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Coffee. That perfect pick me up for your mornings. Or afternoons. Or, really, any time of the day.
Coffee has become a staple in our lives. Because we need coffee to help us survive those busy days, weeks, and months. Since 2012, coffee consumption has increased to over sixty-four percent of the population. That's a lot of coffee drinkers.
The increase happened thanks in part to the influx of high-quality, versatile home coffee makers. Now we don't have to leave our homes to get grade A coffee. Just the push of a button can satiate our caffeine addiction.
Since coffee has become so popular, the in-home coffee maker market is trying to keep up by creating new and improved coffee maker designs. If you like single-cup brewing, there are hundreds of models on sale. If you prefer a more standard coffee maker, you will have to deal with wading through hundreds of different styles and brands.
Shopping for an in-home coffee maker can be a little overwhelming.
With so many in-home coffee makers on the market today, finding the right one for your needs can be a little tricky. You want to make sure you buy the right maker for your needs.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Since the 1950's, the BUNN brand has produced some of the most stylish, high-caliber coffee makers on the market. What makes their coffee makers so unique is the company listens to customer feedback to improve every model. So, they create some of the best coffee makers out there.
The BUNN makes professional grade coffee makers not only for industrial use but in your home kitchen as well. The products they produce are high-grade and high-quality.
The following two coffee makers are two of the top-quality products that BUNN offers. The first is the BUNN NHS Velocity Brew which boasts to be one of the fastest brewing coffee makers for sale today. The second is the multi-functioning, MCU Bunn Single Cup coffee maker.
What is the BUNN NHS Velocity Brew?
The BUNN NHS Velocity is the fastest 10-cup home coffee maker on the market today. The coffee maker can brew 10-cups in just 3 minutes. The stainless-steel reservoir allows for more rapid heating. The coffee maker keeps the water reserve hot, so it takes significantly less time to brew.
The minimum advertised brew is four cups at a time, so you know this model is made for a family or even one person who likes coffee. The coffee maker can be set only to brew one cup of coffee, so if you can handle one, that is fine.
The beautiful thing about this model is that with each brew, every cup tastes the same. The carafe of this model is designed in a way to seal off any leaking spots. So, no more coffee stains on your kitchen counter.
Unlike other coffee makers, the BUNN Velocity does not come with programmable features, so you cannot set a timer for the coffee to begin brewing. But in reality, with how fast this coffee maker brews coffee, you don't have to worry about scheduling the brew time in advance.
A downside of this coffee maker is that it only works well with BUNN coffee filters. If you want to use a different brand, your cup of coffee may suffer. Non-BUNN filters cause grounds and overflowing problems, so try to stick with BUNN approved filters.
Customer Reviews of BUNN NHS Velocity Brew
Customers rave about how quickly this maker brews coffee. Many of them can't believe that a coffee maker can be so fast and produce such high-quality coffee. Reviewers rate this maker relatively high because it offers great tasting coffee in the fraction of the time.
Reviewers enjoy how the carafe offers a leak-free seal. Many shared that they were tired of their old coffee makers wasting coffee and making a mess. With BUNN's updated carafe design, you won't have to worry about losing another drop.
My Review of the BUNN NHS Velocity Brew
I love coffee. I have to have it all the time, every day, or I am not a very nice person to be around. I am not a morning person who doesn't help that I mainly work in the mornings. I do enjoy my job, but sometimes I need a little pick me up.
I tend to drink at least two cups of coffee at my home before I go to work, but sometimes that is not enough.
Recently, my employer decided to buy a coffee maker for the kitchen staff. We had a professional grade coffee maker for our customers, but he wanted us to have our own. He knows that a lot of us sometimes need a little break to go outside and drink a cup of coffee before the morning rush.
Last week, my boss brought in a BUNN NHS Velocity Brew. I knew about the BUNN brand, but I was unfamiliar with this model.
We have a reasonably large morning kitchen staff, so I thought that one or two of us probably weren't going to get any coffee or we would have to wait until the next batch to get one. When a co-worker turned on the machine and got it brewing, I was surprised by how quickly it brewed the coffee.
I was astounded.
I didn't think a coffee maker could be that fast.
I still was hesitant thinking that since it brews so quickly, it has to have a terrible taste. But I was wrong. The coffee still had that bold, robust flavor that I was looking for.
I was shocked and pleasantly surprised.
The BUNN NHS Velocity Brew is an excellent addition to any large family kitchen or small business. It does what it promises and produces some pretty tasty coffee.
Final Thoughts on the Bunn NHS Velocity Brew
Overall, this is a well-made coffee maker that produces the fastest brewing times on the market. The updated carafe design prevents any unwanted spills, and the stainless-steel water reserve keeps your water hot and ready for whenever you want a cup.
