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TAELLN501 Support the development of adult language, literacy and numeracy skills
TAELLN501 Support the Development of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Skills describes the skills and knowledge required to support adult learners to extend their language, literacy and numeracy skills within a workplace or community context. It develops a sound knowledge of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) and the skills to extend your own practice and the practice of others.
This unit applies to experienced trainers who provide leadership or guidance to others, and who deal with the language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) needs of learners for a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
TAELLN501 is a core unit in the new TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
by our past students!
A choice of study options
Our TAELLN501 unit is available via the following pathways:
Virtual+ class - half day ($345): This type of learning environment offers the ultimate in flexibility, where students can attend live trainer-led sessions from any location without the cost or hassle of travelling to a particular venue. The only thing needed is a computer and reasonable Internet connection.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) ($345): If you already have extensive experience in this industry, we offer a simple RPL process to complete this unit. Click here to download the RPL Eligibility Kit. Please speak with one of our academic staff prior to purchasing the this unit via RPL.
Corporate training: Plenty Training specialises in conducting customised training for corporate clients, and the TAELLN501 class is fast becoming one of our most popular in-house courses. If you have a group that require this unit, we can conduct training at your premises, wherever you may be. Contact us on 1800 786 651 to provide a quotation and to discuss your requirements or simply complete our corporate enquiry form now.
Advantages in studying with Plenty
There are some compelling reasons to choose Plenty Training for your TAELLN501 training:
- Payment choice – Start today and pay nothing upfront with our 6 month interest free payment plans.
- Trust – We deliver the goods! We've been offering TAE courses for several years and our students rate us an average of 4.4 out of 5 on Facebook.
- Flexibility – We offer a range of study options to suit your preferred mode of study, your timeframes, your prior knowledge, and your budget!
Equipment requirements
All students will require access to a computer (with Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word installed) and a reliable Internet connection. Participants may also require access to a video and/or audio recording device (such as a webcam or smart phone) to record themselves undertaking certain assessment activities (when required).
Further information and Terms and conditions
Enrolment into this unit is as per the terms and conditions as listed in our Student Guide. Please review these terms and conditions prior to enrolment.
Refer to our further information below, in particular our Quick Facts section, to familiarise yourself with the volume of learning requirements of this course as well as the turnaround time for submitted assessments before enrolling.
Corporate Training
Corporate Training
Plenty Training can deliver this qualification via in-house corporate group training. Minimum participant numbers apply. To read more about our corporate training or to contact our Corporate Account Manager click HERE.
Nationally Recognised Training
Nationally Recognised Training
Nationally recognised training is training that is provided by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Only RTOs can deliver nationally recognised training and issue nationally recognised qualifications (or statements of attainment).
This training is designed to meet a standard of skills that you will need for the workplace. It will lead to a nationally recognised qualification. This means that the training you complete meets industry standards. For more information on nationally recognised training and the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) click HERE.
Online or distance learning is the perfect pathway for students who have work and/or family commitments and wish to complete their studies at their own pace. Students will be given electronic access to their learning materials. Limited trainer support is available via email and phone through this pathway, so if you feel that you require a high level of trainer contact and support, we recommend you consider one of our face-to-face class options (where available).
Specifically designed for those who possess prior knowledge, experience and/or superseded qualifications, our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) kits fill in the 'learning gaps'. Based on a combination of evidence submission and/or a phone based interview, our smartRPLTM process is fast and flexible - we don't require mountains of paperwork! Please speak with one of our friendly staff to confirm if you are eligible to enrol via this pathway.
Further Info:
Quick Facts
|TAELLN501 Support the Development of Adult Language Literacy and Numeracy Skills
|Course Code
|Finance available?
|Yes - $0 deposit, 6 months interest free via zipMoney
|Delivery modes
Click HERE for current delivery locations (these may change from time to time).
|Duration &
Students undertaking training have 12 months from their enrolment date to complete their studies and submit all assessment workbooks for this course. RPL candidates have 12 months from their enrolment date to complete their RPL interview and submit all required evidence. (Students may extend the duration of their enrolment on a month-by-month basis – extra fees apply as detailed in our schedule of fees.) Students may complete and submit their assessment workbooks at any time during their enrolment.
The following figures summarise the anticipated student workload as per our Training and Assessment Strategy for this unit. This represents the notional duration of all activities required for the achievement of the learning outcomes. These figures represent a combination of all formal training delivered in this course (however students are not obligated to avail themselves of all offered training and resources), and the anticipated self-study and assessment workload for a student who has no knowledge or skills in any of the content of the delivered units.
|The turnaround time for assessment submissions received by Plenty Training is approximately 20 working days from the date it is received. This time frame can vary depending on the number of assessment submissions being received at any given time.
Once a student is deemed competent in all units they will be issued with their qualification within 30 calendar days.
All students receive a learner's guide and assessment workbooks. You can either work through the assessment workbooks on your computer or complete a printed version by hand.
Student authenticity
We are obliged under the Standards for RTOs 2015 to ensure the authenticity of our students' submitted assessment work. Students are required to:
|Start dates
|Awarded by
|Plenty Systems Pty Ltd - RTO Code 32371
Course Cost
|Delivery Method
|Virtual+ class
|RPL kit
|*GST is not applicable as per ruling by ATO
|Payment options include:
Delivery Methods
The virtual class offers the ultimate in flexibility for this unit. In addition to a wealth of online learning and resources, students appreciate the opportunity to have the theory delivered live by a trainer. To access the schedule of upcoming virtual classes, please click here.
RPL Pathways
RPL is an assessment-only process that is designed for those who possess substantial existing skills and knowledge in a specific industry. It allows people to demonstrate their competence in these skills without first having to be trained. Our RPL kit is based on a combination of evidence submission and a competency interview conducted via phone or teleconference. Those with experience in addressing Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) issues should have no problem completing the TAELLN501 RPL.
Click here to download our TAELLN501 RPL eligibility kit.
Formal pre-requisites
In addition to the following formal pre-requisites for this course, we recommend that students possess the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment OR have a good understanding of Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector (including training packages and the structure of units of competency) AND have sound language literacy and numeracy skills themselves.
1. Digital prerequisites – all students: You must have access to a computer (with Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word installed) and a reliable Internet connection to access your learning documentation. You will also require access to a video recording device (such as a webcam or smart phone) to record yourself undertaking certain assessment activities. You must be comfortable using technology to locate information and research topics – for example to find a copy of a regulation using Google – and in using the main features and functions of digital tools (such as word processing programs, email and printers) to complete work tasks. You must also have an understanding of how to use Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader, be able to download, scan and upload documents, and know how to access online materials.
2. LLN prerequisites – all students: All students must possess the following language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) abilities:
A. Learning ability: You must be comfortable using your experience to reflect on ways that variables impact outcomes, and identify future improvements. You must be self-directing, able to manage your own learning, and be able to plan and balance multiple requirements and meet deadlines.
B. English reading ability: You must be comfortable reading and interpreting a range of documentation relevant to the subject – this includes organisational policies and procedures and assessment instructions.
C. English writing ability: You will be required to draft and develop various documents using appropriate format and language for the context and the audience. You must be comfortable writing documents such as formal documents, including instructions, information updates and completing report templates.
D. English speaking ability: You will be required to participate in verbal exchanges using clear language and appropriate tone and syntax to provide relevant information. You must be able to use active listening and questioning to elicit views and opinions of others.
TAELLN501 - Support the Development of Adult Language Literacy and Numeracy Skills
- Analyse the purpose and context for LLN development
- Determine learners' LLN skill level
- Design and apply strategies to develop LLN skills
- Review strategies
- Develop and extend own and others' LLN practice
Similar Courses
Workshop Schedule
We do not currently have any classes scheduled for this course.


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This years conference features metal casting and water & environmental application tracks, advanced training for workflow automation with a focus on optimization, in-depth technical presentations by FLOW-3D users, and the latest product developments presented by Flow Sciences senior technical staff.
Read Full Article | Events
We are excited to bring to you our first web seminar of the year. Kicking us off will be an event celebrating the release of FLOEFD Version 18.
This course offers attendees the fundamental knowledge for using CFD in real life engineering applications. Through a simple and moderately technical approach, this course describes the steps in the CFD process and provides benefits and issues for using CFD analysis in understanding of complicated flow phenomena and its use in the design process.
Among the insights shared: "The ideal numerical method for LES should have very low dissipation AND dispersion errors over the resolvable range of wave numbers, but dissipative for non-resolvable high wave numbers. In this way, the simulation will resolve a wide turbulent spectrum, while damping out the non-resolvable small eddies to prevent energy pile-up, which can drive the simulation divergent."
Read Full Article
In this webinar, you will learn how the SimScale cloud-based simulation platform enables every engineer in the world to leverage the potential of CFD for their own projects in the field of power generation via water turbines by using a standard web browser.
Realize LIVE Detroit 2019 is the premier industry event designed to connect the growing PLM software user community with peers, partners, and products while promoting networking opportunities to learn, grow and optimize the software.
Thursday December 13
Wednesday December 12
Tuesday December 11
Thursday December 06
Tuesday December 04
Monday December 03
Friday November 30
Thursday November 29
Older Articles
Yesterday's Edition

subset: commoncrawl


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X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has insisted she doesn't have a team of stylists for the live stages of the show.
Asked about the famous fashion battles on the show, Cheryl said: "When I started X Factor fashion wasn't part of it.
"I like to look nice on Saturday night TV, I don't wanna come on in rags after all - I want beautiful dresses!
"I have a girl I work with - I show her dresses and we come to a decision.
"I don't plan it - I either like or don't like the dress."
Cheryl also mocked Simon Cowell's dress sense. She added: "He has white shirts and one jumper, it's got mothballs in it."
Speaking with Cheryl, Cowell also told the Mirror about how the singer dominates sections of the auditions and the TV show because of her fans.
Cowell said: "There was a day when it was the Cheryl day and it thought .. who is working for who?
"I'm used to that and it's great to have her back.
"The chemistry is good and the panel works well.
"There wasn't an uncomfortableness about it.
"Everyone feels free to say what they like and we were focused on the talent."
Cheryl and Cowell are both returning to the show this year in an attempt to boost ratings.
The show will go head-to-head with Strictly next Sunday and the two shows will battle it out this Autumn for the biggest audiences.
Like this? Did you know we have a dedicated TV and Film page on Facebook?


