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Photos by Chris Burau
Nicole, what's that you got? Is that a black Turbo Diamond Back? A JMC Racing Bike? Man, I wish I had one like that.
— "BMX Bandits" by Wheatus
The riders are coming. Clad in oversized helmets, invading an unsuspecting city, leaving a trail of dust and dirt in their wake, they are coming.
Thankfully, there is no need to hide the women and children. The riders in question are not some real-life version of a Sons of Anarchy biker gang; they are BMX (bicycle motocross) riders. Yes, sir, big-time BMX racing has come back to Ventura, and its journey to get here starts with the little race track that could and a visionary who saw potential in an empty dirt lot in the corner of a city park.
Building the frame
Despite some debate of exactly when and where, it's agreed that BMX racing was born in Southern California in the early 1970s. It received its biggest burst in popularity in the early 1980s with movies like Rad and BMX Bandits as well as a slew of video games and magazines dedicated to the sport. One of those impressionable youngsters whose imagination was seized by BMX was Erick Kozin, who started riding at the tender age of 4. Growing up in Port Hueneme, Kozin's track was Farnum Raceway in Saticoy; and his dad, an off-road racer himself, supported and encouraged his son, taking him to BMX events and tournaments.
As BMX was pushed to the wayside by a burst of popularity in surfing and then skateboarding, not to mention the closing of the track in Saticoy, Kozin too drifted away from the sport as a teenager. BMX racing, it seemed, was destined to be a childhood hobby. Granted it was a hobby that Kozin looked at fondly but not one that he saw necessarily ever re-emerging later in his life.
While Kozin was perhaps through with BMX, BMX was far from through with Kozin.
As a young adult, Kozin was once again bitten by the bicycle bug and got heavily involved in mountain bikes and mountain bike racing. That eventually led to his taking ownership of Nema, a Huntington Beach-based custom apparel line for bike riders. Kozin relocated the company to Ventura where he and his wife, Lea, another lifelong area resident, were beginning to raise a family.
And so it was, while on an evening stroll through the Kimball Aquatic Center Park in his East End neighborhood with his pregnant wife, Kozin's Field of Dreams moment occurred. While not exactly a ghostly voice ordering him to destroy cornfields, it was a vision nonetheless. For where others saw a dirt lot covered in weeds and rocks, a rather unsightly blemish on the unfinished park, Kozin saw a state-of-the-art BMX track begging to be built.
Moving the pedals
Wisely, though, Kozin didn't set out in the middle of the night, with a blue print on a napkin and a shovel to see his dream realized. He went about it the right way, first reaching out to a friend of his wife who put the Kozins in touch with the city of Ventura's Parks and Recreation Department, which was impressed with the idea and asked for a more formal presentation. Once that was done, the next step was to bring the idea to the Ventura City Council. The official presentation took place in January of 2012 and friends, family and BMX riders packed the meeting and cheered when the unanimous vote to move forward with the building of a full-fledged BMX track in the city park was announced.
While it seems like the plot of an '80s after-school special, it wasn't so easy after the actual motion was passed. Permits, negotiations, meetings, planners, builders, blood, sweat, tears and a whole lot of actual dirt consumed the Kozin family. He signed a specially designed lease with the city in July of 2012 to operate the track as a nonprofit and pay a quarterly revenue-based rent. In December of that year, when Ventura BMX opened with hundreds of riders attending the track's opening weekend festivities, as Kozin recalls, "It was worth all the work."
With clinics, visits from Olympic BMX riders (yes, BMX is an Olympic sport), tournaments, events, classes and a family-friendly vibe that's seen beginners ride alongside pros, riders from age 2 to 65, Ventura BMX made it a point to make the track more than just the typical raceway. Soon the small but connected national BMX community began to take note of the new track making a buzz in only a few months of existence.
Spinning the wheels
While the story could end then and there, and still be filed in the feel-good, give-back-to-the-community category, Kozin and company were far from finished. Now, with a legit track to which many visitors and riders were giving high praise, from design to the welcoming vibe, Kozin was yet again struck with another somewhat mission-impossible: to bring a national BMX competition to Ventura.
Enter USA BMX. The national organization for BMX hosts close to 30 weekend events a year throughout the United States in major markets with the occasionally smaller market thrown in the mix. Kozin figured with the quality and popularity of the track and the coastal climate, well, why couldn't a brand-new track land one of the stops on the national tour?
Erick Kozin opened Ventura BMX in 2012 and within a year, the course landed a spot on the USA BMX national tour, which takes place this weekend.
Apparently, USA BMX agreed and just like that, having only been in operation for five months, Ventura BMX made a bid to land a USA BMX event in 2014; and it did just that, dubbing the event the Seaside Nationals, playing on Ventura's beach location. Even more impressive is the fact that the deal is for a guaranteed three visits.
"It was kind of surreal. Here we were only up and running for eight months and we were at the pinnacle of what a BMX track can do — land a USA BMX event," explained Kozin. "We didn't really have time to breathe; we went right from getting the track going to working on holding a major event."
Going for a ride
Just exactly how big will the Seaside Nationals be? Well, according to Lea Kozin, "It could potentially be one of the biggest sporting events ever in Ventura." More than 1,500 riders of all ages and experience levels are expected to participate and more than 5,000 spectators and attendees are expected per day at Ventura's East End park, which usually handles swimmers and soccer players on the weekend, who just may want to take the weekend off. Adding to the draw for out-of-town riders and maybe more so for their families, who often travel in RVs and campers to competitions, is the fact that it's only one of two stops in California and the only event that's in a proper West Coast beachside town.
Despite riders as far away as Canada signed up to attend, many locals who aren't even aware of the track's existence will probably be shocked to learn that the event is expected to bring more than $1 million to the city over the weekend.
A happy youngster riding a "Strider"-type bike during
open track time between scheduled races at Ventura BMX.
"We hope this sets a precedent for more sporting events to come to Ventura. For one event to bring that much money into town in one weekend, especially for a sport that's not on a lot of people's radars, really says something about this town's location. It's perfect for hosting events."
So with a track record (no pun intended) of making big things happen and happen fast, when asked about the future of Ventura BMX, Kozin lets out a smile and you can almost see the gears grinding for his next big venture.
"We want to keep improving the track's reputation. Keep improving the facility. Not to be egotistical but our goal is to make Ventura the epicenter for BMX in Southern California. There's no reason other national action sports events couldn't make Ventura a destination. Hopefully the Seaside Nationals will start the trend of seeing more major sporting events come to town."
First things first though. This weekend, the riders will be here. Question is, are you ready, Ventura?
The Seaside Nationals takes place this weekend, Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, at Ventura BMX Raceway, 901 S. Kimball Road, Ventura. For more information visit www.venturabmx.com or call 805-229-1BMX.


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Data has moved far beyond just "storage."
The rise of integrated telemetry in industrial equipment, health monitoring devices, mobile payment systems, along with a host of new sensors measuring the world provides a virtual cornucopia of data that not only affects our everyday lives, but the way business is done.
So what would the world look like without data? NetApp's Jason Danielson, solutions marketing manager for Media and Entertainment, believes that with the growing dependence on data today, this information is only going to become even more tightly ingrained in our lives, especially as data increases and moves far beyond just storage.
If we had to live, even for just a day, without data. Imagine…
Source Links:
1. http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Smartphone-Users-Worldwide-Will-Total-175-Billion-2014/1010536
2. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa4a31be-3cbc-11e4-871d-00144feabdc0.html
3. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26028381
4. http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2013/02/07/big-banks-bet-on-mobility-and-super-powered-atms/
5. https://blog.twitter.com/2013/new-tweets-per-second-record-and-how
6. http://instagram.com/press/
7. http://investor.fb.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=878726
8. http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Facebooks-US-Ad-Revenues-Outpace-Users-Average-Daily-Time-Spent-on-Site/1011215
9. https://fbcdn-dragon-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/851575_520797877991079_393255490_n.pdf
10. http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2012/01/holy-nyans-60-hours-per-minute-and-4.html
11. http://investor.pandora.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=227956&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1937243
12. https://www.nsslabs.com/news/media-coverage/internet-things-technologies-could-transform-oil-gas-industry
13. http://www.energydigital.com/greentech/2114/Big-Data-and-Predictive-Analytics-Tools-Project-Next-Month039s-Weather-Risks-Today
14. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db143.htm
15. http://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/oncdatabrief16.pdf
16. http://www.usfhealthonline.com/news/healthcare/advanced-ehr-systems-improve-mortality-rates-study-finds/#.VTp__SFViko
Related Topics : Vulnerabilities and Patches, Resellers, Broadcom, Broadband Services, Supercomputing
Here are 10 ways that college professors are taking advantage of the technology students currently use and adding new technologies to enhance the teaching and learning experiences. ... More >>
Watson continuously learns from previous interactions, gaining in value and knowledge over time. Learn how companies are harnessing that AI power to create and improve products and services. ... More >>
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subset: commoncrawl


