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Sephats Tours is a travel company that intends to deliver leisure travel excursions to customers. Sephats intends to guide customers in selecting a trip(s) based on pre-defined vacation criteria. This analysis will be based on user profiles, set by the consumers, which includes preferences such as:
A traveler will hence be able to select areas of interest based on their preferences and subsequently identify destinations to visit. The intention is to provide customers with access to exclusive travel destinations, service to fully appreciate destinations through information packages, not just sight-seeing, and access to special interest travel according to the group's/individual's preferences.
There are presently few competitors offering services similar to ours. However considering the pace of change and current growth rate of the tourism industry luring many companies into the sector, this may be short-lived. Hence there will be a need to not only firmly establish ourselves on the market, but also strongly differentiate ourselves from these other businesses. However on a broader scale our competition comes in several forms:
An analysis of competition is provided in the Market Analysis section of this plan.
Sephats Tours intends to offer the service and knowledge a discerning leisure traveler seeks whilst on vacation, with the intention of seeing and appreciating the numerous sights in the area. Keeping in mind the comforts of a tourist, our fleet shall be very well maintained and designed as per customer standard and expectations. However not wanting to limit ourselves we intend to be open to special hire by churches, organizations, groups, schools and sports teams, amongst other related groups.
The game reserves and lodges that we intend to be our main destinations are:
Below is a briefing of several places of interest and their various attractions.
Other sites will include Matsieng Foot Point, Gemsbok National Park, Mabuasehube Game Reserve, Legaga la ga Kobokwe, Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve, Nxaii Pan and Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Integrating the above places of interest into our tours we intend to be offering the following tours:
At a large scale research demonstrates that tourism is undergoing a rapid growth of unsurpassed nature. Generally there is a trend towards shorter stays but increased visits, as individuals strive to experience as many cultures as possible, including seeing as many attractions as possible. Increasingly Botswana is being marketed as "one of the few places in Africa where game sanctuaries have remained completely unspoiled. A destination that unlocks the mystery of nature - an oasis in a wilderness which is an ideal escape for nature lovers. Very little of this fascinating country has seen human habitation - this is true Africa in all her remoteness and authenticity." With such marketing in place the number of tourists entering the country is bound to increase, presenting a larger potential market for ourselves. This potential market is what we seek to tap.
The business will begin with a general corporate brochure establishing its position on the market. This brochure will be developed as part of the start-up expenses including the business cards and Company Profile, mainly for the large organizations that often recommend services to potential customers. Compliment slips are also intended so as to raise awareness of the company and its services. We also intend to have information pamphlets that will provide information on our various tour packages.
Literature and mailings for the initial market forums will be very important.
Sephats Tours will strive to ensure that it contains the latest, or extremely recent personal computer including relevant software so as to ensure that the company is continuously at the forefront in our market arena. The one certainty in our industry is that technology will continue to evolve and develop, changing what we market as well as how we market it. Our aim will be to be aware of the implications of this new technology and utilizing it in our existing framework where possible. However it should be noted that as we are new on the market it will take some time before we have in place our own website and other multimedia presentations. With time we also intend to have the latest and most efficient software in place to enable smooth operations.
In putting the company together we have attempted to offer enough services to allow us to always be in demand by our customers and clients. The most important factor in developing future services/products is market need. Our understanding of the needs of our target market segments shall be one of our competitive advantages. It is critical to our effort to develop the right new services. In the future, Sephats Tours intends to broaden its coverage by expanding into additional markets. One of the main services it aims at providing is to become a destination management company that brings alive the magnificence of this country to the traveler. This will be done by co-coordinating the traveler's entire experience from hotel bookings, safaris and tours, greeting and porter services, and to tour packages and incentives. However in doing so we will strive to ensure that it is compatible with the existing products and company personnel. As time progresses the intention will to provide a Southern Africa tour package covering the whole of southern Africa.


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Welcome to our newest collection, our Modern Anthology line. The candles will come a modern style jar with both a wood wick and lid. The lid will be branded with our company logo, to give it that extra little touch!
Writer's Block is the perfect fall candle for anytime of the year! It's sweet, warm and spicy! This is the most comforting scent for someone who has hit a wall in their writing and just needs a little scent therapy!
If you like this scent, check out our same scented Bath and Body line!
Scent: Pumpkin Apple Butter
Scent Descriptions:
Pumpkin Apple Butter: Rich buttery tones envelop the scent of sweet apple as this fragrances reveals mid-notes of spiced cinnamon and pumpkin. Warm woodsy base notes with a hint of vanilla sugar create the perfect finish to this warm and spicy fragrance.
All of our candles are made with Soy Wax in 9oz glass jars, they are hand-poured in small batches. This can mean there may be small variations in the color. With Soy wax "crystallizing" and "wet spots" are common, but they do not affect how you candle smells or burns.
In the hotter months please make sure someone is home to bring your order inside. Candles sitting outside in this hot climate will melt. Once an order is with USPS it is out of our control if candles melt.
Candles are made to order, please see the banner on the page above to see our current processing times. Candles will be shipped once the candle has fully set. Shipping time is 3-5 days within the United States.

subset: commoncrawl


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Moving License And Insurance
A smart moving system of Gom CargoGet a variety of custom moving services of small, medium, large, office, & out-of-state move.
Customized Moving Service
Moving size, distance and
providing customized moving service
4 types of moving service
We provide 4 types of moving services
for all your moving needs
Easy Quotation System
Receive quotation, reservation, and
pay with only one time online request.
Our Team
Our team of experieced and reliable team
will make your moving easy
Affordable Cost
We charge reasonable moving costs
within your budget
Gom Cargo Set (Optional)
With little more costs, you can request for heavy duty boxes & special packaging materials
4 Type of ServiceWe provide our special moving service to meet your individual moving needs at on affordable cost
How to use the Gom Cargowhenever, wherever
You can make the reservation by calling or sending e-mail.
Online Quote Request
24 hrs online quotation service or
call us anytime for the quotation
Appointment & Processing
We will contact you to confirm quotation request
Payment & Reservation
A reservation will be confirm after deposit / payment is receive by Gomcargo


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Azzaro Pour Homme
Lanvin L'Homme
Krizia Uomo
Claiborne for Men
Type: Posts; User: dreese; Keyword(s):
Azzaro Pour Homme
Lanvin L'Homme
Krizia Uomo
Claiborne for Men
The two that I felt the "iciest" were OP Juice and Samba Ice Man.
You are welcome! I am delighted to find that my mention was helpful!
Standing ovation here.
10) Halston 1-12
9) One Man Show
8) Samba Ice
7) Cold by Benetton
6) Mustang
5) Yacht Man Metal, Blue, Red, Chocolate, and Black
4) Paradise by Sung
3) Lanvin Homme
2) Beckham...
Over the past 3 years, I decided to find out the answer to this very question and began blind-buying lots of "cheap" fragrances with prices between $5-$30. While there have been a number of clunkers,...
I can appreciate growing tired of a wardrobe. Over the last few years, I have expanded my wardrobe to over 40 fragrances to ensure that I have one regardless of my mood or my level of activity; it is...
Thallium is actually Dior Homme and is truly spectacular.
During my experiment in reviewing all of the cheaper colognes to find unexpected quality, I have found several of these clones:
Yacht Man Metal is actually Chanel Allure Pour Homme
Fujiyama Homme...
What you would really like for its warm heart and masculine yet casual soul is Mustang. Yacht Man Metal is great also; it can fit into both warm and cooler weather, and smells very similar to Chanel...
For masculine and understated, but long-lasting;
D&G The One
Royal Copenhagen
Antaeus (by Chanel)
Lagerfeld Classic
What you want is Mustang. Excellent mix of all the really pleasant fall/winter ingredients and very versatile in regard to temperatures or body chemistry. It is potent without being too strong or too...
Carlin was wrong, because it did. Repeatedly.
- - - Updated - - -
Andron was by far the best civet scent I have ever known, reacting off of the other notes to make a full-bodied and lasting...
I'm going to mention a few that may fit the descriptions and time frame; Chaps, Krizia Uomo, Zizanie, Wall Street, Aramis, Aramis 900, Devin, Azzaro PH, Lagerfeld, and the original Perry Ellis for...
I wore Grass Oil, Andron, Bene, Cellini, and Oleg Cassini and I smelled like a god! A god I say!
Let's get serious about some truly inexpensive (easily less than $20 per bottle) quality leather scents with good longevity;
Avon Black Suede Leather
Stetson Rich Suede
Halston Z-14
When my kids were very young, we put them down for the night after applying baby lotion with lavender and chamomille. This was so very soothing that my wife and I began to use the same lotion...
Antaeus. Sadly, I have also had many complaints when I wear Lagerfeld and have to give it away.
Having the advantage of many decades to consider, the only one that qualifies is Aramis.
Mustang Blue, Revert Eco, Navigator. Pay no mind to the cynics; you can smell great on a budget.
Given the notes you enjoy, I highly recommend Mustang. I believe you would truly enjoy it. Woodsmoke, tobacco, lavender, cedar, a bit of lemon, etc. The notes are so well-crafted that you can smell...
Some excellent and inexepensive choices are Mustang Blue, Samba Ice, and Yacht Man Red.
Joop, Kiss Him, JHL, Izod, Obsession, Aspen.
Sadly, most of them would not wash off.
No contest. Antaeus.
Style In Play by Lacoste would be perfect. Kourous for evening wear and longevity is still the king.
It seems that the suggestions made here mostly name scents that would combine WITH the cloviness (clove, vanilla) instead of playing off of it. I have found that the notes of Xeryus Rouge make an...


