text:
(ANTIMEDIA) — In an age of technology and constant immersion in the digital sphere, a new initiative in Shetland, Scotland is encouraging individuals suffering from chronic illness to spend more time in nature.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has teamed up with the National Health Service in Shetland to promote "Nature Prescriptions." Doctors in the region can now officially prescribe "nature" to their patients.
According to a statement from the RSPB:
"From reducing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress levels, rates of aggression, obesity. It can be used when treating Type II diabetes or depression or when recovering from operations, and it has been proven over and over again to provide relief from anxiety. Plus it's free and easily accessible to all. It makes complete sense to work with the medical profession to connect people with nature."
For example, a 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science found that "people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural area, as opposed to participants who walked in a high-traffic urban setting, showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression," Stanford News reported at the time.
The goal is to reconnect people with the outdoors, the organization says. "We wanted to develop something that gently reminded people that they are part of the natural world and that invites them to go out and seek a personal connection," the statement explains.
The group has produced a leaflet, as well as a calendar of seasonal activities. The program, launched earlier this month, has drawn support from the medical community.
"I want to take part because the project provides a structured way for patients to access nature as part of a non-drug approach to health problems. The benefits to patients are that it is free, easily accessible, allows increased connection with surroundings which hopefully leads to improved physical and mental health for individuals," said Dr. Chloe Evans, a general practitioner at Scalloway Health Centre.
The goal of the initiative is to help people connect with nature due to its benefits on overall health but also to encourage more physical activity.
As the RSPB explained:
"The benefits of physical activity are well documented, with regular physical activity reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes, diabetes, cancers, depression, anxiety and sleep problems.
"There is now a body of evidence that people with a stronger connection to nature experience more life satisfaction, positive affect and vitality at levels associated with established predictors of satisfaction, such as personal income.
"It's widely understood that connections to nature come from more than physical activity or exercise in the outdoors alone and that's the crux of the project."
Creative Commons / Anti-Media / Report a typo
Since you're here…
…We have a small favor to ask. Fewer and fewer people are seeing Anti-Media articles as social media sites crack down on us, and advertising revenues across the board are quickly declining. However, unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall because we value open and accessible journalism over profit — but at this point, we're barely even breaking even. Hopefully, you can see why we need to ask for your help. Anti-Media's independent journalism and analysis takes substantial time, resources, and effort to produce, but we do it because we believe in our message and hope you do, too.
If everyone who reads our reporting and finds value in it helps fund it, our future can be much more secure. For as little as $1 and a minute of your time, you can support Anti-Media. Thank you. Click here to support us


text:
Source and References
U.S. Census Bureau
You May Be Interested In
Related Topics
American FactFinder (AFF)
This interactive application provides statistics about the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.
Around the Bureau
U.S. Census Bureau Profile America
Profile America is a daily, 60-second feature that uses interesting vignettes for that day to highlight information collected by the Census Bureau.
Most Popular
Public Sector
The U.S. Census Bureau provides data for the Federal, state and local governments as well as voting, redistricting, apportionment and congressional affairs.
By selecting this link you will leave www.census.gov. Please check the Privacy Policy of the site you are visiting.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Nuclear safety directive
Directive 2009/71/EURATOM establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations and its amendment, Directive 2014/87/Euratom
Worldwide, the nuclear safety of nuclear installations is governed by national legislation and the international conventions. Within the EU, this is being supplemented by an EU Directive. The Directive 2009/71/EURATOM establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations, adopted by the Council of the European Union on 25 June 2009, provides binding legal force to the main international nuclear safety principles. The content of the Directive takes into account expert input from ENSREG as well as the Euratom Scientific Expert Group that advises the European Commission.
The objective of the Directive is to maintain and promote the continuous improvement of nuclear safety. Member States shall provide for appropriate national arrangements for a high level of nuclear safety to protect workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation from nuclear installations.
The Directive comprises provisions relating to the establishment of a national legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear safety of nuclear installations, to the organisation, duties and responsibilities of the competent regulatory authorities, to the obligations of the licence holders, to the education and training of all parties' staff, and to the provision of information to the public. In terms of the organisation of the competent regulatory authorities, it constitutes the separation principle which indicates that the competent regulatory authorities must be functionally separate from any other body or organisation concerned with the promotion or utilisation of nuclear energy. In addition, Member States shall arrange at least every ten years for periodic self-assessments of their national framework and competent regulatory authorities and invite an international peer review of relevant segments of their national framework and/or authorities. Outcomes of any peer review shall be reported to the Member States and the Commission.
This Directive entered into force on 22 July 2009 and all EU Member States should have brought into force their laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with it by 22 July 2011. Member States' first reports on the implementation of the Directive shall be submitted to the Commission by 22 July 2014.
ENSREG has elaborated guidelines regarding Member States reports as required under Article 9.1. of Council Directive 2009/71/Euratom of 25 June 2009 establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations.
Following the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011, the European Council called on the Commission to review the existing legal and regulatory framework for the safety of nuclear installations and propose any improvements that may be necessary.
In 2013, following a request by the European Commission, ENSREG set up an ad hoc working group to examine the European Commission proposal of a revised Nuclear Safety Directive and to establish an ENSREG summary position.
Based on the work of this ad hoc working group, ENSREG adopted in 2013 alltogether four documents:
- A Summary Report of the work performed by the ad-hoc working group, accompanied by
- An attachment on 12 ENSREG principles
- A document on Technical Input to a Revised Nuclear Safety Directive, as well as
- An Explanatory Note
In July 2014, an amendment to the 2009 Nuclear Safety Directive was adopted. The amending Directive 2014/87/Euratom takes account of a review of the EU framework on nuclear safety in the light of the Fukushima accident in 2011 and the findings of the EU stess tests exercise. A consolidated version of the Amended Nuclear Safety Directive has been published.
The amended Directive, which came into force in August 2014 and which has to be transposed into Member States' legislation by 2017, reinforces the provisions of the existing Directive, such as:
- strengthening the role and independence of the national regulatory authority
- introducing a high-level EU-wide nuclear safety objective, emphasising accident prevention and the avoidance of significant radioactive releases
- setting up a European system of regular topical peer reviews
- increasing transparency on nuclear safety matters (information and cooperation obligations and involvement of the public)
- providing for regular safety reassessments of nuclear installations
- enhancing accident management and on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements and procedures
- promoting nuclear safety culture in the workplace
More details of the amended Directive and the new provisions can be found here.


text:
Updike Reviews Delillo
John Updike on Don DeLillo's Post-Christian Search for Order
There are dead stars that still shine because their light is trapped in time. Where do I stand in this light, which does not strictly exist?
"In a land of chunky, garish, anxiousto-please books, Don DeLillo's thirteenth novel, Cosmopolis, is physically cool, as sleek and silver-touched and palely pure as a white stretch limo, which is in fact the action's main venue.
"DeLillo's post-Christian search for 'an order at some deep level' has brought him to global computerization: 'the zero-oneness of the world, the digital imperative that defined every breath of the planet's living billions.'
The limo, floored in Carrara marble, in its stop-and-go progress admits a coming and going of other passengers, including two advisers who advise Packer to bail out of the yen before he is ruined. Instead, the financier bails out of the limo for a number of quick trysts.
Read further @ Literary Hub


