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Want to know how to make your home look as good as Sophie Paterson's creations? Sophie's 'Week with SheerLuxe' series continues today with her 29 top tips for interior design, plus her Little Black Book of where to buy everything from stylish paint colours to chic bathroom tiles…
What's the Sophie look?
A home that is elegant but homely and comfortable. I don't design a room to look good in a photo, design a room that will feel good to live in.
How would you describe your interiors style?
Contemporary classic, a predominantly neutral base with a delicate use of colour and layers of luxury and texture.
Where do you start when it comes to a scheme?
I always start with the space planning – we work with scale floor plans and I plot out different arrangements of furniture until it feels like the room has the best flow and use of space. After that, I work with the fabrics and finishes and allocate the colours in the scheme to different pieces, considering how hard-wearing they need to be and ensuring that the colour is equally balanced around the room.
Is there one thing you always put in a scheme?
A hard-wearing practical fabric for the sofa in the family room.
What would you never put in a scheme?
Diamanté – although it's acceptable on a Christmas tree.
Is there a room that's most important to think about first?
I always start with whichever one inspires me the most in a project. It doesn't really matter which one you start with.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere. I would say department stores like Harrods and Selfridges are great inspiration for cabinetry and interior architecture details; Selfridges has a beautiful marble in laid floor and Harrods has some beautiful panelling and flooring details. I am never not thinking about interiors so I get inspiration constantly.
What are your favourite interiors trends right now?
I love using bronze, antique brass and marble.
How early on do you think about paint colours?
Paint colours come quite late on – I try them out on site and next to all the fabrics and finishes.
Any paint colours that always work?
No – they can vary so much depending on the light; how much natural light there is, what type of bulbs you have… what looks grey in one property looks green in another, which is why you must always test them out before you buy.
What's the most important thing to consider in each room?
Kitchen: The worktops and surfaces – make sure they're hard-wearing and easy to keep clean. I also like to put the hob on the island, if there is one, with either a pop-up extractor or overhead one integrated into the ceiling. It'll save you cooking with your back to the room.
Living room: Try to put seating around all sides of the room if you can – it's much more sociable than just having one sofa facing a TV. In larger rooms, make sure you have more intimate seating areas so if there's only one or two of you in the room you can still feel cosy.
Bathroom: Put concealed storage behind the mirror and a floating vanity unit under the sink with drawer storage.
Bedroom: Have bespoke bedside tables made to fit your dimensions perfectly. They're one of the most used items in your bedroom and if you get them right they can double up as great storage. I go for extra deep ones so you have lots of space on top, even with a table lamp.
Child's bedroom: Use vinyl wallpaper so you don't constantly have to touch up the paintwork – it's wipe-clean.
Should woodwork be lighter or darker than the walls?
I generally go darker, but there's no real rule. I love lighter colour timbers at the moment.
Is marble always best in a bathroom?
Yes, for the walls; it's so timeless. But for floors, I use composite stone slabs or oversized porcelain tiles.
What's the most practical type of flooring?
Wooden flooring with a texture, so it doesn't get slippery, in a mid-tone colour like a taupe or grey stain on oak.
What kind of carpet looks the most luxe?
Anything with a sheen.
How do you approach fabric?
I always think about how it's going to be used. Does it need to be hard-wearing? What is it next to? Is there enough pattern? Will it hide stains? How much will you need? If it's a sofa or curtains, I use a more affordable fabric than for cushions or small upholstery items.
Any rules about textures?
I like contrasting them – linen against velvet, leather, shagreen… it looks so much nicer when there's a variety.
Are you big into velvet?
I love velvet but I'm very careful where I use it in projects and only for clients who understand it can crush.
Any ways to metallics from looking too bling?
Avoid chrome as much as possible and embrace bronze and antique brass.
How much do you prioritise lighting?
We always ensure we design the lighting before the works commence, and after everything else is designed, to ensure the right features are highlighted.
Any tips for accessories?
Use unusual ones, group them together, group by colour (try to stick to a maximum of three colours for your accessories in any one room).
And how do you combine them?
Group different forms, with different textures and varying heights, but ones with a similar colour, or that pick out different colours in the room.
Fitted wardrobes or free standing?
Always fitted.
What interior design mistakes do people always make?
Not planning out the space carefully – rugs that are too small, sofas that are too big, not enough variety in fabrics, not being brave enough, being too brave… I've seen it all.
How do you make a room look expensive?
Hire me.
Sophie Paterson's Little Black Book of Interiors:
Best high street store: French Connection or West Elm.
Best boutique: Andrew Martin.
Best department store: John Lewis – not for furniture, but for crockery and the like.
Best online store: 1stdibs.
For fabric: Zimmer + Rohde.
For tiles: Either Fired Earth or Mandarin Stone.
For paint: Zoffany.
For affordable artwork: Look for antique paintings on eBay or befriend your local art colleges and go to their exhibitions to find young up-and-coming artists.
For kitchens: It has to be Hayburn & Co – they're doing my new utility room and I love their timeless aesthetic.
For bathrooms: We use CP Hart.
For soft furnishings: Robert Langford or The Sofa & Chair Company.
For eclectic finds: Talisman.
Visit SophiePatersonInteriors.com


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What You Essentially Need to Know About Personal InjuryPosted by admin on Mar 15, 2015 in Injury and Accidents | Comments Off on What You Essentially Need to Know About Personal Injury
While not enjoyable, a personal injury lawsuit is often the only remedy. You can also help keep things safe for the next person. You'll find these tips to be very helpful if your injury has you feeling anxious and confused.
Even though you may not feel you need to get in touch with a lawyer because of a small amount of pain following an accident, maybe you should. This is normal. It could go away soon. If it has been a few days and you are still having problems, you should definitely call a lawyer at that time.
During your first meeting with an attorney, don't hesitate to ask as many questions as necessary. This includes questions on how long it will take to try your case, what you should expect during the trial and any issues that may arise during the lawsuit. Ask anything you need to so you can be comfortable.
You wouldn't hire an electrician to fix your leaky toilet, so why would you hire anything other than a personal injury lawyer to fight your case? All lawyers are not created equally. However, all lawyers are not created equally. It is crucial that you find one who is knowledgeable about personal injury law and has actual experience in dealing with it. Otherwise you'll be putting yourself at a disadvantage!
Anytime you suffer a personal injury, immediately let the authorities know. If you are hurt at work, inform your supervisor immediately. Call the police and ambulance as soon as possible if your condition allows if you are injured as a driver or pedestrian in an automobile accident.
Don't apologize following an accident. Some see an apology as an admission of guilt. If you think you're wrong, say nothing, it doesn't matter.
For those doing their own personal injury case, getting the policies of the person who is at fault is critical. You might have claims to more than a single policy. If you aren't able to get this information, you may have to get an affidavit.
Bring all your documents when you are going to your consultation meetings with various lawyers. Included in this documentation should be medical records, medical bills, correspondence with insurance police and companies reports. All of these papers can help a prospective lawyer better see the details of your case and whether or not they can handle it.
Be sure to keep good documentation of every penny you must spend in coping with your injury. Include everything, like personal property damage, missed work time, and even travel expenses for seeing doctors. Evidence like this is sure to be necessary in court, and if you do not have it, the amounts cannot be included in your damage award.
Never rush when it comes to personal injury cases. Give yourself time to consider all options. You could say that interviewing prospective lawyers is like test-driving a new vehicle. New firms and services arise all the time, and something that was a big deal weeks ago might be old news already.
Keep any receipts relating to personal injuries. This is proof of how much you have spent for your injury. Without receipts, you may not be reimbursed.
Write down all the details about your injury to share with your lawyer. Write down license plate numbers. You should always get the names of all insurance companies. Make copies of all and any tickets that were given at the site of the accident. You'll pay your lawyer less as he won't have to if you do the prep work.
Accident victims need to realize that large companies have insurance policies which protect them against most types of personal injury civil lawsuits. If you're injured while working, you can hire a lawyer right away. Any phone calls you receive from your job should be directed to your lawyer's office. Doing this will help ensure everything is properly documented, which will give you the best chance of winning.
It may pay in the long run to pursue your matter in court, though it can be challenging to deal with multiple physicians and attorneys. Hopefully, you have gotten helpful tips in this article. This information, coupled with the recommendations of your doctor and attorney, should have a favorable effect on your case.