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The BMW M240i features an M Performance TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder 3.0 litre petrol engine that combines Valvetronic including Double-VANOS and direct petrol injection with a Twin Scroll turbocharger. Its spontaneous response and its high torque at low revs across a broad power band distinguish it from the norm. The result is a maximum torque of 500 Nm with an average fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km. In 4.6 seconds, the BMW M240i accelerates from 0-100 kmh.
Pure power and impressive performance; the engine of the new BMW 2 Series Coupé accelerates both the vehicle and the driver's heart rate. Efficient TwinPower Turbo technologies deliver a revolutionary driving sensation – up to a breathtaking level of 250kW in the new BMW M240i Coupé.
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Author Notes: This bread is incredibly easy and delicious. It has a cakey texture that makes it great with tea or coffee. No toasting, butter or jam needed. Resist the temptation to slice it when it's still warm. It will crumble under your hands, so let it cool completely.
The recipe has gone unchanged for decades. My grandmother Peggy brought it to the USA when she emigrated from Ireland, adapting the recipe from the brown flour used at home to the white flour used here. Baked plain without raisins, it was a household staple year-round. Probably because raisins were costly during Peggy's childhood in Ireland, she said they were reserved for "special occasions" (the code words for funerals). But in America, she made this with raisins for her grandchildren, bless her, every week.
Soda bread may have raisins or caraway seed but traditionally not both together. The preference for raisins vs caraway was just a regional preference or family tradition. The best tip I can offer is to use fresh ingredients, especially the baking powder and baking soda. —Pegeen
Food52 Review: WHO: Pegeen is an East Coast-er whose most treasured kitchen possession is time spent with her grandmothers.
WHAT: A raisin-studded soda bread for St. Patrick's Day -- or any day.
HOW: Carefully stir all of your ingredients together, pour into a cake pan, and bake. Devour.
WHY WE LOVE IT: By working the dough as little as possible, you get a soda bread that is moist, cake-y, and tender. The hint of sweetness leaves jam unnecessary, making this perfect for a spring picnic. As Pegeen says, resist the temptation to dig into this while warm; it will crumble in your fingers (but the crumbs will be delicious!). —The Editors
Makes: one 10 or 11-inch round loaf (or two smallish 8-inch round loaves)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
cups buttermilk, cold (you may need a little less or more)
large eggs, cold (yes, cold)
teaspoon baking soda
cups all purpose, unbleached white flour, plus another 1/4 cup for dusting. Any all purpose, unbleached flour is fine but King Arthur's all purpose unbleached flour (not cake flour) seems to work well.
teaspoons baking powder
cup sugar
teaspoon iodized salt (table salt)
tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, COLD, cut into smaller chunks, plus a few extra tablespoons for greasing baking dish
cups dark seedless raisins (can substitute seedless golden raisins or dried cranberries)
- Equipment: one 10- or 11-inch round, ceramic or glass baking dish. A round, straight-sided dish is best (not a pie dish with slanted sides). You could substitute a metal cake pan but not a very dark metal non-stick pan, because the top will likely burn before the interior of the loaf is cooked.
- Position oven rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 375° F. Use the "extra" butter to generously grease the baking dish. Dust the baking dish with flour: scatter a small handful of flour inside the dish and shake it around so that bottom and sides are coated. Turn dish over and tap out any excess flour.
- Pour buttermilk into a medium bowl or measuring cup. Break eggs into buttermilk and whisk with a fork to just combine. Add baking soda and whisk to just combine. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Scatter 6 tablespoons of COLD butter over the flour mixture. Cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or, if you don't have one, use two table knives in a criss-cross motion from edge-to-edge of the bowl to cut in the butter. The butter should be visible in small bits throughout the flour, not completely absorbed.
- Gently stir in raisins. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour 1 cup of the buttermilk mixture into the well. Stir gently with wooden spoon (do not use your hands) until flour is moistened. Use a spatula to gently fold any dry flour from the sides and bottom into the wetter dough. (Fold gently, don't whip the dough or over-stir.) Add more of the buttermilk mixture as needed, in small amounts, to create a dough that is neither too wet or too dry. You may need more or less than the 1-1/2 cups buttermilk called for. If you need more liquid, plain buttermilk is fine. The dough should look lumpy and be more wet than dry.
- Dust a little flour on your hands, then shape dough quickly and roughly into a ball, without over-handling it. Transfer dough ball to the greased and floured baking dish. Use the back of the wooden spoon to spread dough in as few strokes as possible to edges of dish.
- Use the handle end of the wooden spoon or your index finger to make a shallow cross (1/4 inch deep) on top of the dough, top to bottom and side to side. This is to encourage the bread to rise in quarters for easier slicing. Very lightly scatter a tiny bit of flour over the dough.
- Place baking dish in oven. Baking time will be about 45 minutes. Check after 40 minutes: bread should be golden brown and look set. Test by inserting a knife in the center of the bread. If there is wet dough on the knife, bake for up to 10-15 minutes more. Do not over-bake.
- Remove from oven and let bread cool in baking dish about 10 minutes. Remove from baking dish and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. (It will crumble if you try to slice when still warm.) Keeps very well for a few days, wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
More Great Recipes:
Bread|Irish|Grains|Raisin|Buttermilk|Bake|St. Patrick's Day|Breakfast|Snack


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Home for sale in $2,070,000
This bedroom, bath located at 26005 HARRISON RD, MYAKKA CITY, FL. It is currently listed for $2,070,000. This home is currently Active under the MLS#: L4903259. It is listed by Mark Mizell of Land South Realty, Llc.The building is constructed of . 26005 HARRISON RD, MYAKKA CITY was built in . It has a for parking. The homeowners association fees are each .
26005 HARRISON RD, MYAKKA CITY, FL has been on the market for 280 days. Please contact one of Forbes Property Group's top-rated agents to see this property and to ensure you get the best price for 26005 HARRISON RD, MYAKKA CITY, FL.
This piece is part of a larger parcel that is for sale as a whole or in four separate parcels. This pristine, 360+/- acre property is perfect for a quiet getaway or for building your dream home. It's full of lush, tall oak hammocks and has plenty of green pasture to graze cattle or a horse farm. Turkey and deer roam the property daily, making it perfect for the hunter. Conveniently located just of Hwy 72 just 20 minutes from I-75 and Sarasota.
Property MapSee the address of the house on the map
Lee ForbesThis property is listed by Land South Realty, Llc. Forbes Property Group may represent you as a Buyer's Broker.
Contact Us NowHave a Question? Ask an Agent
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program of Mid Florida MLS. Information provided is for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.


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text: School can be tough when his bag doesn't stand out from the crowd, but not when he has a personalized backpack tag to set his bag apart. Your Personalized Camo Bag Tag measures 4"H x 2.75"W, made of plastic and includes a clear elastic loop for easy luggage identification. Free personalization of any name and three line custom message is included.


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Bread Baking: Caraway (Stone-Ground) Rye Recipe
When I'm thinking ahead, I'll start making my bread dough the night before I'm planning on baking. Over the years, I've found that it's particularly useful to let alternative flours (anything except white flour) spend that extra time hydrating, particularly the coarse-ground or whole-grain flours. The extra time gives those rough flours more of a chance to soak up the water and get a little softer.
Tips on Making this Recipe...
by hand-kneading »
in a stand mixer »
with a food processor »
There are a lot of different rye flours available, including light rye, medium rye, and pumpernickel flour. However, my local grocery chains tend to have one brand and one type, and that's stone-ground rye. It's a coarser, grittier rye than most of the others that I buy online, but it still makes a nice bread. If your local markets have other varieties of rye flour, use what's available or what you like best.
When I have it on hand, I use whey instead of water in my bread dough, but it's completely optional. The whey I use is left over from making yogurt or cheese, so it's not something that I go out and buy. If I don't have it, I use water, and that's a perfectly acceptable substitute. The benefit to using whey is the additional nutrients, but also that the whey is a bit acidic, and yeast likes an acid environment.
Caraway (Stone-Ground) Rye
- 1 cup whey (or water)
- 1 cup stone-ground rye flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons (1 package) instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
The night before you plan on baking, mix the whey and rye flour in the bowl of your stand mixer, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight.
The next day, add the yeast, sugar, and one cup of the bread flour. With the bread hook, knead until it is thoroughly mixed, then add the salt and the rest of the bread flour, and knead until the dough begins to become elastic. Because of the rye, this can take a bit of kneading.
Add the olive oil and caraway seeds and continue kneading until the dough is elastic and no longer sticky. A rye dough will never have the elasticity of an all-white loaf, but you need to develop enough gluten so the bread will hold its shape rather than spread sideways.
Form the dough into a ball, put it back into the bowl, and drizzle it with olive oil to coat.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit until it has doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Sprinkle cornmeal on the bottom of a cast iron dutch oven (or similar pot). Take the dough out of the bowl and knead it briefly and form it into a nice, tight, smooth ball. Put the dough into the dutch oven, cover it, and let it rest for 45 minutes. It should be just about doubled in size.
Put the dutch oven into a cold oven, set the heat for 400 degrees and set the timer for one hour. Bake, covered. After an hour, take the pot out of the oven and uncover. It should be nicely browned and fully cooked. If it's not as brown as you like, you can put it back in the oven for another five minutes, uncovered.
Move the bread to a rack to cool completely before cutting.
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5941 Allison Ave Fairfield Twp OH
1.3 Acre lot in great location for your new home in fairfield school District.possible owner financing.has water tap from previous home.Lot has mature trees.
Directions to 5941 Allison Ave Fairfield Twp OH 45011: I75 to W.on St.Rt.129 to N.on St.Rt.4 to L.on Allison Ave
More info about this property
Send me information
No spam. Ever.
North Star Realty
Charles E Cox
Charles E Cox
Office: 513-737-1700
Phone: 513-737-1700
Phone: 513-737-1700
The data relating to the real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of the MLS of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Comey & Shepherd Realtors are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or Broker Reciprocity house icon. The properties displayed may not be all the properties available through Broker Reciprocity.


