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KABUL - Dozens of Afghan schoolgirls have fallen ill in recent days after reporting a strange odor in their classrooms in northern Afghanistan, prompting an investigation into whether they were targeted by militants who oppose education for girls or victims of mass hysteria.
Either way, the reports from three schools within two miles of one another in Kunduz province have raised alarm in a city threatened by the Taliban and their militant allies.
The latest cases occurred Sunday, when 13 girls became sick, Kunduz provincial spokesman Mahbobullah Sayedi said. Another 47 complained of dizziness and nausea the day before, and 23 fell ill last Wednesday.
All complained of a strange smell in class before they fell ill.
"I came out from the main hall, and I saw lots of other girls scattered everywhere," Anesa, a 9-year-old who was hospitalized briefly Sunday, told The Associated Press. "Then suddenly, I felt that I was losing my balance and falling."
None of the illnesses was serious and the girls were only hospitalized for a short time. The Health Ministry said blood samples were inconclusive and were being sent to Kabul for further testing to determine the cause of the illnesses.
"This is a matter of concern not only for us but for the families," Sayedi said, blaming the sicknesses on "enemies" who oppose education for girls.
In the capital of Kabul, President Hamid Karzai's spokesman, Waheed Omar, said any attempt to keep girls out of school is a "terrorist act."
Kunduz had been relatively quiet until a few years ago when Taliban activity began to increase, threatening NATO supply routes south from Central Asia. Late Saturday, NATO and Afghan troops killed one militant and detained several others in Kunduz province.
Girls were not allowed to attend school when the Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan. The group was ousted from power in the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. The Taliban and other conservative extremist groups have been known to target schoolgirls.
In one of the most chilling attacks, men on motorbikes sprayed acid from squirt guns and water bottles onto 15 schoolgirls and teachers in 2008 as they walked to a girls school in Kandahar, the southern city that is the spiritual birthplace of the militant movement.
Previous cases of sudden illness in schools have left families too frightened to send their daughters to school.
Last year, dozens of girls were hospitalized in Kapisa province, just northeast of Kabul, after many collapsed with headaches and nausea following reports of a strange odor in their schoolyard. The Taliban was blamed, but research into similar mass sickenings elsewhere has suggested that some might be the result of group hysteria.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan on Sunday, hundreds of people blocked a main road in Logar province, west of Kabul, and burned several trucks to protest what they said were civilian deaths in NATO operations. They gathered hours after NATO said coalition troops killed several insurgents and captured a Taliban sub-commander.
"The man they killed was a schoolteacher and a mullah," said businessman Jan Mohammed. "They killed him inside his house and because of that the people came and burned my gas station, my car and my house."
He complained that if NATO thought the mullah was with the Taliban, "they should have arrested him at his school not gone to his house at midnight."
"The people are very angry. They are saying these people killed are innocent civilians," provincial spokesman Din Mohammad Darwesh said.
Civilian deaths caused by U.S. and other international forces are highly sensitive in Afghanistan. Public outrage over such deaths prompted the top commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, last year to tighten the rules on the use of airstrikes and other weaponry if civilians are at risk.
Last week, hundreds of residents in Logar protested another NATO operation, saying they were not convinced the victims were actually Taliban fighters. Logar is a strategic province because it controls southern land routes into Kabul, allowing weapons, explosives and fighters to move into the capital.
Also Sunday, NATO said a helicopter belonging to a civilian contractor made an emergency landing in Farah due to mechanical problems. There were no reports of injuries, NATO said. The Taliban claimed they shot down the helicopter.
In southeastern Afghanistan, a suicide bomber attacked private security guards while they were at a bazaar, killing four Afghans and wounding 12, the government said.
Two of the dead and five of the wounded worked for the U.S. Protection and Investigations security firm, an Interior Ministry statement said. The other victims were civilians.
The Houston-based company could not immediately be reached for comment.
The suicide attacker, who was on foot, targeted the guards at a bazaar in Sahjoy district of Zabul province, the ministry said.


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subset: commoncrawl


text: Eleanor Roosevelt has come to define what it means to be the first lady of the United States. She supported her husband's New Deal policies, and became an advocate for civil rights in America. But did you know that she was the first first lady to hold press conferences in the White House?


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By PUMTIWITT McCARTHY
Julie McClure has always been intrigued by science education and learning, and she brings this same enthusiasm to her current position as the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology science policy fellow."I wanted to combine things I like about teaching – like talking to people – and scale it up to communicating science policy," she says.McClure first pursued a joint bachelor's degree in biology and secondary science teaching at Florida State University, where she graduated in 2004. This experience not only involved formal coursework in biology, she explains, but also gave her the opportunity to teach physical science and chemistry at a local high school.
"Don't let anyone tell you you're only a real scientist if you work at the bench. Science is a way of thinking, and you can use those skills in any career.""If you receive (National Institutes of Health) funding, that means that any taxpayer can come up to you and ask why he should be paying for your research. If you can't answer him in a way that he understands, it's not that he's dumb – it's that you're doing a poor job of explaining it to him.""Stop referring to careers outside of academia as 'alternative.' If only one out of 10 biology Ph.D.s becomes tenured faculty at an R1 university, then academia is the exception – not the rule.""Scientists care about accuracy and precision. That's what makes them good at science. However, when you talk about science to a general audience, sometimes you have to sacrifice some of the precision. That's OK. Just get over it.""When you're in grad school, everyone around you already chose academia, so they're not going to have the best advice on careers outside of academia. There are tons of great careers for science Ph.D.s outside of academia, but you're going to have to do a lot more work to learn about them.""It's way easier to get involved in science policy than you may imagine. Follow professional societies or scientific journals on Facebook and Twitter. Then you can get your science news right along with the latest gossip about the Kardashians."
After receiving her degree, McClure deferred her entrance to graduate school at the University of Virginia by a year to obtain hands-on research experience. McClure was a postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award fellow in the lab of Henry Levin at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, an arm of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.During this time, she studied the integrase enzyme in the yeast model system Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Not only did she acquire skills at the bench, but she also gained some off-bench experience as a member of the Postbac IRTA Committee.After her time at the NIH, McClure went on to pursue her doctorate in cell biology at the University of Virginia, graduating from there in 2011. Her dissertation research focused on the yeast model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a means to study NAD+ biosynthesis.While at UVA, McClure once again took opportunities to get involved in endeavors outside the lab, including teaching. She had leadership roles in groups such as the Women in Math and Science Group and the Graduate Biosciences Society.McClure says she enjoyed the bench, but it was the experiences outside the lab that she enjoyed the most.Her search for the right career fit led her to become the 2011 – 2012 ASBMB science policy fellow.The fellowship is a relatively new program. The first fellow was selected in 2007, and there has been one fellow each year since then.The program offers a recent Ph.D. recipient (within three years of completion) an opportunity to work in a position that blends science policy, congressional relations and governmental relations.McClure appreciates that the program is relatively new."I've always been somebody who likes to get things off the ground … I enjoy building things," she says. "There is a lot of room for building how [the program] continues to grow."McClure's responsibilities as a fellow include "scanning news stories and articles in science policy-related news and trying to find what would be important to our members and bring those aspects" to the ASBMB community. She disseminates this information to members by print, via articles in ASBMB Today, and by social media, like her online Science Policy Blotter blog (http://asbmbpolicy.wordpress.com/) and her Twitter account (www.twitter.com/mcclurephd).McClure's fellowship ends later this year, and she's not sure yet what is in store for her."Ideally, continue working for a science policy organization," McClure says. She has a particular interest in science education policy. "I am interested in the early part of the research pipeline."
More from the current issue


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Boko Haram is a Nigerian-based terror group which actually brags of its ties to Al Qaeda. Since 2009, it has conducted a brutal and intense war against its own government which has involved the slaughter of Christians. It has also voiced threats against the United States and President Barack Obama.
The terrorist group has murdered more than 3,000 people since 2009, most of whom were Christians; many of the victims were killed by being chopped up with machetes, while others were tortured until death or burned alive.
Just last weekend, members of Boko Haram attacked and killed 10 Christians in northeast Nigeria and burned their houses to the ground. Police reports indicate Boko Haram members attacked at night by setting the houses on fire, catching the victims as they ran out, and cutting them down with machetes.
In January 2012 alone, Boko Haram killed more people than died in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria combined that month.
The number of people Boko Haram has killed this year ranges from 770 to 860; the majority of victims were Christians.
In August 2011, a Boko Haram operative bombed the United Nations building in Abuja, killing 23 and wounding 18. Following the attack, Boko Haram released a pre-recorded video wherein the bomber said he carried out the attack to send "a message to the U.S. president and 'other infidels.'"
Gen. Carter Ham, head of the U.S. Africa Command, is warning that Boko Haram's focus is increasingly broadening, and could soon include attacks on Europe if left unchecked.
On Dec. 3 Ham said, "Anything that is Western is a legitimate target in their eyes. I think it's in our national interest to help the Nigerians address the problem internally before it gets worse."