text:
Truck Accident Attorney in Venedy, IL
Call a Venedy, IL, truck accident lawyer at the Dixon Injury Firm if you've been in an accident.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Venedy, IL. At Dixon, our lawyers provide legal counsel to victims were injured or lost family in large truck accidents. The Dixon Injury Firm helps Venedy, IL, families win car or truck accidents and personal injury reimbursement lawsuits and insurers. If we don't win, you don't pay. The Dixon Injury Firm specializes in commercial and semi-truck accidents. It's our job at Dixon to assist Venedy victims with seasoned legal representation. You can contact our truck accident attorneys today for a case review and more information.
The Venedy truck accident attorneys are here to support car accident victims and their families in Missouri and Illinois who are in need of legal counsel. Here's a few tips victims in Venedy, IL, may need to know about truck accidents and winning a truck accident claim.
- According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, close to 50 percent of all injury claims were a result of traffic collisions.. 5 percent involve product liability, 15 percent medical malpractice, and the 28 percent remaniing "other."
- Loaded semi-trucks weigh more than 25 times than passenger cars, and take much longer to brake. According to the IIHS, about 4,000 people are killed each year because of commercial truck accidents. In semi-truck vs. car collisions, the fatality rate is more than 90 percent, while the driver's mortality rate is only 3 percent.
- On average, insurance companies pay out half of accident fees, according to the NHTSA. The amount of compensation you may be able to get depends on the claim. Usually, truck accident claims in Venedy consider pain and suffering, medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages and career opportunity, and others. Truck accident attorneys in Venedy can help you maximize your compensation. There are often multiple at-fault parties to seek compensation from.
- The average award for an injury claim is in the neighborhood $31,000. Product liability and medical malpractice claims are typically more expensive to defendants than car, truck, or other vehicle accidents. Commercial truck accidents, however, are often worth more than a million dollars. Approximately 4,000 people are killed in large truck accidents every year.
- An overwhelming percentage of commercial trucking accidents occur on major roads. One-third of deaths in 2016 happened on freeways and interstates, and only 7 percent (281 deaths) on minor roads.
- Receiving legal representation from the Dixon Injury Firm is as straightforward as calling the Venedy truck accident attorneys at (314) 409-7060. Dixon provides 24/7 service, no-hassle case reviews, and consultations. Check out Dixon's recent victories here.
Having settled over for clients, Dixon has become a leading truck accident attorney in Venedy, IL. It is essential for victims to contact Dixon now if you've been in a truck-related collision. The sooner you hire a Venedy truck accident lawyer, the quicker you can get the reward you deserve. The Dixon Injury firm is available 24/7 to Venedy clients.
Common Truck Accident Cases in Venedy, IL.
There are various types of truck accident cases that may happen in Venedy. According to the RMIIA, the compensation for these crashes varies based on precedents and the state the accident occured. There are hundreds of commercial truck wrecks each year in Missouri. It's crucial to contact a truck accident attorney in Venedy as soon as you're able to. You can find a list of common types of truck accident cases:
Dixon also handles several road construction accidents each year. On average, there are about 4,000 commercial truck fatalities per year, making up 10% of all auto-related fatalities. About 500,000 cyclists are injured with nearly 1,000 annual fatalities. According to HG, nearly three-fourths of motorcycle injuries involve other vehicles.
Compensation for Venedy Truck Accident Claims
The truck accident attorneys at Dixon have a single goal: To get you and your family the reimbursement you deserve. The truck accident attorneys help you figure out how much your Venedy truck accident claim is worth. There are many reasons that affect the amount of reimbursement you can win for a Venedy, IL, truck accident. These include:
- Ambulance Fees
- Funeral Costs
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Household/Vehicle Modifications
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Career Potential
- Reduced Earning Capacity
- Loss of Consortium
- Punitive Damages
- Wrongful Deaths
- Court Fees
It's important to bring awareness to the fact that insurers or judges will account for your current and future expenses. A fracture may turn into a much larger concern down the road, which is exactly why it is important to contact a truck accident attorney right away.
How to Win a Truck Accident Claim in Venedy, IL
Chris Dixon is a well-reviewed Venedy truck accident lawyer. He and his firm has built its reputation on results. Check out recent cases here. Bike, pedestrian, car, and truck accident victims can expect professional legal counsel from the Dixon Injury Firm. The Dixon Injury Firm fights to win.
You can find a few more things to know about Venedy truck accident cases:
- How much does it cost to pursue a truck accident case? Dixon offers free legal representation to Venedy truck accident victims. There's no initial cost for potential clients. If you win the case, legal fees will be paid based on a percentage of the settlement.
- What is the payout if I win a claim? Your accident lawyer will most likely tell you this number varies dramatically. Comparative fault is a factor, as well as the the sum of any medical bills, lifestyle changes, lost wages, and other expenses. Your Venedy truck accident attorney works to maximize the settlement you deserve.
- How long does it take to win a claim? This also depends on a number of factors. The quicker you begin the process by contacting a truck accident attorney, the faster you can reach a settlement. The majority of cases are settled out of court, but anything that goes to trial may take longer.
- How do I begin a traffic crash claim? It is simple: Contact a truck accident attorney in Venedy, IL, today at (314) 409-7060 for a free case review and consultation. You have nothing to lose. Dixon's truck accident lawyers are here to help.
Call Your Venedy, IL Truck Accident Attorney Today
Since there are tens of thousands of truck crashes each year, the odds of being in a truck-related crash aren't low. The Dixon Injury Firm proud to represent clients and their families in Venedy and throughout Illinois and Missouri. Contact us 24/7 at (314) 409-7060 for additional information about our services, a free case review, and consultation. Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Venedy, IL, look forward to hearing from you.
Comprehensive Legal Services
In addition to representing truck accident victims, the Dixon Injury Firm has experience in a number of other sorts of injury cases. We support Venedy victims with prompt, experienced legal counsel. The areas we cover include the following:
See below for a full list of our service areas near Venedy and throughout Illinois and Missouri. Contact us if you've been injured. We've also provided Frequently Asked Questions below to give you with additional info about truck accidents. Our Venedy, IL, Truck Accident Attorneys can help.


text:
Carlson Print Group (Eden Prairie, MN) is adding a Koenig & Bauer Rapida 105 PRO 41-inch six-color press to its 74,000-square-foot facility.
"We've developed a well-earned reputation in the industry to design and produce some of the coolest and most inventive work for our wide variety of nationwide clientele in the Fortune 100 to 500 list of businesses who want to stand out and are willing to invest in award-winning attention-grabbing projects," said Darren Carlson, CEO of Carlson Print Group. "Gaining the new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 105 PRO 41-inch six-color press this fall with all of its bells and whistles will provide our clients with bold, unique products and help us to increase our capacity as we continue to expand our business."
Carlson Print Group offers specialized print techniques to some of the most exclusive brands in the country. Its goal is to deliver added value to a client's brand and products with unique mediums in print that differentiate them in their market and above their competition. Carlson uses a wide array of specialty print and coatings techniques in this endeavor, such as its Cast n' Cure, lenticular, texture/soft-touch, motion coat, pearlescent, color foil, reticulating varnish, and Chrome FX.
Lately, its clients have been increasingly requesting the ability to involve the senses through eyesight and touch, which might involve special raised coatings.
Carlson chose the popular medium-sized Rapida 105 PRO – with a larger standard sheet format of 29 x 41 in and reaching speeds of 17,000 sph – to give it the ability to run these jobs faster through the plant.
With the ability to print on a variety of substrates, Carlson specified that the new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 105 PRO be equipped with LED-UV lamps.
"Our firm prides itself on being technically relevant with the latest trends, all in an effort to meet the demands of our customers," said Earl Guinter, Carlson's sales manager. "Having the press equipped with LED-UV lamps enables us to continue to use different substrates, such as plastics, that will provide amazing results and won't be prone to drying or distortion."
Carlson recently won two Gold Ink awards for its Marvel Universe Live Program and its annual calendar, which Carlson uses to showcase its specialized printing and finishing techniques.


text:
Dordogne River Valley
By bike through the gorgeous Périgord.
Today is all about rivers! Starting from Bergerac you cycle on small hidden roads through characteristic villages, forests and across vast fields, along the course of the river Dordogne. Although today's route is relatively hilly, a swim in Limeuil awaits you as a reward, at the confluence of the rivers Vézère and Dordogne!
The terrain today is again slightly hilly. Eyzies-de-Tayac is world capital of the prehistory. Keep your eyes peeled for the Neanderthals! Afterwards you cycle through cool valleys and along untouched rivers with ample trout in it. We recommend a visit to the Château de Commarque, before arriving in the medieval village Sarlat in the late afternoon.
Fabulous sights are on today's programme: Monfort and its palace and the fortifications of Domme, a medieval town located approx. 300 metres above the river! Please take your time to explore the little alleyways and little squares of Sarlat on foot.
Palaces in all varieties! We recommend you start early today, since there is so much to see! After leaving Sarlat you return to the Dordogne-valley at La Roque-Gageac. Here you are spoilt for choice: Beynac Palace, Castelnau Palace, Marqueyssac Palace, Fayrac Palace or maybe Les Milandes Palace? Afterwards you proceed to Siorac-en-Périgord or Belvès.
The fortress of Belvès has reached it to maintain its charm all over the years. Over all these years the fortifications have managed to keep its charm. You continue through untouched scenery and pretty villages until you reach Beaumont du Périgord, an English 'Bastide' of the 13th century, which is towered over by its mighty church. You cycle through the Couze-valley, overlooking the clear water, past numerous mills, all the way to 'Château de Bannes', state of the art medieval architecture and around the Château de Languais
Enjoy your final day and explore the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac by bike. Once you are past the hills, the magnificent Château de Monbazillac awaits you. Sample the world-famous 'Beerenauslese' and marvel at the fantastic view over Bergerac and the valley!
Tour character
You cycle mainly on quiet side roads. This cycling tour is moderate and perfectly suited for cyclists with a good basic fitness level.
Category A: 1x 5***** hotel, 4**** hotels, 1x 3*** hotel (French classification)
Category B: 2**- and 3*** hotels (French classification)
- Accommodation in your selected category
- Breakfast buffet or extended breakfast
- Welcome briefing (English)
- Luggage transfer between the hotels
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German with route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Rental of GPS-navigation device and GPS-data
- Service hotline
- Tourist tax
Optional extras:
- Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
- Transfer from Bergerac to Mouleydier, costs EUR 15 (Mon-Sat) and EUR 25 (Sun) per person excl. your bike (price incl. your bikes on request), reservation is necessary, payable in advance
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
- Bergerac train station
- Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse airport
Please note:
- Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!


text:
Free In-store Pickup Available
We love our customers! Please visit during normal business hours.
Love Child Style, 6444 S Mcclintock Dr, Tempe, Arizona 85283, United States
Trading Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday
10:30 am - 5:30pm
Sunday, Monday & Holidays - Trade Counter Closed
Copyright © 2019 Love Child Style Exchange - All Rights Reserved.


