text:
I know that homeowners have the right to do essentially anything they want to their home, however I would ask that fellow Eichler owners take a longer term view (and encourage their neighbors to take a longer term view) on the changes they are considering OR the way in which they are currently 'presenting' their homes to the general public.
I raise this issue because I have witnessed a general decline in the way many homes are being maintained in Eichler tracts. Specifically, I would ask people to consider the following items which will go a long way towards reversing this decline:
- PAINT COLOR. While you might like purple and bright green, do you really think this color appeals to the general public? Keep in mind that you or your neighbors are going to want to sell their home one day and your bold artistic statement isn't going to help the process. Stick to natural, muted tones for the primary structure. Bolder accent colors are OK when utilized judiciously (e.g. on the door, roofline trim, etc) however make sure that the accent color compliments the base color and is consistent with what Eichler had intended.
- TAKE DOWN THE CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY LIGHTS. Holiday lights strewn across the front of your house can be beautiful November - January however its July. Please respect your neighborhood and take down the lights already! Nothing says i've given up on my home more than Christmas lights and an overgrown yard. Please remove the lights!
- GET THE R.V.'s & MONSTER TRUCKS OUT OF YOUR FRONT YARD (and ideally out of your driveway). Also, if the tires are flat or the engine is removed from anything in your driveway, please sell, donate or give it away! There are plenty of not-for-profit charities that will pick your non-opeartional vehicle or vehicles up for free and you your donation will be tax deductible.
- GET RID OF THE GAWDY FOUNTAINS OR BIRDBATHS IN YOUR FRONT YARD. Some fountains and birdbaths are OK however the boy peeing into the fountain base, religious figurines or gnomes would probably look better elsewhere. If you must have them then please keep them in your backyard.
- BASIC FRONT-YARD MAINTENANCE. If you have a yard which was at one time beatifully landscaped with:
ROCK: but has been overcome with weeds, get rid of the weeds. There are environmentally friendly herbicides that can knock them out within 24 hours - no weed pulling required. Also, if the plastic tarp is showing thru, either get more rock or simply redistribute what you have.
PLANTS/SHRUBS: Trim them back at least once a year. If your entire yard is overcome with IVY, BAMBOO, JUNIPER TREES, etc. then you might want to hire someone to saw and dig this stuff out and give you a fresh start. Do not delay or give up since this type of overgrowth is only going to get worse with time and could potentially create more damage to your home, driveway, etc.
- BEDSHEETS ARE NOT CURTAINS; ALSO NO FRILLY WINDOWCOVERINGS! Please do not use bedsheets as curtains. Do not use bedsheets or anything frilly as a window covering, even if you think they are outside the view of the public - WE CAN SEE THEM. You can find cheap yet trendy window coverings almost anywhere these days. TARGET and IKEA sell cheap windowcoverings if you are on a tight budget and don't know where to begin to look. Just remember to stick to the basics and think 'light and airy'.
- SIDING REPLACEMENT - Basic siding that you pickup at the local hardware or lumber store will make your Eichler home look like a mobile home. Siding should be replaced with Eichler-like siding. There is plenty of information on this board re: what this siding should look like and also how you can purchase (or cut) this siding yourself.
- ADDRESS NUMBERS SHOULD HAVE CLEAN AND BASIC LINES - NUMBERS ONLY - Please keep it simple! Stick to the numbers and leave off "Casa", your family name (leaving off the family name is not only for aesthetic reasons but also for your own personal safety) or other eronneous information. The numbers should be basic - don't attempt to 'artistically personalize' with numbers burned into wood, pottery or other custom, frilly designs.
- IS THE FLAG REALLY NECESSARY? - I'm not being unpatriatoic, just asking the question.
Sorry for the rant however "Eicher-proud" folks really need to work together to take back their neighborhoods. None of the suggestions above really cost any money, in fact they are likely to payoff for everyone in the long term. Thanks for listening.
It's hard to disagree but I think most people on this forum are with you. The audience you are trying to reach is not part of this forum. Most people here are obviously interested in maintaining their Eichler.
Agree with you both and add that it's not just Eichlers, but any home in any neighborhood.
My in-laws live in a gated CC over in Danville and their HA is always having to fight with this kind of stuff, PLUS stupid things like some don't like the above ground cable boxes and are trying to ban them. Or the kids living in a +$5M home with their lifted 4x4's booming 1,000 WATT "music" that comes in through the walls that is over 150 feet away in the middle of the nite?
Fighting human nature, this and a losing battle, but don't give up. Every little bit helps.
One little addition to the above list:
Painting over your windows looks très tacky.
I've been thinking the same thing. What is it with the original owners and/or the second owners (the ones that have been there for 15+ years). USE SOME OF THAT EQUITY!
All I know is that I've spent a fortune and broken my back to create an amazing environment while some of my neighbors around me need to have their homes bulldozed
This kind of post makes me ----well, it at least makes me want to go home and hoist up the flag. Actually, I think I will hoist up the flag when I get home.
Everyone's different. Everyone has different circumstances: financially,
culturally, aesthetically. Your idea of the proper font for street numbers may not be a top priority item for every family. Maybe the RV they saved for for years was their top priority? And if someone wants to use a color that you find a little garish? So what. Maybe they think it's fun. Who made any of us the head of the "good taste" committee?
I think that talking to you neighbors and finding out what they're all about is a better route to a good neighborhood than snooty lists of Eichler dos and don'ts that celebrate our own aesthetic superiority.
Hello tguptha,
I think I may live in the neighborhood you are describing.
Is that the reason for the rant???
If it is, then......good riddance.
Get to know your neighbors and don't offend people who want to show patriotism on July 4th while you are trying to cash out on your home.
I am not selling my home (nor do I intend to) in the near future. While I agree that we all have our differences, I think most of the items listed above are a good indicator that a neighborhood, Eicher or other, is in a general state of decline, especially if you see these types of things occuring with an increasing degree of frequency.
I agree that some of the items I highlighted, including address numbers and weather-beaten flags flying at full mast 24/7/365, are extreme and worthy of a retraction, however the other comments remain spot on.
While we all have different circumstances, budgets and individual tastes, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a conscientious homeowner that would support or defend Christmas lights in July, painted over windows, bedsheets for curtains, a salvage yard of vehicles and RVs in the front yard or a yard which has clearly been abandon by its owners. Fixing these problems (or as you say "differences") would generally not cost a thing and would go a long way in terms of restoring the neighborhood.
Eichler Proud? Work together to take back the neighborhood!
I'm sorry but I gotta agree with Tgupta here.
Some of these Eichler properties have turned into rental units over the years. I know of some in our neighbor hood that have an engine block and old refridgerator in the front yard. Yuck. Luckily, as housing prices have steadily risen, those rental units are being sold and new owners are coming in and really loving these dilapidated properties.
However, there are some communities (like Lucas Valley) where they have a strong homeowner's association that helps to manage said properties. The unfortunate part is that not all eichler areas have these associations. In my opinion, they are sorely needed.
I love my Eichler.
This is very common in any area where the original owners have moved on, died, etc. Moved on to a vacation or retirement home and rented out the old house. Died and the kids now rent it out, etc.
They don't know HOW2 be good landlords and just collect the monthly rent. Many times they don't maintain it well or at all and have little to no understanding of their loss in value for either refi or sale.
Home owners association is one route to ID and have something said to them (owners and/or the city), but there are others that are even more effective.
Every city has a "weed abatement" ordiance of some sort. They all cover more than weeds....anything visual from the street. Like an engine block on the front lawn, or a bumper sticking up past the top of the fence, etc.
Here is the San Mateo internet addresses which has phone numbers and names of the officers who are responsible for enforcing the codes. I call them all the time... :)
Contact info with names and phone numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
The City of San Mateo operates in compliance with hundreds of written codes that are designed to maintain a healthy, safe and clean environment, carry out land use policy and preserve the quality-of-life standards that residents and businesses enjoy in our community.
There are many types of codes: City Codes, including Nuisance Codes, Zoning Codes, Fire Codes, Uniform Building Codes, Uniform Housing Codes, Vehicle Codes and Penal Codes. Code Enforcement is a responsibility shared by many City departments. To be eff
ective and efficient, code enforcement also needs the cooperation of residents and businesses.
Because there are so many codes - many involving complex technical or legal issues - residents frequently have questions about code enforcement and their role in making San Mateo a better place to live and work. The following information will answer the most frequently asked questions about code enforcement in our community.
How are codes enforced?
How do I notify the City about a possible code violation?
What penalties result from code violations?
What is the City's home business requirements?
What are the City's fence and hedge requirements?
What is the City's signage requirements?
Where can I view the City's Municipal Codes?
Where can I find some of the more obscure laws I may need to know about?
How are codes enforced?
The enforcement process is typically initiated in several ways:
1. in response to a complaint by an individual;
2. observation of a code violation by City staff as they patrol the community and do their jobs;
3. as a consequence of an action (for example, an application for a building permit or a request for a zoning variance).
How do I notify the City about a possible code violation?
A complaint about a possible code violation is made by letter, telephone, email, or in person to the appropriate City department (Contact Information).
Please be prepared with specific information, such as:
* the address of the property,
* detailed description of the situation, and
* the length of time you have observed the situation.
You do not have to identify yourself, however, having your name will assist us with follow-up and ensure we have all the information we need to resolve the situation.
What penalties result from code violations?
In many cases, the individual responsible for the code violation is given the opportunity to voluntarily correct the situation and comply with current codes without a penalty. If the correction is not made, then the individual may be subject to fines and other penalties.
What are the City's home business requirements?
In some cases, businesses cannot be operated out of the home. However, there are some business activities which are permitted in residences. Uses such as home offices, professional services, instruction, food preparation, and handicrafts may be allowed if certain criteria are met and a Home Occupation permit is obtained. Commercial auto repair and retail sales from the home are not allowed.
To be permitted, a home occupation must meet the following criteria:
* All employees of the business must be residents in the dwelling.
* Only 400 square feet of the home, or up to 20% of the living area, whichever is less, may be used for the business.
* Clients may only visit the dwelling between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and no more than 5 client visits per day are allowed.
* Parking must be provided for all business vehicles.
* Deliveries to the business may only be made by private mail service or the Postal Service.
* Outdoor storage of goods, equipment, or material is not allowed.
* A valid business tax certificate must also be maintained at all times that the home occupation is conducted.
* Vehicles used for the business may not have visible logos.
For information regarding a Home Occupation Permit, please contact the Planning Division at (650) 522-7212. To apply for, or to request an application for a Home Occupation Permit and a business tax certificate, you may contact the Finance Department at City Hall, 330 West 20th Avenue. Their phone number is (650) 522-7100.
To view the SMMC regarding Home Occupation click on the following: Home Occupation (SMMC: 27.16.040)
Thanks for the excellent list of resources. The Eichler Highlands neighborhood is plagued with all of the above-cited problems, but we are not in the city of San Mateo. We are governed by the county regulations and these aren't very well known.
It would be wonderful if someone could post similar information for the Highlands area.
The Eichler Highlands area is in the middle of a community-wide and very emotional discussion about height limitations. Although I would like to see only single-story homes in the neighborhood, it seems even more important to me to set some standards for home maintenance. Cars parked in the front yard are more offensive to me than second-storeys.
I'm glad most of my neighbors are not so bad but since we are on the subject of flags here are some basic rules so you don't accidently desecrate our national symbol:
1) Flags up at sunrise and down at sunset. You should play Taps but I can let this slide as I don't want to hear Taps at 6am :-)
2) If it has to stay out all night have a light on it.
3) If it gets tatter and worn please replace it. It is very disrespectful to hang an old torn flag.
4) If it touches the ground and gets dirty, clean it.
In case you need all the gory details:
- Ralph
This was a great post. Most of the following posts were constructive and infomative.
I find it odd that anyone would find this post offensive - especially to play the card that your personal liberties are at stake - (the right to choose your address font or house color). I am not in favor of home owners associations - posts like this keep people informed keep the home owners associations away.
Along the personal freedoms thing, which is why this country such a great place vs others I've visited.
I'm not of the "keep it OEM" and will change anything I want to. Some will say ruination of the place, not just an Eichler, but any other "design".
Engine blocks on the lawn is something I'll call to have the authorities take care of, but I see "their" point too.
It's just where that "line" is and it's very subjective.
I take that line to be where "they" take away or intrude on others freedoms. Then our laws says it will then take action.
On the American Flag thing. Weird timing, as my father in law and I were just talking about this (he's a WWII silver star guy). Took my old flag to the BoyScouts next to the old San Mateo Times building to have them burn it (that is the recommended method) and they didn't know anything about it. Talked to the adult leader and he had to look it up. They took it and was going to use it as a teaching/learning thing.
Wow - What an Amazing Post - Quite a List
Sure has turned into fun watching where it has gone.
Like your thoughts but think you are talking to the
wrong crowd. The folks on this site are Eichler Lovers
I agree that most Eichler Network vistors are already enthusiasts however i'm sure even the best of best have a few of the issues identified above plaguing their home and their neighborhood.
The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend so hopefully folks will take the time to get out and take down the Christmas lights, clean up their yards and driveways and helping to brighten up the neighborhood.
I bet if you went up to those neighbors this weekend and offered a hand to help, they wouldn't turn you down. :wink:
LOL I might go and try to lend a hand, but my rage from their total apathy might not make a good first impression.
Good for you! What neighborhood/town do you live in? Just curious.
We are in Willow Glen and one of the reasons we chose it was for its generally very strong curb appeal - and by this I am talking about the entire area - in fact the other parts of the Glen are better kept up for the most part than are our Eichler streets. Large, green and well manicured lawns are the style here and we love it. But we too have our inconsiderate neighbors and one in particular, with a backyard full of junk autos and a falling down fence so everyone gets to enjoy the "view" as they walk by. No one is immune.
That said, we are luckier than some. I am talking especially about the SM Highlands, which has some of the most appalling "statements of individuality" I have ever seen. Far far worse than the bright green house with the flag in front one street over from ours. I'm talking Greecian columns, barn style 2nd stories, and junk all over the place. It was one reason why we never even considered the Highlands, even though over all, it is a beautiful area.
When your statement of individuality does not lower my quality of life or property value, then it is none of my business, but when it does, it is EVERYBODY'S business. We economists refer to this as a "negative externality." Air and water pollution are also negative externalities. They impose a cost on someone that is/was not part of the transaction. Beautifully landscaped front yards are positive externalities because they create benefits to others that never paid for them.
Financial compensation for negative externalities is one way they are dealt with. Those that generate them pay those that are injured. Like 2nd hand smoke and the litigation against restaurants and bars that allowed smoking. Same argument. Now, if someone moves into a neighborhood today, and it has these junk homes there already, then they have already been financially compensated via the lower price paid for their home and the fact that they willingly purchased it in spite of the junk homes. BUT if you buy your house in a nice area and then that area declines through creation of JUNK homes, then you should be compensated for that damage to your property value, but right now, there is no mechanism for doing this. If anyone wants to read about this model, do a search under Coase's Theorem, or Pigouvian Tax.
This is a great discussion and raises many important issues. While in my pre-homowner days, I used to hate Code Enforcement, they are quickly becoming my new best friend (just after animal control, that is).
Hey if someone wants to live like oakies, then move to Oklahoma.
I see some of these things in Terra Linda as well. But my guess is (as someone said) most of the people that have little regard for the "neighborhood values" do not read this forum......and many do not own the property. But I must say it is improving all the time.
Maybe you should start your own HOA and start laying down the law in your neighborhood! I do think most who are offenders on your list do not own a computer.
The person who posted the thing about some people not having money so they have an excuse to have a crappy house is silly. You can be both rich and poor to be apathetic and lazy. Unfortunately it is the people who bought Eichlers in the 80's and 90's who did the terrible re-models on their homes. I think the revival of the Eichler is more recent.....so we must wait until they sell before the houses will begin to be restored. Patience grasshopper.
What a great list. Here's how I see the problem; When that ruined Eichler sells cheap, it is much more likely to be torn down and replaced by a 'big box' house. Run-down home occupiers are totally oblivious to our sensitivities. They look out from their mess and see our 'well-kept' homes and think "What a great neighborhood I live in". Instead of fuming, we can make sure the offender knows how we feel (frequently). I don't think it's cruel to remind someone that he is damaging the property value of his home and the surrounding neighborhood. My father once rented to some messy tenants. Things changed fast when neighbors began complaining to him.
Thankfully, one cannot just "start your own HOA and start laying down the law in the neighborhood." And to summarize my previous post as having meant that "not having money is an excuse to have a crappy house" is an extreme distortion.
Look, I like a nice, neat neighborhood as much as anyone. Things like parking cars on the lawn, leaving engine blocks lying around, and 6' tall weeds are ugly, unsafe and unsanitary and has Ben pointed out in his post there are plenty of exising remedies for these problems through local government. And in my experience, people who leave cars on the lawn or use bedsheets for curtains probably, as many have said, do not read this board and certainly are not likely to be moved by arguments about mid-century modern aesthetics.
But what I don't like about the original post was the way it lorded one particular vision of an Eichler neighborhood as if it were handed down from on high. If my neighbor wants to have a house sign that says "Casa Smith", or have a nice little birdbath in her front yard, or have frilly curtains in the house, or keep an RV next to the house (subject to local regs, of course) then why shouldn't they be able to? And when you say that we ought to think about whether or not we need to fly the flag because it doesn't quite jive with your vision of the neighborhood, well, that's just over the top.
And the reason I'm so sensitive to this issue is because all of this "we know the way each house should look" stuff is a very two-edged sword. I've wanted to live in a modernistic glass house ever since I was 7 years old and doodled sketches of houses in my spare time, but if I were to have tried to build such a house 50 years ago I'm sure many of the Homeowner Association types would have fought tooth and nail against it because it destroyed the artistic integrity of their gingerbread cottage neighborhoods.
So I'm not saying we should live like "Oakies" (apologies to OK residents), or that "crappy houses" are the ultimate expression of personal freedom. I'm just saying that not everyone who owns an Eichler is as obsessed with a particular vision of the neighborhood as many of us are and that before we start "laying down the law" about stylistic issues we should show a little tolerance and understanding.
AJM and Randy,
Both your posts ring true from what I have seen. Style is different than basic maintenance-- and poor maintenance results in the painfully obvious difference between a 50 year old Eichler that looks livable and one that is in tear down condition.
Frilly curtains will not effect resale value as much as termite infested wood.
One of my theories, besides the fact that some are obviously rentals, is that they were inherited by the kids--who now want to live out thier life on a shoestring - just getting by on the interst from the inheritance, or by doing odd jobs or whatever.
In our area, I must say that we have also been very lucky. Loni Nagwani (Eichler RE agent) bought a corner home that someone had put a traditional high-pitched roof on. It looked terrible, esp since the original home was a flat-roofed atrium model. First thing she did before moving in, was to take off the old roof and restore the roofline, siding, all exterior work and landscaping, as well as the inside of the home and it is gorgeous.
We have had several other new neighbors - one couple in particular - that bought a corner home on Booksin. It was in a terrible state of disrepair which included several large dead and very tall tree trunks in the front "yard." The energetic young couple have been embarking on a major resotration and improvement job - and since it is on our walking route - we have the chance to enjoy the fruits of their labor nearly every day. Beautiful new landscaping in the front, new siding and paint, and what looks like a lot of work on the inside. Good for them! This kind of work is expensive and given today's prices, probably an economic stretch for many.
And I could name at least 4 other examples in the past few years. RE agents such as Loni do us all a favor by educating her customers about these homes and helping them understand the concepts of MCM asthetics, architecture, and value. I also think that some new Eichler owners are completely overwhelmed with "what to do first and how to do it" when they first buy - especially if their home needs work that cannot wait. The quick fix sometimes, is for them to just hire some contractor or Home Depot even, to stick in a new kitchen or bath, just to get it functional again. Working on these homes from both a technical and asthetic perspective and doing it well is very difficult and due to this, I cooked w/o a working stove for 2 years for the utter terror I felt in potentially ruining the look of my charming original kitchen -- and I am an avid cook. Things are better now, as we finally found the right remodel for us.
Now, when it comes to junk and ruin in the front yard - there is no excuse. Monetary or otherwise.
I agree with those that observe that in some cases, as these homes turn over, they are improved and brought back to their former beauty and asthetics. Now if we could just get rid of the remaining renters/ kids that have inherited mommy and daddy's house and plan never to work again -- we should only be so lucky.
Every owner should take a Homeowners class 101 - Eichler owners need to take that class and then an add on class Eichler Ownership 101.
These houses are difficult to grasp, unless you are a total Eichler/modernist geek and or an architect, it takes time to get it. Alot of people need help and guidance - it one post like the original post makes a person stop and think before they place that bird bath in the front yard, install a vinyl white fence, add a second story look out tower or paint there accent stripe bright purple - then this post - in my opinion - was a success.
I guess I am always surprised when people are so critical of their neighbors. I find it sad when people are not friendly with their neighbors.
Consider this:
When my parents bought their Eichler back in the 60's they were SO proud and loved it! By the late 80's my mom was living alone in her Eichler and the yard started to be neglected. She could not afford a gardener.
Instead of complaining about my mom to other people, her neighbors had their son start mowing her lawn and raking leaves. My mom started paying the boy and they all got to know each other. That is what makes a neighborhood nice to live in - NOT paint and small vehicles.
Please think about the person living in the house you find an eyesore. Get to know them and see if you can help. After all, your point is that the things you are complaining about are easy and inexpensive to fix.
Your point is well taken. A little friendly advice and assistance is great for the elderly living alone with no one to help them.
Nevertheless I can't help cringing everytime I walk by the Eichlers with the ugly string Christmas Tree lights that are suppose to look like icicles—in July.
Maybe I should be neighborly and ring their door bells to ask if they need help taking them down.
What do you think?
If you're truly asking me what I think, I think you should be neighborly. Plain and simple, it's what makes a neighborhood better. Walk up to the door of the owner of the home that makes you cringe, knock on it, and talk to your neighbor! Conversations become so blustery online whereas a short introduction and an invitation to your tacky neighbor from you to feel free to talk about gardening or design or whatever might make something happen. I didn't intend to raise your hackles - I took my xmas lights down in March.
since someone mentioned that there are a lot of new owners doing work on their homes, I wanted to send out the following helpful hints to enhance the beauty of their home (as well as their neighbors).


