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Due to variances in monitors, the colors and patterns displayed may vary slightly from the actual product. Physical samples should be ordered prior to specifying.
The soft artistic abstraction of gentle feathers brings calming serenity to the nine colors of this palette featuring blended neutrals with metallic. Pattern Breeze layers texture and geometric form with balanced reserve, for refinement with distinction. As durable as it is lovely, this pattern is easily at home in high traffic environments.


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Medical Interest in the Prickly Pear Plant
The prickly pear plant (also called nopal or nopalitos in Spanish) and the prickly pear cactus fruit (also known as tuna in Spanish) is an edible nutritious and delicious food offering vitamins, minerals and medicinal properties. Researchers are using the prickly pear juice, produced by Arizona Cactus Ranch in Southern Arizona, for their studies, because it is pure.
Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson Arizona uses Arizona Cactus Ranch Prickly Pear Nectar in their Alternative Medicine Diabetic Preventive Program since 1997.
Prickly pear extract has also been shown to reduce the severity and occurrence of hangovers if taken in advance of drinking. Nausea, dry mouth, appetite loss, and alcohol-related inflammation were all reduced in test subjects who ingested prickly pear extract 5 hours prior to drinking*. You can make your own tests and see if it works for you, which is the only test that really counts.
*(Source: Jeff Wiese; Steve McPherson; Michelle C. Odden; Michael G. Shlipak, Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on Symptoms of the Alcohol Hangover, Archives of Internal Medicine, Jun 2004; 164: 1334 - 1340.)
How to Make Your Own Prickly Pear Tea
You can add one teaspoon of Prickly Pear Nectar to tea (hot or cold) to make Prickly Pear Tea. You can also take by adding one teaspoon of Prickly Pear Nectar to 8 oz. of water, juice or take it concentrated. No Sugar added! 100% Organic.
More Prickly Pear Cactus Products
Prickly Pear Nectar Products
No sugar added.
Prickly Pear Nectar 32 oz
PP Fruit Spread 9 oz.
Prickly Pear Fruit Squares
Prickly Pear
Hangover Terminator
Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup
1 Gallon Prickly Pear Syrup
Prickly Pear Cactus Candy
Desert Candy Assortment
Gift Sets
Old Pueblo Pecan Bread
Hopi Blue Corn Pancake Mix & Syrup Gift Set
Blue Corn Cookie Mix & Cactus Marmalade
Apple Mesquite Muffin Mix & Desert Apple Jelly
Prickly Pear Jelly
Prickly Pear Honey
Mesquite Honey
Prickly Pear Marmalade
Prickly Pear Trail Mix

subset: commoncrawl


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Having built up a stock of shoes a couple of years ago I found myself trying a new pair for the first time in a while. I was lucky the shoes on trial were Mizuno's Wave Sky 2s.
Read the rest of "The Mizuno Wave Sky 2 takes you to the limit" →
15 Oct
Having built up a stock of shoes a couple of years ago I found myself trying a new pair for the first time in a while. I was lucky the shoes on trial were Mizuno's Wave Sky 2s.
Read the rest of "The Mizuno Wave Sky 2 takes you to the limit" →
10 Oct
Do you know why Mizuno makes such a comprehensive range of running shoes? From featherweight racers to highly cushioned long distance shoes - all their products are designed with you, the runner in mind.
1 Oct
If you want to find yourself in a Google black hole, search, 'paradox' and spend the afternoon trying to figure out whether Achilles can catch the tortoise! If you would rather be doing the running rather than reading about it, ditch Google and grab a pair of Mizuno's Wave Paradox 5 shoes.
25 Sep
The Comrades Marathon is the world's largest and oldest ultra marathon with a distance of about 89km. This fantastic event takes place every year in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The direction of the race changes every year, alternating between the 'up run' (87km) starting from Durban and the 'down run' (89km) starting from Pietermaritzburg.
17 Sep
You've picked the race. You're doing the training. The big day is coming up fast. For some of us, taking part in a race is enough. We are happy to be a part of something bigger than our individual training sessions, to be running alongside hundreds of others and to be enjoying that feeling of camaraderie.
10 Sep
For some people, mainly parents, September marks the start of the real 'New Year'. Forget 1 January – resolutions and plans for a healthier, more organised way of living are all the talk at school gates up and down the country. And with life resuming some normality after the lengthy summer holidays, it is easier to plan. Easier to stick to (good) habits and to make time for some of this 'self care' everyone seems to be talking about at the moment.
4 Sep
runABC spoke to GB international ultra-distance runner and Mizuno ambassador, Sue Harrison, about her running career and love of a good flapjack…
28 Aug
August is all but over. Summer has been (and gone). Not that we can complain, it's been a good one this year. Hasn't it? But now that the quiet summer months (on a racing front) are over, our attentions will of course turn to autumn and all it promises runners thanks to its amber-hued, crisp, cooler and (mostly) dry days.
10 Aug
Running puts our bodies under pressure, the constant pounding and relentless repetitive motions can sometimes lead to joint niggles and muscle moans (we've all been there!). Your choice of footwear is an important ally in the fight against pain and discomfort - making the right choice means training and racing can be as stress-free as possible (on your body anyway!). And that's exactly what Mizuno's Wave Ultima 10 promises to do
30 Jul
Support. It's something we all need from time to time. Runners especially look to training partners and cheering crowds to push them to success in the final mile (and the first). If you also require support in your trainers (and some 70% of the running population do) then Mizuno's Wave Inspire will be a familiar name. Now in its 14th incarnation, it has been a perennial favourite with over pronators for years. And for good reason.


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Device Driver Development
Device driver development is one of the most complex areas of modern software engineering. Due to many multi-threaded race conditions in combination with simultaneous ongoing multi-level hardware interrupt levels and DMA operations, it is very easy to introduce hard-to-catch bugs that will not be detected until your product has been put into your customers hands.
If this happens, your new peripheral device will malfunction or, much worse, your device driver will completely crash the operating system causing embarrassment or even damage to your company's reputation!
Over the years we have implemented device drivers for all of Microsoft's operating systems as well as for many Mac, Linux and embedded systems. This experience, in combination with our deep understanding of the underlying hardware functionality, allows us to guarantee a robust and correct implementation of your next Device Driver project.


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Welcome back to Litchfield! With season three set to premiere on June 12, Netflix has just released the new trailer for Orange Is the New Black and there's rapping, a new Big Boo, and Crazy Eyes is writing alien foursome erotica. Yes, that's right. Get ready.
Of course, there are fights, Pennsatucky greatness, and Australian DJ/model/beautiful person Ruby Rose. Take a look:
Naturally, Piper is conflicted, Alex has a black eye, and Nicky is out of jail (what?!). Daya and Bennett look to be totally in love, Cindy can rap the months of the year, and Gloria is still ruling the kitchen. Too many amazing things in just two minutes.
Starting the countdown to June 12 now.
Are we excited? You betcha.
Are you excited for OITBN's season three?
Image via JoJo Whilden/Netflix