text:
Basilia® font family
Buy and Download the Basilia® Regular font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format..
Basilia Regular-a little old-fashioned, rich text font dignity. Signs Basilia Regular dumpy and proportionality similar to a square, rather boldly and italics. See the text he typed convenient due to the reputable gap, harmonious contrast strokes and pretty eye to detail. Designed primarily for Basilia Regular books and materials, which by the Artist is sure to add reliability, cultural gloss to set the font has to the power, quiet reading.
See the basic Basilia Regular font characters below. View more letters and options of the font.
font,fonts,download,opentype,true type,truetype,postscript,mac,pc,web font,webfont,web fonts,webfonts,typeface,1800s,19th century,Ads,Advertisment,Advertisments,anno 1800,British,CE,Celebration,Celebrations,Central European,certificate,Classic,Com,Contemporary,Elegant,English,Exquisite,f,family a,Fa


text:
There is a plethora of YouTube videos or blogs with cleaning 'hacks' that just don't work. While we've tested some for you, some don't even need testing to know they don't work. Here are some of our favourites…
It's autumn! Follow these 4 natural cleaning tips to prepare for winter
As the weather starts to cool, you'll want to take advantage of the last of the warm days and prepare your home for the winter ahead.
Clean your heat pump
You can pay someone to do this for you, or do it yourself. A clean heat pump works much more effectively, keeping you warmer and saving you power. Find the instructions and follow the manufacturer's instructions, but in general, there are two main things you can do. Clear away any cobwebs and debris from around the outdoor unit, and you can even give it a hose down if it's dusty. For the indoor unit, wash the filters, buy new ones if required, and use your vacuum attachments to gently give the entire unit a good dusting.
Clean bedding to remove musty smells
A few times a year, it's a good idea to give all your bedding a wash or thorough airing. Read the labels, but most duvets and pillows can be washed on a gentle cycle in your washing machine. Take advantage of the warm weather to dry them outside in the sun and you'll have healthy, fresh smelling bedding. You can even add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the wash- lavender to help you sleep, or lemongrass to help your bedding smell fresh for longer.
Remove mould from bathrooms
When winter hits, it can feel very counter-productive to open bathroom windows to dry out your home. This still must be done to maintain a clean, healthy bathroom, but you can prepare for winter. Kill existing mould and mildew before it has a chance to establish itself. Bleach may remove the surface mould, but it doesn't kill the entire plant, with its roots deep in your walls. Use our bathroom surface cleaner, which uses vinegar and lemon essential oil. It kills the entire plant including the roots so it doesn't reappear again.
Clean your makeup brushes
Unless you're one of those super amazing makeup people who seem to have their lives together, you probably haven't washed your makeup brushes in forever. You need to. They'll have all sorts of dust and dirt in them from your face (and could be a reason you are suffering breakouts). Warning: this is really gross.
Create a solution of a little dish soap and water, and you can even add a dash of white vinegar in there as it helps to disinfect. Wash your brushes thoroughly – this may take a number of loads of water- and then air dry in the sun. Try not to get the base of the bristles too wet as it may damage the glue.
For a natural dishwashing liquid, take advantage of potent essential oils
Whatever you use as a dishwashing liquid probably does double duty. Window washing, floor washing, in fact anything that needs grease break-down will often get a dash of dishwashing liquid. You need a product that cleans, and you want a product that is gentle on the environment and safe for the family to use.
Luckily, we have the solution.
Our range of dishwashing liquids are non-toxic, yet still get the job done well. Using essential oils to fragrance the product, they also provide natural anti-bacterial action and a host of other benefits- all while still being safe and gentle on your skin.
Why are our dishwashing liquids so effective?
It's the ingredients in our dishwashing liquid that make it incredibly effective at removing dirt. Citric acid, derived from citrus fruit, is acidic and helps to dissolve soap scum and a host of other things.
We use cocoabetaine as a foaming agent. Derived from coconut, this is a safe alternative to sulfates. It mixes oil and dirt, breaking down the barrier between them so that the dirt can easily be wiped off.
Another surfactant, cocoglocoside, is a mix of glucose and coconut-based fatty alcohols. It's gentle on the skin while still being effective as a cleaner. It helps to make the detergent foam up and break down grease.
Essential oils for scent and many other benefits
Our range comes in a variety of fragrances. Pine and sweet orange is lovely and refreshing, with the oils also providing natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities.
The lemongrass and lime combination of oils is naturally antibacterial, with the lemongrass also being an amazing deodorizer. This makes it ideal for washing up from meals that contained strong odours, such as fish or garlic.
Cinnamon and tangerine are a lovely scent combination- the warmth of cinnamon and the spiciness of tangerine combine to make washing dishes an enjoyable task (almost). These essential oils are also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, for a healthier home- naturally!


text:
Dinner experiment involving pastry, sauerkraut and sausage went quite well :)
#100happydays – Day 77
#100happydays – Day 76
Inspired by last week's pastry-themed Bake Off, I tried my hand at this recipe (minus the bacon and the dried porcini).
My first proper steak and ale pie! Took a bit longer than anticipated, but the result wasn't bad at all ;)


text:
Well, I did it... I figured it would be good to try to draw in some new readers, so I joined the A-Z Challenge. There will be no big changes, except I'll find ways to tack my finds to the appropriate letter of the alphabet. If I begin to get a huge number of comments that are just the "passing through" kind, I may not respond to them all.
Now, for the B. There are still several nifty things from the Saturday hike to show you. One of the very best was spotting a male Indigo Bunting, Passerina Cyanea.
They are shockingly blue! But only when it's time to show off to the drab, brown ladies. The rest of the year, they are just brown, too.
The biggest surprise to me, as I put this picture on Shark Shots, was to learn that they are cousins of the cardinal. They are a family of birds, Cardinalidae with large beaks for seed-eating. Some grosbeaks and some buntings, as well as cardinals fit here.
Ellen says that they come to her feeder, but I don't see the indigo buntings very often. I absolutely love them. The slightly more subtle Eastern Bluebird is still my favorite blue bird, for reasons I can't really identify, but the indigo bunting just ZINGS.
|See My Bluebird of Happiness
|if you like this blog, click the +1


text:
Small Business Optimism Remains High Heading into 2019
Small business owners still feel confident about their companies and the future, according to the latest small business index conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife. The 2018 4Q survey topped out at a strong 69.3, just six-tenths of a point down from its all-time high score of 69.9, set in the 2018 3Q index.
According to the chamber and MetLife, the results show small business owners and operators are still upbeat about the overall national and local economy. More than a quarter of small businesses surveyed said they planned to increase investments and hire more staff in the coming year.
"The findings of this quarter's Index show they are still bullish, which bodes well for our economy as a whole," said Jessica Moser, senior vice president of MetLife's Small Business Solutions segment, in a joint press release. "Their level of optimism is a good indicator of future growth."
However, 67 percent of companies reported greater difficulty in finding qualified workers. (For more on how small businesses are finding it hard to attract skilled workers, read our September story on "What Happens When You Put Up a Now Hiring Sign and No One Applies? The Problem of Full Employment.")
Manufacturing is having an especially tough time locating suitable applicants.
"There are too many people that lack the skills or credentials they need to compete for 21st century jobs and too many businesses that can't find the workers they need, when and where they need them," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "A lack of skilled workers is going to hold back economic growth for the entire country."
(Read our article "The Brave, New World of Manufacturing – It's Not Your Father's High School Metal Shop Anymore" for a closer look at how qualifications for factory jobs are far more technical than in years past.)
Elsewhere, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) has issued its own Small Business Optimism Index, which reports similar findings. The most recent NFIB survey, released in October, totaled a healthy 107.4. The NFIB says this score marks a continuation of record high scores dating back two years.
The biggest takeaway from the latest survey, the NFIB said, is that small business owners are optimistic about the overall economy's direction and business conditions. A large number report strong sales figures. This gives them the confidence to expand, boost capital spending, hire more workers and invest in more inventory.
"For two years, small business owners have expressed record levels of optimism and are proving to be a driving force in this rapidly growing economy," NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan stated in a release. "The October optimism index further validates that when small businesses get tax relief and are freed from regulatory shackles, they thrive and the whole economy prospers."
NFIB also credited low inflation and interest rates for the continued lengthy run in small business optimism and the robust economy.
"October's report sets the stage for solid economic and employment growth in the fourth quarter, while inflation and interest rates remain historically tame. Small businesses are moving the economy forward," said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg.
The year 2018 has proven to be a year of profit … and challenge … for small business owners. What does the future hold as the calendar begins to flip? No one knows for sure, but small businesses across the nation are clearly confident the coming 12 months will be good for them and for America. Stay tuned…


text:
Pledge Information
- Written by Gamma Omega
- Published in Uncategorised
- Hits: 5166
- Print , Email
Again, the time has come for us to include more students into our brotherhood. We are a coed fraternity and we are welcoming anyone who has an interest in the world of business (no matter what you are planning on majoring in) to come pledge for Alpha Kappa Psi.
If you have an interest in becoming a part of the brotherhood, please contact our VP of membership and come to one of our info sessions.
Pledge Classes will be held in Pigott or Bannan Building at Seattle University (Room TBA) every Wednesday at 8:15pm. All pledges will need arrive at these classes in business casual attire with pledging material and a professional attitude.
As a pledge you are represented by your pledge pin, a Phoenician galley which was the for of transport the first merchants used to trade across the seas. Please always remember to wear your pledge pin on the left over your heart.
Phoenician Galley
Pledges, you can download the pledge form in the pledge material section. Please fill it out and bring it to your first pledge class including your resume and a cover letter.