text:
Tag: Math
Return the bigger values of 2 arrays
I came up with a similar question (<Return #elements of an array greater than a certain value>) before, and today this one "What's the efficient way of comparing 2 arrays and returning an array with the bigger values?" was posted in gsdzone.net forum.
This is not a complex problem and many responses were given. But all of them suggested using a for loop to compare the elements one by one. Most of the comparison and numeric nodes in LabVIEW are polymorphic and we should take use of them efficiently. I tried the following code and it works 🙂
So a single Max & Min node can do the job.
A thought that may or may not be helpful (or even correct!) in optimization: Always try to do it with polymorphic nodes when you did it with a loop; always try to do it in one loop when you did it with several loops.
Thanks to rogel who brought up this problem.
Return #elements of an array greater than a certain value
Some one asked the titled question in a forum (link), and many answers were given. This qustion is not hard and may not bother you at all. But the conclusion that a loop was neccesary is incorrect.
Above is an answer given by bincker, sorry for the watermark. The idea was to initialize a number and use the shift register as a counter. Add by one when the condition is fulfilled. Three conditions are listed in this case.
Or, we can do it this way (by me):
I don't know what happened in the "greater than" node, but the conclusion is we do not really need a loop to do that. There might be a traversal as well but the whole calculate is much simpler. And the bottom line is, thanks to the polymorphism of LabVIEW node, we can connect array and a single data to some nodes and do the calculations in one iteration.
Thanks for sx056 who brought up this question and bincker who gave me a hint.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Pastor Ize-Iyamu on Monday has assured the People of Edo State that his government will change their lot for the better.
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The governorship hopeful thanked his party for giving him the mandate and described it as a privilege and honour to fly the PDP flag and expressed optimism that his party will win the September 10 elections with the support of the people
Ize-Iyamu who used the ocassion to introduce his running mate, Hon John Yakubu, also promised to develop every part of the state, and not discrminate against any zone.
The Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih brought relief to the audience as he announced that there were no more factions in the party as a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt affirmed Sen Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic chairman of the party.
Orbih described the party's candidate, Ize-Iyamu as the political redeemer of the state, whom he said would deliver the PDP's vision of a greater Edo State.
He lamented that the intolerance exhibited by the state governor by denying the party the use of the Sam Ogbemudia stadium and called on people of the state to dismiss the ruling APC from the government house come September 10, 2016.
He stated that the decision of the governor to impose a candidate on the people of Edo state in the person of Godwin Obaseki is unacceptable, and will not stand.
He also accused the governor of withdrawing N500 million every month from the state's account in the name of "urgent security matters", even as he asked, "is Boko Haram in the state?".
The event was attended by citizens from all walks of life across the three senatorial districts of the state, traditional rulers, civil society groups, the business community and prominent politicians including former PDP BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Chief Tom Ikimi.