text:
Like many high school graduates, Ryan Schwartz wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. After graduating from Hempfield Area High School in 1998, the Greensburg, Pa., native enrolled at the local branch campus of the University of Pittsburgh and began studying for a career in chiropractics. After two and a half years of study, he realized being a chiropractor wasn't all it was cracked up to be. So the music-recording hobbyist enrolled in Middle Tennessee State University's Music Industry Studies.
He earned his bachelor's in recording industry production and technology in December 2003, then moved back to southwest Pennsylvania to launch his career. But the nearly impenetrable recording industry and a new-found passion directed Ryan to new training and a new career path. In October 2005, he enrolled at Pittsburgh Technical Institute in the Information Technology course of study. He recently finished the course, landed his first job at 911 Nerds in Greensburg, Pa., and is completing his testing to become Microsoft Certified.
He has but one regret about his new career: "I wish I would have chosen computers right off the bat."
Tell us about your computer/IT career. Where did your interest in computers start?
My interest in computers started in 2003 when my friend helped me assemble my first "good" pc. I had always owned a computer, but was never fully captivated by them until I was involved in putting one together.
What made you decide to change careers to computers?
I decided to change my career choice to computers, because I see everything in our world migrating to computer-based automated components. It seems like the computer industry has the greatest potential for growth and opportunity to learn. Plus, I never get tired of playing with computers.
How have your experiences in previous positions contributed to your success?
I had previously worked in the food service industry and had to deal with people on a day-to-day basis. I believe that my communication skills matured considerably during that time. That being the case, I feel that I am able to explain difficult concepts to computer end-users on a level that is easy for them to understand. This makes people feel comfortable with me, which is important.
Do you have any special certifications? How is such certification important to your career?
I am COMPTIA A+ certified and am also a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). Having these certifications gives potential employers confidence in your abilities, as one must pass difficult exams to obtain certification status. There are chances to become certified in many more areas as well. Having these certifications can bring more employment opportunities.
What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?
I hope to get my MCSE — Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. I also would eventually like to become a network administrator for a larger company. The MCSE certification will lead me in the right direction.
Any funny anecdotes about life as an "IT guy"?
On a particular house call, I had to set up a home network for a woman who spoke mostly German. It was very hard to understand her with that thick accent. When her file-sharing program failed to work at first, due to the Windows firewall, she freaked out and started swearing (I think) up and down in German. It took all my strength not to bust out laughing!
Do you feel that is important for someone to be passionate about computers/IT in order to be successful in the field?
It is very important to be passionate about computers in order to work in the IT field. Heck, you'll be sitting in front of one for most of the day. If you don't love the ins and outs of computers and how they work together on a network, don't bother with an IT career.
Tell us about your computer/IT education. How did you initially decide to study computers/IT and how did you find a school?
I decided that a career in the music recording industry just wasn't feasible for me, and food service was not personally rewarding, so I decided to go with computers. I absolutely love computers and had used them extensively for recording music, so I then wanted to make a career using computers in some fashion.
I did some research on the internet about what types of computer job opportunities existed, then did more searching to find out exactly what training and education was required. I read about some local schools on the internet as well. I then visited a few of them to determine which one would suit me best.
In retrospect, what do you know now that you wish you knew before you pursued your computer/IT education?
In retrospect, I wish I would have gone to school for computers initially, instead of switching majors in college, graduating, and then still having to attend a technical school. To put it simply – I wish I would have chosen computers right off the bat.
What factors should prospective students consider when choosing a computer/IT school?
I considered how a typical class would operate first and foremost. I didn't want to attend a "boot-camp" style school where you go to class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for two weeks for one topic, take the test, then move onto the next topic. That pace would have been brutal. I wanted something that would only be in the evening, or on weekends, for a few hours, not an entire day. I also considered class size. I wanted something that would be large enough to meet a wide variety of people, yet small enough to have individual instructor attention.
Are there any different considerations for those who know that they want to specialize in a certain area?
There are many software and hardware vendors that offer their own specialized certifications. If you want to concentrate on using one of those vendor's products, a vendor-specific certification is in order.
Does the school from which you graduate make a difference in landing a good job?
The reputation of the school you attend is important. A potential employer may have hired graduates from your school in the past and have had success with those employees. So if you attend a school with a good reputation for a solid program, you may be more likely to get hired.
What can students applying to computer/IT schools do to increase their chances of being accepted?
A college degree helps. Your entire academic career counts toward your future. Having a good high school transcript can help too. Furthermore, the better your academic record, the more likely you are to receive a scholarship.
What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in computers/IT?
I say, study hard. There are many abstract concepts to grasp in the world of computers. The more books you can read the better. Knowledge is power.
Describe a typical day of work for you. What exactly do you do?
On a typical day I start out by checking the help desk application for end-user trouble issues. Then I call each person who has an issue and gather more information about the problem. If I can solve it over the phone, great; if not, I schedule a time with the person to help with the problem. After this, I change the nightly backup tape. Then I check my e-mail for any other issues that may need my attention.
What are your key responsibilities?
My key responsibilities are resolving problems that end users are having with their computers. Basically, I am a help desk worker — I solve people's problems.
On a basic level, what skills does your job demand?
My job demands that I be good at communicating with people. Whether it is in person, over the phone, or through e-mail, I have to be kind, courteous, and attentive. I also have to have a lot of patience. Not everybody knows how to use a computer very well, so I have to be tolerant to people who make mistakes.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Everyday is different. I never know what I am getting into each day when I go to the office. Sometimes there are issues that I cannot immediately figure out. For these times, I get suggestions from the internet or call my help desk coworkers. It's all about teamwork.
What types of continuing education requirements should computer/IT students expect once they graduate and land a job?
Technology changes very quickly. You have to be mindful of these changes and learn about new products and services as they become available. Trade magazines and journals really help keep you informed.
How is the job market now in the computer/IT industry?
The job market varies depending on the geographical region in which you reside. In bigger cities there are more opportunities for advancement in the IT field.
How do you think it will be in five years?
In five years, I foresee the job market being full of even more opportunities. Small companies grow and need a network infrastructure to compensate for those changes. A lot of things can change in five years.
What are the best ways to get a job in the computer/IT field? How available are internships?
The best way to get a job in the IT field is to first complete your education and get certified. In the meantime, you can search the internet for job postings and see what you would like to do in the future. Once certified, have a good resume. Many schools even offer placement services to help you with your resume and to give you insight into where to seek employment. For the newly-certified, fresh-out-of-school-candidate, an internship might be a good way to get your feet wet. Internships seem to be readily available. You might even be able to do one while you are attending school.
How has the popularity of the Internet affected your profession?
A computer that cannot communicate with other computers is useless. With the internet growing in popularity everyday, there are more internet service providers. These ISPs can be a starting place to seek employment. Furthermore, with more and more people using the internet at home and at the office, problems arise. This is where help desk workers come in – another great start to an IT career.
Is there anything else you can tell us about yourself, your career, or the computer/IT world that would be interesting or helpful to students?
In addition to my computer certifications, I have a college degree. This makes me even more marketable to a prospective employer, as it shows that I can complete a well-rounded, rigorous course of study. It also demonstrates that I can complete a wide variety of tasks.
I also love high-end gaming computers and am very knowledgeable of the hardware required for such machines. This can be great information to know for certain entertainment-related computer jobs, or can be a great conversation starter. People like to talk with others who have similar interests.