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Started in 2011, InnerPC Computer Solutions is a complete technology solution provider. We are 100% committed to making sure business owners have the most reliable and professional IT service in Manhattan. Our team of talented IT professionals can solve your IT nightmares once and for all.
Here's why so many businesses depend on InnerPC Computer Solutions for complete IT services and support:
- An Average of 5 Minutes for Returned Phone Calls
- Fast and Friendly Customer Service
- The Best Cloud Solutions for Businesses
- A Cost Effective Budgeted IT Department
- Customized Solutions for Your Business
Our custom service packages deliver what you need and want without overstepping the boundaries of your budget. From cloud services to data backup, InnerPC Computer Solutions is here to team up with you and your company for expert support.


text: HomeMenus & SpecialsOn TapHistoryBeer To Go!Six Arms Balcony The music has stopped – for now. All McMenamins, except 23rd Ave Bottle Shop, are temporarily closed. We'll be ready for you with beer, wine and burgers when this is over. Until then, stay safe. Upcoming Events see all events Friends & Family Night - Benefit for Dine Out for Life Thursday, April 30 Friends & Family Night - Benefit for Historic Seattle Preservation Foundation Tuesday, May 05 Burger Month Monday, June 01 Friends & Family Night - Benefit for Puget SoundKeeper Monday, June 01 So where are the six-fisted drinkers? The oddly named Six Arms is not so oddly named when you consider our beer-label logo showing a Hindu idol with her six, sinuous arms aloft. Inside the bustling pub, enormous windows and an impressive three-dimensional sculpture of our multi-armed mascot make Six Arms a destination for Seattle's funky Capitol Hill neighborhood. Filled with a long wooden bar, booths, an upstairs section with wrought-iron café tables and mini booth, the pub also boasts McMenamins' largest collection of chandeliers. Pretty, aren't they? Nestled on Pike Street halfway between Capitol Hill and downtown shopping, the airy pub features daily specials, a menu of classic pub fare and handcrafted ales brewed right on site. Six Arms allows leashed pets outside on the patio areas. Menus Menu Kids Happy Hour Neon's List Happy Hour served daily 3 - 6 pm & 10 pm - Close Drink specials 3 - 6 pm & 10 pm - Midnight No substitutions, additions, or to-go orders We offer Northwest-style pub fare that incorporates the freshest seasonal ingredients from local and regional growers and producers. Our pizza, soups and more are house-made, and seasonal specials are always a menu option - ask your server for details. Gluten-free buns available! These light, crisp, locally made products are available for an additional charge with hamburgers and sandwiches – just ask your server. Please note: Although the bun is gluten-free, our kitchens are not. All Ales Cider Guest Taps 5th Floor IPA Blackberry Cider Dragontail Peak Porter Edgefield Apple Cider Hammerhead Larry's Lager McMenamins Irish Stout Monkey Fist Mount Baker Gold Original 13 American Pilsner Pomegranate Cider Prinz Charming Porter Razzzzpberry Sour Roy Street Amber Ruby Ale Sky Machine Hazy IPA Speedway Boogie Double IPA Terminator Stout Trade Winds Export Coffee Stout Pabst Blue Ribbon Great art, plumbing sculptures and music are hallmarks of the Six Arms pub, but its most alluring feature may be the floor-to-ceiling windows that line its walls. Just on the edge of downtown, Six Arms' picture windows are ideally suited for an afternoon of happy-hour people watching. While they nicely frame one of Seattle's hippest neighborhoods, that, of course, was not their intended purpose. Read more Six Arms History to discover what the huge panes of glass were originally intended for.... Bring in your growler for these fills from our taps: (or purchase a glass growler at any of our locations) Beer Hard Cider 32 ounce $8-$12.50 32 ounce $9-$14 64 ounce $16-$25.00 64 ounce $18-$28 Get fills on special at the Pubs: Growler Mondays: $5 off* *certain beers may be additional charge Crowler Tuesday: $2 off* *certain beers may be additional charge Cider Wednesdays: $3 off* *this price applies to standard Edgefield Cider – regular apple or seasonal only Check out what's ON TAP at WHICH LOCATIONS on the free McMenamins app. Cans Our cans of signature Ruby and Hammerhead are available at all locations. Ask about seasonal and limited-edition cans and bottles as well. Crowlers Offered at our 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop, Cedar Hills, Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, Elks Temple Bottle Shop, Roseburg Station Pub & Brewery and Winery Tasting Room (just for cider), a Crowler is a 32-ounce vessel that we fill fresh from an ale or cider tap of your choice and seal up. Kegs/Cornelius Can Shipping Beer Now shipping to anywhere in Oregon Call the Edgefield Gift Shop to order: 503-492-5470 7 am –7 pm Pacific Time Max 24 cans per order per state law Why can't you ship elsewhere? While Oregon law allows us to ship outside of the state, individual state laws prohibit us to ship beer directly to consumers. Have Your Get-Together at Six Arms Balcony Reserve now by calling 206-223-1698 Some blackout dates may apply No minors after 10 p.m. If your next gathering is for up to 22 people, we've got the perfect comfortable, charming space. The bacony at Six Arms is availalble to reserve, with food and handcrafted beverages chosen from our pub menu.