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Patrick Henry's '67 Chevelle Street Car
Over the years, our view of fast street cars has changed drastically. Remember when you had to have an insanely low gear, lots of carburetion, and 14-inch-wide slicks to go fast? All those things are still cool, but guys like Patrick Henry are getting it done with small tires, stock suspension, and a ridiculously simple setup that proves to be street-friendly. When you combine that with a subdued appearance, it creates quite the conversation piece at the dragstrip, especially when Patrick busts off a 5-second pass in the eighth-mile.
Patrick's journey with this car started about seven years ago, and it began as a simple project with his son, Nick. He bought it as a complete car, so it was a great start, but the first trip to the dragstrip was a major turning point when the car ran a 15-second e.t.—in the eighth-mile. Even at eight years old, Nick was embarrassed by Dad's very slow pass, so it sparked a never-ending fire to go quicker and faster.
With a new engine combination, the car certainly picked up, but Patrick and Nick continued to make changes, while making a point to retain the car's driveability. The car's current setup includes a nitrous-fed small-block that boasts 436 ci, but the car is 100 percent street-legal, which comes in handy for Patrick's weekly trip to his home track, Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip in Ringgold, Georgia.
Patrick admits he needed lots of help during his first few trips to the track, and a man by the name of Johnny Walker, who worked at the track, never hesitated to help him get the hang of it. Johnny watched Patrick make hundreds of passes through the years, always manning his post at the burnout box. Unfortunately, Johnny lost his life in a tragic accident during Brainerd's annual charity race called Draggin' for Toys, so Patrick was very disheartened to lose one of his first drag-racing mentors.
Despite the passing of one of his drag-racing friends, Patrick still thrashes on his Chevelle every chance he gets. He never trailers the car to the track, and he makes a point to keep things simple for the sake of fun. Along with test-and-tune nights, Patrick participates in Brainerd's 275 drag radial class, and holds his own against a field of tough cars. So far, he's run a best of 5.99 at 112 mph, but he's hoping for more once he switches to E85. He also wants to venture out to a quarter-mile track to stretch its legs a bit more, since it's packing 3.42:1 gears and an overdrive transmission. Patrick's Chevelle is proof that you can go fast with a GM 700R-4.
Despite the car's simple setup and tame appearance, it gets a lot of attention because of its great performance on and off the track. Patrick never brags about his success with the car and often gives the credit to the folks who helped him get this combination sorted out. Rainey Horne is one of the folks responsible for the help, as he offers advice for tuning between rounds. Patrick admits he's still learning, but he's teaching his son along the way, so it's a cool deal for both of them. The learning curve for going fast is always a tough one, but Patrick makes it look easy with his street-friendly small-block.
Tech Notes
Who: Patrick Henry
What: '67 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Where: Ringgold, Georgia
Engine: It takes a lot of power to run 5s in a 3,350-pound Chevelle, and Patrick gets it done with a small-block. The engine started out as a production 400 ci, but a 4-inch stroke and 4.165-inch (0.040 over) bore create a final displacement of 436 ci. The rotating assembly features an Eagle crankshaft, GM 5.94-inch rods, and a set of JE forged pistons that create an 11.4:1 compression ratio. Carl Henry handled the machine work and short-block assembly. The cylinder heads are AFR 235 units, which have custom porting by AFR's Tony Mamo. With flow numbers approaching the 340-cfm mark at 0.650 lift, these heads are perfectly matched with the custom-grind roller camshaft spec'd by Chris Straub. Up top is an AFR Titon composite intake manifold and a 750-cfm Mighty Demon carburetor, which is fed by an Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. The Dynatek headers feature stepped primaries, which lead to a 3-inch exhaust and Pypes Race Pro mufflers. This thing seems way too quiet to be so fast!
Power-Adder: Although Patrick's stroked small-block is no slouch on its own, it really wakes up with a small shot of nitrous. The Zex plate kit is jetted for a 150 shot, and Patrick generally leaves the line at around 50 percent or less and ramps in the nitrous down track using an Edelbrock progressive nitrous controller.
Transmission: This is where it gets interesting. Patrick relies on one of GM's least favorite performance transmissions—the 700R-4 overdrive automatic—but it has proven to be bulletproof, thanks to a few key modifications. Rainey Horne built the gearbox, using a hardened input shaft, bigger clutch packs, and many other cool tricks to make it strong. The converter stalls to 3,200 rpm, and Patrick selects the gears with a B&M Pro Ratchet shifter.
Chassis: The GM A-body platform works well on the dragstrip, so Patrick didn't get too crazy with chassis or suspension modifications. He added a set of tubular control arms and QA1 coilovers up front, and tossed the original steering box in favor of a rack-and-pinion setup. Out back, a GM 12-bolt rear end features a Moser spool and 35-spline axles with 3.42:1 gears. The rear shocks are QA1 12-way adjustable, while TRZ control arms offer even more adjustability to the rear suspension. A BMR antiroll bar keeps the car level when it leaves the line, while a set of Wilwood disc brakes roll on all four corners. Surprisingly, the Chevelle does not have a rollcage or any chassis modifications, but Patrick plans to upgrade its safety equipment soon.
Exterior: Patrick says he's still working on getting the exterior in good shape, but we think it's slick! It's a completely stock body with Super Sport badges, and a lift-off fiberglass hood—simple and clean.
Interior: You won't find many modifications inside Patrick's Chevelle, but it's practical and comfortable. Procar seats replace the original buckets, and a selection of Auto Meter gauges keeps track of the screaming small-block's vital signs. Everything else is bone-stock.
Wheels/Tires: The Chevelle rolls on a set of Billet Specialties Street Lite wheels, sized at 15×4 inches up front and 15×8 out back. The wheels are wrapped in M&H 185/75R15 drag radial front runners and Mickey Thompson 275/60R15 drag radials, respectively.
Performance: On the motor, Patrick's Chevelle runs solidly in the 6.70 range in the eighth-mile, which is mighty strong when you consider the street-friendly build. On the spray, it has gone a best of 5.99 at 112 mph, with a 1.29 sixty foot. And he drives it to and from the track.


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In addition to being a world-class botanical garden, Selby Gardens is also a non-profit organization that relies on a variety of funding sources to carry out its mission.
Through a contribution to the Gardens, you can honor a loved one's memory or pay tribute to a special person.
Chairman's Circle
The Chairman's Circle is an opportunity for Selby Gardens' most dedicated contributors to provide annual support for one or more Gardens activities about which they are especially passionate.
Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees.
Leave A Legacy
Follow in Marie Selby's footsteps by leaving your own legacy at Selby Gardens. Virtually anyone can make a planned gift, even those of modest means.


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|Cupcakes for K's Bday Party
|Build-a-Bear Party
|Super Hero Party.
|Having fun with Build -a- Bear Accessories
|M in dad's hat
|1st day of Kinder!
|Home alone with her.
|Carpool groupies!
|Rep. National Convention - Mitt 2012!
|He got 2 Teeth in less than 2 weeks.
|Impromptu Tea Party w/friends
|1st Day of Preschool!
|They had a fight.
|Date night. Dessert and WICKED!
|The Smith Center
|My Fav Musical... Wicked!
|Lucy... many faces.
|The Kissing Hand... Preschool love.
|Kate & Nix
|Family Date Night @ Town Square w/Gibson's
|Me and my #3. He's a mama's boy!
|Happy 3rd Birthday Lucy!
|Birthday Breakfast!
|Mase Man.
|He's a hunk!
|L with Attitude.
|Enjoying the rain. - Carpool Groupies.
|Sisterly Love.
|Halloween Wreath.
|Playing Fairies w/my girl.
|Canning with Rachelle. She's amazing.
|Besties. - Liv & Mase
|Love my boys.
|Carpool Groupies... Real men like Pink.
|Mason's 6 month Appt. (really he was 7 months old)
Stats: 19.5 lbs - 27.9 in
|Having fun while waiting for the doc.
|Lucy: Bravest little girl i know. They stuck he 3 times and she didn't even whimper.
|Baby girl.
|Family Date night. Johnny Rockets.
|Sassy Susie came to visit!
|Family Date night.
|First real hair cut... cut off 3 inches!
|Morning time play.
|Yes, i made this. Halloween Countdown. Thanks to Kiki @ Kiki & Co.
|Just me and him... tuesdays and thursdays.


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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - U.S. states that have a monopoly over their liquor sales seem to charge slightly more for booze than so-called license states without such control, according to a new price comparison.
"We found that the average price of liquor is lower in license states. It was on average $2 lower per product, which is about a 7 percent difference," said lead author Dr. Michael Siegel, a researcher from the Boston University School of Public Health.
As of February 2012, 18 control states in the U.S. set the price of liquor sold to their retail stores, and 13 of those also set the price for the general public. The other states sell liquor licenses to private business owners, who set their own prices.
Generally, in states and areas that have considered putting control of liquor prices in the hands of private businesses, the public has supported privatization.
But, the researchers note that while control states tend to charge slightly more for liquor, they also make a lot more money from their liquor sales.
"When legislators look at privatization, they just don't know how they're going to make up the money," said William Kerr, of the Public Health Institute's Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, who was not involved with the new research.
The new study, which compared the prices of 74 popular liquor brands between the 13 retail control states and 50 private stores in license states, found that prices varied by brand.
"You can see major differences, and I think it's particularly interesting to look at some of the popular brands. For example, if you look at Absolut vodka, there is about a $6 difference," said Siegel. "If you look at Skyy vodka, there is about a $5 difference."
But not all liquor prices were more expensive in control states. The researchers found that 21 brands were - on average - more expensive in license states.
Still, Siegel told Reuters Health that the average price difference between control and license states may be enough to influence how much people drink.
"There is convincing evidence in the literature that control states have lower alcohol consumption than the license states," he said.
Siegel and his colleagues also write that control states have been found to have lower rates of heavy drinking and underage alcohol-related deaths, but that may be due to other reasons, such as access to alcohol and law enforcement.
The ultimate goal of this research, according to Siegel, is to look at the brands of alcohol that teens drink the most of and see if that's related to its price.
While the researchers write in the journal Addiction that past studies have shown control states to have higher liquor prices, Kerr said this type of research is needed because prices change over time.
"There haven't been that many price comparisons. Here and there, there have been price comparisons, but the values are changing all the time," said Kerr.
The most likely reason behind the difference in price, according to the researchers, is competition.
Past research has found that license states tend to have more liquor stores in one area, which the researchers say would be expected to drive down prices.
The researchers also write that control states may have higher prices because they have costs to cover that aren't paid for by license fees or a liquor sales taxes - both of which are collected by license states.
However, the new study cannot say why the prices seem to be lower, or if there are any other factors that can explain the differences.
Still, past research has found that control states tend to bring in more revenue from their liquor sales.
"It's important to keep that in mind that the prices are a little bit higher, but if you look at the money (control states) raise, it's actually dramatically higher," said Kerr.
But control states still show interest in privatizing their liquor sales, including Washington, which was included in the study's control state group but has since converted to a license system.
Siegel said the current debate is over what will happen after the privatization of sales in Washington.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/Vzyl8Q Addiction, online October 17, 2012.