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You know you've entered your birthday month when e-mails such as these begin to pop up in your inbox.
Three cheers for free birthday gelati and frozen yogurt! 😉
Seeing those e-mail brought a BIG smile to my face this morning. I can't believe there is only one more week left in my 24th year. Come next Monday I turn the big 2-5. Yikes!
As much as I am not a fan of actually getting older (is it to late to just keep celebrating my 21st birthday over and over again?) I do LOVE birthdays! There is something about the whole birthday month that just makes everything feel special.
I think all the birthday promos help with that. I mean free frozen yogurt? I can live with that.
I began the last week of my 24th year with some nice yoga this morning. I love, love, love practicing yoga the day after my long runs. All the stretching really helps my body recover.
Breakfast was a standard bowl of cereal. (My apologies for the poorly lit photos. The sun was hiding this morning.)
- 1/2 cup Meghann's Fruity Crunch
- 1/2 cup Shredded Wheat
- 1/4 cup Homemade Granola
- Pumpkin Yogurt (plain yogurt, pumpkin, pumpkin spice)
- Pom
- 1/2 Apple
- Chelsea's Cranberry Jam
The bowl was delicious. I really think it was the pumpkin yogurt that pushed it to the top. 🙂
Your Questions Answered…
I have designated some space at the bottom of each post this week to answer all the questions you guys asked on Friday.
Keep in mind I will try my best to answer each and every question. I have combined questions that were similar for repetitive purposes. i.e. I had 15 questions that were directed to how much I weigh, so instead of listing all 15 I will just list 1. 🙂
Question : How much do you weigh, how tall are you and what size jeans do you wear?
I received quite a few questions very similar to this one. It seems like my weight is a hot topic and judging by the format in which some of these questions were asked I believe many of you might be surprised by the numbers. Normally I would not answer this question, but as I did say 'Ask Anything' here goes nothing.
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 121 lbs (as of 1/31)
Jeans: 2 or 4 (depending on brand)
There you have it. Pretty much what you were expecting?
I think someone's weight is so hard to judge in pictures because of how different people carry it. That's why to me weight isn't as important as how my clothes fit.
Question: Why do you eat almond butter instead of peanut butter? Is AB healthier? Tastier?
Great question. Its probably debatable if almond butter is healthier than peanut butter. Lord knows I won't even begin to guess on that one, but in my opinion it is definitely tastier. You see I have a bit of a secret. Though I love peanut butter cookies, peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter pretzels, and peanut butter chocolates I can not stand plain peanut butter from the jar. I don't even like licking the jarred peanut butter from my fingers! I know, I know call me a weirdo, but I'm just not a fan of plain peanut butter. Almond butter, in my opinion, tastes 1000 times better straight up than peanut butter. 🙂
Question: How much of your food goes undocumented? (Especially during marathon training)
I would say I document 90% – 95% of what I eat on the blog. The other 5% – 10% are bites here and there that I forget to document. For instance, I am a terrible nibbler when it comes to preparing meals. Its usually one scoop of cereal for my bowl and one small handful in my mouth as I prepare my morning breakfast. I also will randomly grab pieces of dried fruit or a small handful of cereal from the cabinets after work or will grab a couple of grapes or strawberries when ever I stare at the fridge deciding what's for dinner.
Question: Does your sis still have a blog?
No, she does not. A few of you have asked me if she has it on a private setting or not, but as far as I know she has completely discarded it. She is super busy with grad school and sadly could not find the time to keep blogging. I will tell you that she is doing really well and just started work on her thesis.
You can follow Kelly through twitter at http://twitter.com/BNeathitall


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Search teams are listening closely for more pings off the coast of Australia in the hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. UConn claims the 2014 NCAA men's basketball championship over Kentucky. And taunting may have played in a role in last week's Fort Hood shooting.
It's Tuesday, and here are the 5 things to know for your "New Day."
Keeping an ear out: Those underwater pulses an Australian navy ship detected over the weekend haven't been heard since, but Australian Defense Minister David Johnston says it's full speed ahead in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Investigators are hoping the signals could be locator beacons from the plane's data recorders, but it's too soon to tell. They hope to pinpoint their location before battery power runs out and they go silent. In any case, the search has grown much smaller. "Instead of looking at an area the size of Texas, we're now looking in an area the size of Houston," aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas told CNN.
From 64 to one: March Madness is over. The University of Connecticut howled with delight last night as the Huskies won the 2014 NCAA men's basketball championship. Challenged, but never surpassed, UConn held off the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 to collect their fourth crown since 1999. The Huskies never trailed in the game. The women's title game is tonight.
Day 2 for the defense: More than a year after Oscar Pistorius killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, the Blade Runner is set to explain why in court today. Pistorius has cried, covered his face, plugged his ears and thrown up repeatedly as earlier witnesses have talked about how Steenkamp suffered, so the moment when Pistorius is forced to discuss the killing himself could be dramatic. It follows yesterday's emotional start that saw him apologize to Steenkamp's family. He pleaded not guilty to murder when the high-profile trial opened last month. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder in his house when he fired multiple gunshots through a door, killing her.
Turmoil in the east: Russian special services are coordinating separatist groups in eastern Ukraine and deserve the blame for the revolts there over the weekend. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov is the one pointing the finger. "Enemies of Ukraine are trying to play out the Crimean scenario, but we will not let this happen," Turchynov said on TV. Russia annexed Crimea last month.
BTW: A Washington Post blog says only one in six Americans can find Ukraine on a map. Oh well.
The investigation: Taunting by fellow soldiers may have tripped the trigger in last week's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. Suspected shooter Spc. Ivan Lopez had recently asked to transfer, saying he was being picked on by soldiers in his unit, an official familiar with the investigation said. Lopez is accused of killing three people and injuring 16 others before taking his own life. He was being treated for anxiety and depression.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a couple of others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
–B-a-a-d manners: What's up with this goat? We guess it doesn't matter. The dog is pretty much ignoring his antics.
- Heavenly help: This could be a fake, but it sure seems heartfelt. A little believer asks a big-league question about his favorite baseball team.
- Dancing around the world: Someone is dancing in exotic places again. We've seen this before, but somehow this 60-year-old makes it special.
- Max fun: This crazy kitty likes boxes - a lot.
- Unsung hero: This Thai life insurance commercial shares a universal message. Grab a hanky and try not to smile.
There you go. All you need to know to get an early start to your morning.
Be sure to tune in to "New Day," from 6 to 9 a.m. ET, join us at NewDayCNN.com and go and have a GREAT NEW DAY!
I ALWAYS start my day with Five Things to Know for Your New Day !
Good five things but the Thai commercial was touching!!!! Thank you
In my day, there were no bonus videos.
I watched the Thai Life Insurance commercial with little expectations but found it to be very moving. What a great video! I actually teared up, and this guy doesn't tear up so easily.
I was teared up as well. The Unsung Hero just made my day!
The Thai video is a great way to start the morning! How wonderful!
Hey, the bonus videos are back! Thanks! It really is nice to finish the article on something positive. The Thai commercial was touching.
The "Unsung Hero" is a beautiful way to start my day. Thank you!!
Thank you for bringing back the fun stories at the end of "Five Things." It's always nice to see funny, happy, or just plain goofy stuff.
Good morning CNN. I'm glad the extras are back this morning. It doesn't take expensive toys to keep kitty entertained.