subset: commoncrawl


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Federal taxpayers might be the only investors losing money if The Free Press - the left-leaning, alternative Columbus weekly newspaper that was resurrected in September - goes belly up again.
Federal taxpayers might be the only investors losing money if The Free Press � the left-leaning, alternative Columbus weekly newspaper that was resurrected in September � goes belly up again.
Bob Fitrakis, the newspaper�s editor-in-chief, said a $100,000 federal job-creation grant is running out, and the paper might need a bailout as soon as spring unless advertising revenue picks up.
The $100,000 investment was made by Columbus Compact Corp., a nonprofit agency that distributes grants and loans to economically distressed Columbus neighborhoods. The compact owns a controlling stake in the paper, with all the money coming from the grant, Fitrakis said.
Jon Beard, the CEO of Columbus Compact and chairman of The Free Press Now LLC, said a private accounting firm that audits his agency on behalf of the city of Columbus phoned him recently about wanting to audit the organization�s purchase of the newspaper. Beard asked that the request be made in writing from the city, and he hasn�t heard back, he said.
Beard also is leader of a citizens group called the Columbus Coalition for Responsive Government. It has turned in petitions seeking ballot initiatives to stop city payments for Nationwide Arena, grant public money to political candidates who agree to campaign-spending limits, and add ward representatives to the City Council. The Free Press has advocated for all three of those positions. City leaders have opposed them.
City Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian said two things in the city�s annual audit of the compact caught his attention.
The compact contributed $29,000 to the Columbus Coalition for Responsive Government, the audit says. But it noted that the money did not come from the compact�s federal or city funds. The audit says the compact received $71,809 from city contracts in the fiscal year that ended on June 30.
The audit also notes that the compact subsequently spent $100,000 for an 80 percent stake in The Free Press.
Dorrian said yesterday that after he received the report of the annual audit on Nov. 7, he asked for a copy of the federal grant the compact used to buy its controlling interest in the newspaper.
�This grant they�re talking about is a federal grant that did not flow through the city,� Dorrian said. He said he has a copy of the grant but has not had time to examine it as he closes out the city�s books for 2013.
Meanwhile, as the grant dwindles, jobs are disappearing at The Free Press. The newspaper laid off two of its three employees � an advertising salesperson and a graphic designer, Fitrakis said. The only paid staff member remaining is the managing editor, Michael Alwood, Fitrakis said.
Although the federal grant was intended to produce jobs in the city�s federally recognized � empowerment zones,� which are economically distressed areas, the paper is printed in Mount Vernon in Knox County. However, the editorial office, at 1021 E. Broad St., is in an empowerment zone, Fitrakis said.
The only other Columbus resident paid by the paper is a woman who distributes 15,000 copies of the newspaper one day each week to hundreds of drop-off sites, where readers can pick one up free.


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Road Show for 11 pre-school education facilities
On February 25, the Moscow City Department for Competition Policy and the Department of Education is conducting a Road Show.
On 25.02.2014 at 14.00, the Moscow City Department for Competition Policy and the Department of Education is conducting a Road Show at: Bolshaya Spasskaya street, 15, bld. 4, floor 3, conference room.
In accordance with Decree No. 145-PP of the Moscow City Government as of 11.03.2013, the departments will present 11 tendered units of non-residential property intended for pre-school education purposes. The decree envisages an opportunity to enter into an agreement on preferential rent terms at the rate of 1 rouble per square metre for the term of 49 years.
The premises for rent are located at: 3A 1st Saratovsky proezd, 25-2 Shipilovskaya, 18A 7th Kozhukhovskaya, 28-4 Kaspiyskaya, 37A 5th Parkovaya, 15-2 Astradamskaya, 6А Bolshaya Akademicheskaya, 60-2 Varshavskoe shosse, 3А bld.1 Chistova, 56 Metallurgov, 3 Shebashevsky proezd.
More information on the above property is available at the official website of the Moscow City Department for Competition Policy – www.tender.mos.ru.
Representatives of the Moscow Department of City Property, the Moscow Department of Education, the Moscow City Department for Competition Policy and the State-Financed Organization "Moscow City Investment Agency" will speak about the investment appeal of these premises, their technical parameters and the procedure for taking part in the auction.
We kindly welcome everyone to participate in this scheduled event.
Contact person for any questions regarding this event and media accreditation issues – Irina Valerievna Dolgikh (tel.: (495) 957-75-00 ext. 57-116, mobile 8-916-015-54-64, e-mail: dolgihiv @ tender.mos.ru).


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Monk positive despite Chelsea defeat
Swansea City manager Garry Monk refused to be downhearted after watching his side lose 4-2 at Chelsea on Saturday.
The Welsh club took an unexpected lead through a John Terry own goal in the 11th minute, making a brighter start than their hosts at Stamford Bridge.
However, the imperious Diego Costa pulled Chelsea level just before the interval and added another two to his tally in the second half.
Debutant Loic Remy added a fourth after coming on for Costa, with Jonjo Shelvey's late effort proving to be a mere consolation.
The result ended Swansea's 100 per cent start to the Premier League season, but Monk was quick to see the positives.
"We played some good stuff in the first half," he said. "We should have really come in with the lead. [We're] disappointed to have conceded that goal just before half-time.
"We maybe should have added one or two - we had some good chances - but I think in the second half you saw the power and the quality that Chelsea have and we couldn't quite contain them.
"It's disappointing, but the players gave what I asked of them.
"Their whole team is packed with world-class players who can cause damage to you at any time and that's obviously why they pay the money that they pay to have those players here."
"I can promise you they [the players] won't be disheartened.
"We have to improve, of course we do, but in terms of where we're at in this league, you have to put it in perspective as well."


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Co-produced by the Queens Museum and nonprofit arts organization No Longer Empty, this exhibition of the works of conceptual artist Mel Chin will take place at the museum itself as well as in Times Square and the Broadway-Lafayette subway station. The project will debut three of Chin's new efforts: Flint Fit, a thought-provoking representation of the lead-contaminated water issues that have plagued this city in Michigan; Unmoored, which uses augmented reality to fill the skies in Times Square; and a contemplative project called Wake, a recreation of a shipwreck alongside the remains of a long-deceased large ocean mammal, both eroded over time.
Courtesy, Times Square Alliance
+ Read More
Queens Museum
New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona ParkQueens, NY 11368


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Aberfeldy 1996 Vintage Connoisseurs Choice Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in Refill Sherry Hogsheads and bottled 2013 by Gordon & MacPhail.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Subtle Sherry influences with stewed plums, toasted malt and lavender.
Taste: Chilli spice on the palate initially with ripe banana, kiwi fruit and a milk chocolate edge.
Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy Single Malt Whisky
Brothers John and Tommy Dewar established Aberfeldy Distillery in 1896 and commenced distilling there two years later in order to guarantee a supply of quality Scottish malt whisky for their John Dewar & Sons range of blended scotch. Aberfeldy is a Highland malt whisky distillery situated in the heart of the Perthshire countryside and these days produces malt whisky for its Aberfeldy 12 Year to Aberfeldy 21 Year Old range of single malts. This Highland malt whisky distiller's four copper stills produce both un-peated and mildly peated whisky. Aberfeldy's old malt barns house Dewar's World of Whisky visitor centre.


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How will we Manage without degrees?
Management is a skill and a great example of nature and nurture coming together as one. In PR, there's no way to skip straight to management. It's vocational enough that you simply can't start delegating without the proper understanding of what you're asking of people, what you expect from them and, as much as anything, experiencing good and bad management yourself.
But in recent years, other industries have pushed forward with a dynamic that ignores this – the graduate trainee scheme. The idea of these is that if you bring in talent with allegedly great potential and fast track it, you make sure the cream of the crop gets to where it's needed in your business as quickly as possible.
September 12th, 2011
Modern Warfare 2, probably the most successful game of all time, sold 7 million copies during its first day on sale.
That's 7 million men, women and childr–
Ah… excuse me, as I was saying, 7 million men and children out there who are logging hours on the thing as we speak. But it's not the only game raking in such numbers with the likes of World of Warcraft and Team Fortress 2 similarly training players in the satisfying swing of character growth and rewards.
Alongside this, casual gaming has taken off like never before. At the frontier, we have the posse of eager iPhone gamers but many more are signed up to Facebook apps like Farmville or flash games for their regular fix.
August 10th, 2010
Apple's Razor Sharp New Direction
With the iPad, Apple has clearly slashed its usual profit margins and priced the device to sell. I think this marks a fascinating shift for the company toward the classic 'razor blade' strategy of providing a cheap platform to enable a steady revenue stream. The announcement of iAd only confirms this, introducing yet another example of the minimum effort/ maximum profit scenario that the iTunes store whet their appetite for so long ago.
April 12th, 2010


