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Growing a local food network
When I arrived in Greensboro in 1981 I was impressed with the beauty of the city and how easy it was to get around town (by car anyway). I was also surprised by how fragmented community life was. Many small pockets of people would be working on a similar issue, but independently of each other. Having lived in several parts of the country prior to moving here I had seen firsthand how geography informs temperament. Greensboro is a city of sprawl with few, if any, population centers. Instead we have residential clusters spread throughout the city, so perhaps it's not surprising that people are used to working in their own small groups. This has been true as well in the local food movement where we've had myriad programs and initiatives working to promote local food production. There are excellent organizations such as the downtown Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, where all the goods are locally produced, providing a hub of local commerce. No group however has succeeded in tying together the many different projects in the community.
The perceived need for a unifying organization to increase overall effectiveness was part of the impetus for a meeting in the fall of 2013. That meeting brought together dozens of interested community members to address issues around food supply in Guilford County. Out of this a Task Force was created to establish a Local Food Council. The Task Force worked on a mission statement, bylaws, and organizational structure for the Council. Lastly, it recruited volunteers to serve on the newly formed Food Council. As a result the Guilford Food Council is now in place and its efforts underway. Its mission is "Connecting Communities and Sharing Resources to Grow a Vibrant Local Food System in Guilford County". The Council has a Steering Committee and a Technical Advisory Board, but the bulk of the activity is in five "Clusters". The Clusters are in the key areas of Healthy Neighborhoods, Thriving Economies, Vibrant Farms, Education & Awareness, and Policies & Land Use.
In 2008, Deep Roots Cooperative (I was General Manager at the time) went before the Greensboro City Council with the Eat Local Challenge. This is a nationwide initiative that asks people to pledge to eat meals made of local ingredients. We asked people to set an individual goal during the month of August to eat "x" number of meals made from local ingredients. We went over the many benefits of locally grown food and then asked the Councilmembers to accept the Eat Local Challenge – most of them did so gladly. In 2009 Mayor Johnson declared an Eat Local month in Greensboro; Mayor Knight did the same in 2010. But I digress… back to the Local Food Council! The Council now has a website – www.guilfordfoodcouncil.com. The website is not yet complete, but is already loaded with information. One item I found of particular interest is a "Food Map". This map shows food resources throughout Greensboro and Guilford County, places such as food pantries, places to get a free meal, grocery stores, convenience stores, backpack programs, summer meal sites, and farmers markets. The map is in progress – the Council requests that people look at it and let them know of any resources that haven't yet made it onto the map.
The Food Council is continuing to collect and interpret data about our local and regional food systems. Besides continued development of the food resources map, they're also working alongside UNCG and the City's Community Food Task Force to collect some data to better understand 1) if the Food Research and Action Center study that ranks Greensboro 1st in terms of food hardship actually bears out when you collect better data, and 2) what other topics (e.g., jobs, education, mental health, physical health) our food system is linked to. The Council is also reaching out to the community to gather more input, educate the public, and forge alliances. They are looking for new members, particularly people to get involved with one of the five aforementioned Clusters. And the Council, in collaboration with the Guilford County Cooperative Extension and the Greater High Point Food Alliance, is helping to organize the Guilford County Local Foods Week in June.
Dr. Neisha C. Douglas (Adjunct Professor in Adult Education at NC A&T State Univ.) is an At-large member whose responsibilities include updating the website. I asked what her motivation was for taking part in this project. Douglas replied: "People are my motivation. I love working with my community and I want to make sure that everybody has opportunity and access to fresh foods."
I asked the same question of Steering Committee member Odile Hutchette (Horticulture Lecturer and Director of the Reid Greenhouse at NC A&T State Univ.). Hutchette's response: "I believe in empowering the community and in the power of education to improve local food systems and hunger issues."
Steering Committee member Marianne LeGreco, Ph.D. (Assoc. Prof., Communication Studies, and Academic Sustainability Coordinator at UNC-Greensboro) had this to say about how the Council plans to link together all the different local projects that exist: "For starters, our primary focus is to connect, collaborate, and celebrate. We're not planning on starting new initiatives. Rather, we're working toward building asset maps, collecting data about Guilford County's food needs, and creating a website where people can find out how to "plug in" to what's already out there. Also, by profiling different farms, volunteer organizations, markets, and other pieces of our food system, we hope to paint a picture of what's going on, what's missing, and how we might work together to fill in the gaps."
Given the fragmented nature of the County, I think it will be challenging for the Guilford Food Council to succeed at becoming the unifying organization it envisions and not just another one of the many related efforts in the County. But the folks involved are certainly going about it in a coherent and thorough manner; with support they'll be able to pull it off. If you're interested in our local food system, please check out their website. And maybe even "plug in"! !
JOEL LANDAU served on the Guilford County Local Food Council Task Force and is the Former Chair of the Greensboro Sustainability Council (2008-2015).


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Our mission at Property Management Group is to provide owners with full service hassle free management at the most affordable and competitive price.
We handle everything from collecting rents and finding new tenants to arranging lease signings as well as all maintenance and building issues.
Our team consisting of attorneys, real estate brokers and builders guarantees all your needs will be handled in the most efficient and responsible manner.
Whether you are looking to simply avoid the midnight phone calls from tenants, free up your time to pursue other ventures or retire headache free, Property Management Group can provide the services you need.
Our team of professionals has dealt with every type of building from condominiums and cooperatives to privately owned single and mutli family homes as well as full services apartment buildings.
Property Management Group's principals take a personal pride in ensuring that every client is treated with the utmost respect and professionalism.
The company's guiding principle is to provide the highest quality of service always keeping our clients informed of their real estates' performance and continuing growth.
It is all too common of a question, "why should I hire a management company?" The answer to that question is different for each and every individual. However, a professional management company can be an asset to all types of property owners.
Property Management Company provides a wide range of services and a tailored plan for all of our clients.
As property managers, we have access to all the latest data and real estate trends. This industry knowledge allows us to provide up to date information on proper rental values as well as design and marketing data that will most efficiently sell or lease your property. We provide a full inspection of each unit and a complete report on necessary changes and valuations to get the properties rented for the highest value.
Creating this value brings long-term high quality tenants with low turnover and higher stability.
Property Manager's can create value that the untrained eye will not find. A qualified manager will know where and when maintenance is needed that can maximize a building's rental potential. In addition, having a twenty-four hour maintenance crew ensures not only a smooth continuous operation of the building but the best prices as well. A manger has the ability to get deep discounts on the smallest of maintenance to full building renovations. Property Management Group's builders and maintenance crew are of the highest training and workman's ship.
Maintaining the building properly and efficiently ensures a buildings longevity and a continued good reputation.
A property manager's knowledge of laws and other governmental regulations means that you do not have to worry about compliance and fines. With Property Management Group's attorneys we ensure that your building will always be in compliance with all regulations and laws.
Additionally, hiring a property manager means that someone else can worry about your problems. No longer will you have to worry about the phone ringing at two o'clock in the morning because a pipe has burst or the heat is not working. Property Management Group will resolve all your issues.
Monthly Accounting Statements
You will receive at the end of each month a detailed statement of all receivables and payables. Our clients will always kept informed and can be involved as much or as little as they desire.
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All monthly rent will be collected and deposited in a trust account for your building. We handle the entire process. We ensure that rents are collected and handle all the necessary proceedings when they are not.
Property Management Group will advertise your property in the most efficient manner to get it off the market and rent in your pocket.
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Property Management Group provides a full and complete review of all your building's leases and ensures the strongest protections for you as an owner. We will create uniformity in your leases and handle all renewals and renegotiations.
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From finding the proper tenant to doing all the necessary background checks, Property Management Group will take care of all your buildings leasing needs. Our staff of licensed real estate brokers is easily able to find the best tenants for your building.
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subset: commoncrawl


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This season may turn out to be one of the best after all. From the first two episodes, I wasn't impressed. First by the selection of some of the past survivors, this (in my opinion) was not a thrilling choice, and second, by the hype of Johnny Fairplay (obviously overrated). But now since he's gone, I can get off that soapbox and watch the real game unfold.
Last night's episode showed who to really watch in this game. I have to give credit to Cirie. She's playing a much different game than her first time out in the game. At first, we didn't see a lot of Cirie in the first two episodes, but last night made up for it.
She was outstanding in convincing one of the two alliances vying for her vote to go against their original choice and vote with her. I thought she was going to be the one heading out of the game. I really thought that the two separate alliances would come together and target Cirie because she took control of the game at that moment. Actually, they gave her control of the game. I expected Jonathan to play much smarter and somehow turn the tables on Cirie. But it didn't happen. This was so reminiscent of Survivor: All Stars when Boston Rob convinced Lex Vandenberg and Kathy O'Brien to keep Amber in the game (Rob's only ally). And it paid off because Amber and Rob went to the end taking the million and second place. To top it off, they got married.
One vote that surprised me was that Ami did not vote with her alliance of Jonathan, Eliza, and Yau-Man. She actually voted off the beaten path and targeted Cirie. I'm wondering if she's just voting her conscious or if there's strategy behind that vote. What ever the case, I'm sure it will come out eventually.
Now to last nights show.
The fans returned back to camp after the stunner vote that sent Mary home. Of course Mikey would not rest without knowing what happened. Mikey was convinced that Joel was the culprit who masterminded Mary's eviction. Giving Joel a piece of his mind, Mikey would not rest until the same demise that Mary encountered happened to Joel.