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Nutrition for Mental Health
For many years now David Sloan DNM, who holds a Doctorate in Natural Medicine, has been providing herbal, homeopathic, amino acid therapy and micronutrient support for patients with many diverse mental health issues.
These range from anger, anxiety and panic, grieving, depression, irritability, worry, ADD and ADHD, to Bi-polar I and II, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The results have been extremely rewarding as a very high percentage of patients respond remarkably well and feel so much better. Many state that they feel like a brand new person after being able to eliminate all their drug medication and live symptom-free. It really provides them with a new lease on life.
David Sloan DNM will tailor your program according to your specific needs. This therapy is very versatile and safe for all ages, even for young children.
If you are looking for a viable natural alternative or a complement to taking prescription medications for the above-named conditions, you owe it yourself to come in for an assessment. If you are interested in more information on this ground-breaking treatment, please feel free to call or email Sloan Natural Health Center.
Have Questions?
Q. Why is the field of natural health care becoming more and more popular?
Q. Why would someone seek out the services of you and your team at Sloan Natural Health Center as opposed to somewhere else?
Q. What kinds of health problems would you be able to treat?
Q. What are some of the health problems that you see most frequently?
Q. For what kind of health problems can I get help from David W. Sloan?
David Sloan has seen many thousands of patients over his 36 plus years of practise and has given counsel to help those from infancy to 98 years of age(his oldest patient!) David Sloan has seen almost every type of health condition and is amazed himself at how incredibly wonderful and effective the correct and knowledgeable application of diet and natural nutritional medicine can be.
When wondering if we can be of any help to you, think first of all of fatigue, lack of energy, sluggishness, a rundown feeling or just no "get up and go". Tiredness and fatigue are some of the most common concerns we see and our natural approach is extremely effective for these problems.
Think of any problems to do with stress, tension, worry, fear, anxiety, depression, anger, and insomnia. Many of our patients would rather seek natural alternatives to their nervous disorders, especially insomnia, anxiety and depression and this is a very important area of our work. Beyond this, we also help many suffering from conditions in the Autism Spectrum including Autism,Asperger's, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Bi-Polar and others.
Then there is the area of digestive function - indigestion, hiatus hernia, bloating, gastric reflux, excess stomach or intestinal gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach or intestinal ulcer, IBS, IBD, Crohn's, Colitis, Bowel Cancer. Again, our natural approach is the first choice for gastrointestinal complaints.
We deal very much with female complaints such as hormonal imbalances which include estrogen dominance, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and bone loss concerns. Men also respond very well to male problems concerning the prostate, ED(erectile dysfunction), low sex drive, lack of energy, strength, vitality, irritability and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
There are chronic health problems such as headaches(tension, cluster and migraine), aches and pains, rheumatism, rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis, degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis and numerous different heart and circulatory problems including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke victims. It is very rewarding to help our patients resolve these problems completely.
Other chronic problems for which we have had good success are kidney and bladder problems, diabetes, hypoglycemia(low blood sugar), Multiple Sclerosis(MS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS), Fibromylgia(FMS), Candida or Yeast Overgrowth and Cancer.
Many people seek the assistance of David Sloan for help with treatment and prevention of respiratory illness - sinuses, nasal, throat, bronchial and lung problems. We teach them how to rebuild their immune systems so that they can say goodbye to flus, colds, sore throats, allergies, asthma and hayfever.
There are so many disorders that respond wonderfully to natural medicine. Heavy metal toxicity(mercury from amalgam fillings, lead, aluminum,etc), chemical poisoning are routinely eliminated. Thyroid irregularities(very often missed or inadequately treated) respond very well. Skin disorders which can be perplexing also respond well, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, poison ivy and oak and numerous skin complaints.
We often find that our patients are in need of general body cleansing or cleansing of specific organs(liver, kidneys, bowel). We have had vast experience in the administering of very effective detoxification programs and weight management plans.
In summary, we help bring people out of living in pain, suffering and poor health into optimal, extraordinary and often life-changing wellness and vitality. We stand by our slogan, "Providing the Keys to Vibrant Health".
Q. What training is required to become a Doctor of Natural Medicine?
To become a Doctor of Natural Medicine, a registrant must have at least 3 years of University credits in Biology and Biochemistry; 4400 hours of training in Health Science, Public Health, Clinical Internship and Natural Medicine Courses, taught by experienced professors.
Q. Are the Herb Doctor's services covered by "OHIP" or other private insurance?
Because David Sloan is not a medical practitioner, he is not covered by "OHIP". However, under some Extended Health Care insurance plans that you may have through your employment, there is coverage for our consultation fees. More and more insurance providers are accepting Registered Nutritionists and Doctors of Natural Medicine all the time. We are always happy to fill out our insurance form for you to submit to your insurer. They often will re-imburse you for the cost of our consultations, usually up to a certain dollar limit for a particular calendar year.
Q. Does the Herb Doctor do any seminars or public presentations?
Over the years, David Sloan has done countless health talks, seminars and workshops. He has been a very successful and well-received speaker and will consider opportunities to speak to service clubs, churches and other groups. Please contact us if you are interested. If you are looking for a dynamic foundational health series David Sloan recommends the TRANSFORM Health Seminars which have been very well received. See more on the Services page.
David Sloan has been a guest on the radio talk show 'The Doctor Says', a live, phone-in program on CFPL 980AM London, daily health tips over Brantford Christian radio, frequent appearances on the 'Daytime Durham' TV show on Rogers Cable and 'Lessons for Living' TV broadcast on the CTV network(can now be viewed on YouTube).
Q. Why is David Sloan's recommended Fat Burning Weight Loss Method the most-preferred weight loss program he has found?
In his practise over the years, David Sloan has investigated and used a number of weight loss programs with his patients. As statistics show, overweight and obesity has increased significantly in our Western population over the past 20-30 years. Approximately 60% of Canadians are overweight and 33% obese. These are startling figures and the only thing that makes it more startling is that the US is even worse! Overweight and obesity has now surpassed cancer, heart disease and diabetes as our #1 health problem in Canada. In fact, countless studies show that carrying excess weight can actually cause all three major health concerns just mentioned!
Needless to say, having an effective, safe and 'user-friendly' weight loss protocol for busy people has been becoming more and more a standard requirement for any health professional in private practise. Ours is no exception and due to the myriad of health challenges that can find their root cause in overweight, it is imperative to have the very best weight loss program possible.
It took about 15 years of trial and error until finally, in 2010, at the recommendation of a colleague, I looked into the Fat Burning Weight Loss Method. The program looked very promising on paper but I needed to 'road-test' it in my practise. We chose 5 patients to do a trial and got our feet wet with it. What resulted exceeded all my hopes and expectations. Not only did our group all succeed 100% in their weight loss goals but they did it with ease, comfort and speed. I am proud to say that almost all of them have continued to successfully keep most of that weight off to this day.
We have gone on to guide more than 1500 dieters to successfully release approximately 45,000 lbs of excess weight in fat as of the end of 2015! Sloan Natural Health Center highly recommends that you become one of that illustrious group.
Q. Why should I lose weight with the Fat Burning Weight Loss Method at Sloan Natural Health Center?
All weight loss centers using the Fat Burning Weight Loss Program are not the same - it is not a franchise but a method. David Sloan takes pride in providing medically-supervised, knowledgeable and skilled care, along with coaching and monitoring that is not necessarily found at others bearing the same name.
Time and time again we have dieters coming in who have been to other Fat Burning Weight Loss Centers and are delighted to see that we carry all the foods and supplements in good supply. They are impressed with the caring, compassionate professionalism, skill and knowledge that David Sloan and his coaches provide. They feel much more confident and secure in the success of their program because they know that it is truly medically-supervised. David Sloan is always on hand to advise and guide all dieters in any individual challenges they might be having before, during and after they have completed their program. This is rare indeed in the weight-loss industry!
Q. The Fat Burning Weight Loss Method sounds wonderful but once I lose the weight I am concerned about successfully keeping the weight off. Do you help with that too?
It is true that it is easier to lose weight than to successfully keep it off after it has been released. An unfortunate fact is that most weight loss programs guide you through the weight loss process, but you are totally on your own once you have shed those unwanted pounds. Many people find that left to their own devices, they all-too-often gain that weight back and more besides! To prevent this unfortunate situation, David Sloan's recommended Fat Burning Weight Loss Method looks at it much differently. Built into your program right from the initial consultation on, we are preparing you to succeed at the losing game for the long term. We approximate the time you will need to reach your goal weight and then we continue for the next year to coach you through Phase 4 or simply the Maintenance period. In this way, we support, guide and direct you to successfully keep your weight off over that year making sure you have developed the skills and habits to keep it off for good. For those that need more time we are flexible and will support you as long as it takes until you and we are satisfied that you are ready to be totally on your own.
Q. I understand that we have to eat protein foods in order to do this program. I don't like eating packaged foods...do I have to use them?
The Fat Burning Weight Loss Method Weight Loss Method is scientifically designed to work on a very predictable, dependable basis. In our experience this means that 99.5% of all our dieters (approx. 1500 to date) lose weight in the form of fat every week, week after week as long as they follow the program 100%. This means that all facets of the program must be adhered to including the Fat Burning Weight Loss Method protein foods. However, you do not just eat protein foods as they are simply protein servings along which you will provide your own vegetables and greens. For dinner each day you make up a meal entirely with your own source of protein as well as your vegetables. The method's protein foods are necessary, in fact, critical to the success of the program because while you get a whopping 98% bio-available protein(impossible to achieve in any other protein in the form of meat, eggs, poultry or dairy) it comes with far less calories, fat, carbs and cholesterol than the above-mentioned sources of protein. This allows you to consume adequate or 'ideal' protein to preserve lean muscle mass and burn fat.
Our method's foods taste great! Most weight loss programs provide mainly shakes and bars whereas our program has well over 60 delicious protein foods including breakfast and lunch entrees, soups, drinks, shakes, bars, puddings, crunchy snacks and treats. There are foods here that everyone will love and you will be much less likely to get tired of eating them as opposed to having just bars or shakes.
Q. Why do you use the term 'weight-release' from time to time?
We know from studies in psychology that if something is lost, the mind automatically will seek ways in which to find it again. When we 'lose' weight, we naturally go looking to find what we 'lost'. Of course, when we lose weight we don't want to find it again! Using the term 'weight-release' instead of 'weight loss' doesn't trigger that instinctive mechanism.
Q. Is your Fat Burning Weight Loss Method affordable?
Our Fat Burning Weight Loss Method is competitively priced compared to other weight loss programs on the market. Price points change, but compared to most, if not all current pricing, but it comes in at less cost and in some cases, significantly so.
Remember, you are eating our program's protein foods as well as your own foods each day. You are simply re-directing some of your grocery money to purchase food from the Fat Burning Weight Loss Method store as opposed to your grocery store. This of course results in a roughly even trade and net cost remains just a little higher on this program. In addition, you will be cutting out a lot of foods and beverages that you would normally be spending money on while going through the phases. Examples would be packaged snack foods, cakes, pies, cookies, muffins, doughnuts, etc., etc. alcohol, hot chocolate, soft drinks, and other carbonated beverages, fruit juice and other sweet drinks will not be consumed. You are allowed one black coffee a day or with an ounce of regular milk. Many people spend money at the local coffee shop buying one or more coffees along with any number of treats pretty much everyday. These will not be purchased during the program. Eating at restaurants and fast food outlets is allowed but with limited food choices. This effectively eliminates, for the most part, the most expensive parts of the meal such as, shakes, fries, treats, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. For those concerned about cost, we ask that they take an inventory of what they spend on all these extra's. Invariably they see that they are often spending more money weekly than they would be on our recommended program. I remember one patient who before starting our diet normally drank a bottle of expensive wine every week. While on the Fat Burning Weight Loss Method and not drinking the wine (and all the other extra items she would purchase), found she was actually making money!
Once you have reached your weight loss goal, you proceed to Phase Two and then Phase Three where you will be eating less and less protein food servings. In Phase Four or Maintenance you will be eating a balanced diet of all your own foods and if you choose, maybe a snack or a breakfast meal replacement shake for those who are in a rush in the morning but want a good, solid nutritional start to the day. The cost of our Maintenance Plan is a nominal fee for each checkup or you may choose to save money by purchasing a one year membership.
For more detailed information please call us at 905-493-3553(Whitby) or 519-429-3883(Simcoe), email or go to our Weight Loss page.
Q. My doctor said there is no safe hormonal replacement therapy. Is this true?
The Women's Health Study of 2002 has proven the use of synthetic hormones is not a healthy way to replace women's hormones. When all the available hormone studies were evaluated, the conclusion was that taking synthetic hormone replacement caused adverse side effects that could lead to complications, such as breast cancer, heart disease and more.
Although BHRT or Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy has been available for many years, this is when the interest inbioidentical hormones became heightened as a safe and effective alternative to synthetic hormone replacement. Unfortunately, many doctors are either unaware of this alternative or are not knowledgeable enough to administer treatment properly.
Q. Have there been any medical studies done on the safety and efficacy of bio-identical hormones?
There are reputable published studies over a period of many decades confirming the safety of using bio-identical hormones. There is even some data available that suggests bio-identical hormonal replacement may offer some cardiovascular protection, prevention and amelioration of bone loss and prevention and treatment of breast and other reproductive cancers. These materials are available on request.
Q. What is the source(s) from which bio-identical hormones are derived and how are bio-identical hormones produced?
Bio-identical hormones are derived from botanical plants such as yams, for example. The human body cannot convert yams directly into natural hormones, so the plant must be pharmaceutically processed to produce bio-identical or 'human-identical' progesterone, estrogens and testosterone. These final products are either applied on the skin or taken orally in pill form by the patient.
Q. I've read that hormone replacement therapy mimics the body's natural hormones but doesn't really replace them like bio-identical hormones do. What's the difference?
When synthetic hormones flood the receptor sites, they do not differentiate the hormone receptor sites and may also attach to the receptor sites of many other steroid hormone receptors. As is often the case in nature, more is not always better. When the other receptor sites are flooded they often shut down their function and are no longer able to perform normally. You now have the potential for unwanted chemical alterations that lead to adverse symptoms. The difference with bio-identical hormones is they are identified in the human body as human-identical. The hormone is adopted and processed by the receptors with no harmful by-products.
Q. Will bio-identical hormones help with symptoms like hot flashes, sleepless nights, and memory problems?
Natural progesterone is very effective in the treatment of hot flashes, mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia and numerous other symptoms. Transdermal progesterone cream used in the evening has a mild, relaxing sedative effect. Some women, depending on test results and symptom resolution may respond positively to progesterone treatment alone, thereby not requiring any other bio-identical replacement, such as estrogen and/or testosterone. Bio-identical estrogen can also improve insomnia as well as night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and cognitive and memory issues. We have found that patients report improved memory with the use of bio-identical estrogens as lubrication of brain synapses seems to allow quicker cognition, alleviating this common symptom occurring with menopause and aging. Bio-identical testosterone assists in alleviating other symptoms such as low sex drive in women and men, erectile dysfunction in men, inflammation, depression and lack of enthusiasm or motivation.
Q. How can bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) programs help fight the symptoms of aging?
Bio-identical natural hormones are anti-inflammatory and therefore anti-aging by the nature of their action. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone along with many other hormones, have a role in cell regeneration. Healthy hormonal balance = healthy cellular activity, inside and out. We regularly counsel our patients that one of the most powerful ways to eliminate belly fat is to do strength-training or resistance exercise. This stimulates the production of testosterone which works, amongst other things, to burn fat and contribute to graceful aging.
Q. How do I know if BHRT is right for me?
Click 'Read More' on the Bio-identical Hormone Therapy section of our Home Page and take the Hormone Health Assessment partway down the 1st page or two. If you have checked 3 boxes or more then you may wish to book an appointment with David Sloan who specializes in Hormonal Imbalance and BHRT to discuss your personal issues and history in more detail.
Q. I've heard that there are different types of BHRT. Is this True?
Yes there are a variety of different forms of BHRT, all of which have their individual benefits. Some of the most commonly used forms are:
- Pills
- Oral/Rectal/Vaginal Suppositories
- Patches, Creams, Lotions and Gels
Herbology is the study and proper application of herbs(roots, bark, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds of plants). Since the dawn of creation, plants have been the primary source of medicine for the human race. Even today, the reader may be interested to note that still an incredible eighty per cent of the earth's population uses plant-based medicine as their main source of treatment for sickness and disease. Herbs are a gift from the Creator for our benefit and the wise and judicious use of these precious healing plants can produce remarkable healing outcomes in all manner of illness. Herbs are intelligent and often have an affinity for a particular area of the body, while others are "activators" or "potentiators"(e.g. capsicum which delivers other herbs to their destination more swiftly and efficiently), while still others are "adaptogens"(eg.ginseng which "adapts" itself to the other herb or herbs it is combined with and joins with those herbs to make the combination more effective and therapeutic).
David Sloan is a Master Herbalist(MH).
Q. What is involved in Nutritional Consulting?
Ultimately, the cells in our bodies are built from the raw materials we eat. The more suitable our food choices are to our specific requirements, the better cell structures we can build.
Since every person is bio-chemically unique, individual nutritional imbalances and weaknesses must be assessed.
A Nutritionist will introduce new dietary habits, incorporating the latest nutritional breakthroughs, but it may be difficult to achieve optimal health through food alone. In such cases, Nutritionist's are trained to design personalized dietary supplement programs.
Environmental pollution, chemical and metal toxicity, parasites, yeast, bacterial and viral overload, hormone disruptors and imbalance are just some of the factors that must be considered in constructing a nutritional program.
Q. What is Orthomolecular Medicine?
Orthomolecular Medicine is defined as the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body. The term "orthomolecular"('ortho' in Greek means 'right' molecule)was first used by Linus Pauling in a paper he wrote in the journal Science in 1968. The key idea in orthomolecular medicine is that genetic factors affect not only the physical characteristics of individuals, but also to their biochemical milieu. Biochemical pathways of the body have significant genetic variability and diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, schizophrenia or depression are associated with specific biochemical abnormalities which are causal or contributing factors of the illness. David Sloan primarily uses this as an important approach to address issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression and cancer.
Q. What does Clinical Nutrition mean?
Clinical Nutrition is a very exciting branch of nutritional therapy where nutrients such as vitamins and minerals(either singly or in combination), concentrated food substances, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, and glandular substances are used to treat and to also help prevent a wide variety of ailments. The particular benefits of Clinical Nutrition(sometimes referred to as Applied Nutrition)is that it can offer an alternative to drug therapy which is often just as effective but eliminates the risks of side-effects that are associated with pharmaceuticals. Clinical Nutrition is also working on the nutritional level of body function, thereby often alleviating the cause of the disease by correcting the underlying nutrient deficiency.
Q. What is a Clinical Nutritional Urinalysis?
A Clinical Nutritional Urinalysis is in part similar to what you might have done by your conventional medical doctor but for the most part contains tests which very few family doctors would order. What we can learn from this series of tests is standard screening for possible kidney and bladder problems, adequate or inadequate water consumption, diabetes, immune system function, oxidative, mental and emotional stress, blood in the urine, vitamin C levels, calcium levels, zinc levels, adrenal gland function and pH. These tests are very important to get a cross-section view of specific areas of human function and nutrition which help us get an idea of where we may need to focus some or all of our attention. For example, the adrenal glands are one of the two glands in the body(the other being the thyroid) that are concerned with energy production. The adrenals are also part of our "frontline defenses" against stress of any kind, be it mental, physical or emotional. Coupled with the fact that stress levels in our modern society continue to mount and that in menopausal women, the adrenals take over the production of female hormones when the ovaries cease functioning serves to make the adrenal glands the most "beat up and battered" glands in the body. Our adrenal readings give us a very good idea of the levels of stress and energy or lack thereof a patient is experiencing. Another example which demonstrates the importance of our Urinalysis is calcium levels, giving us an indication of potential bone loss(osteoporosis), dental problems, cardiovascular, etc. The urinary pH is also of great value in that because our environment, our soils, our food and our water are becoming more and more acidic, we are seeing more and more of our patients with a pH which is too acidic. When we realize that an acid pH is found in all cases of numerous degenerative diseases such as cancer and arthritis, we see the the great benefit in measuring and correcting if necessary the pH to a more health-producing alkaline balance.
Homeopathic remedies(also called homeopathics) are a system of medicine based on three principles:
1.Like Cures Like -
For example, if the symptoms of your cold are similar to poisoning by mercury, then mercury would be your homeopathic remedy.
2.Minimal Dose -
The remedy is taken in an extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to around 10, 100, 1000, 1,000,000 or more parts of water.
3. The Single Remedy -
No matter how many symptoms are experienced, only one remedy is taken, and that remedy will be aimed at all those symptoms. This is referred to as Classical Homeopathy. Many modern Homeopathic Practitioners will also use what is called Complex Homeopathy which combines several or more single homeopathic remedies in order to achieve a more timely outcome. However, this approach isn't necessarily better than finding the Similimum or single remedy that the Classical Homeopath seeks, so David uses a blend of both forms in his practise.
Similar principals forms the basis of conventional allergy treatment, where the allergic substance is given in a small dose, and in vaccines where an impotent form of the virus is given to bolster the immune system against that particular virus.
Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Its growth in popularity in the United States has been around 25 to 50 percent a year throughout the last decade.
Why is homeopathy so successful? Here are some of the many reasons:
* Homeopathy is extremely effective, often with rapid, complete and permanent results.
* Homeopathy is natural and completely safe. Even infants and pregnant mothers can safely use Homeopathy without the danger of side effects.
* Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike some conventional medicines which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex, which is your body's attempt to clear the lungs).
* Homeopathic remedies do not have harmful short-term or long-term side-effects and they are not addictive.
* Homeopathic medicine is very reasonable as far as cost is concerned compared to drug medication.
The only catch to Homeopathy is that because the remedy must exactly match the symptoms and the sheer number of Homeopathic remedies for a particular health complaint is mind-boggling, one is best served by seeking the services of a skilled, experienced Homeopath to achieve excellent results. David Sloan has studied homeopathy for many years and enjoys seeing the amazing benefits these remedies provide for his patients.
A Hair Analysis or more accurately, a hair tissue mineral analysis(HTMA)simply stated, is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. However, a hair tissue mineral analysis is much more than a test for minerals. Providing a blueprint of one's biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide pertinent information about your mineral ratios, metabolic rate, energy levels, carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity. It is also very important for detecting toxic heavy-metals in the body such as lead, cadmium, mercury and aluminum. This screening test can also be used to reduce the guesswork involved when recommending nutritional supplements and dietary modifications.
Q. What is Dry Blood Analysis?
When your drop of blood on the slide is allowed to dry and placed under a powerful electron microscope, Dry Blood Analysis can reveal vitamin and mineral deficiencies, organ toxicity, inflammation, presence of environmental and food allergies, free radical damage, immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, yeast overgrowth or candida, parasites and much more.
Iridology is the scientific analysis of patterns and structures in the iris of the eye which locates areas and stages of inflammation throughout the body. The iris is the portion of the eye showing colour. Iridology reveals body constitution, areas and degree of toxic buildup and congestion in the body, inherent strengths and weaknesses, health levels, and transitions that take place in a person's body according to their way of life. Often a skilled iridologist can pinpoint the very early beginnings of a potential health concern or the existence of a condition which has yet to even manifest itself by way of symptoms. This wonderful diagnostic tool is truly preventative medicine at its best.
Reflexology is a natural, non-invasive healing art that is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears that correspond to every part of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes, Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural functioning of the body. Essentially, Reflexology helps to balance the physical, mental and emotional aspects of your whole body. Reflexology also serves as a very useful diagnostic tool much like Iridology. Areas of inflammation, pain, degeneration, etc. can be detected through the skillful use of Reflexology and health problems can be uncovered and identified, often long before they become a serious concern.
Q. What is Bio-Physical Resonance or BPR?
This amazing procedure will correct or clear food allergies, sensitivities, viruses, bacteria, fungus and much more. Our new advanced BPR device is non-invasive and completely safe. The patient simply holds a short, conductive metal rod in one hand while the practitioner places the energetic imprint of the offending substance on the BPR plate and stimulates with a probe(no needles) the main acupuncture points on the body which will then clear the offending substance from the body. Just imagine the freedom and joy you will experience being able to eat that food again with no adverse effects! Or be freed from a nagging, chronic viral or bacterial infection!
" After a year of suffering from 'foggy brain', forgetfulness, migraines and sleep issues I contacted him. He was extremely understanding, knowledgeable and helpful. He takes the time to review and test you holistically to ensure he's making the right choices for you. He also talks about the importance of a healthy diet to promote a functional immune system. I was given bioidentical hormones along with some targeted supplements, along with a hormone balancing diet and lifestyle recommendations. Within a couple of weeks I was feeling like my old self again, had lots of clarity, and sleeping like a baby! Making the appointment with him was the best thing I ever did for myself, and I highly recommend David!"
Pamela N., age 54
"Just a note of appreciation to all the effort and time you have put forth. Looking back to the time I first came to your office until today I cannot believe the change in my health. I was dying on the inside while trying to appear healthy on the outside. There were times it seemed like the products weren't making any difference. And it crossed my mind to just give up going to appointments. But it has definitely been worth it all. I'm now able to attend HIIT, CORE, Spin and other classes at the gym. Aside from that I'm also able to bike 52 km in one afternoon. The best part is I still have lots energy left by the end of the day.
PS. My next goal is to bike 75-80 km in one afternoon."
Hilda D., age 35