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An eclectic collection filled with character and warmth, the Custom Upholstery - Manor series lets you choose from a variety of styles and fabrics to create a look and feel that's all your own. By selecting Manor, you are choosing a large-scale (out of 4 scales) frame throughout, and your next options are as follows:Step 1: Choose from Full Front or T Front seat cushion styleStep 2: Choose from Sock, Panel, Pleated, Charles of London, or Track ArmStep 3: Choose from Boxed Edge, Knife Edge, or Bed Pillow back typeStep 4: Choose from Turned Leg, Turned Leg w/ Ferrule, Skirt, Bun Leg, or Tapered LegWith a wide variety of items ranging from sofas and sleepers, to sectionals and storage ottomans (not shown), this collection has everything you need to create a comfortable, functional, and stylish ensemble. Make yourself at home by personalizing the look and feel of your living room with the customizable Manor collection.
Browse other items in the Custom Upholstery - Manor collection from AHFA in the area.
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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There's a famous quote which says that change is the only constant in the world. This is especially true when we talk about technology and disruptive technologies are changing the way we live in every day. The record of such technologies or businesses could be never-ending but I've compiled a few that I felt greatly impacted. All the technological innovations I have listed below have changed how I do things by a good deal. A couple of them made material possible where they weren't before, while a couple of them lead to better productivity. Let's go through these initiations that are incredible and I trust you enjoy reading the compilation.
With the introduction of Twitter, of microblogging swiftly, the concept took off and interrupted the function of various businesses. Ranging from political leaders to celebrated celebrities to major news channels. If you ask any Twitter user, they'll tell you just how much of an impact this site has had on their lives. In the political revolution that happened in Egypt during the early phases of the Arab Springtime, Twitter played a leading role in 2011. In 2013, a billionaire investor made a tweet which was dubbed the multibillion-dollar tweet. In 2014, the FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil led to over half a billion tweets being created. Twitter continues to redefine the various things in our life including political activism and news journalism.
The way we share images with the world has been interrupted by Instagram what started as nothing but a location where cat owners share adorable images of their cats. The images clicked from the smartphones can be easily recreated to different opinions and dispositions using the built in filters. In the end, Facebook acquired for $1 billion Instagram, no doubt their growing popularity made Facebook view them as an up-and-climbing risk. This is an enormous figure, keeping in mind that Instagram had only 13 employees at that time.
With increasingly more folks using and familiarizing with smartphones, Internet traffic is on its peak and the data rates are going down. Whatsapp is the messaging system which is accountable to bring down the golden age of Short Messaging System or SMS as we all know it. Now, Whatsapp has interrupted SMS, from the simple motive that Whatsapp communicate more efficiently and better and enables its users to text. Beginning a group is painless, and with one click you can now broadcast or text a message to a whole group easily. Before Whatsapp, that's recognized as a herculean job if not outright impossible. The revolution caused by Whatsapp resulted in its business valuation propelling to $20 billion, and was eventually acquired by Facebook in 2014.
The majority of random people what company led the ebook revolution would undoubtedly reply Amazon if you ask them. Over time, the corporation has undoubtedly gained and kept the tag of being the e-retail king. It seems that Amazon has set its sight far into the future, while online retail business is growing. According to Amazon's Manager Jeff Bezos, the last mile delivery is the major bottleneck that prevents online shopping from growing. The company aims to cut short the time taken for delivery, which is about 1 to 2 days. The utilization of delivery drone or unmanned aircraft is viewed as the sole productive means to solve this problem. It will be interesting to see if Amazon has the ability to turn the use of this 'delivery drone' to a reality in the near future.
I have to be honest, I am not exactly the most technology savvy person you'll meet, but I love keeping up with the constant changes as much as I can just to remain contemporary, encircling technology. Many new technologies are being innovated. Initiation knows no bounds and I'm certain that will not cease for the foreseeable future. I consider a growing number of businesses revolutionized and will be shifted by approaching disruptive innovations, whatever they might be. In the event you have anything to say about the technology inventions mentioned above or discovered new ones that you'd like to share with others, please do leave a comment below.Learn More
Steve Jobs, who passed away in 2011, was a standout amongst the most cryptic pioneers and innovators of our era. But a couple of years after his death, his legacy can nevertheless be smelled in the air and Apple turned into the most valuable business on earth in 2014. After his death, not much altered with the business and it continues with its secret ways and techniques in the making of their products. For people that are not exactly Apple enthusiasts, there are a lot of interesting things about the business you might not know about. Let 's examine some of the very fascinating facts about Apple Inc. I am certain you will be surprised and they may present you a glance of the top-secret formulas that bring in such revolutionary products like the iPhone as well as the iPhone.
Besides revolutionizing the music industry, Apple moved on and revolutionized the mobile phone business. The rate at which Apple is adding its cashpile is really fascinating. By 2014, Apple had a cash amount of $160 billion accessible. Microsoft only had $85 billion while the US Treasury just had $49 billion in the first quarter of 2014, to set this amount in context. It is sufficient to get an iPod to every man in the US and there's still going to be money left to further exemplify the scale of this cash pile. This cash reserve would put Apple Inc among the 50 largest economies if it were a country.
Based on a study in 2013, Apple's revenue per employee is 'off the graph'. Every single Apple worker brings in for the business a whopping annual revenue of $2. 13 million. This really is an insane amount in the event that you consider that each IBM employee only brings in revenue for the firm in less than $250,000. Falling behind in the second place is Cisco with the $500,000 income every worker produces is still far fetched from what Apple workers are creating. It is interesting to see how far such trend could continue and if it's even possible for them to shatter its own record.
Apple is known worldwide for their iconic layout. There isn't any such thing as an unsuccessful Apple store as every outlet is thought of as a monetary generating machine. Previously, Tiffany & Co was the king when it comes to the total amount of sales generated per square foot basis. In 2013, each Apple store reportedly produced twice as much revenues compared to Tiffany & Co. and that record was shatteredWhen the former record holder sells $3,017 Apple records $6,050 for every square foot. It even come close or will be a while before any other business emulates these results.
As years pass by, Apple never captures to shock the world with sales records and their products. What most companies consider not possible to do, they attain it with ease. They are constantly striving to achieve newer heights with their products and give customers something they never even believed would exist. Tim Cook had an astounding shoe. Many believe that Apple's finest days are over but Tim cook and his team has up to now shown that they can maintain the company's growth at least for now. But we understand that nothing lasts for eternity. One thing is that Apple will be a brand to keep an eye on for the next few years and many are already anticipating whether their new iWatch is going to allow it to be huge or not.
Learn More
You may remember going through your Saturday mornings in front of the television set while your parents are tied up doing some household chores. These types of cartoon figures helped to keep us entertained for several hours together and the majority of us had some beloved character, which we almost all loved to watch every week. Regardless of whether we liked Donal Duck, Ben 10 or perhaps Tin Tin Adventure anytime we see these types of figures upon the television it right away reminded us of our own childhood memories.
This really is the key reason why many people just can't help looking for those older DVDs so they can watch their childhood favorite serials on their own or even together with their children. There tend to be various favorite cartooned-character products available in the market. While most of the business seems to center around super heroes, who're comic book characters instead of cartoon characters, you are able to still locate plenty of toys, DVDs, and clothing along with your favorite character upon them.
You are able to typically discover many items of children's clothing having cartoon characters plus superheroes upon them. Your kids may happily display their short sets and also tee shirts with a few famous characters just like SpongeBob or Power puff girls upon them. Little ones normally like to wear clothes which have images of their hot favorite characters. You can also locate tee-shirts, hats and jackets with the cartoon characters in adult products likewise.
Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh appears popular among women's jackets and shirts, while it's much more widespread to see superheroes such as Wonder Woman, Hulk or Spiderman on mens clothing. The interest for these kinds of characters is a worldwide phenomenon and lots of products featuring these can end up being popularly sold in nations such as Europe, Korea and even within Canada.
Lately Japanese anime that are usually more or less such as cartoons are usually gaining popularity amongst the more youthful generations and especially the teenagers. The majority of us had been introduced to them when the card game Pokemon became a giant hit plus spawned its own TV show and movies. Undeniably, it has turned out to be a huge sensation so that related franchised product line-ups have additionally become in demand. If perhaps you are in for plush toys, these kinds of products as Mario plush toys tend to be one of the most desired globally.
You may think it is beneficial that cartoon characters are generally printed in almost every item which a kids desires or needs. They are able to assist you to get your kid to regularly brush his teeth or perhaps start taking his milk coming from a cup, if he spots cartoon characters on his tooth brush or mug. To inspire interest in learning or even help them in matching objects these types of cartoon characters show up on games, puzzles, and books. Because kids recognize these kinds of cartoons they are drawn to the products on which they're found on.
In order to appeal to children, new cartoon serials are being launched but still the craze of old cartoons which we enjoyed like Scooby Doo or Tom and Jerry and Lion King are nevertheless highly popular with the kids. Cartoons of that era are so popular that an entire network was created to rejoice these cartoon characters. It paved way for the opening of the Cartoon Network in 1995 which actually reaches nearly every corner of the planet, including Japan.
Therefore don't end up being surprised in the event that you purchase a DVD or perhaps Mario plush toy or any other product and find your most desired cartoon character upon themLearn More
It is no secret that each girl naturally desires to look amazing. But it is inherent in us as human being to get bored over precisely the same matter and beauty isn't of any exception. Hair might be the most important factor of wonderful look which is why it is known as crown by many. Long straight glossy hair undoubtedly can undoubtedly be a attractiveness attraction but it is something which only the rare few of us are born with. Most people have some kind of curl on our hair though the number of curl can still largely change between people. For those who wish to have their hair straightened out, there are two alternatives. You can of course head to your favorite salon and allow your hair-stylist take care of everything. While this may be the simplest option, it comes at a price with the bill potentially climbing to numerous dollars per treatment session. The second alternative is to do it in your own which require you to not only get the best hair straighteners, but also be aware of few things that will make or break the most beautiful part of our appearance.
You need to make beautiful but there's a price that you simply must be willing to pay. Long straight glossy hair may boost your looks but there's a cost you must pay which is a crucial consideration even before you start hunting for the best hair straighteners. Within the hair straightening therapy, a small amount of chemical agent that contains an element called keratin, is typically applied to free your hair as a way to get it prepared for the next step. What exactly is performed in the next step involves the utilization of pre-heated metal or ceramic plate which is slided through to straighten the hair. While the number of damage may vary, one thing for sure is these remedies will cause some damage to your hair. One method to mitigate the dangerous effect from such treatment will be to use hair conditioner more regularly.
You might be amazed by the extent at which some girls will willingly compromise in order to make themselves appear lovely. There are those who every-other month, will do a major makeover for their hair styles. For instance, they are going to be changing between curly and straight hair each month. As you do your hair straightener assessments, it is better to notice that what makes the best hair straightener is the frequency where it's intended to be used for. For individuals who intend to have their hair style shifted so regularly will probably locate the best hair straighteners to be those that have been designed to give short-term straightening result to your hair. To the contrary, models which have been designed to create more permanent or longer-term results would make the best hair straighteners for those who do not mean to take action so frequently.
The plate material employed is one specification that frequently distinguishes the best hair straighteners from the mediocre models and that is something that you'll get more comfortable with as you do your hair straightener review via online. The recent ceramic plate invention now means that you have an choice to pick aside from your classic titanium or steel plate that used to be the defacto material option. Both material types have their own promoters. One edge that ceramic hair straightener is frequently associated with is the quicker and more uniform temperature that can be achieved on the plate. Moreover, some declare that ceramic hair straightener will make your hair less frizzy compared to the titanium version.
The pick of a fresh dinnerware set should at no time be taken for granted, whether it is your first or a replacing of your old set. The first thing you must know is that there are two kinds of dinnerware in the market, fine dinnerware and informal dinner ware. A casual set of dishes are used for breakfasts, noshing and everyday dinners with family and friends. On the other hand, a fine dinnerware can be used for more proper occasions like anniversaries, parties and vacation dinners.
When shopping for the best dinnerware for casual everyday use, you will be surprised at the extensive variety of options in terms of the design, patterns and materials used to make distinct dinnerware sets. The substances include Glass, stoneware, melamine, vitrelle and bone china. Whatever you're planning to purchase, a leading concern is the cost range that'll fit your budget. You will detect that the price differences vary substantially, for both dinnerware types.
How many settings also create a terrific impact on the cost of the dinnerware, thus you may buy only a set that will better fit your family size. There are available sets that can serve only two men, although most sets are good for four. This is important because you have to match this number with the best silver flatware that you have.
The best-rated melamine dinnerware sets are likely to contain dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, cups or mugs. Obviously, emergency needs including a broken dish or guests should additionally be taken into consideration. So, if you have a family of four, you might want to get an eight place setting as a way to have extras on hand. You may be capable to purchase replacement dishes if you break a plate or bowl. All you've got to do is take note of the maker and the layout that may function as your guide in looking for replacements.
Just like the everyday sets fine dinnerware can also be purchased in sets, but you can buy separate place settings according to your condition when you get yourself fine china sets. A fine dinnerware set would usually consist of five things: salad plates, dinner plates, soup bowls, java/tea cups in addition to cup plates. Many of the fine dinner sets have serving bowls, tea or coffee service, salt and pepper shakers and platters which are fitting. Another bright manner of getting your fine dinner set is to buy one or two individual settings at a time, so the purchase will just have a minimal effect on your own financial resources. You can choose to buy one setting whenever you can manage it, until you're competent to complete your wanted number of settings, or enhance the dinnerware set which your grandparents have passed on to you.
But not everyone feels comfortable with online shopping though. But if you belong to the millennial generation, you know the relevance of taking attentive dinnerware set review as it'll not lead you to a selection you will repent later on. But not everyone feels safe with online shopping and this fear has lately been further compounded by the credit card security violation that happened at Target and 1 that impacted tens of millions of online shoppers.
As you can see, dining products have been creatively customized to create mood and theme in your dining table. It is so recommended that you be sure of what you want before embarking on your dinnerware set discussions as the hunt course for the best casual dinnerware sets will not be exactly the same as the investigation route for the best chance dinnerware sets. But list of the best-rated melamine dinnerware sets would be more suitable if you're looking for the perfect set for everyday use as they are more durable and more affordable.Learn More
When your kid is prepared to transition from their bassinet stroller or crib into a toddler bed, you will need to find bedclothes that'll fit the dimensions bed you've selected. When it comes to size, there is a huge difference between toddler and double beds, hence you must select the right size to ensure an ideal fit. Ideally, toddler beds also needs to feature a side railing that can prevent your kid from falling, while he's asleep or at play. Due to the presence of side railing it is quite vital that you get proper sized bedclothes. When you go through the best crib mattress reviews for 2014, you will learn that a mattress that totally matches to the dimension of your crib will make the best crib mattress.
When selecting the best crib mattress, there's one error that many parents have a tendency to devote and that is to assume that what works best for them also functions best for their newborn. Bone structure is something which varies among individuals but in general, mattress with softer texture is better for adults. But infants will vary and their bones are still soft and tender unlike adults. As advocated by experts and authorities, the best crib mattress should be tough as it is better in stopping SIDS. Parents may also be advised to assess for any use of harmful chemical used in the building of the mattress as babies are likely to chew and bite on their mattresses.
Anyone who had purchased the best toddler bed understands how expensive it can be but getting the best crib mattress is also something which is equally important. If your toddler's bed is pretty much of the exact same size as the crib, then the same crib mattress and sheets will go combined with the bed. Nonetheless, most crib sheets are designed to match the mattress and don't come with a coordinated flat sheet. You should manage to locate toddler sheets that match a crib mattress in order to get a top-sheet as well as the fitted sheet. You are able to use the level sheet to keep your kid warm and cozy or just utilize it as a cover in summertime when comforter or blankets will not be needed. But if your toddler's bed dimension is different, then the crib mattress will not fit and you may need special sheets which are designed for the unique sized bed. You're free to choose from a vast collection of designs, colors and prints that will easily match with the present ornamentation in your toddler's area. You can pick the one which goes perfect with the atmosphere and decor of your toddler's area or instead you can buy a bed sheet which has your child's favourite cartoon character or purchase regular stripes, checks, or plain colours that will blend with any sort of insides.
Whether you are purchasing the best toddler bed for the boy or woman can substantially impact the range of alternatives you might have. Lads are obviously attracted to blue colours and rather than fretting about the lack of options, parents may have broad variety of choices and a few of the Best Cribs are those that feature such Disney's well-known figures as Lighting Mc Queen. Parents who are buying it for their lady will usually find yourself looking at feminine-themed beds featuring some of the infamous characters with the kind of Cinderella. It is easy to get carried away when looking for baby bedding and don't neglect to establish yourself the budget limit ahead. As an example, buying the best crib skirts is something which is seen as good to have but not essential. Parenthood trip is long and one that has several ups and downs but with lots of excitement happening at the early stages. Don't blow your budget the first moment your child arrives and you must look forward. If I have limited budget and asked to select between travel bassinet and crib mattress, I'd undoubtedly not wait on getting the best crib mattress but I might skimp on obtaining a travel bassinet.
Additional tips can also be found at Bassinet & CribLearn More
A Selfie is all it takes for Ellen to Break the Twitter Record
Guess Who Is Hosting the Oscars! (No, It's NOT Ellen DeGeneres): The host of the Academy Awards can go very ri… http://t.co/e1auVJTWas
— kendall Mire (@KendallMire) October 15, 2014
2014 World Cup Final is the Most Tweeted Final in History
The Twitter activity around Germany's goal flurry looks insane http://t.co/fuF0UZ8ZY3 pic.twitter.com/o0mDGtvhg6
— Matthew Lynley (@mattlynley) July 9, 2014
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba ranks as World's biggest IPO
"@CNBCNumbers: #alibabaipo could signal a top for stocks http://t.co/ZERXgF23sH" Good 9/9/14 call by @GinaVSanchez ! pic.twitter.com/xa4EN2BxAr
— David Kreizinger (@davidkcpa) October 15, 2014
Facebook acquires Whatsapp for $19 Billion
Facebook's WhatsApp acquisition now has price tag of $22 billion http://t.co/8NmVX1JRM3
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) October 6, 2014
Flight MH370 went missing
777crash confirms jihadists turning to make trouble for China. Chance for US to make common cause, befriend China while Russia bullies.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) March 9, 2014
Malaysia Airlines MH17 was mistaken as enemy plane and shot down by Pro-Russia Rebels
.@BoeingAirplanes statement on Malaysia Airlines Flight #MH17 pic.twitter.com/uYqeoTD4jd
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) July 17, 2014
Ebola Outbreak threatens the World
New @WBpubs #EbolaResponse report highlights short & medium-term impacts of epidemic http://t.co/Un8lI3FBc9 pic.twitter.com/eekGCRqMLs
— UNMEER (@UNMEER) December 7, 2014
Robin Williams' death ruled as suicide
I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) August 11, 2014
Hello Kitty is not a Cat
Has anyone told the Hello Kitty erotica community that they haven't been drawing a cat this whole time?
— Ryan Broderick (@broderick) August 28, 2014
Kate Middleton to Give Birth to 2nd Royal Baby in April 2015
Awwww another #RoyalBaby. So excited <3
— Louise (@SprinkleofGlitr) September 8, 2014
Learn More
The question that is being asked most frequently by wristwatch hunters is evidently the most common one – what should I opt for quartz or mechanical ones? If you are prepared to shell out a decent sum (be it taken out of your life savings or just to change your confidence) this concern certainly gets every one talking. If you have already been pondering this question, that is a good sign. This means that you are on the right path as this might be the single-most essential consideration that lead you to your final decision.
In my opinion, Quartz and Mechanical timepiece are totally two separate categories. The earlier necessitates no battery to work while the second is powered by battery to run. The subsequent question that you might be wondering is what is the mechanism behind automatic timepieces. Mechanical wristwatches draw its supply of power from the kinetic energy generated when we maneuver and this energy is used to move the hardware parts that lead the wristwatch to tick. For this reason , after an extended period of being rested on the wardrobe, your automatic wristwatch are likely to stop and you will have to adjust it to the current time before putting on it again. The moment you start donning it, the system will resume working with your wrist motions.
The clicks you hear out of an Mechanical wristwatch is similarly generated by its hardware components. These people just love the ticking sound of the hands. The ticking sound is like music to their ears, it will certainly be special. In specific watches, you may even see the various hardware components. This gives a classic effect to the timepiece, and the rotating pieces are quite gratifying to watch.
Something you should be certain of is the level of precision that you get from an automatic watch in comparison with a quartz model. Quartz movement is definitely better in terms of accuracy that is as opposed to mechanical versions in which daily drift of 10 seconds is typical. If you perform a simple computation and sums this up for a month, you ought to anticipate about 5 minutes drift every month. If consistency is important to you, then it might be better for you to choose a battery-operated quartz wristwatch.
When discussing with regards to quartz watches, the options are infinite. In order not to waste your effort unecessarily, make sure you identify just what your expectation is. A large number of fashion wristwatches are driven by quartz piece and this can be the perfect target to get started on and of all the brands, Diesel watches are among the favorite options since they offer fashionable and largely affordable budget.
Mechanical watches, on the other hand, involve many other considerations and obtaining an excellent piece of mechanical wristwatch is not that clear-cut. Do not be surprised if you cannot find good plethora of mechanical watches in the budget of $500. One interesting fact about mechanical wristwatches is that mechanical watch fanatics love to treasure these kinds of watches and then pass it down to their children and great-grand children. Hence, if you're looking at an Mechanical wristwatch of this quality, then you ought to be willing to pay for a spectacular cost of a few thousand dollars. I'm not sure what your take is on this, but personally, would rather skimp on this one and allocate the money for something else like around the world vacation. Indeed, many casual watch seekers and that includes myself like to go for Diesel watches as they are perfect for regular use.
The reason why a mechanical or automatic watch can bring in outrageous value is usually due to the expertise and mastery the creator that crafted the wristwatch. Many folks love the complexities and the specifics that contribute to making and assembling of its mechanical bits and pieces. This is the biggest reason why people are prepared to place such a high value on mechanical watches and not on quartz wristwatches.Learn More
In the blink of an eye, the entire year 2013 will soon be over. As we slow down from the hectic pace of the professional life, the majority of us will be pre-occupied with a couple of things in mind. There are things that can last longer in our thoughts than others. Apart from reflecting straight back on days past, most folks could be setting their new year resolution.
Being a movie freak, a very natural question that came to my mind is what would be the greatest blockbuster movie of 2013 that I would remember for times to come? Even though I don't consider myself to be a tough movie critic, I still believe that some hollywood movies have been rather disappointing, especially in recent years. Some films are simply used as a showcase of the newest visual effects capability while some are simply just produced out of the sake of producing a film, I feel.
But let us set the debate aside and simply take a glance at my favorite picks for the season.
The experience of being able to adopt your baby in your arms will vanquish any memory of pain and suffering that one goes through during the pregnancy period. It's definitely not easy to be a parent of a newborn but it is even more challenging to be a first time parent. It's a phase of existence that every one of us has to go through however challenging it's because without which, our life journey wouldn't have been complete. It is a process that may bring out our protecting instinct for our loved ones and one that may assemble rock solid foundation for a powerful parent-to-kid connection. Some moms are lucky enough to have the grandparents around to help handle matters and supply the guidance on the path they have themselves walked through before. For others who can afford it, they are able to hire a nanny to assist along the way. For the remainder who don't have access to such help, managing household tasks and looking after the baby can frequently be a massive challenge. Baby monitor is one gadget which is especially designed to the requirements of such parents. For mothers who must juggle between ensuring security of the child and also ensuring all home chores are completed, they may find the best baby monitors to be of their best aid. To assist you in your baby monitor discussion, the followings are some of the things which should be taken into your selection consideration.
A lot more interesting tips and discussions are available at Loving Mom's Diary
All baby monitors are designed to function wirelessly rather than through cable and that is according to the best of my knowledge. One distressing revelation which you'd find in numerous baby monitor assessments is the potential life hazard of any cable which is placed too close to a baby. One essential specification that you just have to watch out for is the frequency at which the unit is functioning at. While you may nevertheless manage to find certain versions that operate in 49MHz, the best baby monitors nowadays are functioning either at 1. 9GHz or 2. 4GHz frequency spectrum. I am not a wireless specialist but the reality that Federal Communications Commission decided to free-up the analog Television spectrum rather than digital TV spectrum says a lot about the restricted availability of the wireless spectrum. Nevertheless, this is not saying the 1. 9GHz and 2. 4GHz are free of interference. In the 1. 9GHz, even the best baby monitor that you have bought may be put through the interference being released from your DECT phone but the severity of such interference on the picture and sound quality frequently separates the best baby monitors from the mediocre ones. In the 2. 4GHz, wi fi transmission might get in the way but if created properly, it should trigger no significant performance problem.
One technical detail that you want to look out for is the maximum amount of transmitter and receiver that can be configured to match with each other. If you have a huge house to manage and you have a tendency to place your baby in few places in the house, this really is particularly important. As you'd learn from the baby monitor assessments shared by some parents, you would discover how some parents have set up two monitors – one in the kitchen and another in the parlor where lots of time is spend doing the ironing. With this kind of configuration, you need the model that enables you to link 2 receiver units to just one transmitter. If you refer to 2014 best baby monitor reviews online, you'll see that some of the best baby monitors even let you add extra transmitter device to the organization which should let you put the camera monitor in several rooms. This can be a feature that isn't much of use for most parents but one that is loved by those that frequently have to carry their babies across distinct rooms.
One crucial aspect that will not be chosen if you are doing your baby monitor discussion to pick the best baby monitors is the trade name or producer name. There are specific mainstream brands that most people relate with baby items and such manufacturers include the likes of Philips AVENT. But making the best baby monitors is an entirely different matter from producing say the best milk bottle. Sometimes, it is better to go with specialty brands but since they're not conventional names, it requires additional effort on your part to do your research right. One model is the surprisingly positive evaluations that you find in many Baby Optics baby monitor evaluations and there will be a lot of things that they have done right to have attained the advice from lots of parents.
This really is one gadget that not every parent will discover that it's useful to have. As you do your baby monitor assessments, you will discover those parents who don't have someone else assisting them could be the largest beneficiary of the technology. Several factors should be chosen as part of your consideration in choosing the best baby monitor. The straightforward and basic baby audio monitor is something that should be considered for anyone confronted with tight budgetary constraints. But if budget is somewhat free, you want to contemplate getting the best baby video monitor as it lets you appreciate both sight and sound.Learn More