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You Are Here: Home / Obituaries / Edward Richard Solonyka
SOLONYKA, Edward Richard - In loving memory of Edward Richard Solonyka who passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Health Sciences North on Saturday, December 19th, 2015. Ed was 69 years of age. He was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Upon completion of studies at the University of Manitoba, he moved to Mississauga with his wife Pat and worked as an Exploration Geologist for several mineral exploration companies. He later worked for the Ontario Government and relocated with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to Sudbury in 1990 with his family. He was an active member of St. Peter's United Church for many years. He will be remembered as a kind, loving husband and father. He adored his grandson, Oliver. Ed enjoyed working on his family tree and website, Large Canadian Roadside Attractions. Ed enjoyed gardening, a hobby he shared with his wife. He also enjoyed volunteering with the Out of the Cold program. Ed was predeceased by his father, Matt, in 1966; his mother, Mary, in 2012 and his sister, Patsy, in 1973. Ed is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Tanya; grandson, Oliver of Toronto; son Matthew of Edmonton, Alberta (fiancé Kira); mother-in-law, Janet Wuziuk of Winnipeg; sister-in-laws, Jo-Anne Wuziuk of Winnipeg; Connie Dotten (husband, Dale) of Chilliwack, B.C.; brother-in-law, Frank, of Sardis, B.C., (wife, Beverly), aunts, uncles and cousins, niece and nephews. In keeping with Ed's wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northern Cancer Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to the JACKSON AND BARNARD FUNERAL HOME . To light a memorial candle, flowers, donations or messages of condolence available on-line at www.lougheed.org.13008702
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In my prays
Posted by Connie Chiasson (friend) On Monday, December 28, 2015
Thinking of you at this difficult time and your family.
You are in my nightly prays to help you adjusted and carry on through this time.
Our sympathy
Posted by Julia and Dave Maynard (Friends) On Friday, December 25, 2015
Dear Pat ; We were so sorry to hear of Ed's death. It does not seem so long ago that we were on the fam tour and re-locating to Sudbury.Please extend our sympathy to your family.
Dave and Julia Maynard
Condolences to the Solonyka Family
Posted by Sue Kowalsky (Friend) On Thursday, December 24, 2015
Dear Pat and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Ed's passing. May you find peace from your wonderful memories with him. Take care.
Love, Sue Kowalsky
Posted by Bocian AND Podlubny Families (Alberta Family) On Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Dear Pat, Tanya, Oliver, Matt, our hearts are with you at this time of sorrow and loss. May you soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate ED, a life well lived.
Posted by Deb and Denis Bertrand (friends) On Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Pat, Tanya, Matt and families - we are deeply sorry to hear of Ed's passing. We pray for comfort and peace to all of you.
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The Gadget Retailer in Indore. Cell Phone Sellers with Address, Contact Quantity, Photos, Maps. View The Gadget Store, Indore on Justdial. ALERT: This store has moved. We'll be swinging in very quickly to reinforce our photograph and get a new assessment. Suzanne introduced 12.5 tons of books from York, Pennsylvania, six months ago (my visit was 7.23.2013), and is now hosting native authors, stocking new books, and helping Pearl college children with that summer season reading listing. With Suzanne's spirit and mission-pushed business philosophy, a variety of good bookselling may happen here! Among the many used gems: stacks of Bobsey Twins, Hardy Boys, hardback Evan S. Connell's Son of the Morning Star. No website but but you can look the shop up and like it on Facebook.
I managed to do this on one in all my many blogs no one reads. LOL I must hold coming again on your ideas. By the point you reach the top, going flooring by floor gawking on the awesomeness, you'll most likely be hungry. No worries, there are a bunch of restaurants on the top ground. I completely miss just a few chain shops that went underneath prior to now year – Linens n Issues and Bombay in particular.
Effectively, we have eleven of the thirteen; not unhealthy, and with Christmas coming, there's nonetheless hope. Can you show the way to get an astore into phrase press. Iam having issues doing this. After which online, customers can't be very fingers-on with the product, and it is tougher to convince them of its worth. gives enhanced safety and safety when buying and promoting shops to help keep away from fraud.
Create an About Me page on eBay and drive site visitors to other venues on-line. Use eBay's About Me web page as a web based marketing resume. A very informative and helpful hub. To make a business plan is a must and also you defined it fairly completely. Skiva Energy Vault Transportable Charger is light-weight and simple to hold round, weighs four.8 oz and may deliver 5000 mAh.
Upon buying a GPS system, you then plug it into the USB drive in your computer and obtain all of the maps before you utilize it. The GPS unit is also recharging while it is hooked into the USB port. Most GPS batteries have only a 2-hour wi-fi lifespan, so when you most well-liked for short trips you wouldn't have to plug the unit into the electrical socket in your vehicle.


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MONTMARTRE WALKING TOUR: 3 Hours DOWNLOAD RESERVATION FORM • PRICE SHEET
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Montmartre Tours in Paris Include: Our private Montmartre tours in Paris include the Services of your private Paris tour guide.
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Optional: You Montmartre private tour can also included private transportation.
NOTE: This Montmartre private tour in Paris can be fully customized to meet meet your goals.
For your Montmartre private tour, you'll meet your Paris tour guide at the Anvers metro stop and head to the Sacré Coeur for a guided visit of this famous white basilica overlooking Paris. Your Montmartre private tour will take you on a walk along the narrow streets of this artistic neighborhood, you will discover the last vineyards of Montmartre; stop at the café "Le Lapin Agile," frequented by many famous artists; have a look at the last windmills of Paris; walk to the Bateau Lavoir, where Picasso and Modigliani had studios; and finish at the Place du Tertre where you can admire the local painters' newest creations or have your portrait drawn.
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Alexis, you made us proud last night. California proud.
At the Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals yesterday in Washington, D.C., your presence captivated and your voice did not waver. You fully embodied the words of your recitations as you unleashed them, one by one, into the Lisner Auditorium.
Your chosen poems—"If They Should Come for Us," by Fatimah Asghar, and "The Mortician in San Francisco," by Randall Mann—both bold and beautiful works, aligned so perfectly with your desire to leverage the arts for social change.
At a time when the world is waking up to the value of our young people's voices, we couldn't have been more confident in our judges' decision to send you to the mic to represent our state's creative and conscious youth. You gave us, our nation's capital and the whole country a rousing look into what you believe, who you are, and who you are going to be.
Your performances left a strong and lasting impression on everyone watching, including those who moved through to today's final round. You are—unmistakably—our champion.
And you've made us California proud.
Alexis Rangell-Onwuegbuzia is the 2018 California Poetry Out Loud state champion. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. For pics, videos, and more from California Poetry Out Loud, visit www.arts.ca.gov/initiatives/pol/index.php. For information on the national initiative and competition, go to www.poetryoutloud.org.
Featured photo by Tia Gemmell.


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1. Formation of 4th District
At the Special Session of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) held in July 2017, the Rev Dr Gregory Goh, CAC President, proposed the formation of four districts to replace the former three-district structure. This is to aid in strengthening collaborations among churches, and better position District Superintendents to oversee and coordinate resources. This will also help facilitate pastor and leadership development. The pastors and lay delegates were in unanimous support of the proposal, which will be implemented in 2018.
2. Visit by the China Christian Church to CAC President and the Four Denominations Chinese Churches Council
On 25 July 2017, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Church Committee Chairperson, Elder Fu Xianwei, together with five other delegates, met with Minister of Health Mr Gan Kim Yong, and members of the Four Denominations Chinese Churches Council (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist). The meeting was coordinated by the CAC and held at the Methodist Centre.
This visit has helped to cement and broaden the long-standing relationship between China and Singapore churches that has been built and established for 25 years.
3. World Federation of Chinese Methodist Churches (WFCMC) 7th Mission Conference
From 3-17 July 2017, the WFCMC held its 7th Mission Conference in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The theme was 'Holistic Mission – From Generation to Generation'. It brought together Methodists from 12 Conferences including Australia, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Taiwan, the USA, and West Malaysia. A total of 722 delegates attended the conference. Singapore's delegation was 124-strong, and included Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, CAC President the Rev Dr Goh, pastors, and church members.
The WFCMC is a body of Chinese Methodist Churches from around the world. They collaborate in translating Methodist materials, training and research activities, and supporting Cambodian missions work. The first Mission Conference was held 30 years ago in 1987. It is organised once every five years.
The 8th Mission Conference, in 2022, will be organised by the CAC in Singapore (see top right pic for flag handover).
4. Walks to Emmaus in 2017
Yet another group of brothers and sisters have embarked on their 'Walk to Emmaus' journeys (26-29 June and 4-7 September respectively). Just as the two disciples met the Lord Jesus on the road to Emmaus so many years ago, these participants may have started out with no idea of what to expect. Away from the haze of their busy lives, they experienced a new encounter with the merciful Lord, turning away from their lost wandering to find life that is bright and colourful. (For more information about the 'Walk to Emmaus' retreats, see MM Mar 2017 P9-10.)
5. Day for Prayer for families
The CAC's Board of Family Life, which had been newly formed last year, organised a Day of Prayer for families on 19 Aug 2017. It was a heartfelt time, as households gathered to pray earnestly for families in the name of the Lord (see above left and right pics). The morning was filled with joy, that surely this was time well spent, and pleasing to the Lord.
6. Retreat for pastors and lay ministry staff
A one-day retreat was held for pastors and lay ministry staff on 28 Aug 2017, based on St. Benedict of Nursia's rule to help with work and life. The speaker, Father Anselm Grün, shared how in silence, one may be able to listen to one's inner feelings, so as to reconcile with ourselves and also with God. One can then live well with others in community. From our life experiences and biblical insights from the example of Christ, we can receive direction in leadership, work, and life.
From the Chinese Annual Conference President's Office
Photos courtesy of the Chinese Annual Conference