The price tag may throw some off, but if you have a large family of coffee drinkers, this is a great option.
What is the BUNN My Cafe MCU Single Cup?
The BUNN My Cafe MCU Single Cup is a fun little coffee maker that can brew whatever hot beverage you desire. The MCU uses K-cups, fresh ground, loose leave and tea bags for brewing. If you aren't a tea or coffee fan, do not fret, because, with the hot water feature, you can make yourself a perfect hot chocolate.
With it's smart, compact design the product won't take up too much counter space. The stainless steel exterior gives the product a modern, industrial look so it will fit into any stylish kitchen.
Like other BUNN brands, the design is based on professional grade coffee makers, so you know you are buying a great product.
Using the My Cafe is pretty simple. The device takes only a minute or two to heat up once it has been plugged in. From there, brewing your hot beverage is as simple as pushing a button.
The My Cafe has a simple interface, so it is not difficult to use at all. There are only two buttons on the machine. The Brew Button and the Pulse Button which allows for a slower, controlled burst brew to increase steep time and strengthen the flavor.
The great thing about this product is that you can control how strong or how weak you want your coffee to be. So, if you like to chew your coffee or you like to drink brown water than this maker is a great asset to have in your kitchen.
Customer Reviews of the BUNN My Café MCU Single-Cup
One thing customers swear by is how easy it is to use this machine. They compare the MCU with other brands on the market and share that the MCU is a more straightforward interface and better controls.
People don't want to deal with bells and whistles. They want coffee as soon and as hot as possible. Customers did share that the MCU brews one of the hottest cups of coffee they have ever had, so drink with caution.
Customers enjoy the versatility of the product as well. Since the device can use K-cups, coffee grounds, or even tea, you'll be able to make whatever type of hot beverage you like.
Overall, this little guy produces a great cup of coffee.
My Review of the BUNN My Cafe MCU Single-Cup
Let me start by saying, I love this coffee maker. My boyfriend and I bought it over a year ago, and we use it for all of our favorite hot beverages. Like I mentioned before, I work in a kitchen, so I try to buy products that are based on professional kitchen grade appliances.
This was the reason I bought the BUNN My Cafe MCU. I knew it would be a quality product and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.
This little guy has been run through the ringer with me rushing to get three or four cups of coffee a day and my boyfriend getting just as many cups of tea. We enjoy the MCU because it brews quickly and easily.
The interface is easy to navigate, and there aren't too many extra frills that get in the way. I like my coffee makers to be simple, to make me coffee. That's all I want.
And this one does just that.
I enjoy the control of brewing my coffee to the strength I want. I like my coffee to be strong, and with this device, I can make that happen.
I like how the MCU heats up quickly when I first plug it in. I tend to be grouchy in the morning so the faster I have my coffee the better it is for my boyfriend. The great thing about this product too is that I can use K-Cups or use coffee grounds.
So whatever type of coffee I am in the mood for, the MCU can offer it.
Overall, for the price and the features, the Bunn My Cafe MCU Single-Cup is a versatile machine that provides a damn fine cup of coffee.
Final Thoughts on the Bunn My Cafe MCU Single-Cup
This little coffee maker is one of the most versatile single-cup coffee makers on the market today. It can brew anything from coffee to tea and even make a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
The sleek and compact design provides a modern, professional looking appliance for your kitchen.
This product can produce some of the strongest and hottest cups of coffee you have ever tried.
Which BUNN is the Best For Me?
Looking at the two devices offered gives you a glimpse of the quality coffee makers that BUNN provides.
The BUNN NHS Velocity Brew Coffee Maker is an excellent addition for any large family or even a small business. The fast brewing time allows for more coffee to be produced in the morning, so you know everyone will get a cup.
Even though it produces a lot of coffee that doesn't mean it loses any of the flavors.
The Bunn My Cafe MCU Single Cup is great for anyone who enjoys a multitude of hot beverages. If you like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate this little machine can give it to you.
The nice, professional look allows for a great appliance for your kitchen.
Either of the choices discussed above would make a great addition to your home or even your business. BUNN provides professional grade products that deliver high-quality, great tasting coffee.


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Stem Cell Therapy
Categories: Health and Beauty, Skin Care
The Stem Cell Therapy cream is the rejuvenating, anti-aging system from BioLogic Solutions which can help your skin become younger and smoother.
It works by aiding your skin to actively produce fresh new healhty skin cells. The stem cells in your skin already does this but after you turn 30, the process starts to slow down more and more, leading to wrinkles and fine lines.
Using the Stem Cell Therapy cream can help awaken your skin's stem cells again so they generate more new skin cells, like when you were young.
With your skin producing more new healthy skin cells, it can help naturally smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to make you look years younger.
