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The Lower Mississippi River Valley was the most critical theater of the Civil War. The Mississippi River served as the major interstate highway of 19th-century America. The river enabled people to transport goods from St. Louis and Pittsburgh through New Orleans to the world. Rivers were extremely valuable as transportation networks, but beginning in the 1 840s, railroad construction linked major cities that were unconnected by water. Both sides realized the significance of these transportation networks and knew they must control them to win the war.
Early in the war, Union General Winfield Scott envisioned a broad sweeping plan to crush the rebellion. His strategy known as the "Anaconda Plan" reflected the importance of the Mississippi River in the overall strategy of the war. Scott's plan called for blockading the Southern coast and a drive down the Mississippi River to cut the South in two.
Regional diversity of the economy controlled national politics. Over the years, compromises maintained a delicate balance in Congress between Free and Slave states. With the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, which allowed territories to decide for themselves whether to become Free or Slave states, the spirit of compromise was lost. Southerners feared this change would forever rob them of their way of life.
Agriculture was the foundation of the economy of America, but its practice varied between the North and the South. The South was dependent on a plantation economy for its livelihood, hut it also relied on Northern factories for everything it needed to grow, refine, and market its crops. Northerners forged the plows that broke Southern earth, Northerners built the steamboats that shipped Southern crops, and Northerners purchased the final product.
The election of Abraham Lincoln as president in 1860 changed the lives of all Americans almost overnight and the nation itself forever. Lincoln's belief that "a house divided against itself cannot stand," created a sense of crisis in the South and brought the issues that divided the nation into sharp focus.
South Carolina seceded from the Union soon after the election and was joined by other states to form the Confederate States of America before Lincoln took office.
War erupted when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. Following these opening shots, both the North and South quickly raised troops, organized armies, and began to develop strategies for victory.
The Mississippi River became the focal point in the war plans of both sides. "The Father of Waters" had moved lumber, wheat, corn, and meat from the Midwest, cotton and tobacco from the Upper South to New Orleans, and European goods upriver. Control of the Mississippi and the rivers that flow into it would allow the North to move troops and supplies into the South while crippling the South's ability to survive. The South needed to protect itself, especially the rich farmland of the Mississippi River Valley, from Northern invasion. The Mississippi, carrier of commerce, became the bearer of dreams as a divided nation struggled with itself over its future.
With Missouri securely under Union control, both sides massed troops — the North along the Ohio River and the South across Tennessee. Newly commissioned Union General Ulysses S. Grant was stationed in Cairo, Illinois, to watch Southern troops in Tennessee. Each side waited and watched, careful not to tip the balance in Kentucky toward the other. On September 1, 1861, Confederate General Leonidas Polk seized the Kentucky river-towns of Hickman and Columbus. He began erecting fortifications at Columbus to defend the river as part of a Confederate defense line that stretched across southern Kentucky from Columbus to Cumberland Gap. Grant quickly countered by occupying Paducah and Smithland. The watching and waiting was over. Late in 1861, Union land and naval forces launched a key element of the "Anaconda Plan" by simultaneously heading south from Paducah, Kentucky, and north from the Gulf of Mexico to wrestle control of the Lower Mississippi River Valley from the Confederates. The initial engagement at Belmont, Missouri, provided valuable experience for Grant who became the most important Union general of the war.
Moving along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, Union forces seized Forts Henry and Donelson, opening the pathway for invasion of the Deep South. Continuing their advance, the Federals gained victory in the bloody battle at Shiloh in April, at Corinth in May, and having forced the surrender of Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River, seized Memphis by early June.
Entering the mouth of the Mississippi River, the ships of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, commanded by Union Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut, fought past Confederate Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Left defenseless, New Orleans, the largest city in the Confederacy, surrendered in late April. Moving steadily upriver, Farragut captured Baton Rouge and Natchez and steamed on to Vicksburg.
Responding to Farragut's demand for surrender, Confederate Lt. Col. James L. Autrey, the post commander at Vicksburg, answered, "Mississippians don't know, and refuse to learn, how to surrender to an enemy." Shelling the city until late July, Union ships and gunboats were unable to force surrender of Vicksburg. Sickness and rapidly falling waters forced the Federals to withdraw to deeper water below Baton Rouge.
Upriver, Federal inactivity in and around Memphis during the summer enabled Confederate forces to counterattack to regain lost portions of the Lower Mississippi River Valley. These efforts ended in failure at Iuka and Corinth, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge. General Ulysses S. Grant then directed his forces in a two-pronged advance on Vicksburg. One wing marched south from LaGrange and Grand Junction, Tennessee into north Mississippi, while the other wing, under General William T. Sherman, pushed rapidly downriver from Memphis to seize Vicksburg. Cavalry under Confederate General Earl Van Dorn sacked Grant's supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi, and troopers under General Nathan Bedford Forrest cut Union supply lines in Tennessee forcing the Northerners back to Memphis.
On Christmas Eve, the flotilla carrying Sherman's troops arrived near Vickshurg. A warning of his approach interrupted a festive gathering at he Balfour House. Declaring, "This ball is at an end. The enemy is coming down river," Confederate General Martin Luther Smith, the garrison commander, ordered his troops to man their batteries. Landing north of the city near the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou, Sherman ordered his troops forward saying, "We will lose 5,000 men before we take Vicksburg, and may as well lose them here as anywhere else." As his soldiers were hurled back with bloody loss, his words proved prophetic.
Unable to take Vicksburg, Union forces began 1863 by moving up the Arkansas River and capturing the Confederate garrison at Arkansas Post. After a series of ill-fated bayou expeditions during the winter months, Grant boldly launched his army on a march through the northeastern corner of Louisiana from Milliken's Bend in search of a favorable point to cross the Mississippi River below Vicksburg. Union gunboats and transports battled their way past Confederate shore batteries at Vicksburg and rendezvoused with Grant. In the largest amphibious landing in American military history up to that time, the Union commander hurled his army across the river at Bruinsburg and pushed inland.
Overcoming Confederate resistance at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and Big Black River Bridge, Federal troops captured the capital of Mississippi and reached Vicksburg. Failing to take the city by storm, Grant's forces encircled the city and laid siege. Cut off from the outside world, the citizens and soldiers of Vicksburg, many of whom sought refuge in caves, withstood the constant bombardment of Union guns for 47 days. On July 4, 1863, the city surrendered to Grant. Ironically, a Confederate attack on Helena, Arkansas, intended to ease the pressure on Vicksburg, was bloodily repulsed on the same day. When Port Hudson, Louisiana, the last remaining Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, fell five days later, the Confederacy was split in two and President Abraham Lincoln declared, "The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea."
To strengthen their hold on the Mississippi River, Union troops moved quickly from Vicksburg to drive Confederate forces that had assembled near Jackson from the state. Strategic points along the river were garrisoned by black troops, most of whom had been slaves just weeks before joining the Union army. With the Mississippi River secured, Northern armies advanced deep into the interiors of Mississippi and Louisiana in 1864. In Mississippi Sherman advanced across the state from Vicksburg to Meridian, first demonstrating his concept of total war, which he later used more effectively in Georgia and the Carolinas. West of the Mississippi River, Union General Nathaniel P. Banks advanced up the Red River of Louisiana along with naval forces under Union Admiral David Dixon Porter and was defeated at Mansfield by Confederate General Richard Taylor and forced to withdraw. A Union army from Little Rock, moving to join Banks, was also soundly defeated near Camden, Arkansas, and forced to retreat. The Lower Mississippi River Valley was the scene of no major military operations for the remainder of the war.
A key element of this Union success was the use of a powerful new weapon: black soldiers. In September 1862, President Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation which would free slaves in those areas still in active rebellion against the government on January 1, 1863. The decree expanded the war aims from preservation of the Union to include the abolition of slavery.
The proclamation paved the way for blacks to formally enlist in the Union forces. The first major action of blacks in uniform was at Port Hudson, Louisiana, on May 23, 1863, when the First and Third Native Guards stormed the Confederate defenses, suffering severe losses. Two weeks later, black troops successfully defended Grant's supply base at Millikens Bend, Louisiana, against a determined attack by Confederate infantry. These engagements firmly answered the question of whether the freedmen would fight. For the remainder of the war black soldiers fought on fields of battle across the land and garrisoned strategic posts along the Mississippi River. More than 300,000 blacks served in the army and navy of the United States during the Civil War, 16 of whom were awarded the Medal of Honor.
The fall of the Mississippi River into Union hands was disastrous for the Confederacy. A permanent Southern nation would never exist. Divided in two and cut off from vital supplies, the confederacy was doomed in the coils of the Anaconda.
Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman's effort in the West made Union victory inevitable. The United States now had military leaders whose experience in the Western Theater had given them the vision to lead them to ultimate victory.
The military effort along the Thousand Mile Front now shifted east to concentrate on a hundred-mile front from the Wilderness past Richmond to Petersburg and finally to Appomattox.
The Civil War changed not only the South but the nation. War ravaged the South, destroying railroads, factories, and homes. The end of the Civil War brought and uneasy peace, but was followed by one of the most traumatic periods in American history — Reconstruction.
Background Stories
Although no major conflicts were fought on its soil, Illinois contributed mightily to a nation divided. It funneled more troups than any other state into distant Southern, Eastern, and Western battlefields. Cairo, the state's southernmost city, was especially significant as a staging area for manpower and materials flowing into the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.
Leadership was Illinois' major contribution. Chief among those meriting special distinction were abolitionist journalist Elijah Lovejoy; Generals Ulysses S. Grant, and John A. Logan. Most noteworthy was President Abraham Lincoln.
Places of Interest
At Springfield visitors can see the Old State House where Lincoln's "House Divided" speech was delivered; his law office; the only home he ever owned; the family church pew, the depot where he departed to lead a troubled nation; and the tomb where his remains rest.
Associated sites of interest in the central and southcentral portion of the state are the Lincoln Trail Memorial in Lawrenceville; Lincoln's log cabin site in Charleston; Vandalia's Old Statehouse; and the courthouse of Lincoln (formerly Postville), Mt. Pulaski, and Metamora. Another site is the David Davis mansion in Bloomington.
Along the Mississippi River, visitors can view the Lovejoy and Confederate monuments and the ruins of the horrendous Confederate prison in Altoti. Farther south are the General John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro and the Thebes Courthouse in Ulin. Also the site of the Lincoln-Douglas debate is in Jonesboro and a Civil War Memorial in Vienna.
As the great rivers narrow toward their meeting point in Cairo, visitors can walk among the fallen at Mound City National Cemetery. Cairo's historic district was the place where soldiers and materials were assembled, waiting their ultimate assignments. On Washington Avenue, Saffort Library houses a treasure of Civil War documents. The Customs House museum houses the desk of General Grant among its memorabilia. Finally, visitors can watch the rivers meet at Fort Defiance Park.
Illinois gave its most courageous sons and daughters to this war that split the nation.
Background Stories
The Bluegrass State claims as native sons and daughters many of the leading figures of the Civil War era — Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. There is much to learn about the Lincolns and their native state Kentucky. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Sties and Lincoln Museum are near Hodgenville. Other Lincoln sites in Kentucky are the Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek; Washington County Courthouse; Lincoln Homestead State Park and adjacent Mordecai Lincoln House; and the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington. There is an impressive bronze statue of Lincoln in the state capitol, as well as one of his adversary, Jefferson Davis, who was also born in Kentucky at Fairview, now a state historic site.
Kentucky was a state of divided loyalties and families were torn apart when sending 90,000 troops to the Union and 35,000 to the Confederacy.
Nowhere was this division more evident than in the "First Family." Several members of Mary Todd Lincoln's family fought for the South. Another family similarly divided was that of U.S. Senator John Crittenden whose two sons were generals on opposite sides. Some historians even say that the ensuing family feuds, such as the Hatfields and the McCoys, carried on the war in Kentucky long after its official end.
Places of Interest
Antebellum life is also depicted at Riverside, the Farnsley-Moreman Landing, Bardstown' Federal Hill (better known as the legendary "My Old Kentucky Home"), and Waveland in Lexington. Also in Lexington is Ashland, the home of Henry Clay, another of Kentucky's influential sons, who helped forge the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 that delayed the Civil War.
Background Studies
The gentlewomen of New Orleans reacted violently to the military occupation of their city by Union troops. Many of them displayed their defiance by wearing emblems on their clothing showing support for the Confederacy. Some verbally abused and hurled objects at Union soldiers. Finally, when the contents of a chamber pot were dumped from a balcony and onto the head of Admiral Farragut. Union General Ben Butler issued "Order Number 28," which promised to treat the women "as a woman of the town plying her avocation."
The order greatly insulted the citizens of New Orleans, and, in fact, drew a worldwide reaction — mostly condemning Butler's bold action. But, after the order was issued, most all of the insults and displays of hatred and contempt were halted.
Places of Interest
Once the largest and wealthiest city in the Confederacy, New Orleans offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the paths of the Union and Confederate soldiers and the citizens of yesteryear. A short distance south of New Orleans, visitors can see Fort Jackson, a restored, brick fort with earthworks still visible today. Several other Civil War sites in New Orleans are open to the public, such as the United States Customs House, Butler's first headquarters; the Old U.S. Mint and the Cabildo, part of the Louisiana State Museum, and many homes in an around the French Quarter.
Confederate Memorial Hall houses one of the largest collections of Confederate artifacts. Another significant New Orleans site is Metairie Cemetery, the final resting place for three Confederate generals — P.G.T. Beauregard, Richard Taylor, and John Bell Hood. Christ Church Cathedral on tree-shaded St. Charles Avenue holds the remains of General Leonidas Polk, commonly referred to as "the Fighting Bishop."
Outside of New Orleans, Louisiana has more than 100 Civil War related sites, ranging from the Red River campaign throughout southcentral Louisiana to Grant's March in the northeastern corner of the state, to numerous skiimishes and raids across the state, to antebellum homes, museums, and trails of historic markers.
One of the more significant Civil War sites in Louisiana is Port Hudson, which surrendered on July 9, 1863, severing the last link between the eastern part of the Confederacy and the Trans-Mississippi. From May 23 to July 9, 1863, Confederate soldiers held off a Union force twice its strength during the longest siege in American military history.
The Battle of Port Hudson was one of the first battles in which freed blacks served as soldiers engaged in combat on the side of the Union. During the Civil War, more than 24,000 blacks from Louisiana joined the Union army, the largest black contingent from any state. The 1St Regiment Louisiana Native Guard, organized in September 1862, was the first black regiment in the U.S. Army. Louisiana's black soldiers distinguished themselves in several battles, particularly at Port Hudson and Milliden's Bend. Seven Medals of Honor were awarded to white and black Louisianians who fought for the Union.
Background Stories
In 1820 Missouri gained national attention as the focus of the Missouri Compromise. It was the northernmost slave state in the Mississippi River valley, and when its neighbor Kansas wanted to enter the Union in 1854 as a free state, trouble erupted along the border. As Missourians tried to influence internal politics in Kansas, random violence became common place. Missouri guerrillas and Kansas jayhawkers raided and killed at will. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 would legitimize the killing that had plagued Missouri for years.
Union General Nathaniel Lyon, an ardent abolitionist, commanded all Union troops in the state. Union General Nathaniel Lyon, an ardent abolitionist, commanded all Union troops in the state. Former Governor Sterling "Pap" Pierce became the commander of the pro secession Missouri State Guard. The two sides met at Wilson's Creek in August of 1861. Lyon boldly attacked the Missouri State Guard that had been joined by a larger Confederate force, and even though he lost the battle and his life, he succeeded in keeping the state under Union control.
Although Missouri remained under Union control for the rest of the war, it provided troops to both sides, pitting neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother, and father against son. Guerrilla warfare reigned over the state for the remainder o the war during which time William Quantrill, Bloody Bill Anderson, and Frank and Jesse James began their infamous careers. A unified Confederate force was not seen in Missouri again until late 1864 when Sterling Price failed in a desperate attempt to regain control of the state.
Places of Interest
Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob hosts a visitor center and contains remains of Union fortifications. At the park visitors can get a real sense of the battle on September 27, 1864. Civil War markers at Belmont and the Cape Girardeau Battlefield offer other opportunities for tourists to appreciate the important role Missouri played during the Civil War.
Background Stories
At first reluctant to secede, Tennessee became one of the bloodiest killing grounds of the Civil War. Proud of their identity as volunteers who had fought for the United States in every American war, many Tennesseans did not desire to leave the Union. Divided into three distinct geographic regions by the Tennessee River, the citizens of the state were not united on the issues of slavery, secession, or Civil War. Following the surrender of Ft. Sumter and President Lincoln's call for troops, Tennesseans endorsed secession.
The second most populated state in the South, Tennessee was the geographical heart of the Confederacy and held immense strategic military importance. Located in the state was a large percentage of the South's ironworks, munitions factories, gunpowder mills, and copper mines, making the region the largest concentrated area for the production of war materials in the Confederacy. Tennessee provided more mules and horses, corn, and wheat, than any other Confederate state east of the Mississippi. Through Tennessee ran the South's main east-west rail lines, the western Confederacy's major north-south lines, and the key rail links between Virginia, the South Atlantic, and the West. Passing through or bordering on Tennessee, three important western rivers, the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland, were available to traffic commerce, war materials, and armed forces. Linked by this network of rivers and railroads, the communities of Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga served as important centers of manufacturing, communications, and trade within the region. If not effectively defended, the three western rivers and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad provided avenues of military invasion of the Deep South for the combined forces of the Union army and navy.
As both sides grappled to control the Confederate heartland, each was attracted by Tennessee's valuable transportation corridors and strategic location. Over 1,460 military actions occurred within the state during four long years of war, a number second only to Virginia. The last Confederate state to secede, Tennessee became the first Southern state to be readmitted to the Union after the war.
Places of Interest
Visitors to Tennessee can follow the path of invading armies to the bloody battlefields at Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Shiloh National Military Park; or ride with Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest on his cavalry raids in West Tennessee; and walk the corridors of the capitol where the Ordinance of Secession was passed.
Last updated: November 8, 2017