At the Favorites camp, Eliza and Cirie were having a powwow with Ozzy, Amanda, James and Parvati. Trying to give them viable reasons for aligning with them, Eliza listened attentively, but was not budging from her alliance. Cirie, on the other hand, had a different motive. While Cirie was on the fence on who she was going to side with, Eliza wondered if Cirie would swing over and align herself with the lovebirds. Cirie stated, "I'm still trying to figure out which side is better for me."
Arriving to Challenge Beach Jeff Probst told the tribe mates they would be involved in hand to hand combat. Each team would try to get their 3 heavy bags through a large watery playing field and into their team zone. The other team would try to wrestle the bags from the other team. The first team to have five bags in their zone would win a choice of three items from a Survivor catalog.
As both teams wrestled, pulled, tugged and exhausted all energy they had to snatch the other teams bags, it was the Favorites who had enough energy to pull off the victory. They chose to send Kathy back to Exile Island. Ami from the Favorites volunteered to go with Kathy.
Back at camp, Cirie observed her tribe mates plotting and strategizing. Cirie said, "I have to look at every option or every scenario that could possibly happen." Later, Amanda and Parvati took Cirie out on the boat to talk about her choices. Listening to them, Cirie agreed to align with Amanda and Parvati. Looking on from the beach, Jonathan and Eliza wondered if Cirie was siding with the ladies. Eliza frantically stated, "I hope she doesn't fall for their garbage."
At Exile Island, Ami easily traced the clues to where Cirie and Kathy left off when Kathy came to Exile Island with Cirie. Unfortunately, their journey was cut short as the tide crept in forcing them to head back over to the other island.
As night fell on the camps, so did a torrential down pour of rain. The Fans were absolutely miserable. Their small shelter provided no comfort or protection from the rain. The Favorites were much more protected as they were able to use the tarp they won in the Reward Challenge to keep them dry.
Waking up the next morning, the Fans beach was ruined by the rain. "Last night was probably the worst night I've had since we've been here," complains Joel. "We feel like we got beat up twice yesterday, once by the other tribe and once by nature." Huddled up between Chet's arms, a tearful Alexis hoped her team could regain confidence to pull off a huge upset in the next challenge.
Immunity Challenge
The Immunity Challenge consisted of four team members holding up a large basket as the other team tossed coconuts into the basket. The team that could hold on to their basket without releasing the ropes would win Immunity. The rope holders for the Favorites were Cirie, James, Jonathan and Parvati and for the Fans were Joel, Erik, Tracy, and Natalie. Alternating throwing coconuts, the Fans took the lead. At first it appeared that the Favorites would win the challenge easily. Suddenly, the Fans tossed more and more coconuts into the Favorites basket. Eventually the weight of the basket began to show on the faces of the Favorites and within minutes, the Favorites released the ropes dropping the basket. The Fans had won Immunity.
Preparing for Tribal Council, Cirie informed Amanda and Parvati that she wanted her new alliance to vote out Yau-Man because he would be unbeatable at the end and because he's a strong mental treat. In order to keep the peace, Amanda and Parvati informed James and Ozzy of the plan change. Of course Ozzy and James couldn't believe how the control had shifted from them to Cirie. As Jonathan wondered where he stood with Cirie, he made his way to the intimate conversation that Cirie was having with the other alliance and confronted Cirie. Jonathan exploded, but Cirie kept a calm head in front of everyone.
Prior to Tribal Council, Ozzy pleaded with Cirie to vote for Eliza over Yau-man, but Cirie would not budge. Obviously frustrated with the turn of events, James stated, "She (Cirie) went from the swing vote to the one who's deciding what's going on for the whole group; that can't happen."
Tribal Council
During a very heated Tribal Council, Cirie stood her ground as Jonathan threw several daggers her way. He even ousted her as a member of his alliance and calling her out for flip-flopping sides so early in the game. But Cirie, with a cool head, defended herself knowing she was the wildcard in both alliances.
In the end, Cirie was not only victorious, but got her way as the alliance of Ozzy, Amanda, Parvati and James grudgingly sided with her. With a sarcastic grin on her face, Cirie was able to single-handedly turn the game around. Great move Cirie!
I just hope it doesn't come back to bite you in the butt.
If the Favorites tribe was smart, they would make an agreement to blindside Cirie. Cirie has definitely shown some guts this season and if the others don't wakeup to her game play, they will see her in the winners circle.
I predict the Favorites will win another reward challenge, but fall in the next Immunity Challenge. Parvati, Eliza or Kathy will be the next to go.
Until next week.


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For some, friendship is the highest form of committed relationship.
Ask yourself what does it mean to you to be a true friend.
Look closely at the qualities of those you consider true friends.
Notice how friendship seems to vary with different personalities.
When friendship is tested with illness, distance, time or life changes, what is your experience?
Do you have many friends or just one true friend?
Are your friends your primary focus during the week?
Do you give your friends what you receive from your friends?
For me………
True friends are those who see me, know me and love me as I Am.
True friends are those who would take me in and give me rest, if I have need.
True friends are those who speak honestly and trust in my loving intention.
True friends are those who stand by me, knowing we are always connected.
True friends respect themselves and treat me with respect.
True friends listen beneath the words to the heart of the matter.
True friends are committed to relating with love, not to what they get.
True friends experience both teaching and learning, giving and receiving.
True friends respond always in the best way they are aware and trust.
True friends know they are loved, even with time, distance and differences.
True friends forgive and choose to love no matter what.
We are true friends,
Betty Lue
Choose to be a true friend and you will have true friends.


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Blue Topaz Earrings in 10k Yellow Gold
These beautiful dangle earrings are so popular! Lovely Natural Blue Topaz. Topaz is prong set in a twist setting with just enough diamond accent for a bit of sparkle. There is a matching pendant necklace that you may purchase separately.
Blue Topaz are heat treated and irradiated to permanently improve color.
- Model # M85-117294BLT-7
- 2 Oval Shape Natural Blue Topaz (heat-treated & irradiated) 5 x7 MM
- 10 Round Natural Diamond Accents
- Diamond Quality: HI Color, I2-I3 Clarity
- 10k Yellow Gold - Diamonds Are Set Against White Rhodium Plating
- Shared Prong Setting
- Lever Backs
- Approximately 1 3/8 Inches (including the wire)
- Imported (India)
Special Care: We recommend cleaning with mild soapy water and buffing gently with a soft cloth.
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3 beds
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Extras: **REDUCED!** CONVENIENT, AFFORDABLE, ADULT LIVING. Welcome home to this spacious, bright home (thanks to SKYLIGHTS!) in well run PARK RIDGE ESTATES. Beautiful kitchen with loads of counter space and storage. Newer, clean and very well-maintained. New laminate in this freshened up home! Move-in ready with all the amenities you're looking for; snow removal, grass cutting, community centre and close proximity to shopping and transit. Just move in! One of the nicest properties in the park! Don't miss it!
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ON AIR - Best of Strawberry Alarm Clock
with Jim-Jim & Nobby
Jamie Heaslip is facing a month on the sidelines.
The Ireland and Leinster number eight could miss the rest of Ireland's Six Nations' title defence after the IRFU confirmed that he has suffered fractures to three of his vertebrae. The injury shouldn't require surgery and isn't expected to have a lasting impact on the player.
The Union say that Heaslip is likely to be out of action for four weeks, which means that he could still return in time to feature in the matches against Wales and Scotland.


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This week, the spotlight is shining on Valentina Chiappa of Parole Vegetali! Valentina brings us the most wonderful classic Italian recipes, but turned vegan! Not only that, but she also explores recipes from around the world. Plant-based for several years, Valentina believes that our food choices can make the world a better place. We love the way that she spreads the love for natural cooking and experimenting with flavors and cuisines. If you want to try some incredible recipes made with care, look no further than Valentina! We found some of our favorites of her recipes from our Food Monster App to get you started.
Don't forget to check out our Blogger Spotlight Archives where we feature our amazing bloggers and their recipes every week!
1. Buckwheat Lasagna With Pumpkin Cream and Herbed Bread Crumbs [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Image Source: Buckwheat Lasagna With Pumpkin Cream and Herbed Bread Crumbs [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
This Buckwheat Lasagna With Pumpkin Cream and Herbed Bread Crumbs is easy to make, but it looks and tastes like a dish you could order at an Italian restaurant. The buckwheat noodles provide a rustic feel that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin cream, leeks, sautéed mushrooms, and a topping of herbed bread crumbs. There's no final baking method for this lasagna — you just layer everything and then you're good to go!
2. Savory Spinach Flan With Rosemary Potato Purée [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Image Source: Savory Spinach Flan With Rosemary Potato Purée [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Flan might be better known as a sweet, pudding-like dessert, but it can also be made savory, like this gorgeous Savory Spinach Flan With Rosemary Potato Purée. Made from spinach and silken tofu, its soft texture and subtle flavor served with creamy rosemary potato purée make this a delicacy worthy of any dinner party!
3. Vegetable and Pesto Stuffed Kohlrabi [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Image Source: Vegetable and Pesto Stuffed Kohlrabi [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Kohlrabi is one veggie that doesn't get nearly enough love. A relative of cabbage, it can be eaten raw, mashed, or even stuffed, like in this simple recipe. In this Vegetable and Pesto Stuffed Kohlrabi, fresh kohlrabi is packed with a mixture of mashed potato, carrot, and celery and topped with pesto made from kohlrabi and celery leaves — no food waste, here! Just be sure to save the veggie scraps for making soup stock.
