies, bars, cookies, etc.
The Queen of Scones
- January 31, 2016 at 10:49 PM
- Alrayyan Clean said...
شركة تنظيف بالرياض
شركة نظافة بالرياض
شركات نظافة بالرياض
شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض
شركة تنظيف فلل بالرياض
شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض
شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض
شركة جلى بلاط بالرياض
شركة تنظيف واجهات زجاج بالرياض
شركة تنسيق حدائق بالرياض
شركة دهانات بالرياض
شركة عزل اسطح بالرياض
شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
- March 12, 2016 at 10:34 PM
- Dark Baker said...
I just made these...OMG!😋 The sea salt makes a world of difference! Without it, it's a good cookie. With the sea salt...it takes this cookie to a whole new level of craving! Thank you!
- March 17, 2016 at 12:12 AM


text:
The Meander Journal
Category: Art, Designers/Studios, Interviews / Individual, Interviews / Studio, Magazines,
Posted by: Tanya
Posted: Mar 8th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Posted: Mar 8th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Recently on Twitter I've started to take a little notice of @julianjhutton a Graphic Designer from Brisbane who is also the co-founder of The Meander Journal.
"The Meander is an online journal, which features interesting and genuine people, places, ideas and stories. We aim to explore and document modern arts and culture in an authentic and unique way."
Issue No. 1 is due this March and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. Watch this space.


text:
The Copy Book
Category: Advertising, Books, Design / Print, Design / Publishing,
Posted: May 11th 2012
No. of comments: 0
A lovely find on thisiscollate — what looks like it'd be a really interesting read on the art of copy writing.
This is an updated edition of a book originally published by D&AD in 1995, and this time around is a joint project with Taschen. Said to be a bit of a bible among creative directors, it would no doubt prove to be a hugely valuable insight for all creatives. Note: must add to shopping list for the Shillington library!
It certainly doesn't hurt that the very talented team at This is Real Art have designed it — of special note and relevance is the cover design which is the visualisation of eye tracking across the cover, as conducted at an eye tracking lab. Amazing.
The book can be purchased from the Taschen website for £34.95.


text:
Lauren Wilson, the daughter of Tom and Linda Wilson of Oak Ridge, announces her engagement to Brandon Clowers of Oliver Springs.
Brandon is the son of Jackie and Alesia Clowers of Oliver Springs.
Lauren is a 2003 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. She graduated cum laude from Tennessee Tech in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies-elementary education. She is employed as a first-grade teacher in the Knox County schools.
Brandon graduated from Oliver Springs High School in 2002 and from Tennessee Tech in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in geology. While at Tech, he was captain of the cheerleading squad.
Brandon works as a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher in the Roane County schools.
They are planning to wed on May 25 at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Madonna University offers a comprehensive liberal arts education integrated with career preparation. This means that graduates acquire the critical skills and abilities that employers say they want in new employees: communication skills, problem solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to work in collaborative groups. A Madonna University education is also an education for the whole person, focusing on the intellectual, spiritual, and personal development to prepare students to live as successful and productive citizens of American society.
While learning at Madonna University in a safe, student-centered environment, our students also learn the importance of service. Through service-learning, internships, practicums, and other real-world experiences, students learn the power and rewards of giving back to others. Many of the University's more than 100 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs – many nationally recognized – integrate experiential components that give our graduates a competitive edge when they enter the world of work.
This comprehensive approach to combining the liberal arts with career education distinguishes Madonna University from other schools. Students are encouraged to include a range of academic options in their plan of study for a degree, such as study abroad or collaborative student-faculty research. This four-year career-preparation model begins in the First-Year Experience program, which engages incoming students in an introspective consideration of what their individual educational journey will look like.
View Undergraduate Programs | View Graduate Programs
College of Arts & Humanities
College of Education
College of Nursing and Health
Graduate Nursing Programs
Hospice and Palliative Studies Department
Health Sciences


text:
New Balance Minimus Ionix 3090 Women's Running Shoes
Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store
The New Balance 3090 Women's Running Shoes will help you achieve your very best! The ionix platform provides more than just your everyday running experience. The plush, lightweight underfoot offers flexibility and cushioning while the mesh upper increases breathability. Lace up the women's NB 3090's for your next run!
- Upper made with mesh and synthetic materials for a breathable, lightweight performance.
- Features a REVlite midsole that offers optimal responsiveness while soft EVA foam lines the footbed for added cushioning throughout.
- No-sew upper reduces weight and prevents chafing.


text:
Housed inside the lovely Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Resort, just north of Puerto Vallarta, Piaf Restaurant presents French fare with a nod to fresh Mexican ingredients in a stunner setting.
Business Jet Traveler » February 2014
March 26, 2014
March 5, 2014
Business jet finance has settled into a predictable—and more sustainable—groove after the mad scramble of 2007 and the deafening silence of
March 4, 2014
Hindsight is 20/20—and in the fractional-share business, foresight may at best be about 20/1,000. In a market like today's and with a rapidly evolving product like fractional, even the most seasoned insiders seem to lack a clear sense of what's next.
March 4, 2014
Last Fall, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled proposed rules for enhancing protection for air charter customers. Since then, several influential charter brokers have gone on record as saying the proposals don't go far enough—even though brokers are the primary targets of those rules.
March 4, 2014
In the decade since 9/11, many new guidelines and rules have been applied to business aviation flights. More could be on the way.
March 4, 2014
A recent CNBC news item noted that Formula One racing tycoon Bernie Ecclestone "flipped" his new G650 just weeks after he took delivery. An Asian industrialist who didn't want to wait out Gulfstream's order backlog for the popular new model bought it for $72 million—$7.5 million more than the list price.