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!http://nfpa.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351b9f3453ef01b7c70fc1b1970b-320wi|src=http://nfpa.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351b9f3453ef01b7c70fc1b1970b-320wi|alt=Car Checkup|style=margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;|title=Car Checkup|class=asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8351b9f3453ef01b7c70fc1b1970b img-responsive!For some of us one of the biggest undertakings before sitting down to the Thanksgiving meal this week won't be preparing food or figuring out how to keep guests entertained, but traveling to where the Thanksgiving dinner is being served.
I'll be crossing two state lines to get to my Thanksgiving destination and many people will have to travel further. Getting the car checked out before leaving town is always a good idea. NFPA's Car Fire Safety Tips sheet has suggestions designed to keep you safe as you travel short or long distances.
- Have your car serviced regularly by a professionally trained mechanic.
- If you spot leaks, your car is not running properly; get it checked.
- Know danger signs, including cracked or loose wiring or electrical problems, and rapid changes in fuel or fluid level or engine temperatures.
You can review all of NFPA's safety tips sheets on other important topics as well as our easy-to-read handouts in additional languages.
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Chocolate Show Piece
Last night was my final lesson and exam for the chocolate showpiece program. What an amazing experience. I learnt so much and would do it all over again.
I would like to share my journey in getting to the final idea.
The hat was probably my worse nightmare. Understanding how to build it didn't make me sleep a couple of nights. Believe it or not but to make the hat I needed the help of a shoe box.
"Why sometimes I've believed as many as six things before breakfast"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
As you can see there is a slight improvement from the cowboy hat to the mad hatter hat. I also worked several times on the feathers, trying to understand the best way to make them and get the colour effect. What I forgot to take photos of are the hat pins. All these creations not only came from watching the movie several times, and looking on the line but also from the vintage shows. Both my sister and I have been hunting the vintage shows searching for unique items. We bought hats, hat pins, feathers and of course being girls much more.
"Would you tell me, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to" "I don't much care where" "Then it doesn't matter which way you go"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Of course if I think of the Mad hatter I also think of the tea party.
"If you drink much from a bottle marked Poison it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
The caterpillar and the mushroom, plus the cat I never used.
"I knew who I was this morning but I've changed a few times since then"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Cards, painting the roses red. So I know at the end I didn't add the paint brush but I already had a lot going on so decided to not use them.
Queen of Hearts: Who's been painting my roses red? WHO'S BEEN PAINTING MY ROSES RED? /Who dares to taint / With vulgar paint / The royal flower bed? / For painting my roses red / Someone will lose his head.
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
The madness of building it and trying not to break anything was immense. The truth is that some pieces were broken in the process of building it. I also broke some pieces in transporting it back home. I need to fix those pieces and will take further pictures. Then I have found an amazing family that will adopt this creations.
"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And the contrary wise, what it is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
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There are just too many of us out there. Most of us reside at the bottom of the blogging barrel, trying to scrape a recommend or two, from the leftovers. Readers satiate their appetites repeatedly with a chosen few topics and bloggers, leaving no room for more. So why write when nobody is reading? Why put yourself through the disappointment and rejection?
- Practice makes perfect: Blogging is a great way to keep the writing juices flowing regularly. Perfection may be a pipe dream but a fixed writing schedule is a step in the right direction.
- Learning to accept failure: I have had blogs with over 8k views and some with barely 50 views. I write each article with the same passion and diligence, so after all the rollercoaster highs and lows, I have moved from "It's not them, it's me" to " It's not me, it's just not my day".
- That one amazing response: Sometimes, a reader responds with such positive feedback, that the afterglow lasts way beyond the self-doubt of your blogging ability.
- A sense of belonging: It's a community, away from our real worlds. The membership criterion is to write, and it's a place in the digital world to call home. A happy Medium (pun intended).
- Instant readership: Blogging is probably one of the fastest ways to be read right away, by people all around the world. That anticipation is worth the journey and if the recommends pour in, that's instant gratification.
- Visibility: Even if readers do not read your blog, they cannot avoid noticing your name, if it pops up often enough. Sooner or later, the familiarity may breed curiosity (exercising literary license here).
- Making connections: When I was tagged top writer in Feminism, I was approached by a couple of sites to blog for them. Even before that, my blogs were featured outside Medium. One of my posts made its way to a magazine in the Middle East! Blogging is a great way to make connections on an international podium.
- Therapy: Blogging is a great form of therapy. There is complete creative freedom which really helps when one wants to vent or voice their opinion.
9. Get smarter: Many a time, blogs require some sort of research. In the process, there is always something new to learn. After all, knowledge is power. I consider it a win-win.
10. The cool quotient: There's always the family members and friends who will read your blog. Usually, they think it's cool to be a blogger because writing is not everyone's cup of tea.
Now that I have convinced myself to continue blogging, my purpose of writing this post is served. Even if nobody is reading, I am still going to be writing.
Alisha "Priti" Kirpalani is the author of "A Smattering Of Darkness: Short and Shorter Twisted Tales," (available on Kindle Unlimited) a collection of short stories of varying lengths encapsulating the grey shades of the human psyche. Her new novel will be released later this year.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please recommend it by clicking the ❤ below and share. Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.