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Item Added To Bag
Naven Kimono Crop Top in Chartreuse/Turquoise
Color: Chartreuse & Turquoise
Qty: 1
Kimono Crop Top
- 100% silk
- Cuffed sleeves
- Revolve Style No. NVEN-WS4
- Manufacturer Style No. S12414-2TN
- Modeled in size S.
- Model Measurements: Height 5' 11", Waist 24, Bust 32, Hips 34
- Size Guide
Naven began with the creative minds of twin designers Kymberely and Alexis McClay. Immersed in fashion from a young age, while living in North America and Europe, their fashion forward thinking and influences have been rendered in their designs. After graduation from Pepperdine University and FIDM in Los Angeles, Kymberley and Alexis gained valuable experiences while working in the industry. Naven was born while the twins put their fashion ideals into a tangible form and introduced their womens contemporary line in Los Angeles in Fall 2007. Though Naven finds its roots in Los Angeles, the line embodies a touch of European influence stemming from the Twins background. Naven plays on a contrast between classic and sophisticated silhouettes and a young, fun and flirty style. The line highlights the beauty of the female silhouette through flattering fits while portraying empowerment and energy through bold colors, fine fabrics and an edgy take on classic form.
If an item you would like to purchase is out of stock, you can place a Special Order Inquiry. REVOLVE will then check the availability and obtain an approximate arrival date for the item, if available. Typically, it takes up to 3-4 weeks to verify this information.
Placing a Special Order Inquiry is absolutely free and there is no obligation to follow through with a purchase.
- You will be notified by email once we receive the item.
- You may cancel at any time without penalty
- Your card will ONLY be charged when your order is shipped.
- Availability is not guaranteed.