February 24, 2014
To witness world-class dogsled racing, you don't have to fly all the way to frigid Fairbanks to watch the Alaska Open North American Championship or stand at the crowded finish of the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous.
February 24, 2014
Gas up and go—far—in this rugged, speedy model.
February 19, 2014
In exchange for annual fees of up to $7,500, they offer benefits that even ultra-high-net-worth customers are likely to appreciate.
February 17, 2014
For decades, the Sikorsky S-76 has been the gold standard in corporate helicopters. With more than 800 sold since its introduction in 1979, the model combines futuristic styling with a large cabin, speed and solid all-weather capabilities.
"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. "
-William James
Most Popular
July 31, 2016
August 8, 2016
August 20, 2016
August 14, 2016
August 22, 2016
August 8, 2016
July 31, 2016
August 14, 2016
August 8, 2016
August 20, 2016
February 1, 2012
January 12, 2012
December 1, 2011
May 30, 2013
December 5, 2012
November 26, 2012
April 30, 2012


text:
Need help stretching your food budget this summer? Second Harvest Heartland and the Watonwan County Food Shelf are coordinating a third summer distribution of rescue produce and bread for Watonwan County residents.
The distribution will be held on Thursday, July 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. or until the items are gone, in the meeting room adjacent to the Watonwan County Food Shelf at 108 So. 8th St.
Please remember to bring a box or basket for your items and enter the south door on the east side of the building. Each family will need to register before receiving the items. If you have any questions please call the Food Shelf at 375-2527 and leave a message.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
The 2014 season is just 9 days away! We head into the single digits with former Vol All-American right fielder and Knoxville native Eli Iorg. SCHEDULE | TICKETS
Click here for the original story.
Welcome to SECTalk.com
|Welcome to SECTalk.com -- The Home of 6 Straight National Titles!
You are currently accessing our site as a guest which means you can't access all of our features such as social groups, sports betting, and many more. By joining our free community you will have access to all of these great features as well as to participating in our forums, contacting other members, and much more. Registration only takes a minute and SECTalk.com is absolutely free, so please join today!
If you have any problems registering or signing in, please contact us.
Latest Topics
Latest News
Top Bettors
Top High Fived
Vol Baseball Jersey Countdown #9
Started by SECTalk.com, Feb 05 2014 12:32 PM
Similar Topics
|Started By
|Last Post Info
Baseball Releases 2017 Schedule, Roster
Started by SECTalk.com, Today, 11:00 AM In: The West → LSU Sports → LSU News
- 0 replies
- 12 views
Benny Baseball heading to The Show
Started by hog_heaven, 02 Aug 2016 In: The West → Arkansas Sports
- 8 replies
- 457 views
Baseball #RebsOfSummer Recap
Started by GoldenRebel, 17 Aug 2016 In: The West → Ole Miss Sports → Ole Miss News
- 0 replies
- 95 views
Baseball #ProRebs Update - 08.10
Started by GoldenRebel, 10 Aug 2016 In: The West → Ole Miss Sports → Ole Miss News
- 0 replies
- 68 views
Harry Fodder: Tebow to Give Baseball a Try
Started by gatoraus, 09 Aug 2016 In: The East → Florida Sports → Florida News
- 0 replies
- 49 views


text:
9 Bar Coffee / Reluctant Hero
Category: Design / Branding/Identity, Design / Environmental, Design / Typography, Designers/Studios,
Posted by: Peter
Posted: May 16th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Posted: May 16th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Thanks to Melbourne graduate Andy Welsh for the tip-off on this wow-factor branding for a coffee shop in Newcastle, UK. The studio responsible are local designers Reluctant Hero — check out their site for some other beautiful design work.
It would appear that coffee as an art form — from the product right through to the presence its merchants and vendors create — is hitting fever pitch in the UK. I remember coming over here 5 years ago and being pretty roundly disappointed by coffee. Perhaps it's the influx of Aussie and Kiwi braistas that has sparked change? I'll keep believing that..!


text:
Exploding lights bulbs
Category: Art, Photography,
Posted by: Julian
Posted: Jun 7th 2013
No. of comments: 0
Posted: Jun 7th 2013
No. of comments: 0
These amazing images of lightbulbs filled with objects, powders and liquids, and then violently exploding in front of the camera are the work of popular Flickr photographer Jon Smith. The images are a result of ongoing experiments Jon's been carrying out with high-speed photography and the results make for some seriously colourful and compelling viewing.
There are loads more images - including ones where the bulb is also dipped in colour paints - available on his photostream.


text:
The Blank Sheet Project
Category: Documentaries/Film, Interviews / Individual, Resources / Educational,
Posted by: Jen
Posted: Oct 16th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Posted: Oct 16th 2012
No. of comments: 0
Here's a great (and quick) way to get inspired!
All creative people are aware of the unique challenge we're set when given a blank sheet of paper. The Blank Sheet Project (an initiative from Arjowiggins Creative Papers in association with D&AD) asks creative heros to share their process when approached with this.
In the second phase of the project, 1 Minute to Leave your Mark, one minute videos explore the theme of creative excellence and delve into creative processes, creative activism and sustainability. We've shared the wisdom of UK illustrator Mr Bingo but there are new videos posted every week so keep checking the site.


text:
If you followed one of my links and got here, then I need to fix something. If you email me, I'll fix it.
Possibly you typed in an URL (internet address) and mis-typed (the other name for this message is Error Code 404, you've probably seen that before).
If you got here via a search engine, then they aren't up-to-date. Email them and tell them, maybe they'll fix it. Meanwhile, go to the front entrance and follow links from there.
Or, if you're just lost, jump on to Diana the Valkyrie's Magic Carpet
If you came here following a link from a search engine to a NewsThumbs page, so you should go have a look at http://www.TheValkyrie.com/news/newsthumb/index.htm
If you're trying to access NewsThumbs then that link might help.