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The following testimonials were written by just some of my happy sellers and buyers and they have been kind enough to allow me to share them with you. I am humbled by their words. It seems that my down-to-earth and honest approach has earned me many friends - I think that's fantastic!
Dr. Arash
It was a great pleasure working with Michael Tudorie. He is not only knowledgeable about the current real estate market in Vancouver, but also very hard working and passionate about his job.
His clients' satisfaction is of high value to him and it is clear that he finishes the job with only that in mind, which sets him aside from others. Our experience working with him from the start to the end was pleasant. We were confident in trusting him. Thank you for your great work, Michael. We highly recommend him to family, friends, and anyone else seeking a professional hard working real estate agent.
Kay Soo
Micheal is the most professional realtor I have ever had. I am so lucky to have him help me to sell my condo. Everything is in a procedure from staging, photography, communication and marketing. I was shocked when I got the first offer on the first day of private showing even before the open house. And then second, third , fourth...I don't remember how many offers I got. I am so happy that my place was sold much more than the asking price in such a short time in a so-called slow season. Thanks to Micheal! His caring and honest personality, his hard work and professional knowledge makes me calm and relaxed so I totally trust him. What a wonderful experience! The most important thing is, I made money. Who doesn't want to? If you ever want to sell your place, I strongly recommend Micheal Tudorie. Because he is the best!
Micheal 是我见到过的最好的地产经纪,有他帮我卖房我感到很幸运。从布置房屋、房屋摄影、良好的交流到市场营销,一切都安排的那么井井有条。于是还没有open house,第一天有人来看房就拿到条件非常好的offer,接下来第二个、第三个、第四个......真是让我震惊!最后我也不记得总共拿到多少offer。能将房子高价卖出我实在是太开心了!这真的是要感谢Micheal。他为人细心、体贴、诚恳,加上他努力的工作和专业的知识让我感到轻松愉快并且可以完全信赖。这是多么好的体验啊!最重要的是,我赚到了钱!谁又不想呢?如果你打算卖房,我强烈推荐Micheal Tudorie。因为他是最棒的!
Thank you so much for the wonderful service that you provided. I really appreciated your patience, wise advice and very positive attitude. I will highly recommend you to anyone looking to buy or sell properties in Vancouver.
Michael did a terrific job for us. From the beginning when he presented a comprehensive marketing strategy to the closing of two very successful transactions, he went above and beyond to ensure we'd find the perfect new home and sell our existing house for the best possible price.
He guided us to properties that matched our exacting criteria, saving us time; provided us with valuable pros-and-cons feedback after showings; and pointed out important issues that we might have overlooked. Thanks to the way he streamlined things, we were able to find what we wanted with remarkable ease.
On selling our property, his knowledge and commitment to detail were outstanding. From the professional photos and sales materials (both print and online) that showed our house to its best advantage, to a highly productive Open House (he even brought flowers), Michael did everything with astuteness and expertise. As a result, we sold our house in just three days.
What really sets Michael apart, though, is his dedication to his clients. He is a pleasure to work with, a genuine and truly caring person who listens to your concerns and responds swiftly to all your questions. We had a lot of requirements and he turned a challenging situation into an incredibly smooth process.
We cannot recommend him too highly. Thank you, Michael!
Steven Nguyen & Anna Le
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to Michael Tudor and recommend him to anyone looking for a dedicated agent, hardworking and well cooperate with. We could not have managed all the details that needed attention in selling and closing on my home at 1375 West King Edward Avenue, without him. Michael went way above what was expected of him and helped us with details we could not deal with since we have just been in this beautiful Vancouver for five years. He listened to our concerns then always found a way to alleviate them.
Therefore, Michael is the right realtor people could work with for the best home in this Greater BC.
Beatriz Gutierrez-Zinser
We selected Michael to sell our condo, his professionalism, responsiveness, follow up and modern, up to date sales tools (High quality photos, HD video, 3D video) were extremely useful in the success of the sale. From the set go, Michael provided his expertise for price range, and other key elements in qualifying the condo and positioning it in the right sells market. Michael followed up with weekly reports as well as with the interested buyers and agents. I would recommend Michael for your Real Estate business.
Thomas DeSchutter
We love working with Michael, he is direct, confident and a knowledgeable source. I appreciate when a professional provides his/her guidance and does not just leave it up to me. If I knew all the answers and how to do it then I would not seek their expertise. Michael will guide you and always offer up his recommendation, that is leadership. Whether you are selling (as we were) or buying (as we were) Michael will steer the ship and put you at ease. If you are going to pay for service then pay for the best.
Maura McElhinney
We recommend Michael very highly, and would not consider using another realtor for our property dealings in the Vancouver area. We have used him for two transactions within the past year and have nothing but good things to say about him. We have found Michael to be very competent and diligent, and extremely honest. He shows a good sense of initiative to ensure success, and is always willing to go the extra mile for his client. Michael is also a very nice guy, sincere and caring. We are delighted to have him as our realtor, and look forward to our continued collaboration in the years to come.
Teresa Perri
Working with Michael was a great experience. As a first time home buyer, I had a lot of questions and needed a lot of guidance. Michael was there to help me every step of the way. He gave me all the information that I needed to understand what I was doing and where that would get me. He provided me with informed advice that not only drew on his lengthy experience, but also the current statistics in the markets for what I was particularly looking for. He definitely went above and beyond the role he needed to play in the purchase of my home. Michael makes it his priority to offer excellent service and all the information you need to purchase your dream home. I look forward to purchasing my next home with him!
Sandra and Bill
Michael Tudorie has integrity. He is an honest, knowledgeable, and most importantly patient realtor who is truly dedicated to his profession. There was never a shadow of doubt that our interests were not Michael's first priority. He opened our eyes to opportunities that we did not know existed. His understanding of the real estate market was invaluable, including his ability to search out the necessary contacts. In addition to finding just the right property, he followed us right through to our move in date and even helped us finish moving. Michael is more than just an agent, he is on your team in every way making sure that we were 100% satisfied. Overall it was such a positive experience working with him that we would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a property in Vancouver or the lower mainland. Thank you Michael! We love our new home.
Choma family
John on behalf of Maura, Myriam and Shamus (and Muffy !)
Our realtor, Michael Tudorie, achieved a sale price that exceeded our expectations and bested by 10% to 15% the average sale price for similar condos on our street in the Vancouver BC westside neighbourhood of Fairview - and in half the average time period for that neighbourhood !
Michael offered a highly professional service from beginning to end, whether it be the opening market analysis and sale strategy and price setting, the intermediary showcasing of the product through media products ( the MLS and other property listings and the accompanying state of the art photo slideshows and video walkthrough) and on site showings (including excellent staging tips ad on site representation) though to the final bids acceptance and closing.
Throughout the whole process it was clear to us that Michael was working very hard for our best interests - which he delivered in the most professional, ethical and pleasant manner - which made for an enjoyable (and stress-free) experience for us.
Delia and Mircea Apatean
This email is sent to you in appreciation for the successful sale and buy of our homes. Michael presented himself in a professional calm manner, most knowledgeable and considerate of our needs. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and guidance through the negotiations. Sincerely we wish you all the success in the future. We are pleased to recommend Michael without hesitation.
Bruce Martin
When I first met Michael, he was an upstart Realtor trying to make headway in the very competitive, Vancouver, real estate market. Having worked closely with him and seen his desire to succeed come to fruition was not a surprise for me. His drive, work ethic and his nonstop networking contributed much to his success. Never one to pass up an opportunity to make a new contact or just have a coffee and chat about the market or life in general.
Michael has immersed himself in his desire to become a great Realtor. He always stays in tune and up to date with the real estate market. And his dedication to his clients, his desire to grow as a person and Realtor are testaments to the limitless efforts he puts forth for his trusting clients!
Lisa M.
Michael has taken great care of me as his client and i consider him a great friend. He truly listens to what I want and negotiates hard to get me the right price. I have worked with many realtors and Michael is by far the best I have ever encountered. If you want a realtor that works super hard for you this is it!!
Sudè Zara Xanian
I was very pleased with Micheal's genuine assistance and integrity in helping me find a suitable place I can call home. The most important trait I found in Michael which is quite rare is that from start to the end, he put my need first and sought to handle every challenge efficiently. He is a realtor I can say I trust.
Myriam Berry
Michael assisted me in achieving my goal of finding a condo in a specific area of Vancouver , in a very short timeline, and respecting my criteria and limitations. I would recommend Michael for his tenacity, professionalism and dedication to support his clients. Once ready to sell, or purchase another condo, I will get Michael's on board.


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O'Regan's South Shore Hyundai
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A third generation automotive group, Sean, Patrick and Tim O'Regan continue their father's and grandfather's commitment to excellent customer service through New and Used Car Sales, Leasing, Service, Auto Body Repair, Parts and Automotive Detailing Service. O'Regan's Hyundai is a hyundai dealer located in Bridgewater, NS.
Business Hours
Monday 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday Closed


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16 490 kr
A minimal diamond pendant. Thread it on your favourite chain and be prepared to receive tons of comments when you wear it!
The unique, and beautiful, design of this pendant is that we have simply drilled the diamond and put a thin gold loop through it - so it looks like the diamond is floating around your neck! There is no setting holding the stone.
This makes is one of our most precious pieces in our collection so far.
It is a necklace to be worn everyday and never needs to be taken off.
Made from 100% recycled 18K gold
0.25 CT Diamond TWVS
We use only conflict-free diamonds
Please note that the chain is not included here. For our chains, please see here.
The loop measures approx 5 mm in diameter (since it is handmade it might differ slightly)
Please allow 1-2 weeks for your jewelry to be handcrafted in our studio
If you have a specific date in mind, please write this in the text box during checkout. However, we will not be able to guarantee delivery at this date
Please note that it is not possible to pick up an online order from our showroom in Stockholm.
All mumbaistockholm jewelry pieces are final sale.


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Embracing the Berbers
Moroccan décor is so very on trend right now. Aside from originating in Morocco, few people know about the artisans who still practice these a...
Practical Beauties
The majesty of weaving has been preserved by museums and galleries exclusively dedicated to textiles. There is no argument. They are beautiful and ...
Layers - more or less
Layering with Moroccan Textiles appeals to anyone who wants individual style, quality and more than a season's worth of value.
The cooler months are upon us and creating a home that exudes warmth requires thoughtful layering. A home that can respond to variations in temperature year long without losing a warm and welcoming feel requires deeper consideration about textures, fibres, colours and designs.


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Director Rob Zombie brings his unique vision for cinematic horror back to the big screen with his latest offering The Lords of Salem, debuting in theaters April 19. The filmmaker's wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, stars as a Salem, Massachusetts DJ who begins having violent flashbacks to Salem's past, upon listening to a strange recording. Before you head to theaters this weekend, we're giving away mini-posters signed by Rob Zombie, special edition black light one-sheets, nightlights, official soundtracks, bumper stickers, and luggage tags. Take a look at how you can bring home these colorful prizes from this terrifying thriller.
The Lords of Salem Contest Prizes
Winners Receive:
- Autographed The Lords of Salem Mini Posters signed by Rob Zombie
- - The Lords of Salem Mini Special-Edition Black Light One-Sheet
- - The Lords of Salem Nightlight
- - The Lords of Salem Official Soundtracks
- - The Lords of Salem Bumper Sticker
- - The Lords of Salem Luggage Tags
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest.{@@@[email protected]@@}{@@@[email protected]@@}From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood. The Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a "gift from the Lords." Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town's violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the "Lords of Salem" returning for revenge on modern-day Salem?