4. Loaded Veggie Hoagie [Vegan]
Image Source: Loaded Veggie Hoagie [Vegan]
Say "hello" to the sandwich of your dreams. This Loaded Veggie Hoagie has greens, tomatoes, an abundance of caramelized onion, meaty mushrooms, sliced seitan, and a generous amount of cashew cheese — yum! This sammie is so loaded, you might need to find someone to share it with … but it's okay if you don't.
5. Spinach, Leek, and Carrot Quiche [Vegan]
Image Source: Spinach, Leek, and Carrot Quiche [Vegan]
This rustic Spinach, Leek, and Carrot Quiche is very tasty despite only requiring a few simple ingredients. The lattice arrangement of the sautéed leeks along with the bright and beautiful gingery carrots will wow whoever has the honor of sharing this quiche with you. It is an excellent healthy option to bring to picnic and parties.
6. Raw Portobello and Shallot Burger [Vegan]
Image Source: Raw Portobello and Shallot Burger [Vegan]
These Raw Portobello and Shallot Burgers are a must-make for any mushroom lover. Portobello mushroom caps and shallots are marinated in a simple sauce of tamari, olive oil, and fresh herbs, then dehydrated until they take on color. They're paired with a simple mustard avocado cream, fresh sliced apples, and greens.
7. Zucchini and 'Cheese' Stuffed Focaccia [Vegan]
Image Source: Zucchini and 'Cheese' Stuffed Focaccia [Vegan]
Enjoy one of your favorite breads, focaccia, with a savory twist! Sandwiched between these slices of whole-wheat Zucchini and 'Cheese' Stuffed Focaccia is a layer of a rice-based cheese spread, sautéed zucchini, and plenty of fresh basil, mint and chives. These bites are an ideal dish to bring to brunches and gatherings.
8. Whole Wheat Radicchio Ravioli [Vegan]
Image Source: Whole Wheat Radicchio Ravioli [Vegan]
These Whole Wheat Radicchio Ravioli are made with a mix of spelt flour and whole wheat flour to give a strong flavor. The filling is made from fermented tofu and radicchio, which gives a complex and cheesy taste. Each ingredient that makes up the dish is designed to balance and enhance the other flavors.
9. Nettle Gnocchi with Dried Tomatoes and Spring Onions [Vegan]
Image Source: Nettle Gnocchi with Dried Tomatoes and Spring Onions [Vegan]
Nettles can be used in the kitchen in soups, risottos, ravioli stuffing, pancakes, pasta pesto or simply sautéed as a side dish. In this case, they're used for Nettle Gnocchi with Dried Tomatoes and Spring Onions! This delicious dish is seasoned in a simple but tasty way.
10. Savory Saffron Kombu Congee [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Image Source: Savory Saffron Kombu Congee [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Congee is a is a rice pudding that's commonly served throughout Asia. This delectable salty Savory Saffron Kombu Congee checks all of our boxes for a tasty meal. The creamy congee is mixed with fresh green beans, bitter arugula, tender carrots, strips of kombu, and a bit of saffron that gives this umami-bomb a subtle nuance that's truly special.
Be sure to check out Valentina's page to find more of her amazing recipes, as well as her website! You can also find more of her recipes on our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!
Lead Image Source: Loaded Veggie Hoagie [Vegan]


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Joe's Jeans are preferred by celebs like Beyonce and Gwyneth for their superior fit and consistent style. The popular 'Muse' jeans hug curves with a low rise and butt-lifting pockets. But there's a point where even the best of denim designers (Joe's Jeans, 7's, Citizens) go a little too low on the low-rise. I love my Hanky Panky thongs but that doesn't mean I want to share them with rest of the world as they peek out of ultra-low rise jeans. Designer Joe Dahan has recognized my plight and updated his 'Muse' cut with a nine inch rise, still low but not scandalous. We heard that these new jeans are so hot that additional security was brought in to keep them safe from the fashion hungry masses. The custom updated denim is exclusive to Bliss with special blue, navy and grey stitching on the back pockets for $174. Find them only at blissworld.com.
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Its time for some Paintball action with PaintBall War, and for some reason the environment does look very familiar;) Anyhow it does not matter because this game created by Reno
is lots of fun to play!Comments from the author:This is a paintball game I made long ago in TGF. I found this game and revived it in MMF. But in the end, I basicly just created the game from the ground up Click here to download the game and read its reviews.


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matches your ambition
Talent Talks are exclusively supplying cast on a British TV Crime Drama Series, which is now in Series 3. This will be running from July 2018 to February 2019. We will need a variety of cast throughout. Please apply for each job / day that you are interested in.
On this job post we are looking for people aged 18-45 to play a role
The role is to play petrol station staff cashiers so any experience in this area or any cashier experience would be a bonus but not essential.
The shoot will take place in London Friday 7th december, exact location and call times TBC..
Payment is FAA rates (minus 15% for subscribed Talent Talks members, 20% for non Talent Talks members. Google FAA Rates if unsure.
Apply ASAP
- Location: London
- Payment: FAA Rates (Minus 15% Commission)*
- Job category: TV Series
- Age: 18-45
- Shoot Date: 07/12/2018
- Posted: N/A
How To Apply
- Deadline 07/12/2018
This is an open postingApply for free or Login to apply


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Agent Carter fic: Team Player (6/8)
feeling: annoyed
The front door was the obvious intended entrance, which meant that Peggy would no doubt have to secure another means. Some of the ground floor doors would probably have been easiest, but since she was essentially entering blind, she wanted to minimize her risk of exposure.
With that in mind, she turned her attention up.
Darting carefully, she made her way to the side of the building, sneaking her way along while she ducked under the barred windows. Then, she got to the fire escape. It was designed to be an emergency exit, but Peggy had a tendency to look at things differently than most people. She was a firm believer that just because something had an intended use, didn't mean that was the only use it was good for.
If it could get people out, she could only surmise it would get people in as well.
She pulled herself up, willfully keeping her movements as quiet as possible. It wasn't easy with her heels on the metal rungs, but there wasn't much to be done for it. Besides, by the time someone really got suspicious about any scuffling, Peggy intended to already have established her entrance.
It took her only a minute to scale the ladder, though navigating the small catwalk that ran along the edge of the upper floor wasn't particularly easy in her shoes. She had already established Jarvis's most likely location and purposefully picked a window as far away from it as possible. Any guards would be concentrated there. This was the best choice in order to retain the element of surprise.
That was her only advantage in all of this, but she couldn't deny that the unknown on the other side of the wall left her with trepidation. No matter her plans and gadgets, this was still a surprise for her too once she got inside.
There'd be no turning back.
To be fair, though, as far as she was concerned there was already no turning back. Not with Howard unarmed, depending on her for backup. Not with Jarvis tied up and beaten. Not with Sousa still waiting for her to set a dinner date; not with Angie waiting for her at home tonight.
Tentatively, she tested the locked on the window. When she found it locked, she reached into her bag of Howard's tricks with stolid determination.
Absolutely no turning back.
Howard had called the first tool a lockpick.
Peggy found that term to be humorlessly simplistic.
The device actually cut through the glass, fast and efficient, giving Peggy easy access to the lock for a silent and unobtrusive entrance.
As it turned out, she was having a stroke of luck. The window opened into a small room -- empty, musty and closed off. Clearly, whatever operation Falsone had in this building, it wasn't particularly expansive. Although, if his sole purpose was to lure in Howard, she supposed there was no need for the extra space.
Which worked out fine for her.
She kept her footing quiet and fast, making her way across the room and pausing at the door. Leaning close, she listened for any sound of movement or activity.
There was nothing.
Feeling mildly reassured, she checked the handle. It was locked, but it was easy enough to turn the deadbolt from the inside. With a soft snick, she cracked open the door.
And promptly ran into a man.
He was burly and armed, and he looked just as surprised to see her as she was to see him.
That was, until she leveled him with a single punch to the head that sent him sliding to the floor. The unexpected action almost made her yelp, and it was all she could do to catch him, almost falling under his weight before she dragged him haphazardly back into the room.
She was breathing heavily by this point -- exertion, surprise, adrenaline, it didn't matter which -- and she hastily went through Howard's things until she found the first pair of restraints. They looked like handcuffs; they worked like handcuffs.
Except for the electronic closure that flipped on a green light. Howard had assured her that any movement in these cuffs would result in an instant sedative dose, right into the bloodstream. There was enough to keep a grown man silent for a day straight with nary a scratch on him.
She stood up, dusting off her skirt as she looked at his still form. His nose was leaking blood.
So nary another scratch, she told herself.
Gathering another breath, she took another item from the bag. Although she had subdued the first man, she also recognized her own luck in this situation. This time, she needed to proceed with more than caution.
She needed a few tricks up her sleeve.
The gun she selected looked simple enough, but Howard had assured her that none of the rounds were live. Instead, it acted as a temporary paralytic, which would give her enough time to handcuff anyone else before they became a danger to her operation.
In the hallway again, she found herself unimpeded. Moving carefully, she considered the possibilities of checking each room. While it was true that Jarvis could be in any room, what were the chances of him being completely unguarded?
Besides, she didn't have time to be thorough, not with Howard downstairs doing God only knew what.