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Hi welcome back
Here are some starting back thoughts.
First, if I am your advisor and haven't already emailed you by Monday contact me (there may be a glitch in the matrix!!!). There are a number of advisors on the course we all have blogs and they are all useful because different people have different ways to explain and share the same ideas. I am going to be writing blogs that are across all three modules. So sometimes my posts might be more useful to someone on Module (3) than Module (1) but it is useful to think of the WHOLE course as one thing. Do not to think of each module as a closed set of activities we are making you do!! By thinking about what people are doing at other points in the course you might find something really useful for your current study. If you have finished a module there is nothing more to get out of it. Keep looking backward and forward (its how you locate yourself).
For people beginning the last module (3760) (that is Module (3), the research project) a couple of things:
1 The last module you did was to plan what you are doing now – but its not written in stone, look at the feedback you had on your grading form, think about it now you have had the summer to let the idea settle.
2 Adapting your method, addressing questions your advisor highlighted is all part of the process. DO NOT think the whole thing is just about gathering data. You can get all the data in the world but it is only as useful as the questions you ask of it.
3 The module is about the process (as is pretty much everything we are doing) NOT ABOUT you finding an answer to some problem. Focus on your process, your artistic development, what you can LEARN. We are looking for you to show us what you learn from the experience that is all (and that is a lot).
So get chatting talk to people about what you think blog, email, don't hide away trying to get a perfect answer for your project.
For people beginning Module (2) (3630). Have a look at what happen last year. Look at the blogs see what you can learn from observing what other people thought about. This module is quite extensive. Start to get on with things get the reading done its more intense than the first module because we are asking you to apply some of the principles you are learning about.
For people beginning the first Module (1) (3730) and everyone else remember this is not a set of hoops we want you to jump through. We have planned something that we hope will be useful and meaningful to you in YOUR situation. Try not to see the module as something to critique, or on the other hand something ordained from on high. Try and apply the ideas to your life. See if they are useful and in doing that see what you learn from them. Do not be put off by starting to blog just get on with doing it.
If you are re-doing a module have a look at what you did last time but also let go of some of the things that seemed like obstacles. Move forward, work out what helped you last time and what hindered you.
Get advice from your advisor if you got an unexpected mark. It was higher than you expected work out what you did to get that response, if it was lower work out what you did to get that response.
For everyone MAKE a timeline for yourself, work backwards from the hand-in date Jan 7th 2013. Work out what you need to hand in to be marked. This is different from what you will be doing as tasks. Work out when you need to have a final draft by in order to get feedback from your advisor if you want it. Work out all the things you want to do right up to today. Make a plan and be kind enough to yourself to stick to it.
Lastly, my office hours on SKYPE for this term (October 1st to January 7th ) will be:
Monday 11am to noon (GMT)
Tuesday 7pm to 8pm (GMT)
Thursday 7pm to 8pm (GMT)
Friday 11am to noon (GMT)
I have tried to make them when people have breaks at lunchtime at work or after work. However if you can not make these times email me for an appointment either on SKYPE or phone or over a coffee. Also if you see I am on SKYPE feel free to just call me I will let you know if I can chat or I will call you back when I can.
Have fun


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Health & Body
Finding the perfect diet or exercise regimen to create the perfect body is something most people strive to find, thinking that it will provide them with the wellness and body shape they desire. Yet, according to ABC News, more than 108 Million people are on diets per year in the United States alone, with at least… [ More ]See More
One thing athletes of all levels have in common is their need to remain healthy and continuously improve their strength and speed. This includes their physical, mental and spiritual well being. Athletes learn very early in their lives that hard work and continuous competition will come with physical strains and possible injuries. The impacts,… [ More ]
Access Bars® Sessions
Access Bars® sessions are available for kids and adults of all ages. The Access Bars® are 32 points on the head which, when gently touched, effortlessly and easily release anything that doesn't allow you to change what you would like to change. These points contain all the thoughts, ideas, beliefs, emotions, and considerations you have… [ More ]
Access Body Process® Sessions
Body Process sessions consist of hands-on methods that use different hand placements on various positions on the body and then asking specific energies to run at each spot. These processes facilitate the body back into its original functions, which assist with the repairing and longevity of the body. The energies are the natural energies that… [ More ]


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Please read this interesting post by The Winegetter. If you're so inclined, take the plunge and support this nifty initiative.
Browse great wines from around the world.
Disclaimer: I entered into a tentative agreement with the online wine retailer Wine Chateau under which they sponsor two of my posts per month. Wine Chateau has no influence on the topic I select for the post or its content. Opinions expressed are all mine.
This Sunday, some things are different. First of all, as I am sure you noticed, Wine Chateau has offered to sponsor two of my posts per month. I was going back and forth a bit on this one, but ultimately I liked that they were willing to give me some money for this without any influence on the content of my posts. Also, I had an idea on what to do with the money which I think could be a cool thing to do:
Some of you might know that I am an active lender on the micro…
View original post 770 more words


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When you've had a long day at work, you're out for a meal, or you're having a discussion group, you definitely want to make sure you have a comfy seat to sit on. But not only do you want it to be comfortable and stylish, being perfectly suited to your home or business is also a priority.
There is a large variety of great seating choices that can really help maximise all of the space in your rooms, as well as matching the décor and style perfectly. Below is a guide to some inspirational seating solutions that you might want to consider.
1. Modular Seating
Modular Seating can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as oblongs, curved and circles. This type of seating is particularly suited to areas where a lot of seating is required as it can really maximise all of the space in a room without making it appear crammed full. The various shapes available in the modular seating can fit into different areas in the room perfectly making the room appear bigger. This is great if you have an unusually shaped room.
23. Riempie Couch by HALDANE MARTIN
Modular seating works very well in big communal lounges such as in a college, university or even in a large home. The seating is available in a variety of colours, so you can choose one that will complement your room's current décor.
2. Cubes
Cube seating is another fantastic and inspirational seating solution. As these seats are literally cube shaped, they do not have a back and therefore take up less room than a normal chair. They are very easy to store, and can be tucked underneath most dining tables quite easily or even stacked!
Finding Light: Cube Seats by The South in Summer
Although you may not want these as you primary source of seating in a home, they are extremely good to have as a back-up for when guests come round. In a larger business or university context the cube seating is very versatile and, as a result, a great asset to have. They are very easy to move around and can be great for seating during discussion groups, meetings or more informally while watching a film.
3. Benches
Another great form of seating is a bench. These are particularly good as they do not offer a set amount of seats, so you can squeeze on as many or as few people on as you like. Benches can come with a back to lean against or without; without they are just like extended cube seating.
Benches can be purchased in a variety of different sizes and colours, so you can choose one that will suit your location perfectly. Whatever the need, benches are versatile and fantastically inspirational seating solutions.
4. Fixed Seating
If you are looking for seating that can remain in the same place, then fixed seating is a great option. You can get a variety of different styles of fixed seating, so whether you're looking for a stylish seating solution for a restaurant, or a relaxed seating solution for a university common room, fixed seating is a great option.
Fixed modules ensures that the seating cannot be moved and therefore the set-up of the room must remain exactly how you want it. It also means that people can completely relax, as fixed seating feels a lot more secure than any other type.
5. Chairs
Although this might seem like quite a straightforward seating solution, chairs can also be quite innovative. Chairs can be made in a large variety of materials, such as plastic or wood, and are usually quite easy to move around. That sort of versatility can be very useful when you're looking for a flexible seating solution.
You can also get chairs at a variety of different heights. For example, if you have a bar and therefore need taller seating, you can invest in bar stools, or chairs that have longer legs. On the other hand, you could also buy simple, yet modern, chairs to go around your kitchen table… there are so many options!
These 5 fantastic and inspirational solutions will definitely get you thinking outside of the box when it comes to seating. There are so many options that you might find yourself spoilt for choice!


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How to buy a women lingerie
What YOU like in lingerie and what she likes in lingerie can often and usually be two entirely different things. You may well focus on what she'll look like in it, but key to her, is how she feels wearing it! But, be brave and venture out! You might "suddenly" have more free time J
Here are three things to remember on how to buy woman's underwear
1. Think glamorous and stylish! Do not be tempted to push the boundaries of sexual expression (not for the very first time you buy lingerie for her anyhow). Rather, go for what you know she'll like and what she'll like to wear. C'mon, you should know her by now, especially if you want to buy her underwear! Focus on luxurious fabrics and stylish sets, rather than "cheap" looking ensembles.
2. Size DOES matter. Get her size in underwear wrong, and she's either going to be extremely uncomfortable or massively offended, either way, it doesn't end well for you. Do your research properly and get her sizing right, you only have one shot at this, don't mess it up now slick (she will remember it forever).
3. Ask for help! In general, lingerie shop assistants are very well trained to assist you. They understand the daunting situation that you find yourself in so don't be shy to ask for help when you buy your woman some underwear. OR, alternatively, ask her best mate or close buddy, they could also give you some advice on her taste and point you in the right direction.