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how to become a licensee
Thank you for your interest in Pantone, our valuable trademarks and copyrights, and our globally recognized systems for the communication and specification of colour.
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Newman's Own Organics Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Dry Food
by Newmans Own Organics
Sold out
Newman's Own Organic Adult Dry Dog Food is a unique blend of proteins, whole grains, vitamins and minerals that maximize palatability, digestibility and nutrient assimilation. All ingredients were carefully selected for their extraordinary nutritional value to help promote the vitality and longevity your dog.
IngredientsChicken, Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Organic Peas, Chicken Meal, Organic Sorghum, Organic Soybean Meal, Chicken Fat (Naturally Stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols [a Source of Vitamin E]), Organic Brown Rice, Organic Millet, Organic Rice, Organic Flax Seed, Dicalcium Phosphate, Organic Carrots, Chicken Liver, Sea Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Parsley, Zinc Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Zinc), Choline Chloride, Iron Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Iron), Vitamin E Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Manganese Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Manganese), Lecithin, Copper Amino Acid Complex (Source of Chelated Copper), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Biotin, Cobalt Proteinate (Source of Chelated Cobalt), Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide (Source of Iodine), Sodium Selenite, Dehydrated Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dehydrated Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dehydrated Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dehydrated Bifidobacterium Pseudolongum Fermentation Product, Dehydrated Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis
|Guaranteed Units
|Crude Protein
|21.0% min
|Crude Fat
|12.0% min
|Crude Fiber
|4.5% min
|10.00% max