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Your Resource For Understanding What Is Meant By Free Solar Panels
Free Solar Panels In Alabama
Getting free solar panels in Alabama with a power purchase agreement is not likely to be be happening any time soon. This site is largely dedicated to promoting the the solar program known as a Power Purchase Agreement where a company will install solar panels on your roof for free and then allow you to purchase power at a locked in lower rate than what you are currently paying. This will last for the life of the agreement. However Alabama is probably the worst state to get setup with solar power and offers almost no incentives to do so. So unfortunately the power purchase agreement program is not available in Alabama yet.
With almost no incentives in the state to help people switch there is a lot of wasted potential. Alabama has ample amount of sun light and plenty of country that is worth protecting. You would think that Alabama would be at the forefront of adopting and promoting solar power. However sadly the state is among the worst. In fact the only real solar incentive outside of the Federal 30% tax credit comes from the TVA, The Tennessee Valley Authority, Alabama's largest electricity supplier. The TVA offers a $1000.00 rebate to it's customers in order to help offset the initial cost of solar power. In addition to this the TVA offers to buy power from you if you produce more than you need and they will pay $0.04 plus the normal retail rate for the first 10 year you system is in service.
If the state would only enact a RPS, Renewable Portfolio Standard, Alabama's solar industry would really take off. Until then however it will be a waiting game until solar becomes so ridiculously cheap that it will make absolutely no sense to stay with conventional power. To help spur them in to action I encourage anyone interested to contact local government and start asking why Alabama hasn't been looking into renewable energy and what needs to be done to start heading the state in that direction.
This is not to say that going with solar power in Alabama isn't still worth it, it is! You can still add a tremendous amount of value to your home. Offset or eliminate your electric bill all together and if you are in the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Valley Authority you will stand to make money off of any extra electricity you produce.
Solar Power Companies in Alabama
$0 Down Solar Leasing is not available!
SunRun and SolarCity do not operate in Alabama.
|Southern Solar Systems
|Small Tech
|Lakeside Excavation
Alabama at a glance
Electricity use in Alabama
$136.36 This is the average residential electric bill in Alabama.
$26.16 This is the amount Alabama pays above the national average
$11.26 This is the average cost of electricity in Alabama.
$0.87 This is how much Alabama is below the national averaged cost for electricity.
Sunshine in Alabama
58% of all days are sunny in Alabama.
27% of all sunny days that do not have clouds.
14:16 this is the longest day in Alabama.
$0.87 this is the shortest day of the year for Alabama
Solar power incentives in Alabama
Does Alabama have a RPS?
NO, Alabama does not have renewable portfolio standard.
Does Alabama participate in the SREC market?
NO, Alabama does not have a SCREC market place.
Does Alabama allow trading into other SCREC markets?
NO, Alabama does not trade in any way with the SCREC trade.
Does Alabama offer a state tax credit for solar power?
NO, Alabama does not have a tax credit for solar power.
Is there a state sales tax exemption in Alabama for solar power?
NO, there is no sales tax exemption in Alabama for solar powered systems.
Does Alabama offer a property tax exemption for solar energy?
NO, there is no property tax exemption in Alabama for solar powered systems.
Does Alabama offer a Feed-in Tariff?
NO, like most places in the US Alabama does not offer any type of Feed-in Tariff.
Does Alabama offer Net Metering?
NO, in Alabama this is no Net Metering.
Again as in all 50 states there is the 30% federal tax credit.
Are there other solar power incentives in Alabama?
YES The Tennessee Valley Authority has a solar initiative program where it will help offset the initial setup of solar power by $1000.00 as well as offering to buy surplus energy produced at a rate of retail price plus $0.04. So although not by much they are offering to buy power back from you for more than what you would have paid to receive it.
Although the main program offering to outfit your home with solar panels for free is not available that doesn't mean that without a little creative thinking you can't still fee like you are getting something for nothing. On average a home that has solar panels installed today will increase their home value by close to 100% of the cost of the solar panel setup. That's a 100% ROI on your home improvement. that's greater then kitchens and bathrooms and its pays you cash in the form of savings on your electric bill as well.
If you can pay for solar panels outright than there really should be no question in your mind. Once you pay out the money for solar panels, currently about $5000 per Kilowatt system or $25,000 for a 5 kilowatts. With a 100% equal increase in you home value it's almost like you simply locked that money away in a CD the value is still there just locked in the value of your home. This is of course before you apply the 30% tax credit from the government. On a $25,000 system you will be looking at kick back of $7,500 dollars!
You really only invested $17,500 but increased your home value by $25,000 an actual gain of $7,500 dollars. Now figure your monthly electric bill savings, on average in Alabama, a saving of $136.00 per month. That's an annual return of $1630 per year or 9.3%, So with this estimation you could have your solar system pay for itself in a little over 10 years.
So a simply recap if you were to buy solar panels yourself.
- Immediate 30$ tax credit,
- Immediate increase in your homes value
- Immediate pay out to you in the form of no electric bill.
Few other investments can over such a return and since your money was covered right from the begging you might say this is still like getting solar panels for fee. Now if it still make sense to get solar panels in Alabama, it makes sense to get them just about anywhere.
Find more energy incentives at dsireusa.org.


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Q: Why isn't our latest payment/enrollment change reflected on our bill?
A: Bills are generated as early as the 2nd of the previous month. Ex: If your payment or enrollment change request is not processed before July 2nd, it will be reflected on the September bill.
Q: How do I change an employee's name or contact information?
A: Employee changes should be submitted on the Subscriber Change Request Form (B1). We cannot process these changes over the phone.
Q: How do I change the company's contact information?
A: If you need to change your billing address, contact phone number or group contact name, changes should be submitted on the Subscriber Change Request Form (B1). We cannot process these changes over the phone.
Q: What happens if my firm splits or merges, and we change our Federal Tax ID Number?
A: If a group's Tax ID changes, they are considered a new group and must re-apply for coverage.
Q: Can we print ID cards and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) online?
A: The employee can register for an online account at the carrier websites listed on the contact sheet. They can print ID cards and view claim information online. Firm administrators and employers do not have access to employee information.
Q: Whom should I call if an employee has a question or problem regarding a medical claim?
A: The customer service unit at Anthem Blue Cross should be able to address the member's claims issues and/or questions. They can be reached at 888-209-7847 (PPO & HSA Plans) or 800-227-3641 (HMO Plans). If the employee still needs assistance with a claims issue after contacting Anthem Blue Cross, please contact Banyan Administrators at 877-480-7923. If you have received an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from Anthem Blue Cross, please have that information available when you call.
Q: Why is the pharmacy telling a covered employee that they don't have coverage?
A: The employee may be using their Anthem ID card which is only for medical coverage. If they do not have their Express Scripts ID card for prescription coverage, they should call Express Scripts at 877-659-5144. If they are using the correct ID card, please call Banyan.
Q: How do I check to see which doctors are in our network?
A: See the page in this guide titled "Finding a Doctor in the CalCPA Health Medical Networks".


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WILBURTON, OK (Nov. 13, 2012) – Eastern Oklahoma State College's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society recently received first-place honors from Oklahoma Campus Compact for winning a statewide voter registration competition.
Student PTK members registered an additional 8.1 percent of Eastern's student population to win. During the five-day competition, 24 participating colleges and universities registered a total of 3,880 new voters. The winning institutions will be recognized during a Dec. 6 meeting of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Established in 2000 as part of the Oklahoma Campus Compact, the object is to increase student civic engagement on Oklahoma college campuses.
The competition is comprised of three categories based on full-time student populations. Eastern is in the RED category with state universities and colleges with 1-3,000 FTE (full-time-equivalent students). The runner-up for the RED category was Seminole State College with 4.6 percent of its student population.
The WHITE category (3,001-7,000 FTE) winner was Cameron University with 6.3 percent, followed by Northern Oklahoma College with 5.5 percent. The University of Central Oklahoma led the BLUE category (7,001-30,000 FTE) with 7.9 percent of their student population registering to vote, followed by the University of Oklahoma with 3.5 percent.
Eastern's Phi Theta Kappa honor society recently led a winning effort to register students to vote during a statewide competition. Officers include (l to r) Whitney Noel of Rattan, Haley Cadle of Haileyville, Taylor Glasco of Kinta, Brittan Raines of Red Oak, Allison Burns of Broken Bow, Khyria Vires of Haileyville, and Bradley Battershell of Calvin.


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Terramar MicroCool Racerback Tank Women's
A great choice for warm weather workouts, travel, and as an undergarment, this racerback style tank top features the latest technology from Terramar. MicroCool is a uniquely engineered fabric cooling system utilizing a combination of yarn based technologies to maximize comfort. The yarn is flat and therefore greatly increases the surface area to draw heat away from the skin. Embedded nano mineral particles enhance heat absorption away from the body. Also, the yarn is designed with aqua channels to transport moisture to the outer layer, resulting in an immediate cooling sensation and a lowering of the skin temperature. Athletic fit with jersey construction. Racerback tank style for increased ventilation and breathability. Permanent yarn based technology will last the life of the garment. Lightweight and breathable. Instant cooling sensation which lowers skin temperature. Fast drying. Anti microbial for freshness. Flat seam construction. Stretch comfort neck tape. UPF rating 25 Fabric Construction: 80% nylon, 20% spandex Fabric Weight: 110 gramssq meter Imported
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|$6.96 on sale
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Mr. Ellie Pooh Blue Elephants Large Notebook Journal
Regular price
This beautiful wire-bound unlined notebook is perfect for a student, artist, or anyone who is environmentally conscious! Mr. Ellie Pooh's elephant dung paper books have a unique texture with artful designs. Each book has about 50 sheets.
The perfect gift that supports Fair Trade artisans.
- Handmade in Sri Lanka
- Dimensions: 7.5 inches X 6 inches
- Materials: acid-free, linen-like, papyrus-type paper (mixture of sanitized elephant dung and post consumer paper.)


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As we get older our eyesight is one of the first indications. Fortunately, there are a few tricks on a computer that trumps paper. Although this video is out of sequence, I feel it's an important topic in order to make working on a computer more enjoyable.
Let's face it… everything is more enjoyable if you can actually see what's going on.
Watch this tutorial for three different ways to increase the size of text and images on your computer letting you focus on you job, instead of what the computer (or other website) is trying to tell you.


text: Visitors to our main website this weekend will have noted the addition of a new banner running along the top. We are pleased to announce that Zukahnaut has joined forces with the SpiderForest webcomic collective! Together our goal is to bring to you a diverse list of new comics — browse through them whenever you find yourself between pages on your favourites!