No, Peggy only had time to be right.
Suddenly, she heard voices, and she promptly pressed herself against the wall. Listening, she heard two pairs of footsteps from around the corner, voices hushed in conversation.
Then, they rounded the corner.
And she lifted the gun.
One shot; two shots.
There was no way to stop their fall this time, and she had barely managed to secure them both in handcuffs when a third man approached. This time, she had no time for the gun.
Instead, she smiled sweetly, shrugging as innocently as she could.
It was an outrageous act.
Due to the insipid nature of most men, though, it worked perfectly.
Confused, the man looked at her for approximately two seconds.
Which were the only two seconds Peggy needed to swing her bag at him. It caught him in the face, sending him stumbling backward. Before he could cry out, Peggy had a hand on the stun gun, firing one last, finishing shot.
He spasmed, thumping to the ground, and she quickly dragged him around the corner before putting another pair of handcuffs on him.
Standing up, she took in her handiwork.
Four men down.
Four men closer to the one she really wanted today.
Although Peggy hadn't checked any rooms, it was fairly obvious where Jarvis was being kept. Around the last corner, toward the front of the building, Peggy could just catch glimpses of a man on patrol. He was carrying a gun, and from the sound of pacing, she could make out two more men.
That had to be his location.
It also had to be the downstairs access.
This made it far more likely that she would draw attention to herself, which would effectively render her rescue useless.
The thought of it wasn't very pleasant, not when Howard was counting on her. Howard, who was downstairs with no plan of escape other than that which she could bring. This was what it was to have backup, to put your life in someone else's hands. This was what it meant to be part of a team, to know that the outcome was not solely yours, for better and for worse.
This was what Jarvis had tried to explain to her all those times. That the only way to take the necessary risks was to know that someone else was there to take the precautions that you couldn't afford on the front lines.
She'd hated that, and all its implications. Even when Steve had worked as part of a team, Peggy had been something of her own woman. The Howling Commandos had adopted her as one of their own, but only after the fact, only after they'd all lost more than they could ever hope to regain.
And now, here she was. Her current team was haphazard and unlikely. An inventor; an agent; an aspiring actress; a butler. They would never make as formidable of a presence, but they might just work after all.
Assuming, of course, she got everyone out of this fiasco in one piece.
With that in mind, she took a breath, and turned the corner.
Ready to fight.
They didn't even see it coming.
That had been the point, obviously. Even so, Peggy hadn't expected it to be that easy. Two shots, and both men were down, and she had them both secured without as much of a mewl of protest. That was a job well done, even for her.
Standing, she took a few deep breaths and rallied her composure. It seemed ridiculous to doubt things now, when things were going so very well. Because she was well trained and she had planned sufficiently.
But who was she kidding? Of course she was going to doubt now. Nothing in her life ever came easily, and success always came at a price, sometimes a price she was reluctant to pay.
She was getting ahead of herself anyway. This wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.
Quickly, she bent down, checking the men on the floor for keys. She discarded what looked like house keys and settled for a pair of keys on a separate ring, hastily taking it to the last door before the exit. The first key didn't work, and she spared a nervous glance at the exit. She wondered how Howard was faring; she wondered how long it would be before someone came upstairs to check on things.
Anxiously, she tried the second key, her fingers shaking as she turned it in the lock. It stuck slightly, but she jimmied it a little harder before the mechanism clicked into place. Without hesitating, she pulled the key and opened the door.
She recognized the room immediately. The dark, dank space was clearly not an office space like the first room she'd entered. No, this close to the stairs, it had probably been intended as a utility closet, which would explain the exposed ductwork and unfinished walls.
Somewhere, something was leaking, and she could hear a steady ping of water and smell the rank odor of stagnant water. There were no windows and the light that had been featured in all the photos was noticeably dark.
Heart pounding, she reached for the wall, feeling as best she could for some kind of lightswitch. There was nothing there, but with one step, she felt a cord dangling from the ceiling as it tangled in her hair. Reaching up, she pulled it once, illuminating the room in gaudy light.
She recognized the room.
She didn't recognize Jarvis.
The photos had been intended to shock and scare, but in truth, they hardly did justice to his present condition. Jarvis was still tied to the chair, hands pulled behind him and lanky legs secured to the wood. The rope around his chest was the only thing keeping him upright.
His clothing was in even worse shape than before. The pants were smudged with dirt and blood, and his jacket and vest were gone entirely. The once-white collared shirt was ripped open and rumpled now, and one sleeve was stiff with a rusty stain. The skin on his chest and stomach were livid with bruises -- they had clearly started to settle since the photographs had been taken -- and one of his shoulders seemed to be sitting unevenly with the other.
That was just what she could see. His face was dipped forward, nothing but a mess of hair visible in the bald light.
Standing frozen, her heart clenched in her chest as he roused. With obvious effort, his head lifted, tipping back for a moment before it almost lolled forward again. It was then Peggy could see that he'd been gagged as well, the thick white cloth cutting at the corners of his mouth even as he blinked his eyes blearily and looked up at Peggy.
It took him several seconds for his eyes to clear; several more before the hint of recognition dawned in them.
Peggy forced herself to swallow, reminding herself that this was why she was here. Not as a favor to Howard; not out of obligation to Jarvis himself.
But as a friend.
The smile on her face physically hurt her, but she maintained it anyway. "Well, then, Mr. Jarvis," she said, as his expression shifted between relief and outright confusion. "I do believe it's time to get you home."
She removed the gag first, trying not to let her fingers tremble as she worked at the knot. It had been pulled tight almost cruelly, and she suppressed the desire to curse as her tugging jarred his head.
"Sorry," she said instead. "Just a bit here--"
With that, it came loose, and she discarded it without hesitation. He audibly sighed, a shudder of relief shaking his entire body. "Miss Carter--" he said, the word breathless and garbled.
She was already working on his hands. "Easy now," she soothed, pulling out a knife to make the process go a little faster. "It'll just be a moment."
He took another ragged breath, rolling his head back. "Miss Carter--"
With one rope sliced, she promptly made short work of the other, raising the knife to the binding around his chest. "But--" he said, pausing to swallow hard with a grimace. "What are you doing here?"
The shock, she had to think, was less about her ability and more that he simply hadn't expected her to come. That, and he had spent the last few days bound and beaten. Shock was going to be expected.
With the rope on his chest loosened, she moved around back in front of him, bending lower to cut through the leg bindings. Still, she spared a moment to smile at him. "Retrieving one of Howard's most valuable assets," she said. "What do you think?"
A thin line of befuddlement showed between his knitted brows. "But--" he started again. "It's too dangerous--"
At that, she made a visible display of rolling her eyes, discarding the last of the ropes. "I'll pretend you didn't say that," she said, standing back up again. "Unless you've forgotten our previous antics together."
He took a hitching breath. "Forgotten," he said, almost surprised. "Miss Carter, I simply thought you would have learned--"
"That it's important to be part of the team," she said. When he showed no signs of getting to his feet, she bent down again, gently taking one of his arms and wrapping around her shoulder. "But we really should get moving, if we're going to stick to the plan."
He couldn't fight her -- not even in full health -- but he still shook his head. "No, no--"
"Mr. Jarvis," she said, trying to move them forward. "I assure you, this is perfectly okay. I'm working with Howard. We have it planned--"
His feet dragged, and he made a small pained sound. "No, Miss Carter--"
"We can talk about it later," she said, trying to work out in her mind how she was going to carry him out while still fighting off any potential attackers.
"No," he said, somewhat more vehemently now. It was an obvious effort for him to pull up short, planting his feet hard into the ground and raising his head to look her in the eyes. "You don't understand."
He must have been hurt worse than she'd thought. Head injury, maybe. Or just exhaustion and dehydration. Even the stress of the ordeal.
"The plan," he said haltingly, even as he struggled to steady his own footing.
"Is to get you out of here," she supplied for him, reaching out to take his arm again.
He shook his head. "The plan isn't about me," he said.
That wasn't what she had expected. Not in the least.
With a gasping, hard breath, his face grew determined. "They didn't take me for money," he said, cradling his arm now. "They took me for him."
"Howard's aware of the risks," she said.
"They're going to kill him, Miss Carter," Jarvis said. "No negotiation; no pretenses. They don't even care if I get out of here alive, as long as he doesn't."
She wanted to say it was a surprise, but it wasn't. Of course it wasn't. This thing had been personal, and she'd known it all along. She'd just been so set on saving one friend that she hadn't fully accepted the possibility of losing another.
This was the tricky thing about friends, after all. That their lives mattered, even when sometimes their lives had to be negotiable.
"Why?" she said, almost demanding. "Why go through all this if killing Howard was all they wanted?"
Jarvis looked perplexed. "Didn't he tell you?"
"He told me that Falsone wanted his technology," she said.
Jarvis shook his head. "Falsone doesn't care about the technology," he said. "It's his daughter."
The color drained from Peggy's face, and her stomach went cold. "This is about a girl?"
"To be fair, when isn't it--"
"Mr. Jarvis!"
"Right," he said, working to steady himself again. "Falsone's daughter was quite infatuated with Mr. Stark. When her advances did not play out the way she hoped, she fell into a less reputable crowd."
"Less reputable?" Peggy asked, sounding far more incredulous than she'd intended. "Than Howard?"
"I make no presumptions--"
Peggy rolled her eyes, reminding herself that time was not a luxury she had. "So how does that lead to Falsone wanting to murder Howard?"