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mesothelioma attorney
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that's linked to exposure to asbestos. It usually affects the lining of the lungs, but can also develop in the lining of the heart and the abdomen. Because the disease doesn't tend to show any obvious symptoms until it's at an advanced stage, it has a high mortality rate.
Mesothelioma is nearly always caused by breathing in asbestos dust, normally, although not always, in the workplace. Inhalation of asbestos dust causes damage to the cells of the pleura, the outer lining of the lungs and the internal chest wall. It's thought over time this damage results in changes which can eventually turn them into cancerous cells.
The average time for mesothelioma to develop after exposure to asbestos dust is around 40 year, but it can develop (or cause symptoms) after 10 years from the initial exposure.
People who worked in the construction industry when asbestos was in widespread use are at the greatest risk of developing this particular type of cancer. However, many other people can also be affected by this disease. Although its use is now banned, asbestos can still be found in many older buildings.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
The symptoms of this disease generally only become noticeable when it is at an advanced stage. The signs of mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs can include:
Shortness of breath
A persistent cough
Chest pain
Extreme tiredness
A high temperature and sweating (especially at night)
Swollen fingertips
A loss of appetite and sudden weight loss
Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lining of the stomach can include:
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or diarrhoea
Stomach pain or swelling
A loss of appetite and sudden weight loss
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to book an appointment to see your GP. During your consultation, make sure that you tell your doctor if you think you may have been exposed to asbestos in the past. If your GP suspects that you might have mesothelioma, they will arrange for specialist tests to be carried out in hospital. These tests can include X-rays, CT scans and a thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. They can also include biopsies and the analysis of fluid drained from around the lungs or in the stomach. The tests should reveal if you have mesothelioma and, if you do, how far it's spread.
What are the treatments for mesothelioma?
Because it's often diagnosed at a late stage, treatment for this cancer usually focuses on controlling the symptoms and prolonging life, rather than on curing the disease. This type of care is referred to as supportive or palliative care. Treatments can include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as surgery to remove cancerous tissue.
Clinical trials are carried out to research new treatments all the time. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients but sufferers should discuss the option with their doctor first.
Can I make a mesothelioma compensation claim?
If you were negligently exposed to asbestos in the workplace, you may be entitled to make a mesothelioma compensation claim. This includes anyone working in the armed forces who was exposed to this dangerous material after 1987. In order to be successful in this type of claim, you have to be able to show that it's likely that your disease was caused by asbestos exposure that occurred while you were at work.
You must also show that your employer was negligent in failing to meet the safety standards required in law or that they were breaching specific safety rules. For example, that they failed to stop you from being exposed to asbestos when they knew, or should have known, that this was dangerous.
It's also possible to claim compensation if you were exposed to asbestos while not at work. For example, you may be entitled to take legal action if you lived close to a factory that regularly used this material, or if you washed the work clothes of a family member who came into contact with asbestos as a result of their job.
It's important to be aware that you are usually required to begin your legal claim within three years of the date you were first diagnosed with the disease.
What if my employer has gone out of business?
Don't be deterred from bringing a claim if you think your former employer has gone out of business. The specialist personal injury solicitors at Slater and Gordon can trace companies to check if they are still trading under different names. Even if they've stopped trading, because compensation is generally paid by employers' insurers, there is often still a way to obtain compensation.
If your former employer is insolvent or their insurer can't be traced, you may be able to claim compensation through the Government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. Our experts can guide you through this process.
Can I claim on behalf of a loved one?
It's also possible to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has passed away as a result of mesothelioma. For example, you may be entitled to claim if you were the spouse or child of someone who lost their life to this disease, or if you were financially dependent on them.
To be eligible to receive compensation in cases like this, you must bring your claim within three years of the date of death or the point at which a post-mortem revealed that the death was caused by exposure to asbestos.
What can I claim?
Our specialist personal injury solicitors can help you to claim much-needed compensation that can help you to cover any treatment costs and make your family more financially secure. Mesothelioma compensation can help to pay for a range of things, including:
Private medical bills incurred as a result of your treatment
Expenses such as travel costs and care costs
Loss of earnings
We know that dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis can be extremely difficult. Our experts will help to ensure you receive a settlement that funds any care requirements you have and enables you to have the best possible quality of life.
We'll also act to secure compensation as quickly as possible. If your employer admits responsibility for your exposure to asbestos, we may be able to secure interim payments, which are early compensation payments paid to you before the case has been fully settled. These interim payments can play an important role in covering any ongoing care costs and other expenses.
What will happen if I make a claim?
Contact a member of our mesothelioma experts and we'll arrange a consultation to discuss the details of your case. Based on the information you provide, we'll be able to advise you as to whether you may be entitled to claim compensation and how successful you are likely to be. One of our experts will visit you and if you decide to proceed, will begin investigating the details of your case as soon as possible. Our team are experts in finding out the facts in these cases, even if the asbestos exposure happened many decades ago.
If the company responsible for your asbestos exposure, or their insurers, accepts responsibility, we'll negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf. If they don't accept responsibility, we'll guide you through the court process, minimising any stress and anxiety you may feel.
What is a No Win No Fee mesothelioma compensation claim?
Many of our personal injury clients (98%) make claims funded through a Conditional Fee Agreement. More commonly called a No Win No Fee agreement, this way of funding a claim means you don't have to accept any risk to your personal finances in order to seek compensation. If your claim is unsuccessful, your solicitor won't be paid for the work they have done on your case.
You can find out more about how No Win No Fee agreements work here. Alternatively, you can call us at no cost on 0330 107 6503 for further information.
How can Slater and Gordon Lawyers help you?
Because mesothelioma cases can be hard to prove and often involve tracing companies and evidence back many years, it's essential that you choose a solicitor with significant expertise in this complex area of law. This is where we can help. If you choose Slater and Gordon, you can rest assured that you're in safe hands. Our team have considerable experience in dealing with a wide range of asbestos-related disease cases, including mesothelioma compensation claims.
Many of our clients have developed this disease after being exposed to asbestos decades ago. Our personal injury lawyers perform thorough investigations of our clients' employment histories in order to track down those who are responsible for their suffering and hold them to account. We bring all of our combined skills and knowledge together to ensure we succeed in achieving the right outcomes for our clients.
A professional, sensitive service
We also pride ourselves on offering a highly professional yet sensitive service. Our team are extremely familiar with the symptoms associated with this disease and the issues that families have to deal with following a diagnosis. As well as working to defend your legal rights and secure the most favourable outcome in terms of your compensation payment, we'll do our utmost to keep your stress and anxiety levels to a minimum throughout the claims process.
Slater and Gordon know that your quality of life and the financial future of your family can be at stake when you are diagnosed with this disease. With one of the largest and most highly skilled teams of personal injury solicitors in the country, we are ideally placed to help you pursue justice.
We have offices across the country in town and cities including Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield.
For a free consultation about claiming compensation for mesothelioma, call our solicitors on freephone 0330 107 6503 or contact us online and we'll get back to you at a time that's convenient for you.
Many the solicitors at Slater and Gordon Lawyers are members of respected bodies including the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL), the Law Society Personal Injury Panel and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
According to independent legal guide, the Legal 500, we're "simply the best" and have a "collection of very professional lawyers with excellent experience who take on very complex cases and cater for clients very well".
Source: slatergordon


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US: Why America's Political Destiny Hinges On What Happens Next In Texas – by Ralph Benko
US: Relaxed Immigration Barriers Correlate With Powerful Economic Growth – by Ralph Benko
US: Let's Institute A Market-Based System For Ambitious Immigrants Yearning For Freedom – by Alejandro Chafuen
US: Hispanic Marketing: Dig Deep or No Más!
Latino demographics have changed the world of politics and the market of ideas. Intellectual entrepreneurs, however, have not changed as fast as business entrepreneurs. Their think tanks, especially those that are committed to the free society, have only recently created educational and policy programs targeting Hispanics.
Among the 50.7 million Hispanics in the United States, nearly two-thirds (65%), or 33 million, self-identify as being of Mexican origin, according to tabulations of the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) by the Pew Hispanic Center. Overall, the 10 largest Hispanic origin groups—-Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Salvadorans, Dominicans, Guatemalans, Colombians, Hondurans, Ecuadorians and Peruvians—-make up 92% of the U.S. Hispanic population. Six Hispanic origin groups have populations greater than 1 million.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) offered criticism Thursday morning of President Obama's recent executive action dealing with illegal immigrants beyond the oft-heard Republican point that it was "extra-constitutional." In Rubio's words, "we don't know how many will be affected by it, whether kids will come up and identify themselves as illegal" and that the president's order was in no way bipartisan.
President Obama is gradually transforming America into a socialist authoritarian state. This is the real meaning of his recent decision to grant backdoor amnesty to young illegal immigrants. Mr. Obama is behaving like a Latin American strongman, who asserts arbitrary power and ignores the rule of law. He is assaulting the very pillars of our constitutional republic.
I have criticized Obama's manipulative political decisions, especially when it comes to the Latino community. First, when he was a senator he opposed immigration reform that senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain had worked on. Second, he promised that if elected, he would implement immigration reform in his first 100 days in office, he never did. Third, he has deported more immigrants than any other recent president, and separated hundreds of thousands of families while claiming they had criminal records, when in fact the vast majority did not.
SB 1070 was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. Opinion polls consistently show a strong majority of Arizonans supports SB 1070. Hence, the administration is seeking to overturn the democratic will of the people. Mr. Obama wants to subordinate states' rights to the growing federal Leviathan.


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Translating Jesus to Today
In today's world, it's rare for someone to ask you to walk two miles. Nobody has asked for my coat lately, and I can't remember the last time I was slapped on the cheek. When pastors deal with Matthew 5:38-48, they tend to wax historical and provide details like the Roman laws governing how far you had to carry a pack and how much the ancient people hated to use their left hand. This misses the point. Jesus always draws his examples from the daily lives of the people he was talking to. They knew what it was like to be a minority people group governed by an oppressive occupying force.
Jesus wasn't born in Rome, he was born a short distance south of modern day Syria. He could have preached revolution, instead he preached love. But then he went further to speak of a costly love. A love that turns the other cheek and goes the second mile with people you would rather ignore. For those of us who aren't living below the poverty line, this means helping those who are. For those of us who don't live in an oppressed land, it means taking in those who are refugees from places like Syria and El Salvador.
"For if you love only those who love you, what reward can you expect?" (Matthew 5:46)
Jesus uses the word 'you' a lot. In every line, he speaks about the loving response to an everyday situation. When people get historical and find loop holes, Jesus says, "But you must do…" What follows always demonstrates the power of love as a choice. You choose to help your neighbor, even when there is nothing in it for you. You choose to forgive those that have wronged you. You must give money to those who beg. In every moment of life, you must accept the challenge to do what Jesus would do. Wesleyan people call this, 'perfection in love.' It means, choosing love.


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16 weeks
Puppy ID #632991
DOB December 14, 2019
Available I'm ready today!
Color Red
Mom's Weight 55 - 60 lbs
Dad's Weight 65 - 70 lbs
Registry Not registered
Variety Standard F1B
4/4 steps complete
Bonded with Mom
Old Enough
Weighs Enough
Goldendoodles are consistently among the most popular breeds in the United States! Only about two decades old, this breed is a mix of two other top breeds - the Golden Retriever and the Poodle - and comes in many different colors and sizes. Goldendoodles have the intelligence of a Poodle and the loveable, playful personality of a Golden Retriever. They are sometimes considered hypoallergenic because they often don't shed much (or at all), but because they are a mix of two breeds, their coats can vary greatly. Goldendoodles are very trainable, and make wonderful, devoted family pets. Read More
We do all of the 'ruff' work - screening and vetting breeders, performing health checks and coordinating travel so you can focus on what really matters: welcoming home your new furry family member!Learn More
PuppySpot will help find the right puppy for you. Search by breed or take our Breed Match Quiz to find the perfect furry friend.
Connect with your very own Puppy Concierge, who will help you find your new best friend!
A friendly Puppy Manager will help get your pup home safely! Take a peek at our pup-friendly travel options.
Congrats on your new furry family member! Don't forget to share your Wet Nose Moments on social media using #PuppySpot.
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How very lucky I was to find PuppySpot. Little did I know that this little bundle of fluff would arrive just before the virus lockdown. PuppySpot was extremely professional, informative, and helpful. Top Notch!
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Great healthy puppy that I can treasure for her lifetime. Very healthy and very well cared for during her shipping flight.
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Love my new puppy, they were easy and professional.