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13 Definitions of Box
The definition of box, the meaning of the word Box:
Is box a scrabble word? Yes!
- n. - A (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
- n. - Private area in a theater or grandstand where a small group can watch the performance
- n. - The quantity contained in a box
- n. - A predicament from which a skillful or graceful escape is impossible
- n. - A rectangular drawing
- n. - Evergreen shrubs or small trees
- n. - Any one of several designated areas on a ball field where the batter or catcher or coaches are positioned
- n. - The driver's seat on a coach
- n. - Separate partitioned area in a public place for a few people
- n. - A blow with the hand (usually on the ear)
- v. - Put into a box
- v. - Hit with the fist
- v. - Engage in a boxing match
Box is worth 12 points in Scrabble, and 13 points in Words with Friends
There are 3 letters in box: B O X
Words that can be created with an extra letter added to box:
2 words found using the letters in "Box"
2 Letter Words


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Suzi Feay
Three Sisters
Almost English
By Charlotte Mendelson
Mantle 400pp £16.99 order from our bookshop
Boarding schools in fiction, however perilous, are usually enjoyable and exciting places, but there has always been a shadow side to the genre: some people, in life and literature, are just not suited to these establishments. Charlotte Mendelson's teenage heroine, Marina Farkas, is one such. She has made a terrible mistake in coming to Combe Abbey, a co-ed in Dorset where girls are only admitted in the sixth form and remain an afterthought. (One of the school bulletins announces the '23rd Boys Dangerhouse Run and the 1st Girls Dangerhouse Run'.) Marina, dark, short and 'browy' (one character likens her to Frida Kahlo), cannot fit in with the hearty, counties types around her. The title suggests that it is her irredeemably non-Anglo-Saxon parentage that marks her out as strange, but thankfully this is no hackneyed tale of the beastly upper classes.


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Every time you do a search on the web, you could be raising money for City of Fountains Chorus! We are a registered with GoodSearch, an amazing web search service.
All you have to do is go to GoodSearch.com, choose a charity (type in: City of Fountains Chorus), and then start searching. With every search you do, a portion of the revenue from the advertisers that come up on the page is sent to City of Fountains Chorus. You can support us without even thinking about it by just getting in the habit of using GoodSearch for all your web searching work.
October 27, 2020
Meet the Chorus
Come to the About Us section to meet the director, and find out what we're all about!
Join Us!
Want to sing with a bunch of fabulous women? Want to learn amazing, classic songs? Come to the Join Us section to find out how you can get involved.
What is Barbershop?
Find out about this fabulous artform and the organization of women barbershoppers on our What is Barbershop page.
Support Your Chorus
Find out how you can help support great music in your community!
Members Login


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Brass vase with silver-incrusted decoration of arcade enhanced with vegetation scrollwork and birds. Frieze of religious inscriptions on mid-section against a scrollwork ground.
Near East, Early 20th Century
Height: 36,5 cm (14-1/4 in.) - Diameter of rim: 12 cm (4-3/4 in.)
Mounted as lamp. Dents.
Provenance :
- Item(s) quantity: 1
- Expertissim Reference: 2013090243
- Material:


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Maybe you're feeling stressed out by the impending end of the semester, or perhaps you're wondering how you can manage gifts for all your friends and family?
Maybe it's just your Crafty Muse persuading you that it is time to create? Whether you want to work with wood, paper, fabric, beads or yarn, the crafting possibilities are endless.
We have a new display of print books to help guide your creations (you're always welcome to check out items on display).
Plus Albertsons Library offers a variety of ebooks for more inspiration:
Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry
Super-cute Felt: 35 step-by-step projects to make and give
Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry
Super-cute Felt: 35 step-by-step projects to make and give
Tiny whittling: more than 20 projects to make
Trash to Treasure: a kid's upcycling guide to crafts: fun, easy projects with paper, plastic, glass & ceramics, fabric, metal, and odds & ends
Wildlife Sketching: Pen, Pencil, Crayon and Charcoal
Willow Basketry and Sculpture
Audrey Williams,
Access Services
Audrey Williams,
Access Services


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This Minnesota Wild 4' x 6' rug or area rug is manufactured right here in the USA to a high standard. Your favorite teams' logo is chromojet printed into the 100% nylon carpet in true team colors. This NHL area rug is constructed with non-skid Duragon® latex backing that ensures a rugged grip on whatever surface it is place on.
This construction gives the NHL logo area rug a unique appearance and functionality that can be used in a variety of applications. Use it as a high end tailgating mat or as a way to show your team pride and spirit in your home. The Minnesota Wild 4' x 6' Rug is officially licensed so you know that you are getting the real deal.
This Minnesota Wild 4' x 6' Mat has actual dimensions of 46" x 72" and is made with nylon which will never become threadbare. The rug will not wear out if properly maintained by washing the mat and laying or hanging it to dry when it becomes soiled. This will keep your area rug looking amazing. Upon receipt, your mat should be treated with a stain-resistant product such as DuPont Stainmaster as nylon fibers can stain especially if being utilized in high traffic areas.
*Note: As we carry 5000 different styles of sports mats all sports mats are manufactured when they are ordered so production time is 7-11 business days.