Stem Cell Therapy cream is recommended by dermatologist Dr. Lewis M. Feder, who was recently voted as one of the Top 100 Cosmetic Surgeons in the world by the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
The ingredients used in Stem Cell Therapy have been clinically proven to aid the production of new skin cells. It can increase the production of fresh skin cells by up to 57% within 2 weeks with usage.
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Normally a single jar of Stem Cell Therapy sells for $49.95 plus the cost shipping and handling but right now there is a buy 1 get 1 free offer which is available. You'll get a second jar with your order for absolutely free with no extra charges.
Get the Stem Cell Therapy Wrinkle Cream Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer

subset: commoncrawl


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The Shoe Mistress
Hello there I am The Shoe Mistress and I live just outside of London in the beautiful English countryside. I am available to wear footwear for you and send you regular photos and diary by email and then when you are ready I will send the footwear on to you. I am happy to work with clients all over the world and accept payment by Paypal only.
My services are totally bespoke, just drop me an email at firstname.lastname@example.com and we can discuss your requirements and the duration you wish to hire my services for.
I especially enjoy jumping around in mud and water in fishnet stockings in high heel boots or wellies, I certainly have some great locations for that sort of thing around here...but I'm here to serve you, so why don't you let me know what you'd like to see me up to...x


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The Risk of a Defined Benefit Pension
A government based defined benefit pension is considered the gold standard of retirement benefits. The requirement is that you need to work for the government for 25-30 years, contribute a small portion of your salary towards the pension and in return, you get 60-70% of your working income monthly (some pensions are even indexed to inflation) during retirement. It really is a great deal for employees willing to stick it out with the same employer for their careers.
The Risk of a Defined Benefit Pension
While defined benefit pensions are a great deal for employees, it is an extremely expensive benefit for employers to offer. With these pension plans, the risk sits with the employer whereas with a defined contribution plan, the risk is reverted to the employee. However, that does not mean that plan members do not face risk. Perhaps the greatest risk that a defined benefit plan member can face is a large unfunded pension liability. While pension bankruptcy may not be that likely with a Canadian government based pension, changes to the plan to make it sustainable can significantly impact retirement plans.
In fact, there were recent changes to the Newfoundland & Labrador pension plan because of the unfunded pension liability that has affected thousands of employees, yours truly included. While I'm not vested into the plan yet and do not plan to be working for another 25 years, it still does impact my future plans. The changes include an increased contribution requirement from employees, increased working requirement to qualify for retirement benefits, and changes to the deferred pension status.
How to Reduce the Risk
For new government employees just starting out with a long career ahead of them, there is a risk of further pension changes. While many young employees who are vested in a defined benefit pension believe that the pension will take care of them, my thoughts are that risk should be reduced by supplementing the plan. Future defined benefit plan changes cannot be controlled, but saving and creating your own pension for retirement can be controlled.
Once you've made a plan to squirrel away some cash flow, the next question is where to put the cash. For people with a defined benefit pension, I would suggest to put the money in a TFSA. Why not an RRSP? The reason is that pension payments during retirement are taxable and RRSP withdrawals would add to the income tax payable. The additional income could also impact seniors benefits. TFSA withdrawals, on the other hand, are not taxable, and do not affect seniors benefits.
If starting this year, maxing out your TFSA and passively investing the proceeds for the long term would result in about $218,000 in 25 years (assuming TFSA max is $5,500 per year and adjusting for inflation with a 3% return). Using the 4% withdrawal rule, results in a tax free supplementary income of $8,720/year. If retiring as a couple, that figure doubles to $17,440/year tax free.
Take care of your own retirement and you'll just brush off the future changes that your employer makes. For those of you who have a defined benefit pension, are you supplementing your retirement with other investments?
Fact is, approx. 80% of pension funds are underfunded, thus reliance on these incomes faces very real risks. I work for the government and am forced to contribute, but built-in self-reliance forces me to save and invest in Pension 2.0 (which also forces me to live that much extra below my means).
Secondly, and as has happened in various countries around the world, including Canada, is the dreaded pension reform (within my first year I experienced reform). Sad as it may be, I view my contributions as money kissed good-bye, simply because I have zero control over it and it can quite literally be taken away from me at any time.
Times have changed, it's a different game these days and it'll be crappy for more than a few people when the music stops.
I work for a University and I'm forced to contribute over 11 percent of my salary to a defined benefit pension plan that will undergo massive reform by the time I'm eligible to retire. So, yes, I absolutely save outside of my plan so that I can at least have the option of early retirement subsidized by my RRSP and TFSA – http://www.boomerandecho.com/save-outside-defined-benefit-pension/
I have been in the military for 15 years and have 10 more to go before I'm eligible to receive an immediate pension. I'm not 100% confident in the pension and I may release before I can receive it. Both my wife's and my own RRSP and TFSA's are maxed out as well as our son's RESP. We save so much that we have to use taxable trading accounts. As MMM puts it, we have "F-you money." That way, if the miltary tries to send me somewhere I don't want to go I can put in my release and walk away with the commuted value of my pension and our F-you money and be done with it.