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Product Description
Christy's new and improved Supreme towel collection is woven using 100% Supima cotton yarn in the pile. The innovative Hygro technology ensures the softness stays for longer. It also carries the Cotton USA logo a mark of quality and assurance
- Fabric 100% Supima Combed Cotton
- Towel weight 650gsm
- Bath Mat weight 1000gsm
- Face Cloth 33 x 33 cm
- Hand Towel 50 x 100 cm
- Guest Towel 40 x 76 cm
- Bath Towel 75 x 137 cm
- Bath Sheet 90 x 165 cm
- Bath Mat 50 x 90 cm
About Christy Supreme Hygro
Christy Supreme Hygro® towel collection is woven using 100% Supima® cotton yarn in the pile, with the added benefit of our unique Hygro® technology.
Supreme has a unique palette of 18 colours which can make up eight capsule colour collections allowing you to choose a single shade or to make a bold statement or several shades to create a complementary combination.
View all products in this range
We pride ourselves on exemplary customer service, so we want the choosing, buying and taking delivery of your purchase to be an enjoyable experience. Therefore you will find some information below to help you.
Bedding, Linen and Smaller Items:
Orders over £50 - Free delivery
Orders from £0 to £50 - £6.95
These items will be delivered via a method of our choice i.e Post/Courier
Beds, Mattresses, Bedsteads, Adjustables, Headboards, Furniture:
Orders over £600 - free
Orders under £600 - £49.99
Larger items will be delivered using a 'white glove service'. This generally involves a 2 person team who will deliver the item to the delivery address and place, unpackage and undertake construction at your home.
These charges only apply to UK mainland. Other charges may apply to Highland, Islands and Northern Ireland.
Click here for more information on delivery.
With over 40 years of exemplary customer service we pride ourselves on being fair and reasonable when things don't go right. So, without affecting your statutory rights, we will do what we can to help and retain you as a satisfied consumer.
Click for more information about returns.
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Free UK delivery & Assembly available on selected items
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Visit us in-store or telephone 01548 853503
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I promised I'd send a postcard, and in true postcard fashion, they arrive after one returns from holiday!
This is me. Way up high on top of a rather fierce looking cliff in the Lake District of northern England. I've mentioned my nearly crippling fear of heights, right?
And these are some of those famous (if a little run down at the heels) telephone booths one can find dotted all over the United Kingdom, usually in close proximity to tourists. These were in Edinburgh.
More images will be forthcoming. I am going to set up some sort of Textpattern gallery when I get over the jet-lag.


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Weather Alert: Roads in Longford are treacherous warn County Council
Longford County Council has warned motorists that roads in the county are treacherous, even roads that have been treated early this morning, following over night snowfall and freezing conditions.
They are advising: "Please exercise caution while travelling on roads this morning."
Roads in longford are treacherous, even roads that have been treated early this morning. Please exercise caution while travelling on roads this morning.— Longford Co. Council (@longfordcoco) February 28, 2018
#BeastFromTheEast has landed in #Longford. Considering there wasn't a flake an hour ago, that's an incredible dump of snow in such a short time. pic.twitter.com/2UIKwKQ6xU— Kieran Burke (@KieranBTS) February 28, 2018
Snowing very heavily at the minute in Edgeworthstown Co Longford and it's sticking. pic.twitter.com/3GyKZsjh5k— Thomas Kane (@Thomas__kane) February 28, 2018
#ireland #longford #Badweather #snowfall 28:02:2018 pic.twitter.com/33gBsYsmCs— Saba Choudri (@saba_choudri) February 28, 2018
@2fm @aaroadwatch Ballymahon co.Longford pic.twitter.com/LE70RhqY0y— StewieMc (@stewiemcmick) February 28, 2018
You can send your snow images to email@example.com
You may also be interested in:
So fresh it's famous....Amy Huberman has 'bread people' on her mind as Longford gripped by #armabreadon


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Why We're Here
The Beginning of Second Wind Fund
The belief that the tragedy of a young person choosing to take their own life can be prevented was the prime motivator for the founders of the Second Wind Fund back in 2002. That school year, four students at a Jefferson County School in Colorado died by suicide in a nine-month time frame. The community - profoundly affected - grieved.
In response to these four suicides, three members of a local faith community, Jeff Lamontagne, Dr. Marjorie Laird, and Scott Fletcher organized a small community "Walk/Run" event to show solidarity with the school. The event, attended by 66 people, also raised a modest amount of money, and it was decided to use that money to provide direct support to other young people who were struggling at the school. The Second Wind Program was then created to continue providing access to professional counseling services to youth deemed at risk of suicide.
Other schools in the county heard about the program, and word began to spread to additional communities in Colorado. Now, Second Wind Fund services are available throughout the state. Seventeen years since its inception, the Second Wind Fund is serving 30 counties in Colorado and is still growing.
Our Mission
The mission of Second Wind Fund is to decrease the incidence of suicide in children and youth by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment.
Inclusivity Statement
Second Wind Fund, Inc. actively seeks to promote access, equity, and inclusiveness. SWF has the conviction that inclusiveness benefits everyone and is not only compatible with but also promotes excellence.


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Michael Portillo to stand in Ashford (but only to deliver a talk on his life in politics and the media)
PUBLISHED: 16:17 04 October 2017
Former Tory minister turned writer and TV presenter will appear at Revelation
Former government minister, turned writer and TV presenter, Michael Portillo, will be talking about his life at a special event in Ashford later this month.
The man who was once tipped to become the next prime minister, but became the most high profile of casualties in the 1997 election for the Conservatives, will be appearing at Revelation on October 20 .
He will deliver a talk on his intriguing life in Life: A Game of Two Halves.
Recounting highlights from his infamous 20 year career in politics, from securing a seat in the Commons, earning the title of favoured leader of his party and possible future prime minister, to his most recent great adventure as a writer and broadcaster, it is set to be an entertaining evening.
The event will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £17 in advance, or £20 on the door.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Bexley Times. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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6/16 TNA Results: London, Ontario, Canada
* Matt Morgan def. "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero.
* TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James and Tara def. Winter and Angelina Love.
* TNA X Division Champion Abyss def. Kazarian.
* TNA Tag Team Champions James Storm and Alex Shelley def. The British Invasion.
* Jeff Jarrett def. TNA TV Champion Eric Young.
* AJ Styles def. Scott Steiner.
* Kurt Angle def. TNA Champion Mr. Anderson in a non-title match.
Source: Prowrestling.net


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I am struck by something today: the role of power and control for people who use violence to express themselves. This morning there was yet another school shooting; this time near Reno, Nevada. There were two killed and several reported injured. It makes me angry and sad for our communities.
Domestic Violence & Corporal Punishment
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and domestic violence is about power and control. One person uses emotional and physical violence to establish and maintain power and control over another person. What is terrifying about this is the use of the threat (and use) of harm upon people who trust or depend on you to be a positive part of their lives. Whether that person is a wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, or child.
The same can be said about how we view corporal punishment for kids. Spanking children is still acceptable today. Louis CK, often a source of calling a spade a spade, takes this issue on:
"I really think it's crazy that we hit our kids. Here's the crazy part about it; kids are the only people in the world that you're allowed to hit. Do you realize that? They're the most vulnerable and the most destroyed by being hit but it's totally OK to hit them. And they're the only ones! if you hit a dog they will put you in jail for that sh*t. You can't hit a person unless you can prove that they were trying to kill you. But a little tiny person with a head this big who trusts you implicitly: 'F**k 'em, Who gives a sh*t!'. People want you to hit your kid. If your kid is making noise: 'Hit him! Hit 'em!'"
Those who use corporal punishment are also demonstrating their power or control (or frustration over their lack of) over the child.
Mass Shootings & Power and Control
Today it occurred to me that people who choose to express their anger at the world by shooting at people – most of whom have nothing to do with the shooters' grievances – are trying to maintain control over their feeling of being powerless to change their situation.
When I hear of gunmen choosing schools as the site of for violence, I feel nothing but sick pity. I cannot imagine feeling so small that to shoot at children makes anyone feel better about the pain they in. This is unconceivable to me.
I wish those who felt mass shootings would get the world to review their perceived wrongs understood that our response usually is along the lines of:
No one can take your grievances seriously when you chose to injure and kill innocent people. You become a footnote in history of someone small and ill-equipped to handle the most simple of the rules of living in a civil society. You become an example of our greatest of failure.
Real Power comes from critical thinking and finding solutions that make living better for you and your community. Real Power is harnessed by sharing your experiences and the lessons you have learned with others.


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Using a Web 2.0 Portal to improve education of young diabetes patients
Diabetes requires extensive self-care and comprehensive knowledge. The management of the disease, including insulin injections and self-control of blood glucose, affects everyday life, thus coping skills are essential. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may be influenced, particularly diabetes-related influence on HRQOL.
The association between good metabolic control and risk reduction for late complications is known but despite modern treatment, only one third of the patients reach treatment target. Efforts to increase patients' and parents' knowledge are needed to empower them in their self-care.
To read the study in full go to http://www.jmir.org/2013/8/e175/


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The action thriller 'Bang Bang' is one of the most anticipated films in the year 2014. The lead pair of Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif has a sizzling chemistry in between them which is evident in the movie. The trailers and foot tapping numbers of the film also got immensely popular and got huge number of hits on You Tube. Besides the movie is a mass entertainer and is made for all to enjoy. The action sequences are spell binding and quite a few of them are said to be a first in a Hindi film.
Obviously the expectations were high from this mega budget film and since its release on 2nd October, the box office collection of the film has disappointed none. It released in around 5000 screens. According to film producer Fox Star Studios, 'Bang Bang' has collected Rs. 94.13 crore in the first four days (that is from 2nd Oct to 5th Oct).
According to the trade figures the film amassed 83.98 crore in the first 4 days. 80.32 crore was earned from the Hindi versions of the film. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film fetched another additional 3.66 crore at the box office.
'Bang Bang' set a record as it had the all time fifth highest first day collection at the box office. Within the first 4 days of its release the film has already gone on to become the tenth biggest grosser movie in 2014. There are lot more records to be set at the box office if the film continues its bullish run.
Hrithik got injured while doing an action stunt for the film he had to undergo brain surgery to recover. Also in the personal front the actor was separated from his long time wife. The success of the film should bring some relief to him. It is a success well earned.