Possibly you're just experimenting, hoping to find something. Good luck!
You came here from:
If you quote the address above (if there is one), it will help me trace the problem.
If you followed a link on someone else's web site, and got here, then they're linked to a page that has been moved or no longer exists. Email them. Chances are, the page has just been moved. Go to the front entrance and start following links.
If you do email me, make sure your return email address works, otherwise you might never hear back from me! About 0.2% of the emails I get, have a return address that simply does not work, and then I have no way to contact the person.


text:
- Tea Pouches
- Loose Tea
- Iced Tea
- Teaware
- Gifts
- Sale
- Why Mighty Leaf?
Organic Earl Grey
Organic Earl Grey black tea is made of rich organically grown black tea leaves and golden buds with a twist of citrusy organic bergamot. Mighty Leaf perfects the classic flavored tea with an elegant, balanced and full flavored cup and organic tea leaves. Earl Grey himself would be proud - especially drinking this blend in our silken tea pouch, our take on the gourmet tea bag.
Ingredients: Organic Earl Grey:
Organic black tea, bergamot.
Gold tips of black tea leaf
Clean, citrusy bouquet
Reddish-brown liquor
An elegant balanced yet lively body and citrus notes
Preparing the perfect cup of tea is a process to be savored. Watch how the traditional elements harmoniously come together to make the perfect cup and enjoy the liberation of pure tea goodness.
This is what we call the Mighty Leaf signature multi-sensory ("sensory melange") tea experience. Come share with us and learn how to get infused.
The quality of tea is affected by the quality of water used to prepare it. Using filtered or bottled water is best. If possible, avoid brewing tea with tap, distilled or mineral water. Never over-boil water, as it results in flat-tasting tea.
1) Heat filtered or bottled water to a rolling boil or to 205 F. 2) While the water is heating pour hot water into your teapot and cups, let sit and then drain completely. A warm teapot will maintain the requisite temperature for superior tasting tea.
Whole Leaf Tea
Slowly open up our specially created, sensually handcrafted tea pouch and enjoy the aroma of fresh whole tea leaves. Use one Mighty Leaf tea pouch per cup.
Infusion Time
Pour water over tea pouch. Time steeping carefully and infuse for 3 - 5 minutes. Watch how the leaves within the pouch have room to gracefully unfurl in your cup, creating a rich and flavorful infusion and a superior tasting tea.
Savor the Leaf
Sip your cup and rediscover the pleasure of the way tea was naturally meant to be. This is the magic of Mighty Leaf.
Health Benefits
Black tea
Black tea contains an abundant source of natural plant-derived antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that may aid in fighting harmful free radicals. Research shows that these free radicals can cause heart disease, cancer and increase the risk of strokes. Drinking black tea with its high antioxidant levels may help protect the body by counteracting harmful free radical activity.
Further health benefits of black tea may include lowering cholesterol, strengthening the immune system, promoting healthy blood vessel functionality and even protecting teeth and bones. In addition, black tea provides a source of nutrients including magnesium, Manganese, potassium, calcium, and the vitamins C and K all in trace amounts.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Named after the southern Italian city of Bergamot where first cultivated, the Bergamot tree produces a small round yellow citrus fruit when ripe. Extracted from the peel by cold pressing, Bergamot oil boasts a light and refreshing, spicy citrus scent.
It's known to aid digestion and relax the nervous system. With its antiseptic properties, it's also used to treat skin infections such as acne and eczema. For many years, people have used Bergamot to remedy fevers, including malaria and urinary tract infections.
A versatile tea, Organic Earl Grey, can be drunk in the afternoon, with dinner or as an iced tea. Try pairing with spicy and nutty foods. Makes an excellent accommodation with strong cheeses, fish, meat or game.
Subscribe and save 5% with Regular Tea Rituals, our Auto-Delivery Program. Details


text:
Your Questions Answered
with NAIS and Contact Centre staff
During our engagement sessions for soft skills training, we asked you to let us know if you had any questions about Customer First and how it would affect you. As we received over 300 questions, many of which raised similar issues, we have grouped the answers into themes. Although we have not answered each question individually, we have endeavoured to cover ALL the issues you raised.
About Customer First
What is Customer First? How does it link to wider Council objectives?
Customer First puts customers at the heart of everything we do across the whole Council. It will build on all the good customer service that already exists and ensure that is achieved across all Council services. There are also things we can improve on. For example, sometimes today the more vulnerable and disadvantaged people who most need a service find it hardest to access what they want. Today there are inconsistencies in response times, quality standards and data.
Customer First has identified 8 key outcomes which link directly to the Council's strategic objectives:
· Simple and convenient access to all services across a choice of methods
· More transactions completed at the first point of contact
· Being able to follow a transaction through from the point of contact to delivery, so that performance is visible to staff,members and customers.
· Consistent and improved standards of customerhandling
· Customers dealt with by proactive, knowledgeable customer focused staff, empowered to put the customer first
· Increased use of knowledge of customers to ensure services meet their needs and outcomes that resolve the root causes of customer complaints
· Greater awareness of the Council's services
· Increased customer and staff satisfaction
Between 2009 and 2012, Customer First will deliver:
· A single, joined-up approach across all Councilservices
· A brand new user-friendly web site which can be personalised by customers
· ONE telephone number, postal and email address to access all council services
· Modern, welcoming face-to-face facilities across the city providing a wider range of services
· Appointment booking to see advisors
· The ability to track an enquiry right through todelivery
The changes that will happen to support this are:
· A common approach to customer service across theCouncil
· Creation of a new Customer Services Organisation bringing together staff from across the Council with customer handlingexpertise
· The majority of customer calls routed through tothe Contact Centre
· Staff with the right level of knowledge and skill matched to each customer's enquiry
· A single customer database for use across the Council – one record per customer
· Streamlined systems and processes to make transactions quicker and easier
· Access to detailed information about customer needs and preferences to help plan services and get it right first time
What will happen when?