I work for the government but am putting money aside as if the pension won't be there. It is currently all in my TFSA and non-registered account which is about 30% of my net income.
Our pension is underfunded and we hae already increased our contributions once. Won't be the last for sure.
The biggest thing I really care about is the health/dental plan we have. That is what I will care more when I get old and retire.
scary thing is, even with all the reforms and changes, many people wouldn't have a "pot to piss in" if it wasn't for their DB plans, but sadly many people were sold a bill of goods in which the current system can no longer support. On the other hand , if people don't like the idea of contributin 11 % to something they don't control, get a new job lol. the pension is just part of your compensation package. start looking for a new job if you dont like it haha i think many people dont realize that not a single pension in canada is guranteed, just the 1000/month if it is registered in ontario. very little education around db plans
Great post, FT! You know what the real kicker is? If your pension plan goes belly up, you don't get your RRSP room back for all those years you received a Pension Adjustment. Talk about unfair!
Changing demographics make pension plans challenging today. With so many boomers retiring, today's workers are going to have to contribute even more for their pension. When us younger workers retire our benefits won't be as good as the last generation. It doesn't seem fair, but as you said, that's why you need to contribute to your TFSA.
I work for a national, not-for-profit organization that has a DB pension.
I suspect, like Robb, the pension might be overhauled at some point.
So, yes, we max out our TFSAs even though I have a DB pension and my wife has a DC pension. We both have about 13 years into each plan.
We also contribute to our RRSPs although we don't max the accounts out each year with contribution room. My RRSP though, might be maxed out by 2016. My wife has tons of contribution room.
The way I see it, if I have a tax problem in retirement, this is a very good problem to have.
Great post. I've never come across these before and the terror is real! Good luck to all of you guys that have one given the overhauls coming.
I don't have a DB but if I did, I'd be concerned about what the future may hold for the plan. I think the ideal scenario is to have income streams spread out over multiple investments such as RRSP, TFSA and possibly rental income so that you don't have to rely on government programs like CPP
Nice to see a post dedicated to people with DB plans and who work in government. A lot of blogs don't focus on public servants. Thanks FT. Not only does having a DB presents risks, having a DB impacts savings decisions. I work for the federal government, and I have colleagues who say that they don't contribute to RRSPs or TFSA because of our pension plans. Most of my friends and colleagues put their money or extra savings into their mortgages.
I don't. I've been educating myself on saving and investing and make sure to save and invest outside of the pension plan. Mostly because I want some control over my future. This might sound strange to some readers but I find the pension to be a bit of a trap. You have to put in 25-30 years to get access to that the (generous) pension payments. This impacts lifestyle and investing decisions.
I'm saving for a down payment on a house, max out my TFSA, and after that, I consider my RRSP (even though I have little RRSP room because of the pension adjustment).
Sean Cooper hit the point that a lot of people tend to forget about. Let's say you have a a fairly generous pension plan where your employer ponies up quite a bit.
Your RRSP contribution room is reduced by the sum of yours, plus your employers contributions. And if the employer is making big fat contributions on your behalf, that eats up nearly all of your contribution room.
Here's the problem. The RRSP contribution room is deducted based on your employers obligation, not the actual money they put in.
If the employer is underfunding the plan, you lose contribution room on money that may never have gone into the pension, then when you go to collect decades down the road, your benefits are reduces or gone.
Recognizing this risk and saving for yourself is a great idea! But with all your RRSP contribution room gone you've got a much harder time than everyone else!
If a defined contributino plan, this whole situation is avoided. The downside is you won't be able to get benefits that far outweigh what you fairly deserve, which is how defined benefit plans operate.
I should clarify that there is a difference between the employer not having the cash flow to keep up with it's required contributions (which I referred to above) vs the pension plan itself simply not having enough money to meet its obligations despite all contributers being fulling paid up.
The former is rare but does happen when a company is heading towards bankruptcy and has cash flow problems.
We are both part of DB plans but not the same ones, so perhaps some slight DB PP diversification, haha.
I remember requesting to look over all financial documents and it was a bit of a pain in the ass getting them even though I am allowed to request once a year. When I check it last in 2012, the actuarial report was from 2010 and it was 83% funded. I think the number has crept up into the high 80s since the last valuation.
However, I am still uneasy about it. I would gleefully take the commuted value if/when I leave and place the funds in a LIRA.
Like you and many others in the comments, we also save and invest at a high rate just so we don't have to rely on something/someone else.
At least in a federal government pension plan, the government can always just raise taxes or divert tax money to fund the promises they made?