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Health & Fitness
Get and stay healthy with YMCA classes, state of the art equipment and programs that welcome all ages and fitness levels.
New Window
Take a class, train with friends, work out in the Wellness Center—try it all! Have fun while gaining strength, endurance and energy at any of our three YMCA program centers; Bellingham, Ferndale & Lynden.
(Family Nutrition and Activity Class - Licensed Health Care Provider referral required)
Specially trained Y staff offer guidance and encouragement for eating well, playing often and preventing health conditions associated with being overweight.
Seniors can connect with the Y community through physical fitness, social activities and more. Programs for older adults accommodate a wide variety of interests and functional abilities.
(Healthy Living Evidence Based Programs)
The Whatcom Family YMCA offers a variety of healthy living evidence based programs to improve the lives of those facing chronic disease.
(Arthritis Management)
An off site senior fitness class whose focus is strength, improved balance, and increased endurance to help maintain activities of daily living.
Y members can attend a variety of fitness classes that are included in membership. Try cardio, cycling, strength, yoga and water exercise. There's no need to register—you're welcome to drop in at any time.
(For cancer survivors)
Promoting the importance of physical activity in the transitional period between cancer diagnosis, treatment, and finding a "new normal."
Martial arts build discipline, confidence and poise. We offer programs for individuals and families.
Fast pedaling is not a cure of Parkinson's disease and should not be touted as such, but there is compelling evidence to show that it does make a real difference for many who try it.
Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's gives people with Parkinson's disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum.
Tai Chi and Yoga are effective ways to build strength, stamina and flexibility while cultivating a sense of peace and well-being.
The Weight Loss Program is designed to help people seeking a healthier weight achieve their goals by making small, modest changes to their daily behaviors and forming sustainable healthy habits.
(Weight Room)
Sign up for a session with a personal trainer to help you meet your goals. Whether you need phost physical therapy help or have specific goal in mind, our training team can design a program to help you achieve success.
Are you at risk? Have you been diagnosed with prediabetes? You can take control with the help of the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program.


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Whole Virus Simulation
Simulation of a one-million-atom virus reveals unexpected twist
Giving new meaning to the phrase computer virus, researchers have created a computer simulation of an entire biological virus comprising approximately one million atoms.
"It wasn't clear before that one could do a simulation of such a large living system at an atomic level and learn something from it," says Klaus Schulten, PhD, professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. But when he and graduate students Anton Arkhipov and Peter Freddolino successfully simulated the satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV), they revealed some surprising features of the particle in the process. The work was published in the March 2006 issue of Structure, as a collaboration with virologists from University of California, Irvine.
Viruses must do two things: infect cells and transport their genetic material inside a stable container known as a capsid. In the case of the STMV, the capsid consists of 60 identical proteins produced by the virus's genome. Crystallographers who had imaged the small virus believed all 60 pieces were arranged in complete icosahedral symmetry. The computer simulation, however, showed this to be an incomplete picture of the virus.
Schulten and his colleagues started with the crystallography image of STMV and then allowed the atoms to move according to their physical properties. For just over 10 nanoseconds (broken into 10 million time steps), "we let the laws of physics take over," says Schulten. The result: Although the capsid remained generally spherical, some of the symmetry was lost. "The virus developed a belt around an equator of the sphere, and that belt engaged in a back and forth motion," Schulten says.
More important, simulation revealed that, unlike many other viruses, the STMV capsid is unstable without its RNA contents and depends on the RNA to assemble. "It seems that for this virus, the genomic material first aggregates into a sphere, and then recruits the 60 proteins to be a shell around itself," Schulten says. "This is opposite to what one expected."
Schulten and his colleagues hope that viral simulations of this type will help researchers understand how viral capsids shift from stable to unstable when they are infecting a cell. It's possible that one might be able to interfere in an infection at the point when the capsid breaks apart, he suggests. "We want to use information gained from simulations to protect people from viral infections."
In future projects, Schulten and his colleagues plan to simulate the poliovirus and other viral particles that are 4 to 10 times larger than STMV. Their success with STMV suggests that large scale simulations provide valuable, new information. "Had we done a partial simulation, we wouldn't have learned as much," he says.


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Originally built in 1992, this kitchen was built using the trends of the time. Trends that included white appliances, tiled countertops and designer wallpaper. While functionally the kitchen was fine, the homeowner wanted an update. New stainless steel appliances were chosen to replace the original white Jenn Air units. The ovens were originally two single ovens mounted one on top of the other. This created a challenge because the 1992 version ovens had a cabinet cutout larger than most all new appliances. This required us to re-size the original opening by moving the center dividing style to the bottom and having a new drawer created to fill up the bottom space left behind. Strips of matching wood were added and stained to match. This made the hole thinner to accommodate the new KitchenAid stainless steel convection double oven.
Since most homes in this era were built with down-draft cooktops, the choices for replacement are limited. Even more limiting is the placement. Since the island is somewhat small, the challenge was to create the illusion of space without building new cabinets. To accomplish this, the designer chose to darken the center cabinet and install a dark countertop. With a choice of a smoothtop downdraft cooktop, the surface looks larger when you are standing next to it yet almost disappears when you look at it from a distance.
Striped wallpaper was removed and a very light dragged texture was applied. The homeowner wanted a light glaze added which helped keep color in the room while using neutral tones. For the backsplash, a beige colored split-face stone was used as a dry-stack look completing the Bistro feel. The homeowner also chose a black granite sink which tied the counter tops and center island together.


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My Sugar Series (December 2008) is made up of desserts that I've enjoyed recently. Because the holidays spell sweet excess, impress the people you love with any of the following desserts. They're guaranteed to make an impression on them as they did on me.
Other desserts in this series:
Ann Puno's Choc-Nut cake
"Nutter" About Peanut Butter
A "Fruitcake" To Fall In Love With
Pleasure for Plaisir
San Lo's Famous…
My 2 Favorite Cakes This Christmas
Delicious as Only Dèlize Does It
NOTE: This series ends on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.
I named Cristina Santiago-Rivera's Chocolata and Strawberry Charlotte two of Manila's Best Desserts 2007. If I had a list for 2008, her two new cakes would've made the list again. She strikes me as a person who understands that [a] dessert is a carefully orchestrated sequence of taste sensations and surprises, pleasures that pique and surprise the palate. Such understanding propels her creativity and produces a new magnum opus times two.
The first is the Midnight Hazelnut Crunch, a play on the popular Plaisir. Cristina's version doffs a jaunty square chocolate "hat" bedazzling in its sophisticated floral design. Tempered chocolate "waves" of the same print dance on a cocoa ripple, and the entire structure is held in place by a chocolate band. Of course it's what's inside all that wrapping that's most ravishing. As the name "plaisir" connotes, this sweet consists of hazelnuts, dacquoise ([hazelnut-studded] meringue layers), two kinds of chocolate — ganache and cream softly whipped with chocolate, and praline. Crunchy, slightly sweet "" it's a cake that celebrates flavor, allowing each component to revel in its own flavor, form, and texture.
I've been known to grab lemons, slice and sprinkle them with salt and then pop the entire wedges into my mouth. I savor sour. When it comes to dessert, if it's got lemons in it, it's got to be really lemony. I'm not talking about a citric scream that makes my eyes roll back "" a good lemon dessert is all about a matter of taste and doing it right.
Cristina's Lemoncello is a lemon cream pie that's all grown up. The citrus element "" exciting instead of intense — is made just so with cream and egg yolks, while the sugar tempers the sour. It's fluid smoothness sliding through leaving a lingering lemon layer on the tongue. The lushness of the filling is gently prodded along by the occasional crispness of the pie's crust and, if you manage to get some onto your fork, a shard of the white chocolate band "" its inclusion will make you know the pleasure of what lemon and white chocolate taste like together.
Cristina Santiago-Rivera's Sweet Bella
844-0680 / 844-9905 / 0928-5025027
1730 Banyan St.
Dasmariñas Village, Makati