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I could probably make these in my sleep by now! The only change I made this time was to slightly gather the leg openings and add a cuff. I wish I had taken them in just a little more but she was asleep and I didn't want to make the opening too small to fit.
Monthly Archives: June 2014
Sucker for Seersucker
Maybe it's something about the south but I love seersucker. I found this on sale and only bought half a yard (which I'm now kicking myself for). I've been wanting to play around a little with modifying my dandelion dress pattern and this was the perfect amount for it. It might end up being a good thing I had so little or I'd go full on seersucker suit! Poor baby girl dodged a bullet.
I really wanted these gathered straps on another dress I'm planning so I used this as a test.
The modifications were pretty simple I just folded down the strap part of the pattern and extended the bodice below the arm opening.
I ordered the buttons from here and wasn't sure what to expect since the description is a little lacking but they were all really cute when I got them.
Mathilde Hack
This started out as a sleeveless Mathilde blouse but I couldn't get it to stop looking like a 1950s maternity night gown so I improvised a little.
I cut straight down the middle of the shirt and folded in the edges to add button holes and buttons. And since the facing edges now show when the shirt falls open I used bias tape to cover them.
I added some shaping to the sides after I made the front opening to make it a little more flattering but now there's some gaping on the back. It's not so bad that I won't wear it but it does bug me a little.
After wearing it for the day and looking at these pictures I think I'm going to go back and add one more button on the bottom.
Simple Sewing
Moneta Number Two
This is the second Moneta dress I've made (the first here). The fabric is really soft and stretchy which has some pros and cons. I mean, the softness is obviously a pro but because it's so stretchy the waist seam gets kind of pulled down throughout the day.
I shortened the bodice this time by almost two inches and had to bring the side seams in by half an inch as well. The fabric I used the first time was a bit thicker and more stable so the medium fit pretty well but I wish I had used the small for this fabric.
You can see where the seam in the back is pulling down a little here.
Thrifty Finds
I love thrift stores! Before I really started really sewing I would alter the stuff I found at thrift stores by hand to fit better. Now I have a machine and can make stuff from scratch but I still love finding stuff that I think could look great with just a few quick tweaks. I found this shirt and thought the light weight fabric would be perfect for the hot summer but I'm not a fan of peasant sleeves. And it was just too big. This is kind of a crappy photo but I have since found both my camera remote and stand!
I took the sleeves off and just rolled in the edges as little as possible then slimmed down the sides and finished the edges with a zig zag stitch. The sleeve openings were an odd angular shape but luckily, because it was too big anyways, there was enough fabric there to change it.
And I found this guy that I can't wait to makeover! I'm going to re-cover it with new vinyl or laminated cotton and give it a new paint job too.
Simple Sewing
This was a birthday present I made for my sister (but haven't given her yet lol). Obviously she's a Cowboys fan and she does a lot with animal rescues so I thought I'd make her a reversible coffee sleeve to show off both.
I used this pattern and it was so easy! Start to finish was no more than half an hour and mostly just because I couldn't find the elastic.
A quarter of a yard would make at least six of these and since they're so fast to sew up I would definitely keep this in mind for the gifting season!


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MMA (Methylmethacrylate)WHY MMA (Methylmethacrylate) should not be used:
MMA is solvent resistant - MMA does not soak off easily or in a reasonable length of time, causing undue exposure to acetone while soaking. Some will simply RIP the nails off or pry them off causing extreme damage to the natural nail plate. If a weakened nail plate or damaged nail plate is already present, (normal is when MMA is used) the exposure problems while soaking off MMA become a larger concern, not to mention the ill effects and pain of ripping off the enhancements. EMA should take about 30 minutes or less to soak off, while MMA will take more than an hour to remove by soaking in acetone.
E-files, used by a technician who has been fully trained, are not dangerous or harmful to the natural nail plate. However, many who use this tool are untrained and have been known to cause excessive damage to the nail plate - rings of fire - by drilling into the nail plate, sometimes THROUGH the nail plate into the nail bed (sometimes this causes permanent damage). Additionally, when a nail enhancement of MMA is banged or knocked, it has little to no flexibility and will break severely, often taking the nail plate with it. EMA is formulated to be flexible, the enhancement will break, sometimes the nail, but not usually damage the nail plate.
Poor adhesion - To make MMA adhere well to the nail, overly rough preparation methods are used.
The nail plate is "roughed up" with a coarse file, creating in effect, a shag carpet look to the nail plate, giving the MMA something to adhere to.
This process thins and weakens the nail plate allowing more chemicals to be absorbed through the weakened nail plate during application and curing time. All acrylic enhancements, while hard enough to file in 1-4 minutes, continue to cure for as long as 36-48 hours after application.
When a nail enhancement of MMA is banged or knocked, it has little to no flexibility and will break severely, often taking the nail plate with it. EMA is formulated to be flexible, the enhancement will break or crack, and sometimes the nail will break off, but will not usually damage the nail plate.
The FDA (Food & Drug Administration in the USA), as far back as early 1970's, has stated and still states that MMA is a poisonous and deleterious substance and should not be used in liquid acrylic monomer for nail products.
Warning signs of MMA use:
Here are some signs that your acrylic nails may contain MMA:
- MMA has an unusually strong or strange odor which doesn't smell like other acrylic liquids. Odor is present during application and when filing cured product (for fill-ins or repairs).
- Enhancements which are extremely hard and very difficult to file even with coarse abrasives.
- Enhancements take a very long time to soak off in solvents designed to remove acrylics.
- Cloudy or milky color when cured.
Difference between EMA and MMA?
First, only three atoms distinguish the difference between EMA and MMA. However, this small chemical difference makes EMA much safer. An example is the difference between poisonous wood alcohol (methanol) and beverage alcohol (ethanol). Again the difference between the two molecules is only three atoms. Yet wood alcohol is deadly if consumed. Beverage alcohol is considered safe (if not used in excess!).
Another difference, and one that is most relative to consumers, is PRICE. MMA is much less expensive (about 1/16th the cost!), compared to EMA - this may explain the difference in prices at different salons.
Find a Qualified Technician
Manicure services should NOT be painful. If the technician is causing you ANY pain, seek out another more qualified technician immediately, DO NOT allow the technician to continue the service. Report a complaint and submit it promptly with photos if possible.
The salons that usually cause a problem are usually lacking or one that follows poor sanitation practices, uses inferior and/or prohibited products, and under trained or non-qualified technicians.
Additional warning signs though less definitive:
- Low price of fills and full sets (MMA cost 1/3 of EMA)
- Techs or management that are secretive about brands used. Just because they have a name brand polish in the salon does not mean they are using that brand of acrylic. ASK to see original containers!
- Technicians often wear masks to prevent inhalation of the powerful distinct odor- noxious, sharp and fruity (although many technicians use dust masks today who do not use MMA)
- You experience headaches and a runny nose when you visit the salon
EMA is safe
You will be happy to know that ethyl methacrylate is one of the most studied monomers on Earth. There is a huge amount of scientific literature that backs up the safety of this important substance. It is used in everything from household plastics to medical devices that are implanted in the body.
Fluorescent lamps pro-
duce UV radiation by ionizing
low-pressure mercury vapor. When phos-
phorescent coating is added to the lamps, UV-A, UV-B, UV-C
and all visible light can be produced. The mercury amalgam
allows the temperature of the lamps to rise and UV-C ray emission
increases. The main mercury emission wavelength is in the UV-C range.
Unshielded exposure of the skin or eyes to mercury arc lamps that do not
have a phosphorescent coating is very harmful. Low pressure mercury
lamps are used for disinfection. There are many practical UV lamps with
continuous emission spectra such as xenon arc lamps, deuterium arc lamps,
mercury-xenon arc lamps, metal-halide arc lamps, and tungsten-halogen
Ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be manu-
factured to emit light in the ultraviolet range. LED
arrays are used for UV curing applications.
Ultraviolet radiation is an electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 100~400nm. These rays are emitted from the sun and are not visible to our naked eye. Based on the effects, UV radiation is categorized into 3 ranges: UV-A, B and C.
covers wavelengths of 320-400nm, and is not absorbed by the ozone layer and is the least harmful UV ray. Most
covers wavelengths of 320-400nm, and is not absorbed by the ozone layer and is the least harmful UV ray. Most of the sun's natural light is categorized into UV-A. It penetrates deep into the skin causing wrinkles and aging over time. People come in contact with UVAs when they are sun-tanning.
covers wavelengths of 280-320nm. There is more energy in UV-B than UV-A, and it is partially absorbed by the
ozone layer. UVB is needed for the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism which is crucial in our nervous system, bone growth, immunity, cell development, insulin secretion and blood pressure. However too much UV-B exposure can lead to direct DNA damage, sunburn and skin cancer.
can help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo,
however they can destroy vitamin A in the skin. All 3 types of UV radiation can damage collagen fibers and thereby accelerate aging of the skin.
covers wavelengths of 100-280nm. This shortwave radiation is almost never observed in nature because the ozone
layer absorbs UVC before it reaches the earth's surface. UVC have the ability to kill bacteria in air, surface and water. In humans, UVC is absorbed in the outer dead layers of the epidermis. Unintentional overexposure to UVC causes skin redness and eye irritation, but does not cause skin cancer or cataracts.
It is very important for nail salons to maintain a sanitary manicure station. If all the equipment and tools are not cleaned properly, nail fungus and bacterial infections can quickly spread among clients. Therefore sanitizing equipment before reusing them is crucial, because mere soap and water wash does not cleanse thorougly. Sterilizing trays, jars, and bottles are available for purchase from retailers. You must also clean your hands thoroughly before you start each manicure. There are three different ways to sterilize nail salon tools, through:
dry heating, boiling, and rubbing alcohol.
You can sterilize through boiling, by filling a pot with water and placing it on the stove over high heat. While waiting for the water to reach a boil, clean your tongs and tools, using warm water and mild detergent to remove any visible debris. When the water boils, use the tongs to place the tools inside the pot. Boil the tools for 15 to 20 minutes then dry them on clean paper towels using sterilized tongs. Make sure you do not touch the tools with your hands when it has already been sanitized. Place the tools in a Ziploc bag using tongs, and seal the bag. Autoclave is a device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by using high pressure steam at 121 °C or more for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the load.
The last way to sterilize metal tools is by soaking them in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) for 25 minutes. Place tools in a pot or bowl and pour alcohol covering the tools. After 25 minutes, remove the tools and dry them, storing them immediately in a Ziploc bag. Appropriate salon disinfectants include EPA-registered Hospital disinfectants with bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal claims on the label, 10% bleach solution, or 70%~90% Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol.
- (Reference Link)
- 1. http://www.beautytech.info/Q2A/index.php?qa=22&qa_1=what-is-mma-is-it-bad-how-do-know-if-my-nail-technician-uses-mma&print=true
- 2.http://www.slideshare.net/justinfarrow/what-is-lidar
- 3.http://sugargirlsmobilespa.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/