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"Robert, I didn't get into this business to be a technologist. I got into this business because I want to help people."
These words were the start of an enlightening conversation I recently shared with an advisor while attending an industry-leading technology conference.
Standing before me was an accomplished financial advisor with a thriving practice who chose to attend this conference because he knows tech is vital to his business, and yet, he laments the fact that he has to use it.
He added: "So you mean to tell me that I have to be a CEO, a technologist, a marketer, and a financial adviser if I want to succeed? It's just too much!"
Maybe you feel this way too. It's totally understandable if you do. Advisors have hundreds of technology solutions to sift through, many of which perform equally vital functions. Rebalancing, reporting, billing, contact management, appointment setting, marketing — the list goes on.
If you got into this business because you love helping people — not because you love technology — the pressure to sort through so many tech tools can feel overwhelming. Trying to make good decisions when you're overwhelmed usually just results in rushed decisions or no decisions, neither of which is good.
So how can you cut through all the techno-clutter and make sound decisions that will help your business?
During the past decade, I've been privileged to consult with over 1,000 of the nation's top financial advisors. In doing so, I've found that the most technologically advanced among them (who also happen to have the most scalable and profitable businesses) rely on the following principles to make decisions around which technology to implement.
1. Focus on Goals, Not Tools
Have you ever walked into one of those big home improvement stores and wandered around the power tools section? Boxed up, shiny and new, all the tools look so great! I always find it tempting to buy something "just in case." After all, I never know when I might have to saw something.
Advisor technology is much the same. Most of it looks really great! It may promise to save time or help you engage clients more. And perhaps it will. But do you actually need it? How often will you use it? How long will it take your team to learn it? How much value will it actually deliver for your business? Will it earn back more than it cost? These are all questions that should be answered before investing in new tech.
This is why it's better to focus on the specific goals you have for your business rather than on the technology itself. First, set your goal. Then, select the technology that will help you reach that goal. In this way, you won't be adopting technology for the sake of technology, but rather, you'll be adopting technology for the sake of moving your business toward your desired goal.
Let's say, for example, that you have the goal of automating your business workflows so you can provide a consistent, high-quality experience for your clients. If this is one of your business goals, selecting tech becomes much simpler because you merely need to find the solution that will help you reach this goal in the most effective, affordable and time-saving manner.
In summary: Don't just buy tech. Buy tech that helps you reach the goals you've already set.
2. Look Beyond the Sales Glitter
I run a technology company. Do I want you to buy my technology? Sure I do. And my sales team will work really hard to sell it to you. But does that mean you should buy it? Only you can answer that (see point #1). What you can be sure of though, is that my salespeople will enumerate all the reasons you should buy our solution. In some cases they will be right, but in others they won't.
What should you do?
Remember that almost all technology looks good in a demo, but that doesn't mean it will work for you.
Take time to thoroughly evaluate all your options before investing in new tech. Ask other advisors what they're using and what they like or dislike. Do additional research in industry publications. Look for social proof, awards and accolades to substantiate the value of the product you're considering. Are testimonials available? Is the product endorsed or recommended by industry thought leaders? What is the company's track record? Do they offer a low-cost trial?
Investing in technology is like investing in people. Just as a wrong hiring decision can cost your company thousands of dollars in lost time and revenue, so can a bad technology decision.
So weigh your options carefully. Do thorough research before investing in new tech.
3. Choose the Right Person for the Job
In most cases, that person is not you.
Please excuse me if that offends you, but if you're an advisor, it's true. Your time should not be spent selecting or implementing new technology unless it's something you're personally going to use every day.
Your time is just too valuable.
The job of researching, vetting and implementing new technology should be delegated to your staff. They're likely the ones who will use it most anyway. Let them take ownership of the whole process.
That's not to say you can't be involved in the decision. After your staff does the research, have them pitch you on the solution they recommend. Let them justify it to you. The result will be more engagement and more commitment from your team. Plus, you will have the added benefit of freeing up your time to focus on what you do best: Building relationships with clients and prospects.
It's no secret that advisors need great technology if they want to grow and scale their businesses. Those who don't innovate technologically run the risk of becoming irrelevant.
At the same time though, it's important to remember that you don't need to buy every shiny new tool the techno whizzes are selling. Do you need tech? Sure you do. Do you need every new piece of tech out there? Not a chance.
So don't let the abundance of technology options overwhelm you. Just follow these three principles and you'll be making the right tech decisions in no time! Even George Jetson would be proud.
As a MarTech entrepreneur and marketing consultant, Robert Sofia has served over 1,000 companies since 2005. His list of clients includes solo advisers, ensembles, RIAs, family offices, BDs, GAs, BGAs, custodians, investment companies, and insurance companies.
Robert's company, Snappy Kraken (www.SnappyKraken.com), took first place in the FinTech Startup Competition hosted by the XY Planning Network in September 2016.
Robert has authored three books — two of which were best-sellers — and written about marketing for many national publications and financial industry journals.