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EUGENE _ About an hour east of Los Angeles sits the town of Colton, a small, blue-collar community known for its steel mill, busy railroad crossing and some of the best football in the Inland Empire.
And for the Oregon football team, it's where Nasty and Nice - the inside linebacker tandem that will start in Saturday's season opener - were produced.
Rodney Hardrick, a 6-foot-1, 231-pound junior, has been playing linebacker since he was seven years old. When you play a position that long, it becomes part of your personality, and your mantra sounds like this:
"Hit before you get hit,'' said Hardrick, a smile slowly appearing.
He's Nasty.
Derrick Malone, a 6-foot-2, 221-pound redshirt junior, is a former running back and safety who was converted to play linebacker. He is majoring in journalism, and aw-shucks his way through questions about winning an intense competition at weakside linebacker.
"I've been paying attention to the details,'' Malone said. "Getting treatment. Eating right. Running as hard as I can every play. Things like that. It has helped my knowledge of the game, helped my confidence. They all tie in together.''
He's Nice.
Together, they enter a season with the burden of replacing the Ducks' top two tacklers from a year ago, Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso, while also combining with kicker Alejandro Maldonaldo to carry the burden of a proud football town and its tradition for producing standout players. The Colton Yellow Jackets have five graduates currently playing the NFL.
But while they share the same hometown, and the same burdens, and a common friendship, Hardrick and Malone couldn't be more different.
"Two great kids, two special players,'' says Chris Ma'Ilo, who is the Colton head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator when the Ducks tandem was there. "You have one quiet, humble kid in Derrick and one with a little vinegar in his blood in Rodney. There's a Nasty one and a Nice one.''
A freight-train is coming
Colton is a town of around 52,000 that boasts the Colton Crossing, the busiest at-grade railroad crossing in the United States.
It's a fitting backdrop for the freight-train approach of Hardrick.
"Rodney is more out there, more vocal; the definition of a true linebacker,'' says Malone, who is one year his senior.
Hardrick's legend at Colton rests in helping the Yellow Jackets win the 2010 CIF Southern title, the school's first since 1979. In the title game, Hardrick caught two touchdowns from his tight end position - including a 79-yard catch-and-run - and from his linebacker position helped stifle a Rancho Verde offense that came in averaging 48 points. Colton won 17-7.
"Rodney was the man that night,'' Ma'Ilo said. "He scored both our touchdowns and was all over the field on defense. And it was quite the offense we were going against.''
It wasn't a surprise to anyone. Hardrick cared so much about winning, about playing the game right, that he said he was often in teammates' faces, willing them to do the right thing, play the right way. Then, he would go out and do exactly what he was talking about, running over opponents as if they were stuck on the Colton Crossing tracks. It's why he says he got the endearing tag of being "nasty."
"I was kind of mean in high school,'' Hardrick said. "I still get calls every once in a while from guys back home about it, but now they understand why I was so mean. They see it paid off. They might have looked at me like a jerk at the time, but they see I was looking out for their best interests.''
Ma'Ilo says Hardrick was a handful, not only for opponents, but the coaching staff.
"He's a character; you had to sit on him, you had to watch him,'' Ma'Ilo said with a chuckle. "If you gave him an inch, he would take a foot. And on the field, he had a great football IQ. And he was a gym rat. Always in watching film. A great kid, fun kid. A lot of charisma.''
Living on Earp Street
The most famous Colton residents were the Earp family, which included famed lawmen Wyatt and his older brother Virgil. The town's first marshal was Virgil, a man know to have a quick-draw and passion for upholding the peace.
So perhaps it's fitting that Malone, who on the field exhibits speed and quick reactions, and an easy-going manner off it, lived on Earp Street in Colton.
He has a measured view of his hometown, one mixed with pride and concern.
"I had some rough times there, but also some great times,'' Malone said. "It can be kind of racial - it's Southern California, so you have that tension - and you really need to keep your focus. I've seen a lot of people there get sidetracked. They could have been great Division I athletes, but they didn't get the school part down. Or they started doing drugs. But I had a great foundation with family and God, and I stayed on the path, kept my focus.''
But on the field, his focus was never on point. Ma'Ilo called him one of the smartest players, but when it would come game time, he could translate the knowledge to action. He was just a little unsure. A little late. A little off.
Then, in his junior year, in the third quarter against a pass-happy San Gorgonio team, Ma'Ilo said it all came together for Malone. The mind merged with his body.
"It's weird, something just came over me, something clicked, and I became a whole another player,'' Malone said. "It was that whole nice guy thing ... I had been studying the game so much, but I didn't have the instincts. I realized I needed to start being aggressive, I needed to lead, I needed to put the team on my back.''
From that point on, Malone became the most feared safety in the league.
"I don't think anyone threw inside the hash marks against us ever again,'' Ma'Ilo said.
Playing for something
In Eugene, the two have had moments, but mostly played roles out of the spotlight.
Malone last season played in 12 games, with one start, and showed a flash of his potential against Colorado, when he had nine tackles and an interception that he returned 14 yards. Hardrick played four games as a true freshman before a right knee injury - the same one he suffered as a junior in high school - ended his season. Last year, he played in nine games, but missed spring ball with a back injury.
Today, both are coming off winning fierce competitions - Hardrick the middle linebacker position over Rahim Cassell, and Malone the weakside position over Tyson Coleman and Joe Walker - and the big honor is not lost on the small town linebackers.
"We've been waiting for this,'' Malone said.
It's their chance to play for the Ducks. To play for their familes. And play for Colton, a town that currently boasts NFL players Allen Bradford (linebacker, Seattle), Jimmy Smith (cornerback, Baltimore), Shareece Wright (cornerback, San Diego), Brad Sorensen (quarterback, San Diego) and Damien Holmes (linebacker, Denver).
"Those guys who have made it to the NFL, that's a big deal, and now it's like, they have done it, why not us?,'' Malone said. "We are trying to make everybody proud, and we feel like we have a lot riding on us. We are playing for our city, our families, this school. So there's a lot of pride. But we are doing it together.''
Nasty and Nice.
--Jason Quick
Twitter: @jwquick


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It Ends With Us is having a ridiculous sale today on Amazon. The paperback, which is normally $16.00, is only $7.33. Over half off!
Order it for less than the ebook here:
Colleen Hoover Professional Make Believer
Chele Walker says
Ana Luiza Vaz de Azevedo says
Plectrumm says
Vi says
Sybil says
Just finished it ends with us. COLLEEN !!!! You did it again . Amazing. My emotions are everywhere. Being in an abusive relationship in the past this book really hit home. Love ya!!
Helen Kaiser says
Yes, I read all your books.
It Ends with Us?
Why did you choose Ellen for Lily to write her journal to?
Did you have to get Ellen's okay?
Emotional roller coaster, but awesome story!!!
https://custom-essay-writing-service.org/blog/custom-essay-writing says
I can't wait for its final release. I hope you will be able to update this information as soon as possible. Thank you a lot on advance!


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The home is an establishment created by God for the purposes of carrying out pro-creation, provision, preparation/polishing, & playtime (entertainment, socialization, & recreation). The home is also known as the family. The design of the home God created is made up of attentive husbands, respectful wives, reasonable fathers, righteous mothers, & obedient children.
We must date with God's design in mind.
1) We must date for the purposes of marriage.
2) We are not to learn in months what we can learn on day 1.
3) When involving ourselves with others, we must trust, but verify.
4) Whether Christian or not, we are commanded to flee fornication.
5) When we date, let us make sure that our interactions are always public, never private.
Marriage is a covenant & not a contract. If we start it, then we must finish it. What constitutes a marriage, who can get married, & what are the traditions associated with the wedding? Please refer to the audio to answer these questions as space will not permit a written answer.
Devotion is "profound dedication; consecration; earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc." Spouses must be devoted exclusively to each other.
We must do everything possible to avoid it. Therefore, it is best not to throw in the towel.


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By jirka on 16. November 2016
Two years ago I visited Nepal for the first time. I have been there between two major events – one moth after the snow disaster in Thorong La (2014) and 5 moths before the catastrophic earthquake (2015) – obviously, I was lucky. I visited this country on my own so the best trekking choice for me was the legendary Annapurna Circuit. It was a great experience and I wrote a lot of articles about it – unfortunately in my native language, Czech. If you know Czech language you can find these posts here:
If you do not speak Czech, this post is written for you.
It was a really crazy travel to Káthmándú. Bus Brno-Vienna, plane Vienna-Düsseldorf, plane Düsseldorf-Abú Dhabí, plane Abú Dhabí-Káthmándú. The first administrative operations (and troubles) waited for me right at the airport. Well… I had enough money for the visa, but it took some time to find some extra photos.