The changes we will see in 2009 are:
April – July:
· All staff in the Neighbourhood Offices and Contact Centre trained in customer service skills
· New appointment booking system for Neighbourhood Offices
· Benefits applications completed by phone
· Increased opening hours for some services at the Contact Centre.
August – December:
· Launch of the new website and personal account for customers
· New CRM database launched for Roll-out 1 Service Areas and Neighbourhood Offices
· All calls to Neighbourhood Offices transferred to the Contact Centre
· Refurbishment of Neighbourhood Offices begins
· Access to in-depth customer knowledge to drive strategic and service planning
The table below shows which service area will be included ineach rollout.
Roll Out 1 Aug 2009 Roll Out 2 Quarter 1 2010 Roll Out 3 Quarter 3 2010 Roll Out 4 Quarter 2 2011 Roll Out 5 Quarter 1 2012
NAIS Benefits Council Tax Housing Repairs Private Sector Housing Household Waste Management Recycling Street Cleaning BASBU Recruitment EDT OOHC Switchboard Highways Highways – Parking Planning Sport & Leisure Commercial Waste Management Parks Public Health Constituency Engineers Elections Older Adults Learning Disabilities Mental Health Occupational Therapy Physical Disabilities Domestic Management Meals Direct Adult Education Inclusion Services Transforming Education Specialist Services Registrars Bereavement Services Housing Rents Housing Needs Housing Allocations Housing Regeneration Estate Management Community Safety Ward Support Central Payment & Pensions, Sundry Debtors Cashiers Play & Development Central Library Library Services Museums & Heritage Licensing Markets Business Rates Building Consultancy Civic Catering
When it is time for a service to be involved in the CustomerFirst implementation, a Change Champion will be appointed to represent theservice within the Customer First programme team. They will work with people across the service area to build the detailed design and implementation plans for that service, as well asassessing business impacts.
When will the first Customer Service Centre open?
The full business case for the first Customer Service Centrein Newtown is going to Members in June. A decision will then be made on the planned opening date.
How has feedback from customers informed this decision?
Feedback from customers has played an important part in the development of Customer First and will continue to inform our ongoing customer service delivery.
We carried out specific work with customers in the early stages of the programme. Five thousand people were surveyed about customer service and this helped shape our priorities and design. We then ran focus groups with customers to test our proposals.
We have held a number of "user labs" where customers havetested our developing web design. This has included stringent accessibility testing to ensure that the majority of users, including those with disabilities, are able to use self-service if they choose to do so. We carried out consultation with the public about the designs for the new Newtown Customer Service Centre, showing them what we were thinking of doing in order to get their feedback.
On an ongoing basis, we run a variety of customer satisfaction surveys ranging from specific surveys for individual service areasto more general surveys across the council as a whole. For example, the PLACE survey(replacing MORI), runs every 2 years to measure percentage of customer satisfaction with the council overall, and the LAA Be Birmingham Strategic Partnership survey runs on an annual basis. In addition this is supported by a monthly mystery shopping exercise conducted by an independent market research agency.
Is this an appropriate model for BCC?
Customer First is about improving the way that customers are able to access Council Services, providing choice and convenience.
At an early stage we researched a number of other big cities - Chicago, New York and Barcelona - who have implemented similar changes. Their local authorities have all introduced elements of what we are planning to do with great success.
Our research with customers has also shown that they would welcome the changes.
How is Customer First being funded and how much does itcost? Is the money coming from staff cuts? Couldn't the money have been better spent on front line services?
As part of the Customer First transformation programme, the Council is putting in place a revised operating model, with the aim of significantly improving customer service levels. To achieve the council's objectives for improving customer satisfaction and to help achieve itsefficiency targets, the Customer First programme needs to be affordable. This means that the costs of the programme need to balance with its financial benefits.
The Cabinet Procurement Committee agreed a full business case which is reviewed at key milestones during the life of the programme. The costs have been estimated at £175million over 10 years. The projected benefits to be realised from the programme are £321 million over 10years, of which £197.4 million is cashable.
The programme will help the council to improve its efficiency in both the new Customer Services organisation and in service areas.This will lead to budget adjustments. If, as a result of the changes, any staff are displaced they will be supported through the council's In Source facility. All staff will be kept informed and will be consulted throughout the change process as it evolves.
Is this just another initiative which will never come to fruition? What happens if it doesn't work?
There is an absolute commitment from the most senior levels of the Council to ensure that we transform our customer services. We are already well on the way to delivering new ways of working which will deliver significant benefits for our customers, staff and for Birmingham as a whole.
We will constantly review and monitor progress and continuously improve and adapt our delivery. There will be clear performance indicators and service level agreements which will help us to see whether we are on track.
What if things go wrong? What contingency plans are there and how will we maintain data security?
There are business continuity processes to ensure that customer services will still function in the event of a major systems failure. Naturally we want to avoid this as far as possible and are implementing a solution that means that the computing infrastructure will be split across two sites so that if a computer on one site fails, we can switch to another. There is also a robust testing phase to each transformation programme.
All the data is stored in an encrypted format on highly secure servers. Access to the data is also tightly controlled by security levels built in to the system. The Council also has strict governance procedures for data access and security which are regularly scrutinised by the Government's Information Commissioner.
How Will Customer Services Be Delivered in the Future?
Are we moving away from a face to face service?