I had this exact conversation with my director a few years ago. He told me I did not need to save much for retirement, because in the federal public service, we have a great pension plan. Well, I told him, that NOW, we have a great plan, but that the governement, especially the conservatives, can change a lot of things over the next 25 years before we retire. So, because I'm Lucky (or educated and talented enought) and I am a senior analyst earning $100k, I can still manage to max out my RRSP (I'm allowed to put like $4,000 in it every year) and my TSFA.
But I still think the defined pension plan is better for the vast majority of the people. With the current rules, at my current salary, it basically cost me 8,000$ a year in contribution, for 30 years, to get $60,000 a year afterward. I would need to make something like 9% every yeart for the same $8000 a year invested during 30 years to get something similar. Not sure I'll be able to make 9% consistently over 30 years. And if I was to retire in 2008 or 2009, I would have faced huge loss just before retirement…
Hey FT. Interesting article.
Opportunities if you have a DB pension and want to build wealth are there. Most people with DM plans tend to be conservative and would have little without them. There are some wealth-builders with DB pension plans, and it can be a drag for them.
Here are 2 opportunities if you are a wealth-builder in a DB pension:
1. With today's low interest rates, pension valuations are quite inflated. Commuting your pension by quitting your job and transferring it to a locked-in RRSP can be very beneficial. Pensions give you a guaranteed income, but assume 4-5% returns long term, offer only a fixed income and there is nothing left for your heirs. Commuting for a good investor can mean higher retirement income, more flexibility of when to take your income, ability to unlock half to a regular RRSP, and your spouse and kids get 100% of what is left when you are gone (vs. 60% for spouse and zero for kids with a pension).
2. People with a DB pension have very little RRSP room and little opportunity for tax deductions. They might be excellent candidates for the Smith Manoeuvre. That gives them a tax deduction and a way to build wealth that is probably more effective than TFSAs for those with a DB pension.
Nice post…couldn't agree with your more. I am a government employee who is hoping to receive a pension well into retirement. But seeing the unfunded liabilities that many cities are facing here in California, I refuse to leave my fate and my family's well being in the hands of my employer! That is why I also contribute to a 457K, invest in a Roth IRA, invest in dividend stocks portfolio, invest in Peer-to-Peer lending notes, etc. I want to make sure I have plenty other sources of income I can also rely on in case something happens to my pension. Thanks for sharing! AFFJ
@AFFJ — how are those P2P notes working out for you, and how much of your portfolio is dedicated to them?
I just left a job in private sector with DC pension and took a position at a college with a DB. All talk is how much better the pension is but I still feel better with the DC. I like how money and performance is in my hands. I pay a large % into DB every check, and although it may be a better plan at this point I have no control over the $ or over any changes in the future. I feel as I'm paying for older colleagues retirement and mine will cost even more in future (I am mid 30's). I realize I can leave at any time but I really love this new career choice. As for now I'm treating the DB as the conservative part of my portfolio, and I have decreased fixed income holdings in my RSP and TFSA.
Great article keep them coming.
Beginners with DB plans should be aware that you have to put in a lot of years before you get that so called "gold plated" pension. Not many people end up being in the same job for 25-30 years, but when DB pensions are discussed, the figures used often assume the employee will do that. Tough to commit to a lifetime of working for one company when you're young!


text: What Makes Orange Strategy Unique by Abbey Carr | Feb 28, 2017 | Ministry Leaders, Orange LeadersThe color Orange represents many unique things. It's the color of pumpkins, mangoes and sweet potatoes. It's the punch line of the classic, "Orange you glad I didn't say banana" knock-knock joke. Orange also happens to be the color of the Peach and Barf jellybean flavors in the game Beanboozled. If you ever play it, trust me, pray you get peach. All of that to say, Orange in all of its various forms is known to be both special and unique. There is no exception to this when it comes to Orange's... Read More


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Domaine de Cébène
|Brigitte Chevalier
|Faugères (Hérault)
|Size of Domaine
|11 ha
|Mediterranean climate. Schist from the Carboniferous. Coteaux and terraces. Various expositions, 200-300m altitude.
|Certified organic (Ecocert)
|View Domaine de Cébène wines ↓
In 2006, well-known oenologist Brigitte Chevalier purchased 4ha of gnarled old vines - half in the Faugères appellation and half near Corneilhan, north of Béziers. Faugères is renowned for its thin soils developed on underlying schist, here evident in brittle, thin layers, with lots of iron.
Brigitte's Faugères vines (for the cuvée les Bancels) come from a terraced north-facing hillside (320m altitude) for the syrah and grenache, and due south-facing plot for the mourvèdre. She also saved a parcel of 100yo vine carignan from being grubbed up from a north-facing terroir from where she produces Belle Lurette. Her third cuvée, the IGP Ex Arena is grown on Villefranchian soil (marine sediment and alluvial deposits of stones, pebbles, red sand and gravel) in Corneilhan, just 20km from the Mediterranée.