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Having your heating on to heat your home when it is cold outside protects your home from damage due to pipes bursting, through to being ill. But many people are unsure as to the best way to use the heat in their home and the ways to save money.
The debate is whether you should leave the heating on all day if you are not home or if you should just be putting it on when you get home. There are different reasons for both.
- If you are at work all day then it is going to save you money if you have the heating on a timer and have it coming on just before you get home so it is warm. If you are at home all day, you will want to feel comfortable but it could save you money to have your heating coming on at those times of the day when the temperature drops. If it is possible, move about and warm yourself up during the times when the heating isn't on. If the temperature drops, too much you can normally just switch it on for an hour or so to heat up your home. This advice is good as long as you don't have an older person, ill person or young child living in your home; they need the extra care to make sure they are warm because they are less able to regulate their own body temperatures. Becoming active in your home can generate warmth in your body and this can make it easier to keep the heating at a lower level.
- Using thermostats on every radiator in your home will allow you to control the temperature in each room. Those rooms in your home, which are not used during the day, can have their temperature reduced; this means that you will use less energy to heat your home, saving you money. It is a great way to control the temperature in bedrooms, people sleep better at different temperatures and this means you don't have to have your room as hot as another family member. Again, if there are different age groups living in the home, it is easier to have the rooms at the right temperature for them and their needs.
- Drying your washing on an airing frame isn't so much about heating, but if you are placing items on radiators and airing frames to dry your clothes and then turning up the heating to actually dry the washing might not be the best use of the heating. You are creating a moist and damp atmosphere in your home and this can have a negative impact on your health, unless you are opening a window to allow the extra moisture escape outside, instead of building up inside your home. This build-up of moisture can damage your health and the inside of your home. In the long-term you are also increasing the heat that you need in your home, to get the washing dry and for your home to feel warm. You might need to consider other alternatives, for instance, if using a tumble dryer on wet days could be cheaper; there are some great models available that don't use as much energy. Alternatively, you might consider if there is an area outside you can dry your washing.
There are many different ways that you can save money when you are heating your home, being energy wise is important because it can save you money long-term.


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Storing your starter
I'm keeping my starter in the fridge, in a large plastic container, with the lid only loosely screwed on. Sourdough starters should be kept in a large (about 2 quart -- 2 L -- to allow for expansion), non-metal container with some sort of loose covering for the top -- piece of plastic wrap loosely tied on, screw on lid only partially screwed on, or in a canning jar, with folded over cheesecloth secured with a canning band as a lid. Starters produce gas, and need to breath a bit.
If storing in plastic, make sure you scald the inside of the container before pouring in the starter. Just swirl around some boiling water, pour out and allow to cool. Plastic surfaces grab on to grease, soap and other things you don't want in your starter.
Maintaining your starter
If you can, bake with it once a week. If not, feed it 3/4 cup (180 mL) lukewarm water and 1 cup (110 g) flour, once a week. Leave it out on the counter for about two to three hours, until you can see that it's all bubbly. Then put it right back into the fridge for storage. (If you miss a week, no big deal -- sourdough starters are pretty hearty.) You'll either need to discard some, give some away or use some in pancakes or waffles after one or two weeks, if only feeding it and not baking with it.
When you do bake with it, the feeding process is built in. Baking with starter is a two-step process. First, you extend the starter (by adding flour and water), then measure out the right amount for the recipe and refrigerate the rest.
Never add anything other than flour and water to the starter that you keep in the fridge. Old-timers would add scraps of prepared dough to their starter. Good way to get sick.
If the starter has a gray, green or brown liquid, this is okay, just stir it in. If it develops a pinkish liquid, throw it out -- it's taken on an unwanted bacteria.
To extend your starter
The night before you bake with your starter, you will need to extend it (otherwise you'd just use it all up, and all that work getting it started would be for naught). Think of this as "growing" your yeast.
For a recipe that calls for 2 cups (475 mL) of starter
In a non-metallic bowl, put 1 cup (240 mL) of starter and mix with 2 cups (473 mL) of warm water and 2 1/2 cups (280 g) of flour. Mix thoroughly. It will be thick and lumpy, but will thin down as it ferments. Cover bowl and set in a warm place overnight. The starter should have become bubbly within a few hours of adding the flour and water.
In the morning, measure 2 cups (475 mL) of starter for your recipe, and put the remainder back in your sourdough pot and refrigerate. Your freshened starter is now ready to bake with. You will have enough starter, ready to use, for any recipe or combination of recipes that calls for 2 cups (475 mL) of starter (such as the pancake recipe, which calls for 2 cups).
For a recipe that calls for 1 cup (240mL) of starter
If you just wish to do a regular baking of San Francisco sourdough bread (which only calls for 1 cup --240 mL -- of starter), halve the extender recipe -- 1/2 cup (120 mL) starter, mixed with 1 cup (240 mL) warm water and 1 1/4 cups (140 g) flour.
Allow to sit overnight, then measure 1 full cup (240 mL) for your recipe and return the remaining starter to the pot to be refrigerated. Your 1 cup (240 mL) of starter for San Francisco sourdough is now ready to use.
You will find, over time, that you will either have accumulated too much starter in your fridge pot or too little. The way to remedy with too much is obviously to either give some away or do an extra baking. With too little, just do the half extender recipe, allow to sit overnight in a warm place, and repeat until you have the desired amount of starter.
Look for more recipes to use your starter in the coming days.
*note* this was very long-winded and extensive. If I failed to make anything clear, please email me. I can clarify for you and update the post, so it will be clear to others. Thanks.
To start at the beginning of making a sourdough starter go here


text: CHICAGO — It's always hard to find something that everyone in this industry can agree on. However, it's pretty safe to say that every coin laundry is looking to maximize all of its profit centers, especially in this shaky economy.Vending is one extra profit center that deserves a second look. Are you satisfied with your vending revenue? Are you looking to generate a few more dollars from your venders? The good news is that there are a variety of ways to accomplish this, and some of them won't cost you anything.We recently chatted with two vending industry veterans to get their take on the coin laundry vending scene. They offer a variety of tips.HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH MACHINE TO BUY?Before you analyze what you're selling and how much you're selling, you should take a look at the vender itself and the company supplying the machine, according to Bill Fankell of All Brands Vending Resources.When searching for a vending firm, you should focus on customer support. "Owners want parts availability, service and a good warranty." The good news is that vending machines are much simpler in terms of design than washers and dryers, making them more owner-friendly, Fankell says. "They really haven't changed all that much in 30 or 40 years of operation.""A good share of laundry owners use the bottler's machines; they look at the convenience but are sacrificing profitability in the process," Fankell says. "The bottlers are in the syrup business. The laundry owners buy soda from the bottlers and pay more than if they bought the soda at Sam's Club. Owners think they are getting the machine for free, but they are basically buying the machine from the soda company and not taking advantage of tax depreciation on the machine. Plus, you're locked into one product."Fankell sees improved profits with owner-owned machines. For example, you can buy water for 17 cents a bottle and sell it for a dollar, he adds. "Warehouse clubs have become the new distributors of vending products."Even though the venders are set up to dispense the oldest products first, there may be some concern about product freshness. To ease these worries, you can purchase venders that are refrigerated, so chocolate doesn't melt. "We have a machine that has an intermediate refrigeration system designed to keep temperatures 15 degrees below ambient and remove the humidity. This won't work for sandwiches, but it keeps snacks fresher. It's popular in the laundries without air conditioning."Are you tired of dealing with vending refunds? Fankell says one new feature gives customers their money back if the product doesn't dispense. "Now there's no reason to beat on machines or track the owner down for a refund."Don't forget laundry supplies when considering your vending needs. There are small, wall-mounted units available for this, but Fankell says owners should consider full-size, glass-front venders for these items, because a live-product display will increase sales. "You can put anything in these machines that's not a food item. They can also be tied to card-reader systems. These machines can also take a dollar and add convenience to the purchase."WHAT ITEMS SHOULD YOU VEND?Even with society's current emphasis on eating healthier, Fankell says the top-selling vending items are still junk food. "The vending best-sellers change very little."One current trend is offering multiple products in one machine. "We have a machine that has half soda and half cold food. Another model has half frozen food and half cold food. However, laundry owners usually have simpler needs than other businesses. They usually don't want cold or frozen items. They use less coffee, and desire mostly soda and snacks."If an owner is still unsure of what to put in the machine, he or she can always turn to vending companies for information, or simply ask the customers themselves. "We offer a list of the top-selling drinks and snacks nationally. You can also post a note on the machine asking customers what to vend. The customers can simply check off what they desire. People respond to this. We have this already printed up and it can be taped to the machine."MAKING IT PROFITABLECompetition shouldn't be much of a concern, Fankell says. "Neighboring stores can have some influence on your vending, but vending always has been an impulse sale. If you want a Coke while you're waiting for your clothes to dry, you're going to use the vender, not walk next door to stand in a line."Vender placement shouldn't affect sales unless you really "bury" your machine, he says. However, he strongly urges operators to avoid placing snack machines in the southern front window. "Snacks melt because the sun is beating on the window all the time."Like any business, presentation does count. Do you want to catch the customer's eye? Fankell says his company is doing more and more customizing, so owners can get their logo or laundry name on the machine.There is one benefit available in the form of the dollar coin, which can make it easier to vend higher-priced laundry supplies, such as towels. "If the towels are priced at $2, and someone puts in a $5 or $10 bill, the regular coin mechanism is forced to dispense change in quarters. Soon, the machine won't take dollars because it can't make the change. A dollar coin feature would allow the machine to take larger bills and pay back in dollar coins."A GROWING EXTRA PROFIT CENTERIn these challenging times, operators seem to be focusing more and more on vending, Vince Hansen, Vend-Rite Co. Inc., believes."The stores with the square footage seem to be taking advantage of vending opportunities, offering a variety of products, not just food and drink," Hansen says. While food, drink and laundry supplies are still the basic offerings, he is starting to see a slightly different take on traditional vending — laundry supplies in larger, multi-use packages being sold over the counter.This type of sale does change things a bit. "If you sell over-the-counter items, keep in mind that your attendant will become a clerk. This is a little different than drop-off service, which has some types of checks and balances. However, on the inventory of [the larger, multi-use packages of laundry supplies], you don't always have the control you need."Like others, Hansen has noticed that some operators have used large stores like Costco to fill their venders. He cautions operators that these stores don't always have a consistent supply of the products you seek.Common sense should rule in your vending program. Hansen doesn't believe vending machine placement is essential to success, and usually placement is determined by available space. However, much like a changer, he believes one should try to keep the machine in view of the attendant.What's hot in the vending world? Hansen has seen the popularity of bottled water and sports drinks on the rise. "Soda has always been a traditional product, and has been there in stores, but other products are starting to come in."With a greater emphasis on a variety of vending products, Hansen now offers a drink machine, a snack machine and a combo machine with drinks and snacks. He will also be offering coffee and ice cream venders.Is ice cream a good choice for a coin laundry? "The pro of this is that ice cream is a huge profit center. The con is that the ice cream vender is a big machine, so a laundry has to have the space for it."Hansen doesn't believe that neighboring businesses should be a major factor in an operator's vending decisions. "Most of the vending items are impulse items. People get in your laundry and have just gotten change. If that's the set up, people have money in their hands. If they see a drink and desire it, they are going to purchase it regardless of what type of business is nearby. They are not going to think about saving a dime or a quarter at the convenience store. The impulse will even be stronger if you have some type of debit card setup."In the next 5-10 years, he believes laundry owners will continue to experiment with different types of food/drinks. "We may even see the vending industry revisit history, go back to the time when you bought a can of soup and the machine heated it up before dispensing it. There may be computer or IT supplies offered in venders. Look at the laundries with tanning beds. Why shouldn't they vend bottles of tanning lotion in venders? Some of the bottles can be $75 dollars or so. Do you really want high-priced items like that on a shelf being handled by your attendant?"If you have any questions or comments, contact Bill Fankell at 800-548-1982 or [email protected], or Vince Hansen at 800-777-1802 or [email protected].