The Council is committed to providing a face to face service. That is why we are investing in modern, state of the art Customer Service Centres across the city. One of our key objectives is to ensure simple and convenient access to all council services across a choice of methods. However, many services can be more quickly and efficiently delivered electronically or over the phone. This means that we can dedicate our face to face delivery to those customers who most need it.
How will greater use of web and telephone be better for customers, particularly the vulnerable?
The Customer First design principles and strategic outcomes focus on maximising access to all services according to customer need. By encouraging channel shift for customers who are able to use Self-Service or Contact Centre channels, we are freeing up Neighbourhood Office/Customer Service Centre advisors to dedicate their time to the customers who really need their attention.
Customers will be encouraged to use the Self-Service channel for information purposes and for performing simple transactions. Self-Service will offer customers a fast and effective way ofinteracting with the council for appropriate services. Floor walkers in the Customer ServiceCentre will be available to support people who want to give self-service a go.Customers will still be able to use other channels for these services if they prefer.
We have done a full equalities impact needs assessment across all channels to ensure that we are not disadvantaging any section of the population.
How will everyone involved in Customer First - NeighbourhoodOffices, the Contact Centre, Service Areas - work together to ensure a seamless service?
Customer First will, for the first time, bring together all 3 channels - web, phone and face to face. This means that customers - and service areas - only need to tell us information once and we can assess impact across every channel. We are also creating service management which will introduce much tighter procedures around forecasting and change control. We will be introducing a continuous improvement procedure - asking people on the front line to give us feedback about what is working and what isn't. And we will be answering more at first point of contact - constantly developing our knowledge base will give front line staff the information they need to meet those targets. Neighbourhood Offices and the Contact Centre will be using the same system for recording information from customers so that should ensure a seamless service in this respect. Detailed discussions are ongoing between service areas and Customer First about how service delivery and customer handling will work together inthe future.
The Contact Centre will receive the same Customer First skills training as Neighbourhood Office staff to ensure that the level of customer service is consistent between Neighbourhood Offices and the Contact Centre. Regular quality checks will also be undertaken in the Contact Centre to ensure that the quality of the service meets BCC requirements. The Key Performance Indicators and Performance Indicators within the contract with Vertex contain a number of quality measures that Vertex has to achieve on a monthly basis. BCC also employs an independent market research agency to conduct a mystery shopping exercise each month which tests the level of service that the Contact Centre provides across all services using scenarios agreed with the service areas.
What is being done to ensure that service delivery meets the expectations raised by Customer First?
One of our key strategic outcomes is to ensure that transactions can be followed through from the point of contact to delivery and that performance is visible to staff, members and customers.
A service ticket will be raised for each transaction and kept live throughout an enquiry so that we can see its status. We will also be able to monitor performance by constituency, by service area etc. This is one of the key ways we expect to drive service improvement. The evidence from Chicago and New York is that this approach has resulted in a major improvement in tackling the root causes of problems.
All service areas have been involved in the design of Customer First. We are now setting up service level agreements (SLAs) which outline the commitment as to who will do what within what timescales. In addition, because we will all be using the same system, there will be better visibility through reporting - ie it will be possible to see which services are meeting their SLAs or not to take swift action.
What other services might we provide?
We are currently developing technology to support SMS text messaging and hope to go live with this in the near future. We will also continue to provide home visits for those customers who need them.
What consultation has been / will be done with front line staff about what will and won't work?
We have involved staff throughout the process so far and will continue to do so.
A range of staff have been involved in different aspects of the design process as it has evolved from the start, including service reviews, physical logical design workshops, workshops on roles and visits to other councils. The Service Change Lead was appointed to work closely on all the detail involved in the design of all processes and procedures.
All Neighbourhood Office staff were invited to the Showcase where there was an opportunity to ask questions and make comments which we havetaken into consideration as we develop the design further. Staff will also participate in change impact workshops to provide feedback on the detailed implications of the implementation.
We are currently piloting the appointment system with the Contact Centre and the Erdington, Saltley, Sparkbrook and Northfield Neighbourhood Offices and are about to start a pilot of E-Benefits inBirchfield and Yardley Wood. The feedback from these pilots will help usdevelop systems and processes.
There has also been extensive engagement regarding the look and feel of the offices.
Contact Centre Advisers have been commenting on the look andfeel of the new system and this is being taken into account as we develop it further.
Staff from the Neighbourhood Offices are well represented onthe programme including testing and the change team.
As part of the continuous improvement process we will ask staff for feedback about what is and is not working in order to adapt and improve our systems and processes going forward.
How will the appointment system work?
The Contact Centre is already successfully making appointments on behalf of Erdington and Saltley Neighbourhood Offices as part of a pilot that was launched in March 2008. More recently this was extended to Northfield and Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Offices in August 2008. Advice has been provided by the Neighbourhood Offices as to the correct amount of time to be allocated to each type of appointment. As part of the pilot, staff evaluation questionnaires are being completed following appointments; this enables Neighbourhood Office staff to provide feedback to the Contact Centre regarding the amount of time allocated to appointments, and to determine whether adjustments need to be made. Lessons learned from this pilot will be applied to Customer First.
The appointment system will be based on CRM. It is a calendar that managers can enter details of available appointment slots and available advisors. Skills can be stored against the advisor to help identify a suitable person. These appointment scan then be made available for bookings by the contact centre and the face to face advisors.
Customers will be able to ring the Contact Centre, where a Customer Services Advisor (CSA) will diagnose and determine the most appropriate way to meet the customer's needs. This may be by offering 1st Response advice themselves, by transferring the call to a 2nd response team, e.g. Revenues/ Benefits or by making an appointment in a Neighbourhood Office/Customer Service Centre. Upon arrival at the office, the customer may wish to use the self service check in facility, operating from a kiosk and thus avoiding the need to wait at reception. The CRM system will ensure that the arrival of the customer will be displayed on the advisor's computer screen in readiness for the forthcoming interview.