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The OSC must observe precautions when collecting and handling liquid samples for analyses, as the character of the sample may be affected by a number of common conditions. Standard agency protocols are to be followed in the collection and shipment of all samples.
All samples and other tangible evidence must be maintained in proper custody until orders have been received from competent authority directing their disposition. Precautions should be taken to protect the samples from breakage, fire, altering, and tampering. It is important that a record of the chain of custody of the samples be properly maintained from the time the samples are collected until ultimate use at the trial of the case. In this regard, a record of time, place, and name and title of the person collecting the sample, and each person handling same thereafter, must be maintained and forwarded with the sample. Form No. lEPA350051 may be used. US EPA Regional procedures for sample collection, transport and custody are to be used for all samples submitted to the Central Regional Laboratory.
Conditions should be photographed to show the source and the extent of oil or hazardous material. The following information should be recorded in the metadata for each image:


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So, since we're on the internet and there's only so much space available on it (??), we like to speak in acronyms and short words like OMG, TIA, and WTF. The problem with this is that on most forums, you can't run a search for anything under 4 letters long.
I thought this might be a helpful resource for people who are new to these forums specifically and possibly Rhacodactylus species in general. This is just a short little "dictionary" for terms that are 3 letters long or fewer, because they are not searchable. Please let me know what I've missed or what I've written incorrectly! And if there's something you're confused about and don't want to ask in public, send me a PM and I'll add it to the list
1.2.3 (often seen in signatures) - These numbers indicate the number and sex of animals of a given species the poster owns. "1.2.3" would mean 1 male, 2 females, and 3 unsexed animals.
BOI - Board of Inquiry. A website one may choose to use to deal with disputes with herp (and herp supply) sellers. Also useful for finding recommended dealers.
Cal - Calcium
CB - Captive Born. An animal which was born in captivity.
CBB - Captive Born and Bred. An animal which was both bred (parents mated) and born or hatched in captivity.
CG - Crested Gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus).
CH - Captive Hatched. An animal which was hatched in captivity.
CGD - Crested Gecko Diet. A brand-name food for crested geckos. A similar formula is sold under the Repashy name.
D3 - A vitamin used in the processing of calcium within the body.
Dal - Dalmatian morph. A gecko with spots.
DUW - Dial-Up Warning. Often posted in the subject line of a thread to let readers on dialup know that there are a lot of large images inside, so it may take them a long time to load.
Exo - Exo Terra, a specific brand of reptile/herping supplies; often used to refer to their enclosures specifically.
F1, F2 etc. - In breeding projects, "F1" would be the first generation of offspring from a wild-caught pair. F1 offspring are rare in the Rhac world due to strong exporting restrictions of the species.
F/t - Frozen (then) Thawed. A way of serving certain kinds of feeder animals to meat-eaters.
FS/T - For Sale/Trade.
FTS - Floppy Tail Syndrome. The condition in which a gecko's tail begins to "flop" over its head or off to one side when it hangs upside-down.
G - Grams. The most commonly-used unit of measurement when dealing with small geckos. Also, sometimes, gallons.
GE1 or GE2 - GE brand silicone type 1 or 2 used in dirt wall set ups.
GGD - Gargoyle Gecko Diet. A brand-name food for gargoyle geckos. (Now discontinued.)
GS - Great Stuff foam. Often used in hand-made enclosures to build backgrounds.
GT - Grande Terre. A locale of some Rhacodactylus species.
ICB - Insect Cricket Balancer. Generally, a product which is dusted over crickets and live food to make them more nutritious for reptiles.
KK - Kritter Keeper. Brand name for a relatively inexpensive plastic type of enclosure sometimes used for keeping smaller animals.
LGD - Leachianus Gecko Diet. A brand-name food for leachianus geckos.
LTC - Long-Term Captive. An animal which has been in captivity for a long time, but which was originally found outside.
MBD - Metabolic Bone Disease. A weakening of the bone structure, often caused by an imbalance in D3, calcium, and/or phosphorous.
Mod - Moderator. A person who helps run a forum, generally on a volunteer basis. And therefore, someone you should not poke with sticks.
MRP - Meal Replacement Powder. Any food that comes in powder form that may be mixed with water (or other liquid) to provide a balanced meal.
NFS - Not For Sale. Used in trade sections, generally to show off what sort of genetics an animal comes from or is capable of producing.
Nuu Ami - A locale of some Rhacodactylus species.
Nuu Ana - A locale of some Rhacodactylus species.
OBO - Or Best Offer. Seen in trade sections - the seller is willing to accept the best offer or highest bid on an item or animal.
OP - Original Poster. The person who started the thread.
PI - Pine Island. A locale of some Rhacodactylus species.
Pin - Pinstripe morph. A gecko with stripes running along its dorsal ridges.
PM - Private Message. A note sent directly from one forum member to another.
QT - Quarantine. Sometimes, also Quart, the unit of measurement.
RTB - Ready To Breed. An animal that is of proper breeding weight, size, and/or age; may or may not be proven. Alternately, Red Tailed Boa.
SVL - Snout (to) Vent Length.
TL - Total Length (snout to tail tip).
TS - Thread Starter. The person who made the original post in a thread.
TSD - Temperature(-dependent) Sex Determination. An incubation method which produces a larger quantity of a given sex at certain temperatures.
UTH - Under Tank Heater. Device used to add warmth to an enclosure.
UVB - A type of ultraviolet light. Some breeders use it with Rhacodactylus, and some do not, as they are nocturnal. Can be useful in assisting live foliage in enclosures to grow properly.
Viv - Vivarium
WC - Wild-Caught. An animal which was captured outside.
WTB - Want To Buy. Seen in trade sections. Indicating that someone is looking for a specific item or animal.
WTS - Want To Sell. Seen in trade sections. Indicating that someone is looking to sell a specific item or animal.


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Rubena Wiebe
Rubena Wiebe, 90, died Thursday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Nov. 3, 1923, to Bernhard and Margaret (Jantzen) Wiens in Hooker, Okla.
She married Vernon Wiebe on May 30, 1947, in Hillsboro.
She is survived by her children, Hank Wiebe of Hillsboro, Rosemary Haury of Harrisburg, Pa., Margaret Wiebe of Hesston, Rachel Easter of Hesston, Kathy Loewen of Newton, and Kakim Kunantaev of Hillsboro; 15 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a grandchild, Ben Haury.
Visitation was Monday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. A celebration of life service was Tuesday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.
A memorial fund has been established with Tabor College.