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Keith Haring.
An Enamel Pin Badge celebrating another of my art heroes, Mr Keith Haring.
This enamel pin tribute comes with a reversible backing card.
Soft Enamel on Bronze Metal, this pin comes with a metal clutch on the reverse.
30mm x 27mm
Any questions, please fire away. I try to despatch everything within 24 hours of purchase.
Find me on Twitter and Instagram... ExChildGenius
MORE ART PINS COMING SOON!!! Stay Tuned.
Peace out <3


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The Marketing Section provides an area for you to customize email correspondence to your registrants and/or to yourself, the Event Organizer. This section will also provide a link to your event for you to add to your website or a newsletter.
We provide standard emails which generate upon registration. An email will be sent to the designated event organizer as well as the registrant. Add event organizer's email address. You can set up your event to send registration confirmation to more than one event organizer. To do so, enter multiple email addresses into this field separated by commas.
Click on 'Customize' only if you wish to customize the email instead of using our standard format. The confirmation emails are plain text format and do not support HTML coding. You may also select 'Preview' to send yourself a sample copy of the emails.
To customize correspondence you will be prompted to select which email you'd like to customize. Each one will show you the generic email template and allow you to add fields.
Step 1: Go to your event form and click the "Marketing" page.
Step 2: Choose next to email notification.
You can either customize the notification that goes to the Event Registrant or Event Organizer.
Step 3: By choosing the HTML radial button, you will get a WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) editor that will allow you to change fonts and color and add images to your email.


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40 YARDS OF GOLD is a tournament-style race designed to crown the fastest NFL player. The event will feature top professional football superstars divided into two brackets: Offensive and Defensive. Players will race head-to-head with the winner moving on to the next round. The one-night extravaganza is set to go down on Saturday, June 29th at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL at 7 PM ET and will culminate with the Offensive and Defensive conference winners going head-to-head to decide for once and all who is the fastest NFL player.
40 Yards Of Gold All-Star Speed Tournament Odds
40 Yards Of Gold All-Star Speed Tournament Winner:
Ted Ginn Jr +475
Jalen Myrick +475
Donte Jackson +500
Alvin Kamara +650
Jeff Badet +625
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie +750
Marquise Goodwin +1000
Terrell Sinkfield +1300
John Franklin III +1300
Kevin Snead +1350
Rashard Robinson +1550
Richie James +1600
Robby Anderson +2200
Trae Waynes +2200
Charles James II +2200
Jacoby Ford +2300
Offensive player wins -130
Defensive player wins -110
Fastest time O/U: 4.29
U: ev
Offensive Player Bracket Winner
Ted Ginn Jr +250
Jeff Badet +330
Alvin Kamara +350
Marquise Goodwin +550
Kevin Snead +700
Richie James +850
Robby Anderson +1150
Jacoby Ford +1200
Defensive Player Bracket Winner
Jalen Myrick +250
Donte Jackson +260
Rodgers-Crommartie +400
Terrell Sinkfie +700
John Franklin III +700
Rashard Robins +825
Trae Waynes +1150
Charles James II +1150
1st Round Head-to-Head Matchup Winner Odds
Ted Ginn Jr -280
Jacoby Ford +200
Alvin Kamara -210
Robby Anderson +160
Jeff Badet -185
Richie James +145
Marquise Goodwin -140
Kevin Snead +100
Jalen Myrick -280
Charles James II +200
Donte Jackson -270
Trae Waynes +190
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -185
Rashard Robinson +145
Terrell Sinkfield -120
John Franklin III -120