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The Perfect Protein Weight Loss Method is a medically designed protocol containing 2 crucial components – weight loss and a healthier way of life education to assist you in keeping your final results after dieting. Even the Stokes Purple range that is offered in significantly of the mainland US and does contain anthocyanin has a reduce caloric density at about 115 cal per 100g, so one would need to eat about 1080g of Stokes Sweet potatoes to mimic the 1231 calories in sweet potato consumption of the typical traditional Okinawan diet program. Generally, studies have shown that for athletes or folks involved in strength training…the muscle gains from taking a medium protein diet, of 1.4 gram protein per kilogram bodyweight are exactly the very same as for these taking a high protein diet of 2.4 gram protein per kilogram bodyweight.
Milk protein is generally combined into a mixture of proteins such as a combination of Soy, and Caesin. In the beginning, you will need to have to make an work consume adequate calories on a frugivore diet regime. As quickly as you are health club routine is carried out have a protein shake or piece of fruit to hold blood sugar levels from dropping. The researchers also looked at whether or not the connection differed in men and women aged 50-65 years, and older folks, and regardless of whether it was influenced by fat, carbohydrate or animal protein intake. Scientific research into the Total Wellbeing diet plan showed that more than 12 months, weight loss on this diet regime was the same as on a standard higher-carbohydrate weight-loss diet regime.
Naturally, our own individual diets are not marked by a certain time frame, but if you are arranging on dieting and moving into a upkeep phase, these findings could be a great way to program a diet that can help you shed the weight and keep it off. In addition to belly-filling protein, a 90-calorie microwave package of edamame (soybeans in their pods) supplies three grams of fiber The combo of protein and fiber is potent against hunger. If you go onto the Best Protein internet site, you can peruse their 'incomparable range of delicious foods'.
This will preserve you full unto dinner time, and enable you to when once again, stick to a low-carb, low-calorie diet program. Also advised is our quite effective protein digestant, PEPTAIN HCL, for those who do not have the required digestive juices to deal with proteins well. For that purpose, the aim of this manuscript is to provide an in depth overview of the role of high-protein diets in weight loss, due to the fact they have been shown to have a satiating impact by means of a number of metabolic pathways. Many news sources have recommended that a higher protein diet is as poor for you" as smoking. But, you WILL do it. You know I joke about the space diet plan, but I get it. I am the protein queen. Processed protein will also trigger a spike in amino acids due to the fact the stomach is unable to digest it correctly.
Practically all vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds contain some, and typically much, protein. Even so several commercial protein supplements are really high-priced and are very processed, numerous with doubtful or unknown ingredients that could include hormones. Thank you for your go to and your willingness to study articles about A Diet program High Protein And High Fiber If you liked this blog post, please really feel totally free to subscribe cost-free through e mail, that way you will get a shipment every report there is a new article published in the High Protein Diet Notion. Shaperight is an online weight loss program devoted to long term weight loss and wellness. It is probably reduced in fat than most peoples' diets, but I wouldn't get in touch with it a low-fat diet program.


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Flower Blog Archive - September 2008
The Flower Expert welcomes the flower enthusiasts to the special feature - Flower Blogs where the flower lovers can share the knowledge about flowers and flower related topics with the flower admiring community world-wide.
For any general questions and doubts on flower blogs and blogging, you are requested to go through Frequently Asked Questions on Flower Blog.
In addition, the Step-by-Step Guide To Flower Blog gives you a a detailed notes on how to blog on flowers.
Post your comments on anything related to Flowers & Floral Industry. You can create a blog instantly without the hassle of username and password. And you can also view our monthly .
flowers from puerto rico
Green theme
How should I care for my deck hybiscus tree during the cold winter months?
Planting and care of Hyacinths
Planting and care of Hyacinths
sun flower twins
International Horti Fair 2008
The Horti Fair attracts almost 50.000 trade visitors every year from more than 100 countries. They come for the wide range of products and services from around 1.000 exhibitors, who provide a complete picture of the latest developments and future trends in professional horticulture, including technique, supply, trade and services.
Hundreds of new products and services, special theme pavilions and the celebrated quality competition will make the Horti Fair 2008 once more the most complete horticulture trade fair in the world and 'Growing Sustainably' an exhibition theme for our times.
Horti Fair 2008 takes place between the 14th and 17th of October at RAI, Amsterdam.
Money saving flowers for Spring IL wedding
no flower
Wintering over an Agapanthus
How to transport fresh flower
How do i string fresh flowers
How to renew fading flower
AIFD Symposium Chicago
People interested in getting to know everything about the latest trends in floral industry, this is the article worth reading.
Hollywood has the Oscars. Sports has the Olympics. And the Floral Design Industry has the AIFD National Symposium, the one place where floral designers from all over the world gather to share the latest trends in floral design! Dutch Creations has supported Mr. Robert Koene with his astonishing show! Watch his masterpieces of work at the videos taken at this unique annual event: the place to be for anybody involved in the floral industry!
AIFD Symposium Chicago: The American Institute of Floral Designers has organized their annual symposium. This year Chicago has been the venue where the top of the crop of US floral designers joined for an outstanding program.
Getting to know some inspiring, international top designers is very easy now. De site www.dutch-creations.com is the place where you can find the best floral artists. Interesed to be part of the family?
Dutch Creations are leading breeders of cutflowers and potplant varieties, with the newsletter we have the intention to provide you with information about our varieties and their suppliers.You can have a look at Dutch Creations
Can you identify this flower?
I couldn't tell if it actually uploaded the picture, so I'll go ahead and put it in here manually. Sorry if there are twelve pictures of this flower...
Any clues? Thanks in advance!
Need a flower that can run on a fence that has a great smell
One-time Blooming of Oriental Lilies and Peonies?
Need more informations on flower care.
Sick Lotus Plant
Information about "Fare thee well summer" flower.
Help With Camellias
Jasmine Flower
Identify the flowe name
Can anybody tell the botanical name of Local flower of midwest states in America called "the coat of many colors".


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Things have been a little more quiet than usual around here and my social media. I'm online-shy we could say, and I don't really like posting too much about my personal life. Despite having this blog for three years, I haven't established how much I want to share yet, and I feel like once you cross that line, that's it, you can't go back. You feel me?
Let's just say that A LOT has happened in the last few weeks - some good, some bad, some mad - and I realised two things: 1 - I could make a movie about my existence as I seem to make the strangest shit happen to me. 2 - Friends are everything.
For the longest time, I found it nearly impossible to establish a healthy and real friendship as in the past I have been terribly heartbroken because of back-stabbing and lying individuals I thought were my 'friends.' It literally got to the point that I questioned if there was such a thing as real friendship or if it was all just a myth. How can someone treat you badly and do things that they know would hurt you, if they cared about you even a little? I just never really understood it. The world is a cruel place as it is, but when you find little gems you better fucking grab them and keep them as they're truly a rare sight.
Well now, as a 23-year-old, I can happily say that I have found the people that I can count on when shit hits the fan, or I feel lost. They might not know what to say or what to do, but just them being there to listen (and buying me my favourite chocolate) means the world, as I truly believe that life is better when you have friends by your side. In the last 7 years I have moved to the UK and really got to know the biggest and best bunch of weirdos I could have asked for.
I seem to always be 'attracted', like a magnet, to the outcasts and people who in general are not popular and loud. There's always been a certain link and instant 'click' with individuals who have been judged by other for being 'different' for whatever reason, and whilst now we don't have piercings and funky looking hair (for the most part), we're all still the same bunch of fucked up teenagers we were just a few years ago, but with a degree and jobs.
This is not a 'hate valentines day post' at all, as we all know how original those can be, but more of a little reminder that the relationship you have with your mates, that bond that you only know and feel, is something that should be celebrated, always, including the 14th of February, so don't take it too seriously and just go out for a meal or get a good old Dominos delivered at yours in the company of the best people you know.
I never liked Valentine's Day to begin with, ever since I was a young kid since in my eyes if you like someone, you should just gather the strength and tell them ASAP, life is too short to wait for the so-called perfect day. Likewise, if you love someone, you should show them that every time, and not necessarily in the form of flowers and heart-shaped chocolates, but by listening to them, showing you care and getting the toilet paper from the cupboard when they forget to do it themselves.
Well, this year, I intend to thank the special people in my life who I chose to make my family and share with them a delicious box of biscuits from Biscuiteers , that were kindly sent to me. We may only be able to eat one biscuit each as there's quite a few of us, but they all deserve a special mention.
The friends who don't know what a blog even is, yet they share your posts every week
The friends who hold your hand at gigs and make you feel alive


text: Articles and white papers relating to back office and custody issues. This section covers research for investment operations professionals, clearing & settlement staff, fund accounting managers and global custody executives. Particularly popular papers in this section include those which tackle the operational challenges facing investment managers as they manage complexity and change in investment operations. Surveys of fund operations and investment banking operations have also been well received.... A number of papers examine middle office operations: should the middle office be outsourced, or can you transform the asset management middle office to a bottom-line contributor? Other back office research in this section includes white papers on global custody, custodian ratings, clearing and settlement, settlement systems, securities lending and collateral management. A number of articles examine back office issues relating to alternative investments, specifically hedge fund administration, prime brokers and alternative investment fund operations and domiciles. Other reports cover the effect of investment regulation on the back office, for example, IFRS9 (impairment of financial assets and AIFMD).