She now farms 11ha, working with very low yields of around 20hh, harvesting by hand, using different percentages of whole bunches for each fermentation, extracting gently and ageing in cement vats. Brigitte succinctly states her philosophy, "I want to make vin du nord in the south".
Domaine de Cébène Wines
Domaine de Cébène
Brigitte's Faugères vines grow near Bédarieux on a terraced, north facing hillside for the syrah and grenache, and a due south facing plot for the mourvèdre. Faugères is renowned for its thin soils developed on underlying schist, here evident in brittle, thin layers, with lots of iron, which may help to imbue the fruit with a signature stony mineral flavour. Black cherry and blueberry fruit is abundant and dense, with spicy and wild garrigue herb notes, and this wine opens out really well with a good carafeing.
Domaine de Cébène
This wine is based around a 5ha parcel of 70-100yo vines yielding just one or two bunches per vine (two vines make one bottle of wine) that Brigitte purchased four years ago when the former owner was thinking of digging them up! The vines again face due north and are planted in an iron imbued schist. Made from 50% whole bunches and cuve aged, this has exceptional balance and is plummy, spicy and tastes very close to the grapes.
Domaine de Cébène
This wine takes its name after the deep bed of sandy soil the vines are planted in (ex arena means 'from the sand' in Latin), developed on marine and alluvial deposits in Corneilhan, 20k from the Mediterranean. Yields are very low, between 10 to 20hh. Vinified and aged in cuve, this wine has a lovely dark plum but translucent colour. A 100% whole bunch fermentation provides an excellent structure, and the wine has spicy, black cherry fruit with a most attractive freshness.


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Student photographers from across Norfolk scoop honours at national competition
Kevin Lines Photography
Four student photographers have scooped honours at a national photographic competition.
The annual competition, organised by the Economic and Social Research Council, aims to get 14 to 18-year-olds to creatively explore the relevance of social science in everyday life.
From hundreds of entries, four photographs by mid and north Norfolk pupils were among the winners.
Elizabeth Revell, 14, a pupil at Sheringham High School, won the Better Education category for her image Addition and Subtraction and was awarded £150 in vouchers and a trophy.
Her image shows a mathematics lesson at a school in Ghana, where the teacher is lifting a young pupil up to reach the blackboard to complete a sum.
She said she was inspired by her time volunteering at schools in Ghana.
"I'm trying to raise awareness of how few supplies children have in other countries, and the fact that we are very lucky for everything we have but take it all for granted."
The other three Norfolk winners came from Reepham High School and College.
Friends Across the Generations by Sam Parkinson, 17, was named Judge's Favourite by iNews picture editor Sophie Batterbury.
His photograph, which was entered in the Better Relationships category, depicts his elderly neighbour Norman sharing his photo album with Sam's sister Ella, who is showing him photos on her mobile phone.
Fellow student Eloise Moore, 16, was awarded runner-up in the Better Health category for her black-and-white image Captive. It combines illustration with photographic images and shows a child trapped in a cage with birds flying around outside.
And the third was Rose Stevens, 15, who was also a runner-up in the Better Health category. Her black-and-white photograph, Pull Your Socks Up, depicts an elderly man's face looking up.
They all received £50 in vouchers.
More than 506 images from 160 places in the UK - including a range of schools and colleges - were submitted in one of five categories that explored issues in the social sciences: Better Economy, Better Education, Better Environment, Better Health and Better Relationships.
All the winners and runners-up were announced at a ceremony at the Espacio Gallery in London on March 26. The winning photographs will be displayed at an exhibition there between March 27 and 30.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Eastern Daily Press. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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Idler Assembly
1.) Bolt the idler bracket to the supercharger using 4~tube spacers and long bolts. torque bolts to 25 ibs.
2.) Slide idler pulley stand into idler pulley, note idler pulley bearings are offset 5/8" so idler pulley may need to be reserved for proper alignment.
3.) Install t-nut into back side of the idler bracket, and bolt the idler pulley to bracket with 5/8"-18 bolt provided. at this time leave the idler pulley loose so it can slide back and forth in slot.
accessory pulley
1.) With the harmonic balancer installed, remove crank bolt and washer. note - rbs superchargers recommends the use of an aftermarket balancer such as ati, fluidampr, bhj.ect
2.) Bolt accessory pulley to balancer wtih three 3/8" blots. the kit comes with both course and fine thread bolts, so check balancer for thread pitch before installation. torque bolts to 35 ft.ibs
8mm Pulleys and BLT
1.) Bolt 8mm pulley to accessory pulley and torques to 35 ft ibs
2.) Bolt 8mm pulley to snout and torque to 35 ft ibs. its is recommended to use a small amount of blue loctite to bolts before installation. some kits are supplied with pulley spacer to be used between the snout and the 8mm pulley to achieve proper pulley alignment.