"Well, that's just it," Jarvis said, his voice still wavering slightly. "After a year of pining, the girl completely lost her way. The scandal was endless until she jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, I'm afraid. I remember, because I read about it in the papers. Such a horrible waste. Just six months ago."
Six months. That was the timeframe for when Falsone infiltrated the cover company.
That was it, she realized with a horrible clarity. The missing piece to the puzzle that Howard had been keeping her from the start. He'd known all along why Falsone was after him. Maybe he'd been too embarrassed to admit it to Peggy. More than likely, he felt responsible.
To be true, Howard could be a heartless bastard from time to time. He knew how to make people fall in love with him, and he rarely put any effort into maintaining the relationship.
But this wasn't his fault.
Not in the way Falsone was asking him to pay at any rate.
It explained the nature of the demands, the way Jarvis had been treated. It explained why Falsone was cutting ties and leaving the company out to dry. Falsone never cared about the money; he cared about familial retribution.
And that was why Howard had tried to keep her out of it at first.
More importantly, it was why he'd entrusted her with Jarvis first and foremost.
She looked at Jarvis again with new understanding.
"Can you walk?" she finally asked, scrutinizing him once more. Bruised and battered -- that was less than ideal. But upright and coherent -- she could work with that.
As if reading her mind, he drew himself taller with a sharp. professional nod.
"Good," she said, turning toward the door. "Because the plan just changed."
Peggy didn't have much of a plan to start with, and this new improvised version was even more ad-hoc than ever. Even so, Jarvis fell into step with her seamlessly, hardly needing a word of guidance. Keeping close, he took her cues, and he needed no direction as he followed her lead.
He'd told her once that a good butler met needs before they were realized.
Well, as far as Peggy was concerned, he wasn't just a damn good butler.
He was a good partner.
She'd never been inclined to admit it, not when they were working together. It had been easy to resent him sometimes; easier still to make him the scapegoat of her frustrations regarding the whole arrangements.
But, in retrospect, they'd been a well paired match.
The perfect partner in crime -- or justice, whichever the case may be.
Peggy could be a team player, and she'd developed a positive working relationship with Daniel and even Thompson. In the last month, she'd become a reliable member of the SSR, working side by side with any number of the agents. She appreciated their abilities, and she enjoyed the camaraderie.
All the same, it wasn't like this.
Working with Jarvis wasn't as simple and professional.
But it was better.
"By the way," Jarvis whispered to her as they transferred the sedated men into Jarvis' prison cell. "I appreciate the rescue."
She cast him a glance, dropping the second man in an unceremonious heap. "Did you think I would leave you to it?"
"Honestly, I half hoped you would," he said, leaning for a second against the wall. "I hate to be a bother."
She wiped her hands on her skirt, catching her breath. "You of all people should know better."
He smiled. "I might have hoped you would stay away for your own safety," he said. "But I can't say I'm surprised. Besides, I was afraid to think what Howard would do on his own."
"That's the beauty of teamwork, I suppose," Jarvis said, wiping at a streak of dried blood on his cheek. "When someone's throwing themselves on their sword, there are enough hands to stop them."
In theory, at least. Peggy's stomach churned. She could still hear the static on the radio when Steve's plane disappeared from radar.
She'd came to save Jarvis.
But she wasn't willing to sacrifice Howard in the process.
There had been enough of that.
This time, everyone went home.
She moved briskly back toward the door, assessing Jarvis one more time. "Are you sure you're up for this?" she asked. "You could stay here--"
"And let you have all the fun?" Jarvis asked. "Miss Carter, I'm somewhat offended."
"You've taken a serious beating," she reminded him. She scoured his appearance again. "And you're still favoring one arm."
He shied away, wincing as she reached out to touch it. "It's nothing broken or out of joint," he said. "At least, not anymore."
"You're going to need a doctor," Peggy said.
"And I promise, once we're out of here, you can take me to one," Jarvis said.
"I can't have you slowing me down," Peggy warned.
"And who's to say this will be your fastest exit?" Jarvis countered. "Please, I may lack your prowess in the field, but I can't sit here idly while you and Mr. Stark are in harm's way. All I've been doing is sitting here, waiting."
He wasn't lying to her, and he had a point. She wasn't inclined to let him out of her sight, anyway, not when she'd just managed to liberate him. No, if they were going to do this, they were going to do it together.
"Very well, Mr. Jarvis," she said, handing him one of her extra guns. "But you better keep up."
He pulled away from the wall, taking the gun with his good hand. "Miss Carter," he said. "It would be my pleasure."
Back in the hall, she moved silently and quickly, keeping her pace under control both to ensure Jarvis was still behind her and to prevent any noise from tipping off their approach. It appeared as though there were no additional men on this upper floor, which made this part of the rescue relatively easy.
Once they got downstairs, however, she knew it would be a different story.
Worse still, she had no idea what she was coming into. She'd been lucky upstairs; somehow she doubted that she would get that lucky downstairs. If the stairwell was enclosed, that might be something. If it opened up into the main area, well, then this might be the most ill-conceived rescue attempt ever.
Not the most ill-conceived, she forcibly reminded herself. Steve had gone alone into Nazi territory on the off chance that he might recover his childhood friend.
Moreover, he'd been successful.
If nothing else, this was exactly what he would do.
He would try.
Cautiously, Peggy pressed herself against the wall, putting a tentative hand on the doorknob. It was a good sign that there was a door, and she glanced back at Jarvis, who had pressed himself against the wall instinctively.
Either that, or he was using it to keep himself from falling over.
Peggy wasn't sure at this point.
"Look," she said. "When we get down there--"
His earnestness was matched only by his unequivocal comprehension. "It could go poorly," he said. "Is that a fair assumption?"
"I don't suppose you know what's down there," she said.
"As I was unconscious when they brought me here, I'm afraid I can't be much help," he said.
"No idea how many people he has working here?" Peggy asked.
"You've incapacitated as many as I've seen," he said.
"And you're sure you want to do this with me?" she asked.
"Miss Carter," he said. "I would follow you anywhere."
"That's reassuring," she said. "Somewhat terrifying, also, but we'll go with reassuring."
"Come on, then," he said.
She turned back toward the door, muttering under her breath. "Come on."
The stairs were enclosed, which was a stroke of luck Peggy was pretty sure they didn't deserve. At the bottom, she leaned against the frame, listening as best she could. There wasn't much to hear, a few muffled thumps and maybe the faintest trace of a voice, but nothing close.
Negotiations couldn't be done yet, Peggy knew logically. Not without someone coming upstairs to retrieve Jarvis or simply declare an end to the proceedings.
This implied that there was likely no one active in their vicinity. At the very least, Falsone was dealing with Howard elsewhere.
Peggy glanced at her watch. It had only been twenty minutes since she'd broken in here. That didn't seem so long for a rescue, but it would be a laborious hostage negotiation. Of course, given how much Falsone had invested in this, he probably didn't want to hurry his pay off.
Behind her, Jarvis' was close but she couldn't fail to notice that he was listing somewhat, favoring one side more than the other. Even so, he didn't complain. In fact, he didn't make a sound, and Peggy didn't doubt that was a wise choice. Without knowing what was on the other side of the door, surprise could work for them or against them.
She grasped the handle.
Luck had been with them so far.
She just hoped it wasn't time for it to run out now.
Jarvis needed no instruction, and Peggy needed no invitation.
She opened the door sharply, pushing her way out with a strong bold move, leading with her gun. As she fanned out to the left, Jarvis limped to the other side.
They had to be an odd looking pair. A woman in a sundress and heels; a butler in blood-stained and bedraggled clothing. They would hardly be intimidating.
But then, she was used to people underestimating her. They rarely expected her skills or tenacity.
And she had learned not to underestimate Jarvis. Not so much for his skills, but for his unqualified loyalty.
All that aside, the posturing was for nothing because the landing was empty.
Peggy made a visual sweep, starting forward while Jarvis fell in step behind her.
The corridor went in both direction, and Peggy followed the one toward the back of the building, hoping that it would give her a bit more cover for whatever situation was about to unfold. The last thing she wanted to do was to walk in the middle of the negotiations without providing herself a little cover first.
The second to last thing she wanted to do was walk head-on into two guards.
She avoided the former, but there was no way around the latter. The duo turned the corner before Peggy had a chance to reach it, and the split second of confusion was pronounced on both sides.
One of the men had his gun up already, and Peggy realized quickly she'd never get a shot off first. Instead, she charged, taking the man's hand and diverting it up, hoping against hope he wouldn't have time to fire. Not for the danger of being shot -- not really. But a gunshot would be hard to cover up.
The man grunted, and Peggy kneed him as hard as she could in the gut, slamming her heel down onto his boot. She heard a muffled shot from behind her, and she could only hope that Jarvis' vision had not been so badly impaired so as to throw off his aim substantially.
There was another wordless grunt, which was a promising sign.
Less promising was the falling figure of the second man, right into her.
It was all she could do not to yelp, turning too late to get out of the way. The unconscious form took her to the ground, and she struggled beneath the sizeable dead weight.
As she fumbled, she saw the movement as the other man stepped over her and headed straight toward Jarvis. She heard the sound of the gun clattering to the floor as Jarvis cried out, and the meaty thunk of flesh and flesh threatened to turn her stomach.