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Cancer of the Baptist Church
I am entering into this article well aware that I will only stir up more controversy with some than this space will avail. I can assure you that I know a good deal about this doctrine. As a young Bible College student I was once caught up in a group who were being blinded by this egotistical interpretation of scripture. Of course I am talking about Calvinism.
  This doctrine is built and bolstered by certain phrases and and a small vocabulary of words. It is based on the truth that all men are sinners, lost, and without life. It incorporates the Holiness of God and capitalizes on the impassable gulf between the two. This is where it diverges from the obvious and overwhelming intent of the redemption of sinful man to a righteous God. It tries to claim that God solely chooses who he will save and that everyone else will be doomed...everyone!
  Amazingly it blots out all calls for repentence. It ignores all invitations including, "Whosoever will." It restricts the work of Jesus's shed blood on Calvary's Cross. The whole Bible reveals the plan of ultimate redemption that God offers all men. One has to be spiritually blind not to see the truth of this plan, and since all men are spiritualy blind, God uses his Word as a sharp two edged sword by the Holy Spirit to bring men to repentence and faith.
  Calvinism goes out of its way to interpret those phrases and words in such a way to remove any ability of man to have any part in their salvation. Actually the only part that man has is belief. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Calvinism tries to take that part away due to the depravity of man. It would have us believe that we cannot even believe on Jesus. It is unbelievable that they put so much emphasis on Ephesians chapter one, yet cannot see what verse twelve concludes. When we first trust in Christ, we become part of the true elect of God. The true elect of God is Jesus Christ himself. Any one who trusts in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness, pardon, redemption,faith, eternal life and heaven. They also recieve adoption into the family of God. All this is instantly eternal and will never be taken away. The wonderful thing about this is that it has been planned before the foundation of the world. Therefore all who trust in Christ are justified, glorified and predestinated in Christ.
  Those who follow Calvin must blind themselves to the thrust of the entire Bible and make it say things that it does not say. They limit God's unmerited Grace and the atonement of Jesus Christ.
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Gospel: Jn 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw what he did; but some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Council. They said, "What are we to do? For this man keeps on performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, all the people will believe in him and, as a result of this, the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation." Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! It is better to have one man die for the people than to let the whole nation be destroyed." In saying this Caiaphas did not speak for himself, but being High Priest that year, he foretold like a prophet that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also would die in order to gather into one the scattered children of God. So, from that day on, they were determined to kill him. Because of this, Jesus no longer moved about freely among the Jews. He withdrew instead to the country near the wilderness, and stayed with his disciples in a town called Ephraim. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and people from everywhere were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. They looked for Jesus and, as they stood in the temple, they talked with one another, "What do you think? Will he come to the festival?"
This promise of God is the promise of abiding presence in our lives. Actually God does not have to promise this or need to fulfill this promise because God is not only present to us, we are permeated by the divine which is the ground of our being. Actually the promise might be that we become aware of this presence, this all ABIDING PRESENCE. It is we who are not at home in the depths of our being. I think the most effective way of coming to this awareness is by meditation. If we are told that there is a gold mine in our garden, we will not search for it with a spoon or even a spade. We would use a drill to arrive fastest at our goal. This is what meditation does. It helps us to go into the depths of our being to discover the Divine that has always been there, establish a communion and allow this communion to steer the direction of our lives. We are distracted by many things especially in our current situation. There is too much noise, there are too many pictures, a deluge of information, changing experiences that capture our
attention. It is important that we regularly seek solitude and in silence and meditation we dive into that center of our being where God is at home.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2018


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Heart Evangelista's got a number of real clever styling tricks up her sleeve these days, count the half-unbuttoned denim skirt thing and her genius scarf evening gown among the best. And the latest in a growing string of brilliant hacks? Check out how she studded her thick, braided ponytail with—yes, seriously—a glittering selection of Chanel brooches.
She thanks her fave celebrity hairstylist Jeck Aguilar for the sparkling look—which, we bet, will spawn copycat attempts by the zillions. Mark our words.
She paired her dainty braided 'do with a pristine white Patty Ang frock, which she wore to her launch party as Néw Lounge PH's official muse.
So pretty!


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Dolls Houses
The Dragons wooden dolls houses are quintessentially English, featuring beautiful hand-painted exteriors and classically designed interiors complete with flooring, carpets, lighting, wallpaper, curtains and dolls house furniture all lovingly selected to suit the different age groups they are intended for. Our luxury dolls houses for kids can be personalised and we accept bespoke commissions. Find out more with our short film.


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44 x 54 x 87cm. Fabric Padded Seat and Back, Metal Tube in Wooden Print. Thick padding for superior comfort. Carton Instruction for installation Polybag Screw Components. Unpaid Item will be closed after 5 days.Postive feedback and 5 star ratings. All charges for return are to be paid by the customer.
We are sure we can deal it well. Nagetive feedback will make no sense, isn't it? Warehhouse in US, AU, UK, DE. Ny message for us will be replied within 24 hours. Table Description: Material: MDF + METAL TUBE Size: 120 x 80 x 72cm Color: White Main feature - Unique fashion design and high quality - This modern dining table is perfect for smaller dining areas.
Competitive price - Attractive design - Comfortable, elegant and endurable Chair Description SIZE: 44 x 54 x 87cm Colour: Blue Material: Fabric Padded Seat and Back, Metal Tube in Wooden Print Product Features: - Thick padding for superior comfort. The item "120cm Length Designer Dining Table and 4 Padded Retro Lounge Relax Chairs" is in sale since Friday, August 18, 2017.This item is in the category "Home, Furniture & DIY\Furniture\Table & Chair Sets". The seller is "home2castle" and is located in DE. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Germany, France.


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You are here
UK could face a balance of payments crisis after Brexit: Osborne
[LONDON] British finance minister George Osborne said on Wednesday that the country could face a balance of payments crisis and problems in its banking sector if it votes to leave the European Union in next month's referendum.
"We could face a very, very difficult situation that could make us very significantly poorer than where we are today because we could have a balance of payments crisis. That's a scenario that others in the world have talked about," Mr Osborne told lawmakers. "There are potential downsides in the financial stability situation," he said.
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has previously said that concerns about Britain's EU membership could test the "kindness of strangers" who fund the country's large current account deficit.
Supporters of a so-called Brexit have accused Osborne and Prime Minister David Cameron of trying to scare voters out of voting to leave the EU.
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What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul – James Addison
My teaching philosophy is a dynamic one and is centered on two foci: transformative learning and inclusive education. It is dynamic because it depends on my transformative learning as I (a) engage with my students; (b) read the literature that entails novel and proven effective teaching concepts and practices; and (c) discuss with my colleagues about my experiences. It rests on inclusive education because I believe students with diverse educational needs can learn once they are provided with the appropriate resources. A snapshot of my teaching is like a photograph that illustrates the time and place, and the ways in which I interact with my students which can appear captivating, or simply unappealing. These static elements are the individual brush strokes on a canvas. When looked at in its entirety, a fascinating and intense painting emerges – my learning is transformed as my students discover their capabilities with new knowledge mediated by personally relevant symbols and tools.
Given my artistic metaphor, transformative learning and inclusive education encompasses three core components:
- The Active Reds – Social
- The Fertile Greens – Cognitive
- The Voluminous Blues - Evaluative
The Active Reds…
The red strokes on the painting of my teaching are active because they envelop social interactions. My students are usually diverse in terms of race, age, culture, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and ability and thus, trust is a major characteristic that is nurtured in my classroom. I endeavor to make my classroom environment welcoming where I tie their knowledge with features in my syllabus in order to build a learning community. Learning new knowledge can be laborious especially if students are having difficulty accommodating knowledge into existing value and belief structures. In addition, they may experience doubts about their ability to learn due to negative classroom experiences or social forces outside of the classroom. Thus, I listen to my students to understand their spoken validation of their places in the world which may demonstrate their positional roles and disclosures of their identities. Their cultures influence their identities, identities which are based on norms that they embrace, resist and/or negotiate. As a result, my goal is to continue to create safe conditions where my students learn a subject towards course completion, that on the contrary, they may have learned with little effort, or relinquish achievement due to increased anxiety or contempt. It is my duty to care about my students' backgrounds, and learn how their understandings can be integrated into my teaching of the content and make their classroom experiences less threatening, active and meaningful.
The Fertile Greens…
The green strokes on the painting of my teaching are fertile because they germinate the connections students make between their knowledge and the concepts I introduce. Students come into my classroom with different abilities so I conduct a needs assessment to gauge the zones of my students, and discern how much scaffolding to provide. Also, students require explicit and timely feedback throughout the course in order for them to understand the concept before advancing to the next level. Their outcomes give me the evidence I need to reflect and re-evaluate my strategies, and to utilize possibly a different set of technological tools. Some students may require more instruction if they gravitate towards concrete as opposed to abstract concepts and thus I employ web application hybrids to ground some of these concepts with electronic portfolios. Furthermore, I utilize social constructivism to drive some of my classroom activities that are centered on group work. These activities help students recognize their roles not only as students, but also other roles like teachers, leaders, mentors or organizers. They learn the responsibilities they need to have towards the group, and their capacities to share with each other. This work can nurture their moral development, foster stress management and their attention to the underlying tenets of ethics and global citizenship. My goal is to try to understand my students' cognitive capabilities to cultivate links between their micro-worlds and the macro-worlds to spur their growth for knowledge.
The Voluminous Blues…
The blue strokes on the painting represent voluminous tones because they showcase my challenge in designing summative assessments that accurately meet students' behavior and capabilities. When students are not following my directions or do not come to class, do their behaviors stem from misinterpretations/misunderstandings, acts of defiance or unwillingness, or obstacles outside of class? My responsibility firstly, is to infer directly what stimuli may have triggered their behavior. Secondly, the grade I assign must competently reflect my students' efforts and what they learned after they have left my classroom. Thus, have I made an equitable judgment based on what they have shown me and what I have taught? Given these conundrums, it is imperative that my syllabi include distinctly clear objectives and an anticipatory set of weekly determinable goals. This will offer students the structure they need to evaluate their own learning and behaviors at their actual level and plan what they need to do to reach their highest potential. Furthermore, I acknowledge my students' frames of mind (e.g. spatial, kinesthetic, and interpersonal) that may de-emphasize any diagnosed or speculated disabilities with multi-modal assessments (e.g. offline/online rubrics, presentations, portfolios). These assessments are formulated with inquiry-based, problem-based learning and/or creative methods. My decision to proceed with these types of evaluations attempts to close the expansive gap between my students' learning and behavior, and my teaching.
The active red, fertile green and voluminous blue strokes – the social, cognitive and evaluative – coalesce to paint the dynamic form of my teaching philosophy. Transformative learning and inclusive education both require flexibility and adaptation on my part in order to customize the best learning environments for students with diverse educational needs. Consequently, my kaleidoscopic teaching philosophy is a rigorous art-form; it reverberates the life, power and vigor of subject matter that affects my students to become not only curators, but followers and activists of knowledge for life-long learning. And this brings me to my mission - at the end of the semester, my students have a profound understanding of the content being taught and a view of themselves that they (a) value and can share with others, (b) develop and can design for their own; and (c) keep vivid to treasure for a lifetime.