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Model Information
Maintenance Minder / TPMS
Content may not apply to all models. See Related Information or consult your owner's manual for specific information about your vehicle.
*Video shows various models for demonstration purposes.
Maintenance Minder™/TPMS
Rather than using a static table of time and mileage to keep track of maintenance, the Maintenance Minder system on Accord calculates service needs based on various indicators of vehicle wear. It checks engine operating conditions, such as weather extremes, stop-and-start traffic, frequent short trips and monitors oil life. It uses the Maintenance Minder indicator to inform the driver when the vehicle will require maintenance. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System incorporates pressure sensors mounted on each wheel that send readings to a central electronic control unit. If a reading is approximately 25% below the recommended level, Accord will alert the driver with the Low Tire Pressure indicator.
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With summer in full swing, the beach is beckoning, the hammock is hovering and the lawn chair looks like the long-lost lap of luxury. If downtime means picking up a good book, we've compiled a list of some recent fashion-focused books and breezy reads to help you kick back in style.
"A Grand Complication: The Race to Build the World's Most Legendary Watch," by Stacy Perman (Atria Books, February 2013, $26)
To the hardcore horological enthusiast, a 352-page book about an early 20th century competition between wealthy watch collectors already sounds like a scintillating read. But for the rest of the book-reading world? Not so much. That Perman has crafted a compelling tale that tells several stories at once and will appeal equally to readers inside and outside of the insular watch-collecting community is a testament to her considerable skills.
The basic story arc of the book is that of the 1900 to 1928 battle between wealthy financier Henry Graves Jr. and entrepreneur James Ward Packard (perhaps best known as the co-founder of the Packard Motor Car Co.) to commission the most advanced and "complicated" watch ever created. (In watch-speak, a "complication" is any feature beyond the display of hours, minutes and seconds. The Graves Supercomplication timepiece that's at the heart of the book had 24).
But the horological arms race is but a springboard to painting a wider picture of the period — especially as it pertained to the luxuries afforded the monied class. Along the way the book delves into status, class and the peculiarities of conspicuous consumption that laid the groundwork for the price-is-no-object attitude of the modern-day watch aficionado who wears not his heart on his sleeve, but his entire personal identity on his wrist.
At times, Perman's pacing makes the tale feel downright suspenseful, and some of her descriptions are as complicated — and beautiful — as the watches themselves. For example, she describes the Patek Philippe timepiece this way: "It was as if Merlin captured Galileo, Shakespeare, Newton, and Beethoven, encased their essence in gold, and then slipped the mechanism inside a man's waistcoat, where their collective genius might tick through eternity."
"Artist / Rebel / Dandy: Men of Fashion," edited by Kate Irvin and Laurie Anne Brewer (Yale University Press, May 2013, $50)
This collection of essays and photographs was compiled to accompany an exhibition of the same name at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (on view through Aug. 18) which has the stated aim of "reconsider[ing], and celebrat[ing] the dandy."
Edited by RISD Museum Costume and Textiles curators Irvin and Brewer, it manages to do so right from the preface, with menswear designer Thom Browne offering this take on the rake: "I see the dandy's place in today's fashion culture as one who promotes simplicity and uniformity in men's fashion."
That may sound counterintuitive, but most of the essays that follow do underscore that point, accompanied by the kind of glossy detail shots of monogrammed shirts, bespoke waistcoats, detachable collars, frilled collars, handkerchiefs, riding jackets, cutaway tailcoats and top hats that make even the most hard-hearted dandy drool with delight.
The 15 essays that celebrate the dandy include musings on some of the patron saints of dandyism — such as Glenn O'Brien on Beau Brummell, Patti Smith on Baudelaire and Merlin Holland on his grandfather Oscar Wilde. Also examined are some more contemporary (and perhaps less obvious) men of the dandy persuasion, such as Andy Warhol, Malcolm McLaren and Waris Ahluwalia. The compilation also includes an extensive piece by Monica L. Miller on the topic of "Black Dandyism and Hip-Hop" (think Andre Benjamin of Outkast, Fonzworth Bentley and Nat King Cole).
"Kawaii! Japan's Culture of Cute" by Manami Okazaki and Geoff Johnson (Prestel, April 2013, $24.95)
This photo-driven, soft-cover book does two things. First, it tries to trace the Japanese pop-culture preoccupation with all things cute (the word "kawaii"," the book says, roughly translates as "cute") back to its roots, a primordial petri dish that includes influences from Japan's Taisho era, post World War II manga, and1970s-era schoolgirls from which the likes of Hello Kitty, Sailor Moon, Gloomy Bear and their brightly colored compatriots would eventually emerge.
From there, the book takes a rainbow-hued, saccharine-sweet fun run through myriad modern manifestations of kawaii in the categories of foodstuffs, fashion, handicrafts and the visual arts.
The book's short Q-and-A pieces with manga artists of old (Eico Hanamura, whose career dates to 1959, and Macoto Takahashi, who began in 1957) and new (Simone Legno of Tokidoki) help put the movement in context. But it's the latter pages that manage to convey the sheer joy of endless childhood – the fever dream swirl of SpongeBob Squarepants bento boxes, smiling Elmo rice balls, maid cafes, smiling kitten manicures and Harajuku fashion.
"Liberace Extravaganza!" by Connie Furr Soloman and Jan Jewett (Harper Design, April 2013, $29.99)
Thanks to a renewed curiosity surrounding all things Liberace in the wake of HBO's recent "Behind the Candelabra" bio-pic, this lavishly illustrated, incredibly detailed look at Mr. Showmanship's famously flamboyant stage costumes couldn't have come at a better time. And, thanks to the authors' complete access to the Liberace Museum holdings — not to mention the producers, costume designers and furriers who helped put the plumage on the peacock — it ends up being as in-depth as its subject was over-the-top.
Arranged chronologically by chapter ("The Beginning" through "Liberace's Legacy") the book charts the evolution of Liberace's look, studded with mini-profiles of those who helped bring that look to life along the way. They include Frank Acuna, Frank Ortiz, Anna Nateece and Michael Travis, the latter of whom was responsible for some of Liberace's most memorable outfits of the '70s and '80s, such as the white ostrich cape, the gold geometric beaded tailcoat and jumpsuit ensemble and the Faberge cape from 1985. Details include the fact that the cape measured nine feet long and 26 feet wide, used three shades of pink turkey feather boas and was lined in shiny pink lame.
Too big and glossy for a beach read, this book is more suited to take up residency on the corner of a coffee table or atop a rhinestone-studded piano.
"Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns" by Lauren Weisberger (Simon & Schuster, June 2013, $25.99).
Picking up a decade after the last pointy heeled shoe dropped in "The Devil Wears Prada," its full-on sequel "Revenge" revests the characters you loved and loved to hate. Yes, the story does involve working at a magazine — though this time out it's a high fashion bridal magazine called The Plunge and former bottom feeders Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton have moved to the top of the food chain.
It's probably not giving too much away — what with the subtitle "The Devil Returns" — to confirm that Miranda Priestly is more than a passing presence on the pages of "Revenge."
Even though there's a new love interest for Andy (media scion Maxwell Harrison), assorted couplings and uncouplings, plenty of workplace crossings and double-crossings, the crew is definitely 10 years down the line and there's a noticeable shift into a thirty-something mind set. There's also a lot of pop culture catching up to do. That means name-dropping the likes of Sofia Vergara and President Obama, referencing reality TV shows like "Toddlers and Tiaras" and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and having characters Google-stalk each other.
For fans of the original book (or the 2006 film that followed) reading "Revenge" will probably feel a little like going to a high school reunion — everyone's moved on and things are slightly different, but the same dynamics are still in play. And that's what makes it the kind of book you'll want to toss into your Yacht Life tote bag when you're in need of a fun beach read.