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I was recently sold on the whole "studded bag" trend, but I'm still a bit apprehensive. Before I saw the Linea Pelle Dylan Medium Tote, I hadn't come across a single studded bag that I'd actually wear. This I would, for a bevy of reasons.
For me, many studded bags just seem way too over-the-top, and a little dangerous for my palm in the case of studded clutches. But this tote has minimal yet well-placed studding; it wraps around the base of the bag and staples on the top and base of the strap, connecting the straps to the bag. Even better, the hardware and zippers are the same light gold shade as the rounded studs, flowing the design throughout the tote.
The combination of zippers and studs isn't overly rocker as one might expect, but it serves as a welcome juxtaposition to the buttery, almost softly wrinkled Italian leather; the rough shininess of the studs and jaggedness of the zipper adds a casual touch to that leather. The final, favorite touch of mine comes by way of a removable shoulder strap that, if worn, allows the heavy straps to flop forward over the bag, creating a coolly effortless look. Buy through Linea Pelle for $425.


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Filing via the Streamlined Procedure
If you are not currently up to date on your tax returns or FBARs, the best option to become compliant is the Streamlined Procedure announced by the IRS in 2014.
It requires filing of last 3 years of tax returns and 6 years of FBAR (regardless of how many years the taxpayer has missed). The best part is that the penalties you might be liable to pay for failure to declare foreign bank accounts (those are the really scary ones - please see Article on FBAR Penalties) will be waived.
We've helped hundreds of expats get up to speed with their U.S. tax returns using this program and have developed the unique expertise with it.
Questions You Might Have When Deciding on Whether to Join SP
- There are several programs in the streamlined procedure umbrella. When we review your documents, we will determine which program is best for you. The key item that would prohibit you from being allowed into the SP is whether your failure to declare your non-US bank accounts was willful.
- That means that you
- A) Knew that you had to file them
- B) Failed to file them
- We really see no disadvantages to the SP. We think this is as good of a deal as IRS will offer and highly recommend all those who are not currently compliant to use it.
- We've helped hundreds of clients join it and have had a universal success rate.
- If you had to (but failed to) file FBARs at any point in the last 6 years, this is an ideal venue to become compliant. The key thing is that it absolves you of substantial fees & penalties for failing to file FBARs (see http://www.taxesforexpats.com/articles/financial-account-reporting/FBAR-Penalties.html).
- If you simply file your overdue tax return, you could also be subject to a number of penalties for late filing (see http://www.taxesforexpats.com/articles/the-big-questions/expat-tax-penalties.html). Streamlined Procedure absolves you of the failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties and accuracy-related penalties.
- The higher cost of the program when compared with simply filing 3 years of returns (roughly $350) is really not that much in the context of fees you stand to avoid (which could run as high as 50% of the balance in unreported accounts).
- You can find more details about the program on this page: http://www.taxesforexpats.com/services/new-irs-program-delinquent-taxes.html
- For details about FBAR / FATCA forms that must be filed, please see http://www.taxesforexpats.com/articles/financial-account-reporting/foreign-account-reporting-on-forms-fincen-114-fbar-and-8938-fatca-and-the-differences-between-them.html
- The US treasury requires that US Citizens/GC Holders remain current and compliant with FBAR requirements for the last 6 years. Your filing option depends on whether you had non-reported interest from foreign bank accounts and whether you are subject to additional reporting requirements.
- If interest from foreign bank accounts was reported on the original returns - File FBAR through the Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedure http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Delinquent-FBAR-Submission-Procedures without amending tax returns. Cost - $500 for 6 years of filing (up to 5 accounts per year).
- If interest from accounts was not reflected on your filed tax returns; file amended returns and FBAR reports through the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U-S-Taxpayers-Residing-Outside-the-United-States. Cost - $1200/$1400 for the SP package + $240 ($100 X 3 * 20% discount for multiple years) and $300 for Streamlined Certification Letter.
- If form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Asssets) aka FATCA was required, but there was no unreported interest/income on form 1040 - file amended returns, FATCA and FBAR reports through the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U-S-Taxpayers-Residing-Outside-the-United-States. $240 ($100*3*20% for multiple years) for amended returns + $240 ($100 X 3 * 20% discount for multiple years) for FATCA (8938) + $450 for 6 years FBAR + $300 for streamlined certification letter.
- If interest from foreign bank accounts was reported on the original returns - File FBAR through the Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedure http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Delinquent-FBAR-Submission-Procedures without amending tax returns. Cost - $500 for 6 years of filing (up to 5 accounts per year).
- Yes - you would also not be subject to the failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties and accuracy-related penalties.
- OVDP, which requires an attorney's assistance, presents a substantial expense for the client. It involve filing 8 years of returns, paying tax and penalties due for all years, paying FBAR civil penalties, and paying lawyer fees for OVDP assistance.Meanwhile the Streamlined Procedure is significantly cheaper, requires no attorney involvement and absolves client from fees and penalties.
- The only occasion where OVDP is preferred, is where the IRS has already started a civil investigation. In such case OVDP serves to keep the consequent penalties at bay.
- There is a special program for this - the Delinquent Informational Return Program. Examples of informational returns are 5471 (foreign corporation), 3520-A (foreign trust)
- Participating in this program would entail 3 amended returns for each of the past 3 years (assuming you have not filed the informational return for all three years), and forms 5471 (assuming that is the missing form) for each year. Finally, a reasonable cause statement must be attached.
- Potential for filing FATCA (form 8938) if the balance on the company accounts (previously unreported) puts the taxpayer over the threshold
If you filed FBAR for all years but did not file tax returns, we can help you file via the Streamlined Procedure.
This will involve 6 years of FBAR (which you have already filed), 3 years of tax returns, and a certification letter (personal affidavit).
As long as your FBARs are correct and contained all of your non-US financial accounts (checking, savings, brokerage, pension, etc) - they do not need to be refiled. You will, however, need to include the print out of the confirmation of your FBARs being filed from the treasury (if you need to check if they were filed, please see https://www.taxesforexpats.com/faq.html#60).
- Yes - you can. There is a specific US Domestic Streamlined Procedure for individuals who fail to meet the residence requirement (having lived at least one year abroad out of last three). You can read more about it here: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U-S-Taxpayers-Residing-in-the-United-States
- Short answer - Yes.
If you qualify for the Streamlined Procedure but have been accepted into one of the offshore voluntary disclosure programs prior to September 1, 2012, you may opt out of the offshore voluntary disclosure program and request the Streamlined Procedure.
To opt out, you need to inform the examiner of your decision in writing. This is an irrevocable election and you will receive a notification letter confirming this. The examiner assigned to your case will then be able to make a risk determination of your submission and close your case according to the Streamlined Procedure. If all submission items for the voluntary disclosure program have already been submitted to the IRS, you will not be required to make a second submission for the Streamlined Procedures.
We will advise on your eligibility for the SP upon review of your Tax Questionnaire.
If we find that your situation makes you eligible for the SP, we will proceed to file you via the program (most likely scenario). Otherwise if we think that you would not qualify, we will advise on alternate filing routes.
Please bear in mind that the program is really an application for amnesty. While there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into the program, we have a lot of experience filing under the procedure and we closely comply with IRS requirements for it. Therefore our success rate is excellent.
Do NOT contact the IRS in any sort of pre-emptive move. In the very odd case that they get in contact with you, let them know that you are working on compliance with us. Our usual turnaround is generally faster than any deadline they'll impose on you, anyway.
The best first contact to make is a completed tax return.
Questions You Might Have on Logistics of Filing SP with TFX
They are eactly the same thing.
Certificate = Letter
From the IRS:
Complete and sign a statement on the Certification by U.S. Person Residing Outside of the U.S.certifying (1) that you are eligible for the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures; (2) that all required FBARs have now been filed (see instruction 8 below); and (3) that the failure to file tax returns, report all income, pay all tax, and submit all required information returns, including FBARs, resulted from non-willful conduct. You must submit the original signed statement and you must attach copies of the statement to each tax return and information return being submitted through these procedures. You should not attach copies of the statement to FBARs. Failure to submit this statement, or submission of an incomplete or otherwise deficient statement, will result in returns being processed in the normal course without the benefit of the favorable terms of these procedures.
- We can give a reliable estimate for preparation of one year - up to 15 working days. Doing multiple years will obviously take longer but the increase in time required is certainly not linear (i.e. you won't have to multiply number of years by 15 days). After the first return is prepared it will go much quicker - as we will have asked all questions already and simply keep producing returns.
- Most cases are handled in around a month to two months - your mileage may vary depending on complexity of your case and how quickly you get the information we require to us.
The Streamlined Program (SP) requires filing of the last 3 years of tax returns and 6 years of FBARs. In other words, you'll have to file 2010-2015 FBARs and tax returns for 2013-2015.
- Please create a Tax Questionnaire (TQ) for 2010 and complete the Main-General and Non-US Accounts tabs.
- Create TQ for 2011; select 'copy from 2010' in the creation prompt and update the Non-US Accounts tab with relevant data. Repeat for 2012.
- Create TQ for 2013, copying from 2012. Then, answer the rest of the questionnaire (as this is the first year when a full tax return will be completed).
- Continue the process for 2014, 2015. This process is also described in the FAQ
On June 16, 2017 - these dates will shift to 2011-2016 FBARs, and 2014-2016 Tax Returns
- Please make sure to answer YES to the first three questions. Only after they are answered, you will be able to provide details about your foreign accounts.
- Unfortunately Streamlined Procedure can not be e-filed. We will file the FBARs for you electronically and provide PDF returns of all your returns along with detailed instructions on how to prepare the package and send it to the IRS.
- Yes - unfortunately so.
- Joining the SP requires filing FBAR for the last 6 years (regardless of whether you were required due to the balances on your accounts in specific years).
- Yes - as long as they file jointly.
- Our price for the joint SP filing is the same as for an individual SP.
- However - if they have separate foreign accounts and need duplicate set of FBARs, this will add extra $50 per FBAR form.
No - you do not have to provide bank statements. We will only ask you for self-reported details about the accounts
The basic rule is this - if you have a financial account outside of the US, it must be reported.
Here is the full list of accounts that need to be reported:
Financial (deposit and custodial) accounts held at foreign financial institution
Foreign Mutual Funds
Foreign-issued life insurance or annuity contract with a cash-value
Indirect interests in foreign financial assets through an entity
Foreign financial account for which you have signature authority
Foreign stock or securities not held in a financial account
Foreign partnership interests
Foreign hedge funds and foreign private equity funds
- Yes - if you don't have exact figures, you can provide your best effort estimate.
- You should report all interest earned in the Supplemental tab of the TQ (sub tab Passive Income / Interest)
- We accept all major credit cards.
- Payment is due when your return is prepared. It will be uploaded to the server and locked pending payment.
- As soon as you post payment in our system, it will unlock the return for your review automatically.
- Our standard service fees do not include telephone service.
- However - that option is available to you. You can schedule a phone consultation with a CPA in your Client Area. It costs $100 for 30 minutes.
- As part of the Streamlined Procedure you are required to submit an IRS Certification Letter (http://www.irs.gov/file_source/pub/irs-pdf/f14653.pdf)
- You could either complete it yourself or we could do it for you.
- In general we recommend having this done professionally.
- The price for us to prepare this service is $300.
The Streamlined Program (SP) requires filing of the last 3 years of tax returns and 6 years of FBARs. In other words, currently the years to file are: 2013-2015 for tax returns and 2010-2015 FBARs.
- Until June 16, 2017, you cannot file 2014, 2015, 2016 - because 2016 is not yet delinquent.
The IRS has also issued guidance on extension filings for those who are behind on their returns.
- File extension for current year (ie - until June 15, 2017, you can file an extension for 2016), and prepare the SP program for current overdue years (2013-2015 Tax Returns, 2010-2015 FBARs)
The IRS no longer sends the Streamlined Program acceptance letters (they have done so in the past). So the best news you can have is not hearing anything from them.
If the IRS needs additional documentation, the request will arrive approximately within 2 months after your filing.
- FBAR requires reporting the highest value of the account during the year.
- Let us explain how this process works:
- We start by preparing the earliest (i.e. current - 3 years) return. Once you pay for this return you will have access to it for your review. If the return is okay, we will proceed to the next year and follow the same procedure. This way we do not roll forward any mistakes from year to year and have to go back and make numerous changes. Once we get to the last year, we will then supply you with the 6 years of FBAR's for your review. Once you review and approve the FBARs, we e-file the 6 years of FBARs. When we receive the e-file confirmation we will provide you a copy of that form along with detailed instructions on how to put the package together for mailing to the IRS.
- If you would like to pay only one time, you can prepay your bill in the Engagement letter section of your client profile.