text: The author writes until steam comes hissing from his ears. He wrestles with words, separating vowel and consonant until, exhausted they bend to his sinister will. His thoughts carve neural pathways to his trembling fingers until the world becomes his world, mad with keyboard power, stabbing digits, he views his inky screen with red, demonic eyes that wander without hope of rest until the cleansing celery sticks arrive.


text:
One of the changes was to the Windows and Devices organisation,with its boss Terry Myerson being required to clean out his desk. But word on the street is that this is part of a broader move away from Windows as Vole's main focus.
CEO Satya Nadella told staff that Terry Myerson, who has headed up Microsoft's Windows business since 2013, is "pursuing his next chapter outside Microsoft." He will stay at Microsoft for a few months to help with the transition.
Myerson's Windows and Devices Group (WDG) is being broken up. Some bits are moving to one of two new engineering units a. Some parts of WDG will move under Executive Vice President Rajesh Jha, who is in charge of the new Experiences & Devices org; other bits will go to Executive Vice President Scott Guthrie, who is running the newly minted Cloud + AI Platform. Harry Shum, executive vice president of AI & Research, will continue to head up that somewhat streamlined organization, which Microsoft created in 2016.
In describing today's reorg, Nadella said the moves are part of Microsoft's goal to focus on the "intelligent cloud and the intelligent edge".
In his email to all Microsoft employees, Nadella told employees that they will all "have to push ourselves to transcend Conway's law". Conway's law, named after computer programmer Melvin Conway, states: "any organisation that designs a system (defined broadly) will produce a design whose structure is a copy of the organisation's communications structure."


text:
Free IPTV
Free IPTV Canada All Iptv M3u Full Iptv Links 28-05-2020
Canada iptv m3u free list files download 28-05-2020 Free iptv links m3u list 2020 totally free of any charge! These links...
More News
Vietnam IPTV M3u playlist updates iptv links 28-05-2020
Vietnam iptv free playlist urls 28-05-2020 Free Vietnam IP TV channel links (urls) and working m3u playlist files which you can...
IPTV Sweden: Free IPTV M3u List 28-05-2020
Sweden Iptv playlist Nordic iptv playlist 28-05-2020 If you want to watch TV for free without any cable or decoders then...
IPTV Scandinavian: Free M3u List 25-05-2020
IPTV Scandinavian: Free IPTV M3u List 25-05-2020 The best simple and fast way to get free Scandinavia IPTV links 2020 list,...
Indian channels iptv m3u playlist daily updated 25-5-2020
India IPTV New List, M3u IPTV Links 25-5-2020 Here you can find the New Free IPTV India M3U Playlist 2019,...
IPTV Russian TV Channels Playlist 25-05-2020
IPTV Russia M3u Playlist Free 25-05-2020 Free IPTV links Poland totally free of any charge! These IPTV links and playlists are...
Free IPTV Albanian Daily M3U Playlists 25-05-2020
Albania IPTV M3u Playlist Free 25-05-2020 Albania iptv free channels codes all channels. You can find in our website premium...
IPTV Turkey Free M3u List 23-05-2020
Turkey 4K free iptv channel links 23-05-2020 iptv türk kanallari m3u of files, Smart IPTV, M3U8, premium IPTV for all devices,...
Italy IPTV M3u playlist Daily updates iptv links 23-05-2020
Free IPTV Italy M3u Full Iptv Links 23-05-2020 Here we offer free Italy iptv channels playlists available for download 2020, latest...
Arabic IPTV M3u playlist updates iptv links 23-05-2020
IPTV Channels Arabic, M3u IPTV Links 23-05-2020 iptv links Free Arabic M3u IPTV list updated daily for live TV channels receive...
IPTV Url Germany, IPTV Deutsh Download 23-05-2020
German tv channels free iptv urls 23-05-2020 free iptv links germany m3u list is a simple and unique way to get...
Free IPTV France Iptv M3u Full Iptv Links 23-05-2020
IPTV france gratuit free m3u links 23-05-2020 iptv m3u french download liste iptv m3u french download playlist iptv update today with...
IPTV Free UK m3u playlist 23-05-2020
IPTV Free UK: Free m3u playlist 23-05-2020 Iptv m3u playlist 2020 totally free of any charge! These m3u links and iptv...
IPTV Free USA M3u Links 23-05-2020
Best IPTV USA m3u free 23-05-2020 Internet protocol television Free IPTV links USA 2020, working and updated! Free Iptv links USA...
Free iptv World playlist m3u download update 21-05-2020
Free IPTV World channels list download 21-05-2020 Worldwide iptv playlists 2020 free collected from latest free and recent iptv sources, the...
Free Sport IPTV M3u Playlist 21-05-2020
IPTV Sports Free M3u Links Playlist 21-05-2020 Here you can find and watch fresh and working all premium world channels sports,...
IPTV Romania List Gratis M3u File 21-05-2020
Romania iptv autoupdate m3u lists 21-05-2020 Free Romanian IP TV channel links (urls) and working m3u playlist files which you can...
Belgium channels iptv m3u playlist daily updated 21-05-2020
IPTV M3u Belgium Gratuit 21-05-2020 M3u IPTV 2020 Belgique, iptv links totally free of any charge! These iptv liste and m3u...
IPTV Portugal M3u Lista 21-05-2020
Portuguese daily free m3u iptv direct links 21-05-2020 lista iptv portugal smart channels download 2020, m+ ,iphone ,pc ,vlc ,kodi ,simpletv...
IPTV Poland: Free iptv liste 19-05-2019
IPTV links 2020 Poland m3u 100% FREE! M3u iptv links 2020 totally free of any charge! These links and playlists are...
IPTV M3u Pakistan: Free iptv list 19-05-2020
Premium Pakistan IPTV Free Links M3u Playlist 19-05-2020 Pakistan iptv m3u channels free playlist update file contain best full bouquets for...
M3u IPTV Free Ex-Yu countries 19-05-2020
Free IPTV M3u Playlist Ex-Yu 19-05-2020 The best simple and fast way to obtain free Ex-Yu IPTV links 2020 list, and...
Free IPTV M3U Dutch IPTV links 19-05-2020
Dutch free iptv m3u list files 19-05-2020 Dutch iptv m3u download playlists updated. You can find in our website premium iptv...
Bulgarian iptv m3u lists daily download 19-05-2020
Bulgarian iptv android free channel playlists 19-05-2020 Bulgarian iptv m3u Cherry Player lists. You can find in our website premium iptv m3u8...
Free IPTV Brazil Premium M3U Playlists 19-05-2020
Free Brazil IPTV channels list download 19-05-2020 Free Brasil IP TV channel links (urls) and working m3u playlist files which you...
Free Greek IPTV Playlist 18-05-2020
Greece download daily best iptv playlists 18-05-2020 Free Greece IP TV channel links (urls) and working m3u playlist files which you...
IPTV Spain m3u playlist url free 18-05-2020
Spain iptv links daily free m3u gratis streams 18-05-2020 You look listas iptv? We are here to serve and get you...
Full Canada IPTV M3u Free Iptv Links 18-05-2020
Free IPTV Canada Premium M3U Playlists 18-05-2020 Iptv m3u canada playlist free a new file channels includes the most beautiful canadian...
China iptv m3u lists download 18-05-2020
Free China iptv channels list download 18-05-2020 Iptv free m3u lists 2020 totally free of any charge! These links and playlists...
Croatia IPTV Playlist 28 Channels 18-05-2020
Free IPTV M3u Croatian Playlists Channels 18-05-2020 Free Croatia IP TV channel links (urls) and working m3u playlist files which you...
Vietnam smart iptv players free m3u playlists 17-05-2020
Vietnam smart iptv players free m3u playlists 17-05-2020 Vietnam iptv free playlist urls. You can find in our website premium iptv m3u8...
- Free IPTV
- IPTV Albania
- IPTV Arabic
- IPTV Belgique
- IPTV Brasil
- IPTV Bulgaria
- IPTV Canadian
- IPTV China
- IPTV Croatia
- IPTV Dutch
- IPTV Ex-Yu
- IPTV France
- IPTV Germany
- IPTV Greek
- IPTV Indian
- IPTV Italian
- IPTV Pakistani
- IPTV Poland
- IPTV Portugal
- IPTV Romania
- IPTV Russia
- IPTV Scandinavian
- IPTV Spanish
- IPTV Sports
- IPTV Sweden
- IPTV Turkish
- IPTV Vietnam
- World IPTV
- Tutorials
Important Notice
We DO NOT host or stream any videos on this website, we only RE-SHARE free Iptv links which are already on net. We urge all copyright owners, to recognise that links contained within this site are located somewhere else on the web. Please direct all copyright infringement issues to the companies that host these files.