Not all appointments will be pre – booked by telephone, customers will also be able to make an appointment in person if required.
Guidelines and training will be given to the CSA in the Contact Centre to ensure that appointments are made for the correct length of time, taking into account any special requirements. The quality of this activity will be monitored.
How will the single number work?
The single number will be introduced as part of Rollout 2, replacing 450 telephone numbers currently in use. The single number will help customers who don't know how to contact the Council or who have a simple enquiry. By using the single number the first response team should be able to deal with their call.
Initially, calls to existing numbers will be diverted into first response and we will monitor usage before phasing these numbers out gradually.
We will still have separate numbers direct to second response teams in service areas. Where customers already have a relationship with a specific team or individual they will be able to call direct.
It is likely that the single number will be an 0121 number. For certain transactions that require a long telephone call (e.g. Benefits applications), it is likely that we will offer customers the option to book a call back appointment. The exact services that this will apply to are currently being defined. Any calls to the Contact Centre will be at a local rate for people calling from within the city.
What are the plans for extended opening hours?
There are no plans to extend opening hours in Neighbourhood Offices, but the Customer Services Centre will have longer opening hours. It is not envisaged that this will include Saturdays or after 5.15pm in the evenings.
For Rollout 1 the opening hours in the Contact Centre will be 8am until 8pm, with a 24 hour service for Housing Repairs and the Emergency Duty Team. For Rollout 2 the Contact Centre will be open 24 / 7 for a wider range of services.
What services will be available at a Customer Service Centre?
The first Customer Service Centre in Newtown will deliver the same services as the current Neighbourhood Offices.
As we introduce new Customer Service Centres we will take into account the different customer profile and needs in each area. There is potential for other services to be delivered but this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
How will performance be measured and communicated? What targets will be set?
The key measures and targets for Customer First are:
· Increase our customer's overall satisfaction with all Birmingham City Council services from 59% to 85%
· Resolve 80% of enquiries at the initial point ofcontact
· Increase proportion of online transactions from 6% to 35%
· 100% of service requests capable of being tracked by customers, officers and members
· All customer services staff to be (Institute of Customer Services) ICS qualified
· Reduce customer contact volumes through tackling root causes
The Contact Centre will receive the same Customer First skills training as Neighbourhood Office staff to ensure that the level of customer service is consistent between Neighbourhood Offices and the Contact Centre. Contact Centre Advisors are also regularly monitored to ensure that the quality of the service meets BCC requirements. The KPIs and PIs within the contract with Vertex contain a number of quality measures that Vertex has to achieve on a monthly basis. BCC also employs an independent market research agency to conduct a mystery shopping exercise each month which tests the level of service that the Contact Centre provides across all services in the Centre using scenarios agreed with the service areas.
The targets will be agreed across all the channels and communicated through line managers where they impact on individual staff.
Jobs and Pay
What will the future structure of Neighbourhood Offices be?
New Customer Service Centres will replace some existing Neighbourhood Offices. This will be decided on a case by case basis and will bein consultation with constituencies and Neighbourhood Office staff. There is no firm plan at present.
As we implement changes to services such as benefits and council tax and introduce the potential for customers to resolve more enquiries by phone or online, we will be monitoring the impact on demand in Neighbourhood Offices and reviewing the future operating model over the coming year.
Will there be any job losses as a result of Customer First? If so, how many and where?
The aim of the programme is to free up resources to improve the services we deliver.
In the first few years we are not planning job reductions but it is possible that staff may be asked to move to a different part of the Customer Services Organisation.
Over the longer term, we do anticipate a reduction in headcount. This is likely to follow the curve of channel shift – in other words, as more customers access services through the web or by phone we expect staffing levels to follow the same trend. However any reduction will be spread over a number of years and we anticipate that it will be absorbed through natural turnover of staff.
However it is possible that there may be a very limited number of employees who become displaced and, if this is the case, the City Council has a policy in respect to taking care of and supporting those individuals to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible. This support is provided through the In-Source team who will support staff in finding suitable alternative employment within BCC. At the moment there is no time limit on finding alternative employment, however if the policy were to change, then the Trade Unions would be consulted and staff informed.
Will we get a pay increase or have our jobs re-graded as aresult of the extra work and broader expertise required?
NAIS staff:
There are no current plans to change the grading of existing roles.
Vertex staff:
Where it is evidenced that extra work is created or broaderexpertise is required, that is where the profile of the role changes, then theCompany commits to utilising the pathways job evaluation tool to assess whetherthese changes would increase the grade of the role and therefore move it to ahigher rate of pay.
The pathways job evaluation process has been previouslyagreed as a fair tool by the CWU and any re-evaluation would be completed inconjunction with Union representatives.
Where job roles are changing, job descriptions and grades are yet to be agreed. Once they are, we will carry out appropriate consultation with those staff affected.
Will there be any parity of pay between BCC and Vertex?
NAIS staff:
This information is yet to be confirmed. However BCC employees who transfer over will do so on their existing salary.
Vertex staff:
Where it is deemed that profile of a role haschanged, then the role will be re-evaluated to assess whether a re-grade andtherefore change in rate of pay is necessary.
Where there it is deemed that the profile of the role hasnot changed, then the rate of pay and grade of that role will also remainunchanged.
Under employment law, when employees move from one employerto another, due to a decision made by the Companies to move that piece of work,then those original employees who carried out that work are entitled to movealso. They are entitled to move,or transfer to the second business, on the same terms and conditions that theyreceived with the first employer, and this includes their current rate of pay.
In summary therefore, Vertex will not be changing the rateof pay for any of its roles unless they have been re-graded.
What is the role of managers during these changes?