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Customer Experience
5 simple ways to conquer "closed loop" feedback
Collecting feedback from customers and employees is more important now than ever before. And, as we shared in this recent blog post, there are more ways than ever before to do it. Simply collecting feedback, though, won't make you successful. You have to take action. But that's not where the work ends, either.
If your company is growing fast, and you understand how taking action can lead to increased sales or business process improvements that impact the bottom line, it can be tempting to simply take feedback and run with it. But there's an important follow-on step: close the loop with customers.
What does it mean to "close the loop" with customers?
Closing the loop with customers is about getting back to the customer after they've given you some feedback. In closing the loop, you let the customer know they've been heard. You communicate the action you've taken based on their feedback, or the resolution you're planning.
Perhaps you share customer feedback internally now among your colleagues and managers. That's great, and it's definitely something you should do to align employees around customers. But closing the loop with customers is different. It's equally as important.
Closing the loop with customers doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming, or hard.
Why is it important to close the loop?
Closing the loop is about building your credibility and your relationships with your customers. It's about acknowledging them. With that acknowledgement, you're letting your customer know they're valued, and that your company sees them as a valuable part of your business. There are several ways you can close the loop, and it doesn't necessarily need to be expensive, time-consuming, or difficult.
When and where you close the loop should be based on the customer, the channel where you received the feedback, and what makes sense for your business. Here are a few ideas.
1. Use technology
We love what the Qualtrics XM Institute had to say about using technology to close the loop with customers in Operationalizing XM:
"...companies should automate and manage a closed-loop process using tools such as ticket management, status updating, and tracking."
Today's sophisticated experience management tools, like the Qualtrics Experience Management Platform™, give you that capability. You can create and customize closed loop tickets based on any element of a survey response including score, customer tier, presence or absence of a comment, etc. The platform automatically creates tickets at the time of survey submission for immediate real-time customer contact. That gives you a chance to fix the problems that surface. You'll want to link to your case management system to track feedback all the way to a resolution. Always check the content of any automated messages to ensure they speak to the nuances of the customer's feedback, and not something unrelated.
2. Respond to online reviews
Online reviews or customer comments posted on social media sites like Yelp or Facebook, for example, are almost an inevitable part of doing business today. Even government agencies and embassies aren't immune. Sometimes the feedback is positive, and sometimes not. At any rate, it's important to the credibility of your business to close the loop with a response. We love what Qualtrics' Diana Kaemingk wrote in this blog about how to acknowledge and respond to online feedback.
3. Write a letter
Sometimes, depending on the way you've received the customer feedback, it may be more appropriate to respond to customers in a general way, like through a written, open letter. We've seen these in the opening pages of in-flight magazines like Southwest Airlines, for example. The point is to let customers know what changes were made based on customer feedback, and what customers can expect moving forward.
4. Create a sign
Creating a sign may sound so simplistic but the truth is, closing the feedback loop doesn't necessarily have to be flashy! Depending on your business or how and where your customers share feedback, it may be more appropriate to close the loop at or near where they provided feedback in the first place. Here's an actual example of a simple sign on the front door of a restaurant in Pennsylvania where the restaurant owners communicated that customer feedback had been heard, and what the restaurant had done in response.
5. Have a conversation
Don't underestimate the power of a one-on-one conversation with a customer as a follow-up to feedback. In my past life building feedback channels in the B2B world, one-on-one follow-up conversations frequently led to immediate business development and improvement opportunities. The conversations sometimes went something like this:
Firm representative: "Thanks, Ms. Client, for letting us hear your feedback. We appreciate that you took the time to share your experiences working with our firm."
Ms. Client: "You're welcome. I think it's great that you want to know!"
Firm representative: "You mentioned in your feedback the parking problems you've experienced on your last two visits to our offices. I'm really sorry about all the construction right now. That should be cleared up next month. Meanwhile, I'd love to send you a pass for a new, temporary reserved lot we've set up to give our clients easier access to our offices. It's right next to the entrance to the building."
Ms. Client: "That would be great. Please send it today. We're just hearing about some new issues coming our way and I'd like to see if we could get your firm's help with them."
Don't assume customers should "just know" what you're doing with their feedback.
Make "closed loop" feedback systemic
One of the biggest mistakes I've seen companies and government organizations make in closing the loop with customers (and even employees with their feedback, but that's another blog post!) is assuming that customers should "just know" without the benefit of your communication what you're doing with their feedback. Don't assume customers should "just know."
Take steps to close the loop, and make it a habit. Make it part of the customer mindset you want to build for your company. If you want to embrace the practices and principles of customer experience as a business discipline, closing the loop is just one of those things that's central to what you should be doing. Choose the right way to do it based on customer expectations and what makes sense for your business.
For further reading: Closing the loop is a core skill of the experience management discipline outlined in Qualtrics' XM Institute's new publication: Operationalizing XM. You can download that publication here.
Free Customer Satisfaction Survey Template
Author Bio: Stephanie Thum is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) and the former head of customer experience for the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a federal government agency that finances and insures exports toward the creation of U.S. jobs. She is currently the chief advisor for federal customer experience at Qualtrics. She has written and spoken extensively on the topic of customer experience management in the government world, and beyond.
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Tricks That You Cannot Afford To Overlook When Looking For The Most Excellent San Jose Electrical Firm
There is no doubt that the electrical systems is one of those that you must ensure that it is functional in your home. At times, you find out that you require rewiring services because of the problems that may have cropped the essential system at home or you want to add some appliances. It is necessary that you consider working with the professional rewiring service providers since dealing with electricity can be dangerous for your life. With the numerous electrical contractors in the market, you will have some challenges to determine the most appropriate for the job. Content of this item will cover the tricks that you cannot afford to overlook when looking for the most excellent San Jose electrical firm.
You should understand that the rewiring works not only place your property at risk but also the staff of the said service provider. It is for this cause that you must attest to it that you will choose the firm that has the liability and worker's compensation plan. You should not shy away to ask the company to show you proof of the insurance before you can employ them for the crucial job.
There is a need to concentrate on who will be working on your property when you are choosing the right electrical contractor. Attest to it that the company you will pick for the job is one whose employees possess the knowledge as well as the familiarity that is imperative for the job. It implies that you have to take your time on the website of the contractor so that you can learn such data.
It is needed that you insist that the service provider will come to your property so that they can inspect it and tell you the amount of money they will require for the work. One does not require any unique skills to understand that the most excellent contractor will not need you to give them a lot of finances so that they can perform the work. However, it is crucial to confirm that the contractor you will pick for the job is one who will deliver services whose quality match the amount of cash you will spend on the project.
The electrical companies who are sure that they provide services that meet the highest standard have the confidence to offer significant guarantees to their customers. It means that the warranty that you are getting from the contractor in question is worth putting into account when you are determining the best electrical company in the market. Ensure that you take the initiative to demand that the company provides you with a written warranty so that you can rest ascertained that they mean what they say.