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CFE Federal Credit Union Goes Virtual, Replaces 300 Desktop Computers
The convergence in late 2008 of recession-induced belt-tightening and several impending organizational initiatives, including the institution's three-year desktop refresh cycle, caused Lake Mary, Fla.-based CFE Federal Credit Union (CFE) to think outside the box -- the desktop box, that is. "In addition, we were nearing the rollout of electronic check capture enterprisewide," recalls Kevin Wright, VP of information technology at CFE. "And we were in the process of opening four new branches."
At that time CFE ($1.2 billion in assets) also was beginning to virtualize data center servers, making the exploration of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) a logical extension, Wright relates. Among the solutions that CFE evaluated was a new "zero-client" cube -- a desktop virtualization device that contained no CPU, no memory, no operating system and no software -- from Redwood City, Calif.-based Pano Logic. "We liked the solution, but felt it needed further development," Wright explains.
Ultimately, an early 2009 pilot was conducted using a different thin-client hardware vendor combined with VMware's (Palo Alto, Calif.) View desktop management solution. While successful, according to Wright, the pilot led CFE to upgrade its broadband-enabled WAN to a Metro Ethernet to significantly reduce latencies.
Then, CFE learned in late 2009 that key improvements had been made to Pano Logic's palm-size Pano System device. This, in combination with CFE's WAN enhancements, made the Pano cubes a more attractive option, and the piloted configuration was abandoned, Wright reports.
During March 2010, CFE's 25-person IT staff ripped and replaced a total of 300 physical desktops across all of its 19 branches and, simultaneously, installed electronic check capture hardware -- with no operational downtime. "Whenever an issue with a certain virtual desktop arose, we just assigned the end user a new image with a few keystrokes," Wright explains, noting that this permitted technicians to work on the faulty image offline.
If there has been a downside to trailblazing VDI, it has been adapting to new idiosyncrasies, such as so-called "boot storms," acknowledges Wright. "When 20 users hit the system simultaneously, you need to be sized properly to support it," he comments. Another challenge is devising work-arounds for software incompatibilities, which, according to Wright, should be alleviated as application vendors catch up.
Rewards, From Acquisition to Disposal
Regardless, the deployment was a home run. As for costs, the sub-$400 solid-state Panos' cubes reduced capital outlays, eliminated the need for VMware View licensing and slashed maintenance due to their lack of moving parts, Wright stresses. In addition, each device runs on just 3 watts of power, significantly cutting electricity and cooling costs, he adds.
Disaster recovery and security also are vastly improved. For starters, Wright says, the boxes sit next to the monitors rather than on the floor, where they are vulnerable to jostling or even flooding. Also, if a device does go down, there's no re-installation -- just plug and play, he emphasizes. And in terms of security, nothing actually resides on the desktop, completely removing loss risks.
An unexpected reward has been reduced training room administration. "Before Panos, configuring each desktop for a training session was labor-intensive," Wright explains. "Now we ... can enable a whole room with a few mouse clicks."
And continued savings are predicted. "For example, we expect the devices to last a minimum of eight years," comments Wright. "Previously we replaced desktops every fourth year."
Going forward, the zero-client cubes will be rolled out throughout the remainder of the organization. "Within about two years our desktops will be 90 to 95 percent virtual enterprisewide," asserts Wright. "Plus, server virtualization will proceed until we're about 90 percent virtual."
Wright also foresees an exponential growth in the overall VDI community. "At conferences, VDI is always among the top five considerations for IT professionals," he says. "And every month I take calls from peers about virtual desktops. Clearly, there's a ton of interest."
Anne Rawland Gabriel is a technology writer and marketing communications consultant based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Among other projects, she's a regular contributor to UBM Tech's Bank Systems & Technology, Insurance & Technology and Wall Street & Technology ... View Full Bio