The role of managers is to provide support and communication to their staff.
We are currently finalising detailed communication plans to help support all staff through the transition. We will ensure that your managers have the information they need to support you.
Our intention is to provide detailed monthly briefings setting out what is happening, why, how and when. There will be an opportunity to discuss this with your manager and to provide feedback and questions. In addition we will provide written factsheets which set out how these changes will affect you.
We will also use the Updater newsletter to respond to your feedback and questions so that there is a regular flow of information.
There will also be a range of supporting material including newsletters and demonstrations of new systems and processes and we will regularly update the intranet with all of the information we have available.
Managers are also attending the soft skills training, including special sessions for those with staff responsibilities.
What will be done to improve morale?
One of our key targets is to be rated as one of the top 10 per cent of local authorities based on measurement of customer and staff satisfaction.
One of the key objectives of Customer First is to recognise customer service as a valued profession within the Council. That is why we are investing in training and support to boost the skills and capabilities of over 1,200 customer-facing staff and providing opportunities to gain industry recognised, Institute of Customer Services professional qualifications. We are also investing in modern, safe, efficient and professional working environments, reflecting the high standard of service we ask you to deliver.
What happens to our pensions if we transfer to the Contact Centre?
BCC employees who second over to the Contact Centre will remain in the Local Government Pension scheme. If employees TUPE transfer then Vertex has admitted body status with the LGPS and therefore your Pension can continue and entitlements remain the same.
Will we have to reapply for our jobs?
The detail of any changes to jobs is yet to be defined. If any changes were to occur, consultation would be carried out.
How are we supposed to deliver more but with fewer resources?
The Customer First model will help to ensure we organise our resources more efficiently, based on the complexity of tasks. By encouraging customers to access services in different ways and to use self-service where they are able, we will have greater capacity for staff to deal with complex enquiries and help those customers who really need our support.
How does Single Status affect Customer First?
The Customer First programme is not related to single status and will have no impact on single status decisions.
Will there be an opportunity for home working?
Home working may be an option and would be subject to management approval.
How will decisions be made about who is first and secondresponse?
This will depend on the nature of work which will transfer. We will work closely with the service area to identify the best approach.
What hours are we expected to work?
This depends on which channel an employee works in.
What will happen to job roles? Where will we be working? Who will we be working for - BCC or Vertex?
The Contact Centre is currently managed by Vertex. They employ their own staff to answer telephone enquiries on behalf of BCC for a number of service areas (for example Waste Management and Housing Repairs). For additional and new services transferring into the Contact Centre, the Customer First Programme will seek to second BCC employee resources into the Contact Centre in the first instance.
The new Customer Services organisation is a Birmingham City Council run service. The only time BCC employees may be employed by another organisation is if the service within which they currently work transfers to the Contact Centre (currently managed by Vertex). Staff will then be given the option to transfer to Vertex under a TUPE transfer or remain an employee of BCC and work for theContact Centre on a secondment agreement.
There may be a need in the future to move work location or jobs; standard BCC policy will apply in this case. All staff have a 'mobility clause' built into their contract which states that individuals may be moved to other locations throughout the City, following proper prior consultation. The terms and conditions of service allow for the payment of a disturbance allowance for a period of up to 4 years from the actual date of transfer to the new location. This payment is based upon the difference in cost from home to old location, and home to new location, using public transport rates. Once a claim has been approved this is paid monthly through salaries. If relocation is potentially a requirement then employees (as well as Trade Unions) will be fully consulted.
Is there a possibility of being employed direct for BCC and not through Vertex?
Any transfer of BCC services and staff will be to Vertex who currently manage the Contact Centre. Therefore there is no justification to transfer employees from Vertex to BCC.
I can't get a direct job with BCC yet work for Vertex. Why, if I have the skills and experience?
Individuals who do not work for BCC are eligible to apply for jobs once internal recruitment has been exhausted and job adverts are placed externally in the Forward paper or on BCC Website.
How will staff performance be recognised?
BCC will have performance recognised with the introduction of the new PDR process.
'The Birmingham Way' will also help us to identify, develop, recognise and reward employees' excellent practice and commitment to achieving the Council's key priorities. More details can be obtained via the link: http://transformationinline.birmingham.gov.uk/content/blogcategory/177/234/
Who will be included in the soft skills training?
Both Neighbourhood Office Staff and Contact Centre Staff including the repairs and emergency duty team will be the initial focus of soft skills training during Rollout 1. The rationale behind this is that these members of staff have most daily contact with Birmingham City Council customers.
The training needs analysis exercise conducted with Neighbourhood Office staff and Contact Centre staff identified a lack of understanding of the challenges faced by each of the groups. The sharing of experience, issues and opportunities will encourage healthy working between the teams. Evaluation from both the Contact Centre and Neighbourhood Office staff has highlighted that this is seen as a very positive move.
A small number of staff from early transition services, i.e. services from Rollout 2 may also attend the training as their services are moved into Rollout 1.
If we can't attend our allocated training days will we be trained on another day?
Training for Neighbourhood Offices will be scheduled byMargaret Parker and Joanne Meaden from the NOSSU training team. Margaret and Joanne will work with managers to ensure the spread of staff attending the training does not impact unduly on the day to day running of individual Neighbourhood Offices. Poonam Mistry is undertaking a similar process for the Contact Centre.
Will we be assessed after the training? How will we measure what impact it has had?
Customer First plans to build in a series of mechanisms that will monitor the impact of CRM training. This has been done throughout delivery of soft skills training. The mechanisms will be used to help the team continually improve the training delivered.
Team Leaders and Managers will help to embed the concepts covered in the training and will look to develop continuous improvement in the way services are delivered to Customers.
Future customer satisfaction surveys and our mystery shopper surveys will help to measure and monitor improvements.