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Topic: USB 3.0
Review: The G-Drive Mobile USB-C HDD is a great storage solution for your Mac
02/15/2019, 02:02 pm
Finally, G-Technology has added a USB-C port to the G-Drive Mobile line, and we've got one on our test bench.
Review: G-Drive mobile adds USB-C for on-the-go storage
08/22/2018, 01:08 pm
The G|Drive mobile USB-C portable hard drive is an updated version of their popular portable storage designed to work with Apple's latest Macs, and AppleInsider has one.
PSA: Thunderbolt 3 cables longer than 0.5m generally don't support USB 3.1 speeds
08/15/2017, 04:08 pm
USB-C is the future of computer connectivity, but there is a great deal of confusion over USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1, and what any given cable with USB-C connectors is capable of. AppleInsider breaks it all down.
USB 3.2 standard promises 20Gbps speeds over existing Type-C cables
07/25/2017, 05:07 pm
An upcoming revision of the USB standard, USB 3.2, should in some cases dramatically boost transfer speeds over Type-C cables -- hinting at a likely upgrade path for Apple's future Macs.
Everything you need to know about USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 on Apple's new MacBook Pro
11/16/2016, 12:11 pm
Apple has decisively transitioned its new MacBook Pros to use the slim, unidirectional new USB-C port first introduced on the Retina MacBook a year and a half ago. Its latest MacBook Pro machines not only supply more connectors, but also support the enhanced new USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3 protocols for blazing fast wired connectivity and high resolution displays.
Samsung urged to officially recall Galaxy Note 7 to prevent resale of a dangerous product
09/04/2016, 06:09 pm
A leading consumer advocacy group has urged Samsung to perform an official recall of its Galaxy Note 7 following reports that its battery may explode while charging.
USB-C devices can now have safety, authenticity verified with new certification program
04/13/2016, 10:04 am
It will soon be much easier for consumers and businesses to determine whether a USB-C device is genuine and can be trusted, thanks to the newly introduced USB Type-C Authentication specification.
First look: Apple's new USB 3 Lightning to USB-C cable and Camera Adapter for iPad Pro
03/24/2016, 06:03 pm
Owners of Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro can now tap into the greater power of the device's Lightning port thanks to a pair of new USB 3-based accessories released this week: A USB-C to Lightning cable, and a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter with USB-A port input and power passthrough.
Faster USB 3 charging & file transfers are exclusive to Apple's 12.9" iPad Pro
03/21/2016, 05:03 pm
Apple's new USB 3 Lightning accessories offer faster file transfers and battery recharging abilities, but the only Apple device with a USB 3 Lightning port supporting those featuers remains the jumbo-sized 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
iPad Pro could use much faster 29W charging, if Apple allows USB 3 Lightning cables
02/12/2016, 11:02 am
The USB 3 capable Lightning port on Apple's iPad Pro could use an incoming charge of up to 29 watts, matching the abilities of Apple's 12-inch MacBook. But without any USB 3 Lightning cables yet available on the market, this power remains untapped for now.
Apple releases faster USB 3.0 Lightning to SD card reader for iPad Pro
12/08/2015, 01:12 pm
The faster USB 3.0 port hidden within the iPad Pro now has its first official accessory: A new Lightning to SD card reader that takes advantage of the next-generation port exclusive to Apple's jumbo-sized iPad.
Next-gen USB connector a reversible challenge to Apple's Thunderbolt & Lightning
12/04/2013, 01:12 pm
The USB Implementers Forum on Wednesday announced that the USB 3.1 specification will bring with it a new style of connector that can be plugged in in any orientation and will support future USB technologies like USB Power Delivery, high-speed data transfer, and video-over-USB.
Apple's new 9-pin Dock Connector for iPhone 5 may support USB 3.0
09/11/2012, 07:09 pm
While Apple's new Dock Connector for iPhone 5 has been assumed to simply allow for a smaller physical port, the number of pins it uses coincides with the emerging USB 3.0 standard, which supports transfers up to 5 Gbps.


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Last time, I talked about why proper site navigation leads to a positive user experience. Today we're going to dive deep into relationship building and becoming an authority site within your niche, and discover why these tasks are critical for your SEO campaign's success in 2017.
Earning Your Visitors' Trust
In the past, when Google and other search engines were still laying down the groundwork for how to effective rank websites, people who created made-for-AdSense (MFA) sites discovered that sprinkling content with relevant keywords could quickly attract visitors to the site whenever someone searches that particular keyword on Google search. This led to a boom in mini MFA sites that spanned several years, a lot of AdSense-rich webmasters, and a frustrated audience who are after real information, advice, or products.
This all ended in 2014 when Google re-wrote its Quality Ratings Guideline from top to bottom. From then on, Google considers expertise, authoritativeness or trustworthiness at a higher level of ranking instead of just the amount of relevant keywords a website contains.
Today, earning your audience's trust takes a lot of work to achieve. And for good reason. The more people trust your website, the higher chances they're going to recommend it to someone else. When this happens, your site traffic increases, and exposure to the products or services you sell doubles without any marketing efforts from your side.
This video will show you the simplest and fastest way to make money online today. Watch it for free right now.
Defining Authority: How Google Ranks Based on People's Trust
Building a relationship with your readers and website visitor is significant to your rank as an authority figure within your niche. Moz separates authority into two sections – entire website (domain authority) and an individual page/blog post (page authority).
Search engines like Google use several factors to establish how trustworthy or how much your visitors value your site, such as the sites that link to your website, or the number of people who share one of your blog posts to their social media accounts.
So how do search engines establish trust?
Site performance
Google explains that in order for a website to be trustworthy, it should pass most tests for error pages, page load speeds, URL issues, structured data, mobile-friendliness and other performance-related issues. The search engine provides tools to help fix issues like these on the Search Console.
You can go back to the first part of this series, if you need help with site navigation, usability, and improving site performance.
Quality and quantity of inbound links to a domain or page
Whenever someone from another blog, website or social media account talks about your website and adds a link going to your domain or page, that link becomes an inbound link. Search engines can count all inbound links of your website, and weighs the quality of each inbound link.
Quality of inbound links is defined by links from trusted pages or websites. Interestingly, search engines determine if inbound links come from a trusted source by the source's site performance and quality/quantity of inbound links it has as well. It's a never-ending circle – a circle you should be prioritizing in your SEO campaign.
Taking Advantage of Social Media & Other Must-Use Link Building Techniques
Once you've ensured your site performs as user-friendly as possible and pass Google's standards, your next task is to build the number of quality inbound links going to your site/page.
In the past, link building efforts were exceptionally complicated. If you were around trying to be up-to-date with internet marketing in 2005 to 2010, you know what I'm talking about. From graphs to charts, tiers of link building sources, and a ton of strategies just to spread the domain or specific page of your website all over the web.
Today, link building still requires a lot of effort, but it isn't as complicated. Here are some well-known techniques to build quality links and establish your "expertise, authoritativeness or trustworthiness" in Google's eyes:
Write Unique, Share-Worthy Content
The number one way to become an authority in your field is to share valuable information that's worth sharing. You wouldn't even have to promote it to high heavens. As long as you write a high-quality, information-packed, and original content, you just have to wait for people to read it, and it will "organically" (or naturally) be shared.
Find Trusted Sites and Guest-Blog
In most cases, you aren't the only authority site within your niche. Instead of just writing valuable content on your blog, share your knowledge elsewhere. You can contribute to industry publications, blogs, journals and other sources that you think has the same target audience as your website. If you can manage to guest-blog from these sources, provide authentic and useful information, then leave a link of your website at the very end, not only have you built a quality inbound link, you'll also be benefiting from new audience interested in what you have to offer.
Find Where Fellow Authority Site Owners Hang Out
It could be a forum, another website, or a marketplace, but there is always a place online where people with the same niche hang out. Find this hub, get to know people from this spot, and make friends. You'll find both good and bad connections, but as long as they're relevant to your niche, they could be valuable connections for future guest-blogging, or to share promotions with.
Keywords still matter when building quality links. However, search engines lean more to keywords that are naturally sounding. If you want to rank for a particular word or phrase, include that word/phrase on the title of your post, so that if someone decides to share your content, the keyword you want to rank for is included in the inbound link.
Take Advantage of Your Social Media Accounts
As Shaun Anderson explains in this super-comprehensive link building guide, social media posts (no matter how popular) won't replace posts from websites just yet. However, it is important that you utilize the trending/viral potential of social media. Whenever you publish new content (either on your site or others' site), get the link and share it to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any other social media networks you keep.
Wrap Up
No one has become an authority within his/her niche overnight. No website has gained the trust of its visitors with just one visit. You earn the trust of your visitors, the people within your niche, and search engines after months of planned efforts, proper link building, and continuously sharing your knowledge and expertise through your website.
Becoming an authority won't be easy, but if you prioritize relationship building with everything you do – from creating high-quality content and providing valuable services/products, to building links and performing other SEO techniques, people will flock your way.