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All the power of the 15th Edition PEGs in a convenient digital format.
Whether you're just setting up your business or you're an established practitioner, our Primer Series insures you never have to be without the help of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines.
From business practices and ethical standards to contracts and what to charge, you'll be prepared to answer your own and your clients' questions at your desk or in the field.
The Primer Series consist of three digital books:
Book 1-Business Practice Essentials for Graphic Artists
Book 2-Professional Issues & Legal Rights
Book 3-Trade Customs & Pricing


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How some companies are locking their development team into a room and watching innovation thrive.
Today, when a company's ability to pivot and adjust to lightning-fast changes in the marketplace can mean the difference between success and irrelevancy, speed is of the essence.
But no enterprise can expect to keep up with the competition if its own employees are saddled with outdated skills. That's where a new breed of hackathon comes in.
" The hackathon format is more fun and less formal than traditional professional training."
Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Sean Hughes spoke with HPE Matter about why hackathons often result in unexpected innovations; how the challenges inherent in these high-pressure, high-spirited get-togethers reflect the hurdles that developers face every day; and how open APIs and hackathons might, in the end, help make the world a better place.
Q: When most people think of hackathons, they picture them taking place in an academic or startup environment. But these days all sorts of companies are using them as a way to reinvigorate their teams. Why?
A: The trend we're seeing is that companies are looking to accelerate the pace of their employees' learning internally through business-focused coding challenges, because they understand that rapid innovation can lead to new business models and revenue streams.
These hackathons also give developers real-world experience with the latest tools and technologies. Above and beyond those goals, though, the hackathon format is a lot more fun and a lot less formal than traditional professional training or enrichment efforts.
Done right, it's a very cool way to reignite a culture of innovation. Unlike formal training programs on, for example, a new software package, a hackathon is a really low-cost investment that can lead to incredibly rapid prototyping of new products and proofs of concept.
[Also on Longitudes: What Will Drive Future Innovation?]
Q: What's the usual time frame for these hackathons? How long do they last?
A: They come in many formats. It can be a hackathon sprint, where in eight hours the participants try and cram something together.
But honestly, chances are good that you're not going to get a working prototype in that amount of time. Traditionally, there are about one or two days' worth of coding.
What's notable is that in the midst of this experience, developers get to move from pure ideation all the way through to rapid prototyping.
They're testing ideas and trying to implement them to complete a working, usable app within a severe time constraint.
Of course, at the end of it, they have to use their expertise and market insights to pitch their app and convince the judges that what they've built is genuinely innovative and viable.
" Developers get to move from pure ideation all the way through to rapid prototyping."
And remember, in a hackathon for in-house developers, they have access to proprietary knowledge, systems and data, which helps make the outcomes relevant to the enterprise.
That's obviously important because it means the apps are likely to meet the business objectives of the company while the participants benefit from the team-building and rapid-development experience.
Q: Speed is clearly a major component of these events, but the end result has to be relevant to the stated theme or goal of the hackathon. Do you think that sometimes participants err on the side of speed to the detriment of relevance?
A: With an enterprise hackathon, the teams are acutely aware of the need for relevance, particularly with their organization watching.
Keep in mind that speed is also affected by other factors. In fact, quite often at these hackathons, the tools that developers use or the platforms they're working with can raise barriers to the speed at which they finish their hack.
They might start a project with a very strong idea about what they're going to build, but then they'll get three or four hours in and realize that the platform they're using isn't really up to the job, it's too complicated or there's not enough documentation associated with it.
So the tools are really important and have a real impact on how fast the developers are working.
These speed bumps can certainly impact degrees of relevance for the app, as key features may not be completed before the deadline.
That said, it's amazing how often these hackathons result in genuine innovations. We see entirely unexpected mash-ups of new and old technologies.
And all of this breaks down barriers and highlights the fact that technology today is so open and so accessible. Every solution provider, every platform provider effectively has an open API, especially if they're going after developers.
[Also on Longitudes: Innovation with Chinese Characteristics]
Q: Do hackathons reflect, at any level, the day-to-day experiences of developers?
A: Developers are a tough crowd. They're the new decision makers in a lot of ways, even though they might not have budget responsibilities.
They have to come up with innovative ways to tackle really hard problems on what are often ridiculously aggressive go-to-market schedules.
" Developers have to tackle really hard problems on often ridiculously aggressive go-to-market schedules."
And these capabilities have to be well documented, intuitive and, more important, self-servicing.
With hackathons, we get a chance to understand the pains that developers are going through as they try to innovate in the event itself and in their day jobs.
Q: This is probably an unfair question, like asking a parent to choose a favorite child, but what's the coolest or most surprising application to emerge from the hackathons that you've been a part of over the past year or so?
A: That is tough to answer, but I'll tell you about one that was definitely impressive. At a university hackathon earlier this year, in which the focus was on international development, a group of students from Harvard ended up winning first prize.
The app they built took a bunch of data from the government of Tanzania that was in the form of paper documents that had been scanned and converted to PDFs—"dirty PDFs," we call them.
The students used HP's optical character recognition API to extract text from the PDFs, analyze the text and create visual charts of the data.
That led to the discovery of some really questionable spending by certain parts of the government with huge expenditures—something like 60 percent of the total—classified as "personal" or "miscellaneous."
This app was all about making it easy for citizen journalists who aren't necessarily developers themselves to use APIs and tools to help them hold their governments accountable. Yeah, I definitely love that one.
This article first appeared on HPE Matter, and was republished with permission.
Every morning, wake up to the blog that gives you the latest trends shaping tomorrow.
Click the RSS icon to subscribe to future articles by this author.


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Undergraduate Worldwide Enterprise & Finance Diploma Course
Coventry University is a diverse and thrilling place to work and we share the passion of our staff and college students to be the very best at whatever they select to do. As one of the Metropolis's largest employers, we provide some impressive benefits for our workers and are dedicated to delivering the perfect alternatives. With the assist of LSBF within the UK and the royal patron, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, we equip our college students with the requisite data and skills by way of 6 distinctive studying entities – Faculty of Professional Schooling, Faculty of Business, School of Hospitality, College of English, Chinese Enterprise Department as well as Government Growth & Online Unit.
On our two-year Enterprise Programme, you will full 4 placements inside your chosen field, permitting you to form your career, develop your personal personal effectiveness and work in the direction of a related professional qualification, depending on the business stream you select.
Additionally, you will have a sound foundation for any additional finance modules which you may take within your course. If you have already got an HND or foundation diploma, this course will permit you to top it as much as an honours degree with only one 12 months of extra study.
Use efficient communication, oral and in writing, using a variety of media that are extensively utilized in business, such as the preparation and presentation of enterprise and monetary reports. Their well-established enterprise faculty permits college students to select from a large-vary of topics.
Regulation of Enterprise Tax: This unit will enable you to look at the influence of taxation on the financial selections of individuals and the scope for private tax planning. Students are eligible to apply for a one-year paid work placement which takes place during the third 12 months of a four-yr sandwich diploma course. Of those, in the first 12 months as a Business and Finance student you'll sometimes obtain 14 hours of contact time each week, which can embody sensible courses and workshops, lectures, seminars, and tutorial time. The Curzon constructing is also conveniently close to Birmingham's business and financial centre, permitting for sturdy links between your research and the real world. By participating totally within the campus community, the Enterprise and Finance workers improve the standard of campus life.


text: This pressure treated pine deck was designed with great function and aesthetics in mind. The floating benches create seating while still giving plenty of room on the deck for activities such as grilling and dining. The steps on the deck create a great focal point to the center of the project. The posts on the floating bench allow the home owners to create their own unique shade structure. This wood deck was custom designed and built by Park Ridge, IL deck designer, Archadeck of Chicagoland.


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If you missed it, Jennifer and I headed down to Gatlinburg the last weekend of October for a little "babymoon" (in other words, probably our last quiet weekend to ourselves for quite some time).
Even though we were only there for about 48 hours, we still managed to do a lot. Here are some random pictures I took and here's a few Jennifer got. And of course, I had to try some of the local beers.
Saturday morning we spent some time walking together along Little River which is easily one of the prettiest and most relaxing places I've been in a long time.
After walking along that trail for a few miles, we decided to try to find one of the waterfall trails we read about on hikinginthesmokys.com.
If you're planning on doing some hiking in the Smokies, that site is a really good resource for finding trails. It breaks them down by location, trail features (waterfall, views, etc), and difficulty (which was really important for us, considering that Jennifer simply doesn't have the energy she used to now that she's pregnant).The trail we decided to go with was Grotto Falls because it was close to Gatlinburg, was only 2.6 miles roundtrip, and wasn't very difficult.
Finding the trailhead wasn't bad, but I questioned if I was heading the right way a lot. The main problem we ran into was that some of the street names didn't match what our phone's GPS had (or we couldn't find a street name). Even so, we found it without taking any wrong turns.
It's located off a very narrow one-way road called the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (or just Motor Nature Trail as the signs said):
I didn't catch this when we were researching the trails initially, but here's a tip about this trail from the website I linked to earlier:
Because of the extreme popularity of this trail, there are additional parking spaces beyond the trailhead. Your best bet is to get there early during the peak visitor season.Parking was pretty scarce -- it was definitely more crowded than I thought it would have been for a rainy day, but we were there in peak season on a Saturday, too.
Even though there were lots of cars there, it wasn't too crowded on the trail.
I think the overcast skies and fog in the trees made the hike even more disorienting than it would have normally been. On the survival shows I like to watch, they always talk about how easy it is to get lost in the woods because of how disorienting they are. I always thought there were over-exaggerating that, but I definitely get that now. Even though we were on a trail, it felt like we passed by the same spot a few times.
We had to take our time with this trail because it was hillier than the other trail and the rain made things slippery.
Especially since this one was covered in roots and rocks.
The trail sort of zig-zagged around a few creeks
and eventually the sound of the water grew louder, so I knew we were approaching the falls.
Insert obligatory beautiful pregnant wife in front of waterfall picture here:
Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the park that you can walk behind, which I'm sure contributes to its popularity.
We took a nice little break at the falls to get some pictures and rest up for the hike back.
Here's a video Jennifer took: (it's amazing how loud it was!)
On the hike back we finally ran into some wildlife!
(Yeah, we were a little disappointed at the lack of wildlife we saw -- we didn't even hear very many birds chirping!)
First, we saw this really cool snail:
And then out of nowhere came this caravan of llamas that about ran us over!
We almost jumped on their backs, but they seemed to be on a mission.
We spent probably between 5 or 6 hours on Saturday hiking just these two trails.
Sure, we had a couple extra factors slowing us down a little, but that really goes to show how big this park is. We could easily spend MONTHS hiking it and not walk the same path twice.
And even though the weather wasn't ideal, it was exactly what we went to Gatlinburg for.
With no other distractions around, Jennifer and I can literally talk all day long.
Just a couple days ago we were wondering how that was even possible after 5 1/2 years of being together... how do we still have that much to talk about??
I think it all comes down to our friendship. We tell each other everything, and we can literally talk about anything or nothing at all.
Because no matter what we're doing, or what we're talking about, we just enjoy each other's company, and that's really all that matters.