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"We do expect Sony to be in a position to cut the price of the PS3 in early 2008, when blockbuster games Grand Theft Auto IV and PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 will launch," he added.
The PS2 is still the most played console, by far, but it is sometimes forgotten in the shadows of the "next gen" consoles. A price drop on the system should be great for sales and continue to push the system to new customers.


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You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason.
The revocation period is fourteen days from the date of the contract.
To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must ("Easy Sounds" - Peter Krischker, production and distribution of music software, Am Langberg 97a, 21033 Hamburg, firstname.lastname@example.com, phone: +4940 738 62 23) by means of a clear statement (eg a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail) about your decision to withdraw from this contract. You can use the attached model withdrawal form, which is not required.
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If you withdraw from this Agreement, we have selected all payments we have received from you, including delivery charges (except for the additional costs arising from choosing a different delivery method than the most favorable standard delivery we offer have to repay immediately and at the latest within fourteen days from the date on which the notification of your revocation of this contract has reached us. For this repayment, we use the same means of payment that you used in the original transaction, unless otherwise agreed with you; In no case will you be charged for this repayment fees.


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When you get down to it, companies hire the spouse/partner/girlfriend/fiancee when they hire the individual. There is no question that the two for one deal is what companies get. There are two people making the decision, not just one.
How about when companies fire the employee? Don't they fire the spouse, too? I think so. But one action will likely cause two actions, thus the problem that strains the relationship.
Here are the points I discuss:
- Your spouse thinks you should have seen this job loss coming
- You minimize the impact on the family
- Either laid-off or fired, you dishonestly shared the circumstances of how it happened
- You're the one freaking out and scaring everyone
- You lack updated and relevant skills to find the job in your career path
- Your spouse knows that you're lazy and lack the effort it takes
- Both of you are unemployed
- You won't take on extra chores at home since you have the time
- Money issues exploit the weaknesses
Although we like a peaceful home, if we are honest, we don't do everything to keep the peace. For many job seekers, they understand the need to get the next job, but mis-judge how to get there. I am sure there are other reasons loved ones go CRAZY during job loss. Perhaps you would like to share or comment. You can leave me a voice mail by pressing the "Send Voicemail" button or leave a comment on the blog.
Related Posts
About Mark Anthony Dyson
I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers," career consultant, job seeker advocate, career writer, and founder of this award-winning blog. I help the employed, unemployed, underemployed, and under-appreciated find jobs using job search strategies to navigate the new job market. I aim to give a safe place online to those with different needs, cultures, and ethnicities to find their voice in the job market. Thousands have read my career advice throughout the web as I write about everything from job search strategies to the mobile job search. I have published more than 400 articles on this blog and some of the largest career sites such as Recruiter.com, YouTern, and Come Recommended. I've been quoted in major online publications such as Monster, TIME/Money, Fortune, Business Insider and MSN. FlexJobs, JobMonkey, Aerotek, Career Pivot, and CareerSherpa listed my podcast as one of the top podcasts to help your job search. Love for you to sign up for the weekly newsletter. I share the latest articles I've written, new podcast episodes, and answer any questions you may have. The new job search is scary and if you need help, I am here for it!


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Nov 1st, 2014 – A Special Shout-out To All November-born Fans
To all fans born in November, we want to congratulate you in advance for your special days. To feature your b-day on NaijaGists.com please mail your photo and birth date to email@example.com
Popular Celebrities born in November
Sean Diddy Combs
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Lamar Odom
Leonardo DiCaprio
Anne Hathaway
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Caroline Kennedy
Trey Songz
John Stewart
Howie Mandel
Note: Please send us your birthday info and pics a day before for inclusion in our birthday wishes of the month.
Happy birthday to y'all in advance.


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For the past year, Portus Singapore Pte. Ltd. ("Portus"), a former client of the now-defunct Kenyon & Kenyon ("Kenyon") law firm, has been trying to get a claim for legal malpractice to stick against its former IP counsel. So far, Portus' efforts have been unsuccessful. On July 28, 2017, Portus took its third bite at the apple and filed another … Read More
IP Firm Tees Up Dismissal Of Subject Matter Conflict, Negligent Patent Prosecution Malpractice Case
A recent patent malpractice action filed in federal court in New York against an IP firm raises once again the issue of subject matter conflicts between concurrent clients in prosecuting patent applications in a similar field of technology. The issue of subject matter conflicts in concurrent patent representation continues to be an area of significant interest–and concern–for IP practitioners who … Read More


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It has been quite busy for me these past weeks from moving into our new apartment and settling in, doctors appointments, never ending sewing projects - which I love to do!, preparation for our trip to the Philippines and of course - two toddlers. Our girls are definitely growing. They are now pro at walking and just started running. They love to climb everywhere. They love books, baths and of course going out. I try to take them out once or twice every day since they would be screaming if I don't. I love and enjoy our morning walks, normally up to an hour, to the neighborhood or to the park. I would let them walk around the park and then take them home. They dropped their morning nap about a month ago and they are now down to one-two hour nap at noon. By around three in the afternoon, they are again ready for another outing. I normally take them to the mall especially now that it is getting pretty cold outside. We normally do some outing on weekends. We have been to the National Zoo twice, National Aquarium, the Mall at DC, festivals, the coolest park on earth (or at least in VA) Clemyjontri park and a lot of stuff. Every outing is a little bit challenging but fun!
Being a stay-at-home mom was a challenge for me. I enjoyed working and loved being out. Adjusting to the responsibilities of a full-time homemaker in a place foreign to me was not easy. I've had a number of breakdowns and being so far away from my family, friends, culture, food and other stuff in and about the Philippines did not make it easier. I am thankful that I have been blessed with an understanding and supportive husband who tries to do his best to make me happy. Hard as it is, I am happy and thankful that I can stay home with my babies. It has been a blessing to witness their growth and development. They have come a long way and I am happy to be a part of it. I thought it was taking forever for them to learn how to crawl, then to walk, and I couldn't wait till they do those things but looking back, those times were preciously memorable and I missed my babies. Mikelle and Rianne are now little girls. They can now communicate better, understand and follow simple directions like get a book or put the ball in the box, recognize some words and what it means like book, bath, bus, airplane, kain (eat), bola (ball), squirrel, butterfly song, relo (clock), unggoy (monkey), ear, belly, nose, foot, sapatos (shoes), labas (out), and other stuff. It's fun stuff! I enjoy watching them play together - not so much biting each other though. I love their special relationship and let me share some of those special moments together:


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After spending more than 25 hours researching 30 automatic pet feeders, and testing eight of them with a cat and a small dog, we think the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder is the best for most people because it dispenses the right amount of kibble at the right time. It's also the easiest to operate, affordable, and dishwasher safe. It works well with most kibble shapes and sizes, too, and it keeps food from spoiling longer than most other models.
Our pick
PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
The best automatic feeder for cats and small dogs
This saucer-shaped feeder has five segmented bowls that you can program to dispense kibble at any time of day. It's more accurate than other types of automatic feeder, and difficult for pets to knock over.
The PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder is the easiest automatic pet feeder to program. It can handle a wider variety of kibble shapes and sizes than the competition, and it keeps kibble and semi-moist food fresh for longer (though you shouldn't leave semi-moist or wet food out for more than a day). Since you can store up to only 4 cups of pet food in it (1 cup per bowl, while the fifth bowl remains exposed), it requires frequent refills, so it's not ideal for longer trips away.
Also great
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Huge capacity but doesn't dispense accurately
Holds up to 24 cups of kibble, so you'll need to refill it only every few weeks. But because its accuracy varies greatly by kibble size, it's not good for pets on a diet.
If you don't like the idea of refilling a pet feeder every day, opt for the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder. It has a 24-cup-capacity hopper for storing dry or semi-moist food, but it's harder to program, and like most dispenser feeders, it doesn't dispense a consistent amount of kibble bigger than ½ inch, which is bad if your pets are prone to overeating or if they need tightly controlled diets. It's one of three feeders we tested that are designed to work with semi-moist food, but in our experience the kibble still got stale faster than we had hoped. It should run for about a year on a single set of batteries, or you can purchase a power cable for $13 (our main pick doesn't offer that option). The bowl is stainless steel, and that piece, the bowl holder, the hopper lid, and the hopper are all dishwasher-safe.
Everything we recommend
Our pick
PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
The best automatic feeder for cats and small dogs
This saucer-shaped feeder has five segmented bowls that you can program to dispense kibble at any time of day. It's more accurate than other types of automatic feeder, and difficult for pets to knock over.
Also great
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Huge capacity but doesn't dispense accurately
Holds up to 24 cups of kibble, so you'll need to refill it only every few weeks. But because its accuracy varies greatly by kibble size, it's not good for pets on a diet.
The research
Why you should trust us
I've written Wirecutter guides to several types of pet items, including automatic litter boxes, pet carriers, and dog boots, and I've cared for dogs, cats, fish, parakeets, and even the occasional caterpillar over the years. I once even created a pet food safety website for fun.
For this guide, I consulted Mary Emma Young of the Pet Food Institute, a pet food manufacturer industry group, to learn how pet food is made and how to store it properly. I talked to Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about how to create better feeding habits for pets. I learned about smart-feeder security from Jacob Ackerman, chief technology officer for SkyLink Data Centers, and Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. I asked sales associates at three pet stores (both independent shops and big-box chain locations) about what type of kibble worked best in an automatic feeder. Finally, I had my Maine coon mix Tanzie and my Chihuahua mix Sutton test which feeders were comfortable to eat out of and which ones were easy to break into.
Who this is for
Automatic feeders dispense a specified amount of food at a designated time so you don't have to. They ensure that your pet's mealtime remains consistent if you're stuck at the office late at night, if you want to silence your cat's 5:00 a.m. "feed me now" cries, or if you're traveling for a day or two and can't find (or don't want) a pet sitter who'll stop by multiple times a day.
But they're not for every pet. Most models aren't suitable for dogs that need to eat more than a cup of food per serving, since they have limited kibble storage and bowls that are too small. In our tests, the designs with large-capacity dispensers frequently jammed when more than a cup or two of kibble released at once, because bigger kibble shapes were incompatible with the feeder or because the bowl backed up. Also, most feeders we tested were lightweight, so a larger dog could easily tip them over or break into them.
If your pet is on a restricted diet, you should consider only plate-style feeders, not dispensers. All the dispensers we tested were imprecise, overfeeding by just a teaspoon or two in some cases and delivering double the programmed amount in others—and even more frustratingly, they were inconsistent in how much over they went. "Even if you overfeed [your cat] by a few kibbles per day [per feeding], over a year that results in a pound of weight gain," said Dr. Ernie Ward, who founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. A plate feeder like our main pick lets you portion out individual meals.
Ward said he didn't think investing in an automatic feeder was the best way for most people to keep their pets slim. He told us he preferred a restricted diet that pet guardians could closely monitor, plus exercise. "If you can control the feeding, then you can help control the weight. I like where we're headed with [pet food feeders], but we still haven't quite locked it in yet." (Ward has tested more than a dozen feeders in recent years and has found faults with them all. At one point he was on the advisory board for the Obe ProBowl, a smart pet food bowl, though he ended that relationship in January 2018.)
How we picked
Look for an automatic feeder that's easy to operate and clean, dispenses food accurately without jamming or making a mess, and can withstand sharp little teeth and claws.
You can find four main categories of pet feeders: traditional models that use gravity to pull kibble down into a bowl, programmable designs that use a timer to release a premeasured amount of kibble from a hopper, programmable plate feeders that store kibble in segmented bowls and rotate to expose one section at a scheduled time, and smart versions of the above that let you schedule feedings using a smartphone.
We axed traditional gravity-fed devices because they're easy to tip over and break into, and don't allow you to customize feeding times or amounts, instead just constantly releasing kibble until the bowl fills. So we stuck with programmable and smart feeders that were widely available and reasonably priced, had good long-term reviews, and offered a variety of features (such as quick-program buttons or a manual-feed option).
In the end, we selected eight feeders to test.
Programmable plate feeders:
Programmable hopper feeders:
- Arf Pets Automatic Pet Food Dispenser
- Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Dry Food Pet Feeder
- PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Smart hopper feeders:
How we tested
While researching automatic pet food feeders, I found that most online reviewers had the same complaints about their machines: The feeders were hard to use, easy for their pets to break into, or prone to jamming on kibble. The experts I interviewed echoed those concerns, adding that feeding accuracy, food storage and freshness, and a backup power source were also important considerations. With those points in mind, I created the following testing criteria.
- Ease of use: I followed the manufacturer's instructions to assemble and program each feeder, and I noted how intuitive each system was.
- Pet-proofing: After filling each feeder with kibble, I unleashed my cat and dog on them to see if they could easily steal kibble from the hopper or spout. I also tried breaking into them myself by using my fingers and various kitchen utensils.
- Stability: I took a 10-pound bag of rice and banged it against each feeder to see if it would stay upright when attacked by a hungry pet.
- Kibble compatibility and dispensing accuracy: I tested how easily and accurately each model dispensed pet food of different sizes, shapes, and moisture content. I tested four dry-kibble labels, two semi-moist varieties, and one wet-food brand: Meow Mix Original Choice, Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused, Pedigree Adult, Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care, Purina Moist & Meaty, Purina Beneful Healthy Weight, and Fancy Feast Medleys, respectively.
- Ease of cleaning: I followed the manufacturer's cleaning instructions and noted any challenges associated with cleaning each dispenser.
- The fresh test: I added wet and semi-moist food to the dispensers that supported them and observed how fresh they kept the food over 24 hours.
- Power outage protection: I connected dispensers that required a power adapter to a surge protector, and then turned off the surge protector to see which feeders retained their programmed settings.
- Wi-Fi outage protection: For smart feeders, I turned off the Wi-Fi connection in my home to see if each one still dispensed the programmed feedings without a signal.
Our pick: PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
Our pick
PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
The best automatic feeder for cats and small dogs
This saucer-shaped feeder has five segmented bowls that you can program to dispense kibble at any time of day. It's more accurate than other types of automatic feeder, and difficult for pets to knock over.
The PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder is the easiest dispenser for humans to operate, and one of the hardest for pets to break into. It's accurate, because it relies on you to portion the meals in advance rather than using an automated scoop or dispensing system. Its bowl has five segments that you can load with up to 1 cup of kibble each, and in our experience it kept semi-moist food fresher than most other dispensers we tested over 24 hours. It's also battery powered (though it gives you no way to tell when the batteries are running low), and the bowl is dishwasher safe.
This programmable plate dispenser is a little larger than a Roomba, at 15 by 5 by 18 inches and a little less than 4 pounds. It's easy to program, with a digital interface beneath its cover that lets you set the clock and timer, suspend the feeding schedule, or advance to the next bowl segment.
The internal tray is divided into five segments that can hold up to 1 cup of dry kibble each. (In our tests, it managed to hold 1⅓ cups of Meow Mix Original Choice, but PetSafe warns that overloading the feeder could jam it.) The tray cover stores kibble in each segment, and a cutout lets your pet eat the food in the uncovered segment at their leisure. When the timer goes off, the tray rotates clockwise to reveal a new segment. (Although it has only five trays, you can program up to nine timers, which is useful if your pet needs to eat more frequently and you're available to refill it twice a day.) The tray is dishwasher safe; the body isn't, however, so you should only wipe it with a damp cloth.
Unlike with the other tray-style feeders we tested, kibble doesn't fall out of this PetSafe machine when it's shaken or tipped—but food can move between segments and fall beneath the tray. So when it's time to open the feeder for refilling or cleaning, trapped kibble or even wet food can spill from under the bowl.
While the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder isn't designed to work with semi-moist pet food (often served in pouches or found in the refrigerated section) or canned food, many owners do use it for that, so we tested the covered tray segments with Fancy Feast Medleys canned cat food and Purina Moist & Meaty semi-moist dog food. After 24 hours we saw no discernible difference in the canned food, while the semi-moist food was a bit crumblier.
If you do plan to use the Petsafe 5-Meal for wet or semi-moist food, put only a day's worth of food in at a time. "Leaving moist [or] semi-moist pet foods out for greater than 24 hours runs the risk of spoilage or bacterial contamination," said Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian with 26 years of experience. It could also grow mold, which can be toxic to pets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Pet Food Institute both suggest promptly refrigerating unused pet food or throwing it out.
The PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder is one of the most affordable plate-style feeders we found, and it comes from a well-established pet-supply company with a proven track record of making reliable items. It comes with a one-year limited warranty, and currently this model has more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon with an overall rating of 4.2 stars out of five.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This PetSafe feeder's tray is made completely of plastic, a material that, as we note in "The Best Water Fountain for Cats and Dogs," can harbor bacteria. It may be an issue if your cat is prone to chin acne.
Although the lid exposes only one tray segment at a time, determined pets could make it advance to the next segment ahead of schedule, though this problem is a rarity. As we mention above, it's also possible for food to fall out of the bowl if the feeder is jostled while in use.
As a plate feeder, this model's low profile makes it harder for pets to knock over. But in our tests it took little effort for our simulated pet (a 10-pound bag of rice) to scootch it across a floor—which suggests that a pet could possibly tip it if it's near a ledge, like a staircase. We recommend keeping this feeder away from ledges and lips.