text:
Events for November 2, 2019
Events Search and Views Navigation
8:00 am
Grower Champagne Seminar at Culinary Institute of Charleston!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5:30-7:30PM Grower Champagne Seminar at the Amphitheater at The Culinary Institute of Charleston at Palmer Campus THE LECTURE: Covers the creation of champagne from beginning to end: the place, the grapes, the wine making process, the influence of terroir on champagne. With extensive grower and vintner profiles, as well as a fascinating look at […]Find out more »


text:
Domestic Security Padlocks for Your Home
Date: 19/07/17
At home there may be parts of the property that require a little extra security. Whether that is a cupboard that holds important and sensitive personal and financial information, a garage or outhouse that you think needs a little more security than an average lock, or a door to the attic or basement for purely security and safety reasons.
ERA offers a range of domestic padlocks suited to a variety of uses and with a visual security rating system for each padlock you can ensure you have one you need for the application.
We have developed our padlock range using Molybdenum stainless steel, offering a smooth surface finish but more importantly an enhanced corrosion resistance. This is why this type of stainless steel is used within the manufacturing process of aircrafts, missiles and within the power industry.
Not only that, but many of the padlocks in the domestic range have shackles made from hardened steel, protecting from sawing and cutting and the dual stainless steel ball bearing locking mechanism adds another layer of security against potential pull attacks.
From brass, laminated and weatherproof key operated padlocks, to brass and black combination padlocks; ERA have the choice whether you require standard or high security. Speak to our team of experts for advice on the right type of domestic security padlocks for your specific needs.
0 Comment
Nobody has commented yet. Why not add one?
Add your Comment
ERA have the ability to edit and/or delete posts and comments. Links should be relevant to the topics. Please note all comments are subject to review before inclusion.
Login to comment
Register to comment
Blog Archives
- 11 2020
- 27 2019
- 34 2018
- 29 2017
- 34 2016
- 12 2015
- 5 2014
- 1 2013
ERA quick links
- ERA Total Security
- Mechanical Security
- Smart Security
- Security Advice
- Ask an ERA Expert
- ERA Blog
- Register your ERA Professional Cylinder Keys
Subscribe to ERA news
Keep up to date with the latest home security news, products and updates with the ERA home Security newsletter.
ERA Security Blog
A nightlatch allows you to look after your home security and keep your children happy. It opens the...