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Here's What NASA Thinks Mars Houses Could Look Like
NASA has selected five winners in an ongoing contest it has been running to get smart ideas about how to build a 3d-printed habitat on Mars. Mars X-House, designed by SEArch+ team, is one of them.More
Brooklyn Ballet's Nutcracker Features Costumes by Professor Rebeccah Pailes
Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman has designed a number of high-tech costumes for the Brooklyn Ballet's production of The Brooklyn Nutcracker at the Brooklyn Museum.More
Pailes-Friedman collaborated with the TEK-TILES 2017 project focused on developing ideas for embedding and manufacturing technology into apparel and textiles.More
A Sneak Peek of the Brooklyn Ballet's 'Nutcracker' at the Brooklyn Museum
The Village Voice spent an afternoon with the Brooklyn Ballet at the Brooklyn Museum. The company will perform The Nutcracker at the museum, showcasing their ballet, hip-hop, and world dance chops.More
Mission to Mars, Pratt Design Reaches for the Stars
Pratt Institute, selected in 2016 to participate in NASA's eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge — part of the space agency's goal is to send astronauts to Mars by the 2030's.More
Why NASA Needs Architects And Designers
Architecture and Industrial Design students at Pratt Institute designed a transit habitat for Mars missions that would be both comfortable and functional for their trip to the red planet.More
Home Sweet Habitat: Students Help NASA Design Mars Spacecraft Living Quarters
The mission was to design a spacecraft for Mars-bound astronauts that was both functional and livable, making efficient use of tight quarters for the crew's 1,000-day journey.More
NASA Project Collaboration Inspires Students to Create Habitat for Travel to Mars
For an interdisciplinary studio class led by Morris and Pailes-Friedman, Pratt students are working on the NASA project: eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) 2016 Academic Innovation Challenge.More
Coded Couture exhibition in New York presents garments that detect lies and read tweets
A new exhibition at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York includes garments, jewelry and shoes fitted with technologies such as speech recognition sensors and heartbeat monitors.More
Smart Fashion of the Future Is on View at Pratt Manhattan's "Coded_Couture" Show
Technology and fashion are clearly on the brains of museum folk. Whetting our appetites for The Costume Institute's "Manus x Machina" this May, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston will exhibit "#techstyle"More
This Innovative Exhibit Explores How Coding Is Used In Fashion Design
From clothing that shocks the wearer for lying or mirrors our social media activity to jewelry made from our own cells, code points the way to the wearable future...More
Designers, Students Mesh Apparel With Technology
Tasked with creating wearable technology for astronauts aboard the International Space Station, student teams designed products to control interior lighting, locate objects in storage and more...More


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Ducasse Schetter is an independant agency specialised in communication.
Our agency is based in Frankfurt. We offer tailor-made solutions adapted to your needs and assist you in your communication in the German speaking markets.
Our advantages: professional high-end service, expertise in the industries in which we communicate and a deep knowledge of our clients' needs.


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by Gail Rodgers
Dear friends,
Attached is the list of Advent, Christmas and New Years articles that are on this website.
Please feel free to use them. Also please remember that these are copyrighted articles. Do not make any changes to the articles and when using them, please add my authorship and website when posting or copying. Thank you!
Have a wonderful Advent season as you prepare your heart, as well as your home, for the Christmas celebration!
Advent: (Nov 29) Preparing your heart (not just your home) for Christmas
Week One/The Candle of Hope http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/350/
Week Two/The Candle of Joy http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/351/
Week Three/The Candle of Love http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/352/
Week Four/The Candle of Peace http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/353/
Christmas Day http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/461/
Christmas Rush Started a Long Time Ago http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/articleItem/218/
The Precious Present http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/articleItem/219/
The New Year/ Little Choices http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/articleItem/220/
A Different Kind of Resolution http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/articleItem/304/
A Fresh Start http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/articleItem/305/
Give a Blessing http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/part_12_-_give_a_blessing/
Seeing the Abundance http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/part_7_seeing_the_abundance/
Give it Away http://www.gailrodgers.ca/index.php/site/devotionalItem/part_6_give_it_away/


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Is it just me or is anyone falling asleep as soon as they get home from work at the moment? I seem to be shattered all of the time and now it gets dark at 5pm I seem to be constantly in my PJs with a blanket wrapped around me!
It's been ages since I have written a blog post. I've actually written two recently but life has got in the way and I either forgot to finish them or lost interest which has left me with a big empty blank space on here. Filming has also been pretty much none existence at the moment too as you may have noticed but starting from now…18.56 on Monday 30th October I promise to be more active.
For now I am going to leave you with these gorgeous pictures of Brighton that I recently took and a link to my youtube channel where you can catch up with any videos you may have missed 🙂 TTFN.


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The Libra Internship Program is a unique opportunity for bright and talented young people to experience the world through an international business group. Up to 10 HUJI students per year will have the opportunity to undertake a paid internship with the Libra Group or one of its businesses involved primarily in aviation, energy, finance and diversified, hotels and hospitality, real estate and shipping. Interns could be placed in key international locations including New York, Miami, London, Athens, and Buenos Aires.
Each year, there are two sessions available to successful applicants; one running from January to the end of May, and the other running from June to August. Libra assists with the travel and living expenses of all interns accepted to the program.
The program is open to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at the Hebrew University.
Testimonial from Hadar Sabag who participated in the Libra Internship Program.
|Meet Hadar, a sales and marketing intern for Grace Hotels in New York.
"From a very young age I wanted to be a journalist. The phase that we all go through as kids, when we keep asking "why?" about every little thing, never ended for me. I've always wanted to know why things happen the way they do and I was never satisfied by "facts". Joining the Israel Defense Forces radio station made this constant curiosity my job. After finishing my service I kept working for the media, this time for Israeli National TV. However, something was still missing. Like most young Israelis, after finishing their service my friends were traveling around the world creating their own stories and I was working in the media sharing other people's stories. In my last year at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, I decided it was my time to create my own story. The timing of my acceptance into the Libra Internship Program was perfect. I was given the opportunity to continue learning and exploring about others and myself. Most importantly – I got to keep asking "why?" during my life's journey. The answers, so I've learned in time, will come across my way, one way or another."
A Call for Applications will be published in the fall. Stay tuned for future announcements!


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Every week, we bring you five gear-related stories, from all over, that you won't want to miss. Here are this week's highlights:
DIY Electricity via Your Running Hoodie
Are "human batteries" the future of running gear?
As gizmag.com reported, an international team of scientists has successfully generated and stored energy through the simple movement of several layers of specially treated fabrics.
By harnessing the same mechanisms that produce static electricity, this experiment "could pave the way for clothing that charges devices simply by moving." Indeed, says the article, "In the future, simply running while wearing your favorite hoodie could be sufficient to charge gadgets carried within it."
Three New Touring Bikes
Road Cycling UK reports that bike manufacturer Trek has released three all-new touring bikes—the 520, 720 and 920, each designed to lug significant amounts of gear.
The 520 is a classic steel touring bike. The 720 a "roadie's touring bike" with traditional road-bike geometry and a particularly innovative dry-bag storage system that attaches parallel to the front wheel. The 920 boasts 29er wheels and an off-road drivetrain to handle more rugged terrain.
Check out the new models here.
No More Barbie Gear
On the heels of International Women's Day (March 8), two editors at Outside wrote an open letter to outdoor-equipment companies that began, "Please stop ignoring women who rip."
The rant cites research from recent Outdoor Industry Association reports about growing female participation in hard-charging sports like skiing, cycling and snowboarding. It then challenges companies to not assume women will be intimidated by anything beyond entry-level, beginner-friendly equipment.
"We're fully capable of hucking cliffs and sending hard lines," write Meaghen Brown and Axie Navas, "but giving us products with cutesy names and drenching ads in My Little Pony colors isn't the way to inspire today's women."
Sing it, sisters.
More Women Snowboarders Hitting the Backcountry
Perhaps also in a nod to International Women's Day, TransWorld Business drew on results from the 2014 SIA Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report to report on female snowboarders' increasing interest in riding backcountry terrain.
Jen Brill is co-founder and co-owner of Silverton Mountain, an unpatrolled ski area of lift-accessed, hike-to, and heli-skiing backcountry terrain in which avalanche safety equipment is required. Says Brill, "A little over a decade ago when we started, I often gave the safety talk to twenty to ninety men. That's not the case anymore."
Here's a rundown of the trend, women-oriented events on the slopes, and new backcountry gear from companies like Never Summer, Karakoram and Dakine.
Play Local with gear & beer festival in Asheville, NC this Weekend
'"Buy Local' isn't just about your groceries, it's about your gear and beer, too!"
So says the website for this weekend's "Get in Gear Fest," which takes place on Saturday, March 21, at Asheville, North Carolina's RiverLink Park. North Carolina-based gear companies like Cane Creek bike components, Eno hammocks, DeFeet socks and SylvanSport pop-up campers and gear trailers (not to mention a handful of local brewers) will all be present for raffles, races, gear clinics and more.
The festival begins at noon on Saturday, March 21, and goes until 4 p.m. Entry is free.