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Primus LaundryPosted on November, 26 2013 Author Nathan Petralia Tags
Primus Laundry wants to localize their global website to Asian market and add another website with similiar style but different products and branding for their Chinese brand Deli too. Both sites are built with WordPress, a very userfriendly CMS. Adding more languages in the future is a simple task because of the powerful WPML plugin.
iluminasPosted on June, 19 2012 Author Nathan Petralia Tags
iluminas is a high-end lighting company providing residential, office / commercial and industrial lighting solutions B2B. Petralian first created the name iluminas. Iluminas comes from the Spanish word: enlighting, which is a direct indication to the company the name iluminas represents.
CornerportalPosted on February, 1 2012 Author Nathan Petralia Tags
Cornerportal was founded to explore innovative ways of merging the real and virtual worlds – either by adding online content to physical objects or by using these same objects as nexus points for new online networking opportunities.
ChinafloorsPosted on September, 11 2008 Author Nathan Petralia Tags
Chinafloors is a Belgium / Taiwanese flooring manufacturing company in Jiashang (a one hour drive from Shanghai). In 2008 the company approached us to rebuild their old website to a new, warm and attractive b2b web site with modular product catalog, news section, and all the other elements a good website has. Using natural and warm colors we integrated the revised logo and content into a new and scalable website using Contao as CMS. Using more faces, room scenes, and high-res color swatches we added interactivity and a more personal approach to Chinafloors' new website. To reach optimal functionality we also asked Chinafloors what for them the core values of the web site had to be as to find out what the best approach in page structure was. Tasks Logo improvements New B2B website Domotex 2008 exhibitors book page Visit the Chinafloors website. Photo Gallery #gallery-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */


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We specialize in hardwood flooring and painting services for both residential and commercial buildings. Whether it's your home or your business, no project is too big or too small for our team.
Take a Look at Some of Our Past Hardwood Flooring and Painting Projects
Contact Embolden Flooring and Paint Today for a Free Estimate On Your Next Hardwood Flooring and Painting Project!
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09:45 a..m. – Currently the only road closures affecting Gilpin County are as follows:
- Hwy 72 is closed from Highway 119 in Gilpin County to Highway 93 in Jefferson County.
- Highway 46 is open from Highway 119 to Robinson Hill only. The Jefferson County side of this road is expected to be closed for a few more days.
- Boulder Canyon Road is closed from Nederland to Boulder
If you have friends, family members, neighbors that do not have computer access, the Sheriff's Office has a telephone community information update line that can be accessed by calling 303-582-6001.


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Tray Overwrapper White 450MM Hot Wire
Product Code: MP30029
List Price
Sold out. Expected 26/09/2020
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Product Information
White tray overwrapper with 450mm Hot Wire.
This tray overwrapper features the following:
Combined switch/warning light
3 amp fuse in quick change holder
Energy regulator for controlling temperature of hotplate
2 metres of three core flex complete with plug
Stainless steel packaging plate
P.V.C coated rollers with nylon bearings
Power Supply:- 220/250 Volts 50Hz 3amp
Operating Instructions
Place the roll of film on the pair of rollers at the rear of the machine so that the free end of the film is unwinding from the bottom of the roller and passes under the packing bridge and over the film lift plate.
Adjust the brake screw on the left side of the machine so that the rollers are tightened sufficiently to prevent free running of the roll. The brake spring should be tightened as the film roll diminishes and slackened when a new roll is used.
Never tighten the screw so much that the rollers are prevented from turning.
Switch on the machine by means of the combined switch/warning light at the extreme right-hand side of the machine. Note the warning light is illuminated when the machine is switched on. Set the hotplate regulator to approximately 3 - 4.
The pack to be wrapped is placed on the packing bridge, the free end of the film is drawn forward by both hands and taken up and over the top of the pack and approximately 25mm (1") is tucked under the rear of the pack. Holding the film in position, bring both pack and film towards the front of the machine until the rear of the pack is clear of the cutting wire and then quickly place the pack onto the hotplate. The film will have been cut by the wire and the first seal made underneath the pack. Return to the hotplate and seal the ends.
When the machine is switched on be aware of the hot cutting wire and hotplate.
Clean down with a damp cloth
The machine is only guaranteed if genuine ScobiesDirect packing wires and spares are used.
Select from the following associated products for use with your tray overwrapper:
Our range of
PVC Clingfilm
works very well with our overwrapping machines.
We also have a great range of
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Trays
to use with our overwrapping machines.
Cling film
not included
Product Specifications & Additional Info
Spec Sheet
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text:
Eat & stay fit
"Wellness" is one of the most commonly used term of the contemporary era, owing a big part of its emergence to the massive promotion of fitness lifestyle. Frequently, is mistaken with well-being or healthy habits. In fact, there is a difference between health and wellness. While, health is a state of being referring to physical, mental, and social well-being, wellness is the state of living a healthy lifestyle aiming to enhance well-being.


text:
It is a sad and sorry state of affairs when your club has a main rival that is
, is notorious for having Elton John as a chairman and you are known for being the club that gave birth to Graham "do I not like that" Taylor. Luton Town
And yet the club has the nickname The Hornets. They should be better than this.


text:
Tuesday : Tip. We thought we would start providing some tips that will help you with day to day design dilemmas. When looking to hang a chandelier or light fixture above your dining or kitchen table the range should be approximately 28″- 34″ from the top of the tabletop to the bottom of the light fixture. Sometimes it can be moved an inch or two off this range depending on the height of the homeowner or if there is a TV to be viewed, etc.
Please leave a comment on other design questions you may have that we can address in future posts….


text:
How Many Are Left In The World? Do You Know?
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Romantic poet William Blake was inspired by the awesome power and beauty of this incredible creature. But future generations may not have that opportunity. There are just 400 Sumatran tigers left in the world. 30 of them are being threatened, right now, by land-grabbing monoculture palm oil, rubber, and coffee plantations.
What will it take to save just one?
Pinder Lets Pet Parents Swipe To Find The Perfect Doggy Date: Click "Next" below!
Nikki Burns lives quietly in Western Washington, enjoying the company of a delightful family, three rescued cats, good friends, persistent rain, and very tall trees.