3.) Install 8mm belt over pulleys and tighten idler pulley. the idler pulley can ride on either the inside or outside of the belt, however we recommend the idler pulley on the inside pushing out. set belt tension with engine cold, and allow 3/4" to 1" side to side movement on straight side of belt. with engine at full operating temperature, you should have 1/4 side to side movement. over tightening of belt can cause severe damage to crankshaft and drive components.


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Dita Von Teese Models Intricate 3D-Printed Gown
Earlier this week, at the Ace Hotel in New York City, the world's 1st fully articulated "3D Printed Gown" was revealed. The dress was designed (on an iPad!) by designer Michael Schmidt & architect Francis Bitonti and 3D printed in hardened powdered Nylon by Shapeways for burlesque icon Dita Von Teese.
The "3D dress" used 17 different types of pieces connected by 3,000 little joints
All the made to measure components were 3D printed to fit Dita von Teese's body. The Fibonacci sequence inspired mesh components, created in collaboration with Shapeways, consists of thousands of individual nylon components. Dyed black, lacquered and adorned with more than 13,000 Swarovski crystals, the fully articulated gown was assembled from 17 pieces made of this mesh. The hollow components of the dress allow it to remain light weight at 11.5 lbs.
Something you would want to see more of?
The inspiration and technology behind this articulated 3D printed gown is in the mood of the time. The material properties used for 3D printing already changed and will develop to produce more fine, flexible textures we will see more and more on the catwalks. 3D printing makes its debut in haute couture and art but as we have seen with Iris von Herpen or Nike, we will see more and more 3D printing elements into the world of clothing and fashion until it becomes ubiquitous.
Pictures: Albert Sanchez via shapeways
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(Dallas, Tx)(10/1/18)---City Gate Property Group, one of the leading DFW area multifamily firms, announces today that we have been selected to manage the Upper E Apartment Portfolio, including Crestview Apartments, Royal Arms Apartments, and Sonoma Apartments. This portfolio was built between 1950- 1988 and 2015, the portfolio is over 500 units.
The Upper E-portfolio contains 21 properties. Each of these properties is centrally located in the Dallas, Tx area along the historic Greenville Avenue. Each property has its own unique look and contains its own set of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom floor plans for your choosing. As well as a list of amenities and centrally located points of interest for your specific needs.
City Gate Property Group is a rapidly growing DFW area Multifamily firm. As one of Texas' preferred third-party managers, City Gate portfolio includes over 69 properties, over 14,552 units and over 75 years of experience in the industry. With corporate headquarters in Dallas, Tx. City Gate has over 350 employees in our major markets.


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A bonanza of new and extended tax benefits could make it as easy as ever for the rich to stay that way.
Under legislation approved by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, and now moving on to the House, savvy wealthy Americans would be able to capitalize on an environment in which their tax rates on income and investments remain at historic lows. Also, new rules would make it possible to pass on fortunes to heirs with less fuss and lower taxes than all but a brief period of the past 80 years. It's a far cry from the 70 percent bite the federal government took out of the largest incomes and estates as recently as 1980.
"The climate we'll have after this legislation is extremely favorable for wealthy families," says Jeffrey Cooper, a professor at Quinnipiac University School of Law and a former estate planner who has studied the history of U.S. tax law.
Low income tax
The good news for the rich starts with income tax rates, which for top income groups would remain 35 percent, a rate enacted by former President George W. Bush in 2003. Except for a period from 1988 to 1992, the top tax rate has never been this low since 1931.
More from Businessweek.com: Secret financial weapons of the super-rich
"Top rates are incredibly low from a historical perspective," says Indiana University law professor Ajay Mehrotra. The most surprising thing, he says, is that rates have remained at this level even as the U.S. has been fighting two wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Historically, income taxes on the wealthy have spiked during wartime: The first income tax was initiated during the Civil War and then later repealed. The top rate on income hit 77 percent in 1918, during World War I, and 94 percent from 1944 to 1945, during World War II.
If Congress does nothing, top income tax rates would return to 39.6 percent, their level under former President Bill Clinton. Obama and congressional Democrats had wanted to return to Clinton-era rates for individuals earning more than $200,000 and couples making more than $250,000.
The extension of all tax cuts provides an unexpected, one-time benefit to many wealthy taxpayers, says Stephen Baxley, director of tax and financial planning at Bessemer Trust. Starting in 2010, all taxpayers, including those in high income brackets, could convert traditional, tax-deferred individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, to tax-free Roth IRAs. Importantly, in 2010 only, the law allows taxpayers to spread the tax payments required by such conversions over 2011 and 2012. When it looked like tax rates would rise in 2011 and 2012, this looked like a bad deal, Baxley says. Now, with rates remaining the same over the next two years, a Roth conversion can be a lucrative move.