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The internet opens your business to a wide range of customers all across the world, which can be a great advantage over a traditional retail store. But dealing with customers you'll never meet or see can also increase your risk of people taking advantage of your business.
There are a few practical steps you can take to safeguard your business and your customers from potential online fraud.
Choose The Most Protective Payment Settings
One way to better protect your store is to configure your payment settings to Authorize at Sale, Capture at Shipping. When you select this option, your customer's credit card will be authorized for the purchase amount as soon as an order is placed, assuring you that your customer has the necessary funds to complete the transaction. Once you have reviewed the order and are ready to ship the product, you can simply capture the transaction to collect payment.
To manage your payment settings:
- Go to Settings > Payment in your Admin Area
- Click Alternative Settings
- Select the first option (Authorize at Sale, Capture at Shipping)
Keep An Eye On Your Orders
It's a good idea to regularly review all your store's orders (not just those pending shipment) to see if anything looks unusual or suspicious. To see your store's orders, go to Orders > Process Orders in your Admin Area.
Once the Orders table has loaded, you'll see all open orders. You can use the Filter menu to display orders with a specific order status.
If you notice any suspicious activity (for example, numerous declined transactions created within a few minutes time or a large number of transactions generated by the same customer or account), you can click on the ID of the order to examine it further.
Within each order's details page, you can view any information supplied by the customer as well as the IP address the order was placed from. You can use this to further verify the validity of orders.
Check Your Orders' Fraud Score
If you use Fraud Score, a column showing fraud scores is displayed in the Orders list, where "0" indicates the highest level of risk and "300" the lowest. This score (and whether an order has minimal, moderate or high risk) is also displayed on each order. Clicking on the Details link will break down how this score was generated and provide more info to help you vet your orders.
Ecommerce has become a global business, expanding a merchant's opportunity for greater reward … and greater risk as well. Minimizing risk of fraud for your store and its customers comes down to being prepared, vigilant and ready to act fast if you suspect suspicious activity. We help make it as tough as possible for ne'er do wells to gain your system. Because a secure store is a successful store.


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If you have been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that the model for this site is to tell you what the Rays have done, what they are doing and try to project what they will do based on what we have learned. Unlike most team blogs, we do not very often tell you what the Tampa Bay Rays should do. We prefer to live under the premise that the people that run the Rays are smarter than we are, and know many, many more things that even the most learned fan will never know.
However, for the next 12 days we will step away from the standard, and we present to you 12 "presents" the Tampa Bay Rays should give to their fans. Looking back at last year's 12 Days of Raysmas, we see that the Rays didn't come through on very many of our wishes, and the result was a somewhat disappointing season. Let's hope that changes in 2010.
On the eighth day of Raysmas, the Tampa Bay Rays gave to us, EIGHT positions with a .350 wOBA…
Three of the Rays regulars (Dioner Navarro, Pat Burrell, BJ Upton) had craptastic seasons in 2009. And still, the Rays finished 4th in the AL in wOBA (.343).
Here is the breakdown by position including AL rank and how the Rays would have ranked if each position had posted a .350 wOBA…
Four positions failed to post a .350 wOBA in 2009. Let's look at each of those positions and how they might fare in 2010…
CATCHER: This depends on who the two catchers are and how they are used. As things stand now, Dioner Navarro and Kelly Shoppach will be the catchers and neither can hit right-handed pitching. However, as the most-days catcher in 2007, Shoppach did post a .370 wOBA, so he is capable of producing. But if Navarro gets more than 50 starts, there is little chance of the Rays reaching .350 wOBA at this position.
CENTER FIELD: In 2007, BJ Upton's wOBA was .387 and in 2008 with a bum shoulder that number was .354. If Upton is healthy and can regain the batspeed he displayed in 2007, .350 should be an easily attainable mark.
RIGHT FIELD: The Gabes o' the Day (Gabe Kapler, Gabe Gross) in 2009 just missed the mark at .345. Right now it appears as though the Rays are leaning towards a Kapler-Matt Joyce platoon. Kapler had a .334 wOBA last year in the same role. Joyce was at .379 playing everyday at Durham and Bill James has him projected at .359 in 2010. So once again the Rays will likely fall close to the .350 mark and in the middle of the pack in the AL.
DESIGNATED HITTER: What do Pat Burrell and BJ Upton's dog have in common? They both took dumps on the Trop's turf in 2009. His .304 wOBA was atrocious. But it was also way off his career-norm. In the two years prior to coming to the Rays, he posted seasons of .391 and .374 and his career mark is .362. The question then becomes: Will Burrell rebound to something closer to a typical season or does he become the new poster-child for "old man's skills"? We believe Burrell will use the embarrassment of 2009 and the lure of free agency to come to camp motivated for a better 2010. But while he will likely be better, he will probably still fall short of 2007 and 2008. Look for something closer to .350 next year.
If three of those positions can reach the .350 mark and the other positions maintain the status quo, the Rays have a good chance of being the top hitting team in the AL in 2010.


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Muscle Meals - Seared Tuna Tacos
Ingredient List:
Tuna Steaks (raw) - 2
Red Cabbage - 1/2 head
Cilantro - 1/2 bunch (fresh)
Avocado - 1.5
Lime - 2
Coconut Oil - 2-3 Tbl
Sea Salt
Corn tortillas
- Shred cabbage and mix in a bowl with juice of 2 limes, chopped cilantro and sea salt to taste.
- Dice Avocado and season with salt, pepper, and lime juice.
- Dice Tuna Steaks into cubes 1/2 inch thick and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet to medium high and add coconut oil. Once the oil is hot, add Tuna cubes, stirring frequently for 1-2 minutes to lightly flash fry for medium rare. Cook longer for medium or medium well.
- Heat tortillas in a pan or on the grill, turning frequently until lightly crisp.
- Add tuna, slaw, avocado to shells. Drizzle with sriracha or add salsa. Makes 8-10 servings.
If you like this recipe, head over to out Muscle Meals page for more great recipes!


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Hi there, thanks for enquiring "about" qctoronto's blog.
The photo above was taken early on a Spring morning from my balcony. If you are from Toronto you are very familiar with this skyline. If not, this city is a beautiful one and you should try to visit sometime. Especially up the CN Tower. Awesome view!
QC Toronto's blog is just an offshoot of QCToronto.com. A place where we can share expertise, guidance, insights and issues regarding Digital Quality Control practices.
The main page is a simple page which is what I wanted. I'm not the type of person to talk a lot about what I can do, I would rather just do it. I have always believed that actions speak louder than words.
But if you must know a bit about how QC Toronto developed then here is a brief history.
QC Toronto was established by Leesa McLellan. That's me. And I have 30 years in the production side of graphic design and advertising. I started off at a small typesetting company and learned the trade. I had a knack for drawing so I began with Illustrator 88. From there I moved to learning typesetting. 30 years and many hats later I am now checking digital ads, emails, enewsletters, microsites, webpages and sometimes the odd Facebook or mobile game.
I do like the challenges that arise in Digital although sometimes they can be quite frustrating. The technology is constantly evolving and never stays still thus keeping you on your toes like a ballerina. But the principles of presenting information stays the same. Representing your company, product or service will always entail words, pictures and sounds. How those are put together on the web is the fun part.


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A Saturday morning of Lottery fun turned into pure gold for Julian Rodriguez of Halethorpe. He and his brother, Rodrigo, were enjoying some Lottery games at Charm City Liquors. While Rodrigo's game of choice is Racetrax, Julian is partial to scratch-offs. Down to his last bit of cash, Julian asked Rodrigo to take his remaining $10 and buy a scratch-off for him. Lucky for Julian, Rodrigo chose the Golden Ticket. That decision put $100,000 in Julian's pocket.
The Rodriguez brothers, who are originally from Mexico, were overwhelmed when they realized they'd won. "We were shaking," said Rodrigo, smiling broadly. "We hugged and were shouting," he added. "Then we called our family."
"I couldn't believe I won" stated the 30-year-old Julian, who works as a building insulator. Julian plans to buy a house with his winnings. "I want to help the economy," said Rodriquez, laughing.
The winning ticket was purchased at Charm City Liquors located at 4367 Hollins Ferry Rd. in Baltimore.