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A Life Possessed, Not Owned
I do not own a car. I do have partial possession of one. I have known individuals who own an automobile, but that vehicle is possessed by the local impound. Without ownership I have the ability to use a valuable tool to bless myself and others. Yet, some people I know with ownership but not possession can not bless themselves or others with a similar … Continue reading A Life Possessed, Not Owned


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Free interrail tickets around Europe for Laois students
Students will be able to travel by train in France and other countries for free under EU scheme.
Students from Laois and other parts of Ireland are being encouraged to take advantage of free interrail tickets being offered by the EU to travel around Europe during the summer.
The scheme allows young people to apply for one of 20,000 free interrail tickets once they turn 18. This project, initiated by the European Parliament, provides a unique opportunity for young Irish people to explore Europe over a period of up to three weeks at a time of their choosing.
Interrail tickets can cost upwards of €300 depending on the length of journey, so this is a tremendous initiative for any young person to apply for.
Ireland South MEP, Liadh Ní Riada sits on the Culture and Education Committee
"This initiative will be of huge financial assistance and make travel much more affordable for young people in Ireland.
More details on how and when the scheme will be launched are due in March.
"My office is open to anyone interested in applying for tickets once the scheme is launched. Happy travelling."


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Hello future self, am hoping you'll never need this blog post, maybe I'll be lucky and you never will. For other readers this is about pregnancy, specifically mine, if you've never been pregnant you might want to look away now, this isn't going to be a fun read!
So dear self, you by now probably have two lovely (sometimes) children, hope the mini Mallow's are doing well and keeping you happy. But you are reading this, which means you are broody for another, if you are lucky you went for that sterilisation and the broodiness will just have to go away, however if you didn't and there is still a chance you could get pregnant again then this is your wake up call. A horrible blast from the past.
Now I know you won't have forgotten the hyperemesis gravidarum, but you may be minimising it. So here's a few bits and pieces to refresh your memory. Three hospital stays within a fortnight. Yep three. Remember that these were also the first nights you had ever spent away from mini Mallow no.1. Want your first night away from mini Mallow no.2 to be a hospital stay too? Didn't think so.
How about the really helpful nurse who told you to be grateful when you were sobbing your eyes out about facing 9 months of not eating again? That was good fun wasn't it?
Then of course the obvious burning bile when your stomach was too empty to bring any food up but you were still vomiting regardless. Followed by the blood from your throat. And those coffee granule type pieces mixed in with the bile, can you remember the stench of the bile? How about the thought of even sipping water being enough to make you retch? Ginger biscuit?
Remember wanting nothing more than to soothe your red raw throat with ice, but even ice made you gag? You couldn't even look at the kitchen, let alone go in there because just the thought of it sent you scurrying to the toilet.
On the subject of the toilet, you know how at the beginning you were thinking you were fed up of hugging the toilet and the sight of the toilet's innards? Turns out that it's even more soul destroying to be sat on the toilet and vomiting into a bucket because your pelvic floor is wrecked, especially as you only found this out after wetting yourself in a public toilet. Nothing quite like walking out of a public toilet with cold urine down your legs and vomit down your chest. You'll feel just like a glowing satisfied pregnant woman then. Oh and while you are sat on the toilet vomiting into a bucket? Your legs will ache and shudder as your body strains to expel whatever is left in your stomach, and the pain coursing through your stomach and lower back will be made worse by the position your are forced to sit in. But expect to be sat there for a while, multiple times a day and night.
Your face was covered in broken blood vessels, your eyes too, your skin was pale and dry and your lips were cracked and sore. Your hair was lank and greasy (often with vomit in it) and here's the real fun bit, you struggled to have baths of showers as the feel of water splashing against your head/neck/face/chest/belly made you nauseous. So you felt unclean on top of everything else. Dry shampoo only does so much, and the smell also made you feel sick.
On the subject of everything making you feel sick, basically that's true. Even wearing clothes means fighting off nausea as the weight of them will make you feel ill. Smells are the worst understandably. That means if neighbours are cooking, or someone walks past with food, or someone needs to eat in the same house as you, you will be sick.
Now I know you might be saying that the second pregnancy had the HG under control, but here's some things you may have forgotten about that. The reason you weren't being so sick in the second pregnancy was because you were on medication used for those going through chemotherapy and a large daily dose of steroids. These were the only things standing between you and regular hospital visits. And they weren't exactly fun either. The anti-emetic is known to cause quite severe constipation, let me just remind you that you spent a fair amount of time on the toilet with tears in your eyes wondering if anyone would let you have an epidural at that point. And yes, you were being serious, it bloody hurts. Talking about blood, there was that too, tears down there are really fun. Oh and the cramps when no amount of straining was working? That was lovely too, lots of writhing around in pain, especially in combination with round ligament pain and SPD.
The steroids were fun too, aside from the obvious concern when taking large amounts of steroids, you had to take so many pills that just the act of taking them made you feel sick. Even better if they broke in your mouth, which they frequently did. Then there was the weird bruising all over your legs. And the headaches/migraines. Remember you couldn't take your migraine pills for these, just paracetamol and an ice pack on your head.
The steroids also increase your risk of diabetes, which is already a risk for you. At the time of writing this I don't know if I've got gestational diabetes or not. If I don't then I'm damn lucky.
Even with those strong medications I still only stopped feeling nauseas constantly around the 24 week mark, that's 24 weeks of near constant nausea. And I don't know if the nausea will return as I go into the third trimester.
Now on to the pain. Your favourite bit.
There's the obvious SPD, that hurts like hell, and going by these two pregnancies – it gets worse each time. This time I'm waiting on crutches as I keep not being able to put weight on my right hip. That's really fun with an active toddler, fancy it with two of them? And you'd be surprised by how many things become difficult, sitting on a toilet (which you do a lot – between the constipation and the tiny pregnancy bladder) really hurts, getting in and out of cars, any steps, just getting up from a sitting position, and don't even think of sitting on the floor or climbing into the bath. And sex? Hahahahah.
Then add in round ligament pain, especially if the baby is a kicker (which both have been), you will feel like screaming every time you feel a kick.
Oh and in the first pregnancy at least you had such horrific pains that you were going into hospital to be monitored regularly in the last trimester. Still no idea if that awaits me this time. Just picture lying in the hallway sobbing and begging for it to stop.
You do a lot of begging for the pregnancy to stop. Every day in fact. It's often your first thought on waking and your last thought before bed. No matter how you much you try to put on rose tinted glasses, pregnancy disagrees with you – badly. And it drags on and on. DO NOT ever do this to yourself again, it's not worth it.
[Edit] The nausea came back within days of writing this and then a few weeks later you were vomiting again, or you were until your waters broke early and mini Mallow 2's heart beat kept slowing and stopping. You may never know if it was the HG that caused your body to reject her, and if you get pregnant again there may well be a chance your body rejects the next one before they are capable of surviving.