text:
Becket — The honor of being the opening performance on the opening night of the 2019 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival went to Kotchengna, with an exuberant, joyful performance of traditional African dance from the Ivory Coast. To say the least, your reviewers, who lived for two years just north in Upper Volta, as part of the first Peace Corps delegation to this recently-independent former French colony, were eager to see what a contemporary African dance company, based in the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York, might reinterpret in public performance.
On Wednesday evening, June 19, the skies parted and the rain stopped, permitting Kotchengna's show to go on on the Inside/Out stage.
Vado Diomande founded Kotchengna in 1989. A former principal dancer and choreographer in the Ballet Nationale de Cote d'Ivoire, Mr. Diomande now teaches in New York in schools, and colleges, as well as the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. A warmhearted leader, accomplished drummer, singer, and dancer, he urged on and applauded his colleagues' creative improvisations and delicious competitions in the course of an hour's unending delight.
The gorgeous, huge dance floor, approximately the size of the Doris Duke Theater stage, but with neither curtains, scrim, nor backdrop, welcomes the audience to an exquisite forest dell with a stunning view of a distant mountain range. Where in an African village, the dance would go forth on the ground, with villagers of all ages participating in movement and song, driven by percussion and tonal instruments, here the "audience" was seated on thoughtfully placed wooden benches that settled naturally into the gentle slope of the woods.
Although here performed on stage, the real context of these dances is heart of the village, literally and figuratively. They may commemorate the milestones of life, such as the ritual introduction to the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood of children who have completed their long initiations; planting and harvesting; marriages and funerary celebrations; and for no particular reason than the joy of being together.
Villagers join in, dancing to the music with steps and motions that have been part of their lives for as long as they have had ears to hear and bodies to move. Instrumental music, movement, and singing aren't separated from one another in "performances." The singing frequently tells the history of the ethnic group, interprets its spiritual complexities along with masks that actualize animal and mythological spirits, and reinterpret contemporary events.
After having attended innumerable dances during our Peace Corps service, we experienced a delightful variation of the latter when our daughter was a Peace Corps volunteer. Visiting her in Cameroon at the time of Eli's 50th birthday, we learned that the village was the home of a renowned musician. Would you like to meet him, someone asked after supper? Of course, we replied. With this generous guide, we walked a quarter of a mile through darkened paths (there was no electricity), past the mud walls of many family concessions. He knocked on the door, and a young adult, after hearing who we were, brought an older man carrying a small drum to the door. We shook hands, and he began to play with a curved wooden drumstick with a ball-peen head – and sang. I asked our guide if he could interpret the words for us. Without a moment's hesitation, in French, he addressed himself to the task and said, "Who is this big, fat American guy who comes to my door after dinner and asks me to perform?" There was more, with generous eye contact and delightful good humor spanning the gulfs of language and culture.
Here at Jacob's Pillow, Kotchengna delivered in a series of dances, anchored in the virtuosic polyrhythms of the drummers and in chant and response.
When the show began, a single drummer came forward from the row of four across the rear of the stage, playing a portable drum and singing.
Five female dancers gave enthusiastic, often tightly choreographed interpretations of ritual dances, carrying fly-whisks, expanding and contracting circles around baskets of offerings, and improvising with stunning athleticism and radiant joy.
Midway through the performance, Mr. Diomande invited the audience to clap with the rhythms and to repeat elements of a song in the Senufo language, first with a single, elongated syllable that expressed a complex melodic line, then with two syllables, then with the whole phrase. Everyone did their best, although it was obvious that as Senufo is a tonal language, and the syllable and phrase was ripe with subtle tonalities and melisma, it was all but impossible to get our heads around it.
In the end, he asked us all to sing it ourselves. The audience and performers dissolved in laughter, and, surely, gained a deeper understanding of the depth and complexity of a splendid cultural tradition.
Several of the female dancers were Alvin Ailey Dance students, from diverse ethnic and geographical backgrounds – Swiss, French, Asian, African-American, white American – embodying the universality of dance and its power to connect us.
Not least of the satisfactions of this performance was the presence of many children, just as in an African village. They danced, cavorted, and as the ensemble was taking its bows before a well-deserved ovation, ran back and forth in front of the stage.
We left this world of village and dance glowing with the experience and grateful for the Pillow's policy of free admission, which makes it possible for whole families to grow into global citizens of dance.


text:
Judge Scolds Obama, Congress for Allowing Children to Face Deportation Without Lawyers
In an unusual call to action directed at members of Congress and the White House, a federal appeals judge in California on Tuesday urged the other two branches to address the "crisis" of thousands of children and teenagers facing deportation proceedings without a lawyer.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed a case brought on behalf of minors ages 3 to 17 facing deportation, who claim a right to a government-funded lawyer. Judge M. Margaret McKeown, writing for the three-judge panel, said that the plaintiffs failed to follow the proper procedures for bringing the case.
But McKeown wrote a separate, concurring opinion saying that although a court would likely someday decide the right-to-counsel issue, the legislative and executive branches could do more in the meantime to make sure that minors in immigration cases have access to a lawyer. "The problem demands action now," she wrote.
"While I do not take a position on the merits of the children's constitutional and statutory claims, I write to underscore that the executive and Congress have the power to address this crisis without judicial intervention," McKeown wrote. "What is missing here? Money and resolve—political solutions that fall outside the purview of the courts."
Programs that currently provide money and resources for lawyers to represent minors in removal proceedings are "laudable," McKeown wrote, but "a drop in the bucket in relation to the magnitude of the problem," leaving tens of thousands of children to go through immigration proceedings unrepresented.
Ahilan Arulanantham, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, argued for the plaintiffs. He said in a statement that "the Ninth Circuit today held that the courthouse doors are effectively closed to thousands of children whose only opportunity to seek appointed counsel in their immigration proceedings is through this case."
Given McKeown's recognition of the "moral imperative at stake," Arulanantham said, the White House should "exercise its power to cease its unjust practice of requiring children to represent themselves in immigration court."
Charles Roth of the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago, who filed a brief in support of the plaintiffs, said in an interview that he was disappointed with the decision and frustrated with McKeown's concurrence.
"We found it very unfortunate that the court would both acknowledge the problems of sending these children in to face removal proceedings … and yet insist on this procedure that will effectively deprive these children of the ability to make these important legal arguments," Roth said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Justice, which disputed that children facing deportation have a right to counsel and argued that the Ninth Circuit lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, was not immediately available for comment.
In order to raise the right-to-counsel issue, minors facing deportation had to bring it up before the immigration judge and go through an administrative review process before taking their case to a federal appeals court, McKeown wrote. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides the "exclusive" means for reviewing decisions about the appointment of attorneys in immigration cases, the judge said.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs said that it would be too difficult for children to understand what they needed to do to raise a right-to-counsel argument. McKeown responded to those concerns by citing a case in which a 14-year-old boy did raise the issue through the proper channels; his case eventually settled. The judge wrote that a parent, court observer or even the government could alert the court that a minor was invoking a right to counsel.
"We recognize that a class remedy arguably might be more efficient than requiring each applicant to file a [petition for review]," McKeown wrote, "but that is not a ground for ignoring the jurisdictional statute."
Judges Milan Smith Jr. and Andrew Kleinfeld joined the main opinion, and Smith joined McKeown's concurring opinion. Kleinfeld wrote his own one-paragraph concurring opinion, saying that he agreed that access to counsel was a problem, but that because the solution was a "highly controversial political matter, I think our own advocacy of some particular reform measure is unnecessary, and the matter is better left to the political process."


text:
The Kentucky Derby and the Mint Julep is a pairing of an iconic sporting event and cocktail that epitomizes the history of Bourbon and the fastest two minutes in sports. But here's the thing – the horses change every year, so why shouldn't we change up the juleps we drink?
In true new-school spirit, BLT Prime by David Burke Beverage Director Sam Borzi is stirring up three varieties of Juleps for the restaurant's Derby Days through the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5, 2018.
– Lavender Mint Julep Woodford Reserve Bourbon with mint simple syrup, lavender bitters
– Peach Ginger Julep Old Forester Bourbon with peach-ginger simple syrup, fresh mint
– Apple Pie Julep Koval Bourbon (produced in Chicago), with apple-cinnamon simple syrup and fresh mint
BLT Prime by David Burke. 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004. (202) 868-5100.


text:
Dow (German folklore & linguistics, emeritus, Iowa State Univ.) has thoroughly revised and updated the 2004 edition of the late Mercatante's celebrated encyclopedia. Readers will encounter 150 new articles (bringing the total to 3000), an expanded, annotated bibliography including web resources on world mythology, and new images. Impressive in scope, the set takes its title seriously—featured here are not only myths and legends from the Western hemisphere but a large survey of folklore and fables from Africa, India, ancient cultures, and the world's aboriginal and native peoples. The A-to-Z articles run in length from a paragraph to several pages, each including cross-references to other entries and related subjects and crisp black-and-white illustrations that replace some of the earlier editions' murkier reproductions. Previous volumes used a numbered entry system, which has been discontinued; the indexes, including a list of entries by culture, now refer readers to page numbers. BOTTOM LINE Earlier versions have been enthusiastically recommended, and this new edition is even better. Jammed with information and filled with both impressive scholarship and entertaining tidbits (who knew the potato was considered unholy by the Scots?), it is highly recommended for all libraries
Something that has always peeked my interest is the stories of ancient gods and the legends of past. The book covers those topics and many more. The amazing entries in this encyclopedia by Anthony Mercatante is nothing short of amazing.
From A to Z you'll find interesting clips about different gods, goddesses, myths, legends, heroes and villains. You find Roman, Greek, Norse, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian traditional portraits of gods, saints and demons all in this 800 plus page book.
Assembled is the most complete set of entries I have ever seen. Am impressive list with an even more impressive explanation of each entry. The author has really done his homework with book. This would make an excellent reference manual for every student and teacher.
Check out Facts on files website for more books in all kinds of categories. While this book is a little on the pricey side, I assure you, you'll be hard pressed to find any book that even comes close to this one, this one is in a class by itself.
$ 50.99
$ 50.99Buy Now