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From Dodgers.com:
Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. National Anthem at the Major League Baseball national celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, prior to the start of the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, April 15, 2007.
Jennifer Hudson soared to fame when she landed the lead role of Effie "Melody" White in the Academy Award nominated "Dreamgirls". Hudson received numerous awards for this breakthrough performance, including the 2006 Best Supporting Actress Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG Award, BAFTA Award, NAACP Image Award and Broadcast Film Critic's Association Award. The twenty-five year old star got her start on season three of FOX's hit reality show "American Idol", where she showcased her four-octave range and wowed millions of television viewers. She is currently working with Clive Davis on her debut album which is due for release on Arista Records in the fall.


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Kodiak ParkUpdatedWednesday May 16, 2018 byKent Wannamaker.
Kodiak Park Rules
Expectations while visiting Kodiak Park—
The parking rules are: Parking is ONLY allowed in the two parking lots!
Please help us make this complex as great as it can be.
Additional considerations:
• Help keep the campus clean and properly dispose of all garbage!
• Remember to check around you before you leave to make sure you have everything you came with.


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I was invited to give a lecture at Ramsbergsgården last Sunday, in connection with a conference organised by Jane Lyzell. During the weekend I had also been involved in a meeting with this new organisation that I have previously talked about on my blog. The point being that this new organisation would give mediums and healers a voice in the future, and eventually become an established and respected body in society.
It was quite surprising to realise that the topics they were talking about at Ramsbergsgården had a direct connection to what the new organisation that I speak of aims to do. What is that? For us to learn to work together, to create a framework that will allow mediums and healers to work in their own individual way, giving them freedom to use and communicate their own specific skills.
What many people do not realise when they hear the word medium or healer is that these people come from many different walks of life and bring with them many different kinds of skills that are separate from their work and belief in life after death. As that resource evolves I believe that it is those skills that each individual will bring that will help us create new foundation that we can build upon. Mediums and healers, along with other people, who use alternative medicine and therapies, will be part of the base of this future resource. I am also of the opinion that alternative medicine and modern medicine one day will be able to walk hand in and complement one another.
I believe that what I am witnessing right now can be called synchronicity. That higher intelligence that we believe in, known as the spirit world, are putting forward their plans and intentions to inspire us mediums and healers and give us new ideas that will help us become a collective force. In so doing we also carry out the plans and intentions of a higher intelligence.
For me the mind has yet to be explored and mankind gradually has to learn to use this vast resource that is waiting to be discovered. I believe that we who work with the intelligence that we call the spirit world also can make a contribution with research that will offer keys to, what I at the moment call the science of mind. I personally believe that what happens to my mind when I work as a medium takes me into another level of consciousness that has yet to be scientifically proved.
It is time for all parties concerned to learn to unite and build bridges between the established order of today and those who are working with the alternative. If this can be achieved, then two halves of a whole can connect and help science and the alternative to create a new order. I personally believe that this is the plan of those that live within the realms of the spirit world, God or whatever one chooses to call this higher intelligence.
What will this take? An open mind and realising that it is time to create a framework that will allow all humans to use and communicate their individual skills and intelligence without discrimination, fear or prejudice. There is nothing to fear if we as a collective voice move forward without preconceived ideas.
So the synchronicity I speak of I believe is connected with a divine plan that will bring about changes that I consider to be, at the moment, beyond belief. But I believe that if we can take these steps and unite the human resource, what is beyond belief at the moment can become the science of the future.
/Terry Evans
Read more about Terry Evans click here: Terry Evans
If you feel that Ascala Magazine offers interesting articles, perhaps you would like to forward the logo and link showing Ascala Magazine to your website, blog and facebook sites. Also, I write two columns myself, called "Wispers from the Spirit World", and "Medium Cronicle". Click on the picture:


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66% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
If you're interested in trading popular currency pairs like the EUR/USD then you need to be with a known and well-established brokerage like eToro. They offer a good range of currencies to trade on and are one of the most trusted investment firms in the industry today. Their all-in-one platform allows you to trade this currency pair via a CFD or contract for difference and with its huge social investment network, you can even duplicate the trades of other traders allowing you to ride on the success of other users.
Copy the Trades of Top Performing Currency Traders
You can search for the top traders in the network and using the CopyTrader feature, you can set your account to automatically copy the trades of your chosen trader. And since this is a social network, you can communicate with these users and start a friendly conversation where you can share tips and strategies on how to trade wisely. With over 5 million users registered, there are plenty of money-making opportunities.
Connect with Thousands of Currency Traders!
The EUR/USD's highly volatile price will give you a lot of trading opportunities and you can manage the risks by taking advantage of the risk management tools that are integrated on their platform. This will give you more control over your positions for more favorable results. And best of all, its expanding network will connect you with thousands of traders to share and discuss your trading insights.
If you want to join eToro's advanced social trading network, you can start right here!
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66% of retail CFD accounts lose money


text: Its my first time to set foot in Penang and I didn't expected that this will be my new home for now. Because we have visa problem in Sabah We detoured in Penang. Penang the land of sunrise to me. An Island with a lot of hills. Food are really tasty and awesome. And the


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Video Endoscope Inspection
In varied industries ranging from dairy, brewing to pharmaceutical, the use of remote visual inspection or video endoscope examination has been widely used by many professionals to access internal areas of restricted access without the need of disassembling surrounding structures or machinery. The technology over the years has enabled the use of lighter equipment, clearer coloured displays and down-loadable images to ensure that the component or item under examination is fit for purpose. It allows the user to discover any problems before they cause a major problem.
Independent Integrity Inspection Limited (INDEI) has the latest remote visual / video endoscope equipment to carry out inspection of any application requiring a recordable image making it possible to inspect otherwise difficult-to-reach areas, such as inside pumps, pipes, tanks, vessels and other voids, including behind walls. Any complex geometry set-up can be inspected with just a small access needed. This capability with the wealth of knowledge of the INDEI technicians meets the needs of the clients time after time, working closely with them to ensure a reliable, quality compliant and cost efficient method of testing.


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ADS, LLC, formerly ADS Corp., announced the acquisition of Severn Trent Pipeline Services, a division of Severn Trent Services. With regional offices located throughout the U.S., Severn Trent Pipeline Services provides specialized water distribution and sewer collection system analysis, pipeline and structure rehabilitation, and Hydra-Stop® line stopping and tapping equipment, insertion valves and services.
ADS, LLC, a Nova Technologies Company, designs and manufactures flow measurement equipment and software. They provide field inspection and field services for flow monitoring and Sewer System Evaluation Studies. With two divisions, ADS Environmental Services and Accusonic® Technologies, ADS, LLC has conducted more than 5,000 flow measurement projects in their 31-year history and provides products and services to customers in more than 40 countries.
"The addition of Severn Trent Pipeline Services to ADS will enable us to provide expanded field services and product offerings to our customers," said Karl Boone, president and CEO of ADS, LLC. "We are thrilled that we'll be providing more to our clients in both wastewater collection systems and also in water distribution systems. In both areas, Severn Trent Pipeline Services already has a very strong base of offerings and an excellent track record. Everyone at ADS is very excited about joining forces with our new colleagues and growing what we offer to the wastewater and water marketplaces. Our customers have asked ADS to do more for them and we will."