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In early polls, Texans showed the most support for Mike Huckabee as a Republican presidential nominee, but now that he's not running, perhaps our own Rick Perry will become the favorite. Religion Dispatches suggests that Perry, a Methodist comfortable talking about his faith, praying in office and appealing to Bible belt evangelicals, may be the "Christocrat favorite."
From the story, by Sarah Posner:
Enter Perry. He's got impeccable Christian right credentials. He's the Republican governor where the state GOP first included a provision in its platform declaring America a Christian nation. (David Barton, after all, was the vice-chair of the party at the time).
Back in the days when Rod Parsley was the megachurch man about town, and proclaiming himself not a Democrat or a Republican but a "Christocrat," Perry included him in a controversial 2005 Sunday bill-signing ceremony. The governor, with Parsley, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, and Don Wildmon of the American Family Association on hand, signed a parental notification bill and a gay marriage ban into law at the Fort Worth Calvary Christian Academy. Parsley graced the ceremonies with the statement that gay sex is "a veritable breeding ground of disease."
Perry, as we know, believes in intelligent design and advocates its inclusion on the state curriculum, publically offered prayers for the oil spill (an "act of God") as well as the recent drought and has discussed the role of faith in government.
He said that it's "extreme to say that our laws should not be inspired and informed by the views of the faithful. Freedom of religion is not to be confused with freedom from religion."
Rumors of Perry's possible presidential run resurged yesterday on political sites.


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Zurvita exists because we believe every person needs to believe they matter.
When people truly believe they matter, their lives can change for the better. Moreover, when people believe other people matter, it can change the entire world. Our mission is to help and empower people from all walks of life to become the best version of themselves. We want people to experience a higher way of life.
Zurvita began in 2008 as the vision of founders Mark and Tracy Jarvis. Mark and Tracy had experienced tremendous success within the direct sales industry, creating a seven-figure income for themselves. But they realized they had been called to a larger mission in life. After prayer, they identified these three core principles on which Zurvita was founded:
Zurvita's Founding Principles
Every decision, every product, every update is inspired by and filtered through these three principles.
Build a company that honors and glorifies God. We do this by not judging people but by loving them right where they are in life.
Develop a company with humble leadership. Our philosophy is the higher you climb, the more you serve the brand new person.
Create an environment where people can win at every level. The culture at Zurvita celebrates all successes with Independent Consultants at every level.
Simple, Effective Nutrition
For us, zeal for life means knowing you matter, and that what you're doing right now is significant. It sparks a whole new energy and purpose for life that simply cannot be surpassed.
For most of us, the beginning of experiencing Zeal for Life® begins with feeling better and healthier. Our flagship product, Zeal For Life®, and the other Zurvita products offer the simplest, most convenient solution for whole-food nutrition today.
Significant Income Working Part-Time
Because the product works, and because it's so easy to share, there's an opportunity for people like you to earn extra income on your own timeline by simply sharing the product with friends and family. Our unique compensation plan provides an opportunity for everyone, from any walk of life, to earn an immediate monthly income on a long-term recurring basis based on performance. It's simple but powerful, and the stories of our Independent Consultants prove it time and time again.
Explosive Growth
Even though Zurvita is still a relatively young company, our growth over just the past five years is unbelievable. Between 2011 and 2014 alone, Zurvita's revenue grew from $3 million to $69 million. In 2016, we achieved a milestone by reaching 100 million in revenue! More and more Customers are using our products, and more and more Independent Consultants are earning substantial incomes for spreading the word.
We Believe You Matter
You matter, and we want you to believe that. We do. We're committed to helping you truly believe that you are a valuable asset at whatever level that means for you. Our story is still being written, and so is yours. Let's write it together! Contact us or the Independent Consultant that referred you to Zurvita and start experiencing a new zeal for life.