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Like a black hole at the center of all the dark realities that generate crime, our epidemic of opioid addiction devours life and hope in one New Hampshire prison. This is one of those rare posts - the ones I try to avoid writing - about the darker peripheries of prison life. I am late getting to it, and now have to struggle to get it out of my typewriter to have it in the mail by a deadline. One of my recent posts took a full month to get through the mail from Concord, New Hampshire to … [Read more...]
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John Paul Shields has been actively teaching and participating in music education since 2001, and is currently faculty at the Holy Names Music Center and Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, WA. In addition to private guitar lessons, John Paul has taught group classes in both schools and afterschool organizations. He has also lectured about the guitar and its repertoire to audiences of all ages, created and developed guitar programs for adolescents and adults, and given master classes to aspiring professional musicians in conservatories.
Philosophically, John Paul seeks to inspire students about the beauty and importance of both guitar and music, embracing music's role as a means of personal expression. A lifelong learner himself, he searches for new ways to assist his students at an individual level. Always open to new interpretations, repertoire, and approach, John Paul employs a philosophy of actively listening to the student's artistic desires in conjunction with the student's playing to find solutions that compliment each student's musical interests and physical abilities.
John Paul approaches guitar technique holistically, focusing on body coordination while also incorporating traditional themes such as scales and tone. After having guitar-related injuries, John Paul began investigating the ergonomics of guitar playing, inspired by his studies of kinesiology, physical therapy, and the Alexander technique. Lessons focus on students building habit awareness of their playing and practice in order to achieve ease, freedom and control. This additionally gives the students a greater chance to continue their enjoyment of the guitar, enabling them to strengthen their technique and to self-diagnose technical problems in their playing and interpretations.
Ultimately, John Paul's main goal as an instructor is to help his students recognize their unique artistic aspirations while developing the tools and understanding to progress independently.


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Our People
At MCK Lawyers we are committed to developing strong relationships with our clients so that we can understand your needs and provide outstanding results. Our staff are committed to providing exceptional service that is in plain English, commercial, and pragmatic.
Candan Koyuncu
Solicitor Director BCom(Accounting) LLB
Candan practices predominantly in insurance law and general commercial litigation. Candan advises clients in matters across Australia and he appears regularly in various Courts and Tribunals in all jurisdictions.
Candan has extensive litigation experience advising the firm's insurance company, business and non-profit organisation clients.
Candan is recognised as a problem solver by colleagues and clients. He is experienced in contract disputes, commercial disputes, debt recovery, fraud, litigation, business law, property law and insurance law issues.
In addition to his responsibilities at MCK Lawyers Candan provides pro bono advice and legal services to various Charities and Associations.
Candan is fluent in spoken and written Turkish, and advises the Turkish Government and private Turkish businesses of various sizes in their transactions in Australia.
Ozenc Koyuncu
Solicitor Director BCom(Accounting) LLB
Ozenc Koyuncu is a Solicitor Director of MCK Lawyers. In addition to his degrees in Law and Commerce, Ozenc holds a Graduate Diploma in Insolvency Law. Ozenc is an experienced advocate who appears regularly in the Local, District, Supreme and the Federal Magistrates Courts. Over the past twelve years Ozenc has practiced predominantly in Insurance Litigation, Insolvency Law and Business and Commercial Law. Ozenc also has experience in managing large product liability matters, commercial leasing and franchising.
Alongside his insurance and insolvency practice, Ozenc continues to work closely with the firm's small to medium business clients, and our franchisor clients by providing business and debt recovery advice, conducting commercial litigation and advising on commercial and property transactions.
Ozenc speaks and writes fluent Turkish.
Jessica Anne Haidar
Solicitor BBus (Acc) LLB
Jessica was admitted to practice in 2014. Prior to admission as a legal practitioner Jessica worked as a law clerk at MCK Lawyers for over 3 years.
Jessica is involved predominantly in advising our insurer clients in property damage matters, including claims made by or on behalf of repairers and hire car companies who provide services on credit. Jessica also appears regularly in the Local Court.
Jessica is involved in advising our clients in matters in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Maddison Tilley
Associate BSocSc LLB
Maddison is an Associate at MCK Lawyers.
Maddison joined the firm as a law student and was admitted as a Solicitor in 2017 after working as a Law Clerk for more than 2 years. Maddison works with insurer and commercial clients and provides advice in property damage, insurance law, debt recovery and contract dispute matters in NSW, QLD and Vic.
Maddison is a diligent and convincing advocate and appears as solicitor advocate regularly in the firm's matters in various jurisdictions.


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On the 22nd August, I turned 24 and I have to say I was truly lucky to have received some really wonderful gifts.
Today, I want to talk to you about one in particular, which was definitely the best wrapped present I received.
We took full advantage of the Bank Holiday and headed out to celebrate on Saturday, when one of my friends turned up with a piñata.
The big kid in me has wanted one for years and so I was super excited for an excuse to prance round my living room, haphazardly hitting this thing in an effort to reveal the goods inside. When I finally got it open, there were all my favourite sweets!
In fact, I was so taken in by that my friend actually had to point out that there was another gift inside; a wonderful Chamilia charm.
She got me an adorable cocktail charm to add to my bracelet, which came complete with little lemon slice and straw. We definitely bonded over our love of cocktails in Tenerife last year and so this was so apt. In fact, I bought her a cocktail making kit for her birthday back in February, so we were definitely on the same wavelength!
I loved my gift in a gift and this new addition sits perfectly with the two other new charms I got for my birthday (which I'll be sharing in a later post).
How charming!