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Our Son Doong Expedition Cave 5d4n will take you deep into the heart of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, on one of the most thrilling adventure tours in the world.
Note: For photography enthusiasts and professionals alike, we are continuing our Son Doong Photography tours for the 2017 season. This tour focuses on capturing unique images within Son Doong with lighting support and porters carrying up to 20 kg your personal equipment. Sign up now at Son Doong Photography Tour.
With your team of more than 25 porters plus safety experts and guides, you'll explore over six days, the entire length of Son Doong Cave, Hang En Cave, as well the Ban Doong ethnic minority village.
Imagine trekking straight into the depths of the world's largest cave on an expedition unlike any other. A cave that can fit a 747 flying through its largest cavern – a truly foreign landscape, with enormous stalagmites and statuesque stalactites, hanging from the ceiling and rising from the ground like an alien species.
A jungle within a cave, that's almost so unreal that you have to see it to believe it. Misty clouds enveloping the whole scene, evidence of the cave's own weather system. Fossil passageways that give proof of the cave's ancient existence!
There is no rush on this tour and there is plenty of time for photography and to enjoy the cave. However you need to be very fit, and have previous experience trekking (but not necessarily caving or climbing) to enjoy this adventure tour.
Note: Due to safety and conservation matters, the government of Quang Binh allowed Oxalis is the only operator bringing tourists to Hang En/Son Doong cave. Letter Number 1213/UBND-VX dated on August 03, 2016 of the Government of Quang Binh Province.
Customers alway expect to make it to Son Doong entrance without assistance. Anyone who cannot do so will be turned around. We maintain the right to turn around any customers who cannot follow safety, conservation, or trekking rules, and anyone who refuses to follow the instructions of the guide team. Customers who want turning around will not a receive a refund of any kind.
Dong Hoi – Safety Briefing – Local hotel in Phong Nha
Day 1: Phong Nha – Ban Doong Village – Hang En Cave
Day 2: En Cave – Son Doong entrance – Hand of Dog – SD Camp 1
Please note that there are no washing facilities at camp on this day.
Day 3: SD Camp 1 – Watch out for Dinosaurs – Great Wall of Vietnam – SD Camp 2
Quick note: you may use a pair of dry boots on this day, as aside from the mud, there are no water crossings! Also, there are no washing facilities at camp on this day.
Day 4: SD Camp 2 – Fossil Passage – Nat Geo View Point – Hang En Cave
Day 5: Hang En Cave – Ban Doong Village – Phong Nha
Please make sure that your health is suitable for these activities with ease.
This trip exceeded my expectations on all levels. Definitely a must see if you're in the area and can afford it. The cave is mixture of many kinds terrain for trekking and hiking. The scenery and views are so rewarding ! Nothing can compare to this experience. It is like journey to centre of the earth.


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Car snaps Bridgeport utility pole, power KO'd
BRIDGEPORT -- A Seymour man escaped injury Tuesday after telling police he was forced off the road and crashed into a utility pole on Fairfield Avenue, knocking out power in the area.
Darrin Butler, 21, was not charged, police said, pending further investigation.
According to police Capt. Brian McCarthy, Butler was driving his 2007 Subaru Impreza on Fairfield Avenue, near Park Avenue, when he told police an unidentified driver forced him off the road about 7 a.m.
The impact snapped the utility pole at its base.
McCarthy said the intersection was blocked as a United Illuminating Co. crew worked to repair the damaged pole. Firefighters were also called to the scene because of a concern that PCBs may have leaked onto the road from one of the pole's three transformers.
McCarthy said Butler's car suffered heavy front-end damage, but Butler walked away from the crash uninjured.
"At this point no charges were imposed while we check out Mr. Butler's claims that he was forced off the road," McCarthy said.
The downed pole disrupted power to about 40 customers in the vicinity for several hours, according to police.


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Many Thanks for a Rip-Roaring Good Time at Vegas Night 2018!
Another fantastic Vegas Night has come and gone and we are yet again amazed at the outcome! Hard work, generous donations, and amazing support from sponsors, came together to make for a night of fun & great achievement. Vegas Night 2018 raised over $25,000 for The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life!
Huge thanks to our sponsors!
A night filled with fun, with music by Standing Room Only, Gaming Tables, Raffle, Silent Auction, and a chance to decorate your own Luminary for KDI for a Kure's Relay for Life Walk coming up in June! There is no better way to have a night out, than to have a night out for a great cause.
Thank you to all who attended!
It was a special night and we look forward to seeing you all again next year!!!


text: In this cool puzzle platform game you have a look at various people's fixations. Lead the main character Kathryn, who can solve problem with smoking through all stages. Talk to other people, puzzle out how to overcome obstacles without dying and use her smokey habit to set off switches and puff danger away. Enjoy Fixation. Controls: Arrows / WASD = Move / Jump / Double Jump, Mouse


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AIFS Financial Policies
Application fee
A non-refundable $95 fee must accompany your application. No application will be processed without it.
Enrollment confirmation deposit
A non-refundable $750 tuition deposit is applied toward tuition fees and is payable upon acceptance. Places cannot be held without this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances once a student has been confirmed.
Payment online
AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card or electronic check.
Balance of fees
Fall semester fees are due June 1 for Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Hyderabad, London Internship, Perth, Salzburg, Seville, Stellenbosch, Suzhou, Viña del Mar Wellington and Wollongong July 1 for all other programs. Spring semester fees are due November 1 for London Internship, Berlin and Hyderabad and November 15 for all other programs.
Damage deposit
AIFS does not require a damage deposit. Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid.
Fees include
- Housing and meals while on the AIFS Programs as described in individual program descriptions
- Comprehensive insurance/assistance package
- Tuition fees, registration fees and examination charges
- Orientation programs as described for specific programs
- Certain field trips, excursions and cultural activities
- Membership in libraries and university student clubs as described for specific programs
- Official transcript
Fees do not include
- Non-refundable application fee ($95) or damage deposit
($250 per semester)
- Housing and meals during breaks and spring vacation*
- Optional AIFS Flight Package (round-trip flights and airport transfers plus 2-night visit to London for programs in Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Cannes, Florence, Granada, Grenoble, Madrid, Limerick, Maynooth, Paris, Prague, Rome, Salamanca, Salzburg and Seville.)
- Textbooks and laboratory fees
- Passport and visa fees (except for Russian visas)
- Excess baggage charges
- Personal spending money
- Orientation programs during the second semester for full-year students
- Vacation travel or local transportation (unless noted in program description)
- Beverages with meals
*Dormitories are usually closed during breaks and vacations. Although some campuses allow students to stay at the university, meals are not provided. Most students take advantage of the breaks to travel for additional enrichment and education.
Enrollment for a full year
Students enrolling for a full year (two semesters) at the same campus receive a fee reduction of at least $1,000 towards their second semester fee as indicated in the program chapter. See page 454 for full year fees.
Students who wish to enroll for a full year at 2 different campuses will receive a reduction of $1,000 on the second semester fee. Contact AIFS at 800.727.2437 to find out the exact fee reduction available for your chosen second campus.
Dual campus students
Students who wish to switch from one campus program to another in the second semester are advised to check the visa regulations with the consulate of the second programs country before leaving the U.S. Many consulates may not give Americans a student visa unless they apply for the visa at a consulate in the U.S. and are not allowed (by their government) to issue a student visa more than three months before the start of the semester. As a result, some consulates require American students to return to the U.S. between semesters to obtain a student visa for the second semester (therefore, dual campus student may need to spend the December break in the U.S.).
Extension of stay
If you decide that you would like to stay beyond the time indicated on your original application and study for a second semester, you must notify the AIFS Study Abroad office in the U.S. and the Resident Director in writing by November 1. As described above, you will receive an automatic fee reduction of at least $1,000 towards the second semester fee. Contact AIFS at 800.727.2437 to find out the exact fee reduction available.
Early withdrawal for full year students
If you wish to withdraw at the end of the first semester, you must notify the Resident Director and AIFS in writing no later than four weeks before the current term ends. A revised invoice will reflect actual time spent on campus less non-refundable payments. AIFS students may not withdraw from a full-year program and arrange independent study at the same institution.
Procedures for changing status
Change in your status on the same campus may be implemented without extra charge up to one month before the program begins. Students requesting a change of status should write to their AIFS Admissions Officer. Once abroad, all plans must be discussed with the Resident Director well in advance of an impending change. There is no refund to students who leave one campus early or arrive at the other late because of differences in academic calendars. Students wishing to change campuses should be aware of differences in curricula and are responsible for notifying their home institution of any change. Transportation between campuses is the students responsibility.
The right to refunds is limited. All withdrawal requests must be in writing either by email or mail to AIFS Study Abroad, Academic Year and Semester Programs, American Institute For Foreign Study, 1 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905 or by fax to 203.399.5597.
Refunds prior to the start of the program
Using the postmark, email or fax date of a students withdrawal letter as the official withdrawal date (or next business day if this is a weekend), the following applies:
If a student withdraws
he/she receives
|After final payment deadline and more than 60 days before departure
|All payments minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 and $1,000 and any flight cancellation charges
|After final payment deadline and 30 to 60 days before departure
|All payments, minus the nonrefundable deposit and application fee of $845 and 50% of the program fee and any flight cancellation charges
|After final payment deadline and less than 30 days before departure
|No refund
A refund policy similar to the above applies to a full-year student who has paid spring fees but wishes to withdraw at the end of the first semester/quarter. The start date for the spring semester is used.
Students who do not notify AIFS in writing of their intent to withdraw before the payment deadline are responsible for all program fees.
In addition:
- If AIFS cancels a program, participants will be notified within 7 days and a full refund or, at the participants request, credit toward another program will be made within 14 days of cancellation. AIFS will not cancel a program less than 10 days before scheduled departure unless circumstances exist which make it impossible for it to continue.
- In the unlikely event that the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning which advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the program site, AIFS will:
- suspend the program if it has not already started. In this case students will receive a full refund of all fees paid minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 and $1,000.
- suspend the program and fly students home if the program is already in operation. Students returning home early because of a State Department warning will receive a pro-rata rebate for tuition, board and lodging for the portion of the program not delivered, less the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 and costs incurred flying home early.
- suspend the program if it has not already started. In this case students will receive a full refund of all fees paid minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 and $1,000.
- If a program undergoes major changes and participants elect in writing to withdraw from the program, a full refund of all payments except the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 will be processed within 14 days of the cancellation. Major changes mean significant changes in program dates or destination cities. Minor alterations including revised itineraries will not result in refunds.
- Students who have selected the flight option and withdraw after tickets are issued will be subject to flight charges and cancellation fees.
Refunds once a program has started
- Students choosing to leave the program early for personal or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit.
- There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started.
Financial aid
Financial aid cannot be applied towards deposits, flight fees, or optional excursion fees.
Learn about AIFS Scholarships and Grants
Most forms of federal, state and private financial aid or loans may be applied to AIFS study abroad programs with approval of your home institution. Details are available from your campus financial aid officer or study abroad advisor. If you plan to use your financial aid award to pay AIFS fees, you should apply early to meet aid application deadlines. Rules of eligibility are determined by federal, state and local authorities. The student must pay, by the final payment deadline, the program fee less approved financial aid or loans that will be disbursed after the payment deadline. The student must also pay by the payment deadline, the deposit, the optional flight package if selected, optional excursions, and any extra fees regardless of the amount of financial aid accepted. The student is responsible for ensuring that any outstanding balance is paid by the aid disbursement date. The student is responsible for full payment of fees regardless of any change to expected financial aid and or loan amounts.
Federal awards
NSEP (available for programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, Eastern Europe and Latin America where language is part of the study program - many AIFS programs qualify). Gilman; Pell (federal) grants; SEOG (federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants); Federal loansPLUS; Federal Perkins loans; Federal subsidized Stafford loans; Federal unsubsidized Stafford loans.
Other sources may include
State aid (varies from state to state); Merit awards/scholarships from your institution; Merit awards/scholarships from community-based organizations; ROTC scholarships; Rehabilitation educational assistance; AIFS and Diversity Scholarships
Guaranteed program fees
The program fees for all programs quoted are guaranteed for the fall semester of 2019 and spring semester of 2020 and will not increase due to currency fluctuations; however, optional AIFS Flight Package fees are subject to adjustment resulting from government or airline surcharges (e.g. fuel) imposed subsequent to catalog publication (August 2018).
Changes and cancellations
AIFS reserves the right to make cancellations, changes or substitutions in emergencies, changed conditions or in the interest of each student group.