text:
Associative Democracy
= concept and book: " revives Guild Socialist good practice to seek a new economic democracy framework beyond the level of the firm, namely horizontally and bioregionally."
Book: Associative Democracy. New Forms of Economic and Social Governance. By: Paul Hirst. Polity Press, 1993.
URL = http://www.polity.co.uk/book.asp?ref=978074560951
"In this book Paul Hirst makes a major contribution to democratic thinking, advocating "associative democracy"; the belief that human welfare and liberty are best served when as many of the affairs of society as possible are managed by voluntary and democratically self-governing associations."
Paul Hirst:
"Associative democracy is a normative political theory. Its core propositions are as follows:
1.That as many social activities as possible should be devolved to self-governing voluntary associations.
2.That by doing so the complexity of the state will be reduced and the classical mechanisms of democratic representative government will be able to work better.
3.That self-governing voluntary associations should, wherever possible, replace forms of hierarchical corporate power. This would give the affected interests voice and thus promote government by consent throughout society and not merely formally in the state.
4.That for many essential public functions, such as health provision, education and welfare, voluntary associations should provide the service and receive public funds for doing so.
Associationalists contend that there are in any complex and free society different versions of what the good life should be and the task of the state is to help realize as many of these as possible not to impose one of them. The state can and must perform the core functions of assuring public peace, adjudicating in clashes of norms and mobilizing resources for public purposes. Unlike economic liberal doctrines that seek to limit the functions of the state and expand the scope of the market, associationalism seeks to expand the scope of democratic governance in civil society. It also like free market doctrines seeks to promote choice through competition, but it does so by giving individuals the option to move between non-profit making associations. Individuals have voice within associations and the option of periodic exit to move between them. This combination constrains associations to attend to the needs of their members, if voice fails or is too arduous then exit is an effective challenge to entrenched oligarchy.
Associationalism is thus a political theory that combines a normative appeal with an account of the working of institutions. It is relatively unusual in that modern political theory has tended to become purely normative, concerned with exploring concepts like equality or rights, and in consequence concern for the effects of institutions has fallen to political science. In this sense its combination of advocacy and reference to institutions is much more like traditional political theory, such as Aristotle or Rousseau. This does not mean that it is old fashioned. The present division between normative and supposedly value-free discourses is not helpful in promoting political debate about institutions.
Associationalist doctrines have a long pedigree stretching back to the early nineteenth century. Associationalism is the original 'Third Way' between free-market capitalism and centralized state socialism. It declined from the 1920s onwards with the success of political movements advocating state socialism and the increasing concentration of state power inevitable in a century of social and international conflict. Associationalism returned in the late twentieth century as a doctrine of social reform and democratic renewal. It attempts to address a double crisis of the declining effectiveness of representative democracy and the increasing dissatisfaction with centralized and standardized state welfare. It attempts to address the issue of democratic accountability in extensive public service states by separating funding and provision, making the state responsible for core decisions about the scope and cost of services but not attempting to perform the conflicting roles of provider and source of accountability for provision. Associationalism argues that far from being one welfare state, there would be as many as citizens chose to organize, catering for the different values of individuals, but based on common basic public entitlements. Individuals could then top up the basic public provision distributed according to membership and thus craft or enhance services to meet their own needs. In this way they would control their own collective consumption and be willing to contribute to common public services (associations would only receive public funds if they were open to all and willing to provide a service on the basis of public entitlements). Associationlism has returned as a doctrine of renewal in several contexts: as a means of promoting decentralized but public governance as a counter to economic liberal dominance of public debate in the USA; as a means of countering excessive centralization in the UK and also addressing the crippling effects of tax aversion on welfare; and in Italy as a means of coping with the problems of the failure of the central state by relying on civil society and the third sector to provide governance and services. Other societies like Denmark or the Netherlands have long put associative principles into practice, and it can be seen that their democratic institutions have benefited from such decentralization and pluralism.
Associationalism has the merit, as we shall see below, that unlike most political doctrines, it confronts the fact that we live in a society where goods and services, public and private, are mostly provided by large hierarchically directed organizations. These are organizations over which consumers have little control through voice and frequently have no real option of exit. The widespread processes of privatization of public services and the conversion of government bodies into quasi-autonomous agencies reinforces this character of modern societies as organizational societies and blurs the division between public and private spheres. Of all the reform doctrines now current, only associationalism gives due recognition to the reality of an organizational society and seeks to address the problem by democratizing institutions in civil society and by decentralizing the state. It thus responds to the blurring of the public-private divide by attempting to install mechanisms of democratic governance in the institutions on both sides." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
Discussion by Paul Hirst
"Democracy can be renewed but on two conditions. First, that the burden placed on representative institutions by complex public service states is reduced but without reducing public services. Associationalism provides for governance that is public but non-state. Second that the role of non-state institutions in promoting the habits of association and participation is promoted. Renewing modern democracy is not easy, nor are associational solutions easy to implement or without risks, the alternative is the sclerosis of representative institutions and the erosion of democratic manners." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
Source: Paul Hirst, Renewing Democracy through Associations − a summary paper for Essex University and the European Consortium for Political Research, 2002:
URL = http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr/events/jointsessions/paperarchive/turin/ws7/Hirst.pdf .
Institution-building through associations
Paul Hirst:
"Political theorists from Tocqueville to Dahl have stressed the central role of secondary associations in providing the institutional foundations of political pluralism and thus of viable multi-party political contestation. Robert Putnam has questioned how healthy American democracy can remain if its roots in voluntary association outside formal politics atrophy. The danger is the development of a demotic but post-political society. That is, a society that is culturally if not economically egalitarian, and that lacks cultural elites and genuine political leadership. In such a system elites are political and business managers who owe their power to their office, but lack any broader legitimacy based on ideas or a personal following. In such a system low levels of political participation mean that, on the one hand, the political agenda is prey to the actions of determined and untypical minorities, as the success of the religious right in local and state politics in the USA shows, and, on the other hand, to periodic outbursts of majority opinion orchestrated by the media. In such a demotic system with a depoliticised mass culture and a dissociated public the dangers both of narrow minority rule and the tyranny of the majority are magnified. This is reinforced by the disappearance of political doctrine that provides a public language for politics (this is different from "ideology") and thus a medium in which political leadership can be expressed.
Tocqueville and J.S. Mill feared just such an outcome from social leveling and mass democracy. So far they have been proved wrong. The reasons are the antidotes Tocqueville saw in the United States, political decentralization and a strong culture of associations. Yet both of those antidotes seem threatened by the centralization of power in organizations and the decline in voluntary activism.
It may seem quixotic in this context to propose enhancing the role of associations in governance as a strategy for democratic renewal. Associative democracy appears to rely on the very resources of participation and voluntarism that the available evidence suggests are declining in many countries across the developed world. As we shall see, associationalist solutions do not inherently require high levels of activism and they are able to cope with large organizations. Associative democracy is the one doctrine that explicitly focuses on the role of organizations and proposes a way to make representative government work by reducing the burden on its institutions. I shall argue that there are urgent reform issues to which associative solutions are the most viable options and that there are forms of political agency that can work toward implementing those solutions. Such solutions would provide new forms of association and governance, localizing democracy in simple decisions that people make in everyday life.
The point to make here is that associative democracy does not have strong competitors in the field of institution building. The other alternative doctrines that attempt to address the crisis of democracy shy away from the task of rebuilding institutions and of promoting the inclusion of the mass of the people. Deliberative democracy appears to offer a solution to low levels of formal participation, yet for that very reason it is weakly inclusive. In practice it accepts the fact of non-participation and creates substitute forums in which the voices of some of the people come to stand for the whole. It is no answer to the problem of inclusion and it largely ignores the problem of political alienation. Peoples' voices do not matter in everyday life; they are managed and excluded. The only way to change this is to give them simple forms of power that they can use without undue effort as a matter of everyday practice, not to convert a sub-set of the people into a deliberative elite to advise managers on how to make policies for the rest. Equally problematic are fashionable "Third Way" doctrines that aim to substitute network governance and 'soft power' for rigid institutions and the 'hard power' of states. This idea may appear to consult and to link people, but it only enhances democracy if networks can be made open and inclusive. This requires institutionalization and the existence of rules that outsiders can understand, weakening the flexible nature of 'soft power'. Otherwise networks become new forms of exclusive power of benefit to insiders, opaque to outsiders, and over which those affected by the actions of network members have no redress." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
Associative Democracy vs. Network Governance
Paul Hirst:
"In a similar vein social theorists like Manuel Castells have emphasized the growing salience of network power and the declining role of formal institutions. Such networks are built up by interaction and can be regarded as a form of association. Networks within and between nations, public and private, legitimate and criminal are the emerging forms of governance. Whilst it is helpful to see other arguments for the continued relevance of association, I am not going to rely on such claims here because I think they are deeply flawed. There are good reasons to be skeptical about the claims of the advocates of a new network politics and of theorists like Castells.
The main problem with network governance, as I have claimed above, is that networks tend to be exclusive, and thus of differential benefit to insiders, and also evanescent, because they are weakly institutionalized they are difficult to sustain. States remain far more central than either the advocates of global democratic associations or of network governance believe. The kind of associations that are necessary to renew national level democracies are institutions and primarily nationally focused ones concerned with the provision of services. Such institutions are voluntary but they have rules, they persist through time, and they are inclusive in the sense that anyone who subscribes to their objectives can join them. Relatively stable institutions are needed to address the problems of uncertainty and risk. Networks are either, too fluid to do this alone, or, they are themselves institutionalized to a considerable degree, using forms of monitoring to ensure the commitments of their members. Networks that can ensure compliance and thus routinize contributions from members are more robust than those which need constantly to renew cooperation and which rely on voluntary compliance. Thus the Danish cooperative dairies would have failed had they not developed means to monitor milk quality and thus prevent free riding on other's efforts.
Networks made up by links between associations, with robust mechanisms for ensuring compliance, are a valuable supplementary means of extending the scale and scope of associational governance. It is also the case that new communications media, like the Internet, simplify coordination, making it easier and less costly. Thus they help to overcome problems of collective action created by social dispersal, but only if there are real associative foci around which such virtual networks can constellate. Virtual networks cannot replace real associations, not least because they create new problems of monitoring and compliance. They can, however, help the formation of associations by finding new members at low cost." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
Associational Governance and Pluralism
Paul Hirst:
"There is the necessity of accommodating plural communities with differing values and standards, including ethic, religious, and lifestyle groups. People have very different ideas of how life should be regulated, how risks should be contained, and the type public goods they deem necessary. The obvious solution is to embrace such pluralism fully and to accept parallel governance by community associations, different communities applying different standards side by side. This idea terrifies traditional social democrats and republicans, who believe in universal provision and a common political culture. Yet we are closer to a common political culture than we have been for a century, all significant political forces accept representative democracy and the primacy of the market. Rightist and Volkisch parties want to exclude refugees and migrants, but they cannot impose cultural homogeneity and they know it.
There are two ways of accommodating self-regulating communities, geographical exception and parallel rules. In the former different rules apply or the principal rules are not enforced in certain special zones, for example, Manchester's gay village or the localized tolerance of prostitution and cannabis smoking in the Netherlands. In the latter communities apply their own customary laws to their consenting members, to some extent this already applies, for example, in the case of Jewish family law. Such practices can be extended to remove most conflicts over social standards, with the proviso that citizens must be free not to consent and to exit communities, and that such rights be upheld by the state. The state remains the arbiter of which rules have primacy and it is still a representative democracy in which the majority has the option of insisting that certain rules apply to all.
There is significant support for such community governance from many minority communities, including strongly the various Muslim communities. This frightens those who fear Islamic extremism, yet most Muslims wish quietly to govern themselves alone, are not fanatics and not wish to impose their will on others. Empowering minority communities is more likely to promote their adaptation to a pluralistic host society than more or less open policies of assimilation. Facilitating community services through public funds available to associations proportional to membership, for schools, welfare centres and so on, is one way to allow local control and prevent alienation. This does not just apply to ethnic and religious minorities. Many interests are ill served by the existing system. Gays often find existing medical treatment condescending, and many parents of dyslexic children in London would like public funds to establish a secondary school, to pick two examples at random. One does not have to be an Amish to want to live a different life according to one's own rules and to have public services that meet ones's specific needs. A society of strong communities is more likely to sustain democracy, albeit a conflictual and contestational one, than a society of isolated and passive individuals." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
As an alternative to corporate governance
Paul Hirst:
"there is the necessity of renewing the governance of organizations. We live in an organizational society, yet the forms of control over large organizations both public and private have atrophied. This is most evident in the case of companies. Shareholders in Anglo-Saxon systems seldom exercise the political rights they do have, they exit if they are not satisfied and the secondary market in shares lets them do so easily. They also rely on the market to sanction company management. The notion of the republic of shareholders under the 1862 Companies Act in the UK, which made corporate status readily available for the first time, was intended as the primary means of protecting investor rights, but it has long been a fiction. Other stakeholders have no political rights and often no easy exit option through the market. Modern companies exhibit a clear divorce of ownership and control, where dispersed and indifferent shareholders leave policy to managers. It would hardly be possible to claim that corporate governance performs its political functions well, almost no aspect of the current system is satisfactory from passive shareholders, to weak non-executive directors, to compliant auditors. Yet corporations organized the major part of formal social life.
It is thus essential to consider the role of alternatives to corporate structures. Corporate careers do not breed democratic habits, but compliant and conformist personalities. Low institutional accountability within companies is coupled with the absence of an external challenge from alternative institutions. It is difficult to live outside the structures of hierarchical management or to find the equivalent of the nineteenth century "frontier", beyond which one can escape. The presence of such alternatives is an essential check on the power of hierarchical organizations over people. They give people the option of exit and to the extent they are readily available temper the power of managerial hierarchies and the conformist norms they impose. Unions did this to some extent, but in the private sector in the UK and USA union density is low, and the current tendency of unions is to promote the further bureaucratization of work. Checking the power of management was once seen as part of "industrial democracy", extending control collectively to workers, now it should be seen as part of the preservation of democracy in general, promoting the independence of citizens and giving them the experience of exercising authority themselves.
It is unlikely that any generalized reform of corporate governance is possible in the foreseeable future. The managerial class has too much influence and people will identify it with socialism. Promoting alternatives is by no means impossible, however. Thus promoting a strong small business and artisan sector gives individuals an alternative to big corporations and it encourages competition. Likewise defending and extending the mutual sector has the same effect, if mutuals are recognized a distinct institutions that need to be run on the basis of different goals to conventional corporations. This can only happen if public policy makes such alternative options attractive and ring fences them by protective laws. The scope for mutual initiative is considerable, but it depends on the revival of cooperative and mutual political movements. There is some sign that this is happening on a local level, but so far it has been met by indifference from the major political parties." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-hirst/renewing-democracy-through-associations)
=Further Discussions
Paul Hirst and the Pluralist State
Rosemary Bechler:
"How could such a competition for community standards be contained and the conflict of competing lifestyle groups, mitigated? The only way to contain the conflicts arising from cultural heterogeneity, he thought, is to extend the principle of pluralism from belief to conduct.
The state should become only one governing body among many, strictly neutral between the sects, a limited rather than an omnicompetent body. It would be the primary source of such essential, binding rules as those governing non-violence and rights of associational exit and entry. But it would only have primacy in its specific function of securing 'the freedom of individuals in respect of associations and the rights of associations with respect to each other.'
A pluralist state that had devolved governance through the forms of cooperation and competition available to associations in this way, publicly funded according to a common formula, could maximise opposition to extremists who use the freedom of political association to promote their own cause, while minimising the stake of competing for political power. Groups would have to give up trying to shape the laws that apply to all, to suit their beliefs alone. They would exchange the ultimately futile struggle for dominance of the political agenda for the practise of governing themselves and competing to realise their beliefs about conduct. The monocultural echoing chamber of the national media would disappear as the plethora of constituencies, large and small, moderate and extremist, were cut down to whatever size they are. As he put it, adding cheerfully that this formulation should at least appeal to Christians, who believe in Original Sin, "Power divided and limited reduces the damage that evil people can do if they acquire it, and also their incentive to do so… "
The alternative is stark. The liberal state, which claims to respect the rights of the individuals, must be increasingly engaged in undermining those rights by acting against the institutions where individuals pursue their common life. This was the second, equally important gain, that it could stem the turn towards totalitarianism of a state ever-more engaged in enforcing legal and cultural homogeneity.
For Hirst instead, a "truly plural society" can only flourish where it is recognised, "that democratic governance does not consist just in the powers of citizen election or majority decision, but in the continuous flow of information between the governors and the governed, whereby the former seek the consent and cooperation of the latter." His associations are not isolated Burkean little platoons designed for keeping people quiet and bound into the hierarchy, where a well-ordered family is a good dress rehearsal for revering one's monarch. The hugely various forms of horizontal cooperation and competition that he pursues in Associative Democracy across local and regional levels, buttressed by an activist, interventionist but pluralist state, have one thing in common – they educate through the voluntary encounter with others, thereby increasing the capacity for self-governance of the people involved. Citizens learn, through negotiation, how to live side by side. Even the least active have far more sway than citizens living in liberal democracies today, both in terms of voice and – more crucially – in terms of exit. This negotiation is what democratic citizenship is, and its skills emerge from the promotion of choice through competition.
For Hirst, self-governance is grounded in voluntary, and cooperative initiatives: and it is part of an attempt to build something, not to prevent others from building something different. It is only this liberty, exercised in our own interest, which teaches us that, "We cannot claim liberty for ourselves while at the same time denying it to others." Hirst knew that it was essential to find new sources of social solidarity: "Solidarity" he said," cannot be taken as a given, it has to be built up from active cooperation in more complexly-divided and more individuated populations." Because he took these sophisticated and individuated populations seriously for who they were, he put empowerment, "rather than the illusory hope of equality of outcomes as the means to the goal of social justice" at the core of his vision.
The left who tend to make an exception of themselves when it comes to Hirst's opening premise that there cannot be one overarching judge imposing his or her view of the good life on any complex and free society, balk at this decision. But for his part, Hirst was convinced that the gains of such a move were considerable (even for the left). Associationalism might have a chance precisely because this "vital supplement to existing institutions" could give "a real stake in society" to "a constituency that goes way beyond the left". In his discussion of religious pluralism he listed, for example, "radical advocates of multicultural policies, religious conservatives and many secular liberals" i.e. nearly all of those most actively concerned with the relationship between religion and the state, as all expressing "strong dissatisfactions with the existing state of affairs." All of these, he reasoned, not to mention the many as yet relatively untouched by such concerns, could only benefit from the opportunity given them by associative democracy to practise what one preaches.
Hirst was quite scathing about "social democratic conservatives wedded to the nation state" for whom associationalism was "too radical". But we have to remember, as Graham Smith reminds us in his cogent contribution to Revisiting Associative Democracy, that Hirst also gave the state a particularly significant role in this gradualist project of reform, which would not become widespread, "unless it has a state at least not actively hostile." It is this balancing act or calculation regarding the state that he left us to consider, a consideration I believe germane to the future of democracy." (http://www.opendemocracy.net/rosemary-bechler/dangers-of-illiberalism-call-for-pluralist-state)