text: QT Intimates bring women every style in every color imaginable to their lingerie. By using fabulous fabrics, decorative laces and fancy embroideries, QT Intimates is one of the top choices for women when it comes to their lingerie. Women want choices and QT Intimates can give them exactly what they want. They live by the motto, "Not all women are the same size and shape, and luckily, neither are our bras." From shapewear and panties to push-up bras and maternity bras, there is a style and fit for every woman.QT Intimates began many decades ago in 1945. They are a "private label" manufacturer, producing for many retail names in the industry including the famous La Leche League International Intimate Apparel. QT Intimates' showroom in New York recently grew so much they had to move buildings. Leaders in the company said buyers are always welcome to come by and see the QT Intimates and La Leche League lines.QT Intimates is known for all kinds of lingerie as well as loungewear for new moms. All bras in the collections that have nursing bras feature tops with easy access for nursing and pajamas with pockets inside for use with nursing pads and enhancers. The best selling nursing bra is comfortable, supportive, soft and has a pretty trim. There are other products for new moms besides bras as well. The waist nipper has contour seaming all around with flat-lock seams for comfort. It provides a smooth look while improving posture, usually worn for postpartum and after c-sections. Many of the bras in the regular collections are convertible for versatility. Convertible, removable shoulder straps may be worn strapless, halter, one-shoulder, classic and crossback style. QT's shapewear looks like a brief panty, but controls like shapewear to smooth bulges. QT Intimates even offers a bridal lingerie. One popular item is the Strapless Lace Brasselette with Garters to wear under the special dress on that special day.Women that bought the Seamless Convertible Push Up Bra say they love because it is "stout, molded and pretty." This bra features seamless cups and graduated foam padding for cleavage enhancement. Nursing mothers raved about the Cotton Soft-Cup Nursing Bra because it keeps you cool and dry in the summer and warm in the winter. It's soft and breathable to make nursing easier. Customers who bought the shapewear have also been pleased. One woman who bought the Cross Over Shaper Camisole said, "I love this cami. It is comfortable and makes shirts look better by smoothing any back bulges. I wear it almost every day."QT Intimates offers most styles in an array of colors. With timeless colors, designs and fashions, QT Intimates dresses a lady in comfort, support and style. Lingerie is meant to be hidden, but knowing you are wearing a luxurious piece of hidden lingerie just brings a smile to the face of a woman. QT Intimates brings this smile with collections that range in many different styles, sizes and fabrics.