Investment income
For the country's wealthiest families, income from wages can be far less important than income from investments. According to a Tax Policy Center analysis of 2006 returns, 18.1 percent of all Americans' cash income comes from business ownership or capital investments, compared with 64.5 percent from labor. For those in the top 1 percent of earners, however, business and capital income make up 53.6 percent of income and labor accounts for 35.3 percent.
Businessweek.com: Tax-cut extension vote in the House hinges on estate-tax dispute
Thus, Cooper notes, taxes on capital gains and dividends can be far more important to the rich than income tax rates. The tax compromise extends a 15 percent top tax rate on long-term capital gains and dividends enacted in 2003, which is the lowest rate since 1933. The top capital-gains rate was 77 percent in 1918 and, since 1921, its highest point was 39.9 percent in 1976 and 1977 — though certain gains could be excluded from taxation.
Estate planning experts say their wealthy clients could be entering an unprecedented period when tax rules — along with low interest rates and previously existing loopholes — make it easier than ever to transfer large sums to children and grandchildren. The estate tax rate would be set at 35 percent in 2011 and 2012. Except for 2010, when the estate tax was replaced by a complex capital-gains tax on inherited assets, the rate has not been lower since 1931.
Estate tax exemptions
More important to many upper-middle-class Americans than the estate tax rate are exemptions that mean the vast majority of Americans won't have to pay any estate taxes at all. The first $5 million in assets passed on to descendants in a lifetime would be shielded from any taxes. Also, married couples can more easily combine their exemptions, protecting a minimum of $10 million for most families.
"That's going to allow a lot more people to transfer a lot more wealth to future generations free of estate taxes or gift taxes," says Chris Roe, senior wealth adviser at Waldron Wealth Management.
The number of people who must worry about estate taxes, already tiny, would shrink to less than 0.2 percent of the population, estimates Richard Behrendt, senior estate planner at Robert W. Baird & Co. In 2009, when the exemption was $3.5 million, 14,713 people had fortunes large enough to file taxable estate returns, according to the IRS. Just 4,296 of those people had estates of $5 million or larger. Compare that with the 2.47 million Americans who died in 2008, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Forbes.com: Why the Left really hates tax cuts for the rich: Caroline Baum
If Congress does nothing, the exemption would be just $1 million and the tax rate 55 percent in 2011. From 1942 to 1976, the estate tax rate was 77 percent for estates over $10 million, and only estates under $60,000 were exempt from the tax entirely.
Favorable rules
For those wealthy enough to still need to worry about estate taxes, the new tax legislation is written to make it much easier to manage their fortunes. For example, individuals can easily pass their remaining tax exemptions on to their spouses after death, without creating complex trusts. Also, new rules treat gifts to children during a donor's lifetime the same as those made after death, making it easier to pass on estates before assets appreciate and incur extra taxes.
Low interest rates make this the perfect time for many clients to set up trusts like Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, known as GRATs. In a GRAT, parents loan assets like stocks or even an interest in a private business to the trust at the lowest interest rate possible under the law, which is set each month by the IRS. If the value of those assets increases over time, the GRATs' beneficiaries reap any benefit above that interest rate. Luckily for those who set up GRATs now, interest rates are at record lows — the IRS set the December rate at 1.8 percent.
Obama and other Democrats had sought to limit the use of GRATs, but failed. "That's a wonderful technique for parents looking to pass assets on to children at nearly zero [tax rates]," says Jennifer Immel, senior wealth planner at PNC Wealth Management.
Copyright © 2012 Bloomberg L.P.All rights reserved.


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The vineyards of Bullas are spread out over a fairly large area, mainly in the river valleys, but there are also terraced vineyards in the encircling hills. The height of these vineyards varies from 1,640 feet (500 metres) to slightly higher than 2,296 feet (700 metres). They are sited on either sandy or alluvial soils. Despite the short distance to the Mediterranean, the climate in Bullas is more continental than maritime with very hot summers and cold winters. The grapes here are the blue Monastrell and Tempranillo with white Airén and Macabeo.
Bullas mainly produces white and rosé Spanish wines yet it is the red which is of greatest interest. Most of the reds are sold as vinos jovenes but this is most certainly no light wine, rather a very fruity, full- bodied wine with a good balance between acidity, alcohol, and fruit. Drink this very pleasant wine with lightly-flavoured meat dishes or poultry. Drinking temperature for this Spanish wine is 53.6-57.2°F (12-14°C). The better Spanish wines are cask aged in wood and the initial results from these are exceptionally promising. This new DO needs to be followed closely for the future.