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Next on the 5 year journal:
What was the mistake?
This is a pretty vague question, but I'll have to say that the mistake of my life was the Grievous Ex.
Something cool I saw today
In my life
Tonight the boys come in from Wisconsin and New York. At last, the circle will be complete.
Work was crazy-busy today. Really no time to write anything else.


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There's something about being ill that completely changes your appetite, both in terms of quantity and desire. Today was the first time in four weeks that I ate a fresh green salad – normally a daily habit of mine. But then I've been ill with bronchitis and an awful laryngitis and, as a result, my appetite has become that of a child. I've been eating nursery food. Continue reading "A Simple Soup for Sore Throats"
Category: Soups
Rationed Chicken – the three meal bird
My maternal grandmother (Nanna) was born in the 1890's, and lived through two world wars with their accompanying ration books and shortages of food. When I was born, partial rationing was still in force and 'frugality' was well entrenched in Nanna's mortal soul. Blessings had to be counted – stockings were mended, collars turned, and clean underwear always had to be worn in case you were run over by a bus. This frugality didn't stop at the kitchen door. Waste was not to be tolerated. One of my kitchen duties was to scrape the cake mix out of the bowl with a teaspoon, on a promise of the last lick. Every last spoonful, I was told, was enough cake to feed a starving African child. We didn't own a spatula, so I was amused to read in Bee Wilson's 'Consider the Fork', that rubber spatulas were once referred to as 'child cheaters', for their knack of removing every last gram of batter. Nanna would have approved of that. Continue reading "Rationed Chicken – the three meal bird"
A Soup for All Colds – a spicy pea souper to clear the sinuses
It's officially autumn, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness! And the season for flu, well, Man colds. I know I'm supposed to have a large pot of chicken soup simmering on the stove for such occasions, but frankly who has the time? Continue reading "A Soup for All Colds – a spicy pea souper to clear the sinuses"


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Mac OS X – Install Tools to Program in Micropython on the ESP32 - Introduction Its easier then ever to get started with micropython developement on Mac OS X. This howto assumes that the user is starting from zero. Lets get started. Install Python 3.7 Mac OS X comes with Python 2.7. We will … Continue reading
Mac OS X – Install Tools to Program in Micropython on the ESP8266 - Introduction Its easier then ever to get started with micropython developement on Mac OS X. This howto assumes that the user is starting from zero. Lets get started. Install Python 3.7 Mac OS X comes with Python 2.7. We will … Continue reading
Build An LED Grow Light For Seedlings and Cuttings - Introduction Watch the video above to see how to build a cheap LED grow light for your seedlings or cuttings. This light is more energy efficient than a shop light or cfl bulb. This light is perfect for a 10 … Continue reading
Fix VMWare Fusion Upload to Server Problems - Introduction Sometimes things don't go to smoothly. I couldn't get a VM from VMWare Fusion 11 to upload to a VMWare ESXI 6 server. Here's my solution to the problem. VM won't upload hard disk file: Well this was caused … Continue reading
An Easy Way To Delete All Tables From A MySQL Database - Introduction Sometimes you need to remove all the tables in a database. For example, when you are installing or testing a web application. There are GUI tools that can help but we are going to use the command line. Solution … Continue reading
Hacking: Put a larger battery in an APC Back-UPS ES 350 or 450 - Introduction In the video below I cover adding a larger battery to an APC Back-ups 350 or 450. Items You'll Need A 12V 9Ah lead acid battery A Dremel tool with cut off wheel. The Hack The hack takes advantage … Continue reading
My Favorite WordPress Plugins - Introduction This is a quick rundown of the plugins I like to use on my WordPress sites. I do try my best not to install tons of plugins on my sites. For the most part I use small lightweight plugins … Continue reading
HOWTO: Configure A UPS on Proxmox 5.x - Introduction Each of my proxmox servers has its own dedicated UPS. My servers are low power and the UPS will keep them up for at least 2 hours. I'm using a Cyberpower UPS connected via USB. This howto will use … Continue reading
Creating a MySQL or MariaDB Database and User for WordPress - Introduction These are just some quick notes on creating a mysql database and user. This example shows how to set it up for WordPress. The Steps Just type the following lines. Replace 'dbname', 'username' and 'password' with your values. mysql … Continue reading
Enable Opcache for PHP 7 and Up - Introduction If you are running PHP 7+ on a production server then you want to enable PHP's opcache. Your PHP applications will receive a well deserved speed boost. Configure PHP This configuration example is being done on Ubuntu 18.04. Only … Continue reading
Ubuntu LTS 18.04 Base Server Setup Using Proxmox LXC Container - Introduction All of our servers will start with this install. This base server is based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Server. This setup starts with a Proxmox LXC container instead of installing from an ISO. I don't explain much in the … Continue reading
Fix phpMyAdmin and PHP 7.2 Issues on Ubuntu 18.04 - Introduction The version of phpmyadmin for ubuntu doesn't play nice with php 7.2. The problems were fixed in newer versions of phpmyadmin. The Fix Just a few steps and things will be fixed. First visit www.phpmyadmin.net and download the latest … Continue reading
HOWTO Virtual Mail Hosting on CentOS 6.x – Postfix MySQL Dovecot PostfixAdmin Amavisd-new Spamassassin Clamav - Introduction First things first. If you are a novice at linux I recommend that you should get help with setting this up. This is an advanced email server configuration. This configuration will allow you to serve multiple domains on one … Continue reading
HOWTO CentOS 6.x Virtual Web Hosting With Apache MYSQL and ProFTPD - Introduction There are many ways to do virtual websites under linux. The technique I am going to use is multiple domains on one ip address. I also didn't want to use system users for the virtual hosts. So I decided … Continue reading
HOWTO CentOS 6.x Base Server Setup - Introduction All of our servers will start with this install. This base server is based on CentOS 6.x. There have been some changes since my 5.x howtos. Downloading the ISO Visit the CentOS website and download the minimum install ISO. … Continue reading
Howto Ubuntu 18.04 Setting up a DNS Server - Introduction DNS is a big player on the internet. It gives us a way to assign names to all those IP addresses out there. This howto is going to cover installing DNS and 3 configuration examples. Keep in mind that … Continue reading
TIP: Disable Unattended Upgrades on Ubuntu 18.04 Server - Introduction When running a server automatic updates can be a dangerous affair. When I setup my servers I disable this feature in Ubuntu. The Fix Edit /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades > sudo nano -w /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades Change the file to the follosing APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1"; … Continue reading
Hydroponics Nutrient Solution EC and PH Charts - Introduction Here is a chart that gives guidance on nutrient strength and PH for several different plants. For EC I like to mix on the lower side of the range. For PH I like to be in the middle of … Continue reading
HOWTO Ubuntu 18.04 Setup An APT Caching server - Introduction When you are running a few Ubuntu servers you may want to think about setting up an APT caching server. Installs and upgrades will go quicker. You might save some bandwidth on your internet connection Setting Up The Base … Continue reading
HOWTO Ubuntu 18.04 Virtual Web Hosting With Apache, PHP, vsFTPD and Let's Encrypt - Introduction The focus of this howto is for those users who need to host their own domains and maybe a few customer domains. This is not aimed at being used for mass web hosting. There are many ways to do … Continue reading