Jarvis was brave enough and he had some instincts in a fight, but he wasn't trained for this. Moreover, he'd already been beaten enough in the last few days. This wasn't the kind of rescue Peggy had intended to have.
And it wasn't the rescue Peggy would settle for.
After all, she couldn't do all those one-handed push-ups for nothing.
Sucking in a deep breath, she shoved the insensate man off of her, reaching for her gun as she got gracelessly to her feet. The man was on top of Jarvis, pinning him to the ground. As preoccupied as he was with pounding Jarvis' in, he didn't have time to react when Peggy came up behind him and pressed the gun to the back of his neck.
He stilled, hands hovering mid-air. She considered using the handcuffs for a more humane surrender, but she saw the cracked skin on his knuckles and decided that humanity would be lost here.
Instead, she pulled the trigger. The close range impact made him tense up and recoil, falling to the ground where he writhed for a moment before going still.
Heart still pounding, she looked toward Jarvis. "Are you okay?"
On the ground, Jarvis lifted his head. His nose was bleeding and there was a fresh cut on his lip. "I've been better, I believe."
She reached out a hand, offering it to him. "Do you need to head back?"
Grimacing, he took the hand, letting her pull him up. He wobbled for a moment, but visibly forced himself to steady. "The job's not done yet," he said. "It wouldn't be in your nature to quit."
"I'm serious," she started.
He looked at her. "And so am I."
She gave him a short, resolute nod. "Okay," she agreed, retrieving his gun and handing it back to him. "Stay close."
The traversed the rest of the hallway with little difficulty, and Peggy considered their fortune that while Falsone appeared well planned, he was not overly well staffed. There also appeared to be no larger master plan. The building was mostly empty with nothing of value or interest whatsoever.
No, Falsone's only purpose was truly Howard.
This made things easier.
And exponentially harder.
Because there were no more minor threats to deal with.
Just the biggest, most dangerous one of all.
At the end of the hallway, Peggy stopped at the door. "Okay," she said, voice hushed as she looked back at Jarvis. "I'm just going to peep out there--"
"We do it together," Jarvis said, almost without hesitation.
"This is just reconnaissance," she said. "I'm literally just going to crack the door."
"And what if they see you?"
"Then it will be very short reconnaissance," Peggy said, trying to sound nonplussed.
"And that's okay with you?"
"I don't see how we have another option," she argued.
He drew his brows together in what looked like painful consternation. "Just remember that we're in this together, Miss Carter."
She gave him a reassuring smile. "If I go off and do something stupid, you're welcome to follow."
He was moderately mollified. "I hope I don't have to take you up on that."
Peggy drew a breath, readying her gun. "Me, too."
It was nearly impossible to position herself while still keeping her gun at the ready. She would have to sacrifice protection in order to attain the maximum stealth, a trade off she could only hope she wouldn't regret.
She got low on the far side of the door, giving Jarvis a look of warning as she reached up to test the handle. It wasn't locked, at least, but it made the faintest creaking noise as she turned it, causing her to wince.
Jarvis stiffened, but didn't move, and Peggy took another breath before turning the handle just enough and pushing the door open.
At first, she barely held it open, no more than a crack just to see if anyone was watching -- or worse, was standing right behind it. When there was no obvious response, she steadied herself and pushed it open a little further.
Creeping forward, she repositioned herself until she had a view of the room on the other side of the door. At first, it was hard to make out what she was looking at -- walls and mostly empty shelving -- but the sound of a voice made her startle.
She nearly lost her grip on the door before she realized that the voice, though loud, wasn't directed at her. Nor was it particularly close.
Quickly, she redirected her focus. She saw a pair of men not too far ahead of the door, and beyond that, a well-lit space. It was mostly empty, with barren concrete floors and a tall ceiling that gave extra breadth to every small thing.
And every large thing.
"Do you still think you're so special? That the world is yours, to do with as you please?"
The voice was clear but accented, accentuated by snarled. It wasn't hard to place with the unassuming figure in the center of the space, clad in a dapper suit and styled with slicked back hair.
Falsone. She could recognize him from the file, and it was safe to assume that his role as antagonist was unavoidable at this point.
"Because you think you are some kind of genius, that everyone should be so lucky just to meet you," Falsone half-spits. "But you are nothing. What is success without a soul?"
With that, the man lashed out, growling as he kicked. One of the guards shifted, just enough to reveal the second figure, bound and on his knees.
She was only afford a glimpse before Falsone finished the kick and stood back again, effectively blocking her line of vision to him. But what she'd seen hadn't been promising. There had been a livid mark on his cheek, and there had been blood -- a broken nose, most probably -- among other things. Falsone had exacted a substantial beating on Jarvis over the last few days. He hadn't apparently felt the need to take his time with Howard.
For a moment, all she could hear was the sound of Howard's strained breathing before Falsone took to pacing again. "Do you have nothing to say for yourself?"
She caught a glimpse of Howard as she straightened. "I just came here for my butler."
"Your butler?" Falsone asked, as if in disbelief. "You think you're going to walk away with your butler?"
"I told you the money--"
"The money is nothing," Falsone sneered. "What about my baby girl?"
That was what Jarvis had said, and apparently he'd been right about that much. This kidnapping wasn't about monetary gain; it was a vendetta. Which explained why there was no getaway vehicle on the ready. In fact, besides Falsone there were only a handful of men in the warehouse. In addition to the two guarding the stairs, she made out two more near the front, all armed and waiting.
"I didn't do anything to your daughter," Howard said, or started to say before Falsone lashed out again, sending Howard to the floor in a heap. The sound of flesh on flesh reverberated loudly in the space, making it sound even more unsettling than it was.
That was probably part of the plan. The overall setting provided a secure location and the right ambiance.
It was perfect not for a ransom, but for a murder.
Falsone kneeled down, grabbing Howard by the hair and setting him on his knees again. "You did nothing to her?" he asked. "What about breaking her heart?"
Howard was taking gasping breaths, and Peggy saw blood trickle from his mouth. "I only met her once," Howard said.
"But what about all the parties?" Falsone asked. "All the special invitations?"
"They went out to half the available women in the city," Howard said. "I swear, I never had anything to do with that girl."
"That's right," Falsone said. "You ignored her. You charmed her, and then you ignored her."
Howard seemed to deflated. "I never meant to give her any impression that something was going to happen," he said. "I had no idea. If I'd thought she'd go and -- if I'd know -- I had no idea."
Falsone sat back on his heels, smiling. "That's all right, my friend," he said. "I understand. You see, I never meant to give you any impression that you would walk out of here with your friend. Or your life."
With that Falsone stood up again, rubbing his knuckles together. "Your life will not pay for hers," he said. "But maybe some of your pain and suffering will assuage my own."
This time, when Falsone struck out, he didn't stop. As the hits rained down, Peggy slid the door shut and closed her eyes, just for a moment.
"Well?" Jarvis asked, his voice a pressing whisper.
She looked up at him and willed herself to show some resolve. "He's alive."
"Obviously," Jarvis said. "But I meant, I assume you can take them? You have a plan?"
Jarvis was so matter of fact, so to the point, that for a moment it caught her off guard.
Not that it should have.
Because, he was right. Beyond the emotions, beyond the fear, Peggy had a very clear sense of what she had to do and how she was going to do it.
That was the beauty of working with Jarvis, she rarely had to explain herself.
And she never had to doubt herself.
"So," Peggy said with a curt nod. "The bad news is that there's just one exit, so our options will be limited. The good news, however, is that there are also fairly few men. If we can stage a good initial assault, that should be all we need to secure Howard and make our escape."
Jarvis nodded, brows knitted together. "How many is a few?"
"Four," Peggy said. "Plus Falsone."
"That's five men," Jarvis said.
Peggy nodded back at him. "Yes."
"Five is more than a few," he said.
"I think a few is a somewhat relative term," Peggy said.
"But it makes a bit of difference when you're talking about a full assault," Jarvis said. "Howard is incapacitated to some degree, and I'm hardly in fit fighting form. The odds aren't in our favor."
"We've taken on worse," Peggy said.
"And lost," Jarvis pointed out. "You can't take out five men by yourself and expect all of us to walk out of here unscathed."
She huffed, although she didn't have the audacity to contradict him. Five on one was doable when they were all equally armed and no one was being held at gunpoint. "I don't see any other plans."
"We don't need another plan," he said.
"Then what do we need, Mr. Jarvis?"
"A distraction," he said.
She looked at him a full second before she allowed herself to comprehend his meaning. She started to shake her head. "I'm not sure--"
"Yes, you are," he said. "You're very sure. Your plan is everything it needs to be, and all it needs is a distraction."
"It's too dangerous," she objected.
"If I let you go in there by yourself, you and Howard will end up dead," he said. "Do you honestly think I can defend myself or make a sufficient escape without your assistance?"
Her frown deepened.
"Please, Miss Carter," he said. "I trust that you can do this. So now you need to trust me as well."
What a novel and unsettling concept.
These were the risks she needed to take, however. The personal ones, the ones that didn't just risk her career or her safety, but her heart and her soul. If Peggy was going to make it as part of a team, then she had to be part of the team.
In retrospect, it would have been easier to just ask Sousa out on that damn date, but there was no time to think about.
She drew a terse breath. "Fine," she said. "What sort of distraction did you have in mind?"
"Oh, you know," he said, forcing a smile on his bruised face. "Just playing to my strengths."
She arched her eyebrows. "With all due respect, I'm a little surprised you're still walking so I'm not sure what strengths you're referring to."