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March 4th, 2016.
Stark City, Oregon.
7:33 a.m.
Last night, Lareyn fell asleep with her hand on my back. Lareyn, of course, is my wife. My beautiful, elegant, gracious wife. I say this as if I'm just now finding out how beautiful, elegant, and gracious she is; as if I'd somehow forgotten and have only begun to remember. Well, rest assured, I have always known. Since the first time I looked into the bewitching pools of her eyes, since I first heard her sultry voice, I have known. But I must now confess to at times being a rather dense man, easily distracted, which causes this knowledge to lose its way. Like lonesome driftwood upon a frothing sea. Simply put–and much to my discredit–my appreciation often wanes for my dear, tender wife. I can, at least, honestly say that I've never neglected Lareyn, nor have I ever treated her badly. It's just that I don't always express my admiration for her as much as she deserves.
In this respect, I suppose, I'm a typical husband.
But last night…that hand. Her hand. My wife's warm, gentle, reassuring hand upon my back. The simplest of gestures, which nonetheless brought my regard for Lareyn back to the fore–not just of my brain, but of my very being. Do you know that mental contraction you feel when something or someone you see and experience every day suddenly seems brand new? Like a picture with a new frame, an orchestra with a new conductor? Well, that's what I felt last night. That's what I feel right now. That's what compels me to write these words.
Once again, my view of Lareyn has sharpened, narrowed, and I feel the same way I did the night we first met. Only now my appreciation is tinged with nostalgia; a deep layer of warmth and intimacy which spans two decades.
What can I say?
The driftwood has returned to shore, and I love my wife.
I love Lareyn as she lays on our sofa in the den of our home, still asleep, curled up on her side. Her dark hair tangled around her soft cheeks. A slight smile on her lips as if she's in the midst of some contented dream. Sunlight streams from the window above our sofa, giving her olive skin an angelic glow. During the night, Lareyn must've gotten up and slipped off the thin black skirt which now lies on the carpet. One bare leg has slid from beneath the blanket, revealing her shapely and manicured foot. If only she could see herself lying there through my eyes. Then, Lareyn would understand the true meaning of beauty.
Ah, if only…
Our get together last night was nothing special. Just a few friends who'd come over for dinner, drinks, and relaxation. Lareyn had wanted to cook, but I insisted on ordering takeout. Had a craving for Indian cuisine, and felt Lareyn deserved a night off. Our friends arrived in due time, and I opened a bottle of Pinot Noir to go with the curried feast. One of our guests brought homemade cheesecake, which topped everything off nicely.
After dessert, Lareyn and I cleared the coffee table and set up the Monopoly board. The game lasted well into the night, with Lareyn going bankrupt second. She didn't seem to mind, though, and curled up beside me as I continued to roll the dice and renovate property. Around ten o'clock, two of our friends left, leaving a merry band of five. Shortly thereafter, Lareyn leant back, closed her bewitching eyes, and drifted off. Her hand, which she'd slipped under my shirt to massage my lower back, became still…but didn't fall away. As if some part of her, though fast asleep, still craved to be in contact with her husband. Of course, I was in the midst of a financial battle with three of our friends, and couldn't let on how touched I felt at that moment; how I relished the warmth of her soft, unmoving hand. It was with a heavy heart that I rose an hour later to hug two more friends goodbye, then sat back down to finish the game. It had come down to me and a bright young man named Mark, whom I work with.
The spot on my back where Lareyn's hand had been tingled and felt naked, and I craved its return. But I soldiered through the rest of the game with the proverbial stiff upper lip.
Well, Mark finally won when I had the misfortune of landing on three of his highest priced properties in a row. But he was gracious in victory, and left quietly so as not to disturb Lareyn. For that, I was grateful, and returned from seeing Mark outside with a growing sense of desire for the beautiful creature lying before me. For a moment, I pondered waking Lareyn to make love, but decided against it. That would've been selfish. So I just sat there for a long while, admiring her in the bright moonlight. She lay so still, so calm, so comfortable. Her earrings sparkled. Her lips glistened.
Finally, I began to nod off myself.
Now, a decision had to be made. Though I longed for the warmth and solace of our bed, I also longed for the warmth and solace of my wife. To have the best of both worlds, I would've had to rouse Lareyn, thereby ruining her tranquility. That, I could not do. So I slipped upstairs, peeled our comforter from our bed, and returned to the den. Lareyn hadn't moved, and looked more gorgeous than I could ever remember.
Outside, it was cold. Inside, it was perfect. I stripped to my boxers, left my socks on, and draped the comforter over us. I confess that the couch barely contained us, but I held Lareyn close to prevent her from slipping off. Her soft flesh melted in my arms. Our breathing fell into a steady rhythm, and her scent–not her perfume, mind you, but the smell that is specifically Lareyn–left me more intoxicated that the wine ever could.
And that's how I fell asleep last night. With my wife, Lareyn, in my loving embrace. A satisfied grin on my face. Tears pricking my eyes from the memory of her hand upon my back. I did not dream, and it was the best sleep I've had in years.
When I woke, Lareyn was still in my arms; exactly where I wanted her. Reluctantly, I rose and stretched in the morning light. A slight chill pervaded our home, but it felt refreshing. I don't work today, so I took my time brewing a pot of coffee and making ready everything I'll need to cook. When Lareyn wakes, I'll surprise her with a long kiss, a steaming cup, and the declaration that breakfast will be served shortly. If all goes to plan, we'll spend most of our day on the sofa, laughing, loving, and dozing.
A perfect day.
But for now…
For now, I'm content to sit here. Just sit and write and gaze upon Lareyn. My beautiful, elegant, gracious wife. Lareyn, who is also my life. My love. My heartbeat. I'll sit and watch over her until she awakens. 'Til then, there's no place I'd rather be.
What can I say?
The driftwood has returned to shore, and I love my wife.
–March 12th, 2015
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Show support on Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/jesselynnrucilez
Thank you for reading!


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Hondo Minerals' Board of Directors Continues to Review Unsolicited Offer from Crowncorp
Feb 20, 2013, 12:13 ET
CHLORIDE, AZ, Feb. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Hondo Minerals Corporation (OTCBB: HMNC.OB) today announces that its Board of Directors, in accordance with its fiduciary obligations to its shareholders, continues to review and negotiate the terms of the unsolicited offer from Crowncorp Investment Corporation to purchase all of the assets of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Hondo Minerals, Inc., which holds 100% of the Company's assets, in exchange for $75 million in cash. To that end, the Company has engaged Mergers & Acquisitions legal counsel to assist with its review, consideration and structuring of the proposed transaction.
Bill Miertschin, Chairman and CEO of Hondo, said, "We are diligently working to assess the financial viability and structure of Crowncorp's offer and to determine the best course of action for the Company and its shareholders. We hope to complete this review and structuring as soon as possible."
About Hondo Minerals
Hondo Minerals Corporation is engaged in the acquisition of mines, mining claims and mining real estate in the United States, Canada and Mexico with mineral reserves of precious metals or non-ferrous metals. Hondo owns the Tennessee and Schuylkill Mines in Chloride, Arizona. The Tennessee Mine operated from the late 1800s until 1947 producing lead, zinc, gold and silver. The Company also owns numerous other mining claims in the U.S. Southwest.
About Crowncorp Investment Corporation
Crowncorp Investment Corporation, a corporation duly formed under the laws of the State of Texas in May 2007, has been involved in buying and selling of petroleum, petroleum derivatives, and commodities since its inception. In addition, the Company has expertise across a wide range of activities related to mining and minerals processing including exploration, development, smelting, refining, safety, environmental protection, product stewardship, recycling and research and seeks to enhance shareholder value and seize growth opportunities by acquiring mines and mining claims in the United States.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the Company's beliefs about its business prospects and future results of operations. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include economic and operational risks, changes in anticipated earnings, continuation of current contracts, and other factors detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q. The Company forecasts provided above are dynamic and therefore refer only to this release date. The Company does not undertake to update any forecasts that it may make available to the investing public.
SOURCE: Hondo Minerals Corporation
For further information:
Hondo Minerals Corporation
Bill Miertschin


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Change is constant, but it is never more evident than when looking at what consumers expect from their service providers. The other apparent constant is the slow response of suppliers to their consumer.
Real estate is no exception. Today's consumer expects to have access to all the information they want regarding a property, whether it be the current price if it's on the market, or the sale price of a home they were interested in, or assessment, or taxes, or… the list goes on. It seems that the keepers of the information, even if they wanted to share the information are restricted from doing so either by government laws, or by rules within their industry. Also, quite often, the keepers of the information are leery of sharing, in case they lose control, which I believe has been a problem in the real estate industry until just recently, when REALTORS® and their associations decided to make access easier for the consumer. I am sure the consumer still believes we could and should still provide more information (remember my first paragraph).
Another area where change has been slow is delivery of the information. It wasn't that long ago that we actually were unable to provide a computer print out of information, in fact using printed material that was out of date before it even got into the REALTORS'® hands much less out to the consumer. Now that the internet has made the transfer of information so much easier and quicker, many are still slow to provide the immediate response that consumers are looking for.
Moving on from providing information, the consumer is looking for a number of other services, such as
All but instant response to texts, email and telephone calls. Many REALTORS® are slow to respond, with many not answering emails at all.
Listings that have plenty of photos and video tours so they can get a feel for the property prior to viewing it
REALTORS® that have websites, both to provide information about the REALTOR® themselves and also to promote the consumers listings or provide them with listing information
One stop shopping. Consumers expect their REALTOR® to provide access to financing, home inspection, insurance, staging and more.
REALTORS® who know their job! Keep up to date and provide informed service. Consumers do not want surprises because their REALTOR® just didn't know to ask the right questions.
These are just a few of the changes in what consumers are looking for, and as a REALTOR® I know we all need to keep up to date and acquire the skills necessary to provide what our consumers want.