Like most plate-style feeders, the PetSafe 5-Meal feeder doesn't run on a power adapter; it needs four D-cell batteries. While it's nice knowing this plate feeder will work even if your power goes out, you're still stuck reprogramming the machine when the batteries eventually die, and it has no low-battery indicator to warn you before that happens. (PetSafe says the batteries will last up to one year with regular use.) Another annoyance: It's the only plate feeder we tested without a power switch, so if you want to pause the timer to clean the machine, you need to hold a button for seven seconds.
Also great: PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Also great
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Huge capacity but doesn't dispense accurately
Holds up to 24 cups of kibble, so you'll need to refill it only every few weeks. But because its accuracy varies greatly by kibble size, it's not good for pets on a diet.
Dispenser feeders are great if you have a pet that doesn't need strict portion control, and if you like the idea of filling the dispenser only every few weeks. The PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder is the best set-and-forget dispenser feeder we found, though it still has major drawbacks. It's easy to program (although slightly more difficult than our main pick, the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder) and harder to tip over than most of the feeders we looked at. This model's hopper holds more kibble than most, up to 24 cups, and since it's translucent, you can easily see how much is left. It keeps semi-moist food from spoiling for longer than the competition, too. It also comes with a stainless steel bowl, so it's less likely to trap bacteria that could cause chin acne. Yet like all dispenser-style automatic feeders we tested, it often dispensed too much food, sometimes overshooting by ¼ cup to 1½ cups. The food hopper doesn't have an airtight seal, so a determined pet could break in, and if you want to plug it into the wall rather than run it solely on batteries, you have to buy a separate power adapter (or the feeder model packaged with the adapter for about $13 more).
The Healthy Pet Simply Feed's packaging says it's designed for cats and small or medium dogs, but PetSafe told us any size dog could use it. However, it's not great for huge dogs or multiples—we found that programming a 4-cup feeding (the maximum amount) dispensed 5¼ cups of kibble, clogging the dispenser chute (and, of course, overfeeding the pet). At 9 by 19 by 12½ inches, the Healthy Pet Simply Feed has a similar footprint to the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder but is much taller.
The control panel is located on the front top, where it's easy to access; several other machines we tested had theirs on the side or under a panel. The Healthy Pet Simply Feed also has a pause button, quick-start preprogrammed kibble measurements for a cat or dog, and the ability to program up to 12 feedings per day, more meals than most of the feeders we tested were capable of handling. It has a slow-feed mode that'll dispense each serving of kibble over a 15-minute period to help prevent pets from eating too much too fast. You'll also find a manual-feed option that immediately dispenses the next scheduled meal; it's a handy feature, but you can use it only once per scheduled meal cycle, unless you go into the setup menu, which resets the counter.
This model was one of three feeders we tested that were designed to dispense semi-moist food (the PetSafe Smart Feed and the Gempet Automatic Pet Feeder were the other two), but since it didn't make an airtight seal, it didn't keep things perfectly fresh. We left Purina Moist & Meaty in the hopper for 24 hours and checked on its consistency every few hours, and although most of the pieces in the hopper remained pliant (like Play-Doh), those near the top dried out a little.
The Healthy Pet Simply Feed can handle a wider variety of kibble sizes than most hopper machines we tested. While it easily poured kibble less than ½ inch in diameter into the bowl, it jammed while dispensing our larger test kibbles, Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care (1 by ¾ inches) and Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused (⅜ by ⅞ inches).
Like the Petnet SmartFeeder and PetSafe Smart Feed, the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed comes with a stainless steel bowl. The bowl, the bowl holder, the hopper lid, and the hopper are dishwasher safe, while the conveyor requires hand washing.
Every dispenser feeder we tested, including the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed, was inaccurate. This system's hopper funnels food onto the conveyor by volume. How much food it loads onto the conveyor basket varies depending on the kibble's shape, size, and bulk density. Typically, it more accurately measured smaller and rounder kibble pieces than it did larger or tubular pieces. Likewise, on smaller measurements of kibble, like ¼ cup, it was more accurate than on larger measurements.
|Programmed feeding (cups)
|Actual amount dispensed (cups)
Typically priced at $130, the Healthy Pet Simply Feed is the second-most expensive model we tested, behind the PetSafe Smart Feed (usually $180), and marginally ahead of the Petnet SmartFeeder (typically $120). The other dispenser-style feeders, without app connectivity, averaged $75.
The PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed uses four D-cell alkaline batteries, which should last about a year. The screen features a low-power indicator so pet owners can quickly track the battery life. And a power adapter is available for $13 on Amazon, Chewy, or PetSafe's site.
What about smart feeders?
We tried two smart feeders, the Petnet SmartFeeder and the PetSafe Smart Feed, which let you program and control your pet feeder over a smartphone app and a Wi-Fi connection. But they suffer from the same accuracy errors as their dumb counterparts, have confusing app designs, can't be controlled without an app, and are even more expensive— so they're not right for most people yet.
One of our main concerns during our tests was how these things act if the Internet goes down. Both smart feeders released their next scheduled meals even without Wi-Fi in our tests, but neither model is designed to alert you via push notification, so you need to open the app to see if the feeder has an issue. In our experience, when the Wi-Fi came back, the dispensed meal showed in the Petnet app's history page, but not in the PetSafe app—so if the Wi-Fi goes down, PetSafe Smart Feed owners could end up overfeeding their pets.
While a missing notification isn't the worst thing in the world, connected devices have other immediate issues: the reliability of their servers, feeders, and smartphone apps. Both Petnet and PetSafe regularly update their respective apps, but it's hard to know whether they'll continue to do so two or three years down the line. You have no way to program either of these feeders without the app, so if support ever disappears in the future, they will become useless.
In July 2016, Petnet's third-party servers experienced an outage that prevented remote feeding and editing scheduled meals—but the feeders still dispensed programmed feedings as normal. Petnet later stated that only 10 percent of SmartFeeder owners were affected.
Petnet customers also discovered that a firmware update occurring around a timed feeding could disrupt mealtimes, too, as CNET's Megan Wollerton points out:
On another occasion, Halley didn't get any food and no related alert appeared to let us know there was a problem. (This is when it would be handy to have a camera monitoring feedings.)
Petnet said this was likely due to a firmware update that could have caused an outage and interrupted feedings. Related to that, customers don't have control over when software updates are pushed live, so it could potentially happen unexpectedly during your pet's feeding. A representative told me Petnet normally issues firmware updates at night when most SmartFeeders aren't in use. But that certainly wasn't the case with Halley's 6:15am breakfast feeding.
We asked two cybersecurity experts for their take on these apps and whether they posed any security concerns—either for the regular feeding of your pet or for being drafted into a botnet. Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, was heartened by the fact that the apps appeared to be getting frequent updates, saying, "At least you're seeing activity into the security of your device."
Jacob Ackerman, chief technology officer for SkyLink Data Centers, drew a harder line: "It's not just trusting the manufacturer—it's your home, your power, your Internet, the device not failing, your mobile device, and their servers. There's a lot of spots where a failure could prevent you from feeding your pet." If you're worried about the security of a smart pet feeder, we have some concrete steps you can take to make it more secure.
Experts like Kaiser and Ackerman suggest having a backup plan in the event of an emergency. Have a trusted friend check on your pet if you're away, change the feeder's batteries before taking a trip, or just leave some extra kibble in a traditional bowl if you know you're pulling an all-nighter at work. "Just assume that some of these devices may have a flaw in it, and use accordingly, and everything will be okay," Ackerman added.
What to look forward to
We're interested in testing two particular feeders when we next update this guide. The Petnet SmartFeeder 2.0, the newer version of the Petnet SmartFeeder, is expected to launch in April 2018. It will be compatible with a greater variety of kibble shapes and will have more sensors for greater accuracy. It'll also feature a sleeker design and offer compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Nest Cam, and more of its parts will be machine washable. (It also addresses the rubber wear-and-tear issues long-term owners have complained about, a problem we mention in the Competition section below.)
The PetSafe Six Meal Feeder is the reinvented version of our top pick, the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder. Offering a tray with six segments instead of five, it works with both dry and semi-moist food, provides a sleep mode, and has a low-battery indicator. And the tray is enclosed in a raised hopper, so it's impossible for crafty cats to turn the tray manually.
The competition
Programmable plate feeders
The Gempet (Jempet) Automatic Pet Feeder is easy to program and has a voice-recording feature so you can call your pet to mealtimes—but it usually costs almost twice as much as our pick, and the control panel isn't as intuitive. This model is the only plate feeder in our test group that uses a power cord with a battery backup.
The Qpets Automatic Pet Feeder also has a voice recorder, as well as six segmented bowls, one more than the Gempet and PetSafe plate feeders. You can set the timer only on the hour, however, so it's not as flexible as the Gempet and PetSafe models. The interface also isn't as intuitive as that of other plate feeders, which potentially means spending more time troubleshooting this model. And if the battery dies or the feeder is turned off, the settings are wiped out and you have to reprogram it.
Programmable hopper feeders
The Arf Pets Automatic Pet Food Dispenser looks like a design created by a single manufacturer and rebranded and sold by several companies. It's hard to determine the long-term reliability and the quality of customer service with these machines, since the sellers are often smaller companies that distribute only through Amazon and don't have a history of customer care that we can look to. This feeder's instruction manual is unclear, but once you figure out the control panel's one quirk (it enters sleep mode quickly), it's easy to operate. This design has a smaller and slimmer profile than all of the other dispenser feeders we tested, but that also means a cat or dog could easily knock it on its side, and larger kibble shapes could clog up the machine. It comes with a power cord and accepts three D batteries as a backup. The plastic bowl is smaller than those of most feeders we tested, and none of its parts are dishwasher safe.
The Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Dry Food Pet Feeder is the cheapest dispenser feeder we tested, but we can't recommend it because it's extremely light and easy to knock over, with no way of securing the storage container to the base. (The manufacturer even recommends securing the feeder to a wooden board with screws to keep it stable.) If you try to pick it up by the storage unit rather than the base, it'll disconnect, and kibble will spill out. And when it dispenses more than ½ cup of kibble, the plastic bowl clogs.
Smart hopper feeders
The Petnet SmartFeeder seemed promising with its modern design and good-looking app. But in our tests it didn't work well with odd kibble shapes and was inaccurate at dispensing even the simplest of shapes—in some cases, it dispensed twice as much as it was supposed to. We also saw more than 30 complaints on Amazon, some as recent as February 2018, about the feeder's inner plastic wheel breaking down and leaving rubber pieces in the food bowl along with the kibble. We examined the rubber components across the feeders and found that Petnet's was more flexible and thinner than the competition, which would make it more susceptible to breakage due to the oils in kibble, which could cause greater wear and tear. Petnet CEO Carlos Herrera told us that the company has removed the plastic wheel from the soon-to-be-launched Petnet 2.0 and replaced it with a more accurate weight sensor in the bowl; we look forward to testing the updated model.
The PetSafe Smart Feed has the same conveyor design as the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed, but is substantially more expensive for limited added functionality. It has the same feeding-inaccuracy issues, and it costs $50 more than the Healthy Pet Simply Feed for the Wi-Fi connectivity, yet the app's unintuitive design and suspect reliability are problems (as we outline in the What about smart feeders? section).
Jacob Ackerman, chief technology officer, SkyLink Data Centers, phone interview, December 4, 2017
Kimberly Alt, writer, Canine Journal, email interview, November 30, 2017
Sarah Beene, category manager for water and feed solutions, PetSafe, email interview, February 13, 2018
Michael Kaiser, executive director, National Cyber Security Alliance, phone interview, December 7, 2017
Jillian Spitz, spokesperson, PetSafe, email interview, December 8, 2017
Ernie Ward, DVM, founder, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, phone interview, December 6, 2017
Mary Emma Young, director of communications, Pet Food Institute, email interview, December 26, 2017