He got shakily to his feet, nodding one last time. "Exactly."
It was the best solution, and Peggy knew that. Although they had the element of surprise and she was very good at this kind of thing, the odds were badly stacked against them. A distraction would be the best way to ensure that everyone left safely.
That was the theory, anyway.
Watching Jarvis limp out the door was much harder in reality.
He'd given her his gun, and she could only conclude that the listing was only moderately exaggerated. He looked horrible, and without any pretense of bravery in front of her, he looked like a wounded puppy being sent into a lion's den.
If this went poorly, she would never forgive herself.
It was too late to second guess that now. Silently, she pressed herself against the wall to the side of the door, poised to strike if necessary and poised to move when the opportunity presented itself. Willing her heart to stay calm, she listened through the wall.
"Please," she heard Jarvis say, with an affected slur. "I don't know what happened--"
There was a shout and a shuffling of feet. Falsone barked out orders, and she could hear the people in the room shift.
"I don't understand," Jarvis said, voice rising with what sounded like dismay. "What happened?"
In all honesty, he wasn't that good of an actor, but the intention was clear. If he acted weak, confused, delusional and helpless, he wouldn't be treated as a threat. Instead, he would be neutralized -- as gently as possible, Peggy could hope -- while Falsone redirected his men to assess what had actually happened.
This meant that the guards were preoccupied -- one or two with Jarvis and at least one other to explore the situation further -- and Falsone would be distracted.
This was it, Peggy concluded, tensing herself as the door opened.
This was it.
The first man never sees it coming. He comes through the door, but he doesn't have a chance to get his bearings before Peggy whips her gun across his face and then uses a heel to his gut to send him sprawling to the floor lifelessly.
Common sense would dictate that she should be nervous, but any reservations would probably get her killed. Instead, she came out firing, and managed to nick one of the goons half-carrying Jarvis before he had a chance to realize they'd been infiltrated on this level.
The second man dealing with Jarvis had his gun up, but Jarvis chose that moment to flop entirely bonelessly to the floor. The man stumbled with the sudden weight, and it was the opening Peggy needed to hit him square in the chest with another shot.
Feeling encouraged, she turned to fire again, but this time it was a moving target. This fourth guard had been across the room, and without any time to square up a steady shot, this one goes wide. Before she had a chance to take a second shot, she had to dive forward to avoid one aimed at her.
The bullet pinged off the cement wall behind her, and she soberly reminded herself that not everyone was hoping to minimize casualties in this mess.
All the same, she'd dealt with worse odds before.
Besides, this was beginning to annoy her. Her concern for the relative safety of all those involved was diminished rapidly. Now, she just wanted to get this job done.
Surging forward, she charged the man, using her boldness to throw him off kilter. She hit him square in the chest, deflecting his gun away and bowling him over like a felled pin at the end of an alley. She followed up quickly, bringing her own gun to bear and steadying herself for a shot.
A shot she never got to take.
The man rolled, swiping her legs out from under her.
She hit the ground hard on her back, and before she could move to defend herself, the man kicked her gun away. He moves to mount her -- a position that would be far too precarious for her -- so she brought her knee up hard toward his groin.
It wasn't a direct hit, but given the anatomy, it didn't have to be. He oofed audibly, and she scrambled to her feet, getting off another kick to his head that sent him hard to the ground.
He was obviously trained for combat, however. Before she could capitalize on her position, he lunged at her. From his position on the floor, the movement lacked true force, but it was still enough to bring them both down again.
Sensing the danger -- not from the force, but from the position -- Peggy turned hard, throwing him down as she twisted mid-air, letting him not only take the brunt of the fall but allowing her to end up on top. It wasn't a stable position, and she worked to move up his torso to gain better control, but she reflected dimly, there really wasn't time for this.
Not when she looked up and saw Falsone pointing a gun at Howard's head.
Yes, Falsone wanted the production, but he wasn't an idiot. Revenge was the bottom line, and he wasn't going to go through all this to end up without Howard's bloody corpse to compensate him for his trouble and his grief.
It was possible to lose the battle and still win the war, after all.
Peggy wanted to win the war, though.
She needed to win the damn war.
But she was too far away.
There was no way for her to stop the shot.
No way for her to do anything but stand there and watch it happen.
She had forgotten, though, that she wasn't the only person here.
It wasn't a particularly graceful lunge, nor was it overly well planned, but Peggy couldn't deny that Jarvis' flat footed attack on Falsone was primarily effective. The gunshot went wide, and they fell together, landing in a tangle on the floor.
It didn't solve the problem, but it certainly did buy her a little bit of time.
That was all she was going to need.
Thus reassured, she turned her attention to the man beneath her. He was twisting, trying to bring his gun up. She pounced, slamming his hand to the ground once, twice -- until the gun skittered from his grasp. In a fluid motion, she picked it up, but instead of bringing it to bear on the man, she whipped it hard against his face, breaking open the skin and leaving him prone and defenseless on the ground.
It had only taken a moment.
A moment too long.
She was nearly on her feet when the gunshot split the air.
Frantic, she brought her gun up, aiming it to where Falsone was still locked with Jarvis.
Then, Falsone staggered, stepping back from the scuffle, gun limp in his grip. As he moved to the side, Jarvis came into view, face white with shock as he looked down.
Before he fell to his knees, fingers touching the growing spot of red on his already ruined shirt.
Regaining his footing, Falsone snarled. "Now you will know," he growled, raising the gun toward Jarvis again. "How it feels to see a life so pointlessly taken."
From his position on the floor, Howard yelled.
From her position across the room, Peggy fired.
The sound of the gunshot reverberated, echoing off the lofty ceiling as Falsone crumpled to the ground.
Jarvis fell a beat later.
And Peggy was the only one standing.
She had been here before, hadn't she? In a war when good men went home in boxes and the best never came back at all. Peggy had survived. With tenacity and determination and the inexplicable curse of living.
This couldn't be the story of her life.
She would not outlive everyone she cared about.
Not this time.
Her chest was tight as she forced herself to move, stopping by Howard first. The knots tying his hands together were better than she had expected, and she could see that the ropes were carefully tied around his legs as well. Her fingers were shaking as she pulled out her knife, slicing through them as fast as she could.
She didn't even have a chance to pull them all the way free when Howard was on his feet, crossing the distance. He stepped over Falsone, hitting his knees next to Jarvis.
"Come on, come on," Howard muttered, shrugging out of his jacket. "Come on!"
Numbly, Peggy followed him, sparing a moment to kick the gun away from Falsone. She was surprised to find the man looking up at her, mouth gaping as he struggled for air.
"Every life is pointlessly taken," she said, training her gun on him. "But not every life is needlessly taken. Don't give me a reason to finish this."
Falsone took another sucking breath, his head dipping to the side toward Howard and Jarvis. "She was...my daughter," he gasped.
Peggy stood her ground, unwavering. "And they are my friends."
He looked back at her, eyes wide and desperate.
"Revenge doesn't bring back the dead, Mr. Falsone. Neither does justice," she told him. "Only time, and even then, you have to start by letting go."
He took another heaving, raspy breath.
Before he closed his eyes and fell into stillness.


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Taking a driving course could save you money on your car insurance.
It's common knowledge that a better driving record tends to get you better car insurance rates. But if you're looking for a way to lower your premiums even more, or if your driving record is less than perfect, certain defensive driving courses could help you.
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What are the benefits of a defensive driver car insurance discount?
The biggest benefit of any discount is saving money — and that's probably the biggest reason to pursue a defensive driver discount. The average discount awarded by insurance providers seems to be between 5% and 10%.
But because this discount is safety-related, the benefit is double: You can save money on your car insurance as well as acquire skills that actually keep you and other motorists safer on the road. In the pursuit of this discount, you could also end up with a better driving record when you submit your certificate to the DMV, because defensive driving courses can be used to erase violation points from a license.
There are a handful of states that have legislation specifically addressing defensive driver courses. New York, for example, allows you to take a course every 18 months to remove violation points from your license and every three years to get a 10% car insurance discount.
Who can get defensive driver discounts?
Almost everyone should be eligible for this kind of discount, with a few exceptions. Commercial drivers, for example, typically are not eligible. And depending on the laws in the state you live in or where certain traffic violations took place, a suspended or revoked license might exclude you from the defensive driver discount or points removed from your record.
However, if those special conditions don't apply to you, all you have to do is enroll in a defensive driving course — some are even offered online. After that, provide proof that you completed the course to your provider and the DMV to get the maximum benefit from your efforts.
Providers that offer defensive driver discounts
- Esurance. A couple of different scenarios qualifies you for this 10% discount. Also called a Mature Driver, Driver Improvement or Accident Prevention Course discount, this usually applies to older drivers 50 or older. In four states — New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Oklahoma — the discount is available to all drivers, regardless of age. In South Carolina, the age requirement is 25.
- Allstate. This provider gives a 10% discount to drivers who are at least 25 years old and have completed a defensive driving course.
- Geico. The discount offered by Geico varies across the country, ranging from 5% in California to 20% in New Mexico. This discount isn't available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina or Vermont.
- State Farm. While this provider advertises a discount for drivers who have completed defensive driving courses, State Farm doesn't give a specific discount amount. Their offering is most likely in the ballpark of 10%.