text:
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Click on the location on the map to see the teams and their contact information.


text:
On 30-May-2017, I dropped by HAM Radio Outlet on my way to Los Angeles and picked up the Yaesu FT1XDR.
I purchased this GPS analog and digital transceiver to learn and participate in APRS. You can check out APRS at APRS.fi.
I got rid of the stock antenna and bought a BNC adapter and replaced the stock antenna with the Diamond RH77CA; and, of course, the transceiver sends and receives a stronger signal and covers longer distances.
I considered getting the Yaesu VX-8DR and the Yaesu FT2XDR; but, I picked the Yaesu FT1XDR because of its proven reliability and ease of use. Most importantly, it has a built-in GPS. The Yaesu VX-8DR requires the operator to purchase a GPS device, bracket, or hand-held speaker mic with the GPS attached to it.
The GPS setup for the Yaesu VX-8DR is cumbersome and a waste of money. Also, the way it sticks out doesn't suit my mobile needs — my mobile activities would break-off the GPS off its bracket.
I use a speaker mic, but I don't want a GPS device attached to the mic; because, sometimes I don't want to use the speaker mic; hence, with this configuration, if I don't use the speaker mic, then I don't get to have GPS unless I attach the GPS bracket (it doesn't come with the GPS — additional cost — dumb!) to the body of the transceiver, which makes it big and cumbersome.
Unfortunately, I read way too many negative reviews about the Yaesu FT2XDR about not being able to lock on to a GPS signal, repeater signals, and digital repeaters. I also read about the difficulty of the Yaesu FT2XDR not being able to lock into APRS.
I wanted the GPS integrated into the device; and, I wanted reliability and ease of use to operate the GPS and APRS features; hence, the Yaesu FT1XDR was my choice.
The Yaesu FT1XDR had glowing reviews regarding its reliability and ease of use of the GPS and APRS.
My Yaesu FT1XDR has extended frequencies; so, it transmits and receives beyond the listed frequencies of 144 MHz to 430 MHz.
So, what is this APRS? Well, you can read about it here: Wikipedia APRS.
As you have learned, APRS is a HAM tracking and communications network. My iPhone 7 Plus can track my location, and I can send text messages, make calls, send pictures, and send my location to people I wanna send it to.
So, why would I need APRS?
I grappled with this question, and I even sent my question, "Can anyone tell me the benefits of APRS?" to the Twitterverse.
APRS sends information at 1200 or 9600 BAUD — WTF? Thats like clacking to rocks together and calling it a lighter — sure, I can start a fire with it, but it's gonna take me a few hours if I'm lucky.
Well, if you're stranded in the wilderness and need to start a fire without a lighter, then having access to striking two rocks together to get a fire started is better than nothing. So, I guess if the cell network is down or not available, then APRS would be a welcomed back-up to signal for help.
Is this all APRS is — a back-up to the mobile cell network?
Initially, I answered this question in the affirmative; however, that changed the moment I engaged with it today, 31-May-2017.
Here are some of the reasons that I believe APRS is it's own stand-alone application that supersedes and is more valuable than the mobile cell network.
APRS has EMERGENCY BEACON.
In the event a HAM operator is in trouble, the operator and send out an EMERGENCY BEACON (signal), and it will alert the APRS.fi network — mobile phones don't have that feature.
APRS publicly tracks all HAM operators registered with APRS. Let's say you go skiing, and like me, you decide to ski off the tails to make your own trails; and, like me, you get lost. With APRS, search and rescue people can go to the APRS network and locate you, as long as you have your HAM transceiver and your APRS-mode is set on. Mobile phones can't do that — mobile phone users have to grant access to other people to follow a particular mobile phone user — there's no public tracking.
Of course, organizations, like the FBI and CIA can subpoena your mobile phone's data, which includes your location, but that takes time. With APRS, the location is instantaneous and tracked in real-time.
APRS keeps a log, about 30 days, of your movements. So, if you get lost or kidnapped, search and rescue personnel can get your APRS packets, and back-track your location for the past 30 days and narrow their search mission to find you. Mobile phones can't do that.
The biggest advantage of APRS is…it works without the cellular network. If you go to the desert, APRS can work — most likely, your mobile phone will not due to lack of coverage. Hell, you don't even have to go to the desert to experience no cell coverage — go to a park in Lafayette or Orinda, California, and you will experience zero cell coverage. I was on a film-shoot over there, and my iPhone 7 Plus didn't work. I had my Yaesu VX-6R, and I was able to make contact with other HAM operators in the thick of the woods. If I was in an emergency, I'd be able to communicate out of the woods.
So, these are just a few major distinguishable features that separate APRS from the mobile cellular network; and, in many cases, better than the mobile cell networks.
Also, I think I'm done building out my HAM hand-held transceivers.
I've got two Yaesus, four Motorolas, and one Baofeng — stick a fork in me — I'm done buying transceivers.
Oh — my wonderful mobile, portable, and base unit, my Yaesu FT-857D with extended frequencies.
Check 6!
/s/ Alfonso Faustino (K6ASF)