text:
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 81% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 176,606 times.
Sometimes a high energy dog gets revved up and just can't stop! You may see behavior such as jumping repeatedly or racing around at top speed, in circles or back and forth. Some breeds of large dogs are naturally high energy dogs, so this behavior may be something that you have to work on throughout the dog's life. Dogs that exhibit this type of behavior may also be bored or understimulated, so you'll need to take steps to make sure you are exercising their minds and bodies.[1] X Research source
Method 1 of 3:
Using Exercise to Calm Your Dog
1Take your dog on a long walk. One way that you can work out some of your dog's energy is to take him on a nice long walk. Keep in mind that a stroll around the block will probably not be enough to calm your dog down. You will have to walk with him for about an hour or even go running with him if you are able.
- If you cannot walk your dog due to physical limitations, setting up a long line in your backyard that your dog can run back and forth on may help.[2] X Research source
2Play fetch or hide and seek with your dog. Help your dog use up some of his energy by playing a game of fetch or hide and seek with him. Hang out in the back yard with him and throw his favorite ball or Frisbee for a while, or have someone hold onto him while you hide a few treats around the house and tell him to go find them.
- You might have to show your dog how to play hide and seek by hiding a treat in front of him and then commanding him to "Go find it" a few times.
- Make sure you take breaks while you play so your dog doesn't get overexcited. Teach your dog the "look" command if he doesn't already know it, which will bring his attention to you. This will momentarily stop the game as he looks to you. Give him a minute or two to calm down and catch his breath, then resume playing.
- Treat-dispensing gadgets such as Manners Minder can also provide hours of play time for you and your dog.[3] X Research source
3Invite other dogs over for a play date or take your dog to the local dog park. If your dog is well socialized and plays well with other dogs, inviting some puppy friends over to play or making regular visits to the local dog park are great ways to help your dog use up some of his energy. Make sure that wherever you take your dog is well-fenced in and maintained.[4] X Research source
4Consider dog daycare to get your dog the exercise and stimulation he needs. If you spend long hours at work, dog daycare may be a good way for you to get your dog the exercise and stimulation he needs. Your dog can play all day to work out his energy and then relax with you at the end of the day. Check with a dog daycare provider in your area to see if this option might help to calm your dog.[5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to sourceAdvertisement
Method 2 of 3:
Using Training Techniques to Calm Your Dog
1Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog calm behavior. Praise and treats can be a great way to teach your dog how to be calm. For example, if you ask your dog to sit and he obeys, make sure to give him lots of praise immediately after so that he knows he has done something good. Say something like "Good boy!!" and pet him or provide him with a treat.[6] X Research source
2Ignore your dog if he is too energetic and out of control. On way that you can get your dog to calm down is to ignore him. If your dog is too energetic and out of control (barking, jumping, running around, etc.), do not acknowledge the behavior. By ignoring your dog's behavior, you are letting him know that you disapprove. This technique can have a quick calming effect on some dogs.[7] X Research source Try the following strategies the next time your dog gets out of hand:
- Do not make eye contact with your dog.
- Do not talk to your dog.
- Do not pet or touch your dog.
3Use a leash to teach calm behaviors to your dog. If your dog is prone to jumping or running around the house, keeping him on a leash for a set amount of time each day may help. By keeping your dog close by, it will be easier for you to reinforce good behavior and correct bad behavior.[8] X Research source
- Try putting your dog on a leash when he is at his most energetic. For example, if your dog becomes too energetic when you have company, put him on a leash when people visit.
4Take breaks during play. Take regular "time out" breaks during play so the dog doesn't become over excited. To do this, train the dog to use the "Look" command, so that he stops the game, looks at you, and gets a moment to calm down.
5Consider enrolling your dog in an obedience class. If your dog does not respond to your commands or he is difficult to calm down, your dog may benefit from an obedience class. A professional dog trainer may be able to help your dog learn to follow your commands and calm down when you want him to.[9] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Method 3 of 3:
Maintaining a Calm Environment
1Put up baby gates to control your dog's environment. If your dog tends to run from room to room or gets excited when he looks out the front window, putting up baby gates may help keep your dog calm. By having gates up around the house, you can prevent your dog from going into areas of the house that make him more hyper.[10] X Research source
2Provide your dog with lots of toys, including chew toys. Having lots of toys around will help your dog to direct his energy toward playing rather than sprinting around the house or engaging in other inappropriate behaviors. Chew toys are especially important so that your dog does not chew on things that he shouldn't.[11] X Research source
3Project calm energy around your dog. Dogs may pick up on your emotions and mirror your energy. For example, if you are feeling anxious, your dog might sense that and become anxious as well. To prevent your dog from feeding off of your negative emotions, try to project a calm positive energy when you are around your dog.[12] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Community Q&A
QuestionNothing we've done so far works. She's 3 months old, will she calm down as she gets older?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
VeterinarianVeterinarianExpert AnswerYes, puppies do get calmer as they grow, but some still need to learn to be calm. With a puppy, you can help by playing for 15 seconds, then pausing to let her calm. Try training her to associate a clicker with a reward. When she quiets between bursts, click and reward the calmness. Praise her quietly for being calm, then resume play for another 15 seconds. If she gets so revved up she won't calm, leave the room.
QuestionHow do I calm an excited dog so he can play with other dogs?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
VeterinarianVeterinarianExpert AnswerArrange to meet another dog outside. Have both dogs on a leash. Walk the dogs parallel to each other, so they are sideways on. If your dog is getting excited at the sight of the other dog, then increase the distance between the two dogs, always keeping them sideways on. As he forgets to be excited, draw slightly closer. Be prepared to walk up and down for the entire session, but eventually he will learn to be calm, and you can draw close enough that they can greet each other calmly.
QuestionHow do I command a German Shepherd mix dog to attack?Community AnswerDo not train dogs to attack. Dogs are by nature protectors of there domain. Train the dog to honor and obey you and with that will come protection as you will be the Alpha in the dog's eyes. If an incident should arise where the dog is with you and someone attacks you, the dog will defend.
QuestionWill stroking my dog help calm him down?Community AnswerYes, many dogs respond to being petted by calming down.
QuestionHow do I calm my dog when there are other pets around?Community AnswerMaybe take him/her away and calm her/him down using the things mentioned above and find out if the other dogs are the root to the excitement in your dog. If you want the excitement to stop, then take your dog away. On the other hand, if your dog is having fun, then you may be able to continue. If the behaviour turns into fighting, then take your dog away immediately.
QuestionMy 80 pound GSD walks pretty well, but if he catches sight of a squirrel or rabbit running, he can pull me down as he takes off after it. My doctor does not want me falling, and says I need to have somebody else walk the dog. Any suggestions? I'm a 70-year old and weigh 105 pounds.Community AnswerYour doctor is right, you need someone else to walk your dog. If you don't know anyone, call a dog walking service or, better yet, call a trainer who might make your dog heel, so it won't pull you anymore.
QuestionHow can I calm a worried dog?Community AnswerTake the dog to a quiet and familiar place, then sit down and start breathing regularly. Next, make the dog sit next to you and he or she will be calm in no time.
QuestionHow do I calm down my male dog that wants to mate?Community AnswerIf you're not going to breed him, then have him neutered ASAP. It will make him a calmer pet overall, and it's really the kindest thing you can do for him.
QuestionIs coconut oil good for a dog's skin and body?Community AnswerYes, it works wonders as an antibacterial for skin allergies/dermatitis/ear infections/yeast. Melt the oil, let it cool, and apply to the affected area. Avoid the eyes and only apply a small amount to the outer ear.
QuestionHow can I get a skittish dog to come inside easily?Community AnswerI had a fearful rescue dog who was afraid to come inside. I started giving him treats when he came close to the door, and increased the value (big treats, like meat) when he came inside. I kept a bowl of bribery at the door at all times. It didn't take long before he started coming when I called him.
- Talk to your veterinarian about your dog's diet. High energy dogs may calm down if fed a lower protein dog food, but you should discuss your dog's diet with your veterinarian before making any changes.[13] X Research source
- Try using aromatherapy to calm your dog. Just as aromatherapy may help calm people, certain smells may help calm your dog. Talk to your veterinarian or a holistic profession about possible calming scents for your dog and the safest methods of dispersing them.[14] X Research sourceThanks!
- Having a task to focus on can help tremendously. Hyperactivity in dogs can come from psychological needs as easily as it can from physical needs. By giving your dog a job to do, you are removing his hyperactive dog behavior and are redirecting his energy elsewhere. For instance, having your dog wear a backpack with extra weight will keep your dog focused on carrying instead of getting distracted by squirrels and other things.
- Professional dog trainers can charge a lot of money, so before resorting to that, check out various YouTube channels dedicated to training dogs.
- Do not talk in an excited voice or high pitch because it will make your dog excited and hyper.Thanks!
Recipe Ratings and Stories
- ↑ http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/5-tips-for-calming-a-hyperactive-dog
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/daycare-dogs
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/5-tips-for-calming-a-hyperactive-dog
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/tips/benefits.aspx
- ↑ http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_5/features/Training-Hyperactive-Dogs_20259-1.html
- ↑ http://www.paws.org/library/dogs/behavior/high-energy-dogs/
- ↑ http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/5-tips-for-calming-a-hyperactive-dog
- ↑ http://www.paws.org/library/dogs/behavior/high-energy-dogs/
- ↑ http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/5-tips-for-calming-a-hyperactive-dog
About this article
It may seem like your dog will never calm down, but taking it on a long walk each day will help your dog work off its energy. If you're not able to walk it regularly, you can set up an area in the backyard for it to run around in, or take it to the dog park. When you're at home, ignore your dog whenever it's being too energetic, which will teach it that you disapprove of the energetic behavior. Additionally, make sure to give your dog plenty of chew toys to keep it occupied and help refocus its energy. For more tips on how to use positive reinforcement to train your dog to be calm, read more from our Veterinarian co-author.
Reader Success Stories
AS"The tip to put your dog on a leash when they get to excited really worked on my dog. She behaves so much better now. I am so grateful, thank you so, so much!!"..." more
SR"It helped me to know how to help my dog feel calm and happy."
A"The distraction of training results in less hyperactivity."
A"I was looking for play ideas and I found some - thanks!"