How much training will we get on each service?
The Customer First Training team are planning to provide the Neighbourhood Office network and Contact Centre with three days training on how to operate the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems. Further training may be provided by other specialist services on linkages with existing legacy systems that will interface with the new CRM system. The Customer First Training team are currently in discussion with service area specialists to determine an achievable plan. Other support mechanisms willbe introduced, such as floor walkers etc., during the implementation stage.
What additional training and support will we get to ensure Customer First is a success?
Training needs analysis is an integral part of training development and will be conducted prior to each rollout phase. The training team are monitoring the effectiveness of the training so that continuous improvements can be made to materials as appropriate.
During the engagement session the trainers asked individuals to identify what they can do to help deliver the eight key outcomes of the Customer First programme. The purpose of this session was to help individuals explore how they could make a difference. Managers will also be meeting with their team to discuss how their teamas a whole can make a difference.
We recognise that there is a need to ensure that the right tools and support are available to staff to help them deliver Customer First, particularly during the implementation stage when we will, for example, have floor walkers available to provide face-to-face guidance.
Will the trainers learn our services and is all of the training necessary?
A number of staff with detailed knowledge of NAIS are now working on the programme (Karen James, Julie Boughton, Julie Homer, CliveTrafford, Nina Randhawa etc). Their focus is to make sure processes will work in practice and they are involving staff in the development of new systems and processes. Karen James is organising a number of follow-up engagement sessions for Neighbourhood Offices that will enable staff to have input. Tracey Gordon is doing the same for the Contact Centre. The team is working closely with the trainers to ensure that training reflects the needs of Neighbourhood Office and Contact Centre staff.
During the training needs analysis it was clear that staff had a range of existing Customer Service skills. Some members of staff had many years of experience and it became clear that an approach that encompassed the sharing of best practice would be welcomed. An initial selection of training organisations was made. Staff from the Contact Centre and Neighbourhood Office volunteered to take part in a mini training session that would evaluate the respective training organisations. This approach gained a unanimous agreement to appoint the current training Company"Steps".
When will the new training plan be ready?
A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) exercise was conducted before training design began to establish exact requirements. As a result, soft skills training was developed to help share good practice throughout the customer service teams within the Contact Centre and Neighbourhood Offices. Training on the new CRM system will also be provided to ensure that staff develop the skills required to operate the CRM systems effectively. We are currently working with Neighbourhood Offices and the Contact Centre to determine the best timing for training delivery as we are aware there are many competing demands on staff time.
Why is so much importance being attached to ICS? How is it being supported?


text:
Park Ridge app: The doctor is in
Published: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.
Park Ridge Health is taking a step forward in technology in an effort to make health care information more accessible for patients.
A new smart phone app has been developed for both iPhones and Droid operating systems called myPRH. The app is a convenience that Park Ridge hopes its customers will find beneficial.
The app will include a physicians' directory, up-to-date emergency room wait times, health tips and a "call us" button, which links customers to the onsite call center at Park Ridge.
"It's customizable to the person using it," said Jennifer Robert, eStrategies manager at Park Ridge.
The app, developed by Asheville-based Top Floor Studio, allows the client to search more than 120 physicians by name or specialty. Once the doctor has been located, a direct call can be made to the doctor's offices.
"It's pretty intuitive for an app," Online Communication Manager Lance Mericle said.
The app, which Park Ridge has been working on since last fall, can be purchased in the app store of whatever phone operating system you use. The app is always up-to-date on its information, Roberts said.
When new providers are added or changes have been made, the phone user will receive an alert. Customers can bookmark providers for easy access as well. The app can be shared through text, Facebook or Twitter.
It's designed with easy navigation from each tool within, Roberts said. It's the first app of its kind in the area, she added.
"We thought it would be a great sister addition to myPRH.com, so you can get it on the go," she said. "It gives customers easy access to complete info about all our providers. They're one touch away from making a phone call to those providers."
Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


text:
The nearly week long shutdown of some government services has not had an impact on the federally funded program that provides things like milk, cheese and juice for a large number of qualifying residents.
WIC, as it is commonly referred to, is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture. The program on a federal level was suspended during the partial government shutdown.
But according to staff with the WIC program, because the funding comes from the USDA to the state, they still have the funding needed to operate for the time being. The state is expected to release additional information on the funding situation by the end of the month.
The partial shutdown has also not slowed down the process of visas and passports. The Camden County Commission office, the local entity that handles passport applications, is running on a business as usual schedule. The federal government has not put a stop on visa and passport applications because there are fees associated with obtaining the documents.
The county continues to process passports. The cost is $135 for normal processing; $175 for expedited.
The county has processed 519 in 2013. In 2012, the county processed 522.
What is WIC?
WIC is a special supplemental food program for women, infants and children funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The program provides nutritious foods and nutrition education to eligible participants.
WIC strives to improve the health of participants by providing the following benefits:
• Coupons for Nutritious Foods
• Nutrition Education and Counseling
• Links to other Health and Social Service Agencies
Am I eligible?
WIC is offered to persons who meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Pregnant Women
• Postpartum Women (up to 6 months after delivery)
• Breastfeeding Women (up to 12 months after delivery)
• Infants
• Children up to 5 years
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Science writer Eugene Linden SAYS there's still time to "temper the coming catastrophe" resulting from climate change:
To paraphrase Hemingway, climate change first comes gradually and then all at once. Now that the negative impacts of changing climate have become undeniable, there is also a dawning realization that�at this point�climate change is unstoppable. This puts into wistful perspective the developing consensus that we should do something about it.
The most unsettling thing about the accelerating pace of extreme weather events is that they may signal that even as the momentum in the rise of CO2 makes it difficult to ...
Read more