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Texas Fashion Collection - 4 Matching Results
Search Results
- Pumps
- Pumps of ombre violet leather fading from light purple on the heel toward darker purple on the pointed toe. Pyramid 4" heel of shaded purple/violet striped felt with braided black cord between sections.
- Pumps
- Pair of woman's pumps of iridescent gold leather. Designed with rounded, open toes, inner sides cut-away. The leather has lightly scored parallel lines over the surface, creating a striped effect. Elongated wedge-style heel 4" high. Designer's label stamped in silver on insole: "Fanziska Hübener" Stamped into sole: "Hübener, Fanziska"; a circle with inscription "Vero Cuoio / Hand Made Brazil"; sizes: "BR / 38"; "EUR / 40" and "USA / 9"
- Sandals
- Pair of woman's high-heeled sandals of multi-colored metallic leathers. Designed with rounded, open toes, the shoes have a vamp of an open-work figure 8 created by dark and light blue and violet braided leather bands. Bands of same leather extend from sides of vamp along sides of sandal to heel. Openwork heel formed of same braided leathers in inverted teardrop or petal shapes radiating from heel, and with upper band arching over the heel. Insole of metallic blue leather with inlaid teardrop shape of violet leather. 4" high heel rounded at sides and back tapers to ground and is covered with iridescent blue/great material. Designer's label stamped in silver on insole: "Fanziska Hübener" Stamped into sole: "Hübener, Fanziska"; a circle with inscription "Vero Cuoio / Hand Made Brazil"; sizes: "BR / 35"; "EUR / 37" and "USA / 6" Size sticker on sole: "36"
- Shoes
- Platform heels of lilac, red, and purple leather, and burgundy patent leather. 2 joining straps at front of red and lilac; angular zigzag cut-out around ankle with Mary Jane straps from sides of lilac leather (silver buckle on outside) and a single joining piece of burgundy patent leather across top; 1" platform of purple leather and 4" elongated heel of burgundy patent leather. Designer label: "Franziska Hübener"


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miamicoaster wrote:After riding everything at Sea World, my friend and I concluded that Mine Blower was our favorite ride of the day.
Even though I love Sea World, and count Kraken and Manta among my favorite coasters (haven't ridden Mako yet), this doesn't surprise me in the least! Mine Blower looks SO freaking legit!


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From the Ubuntu-Women mailing list:
Selected quotes from Susana:
The GNOME Bugsquad will have a Bug Day from Wednesday, March 21, 16:00 UTC to March 22, 05:00 UTC in #bugs on irc.gnome.org. You don't need to be a developer. You don't need to know anything about programming. Everyone is welcome!
In order to encourage more ubuntu-women to get involved in the upcoming GNOME Bug Day, ubuntu-women is hosting a little session on how to start triaging for GNOME in #ubuntu-women on March 20th starting at 21:00 UTC
Everyone welcome to join!
GNOME BugSquad
GNOME BugDay
GNOME BugSquad TriageGuide


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A street-by-street map of the Olympic Torch relay is to be published on Monday.
Proposed start times of when and where the Olympic Flame will travel across Britain are also included - online at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay. London 2012 chairman Lord Coe declared "today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life" as organisers hope the 8,000-mile relay involving 8,000 torchbearers will ignite enthusiasm for the Games.
Details on the two-day finale to the 70-day relay, which brings the Olympic Flame to the lighting of the cauldron to start the Games are being kept under wraps until closer to the start of the relay at Land's End on May 19.
Around 7,000 people, many of whom are members of the public who have shown community spirit, courage and sporting determination, have been named as torchbearers. The youngest unsung hero is 12 and each torchbearer will wear a white-and-gold uniform which has been designed by Adidas.
An average of 115 torchbearers a day will carry the flame during the nationwide relay, from May 19 to July 27, to the opening ceremony in Stratford, east London. Unusual ways have been found for some of them to complete their relay leg.
A torchbearer will carry the flame on a chair lift at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, another will skate with it at the Nottingham Ice Centre and it will be rowed at Henley-on-Thames and on the River Bann in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
High-flying activities await some torchbearers as the flame will abseil down the Dock Tower at Grimsby and swoop off the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle Gateshead on a zip wire. Restoration work to the Flying Scotsman means that the Scots Guardsman train will now take the flame on its journey between York and Thirsk.
It will also be taken on a skywalk at Croke Park as it visits Dublin on June 6 in its only stop outside of the UK. After protests that marred the international leg of the torch relay before the Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee ruled that future relays would be restricted to the host country.
The overall route has been designed to also take in cultural institutions such as the Turner Gallery in Margate and Cass Sculpture Park at Goodwood as well as many of sporting stadia and racecourses.
Lord Coe said: "The flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate."
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2012, All Rights Reserved.


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Just when you thought that you've seen every approach to running a screen-printing business…
I met two young designers recently who attended a weekend workshop here at Squeegeeville. Their back story totally blew my mind once I got my head around what they're doing in their business and had a look at their website. They've developed a unique concept, one that seems to be working quite well and that has me wondering if I understand the business we're in quite as well as I thought I did.
It used to be that a printer would have a "typical" customer (hopefully, a lot of them). That customer would order a quantity of imprinted products for their own use, or sometimes for resale to others. The more they ordered (all at once), the better for everyone in the chain. Long runs and the sound of squeegees hissing back and forth over stencils meant money was flowing, and it still does. Printers needed customers who ordered lots of printing, or more customers, or both. This approach to business makes us service-based manufacturers, for want of a better description.
Many screen-printing companies still work off this model. In many cases, it requires a growing enterprise to expand the market for their wares out of their local geographic area, serving clients on a national or international level. This isn't new, but having an online advertising presence and ordering capacity makes it easier today, in some cases. In others, it's the kiss of death, because starting a business is way easier than growing it. One thing modern shops have to support out-of-region selling is fast, efficient, and economical shipping, especially in the US. (You Americans don't know how good you have it down there.)
But we've seen a fundamental change in this model, both in textile and graphics printing, that has been driven as much as anything by advances in technology. Digital printing has reduced the economical run length to a very low number, even a single piece. The word "print" used to almost always mean multiples, and producing them meant having a lot of floor space and an array of production equipment to service any type of order. Digital printing has reduced the footprint of the machines, time, and skilled labor required. The needs of the typical customer have changed dramatically from the previous model.
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