text:
Growth Potential
Catnip is already a major driver of sales in the cat category-yet with a bit of additional promotion and focus, it still has significant growth potential.
Catnip, in its various forms, is growing in popularity as pet owners become increasingly savvy to the many benefits it offers. In fact, the catnip category has taken a seat next to food, litter and other cat supply essentials in the cat aisle, and it has certainly become an indispensable segment of any pet specialty retailer's assortment.
"Our studies show [that catnip is] the third most frequently purchased cat category of products behind food and litter," says Aimee Diskin, director of product development at Worldwise.
Cat owners are becoming increasingly aware of the many benefits of catnip for felines. While it is often perceived as a "treat," catnip provides both mental and physical stimulation—both of which are "critical for a cat's general health and well-being," says Cristen Underwood, director of marketing at Quaker Pet Group. It can keep cats engaged, lessen stress, and combat boredom and obesity. Catnip can even strengthen the relationship between owner and pet.
"It gives a way for pet lovers to bond with their cats and interact with them in a fun way," says Mark Teixeira, president of Bell Rock Growers. He agrees that it can stimulate appetite and exercise—which are especially important for indoor cats.
Many cat owners envision catnip as loose, dried, leafy greens, but it actually comes in many other forms. While loose catnip is still popular, there are also catnip oils, toys and catnip-infused sprays, available for independent retailers to stock on their shelves. There are also numerous sizes of loose, dried catnip, and live catnip plants come in ready-to-grow packets, seed packets and already grown plants. "Live plants are very hardy at retail and can last up to four weeks or more if they are maintained with water and sunlight," says Teixeira. He says sales of live catnip, specifically, are up over a year ago and points out that live plants are particularly appealing to cat owners looking for natural products.
For most stores, it makes sense to carry a mix of catnip products: a few sizes of loose catnip; oil or spray for use on other cat products; catnip toys; and at least one brand of live catnip. "An expansive catnip set might also include a catnip-infused bubble solution, on-the-stem catnip and live catnip plants," says Diskin.
However, she adds that retailers need to be discerning when they stock their catnip assortment. "Not all brands of catnip are created equal," explains Diskin. "Once a consumer sees their cat turn up his nose at an ineffective catnip that is full of fillers and stems, they may erroneously believe that their cat doesn't respond to catnip, and those potential sales are lost forever. That is why it is vitally important to stock proven brands that are pure catnip without stems and fillers."
Catnip also becomes less effective over time, so in addition to choosing a supplier that provides high-quality product it is important to choose one that consistently delivers fresh product.
But choosing the products is only a third of the recipe for success, according to Diskin. "The most successful retailers we've worked with take a three-pronged approach to their catnip category," she says.
The first piece of that approach is all about product selection. "[Successful retailers] offer a variety of sizes and types of catnip at various price points," she says.
It is equally important, however, that those products are merchandised correctly. "[These retailers] display catnip outside of the catnip 'set'—with toys, scratchers and bedding—to capture cross-selling opportunities."
Essentially, retailers should place catnip near products that go hand-in-hand with catnip, especially scratchers and kitty furniture items that help train cats not to scratch on human furniture, she says. Using a catnip spray on a new scratcher, for example, will help attract the cat to the item and give the cat motivation to use it.
Teixeira agrees. "Most cat owners who are buying products such as toys or scratchers look for catnip to help cats interact with [those products]," he says. "It is therefore critical to merchandise catnip near these products as an impulse item."
However, he also suggests that retailers try other locations where impulse products tend to do well. "Retailers have found success in merchandising [catnip products] with treats, or at the front of the store in the checkout lane or cash wrap," Teixeira says.
A Furry Education
The third part of Diskin's three-prong approach is education. Education plays a large role in how well a store will do with catnip. Having employees who are educated on these products and their uses can help retailers make the most of the catnip category.
Retailers can—and should—reach out to their distributors and suppliers for help with educational materials and any questions they may have. Many suppliers have both educational and point-of-sales materials that are available to retailers, and taking advantage of these can have a significant impact on how both catnip and the cat category overall do within the store.
But successful retailers don't stop at educating their staff; they also make sure the staff educates the customer. There are at least a few common misperceptions among cat owners about catnip—some cat owners even believe that catnip is dangerous or addicting. Both of these things are untrue.
"[Retailers who are successful with the catnip category] educate their consumers about the effects, benefits and uses of catnip," says Diskin. "These consumers, in turn, realize that catnip is more than just a diversion for their cats; it can be used to attract cats to toys, bedding, scratchers and furniture; it helps spark a cat's interest after it has seemingly lost interest in an item, and can assist in training a cat to stop undesirable behaviors," she explains.
Once a cat owner understands the potential of this leafy green and finds a brand that their cat likes, then they are likely to make regular, repeat purchases—a shopping behavior retailers will want to nurture and capitalize on. "[The pet owner] becomes a loyal customer and will seek out this highly consumable and shelf-stable product," Diskin adds.