While the discount amount can vary pretty widely from state to state — just look at Geico's 5% to 20% spread — the average across all providers throughout the country is 10% in savings. So if you've recently completed a course or you're planning to soon, that's what you can expect.
Is a defensive driver course discount worth pursuing?
The most likely answer is yes, but it depends on your situation and how much you stand to save. In some states, taking a $25 defensive driving course can erase up to four violation points from your license and net you savings of 10% for a minimum of three years. That could be a significant value, especially if there are points on your record that are contributing to higher rates than you want to pay.
How do I submit my certificate of completion?
Whatever class or course you end up taking, you'll want to make sure you get a certificate upon completion. It's important that you can prove you enrolled and completed the class.
Once you have your certificate, submit it to your insurance provider directly. You can also submit the certificate to your DMV, even if the class wasn't mandated because of a violation. Showing that you've taken a defensive driving course can actually improve your driving record.
Bottom line
The savings from a defensive driving class could outweigh the costs and time spent. If you want to improve your driving record and your car insurance provider offers this discount, consider the benefits of a defensive driving course.
If your current provider doesn't recognize your hard work improving your driving, you have other options. Compare all car insurance companies to find the best savings.
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At Trinity we're focused on value creation for our customers, turning IoT and mobile data sources into new services and applications. According to Gartner, Inc there are four basic usage models for IoT. These usage models can be applied to your business to improve, extend and monetize your service offering.
1. Manage usage status related data
Using this IoT usage model you can optimize and monitor the usage of an asset or device. The assets may be simple and report very limited data or more complex using data from multiple sensors reporting real-time data. For example, data collected from a Smart Hot Water Geyser Controller can be used to track how a resource is utilized. Lowering costs, minimizing insurance risk and improving the accuracy of projected usage; modifying behaviours.
2. Monetize by Charging for Usage
Apply pay-as-you-go model to turn your products into services that generate long-term revenue. Through IoT, you have the ability to accurately measure usage and enable an asset to be used and billed as a per-usage basis service. In South Africa we have many housing complexes that perform their own estate electricity usage billing. Gathering this data real-time, with audit trail allows body corporates & property owners to accurately bill rather than estimates.
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Last night, I could not get to sleep. It was weird, because hours before I sat down on my couch and just passed out. I woke up like 20 minutes later with a good case of ..."whaaaaaaaaa? I was asleeep?"
Then I got to thinking of things, many things. Eventually I got myself into bed, and that's it, no sleep for an hour because of the many thinking of things. Thinking bad.
Later on today, I'm blabbing this to my co-worker and she's notes that maybe I'm hibernating.
I laugh, and say, "nooooo...I do that, but I'm not doing that now." Then, I reconsidered her point. I've had random cravings for pretzels, fruit, crackers, egg white sandwiches, cake...carbs!
And today, similar thing...fruit, fruit, crackers, all carbs - all the time. And random sleep.
So, with all that in mind, if this is the time of the year you hibernate, embrace it! Hibernation celebration! Only, do some prep work. For example, look at my cravings, simple sugars yes, but I did strive for fresh fruit, multigrain crackers, and a lone bag of vending machine pretzels without added fat. The cake, while not a fruit, it's a lowfat recipe of my own.
I keep craving items on hand, but only a few. Everything else, I have to brave the cold, the cost and the lack of sleep to get them. I also analyze what I want. This Weight Watcher article is pretty spot on. It's a good way to keep your comfort cravings in check and still be comfortable. Just because you hibernate like a bear doesn't mean you have to look like one.


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The chief operating officer of Allegiant Air unexpectedly resigned his post at the Las Vegas-based airline effective immediately, Allegiant announced late Friday.
Steven E. Harfst, 52, a former Navy fighter pilot with nearly three decades of experience in the aviation industry, had worked at Allegiant for a little more than a year and had been the most prominent executive at the airline behind its CEO, Maurice Gallagher Jr.
The resignation has repercussions in Tampa Bay with Allegiant flying about 95 percent of the passenger traffic at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which flew a record 1.6 million people last year.
In a brief statement, Allegiant provided no reason for his departure and Harfst declined to comment when reached on his cellphone.
"The company will use this leadership change as an opportunity to refocus on operational needs and areas for improvement," Allegiant said in a statement. "Allegiant is committed to operational excellence and looks forward to continued progress in this area."
Gallagher, Allegiant's chairman and CEO, said, "We thank Steve for his contributions to Allegiant. We look forward to continuing his efforts to strengthen our operation."
Harfst had been a staunch defender of Allegiant during 2015 at a time when the airline experienced a string of highly publicized maintenance issues and emergency landings. He has also had a leading role in negotiations with the airline's pilots union, which has hammered Allegiant's maintenance practices as being unsafe.
At least four Allegiant aircraft flying to or from Pinellas were forced to make emergency landings in the last year, including three in a one-month period during the summer.
Harfst has told reporters that the union is using safety as a ploy to better its negotiating position in talks for a contract.
Harfst said in a September interview with the Tampa Bay Times at Allegiant's corporate headquarters that he thought the airline was one of the safest in the industry.
"To me, it's always about being safe because you never undermine or take for granted being safe," said Harfst. "We're not insensitive to the media attention when our operation doesn't do what it is supposed to do. But we hope and we think most of our customers recognize the value we give and our intent to do what's right for them."
The departure comes at a time when Allegiant is earning high profits that have been boosted by lower fuel costs. On a percentage basis, the airline at one point late last year was the most profitable airline in the world with a 24 percent profit margin.
Harfst's resignation comes a week after a Times article featured a former Allegiant mechanic's accusations that the airline employed bad maintenance practices at its Sanford operation. A majority of the airline's routes are to Florida, and Allegiant is seen as a critical driver of local tourism.
Earlier this week, Allegiant announced it would offer twice-weekly flights between St. Pete-Clearwater and New Orleans starting June 3. That is the 50th city with scheduled Allegiant service with the Pinellas airport.
Harfst joined Allegiant's board of directors and became its COO starting Jan. 1, 2015. He was the former COO of IndiGo Airlines based in New Delhi.
In a Times interview, Harfst said airline consolidation forced larger carriers to run more efficiently, taking them out of the smaller markets now feeding Allegiant's bulging bottom line.
"I'd rather be lucky than good," said Harfst. "We're really happy about what has taken place in the industry. We like that. We see a lot of runway ahead of us when it comes to growth, and St. Pete is going to be the beneficiary of that."
Harfst is no stranger to pressure in the workplace. In logging 1,600 hours as a fighter pilot in a 10-year career with the Navy, he made 227 carrier landings. He left the service in 1996.
Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Contact William R. Levesque at [email protected] or (813) 226-3432. Follow @Times_Levesque.


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Chalk It Up Buttercup is the YouTube channel of 8-year-old Buttercup.
In this excellent video Buttercup and her coaches talk about keeping gymnasts safe, especially on appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This is the video I'll be showing to kids. It's relatable and balanced. #BurnItAllDown types seem to want to ban all spotting. That's dangerous, of course.
(via Aimee B)


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Your dog is a member of the family, and there will be times that you are hung up on good ways to train him. This article sheds some light on simple training tips that you will find useful in training your dog. You can successfully train your dog if you learn the right way to do it.
Crate training your new puppy is most effective when you take small steps. When they seem comfortable in it with the door open, try shutting the gate and feed them treats through the wires. Begin with small intervals, and work your way up to longer times. If the dog becomes agitated, slow down a little more to make them more comfortable.
It is important that you also train your dog at mealtime with a specific routine. Teaching your dog to realize that when you place its food bowl down, it will be removed within 10-15 minutes, will help it understand that there is a feeding schedule to stick to. Soon, your pet will finish the meal before you're ready to remove its dish.
Patience is key in canine training. This will make it less likely that you or your dog will become frustrated or upset with the process of training. Your dog will do its best to please you, but give your dog enough time to remember orders. A puppy needs to form the association between a word and the behavior you expect with that command.
Training methods you use should be consistent. If there is more than one person training your dog, you need to make sure all the members of your household are using the same rewards and commands. When everyone has the same command in use, the dog will pick it up quickly.
Call your dogs name when speaking to him to keep him focused. It is especially important to do this during the first weeks of training, in order to establish that name-attention association. It's best to stick with shorter names, one's that are distinguishable from other words.
Watch the tone you use when you discipline your dog. Dogs are more receptive to the tones their masters use than you might realize. It is okay to be stern when disciplining your dog.
A good training tip is to be aware of the special grooming needs of your dog's breed. Some breeds require a lot more grooming than others, sometimes on a weekly basis. This will keep your dog fresh and reduce the chance of illness.
Make sure your dog's training sessions are brief. In fact, 15 minutes is an optimal limit to have on each session to reduce frustration on your part and your dog's. End each session by praising your dog.
You need to work on the recall of your dog. You should always have a pet that will come back to your area immediately when they are called. These are things that have to be done to have a obedient dog. You might just save your canine's life some day because of recall, so never skip or pass on training this, regardless of what it takes to get it done.
As you train your dog, consistency is vital. This means remaining consistent with the words for your dog's commands, your tone of voice, and the provided rewards.
Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered at six months. Obedience training should be put off until this is done. Not only does spaying or neutering make a dog a better overall pet, it makes him or her a more attentive pupil for training. You and your pet will enjoy a longer and happier life together.
You have begun the process of learning the important steps in canine training. Become a better trainer, listener and friend to your dog by following the advice from this article. Use this advice to help your dogs behavior improve.
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