text:
Greece, from the birth of Western Civilization to the death of civilization, is a study in contrast and history.
The Greeks legitimately lay claim to one of the world's oldest surviving civilizations. It's a fascinating and tumultuous history full of wars, empires, conquests and much more. During the 20th century the Greeks endured civil war, monarchy and eventually settling on a democracy of sorts, a situation fairly similar to all European nations. At the end of the day the Greek are no different than anybody else - they are just people trying to survive in a world gone mad. What makes the Greeks unique is that while their situation is not necessarily historically unique, Greece is the first western nation to literally implode financially and politically, a fate that many predict will ultimately fall on most western nations as a result statism and fiat central banksters.
Greece is at the end of its rope. It indebted itself on a massive scale to sustain its socialist paradise and there is no way the debt can ever be repaid without making the deeply impoverished citizens of Greece debt slaves for all eternity.
The ancient Greeks may have invented the genre of tragic/comedy theatre but thousands of years later, the Greeks are still living it and cling to its national dysfunction as a badge of honor. Although Greece is constantly in the headlines because it's a bankrupt basket case, this week the Greek drama is focused on its proposed tax increases that will impose the maximum tax rate of 42% on those earning $55,000 a year.
Greeks earning 42,000 Euros to be taxed at top rate under plan
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greeks earning more than €42,000 ($55,000) per year will now be taxed at a new top rate of 42 percent, under a major new tax reform bill submitted to the country's parliament late Thursday.Greece is a mess because of its public sector unions that dominate political power for the exclusively benefit of its thieving public sector. The situation is so bad that even the obsessively liberal, statist and labor union loving New York Times chirped in to complain about the thieving Greek public sector.
The Cost of Protecting Greece's Public Sector
For generations, political power in Greece has been based in large part on providing public sector jobs in exchange for votes....
Though it was very rare for a government worker to be dismissed, this did not stop politicians from continuing to hire supporters — feeding a bloated, inefficient and expensive public sector that was accountable to no one.
So today, for every seven private employees who have been laid off, only one has left the public sector. This leaves fewer and fewer workers in a country where the unemployment rate now hovers around 25 percent to pay the taxes that provide the salaries for the people who work for the government.....
The expansion of Greece's huge government sector took decades to create, but its growth in recent years has been particularly striking. Public employment grew by fivefold from 1970 through 2009 — at an annual growth rate of 4 percent, according to a recent academic study by Zafiris Tzannatos and Iannis Monogios.. Over the same four decades, employment in the private sector increased by only 27 percent — an annual rate of less than 1 percent.
"Instead of shrinking the bloated government apparatus and making it more efficient, New Democracy and Pasok hardly even touched it," Stefanos Manos, a former Greek finance minister, said in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine in June.
Wages in the public sector were on average almost one and half times higher than in the private sector.
In the past, a more productive and expanding private sector could have withstood — to a degree — the financial drain of a costly and profligate public sector. Today, shielding the public sector is no longer an option, especially when it comes at the expense of the rest of the population.
In his outstanding book, Boomerang, Michael Lewis was spot on in his analysis of Greece that also accurately portrays most problems in nations with powerful public sector unions. Lewis said "As it turns out, what the Greeks wanted to do, once the lights went out and they were alone in the dark with a pile of borrowed money, was turn their government into a piñata stuffed with fantastic sums and give as many citizens as possible a whack at it. In just the past twelve years the wage bill of the Greek public sector has doubled, in real terms – and that number doesn't take into account the bribes collected by public officials. The average government job pays almost three times the average private-sector job. The national railroad has annual revenues of 100 million euros against an annual wage bill of 400 million, plus 300 million euros in other expenses. The average state railroad employee earns 65,000 euros a years. Twenty years ago a successful businessman turned minister of finance….pointed out that it would be cheaper to put all Greece's rail passengers into taxicabs: it's still true. "We have a railroad company which is bankrupt beyond comprehension…..and there isn't a single private company in Greece with that kind of average pay."
The Economist chirped in on the severity of the situation which is far more complicated than a mere localized capital vs. labor dispute. Even the statist and socialist leaning Economist observed that public sector unions have been literally feasting at the expense of the much lower paid private economy that, incidentally, works to pay the taxes that feeds the bloated public sector.
The battle ahead
LOOK around the world and the forces are massing. On one side are Californian prison guards, British policemen, French railworkers, Greek civil servants, and teachers just about everywhere. On the other stand the cash-strapped governments of the rich world. Even the mere mention of cuts has brought public-sector workers onto the streets across Europe. When those plans are put into action, expect much worse.....
People in the private sector are only just beginning to understand how much of a banquet public-sector unions have been having at everybody else's expense...The public sector unions have become a noose around the necks of government and taxpayers, as well as economic growth and prosperity. Socialist governments everywhere bred them, fed them and now are faced with the abject horror that nobody can afford them. For public sector unions, it's austerity for everybody except for them. The dual edged sword of socialism for public sector unions and banksters will continue to impede economic recovery while intensifying the misery of economic decline and stagnation. In fact, together they definitely have the power to guarantee the death of economic prosperity in the West.


text:
YAMAHA HID kit should be the first upgrade to install on your Yamaha bike, or ATV. The extra lighting will be come in very handy on the road, track, or off road. Yamaha is considered one of the most diverse companies. They produce everything from Crotch rockets, sport bikes, boats, ATVs, and so on. With the American public always on the lookout for some new adventure, Yamaha provides them with the right tool to do it in. But one of the most popular products is the Yamaha Bikes, such as the R1, and the R6. Producing bikes with great hp output and great sleek look.
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