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Posts Tagged 'Cost To Paint A House in Near Me'
Interior Paint Design Near Me
Minnesota Painters
GREAT Paint Contractors Give Professional, Detailed Quotes A GREAT painting quote includes a detailed list of ALL aspects of work to be done: FREE Power Washing Caulking, sanding and priming Trim repair – GREAT contractors will know what needs to be done Details of products and application – GREAT contractors know the right products for every job Touch-ups and clean-up In addition to the quote's content and accuracy, is it presented professionally?
Looking for Interior Paint Design in Near Me?
Is the quote printed on company letterhead? Does the sheet show the contractor's license number? Does he use a local land line phone number? (beware if only a cellular phone number is listed) TAX I.D. number? Work guarantee and relevant product warranties? Inexperienced contractors, using standard business forms purchased at office supply stores suggests they haven't invested much in their business and may not be properly licensed. Also, they may not be paying income taxes.
GREAT Paint Contractors Have an A or A+ Better Business Bureau Rating the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a trusted consumer rating body that grades businesses based on collective criteria. In addition to finding their grade, be sure to check how long the paint contractor has been a member. Also confirm that any complaints have been resolved. BBB will still afford a good rating if a business has addressed
A Painter's Nightmare
Attempting to paint your home's exterior can be a large and stressful undertaking on your own. For this reason, many people choose to employ the help of a painter to relieve the anxiety they may feel in completing the project alone. This is often the best decision they could make because the painting project can become quite complicated if there are problems that need to be resolved with the outside of the home such as rust stains or peeling paint. Many people are still hesitant to hire someone for the job however because they fear that they will not find a reliable painter. Although the fear of finding a reliable paint contractor may be holding you back from hiring someone for the job, there are signs you can look for to help in the selection process. A reliable paint contractor will usually show an eagerness for your business. This means they return your calls promptly and arrive to scheduled meetings with you on time. In addition, a reliable paint contractor should have a structured contracting process and a contract that appears professional. If the paint contractor can answer all of the questions that you have and can produce an explanation for all of the house painting charges, these are also good signs that they will be a reliable choice. If you are still hesitant in hiring someone, you can also try asking neighbors or friends for any recommendations they may have on which paint contractor would be a reliable choice to hire for the house painting. Word of mouth is usually the biggest deciding factor, so if a friend gives you a great reference of a painter, this is a good indicator that they would be a good choice to hire for the house painting.
Best Interior Paint Design in Near MeVOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are gasses that are emitted by paint that are potentially harmful to your health. To explain in layman's terms what VOCs are...when you apply wet latex paint to an interior wall or trim surface, that paint will usually dry within 30 minutes. As the paint dries like glue to the wall it releases gases from its liquid form. In non ventilated areas, those gases over time can be harmful to human lungs. Most higher quality level paints now dry with very low gases that enter the air. So, with a professional painter using good quality paint, you can be assured that the air you breathe before and after applying paint is safe. Paints with low or no VOCs also allow families to quickly enjoy their freshly painted homes without having to wait for strong odors to fade away.Painting your home "green" does not necessarily mean a higher price. Your paint contractor should be willing to work with your budget to suit your family's needs and your concern for the environment.Tips for "Green" Painting: Only buy as much paint as you need for your project. To clean your brushes after use, use a container of water rather than under a running faucet. Avoid pouring excess paint down a drain. It could potentially harm a stream or other area of water. If your paint container is almost empty, let it dry out completely, without the lid, before throwing it out. Give your excess paint to someone who can use it, such as a neighbor or a non-profit organization.
10 Secrets to Finding a Great Painting Contractor
The first step in a quality exterior painting job, or in any painting project for that matter, is start with a clean surface. This means that you will need to power wash. You probably will need to rent a power washer - something you can do at any major hardware or tool rental store. You will need a ladder to power wash, depending on the height of your home you will need either an extension or step ladder. (or both)...you can rent a power washer for about $100 a day. You can rent ladders for about $40 a week.Once you have all of this equipment you should power wash every surface that you plan to paint, making sure to use proper technique so as not to leave wand marks due to the extreme water pressure. It is good to use a watered down mixture of bleach and sodium tri-phosphate to kill and prevent mildew and mold and to wash away chalking. Often people ask, what is chalking? This is that chalk like substance that sticks to your hand when you touch the unwashed parts of your home, that is most often present on homes that have not been painted in awhile. A photo of chalking on a hand is below. Chalking is always the color of the paint job and is the paint properties breaking down from sunlight.To repeat: One of the most important steps in painting is to clean the working surface; otherwise, paint cannot stick to the dirty surface and will peel within a year. You can hire a professional painter or power washing contractor to wash a home usually for under $200.Always be safe on ladders and roofs, it is very easy for someone to slip and fall. When power washing there is no need to get right up close to the surface, usually eight feet away, or so, is fine. Finally, it is very important to allow the surface to completely dry off, allow at least a day for the washed area to try, longer if there is rain or high humidity.Once you have allowed the paint surface to dry you can begin preparing the work surface to receive paint. First you need to caulk. It is important to use only siliconized latex caulk. It must have latex in it and say "paintable" on tube. Buy color caulk to match your paint color if you plan on only doing one coat of paint, but white colored caulk should be fine if you are planning on two coats of paint and is usually cheaper per tube than colored caulk. Make sure to caulk all gaps in the wood and joints. Do not caulk wood to stucco.The next step in prepping your painting surface is to scrape, removing all of the loose and failing paint, down to the bare wood if possible. You should then tape and lay down tarps in the area where you are standing to paint first, and then put a coat of primer on all of the surfaces you plan to paint. Primer color should be chosen according to what color you are painting (it is not always recommended to use white for darker colors). Make sure to cover everything but landscape bushes and plants. Putting tarps on bushes and plants can actually kill them due to the tarps' weight and the heat trapped around the plants, under the tarps. Set UpSet up is the next part of the job, though may already have done this before you even started your prep work. Once you have your paint color picked out you will need to measure how many square feet of surface, you will be painting. Once you have figured out how many square feet there are to paint, divide that number by three hundred; that is around how many gallons of paint you will need for the first coat.It is best to stick with a national paint store brand. One tip is to try not to go to the paint store on the weekends; they are always packed on the weekend with other do-it-yourselfers. If you go in the evening or in the day, during the week, they will likely have more time for a one-on-one consultation. It is usually best to ask for the store manager, he will have more experience and be able lead you the right direction, as far as what kind of paint and primer you should get, as well as help you with color, if you need it.Tools You Will Need To Paint Your Homeo Scrapero Case of caulk (you can return unused tubes)o Caulking guno Masking tapeo Cheap tarpso Your painto An extra empty 5 gallon bucket with lid (usually $5 or free if you ask nicely)o A bucket grido A 9 inch roller frameo A roller napo A brush (2.5 inch sash is best for beginners)o A bucket hook (for hooking your paint pal to the ladder)When purchasing your paint, buy the amount you determined from your square footage, minus about three gallons. You will always need to go back to the paint store, so don't overbuy. Once you purchase tinted paint it is non-returnable and good paint costs about $30 per gallon for do-it-yourself pricingo Always start at the top left and work your way to the right. Painting in direct sunlight makes things more difficult when you are doing the work by yourself because it dries more quickly and, of course, is hot and brighto Usually you will want to start on the front of the home. That is the toughest side of the home to paint because it is the most decorativeo If you are painting a home with siding, make sure to paint each siding slat all of the way across, then start back at the left on the next slat, like writing a line of text. This is a lot of work, but it allows for minor differences in paint color from can to can (which, though it is not supposed to happen, does). In the end, though it makes the job more difficult, it will give you a more even looking color because the divisions in the slats will hid any minor color differenceso Try not to overlap a wet edge of paint over a dry edge, this is called flashing, and it leaves overlap marks once everything is dry. This will happen especially with only one coat applications. This is the most common error made by do-it-yourselfers. Remember, two coats are always best! Not only do two coats look a lot better, but the paint will last twice as longo Your dry time will vary, taking in to account weather and humidity. Usually two to four hours after applying the paint, it will be dry to the touch and your second coat can be applied. On hot, dry days, the drying time is even shortero Professionals figure materials will usually be about 20% - 30% of the cost of a paint job....this is just an fyi for you when pricing materials and laborSprayingA professional can spray a perfect finish, which fills cracks and holes; it also has a nice even coat. You cannot. It is much tougher than what it seems to get a nice even coat of paint with an industrial sprayer. To rent a sprayer, it cost about $80 per day. It will speed up your painting by at least four times. If you choose to spray, you'll need to watch out for overspray, you do not want to accidentally spray your roof, cars or neighbors. It can be a very costly mistake. We do not recommend buying the cheaper Wagner series of paint sprayers at your local hardware. It is best to rent the professional model.Spraying is best for painting big areas on your house like aluminum siding, wood siding, stucco, and so on. It is not for trim areas like your eaves and fascia, doors, frames, or garage doors. Only a professional can do this. Stick with a roller and brush for your trim areas...it will save you time, reduce headaches and you have less risk of overspray damage. So How Much Can I Save by Painting Myself?You will save about 65% of a professionals painting quote if you do it yourself. However studies have shown it will take a DIY 6x the amount as a professional. They have the tools, equipment, and experience.Ask yourself these two questions as you weigh the pros and cons:o Do you want your evenings and weekends to be spent painting you home?o Is it worth the savings to you?SafetyPeople fall of roofs and ladders every day. Is your home higher than two stories? Don't paint that section, it's not worth it. Falling more than 16 feet can be lethal. Hire professionals to paint the higher sections of your home. However, people are often surprised by how much they DO NOT SAVE when they choose to paint the lower section themselves. You should be able to get a quote for entire house painting and just second story painting, in order to budget for this.Most falls occur when ladders are on a road or a slicker surface like a driveway, patio, or concrete walkway. Make sure you tie down your ladder, that way it cannot kick out from underneath you, and you can paint in relative safety.The Final Product Often homeowners are happy with their final product. Others are not and they end up hiring a professional to finish the project. Usually, if you are looking to sell your home in the near future, a do-it-yourself paint job will be critiqued by a potential buyer or realtor. But there is satisfaction and savings in painting your home by yourself, when done properly. Hopefully, this information helped you in your decision.Conclusion So, if you like being outside, you are not afraid of heights, you can be safe, you have a lot of free time on your hands, you like to save money and will be satisfied with your final product, then you are a do-it-yourselferIf getting injured is not an option, you like things perfect, you like your free time, you are afraid of heights, you want to know that your paint will last, you like having a warranty, and want the best paints for the surface of your home, then hire a professional.
Great Interior Paint Design Mn
A GREAT Paint Contractor Presents Proof of Insurance While a good paint contractor may tell you he's insured, a GREAT contractor presents a copy of his policy, proving the amount of coverage, he carries for both property damage and bodily injury that may result from the contractor's work. By nature, paint materials are highly flammable and, should a tragedy occur, you need to know your contractor is sufficiently insured.
You're probably familiar with the old expression, "there's more than one way to skin a cat". Like you, I'm pretty sure I don't want to know about any one of them. But it does illustrate a good point when it comes to estimating a painting project or any other trade estimates for that matter.No matter what the facet of renovation you're planning, whether it's painting, carpentry, drywall or you name it, there are as many bid prices as there are ways to get the job done. But an estimator's quote usually only accounts for one scope of work, one method of doing it and one quality level of materials. Then, of course, if you simply choose the lower bidder, you know you're most likely missing out on better skilled trades and better materials and an overall better experience! So how can you get the best painter for the job (or drywaller, or carpenter) to suit your budget?My expertise is in the painting trades so I'll use painters and paint jobs here as our guide. But you can apply this to most any other trade from both a consumer prospective as well as a contractor's. And no matter what your trade, if you're good at what you do and take excellent care of your customers, you're likely not always the lowest bidder. But if you're like my painting company, you seek to provide homeowners and commercial clients with the best value for their money. Unfortunately, because people don't tend to hire painters every day and rarely know one from another, contractors are too often selected by price alone which has been derived from the scope of work they've been given by the customer (as an overall "wish list" in some cases) but without the benefit of knowing their budget. So here we have a large assortment of variables (what must be done now and what can wait?, what can the customer spend? and what quality of materials meets both purpose and price?) that somehow have to all come together in a package which benefits both the customer and the contractor without truly knowing what each other needs until a quote is put up for discussion. And all too often, that's too late!If you, as a homeowner show three painting contractors the same scope of work, each one will come back to you with a different price based on the "pay grade" of their painters, the thoroughness of their prep work (or lack thereof) and the quality of paints and primers they propose to use. And the fact is, each job and customer has different needs and expectations which fall somewhere along the full spectrum of these variables. Some want a "white wash it for now" approach and others want a full scale restoration that will last for decades. But most are looking for something in between. And as a responsible painter, you propose the best quality for your customer because you want them to be happy with results for years to come but you aren't sure if it's within their budget. And as a painting customer, you want the best you can afford but have little or no idea what that particular level of quality includes. So even though each wants the best for the project at hand, this usually ends up with the painting estimate being dismissed by the customer because the price is "too high". And this is despite the customer would otherwise prefer to work with this contractor because of all the obvious signs of professionalism and knowledge of their craft. But instead, the customer too often rolls the dice with the lower bidder and hopes for the best (which never comes).So how do you get that contractor you instinctively know will deliver the goods but has proposed a bid that's out of your price range or seems much higher than the other quotes?Talk to them!Those of us who want to stay at the top of our trade will most often lead with our best foot forward and bid with top quality materials and workmanship unless the customer tells us otherwise. We want to hear your thoughts! We are here for nothing more than to serve your best interests with the project at hand. And the more we know, the better we can meet your needs and expectations.So before dismissing a reputable contractor who's demonstrated professional conduct and offered knowledgeable advice with, "Sorry. Your quote was too high. We've given the job to another painting contractor", look over all the quotes carefully and together. Compare what details are the same and which are different. Where items differ or are none existent, get them clarified by the estimator so you've got a clear sense of what each is actually offering you to determine the best value - not price. And if you still find that the better contractor for the job is priced out of your range, ask them to consider other ways they could deliver the job at a lesser cost such as using a different paint line, or perhaps adjusting the scope of work to get the most critical aspects addressed now and leave the rest to another date. These are just a couple of examples that can affect a quote but if you discuss this direction with a professional, they're usually all too happy to help you find the best ways to tailor your project to suit you and still give you all the benefits of dealing with a reputable contractor who will stand behind their work.And as a contractor, don't just offer the customer a proposal with only your best recommendations for the work and leave them to fend for themselves with your competitors. Let them know that your estimate is based on your expert opinion as to the best practices and materials for the job but that you're willing to change the varying aspects of the job if needed to suit their budget.This is how we get the right contractors together with the right customers for the benefit of all.