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Are you getting up to the toilet constantly and always in fear of leakage? Incontinence or the lack of control of urine outflow can be a very stressful and anxiety provoking matter. No one wants to
live a life where they are in constant fear of leaking. Did you know that something can be done about this? Something that can reduce your incidence of leaking and those embarrassing accidents.
Why does it happen to me?
To understand what can be done, first, we need to understand why it happens? What causes those unwanted leaking and those embarrassing moments? Our urinary system works by our kidney
producing urine when we have excess fluids, this urine slowly fills our bladder; when our bladder gets full, we go to the toilet and excrete the urine. Now there are many ways that this journey can
go wrong. In our case, we want to talk about incontinence. Urinary incontinence happens when we have unwanted accidents in-between bathroom breaks secondary to increased pressure on our
bladder. This usually occurs after we sneeze, jump or even cough. The increased pressure isn't necessarily because our bladder is full but because we don't have good control of those muscles that
keep the urine in the bladder until we are ready to excrete it. Have you heard of your pelvic floor? Well, those are the muscles that are often weak when we have
issues with incontinence. You may have heard of the kegel exercise to help your pelvic floor and aid with incontinence but the kegel exercise is only part of your pelvic health. If you haven't heard
of it before, Pilates is a great form of exercise that can help restore your core muscles while engaging your pelvic floor, pelvis and back. All of these areas are essential when we start to talk
about incontinence and prevention of those unwanted leaks. Pilates and engagement of those pelvic muscles can help you feel well, move more and live free!
Top 3 Exercises to Help You with Your Stress Incontinence:
Before we even start to think about exercises, first we need to make sure we know how to contract or switch on our pelvic floor muscles. The best way to do this is to think about squeezing your
muscles as if you have a full bladder, need to go to the bathroom, but aren't quite there. Your pelvic floor is bound to switch on along with your core and other surrounding muscles. Once you have the idea and
the idea and have practised that, give the below three exercises a go!
Roll Down
The roll down is a great exercise to get your body moving segmentally as you train your pelvic floor to do the same. Ever hear of the elevator exercise for your pelvic floor? Well,
this pilates based exercise is designed to allow your spine to move segmentally while strength training your pelvic floor. With this exercise you want your spine to unravel one
segment at a time starting with your neck and ending with your low back. While doing this think of drawing up your pelvic floor muscles up an elevator. To do this draw the pelvic floor
muscles up and in, then stop and hold the contraction at the 'first floor' then carry on up the elevator drawing in the pelvic floor further- stop at the second floor and so on. In no time
you will be able to do the roll down while controlling that pelvic floor.
The clam is a great exercise to get your glutes and pelvic stabilising muscles to work together to help you with maintaining that strong pelvic region. Incontinence is mainly controlled by
your pelvic floor muscles but is also supported by your glutes, deep core and pelvic stabilisers.
Ever find that when you relax, so does your pelvic floor muscles, potentially leading to some unwanted leaking? Well, the corkscrew exercise is perfect for retraining your pelvic floor
while relaxing/getting rid of those unwanted stresses in the remaining muscles in your body. As you take a deep breath in allow your pelvic core muscles to contract, BUT keep hold of them as you
breathe out and relax the rest of your body.


text: What's more awesome and annoying than regular music ringtones? Video ringtones. iFoneTec has developed VideosTone, which lets you play back a standard formatted-for-iPhone video whenever someone calls. You can pick different ones for different people, like Devo for Lam and Ricky Martin for Jesus. We've been trying to try this app for ourselves but our download from Installer.app keeps timing out. The people on ModMyiPhone have had more luck getting Coldplay to dance on their phones, apparently. [ModMyiPhone]


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Mike Reaves Named KMI Salesman of the Year for 2017
Kohl Marketing, Inc. is very pleased to announce that Michael F. Reaves has been named the 2017 Kohl Marketing, Inc. Salesman of the Year. The award was presented during Kohl Marketing's Winter Sales Meeting, held last month in Alpharetta, GA.
Mike came to Kohl Marketing, Inc. in 2007, and covers the southern half of North Carolina (including the Charlotte area) and the northern half of South Carolina. We extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Mike for a job well done!


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There was a time in the history of college football when it was just a good ole scrum between two rival academic institutions and any money made helped buy a few uniforms and some leather helmets. Those days are long over! The business of college football is beyond huge. The money is flowing, no… rushing, no… tsunami-ing to athletic departments, universities, and coaches. Don't forget about food and beverage companies and stadium contractors (building new stadiums, additions and indoor facilities). Basically, everyone. That is everyone except the reason for all the money coming in…The Players. It's time to pay the players. Actually, it is past time. It blows my mind how much resistance I hear from fans about the notion of paying the players. It is not hard to figure out why the universities and athletic departments would resist it. But, fans being against it? We don't make money off the players. We cheer for them. I always hear different reasons why the players can't be paid. I will concede that there are issues to be worked out in paying the players but that's what we do in every other profession. I have heard these many reasons but I would call them excuses. Again, we pay workers in every other profession we can do it in college football.
I think the discussion needs to begin with this notion-There is only one reason and one reason only that college football players are not being paid. If they make money then everyone else in the system will make less. It is not rocket science but it is economics. This is not a new fight for workers to ask for a bigger piece of the pie and employers to resist. We have a minimum wage law in this country for a reason. Some employers didn't/don't even want to pay that. Here's the deal, there is all this money coming in and everyone is getting a slice of that pie. If you pay the players then somebody getting paid has to get less. It's simple. Those profiting off these player do not want to make less. What's even crazier is that not only are the players not getting paid, there are rules limiting what a player can earn outside of football(job, etc). What is the reason for this rule? Well, it's the same reason. If the player could make money then those who profit off the player will make less money. For example, would Nike pay the school millions for the teams to wear their clothing when they could pay the player some of that? Man, what a system the NCAA and universities have created.
Now, people like to talk that these players are getting a free education. That is true. That has value but I argue that it is not enough. Especially, since we are finding out more and more that these players are being funneled into easy classes to remain eligible(you can find several stories regarding this matter). Meaning they are not even getting the highest quality education. In fact, one of the main reasons the Northwestern players have sought to unionize is because they really can't get the education they want because of the demands of football. They at least want to get the education they are promised since most of them are not going to play football professionally. Bobby Bowden was the first coach to make $1 million/year in 1996. 19 years later, 72 coaches make over $1 million/year. Nick Saban makes $7 million/year which is a 600% increase from Bobby Bowden in 1996. It's time to pay the players. It's past time. One argument you hear a lot is that the money from football supports all the other sports. It does but it also supports individuals and universities bank accounts. There is no need to take the money from women's lacrosse. Most coaching staffs make a total of 4 million/year to 13 million/year. What if they made less and the players got paid? That's one option. Believe me, give me a minute with that athletic budget and I will find money for the players. Everyone involved(including the players) should sit down at the bargaining table and figure out how much to pay the players. It's not rocket science. It is economics and it can be done.
Let me give you a scenario. A buddy of yours has some start up cash to open a restaurant and he wants you to cook because you are an amazingly talented chef. He spends the money to start the business and the restaurant is open. Business is okay but neither of you are making a profit. Everything you make just keeps the place open and is enough to survive. Then things start to change for the better. More and more people are coming in to taste your creations. People are raving about you, the chef, at this new place. Business is booming and the place is packed every night. Yep, money is rollin' in. You and your buddy's dream came true. Now, he is taking a huge salary and he tells you that you have to make the same as when you started which remember was nothing. Then, he tells you that not only won't he pay you but it is against the rules for him to pay you and if he did someone would come shut down the restaurant. But, he tells you "This is what I can do for you, I will send you to some classes so you can learn how to do something else besides be a chef" Except, that you are already a great chef, everyone loves your meals and you work at one of the most successful restaurants in the world. Then he tells you "Well, if you are a good enough chef maybe in a few years(you have to stay at his restaurant for 3 years by the way) you can get a great paying job at a really successful restaurant." Except, that you already work at a really really successful restaurant. And not only do you work but you are the chef that cooks the meals that everyone comes to eat. Oh did I mention that he hired a bunch of support staff for the restaurant and they all make a bunch of money too. Everyone at the restaurant is doing well financially except you. Would you want to work under these arrangements? That my friends is NCAA college football and that my friends is ridiculous. Which one of you would ever think that scenario was fair and decent? Many of these players come from lower income families. What a positive impact being paid a fair salary would have on them and their families. It saddens me that as fans we don't advocate for the players to be paid. We are supposed to be their fans. We cheer for them. We follow them from high school. Let's use our voice to demand that they get the pay that they deserve. I just want one school to go rogue and say "if you come here, you will get a salary" You think that would help their recruiting? It's time. It's past time. Pay the Players!