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KDE? Gnome? XFCE? Or Mate? What graphic environment do I need to install? These are the questions that every Linux user faces many times. due tot their priorities. This article lists the main graphic environments available for the open source SO that we all know.
Gnome is one of the most popular graphical environments available, along with KDE. It was considered the best at Gnome 2 but with the release of the third review, it went a bit worse. This is because the revolutionary way of thinking about the graphic environment has been and how it works. It's not the classic desktop, as we know it, in fact, there is not even a desktop. Everything is "hidden" in the launcher, there are all applications, documents, resources, etc .; however you can make it more user-friendly with some changes. As a graphic environment it is very modern and respects the current "standards", it is full of transparencies and animations made very well.
In some respects it is also too far ahead, for example, buttons have been removed to minimize and maximize windows. However, Gnome 3 is the graphic environment with the most extensions available. Extensions are installed through browsers and allow you to add certain features to your system.
KDE Plasma
KDE is the other larger graphic environment available. It is the most like Windows interface without system theme changes and is also the heaviest and most resourceful resource environment. This is because it provides a lot of services and the interface is very complex and articulated. In fact, for each user interaction to the computer (such as reducing a window or opening an application), an animation or transaction is associated. Plasma is the latest evolution of KDE that has introduced a more flat style to the system and icons in general.
The XFCE 4 is a lightweight, yet nice, and feature- rich desktop environment. This compromise makes it particularly suitable for mid- range computers (schools, offices, etc.). How it looks like Gnome2/Mate and there are not many animations. It is the classic desktop environment, with nothing more or less. It is very intuitive because things are where and how they should be.
Unity is the default Ubuntu graphic environment from version 11.04. Initially, Ubuntu used Gnome 2, but in 2011 it moved to Unity. More in detail, it is a Gnome shell modification (the same as Gnome 3). Unlike Gnome 3 here the desktop exists and in general the environment is very user-friendly. It requires a little more power than XFCE but not KDE. Visually the graphic environment is very enjoyable with its animations and its simplicity.
The Cinnamon graphic environment is a compromise between Gnome 3 technology and the visual aspect of Gnome 2. It is based on Gnome 3 but visually recalls the old Gnome 2. It was initially designed to work only on Linux Mint but thanks to some alternative ways you can install it on other systems as well. Switching from Windows is much more intuitive than Gnome 3 or Unity. She is also very pretty with her well-done animations.
Mate is a graphical environment based on the code of old Gnome 2. During the transition from 2 to 3 many users found several shortcomings on the new version and so Mate was born. This was done to keep the Gnome 2 project alive, but also to improve its code and add more features to it.


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The other day I found this bookmark and pin in with a bag of vintage zippers I'd bought for 99 cents at Goodwill a year or so ago. The zippers I've since sold on ebay for no more than I paid for them, but I kept the pin and the bookmark. I've always rather liked the message in the serenity prayer. Serenity has yet to come to me, but those kids Paul and Lisa give me gifts of courage and wisdom every day.
Paul and I sit side by side in the sandbox. Sometimes we sit in the sand but more often he sits in a white plastic Adirondack chair and I sit in a blue classroom chair. We sit with our backs to the parking lot so we can look out over the playground. The rest of the kids play. We talk.
"What do you want to talk about?" Paul asks.
"Let's talk about rocks," I answer.
"No, let's talk about squirrels."
"OK," I say, thinking of something I learned in a workshop a few weeks ago. Why do kids ask you questions? Because they want to hear you talk. So I talk. "When I lived in Illinois," I begin, "we had a big maple tree in the front yard. One spring a mommy squirrel came to live in the tree and pretty soon she had three baby squirrels. And the baby squirrels would come out in the yard and run around and play and they were really fun to watch."
"Now it's my turn," Paul says. "I have a squirrel at home. His name is Rocky and he plays in the yard. Now it's your turn."
"Do you know about that squirrel named Rocky who has a friend named Bullwinkle?"
"No. Let's talk about parrots."
"OK. Once I went to a pet store that had a parrot who was born in 1915. His name was Birdo and he was really grouchy and he bit you if you got too close to him."
"Now it's my turn. I have a parrot at home. His name is Rocko. He bites."
We sit and watch the other children build sandcastles and dig tunnels, pretending to be Tinkerbell and Wendy and Peter Pan. Paul says, "I have an elephant at my home. His name is Rocko."
"I have an elephant at my home, too," I say. "His name is Financial Crisis."
I fasten the pin to my Tshirt before school on Monday morning. I'm still feeling overwhelmed, under-rested from the weekend. Lisa zigzags out onto the playground. She's got a distinctive, ramshackle run. She hugs my knees and I kneel to talk to her.
She fingers the butterfly near my collar. "Your pin sure is beautiful, isn't it?"
"Thank you," I say. "I like it too."
She hugs me again. When she lets go and zigzags away, I hear a sound like coins hitting the concrete. When I look down, I see the pin and its clasp there on the ground. I'm muttering to myself as I pick them up, investigate the clasp, discover it's completely useless, but try to pin the butterfly back to my shirt anyway. That's when I discover the little hole there in my t-shirt---one of my favorites, the pink one with the brown marbling---and I say, "Oh, great!" in that sarcastic voice even a three-year-old can recognize.
"What'sa matter, Miss Becky?" Lisa says.
"Oh, my pin left a hole in my favorite t-shirt." I'm practically whining.
"That's OK, Miss Becky," Lisa says, dancing away. "You can still be people's teacher."


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In the ruthlessly unsentimental fashion industry the road from next big thing to the real-life big time is paved with the names of those who never made it. But Christopher Kane, the 30-year-old Scottish star of London fashion week, has defeated the odds with the signing of a deal with French luxury conglomerate PPR which marks safe passage of the first and most perilous stage of the journey from prospect to success.
PPR, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent and has controlling stakes in Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, has announced the purchase of a 51% stake in Kane, whose designs have been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and Samantha Cameron.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the investment represents a rapid change of gear for Kane's label. It is currently run by Kane alongside his sister and long-term collaborator Tammy, with 26 employees based out of a Dalston studio. PPR's plans for the label include the opening of a first standalone store, most likely in London in 2014; a secondary or "diffusion" line with a more affordable price point; and expansion in the lucrative accessories sector.
The deal comes after a series of rumours linking the designer to PPR, with Kane's name mentioned as a contender for the design post at Balenciaga, another PPR company, before Alexander Wang was given the job.
The success of Kane's new venture will be closely watched at what is a time of soul-searching for the fashion industry. In the fallout from the Galliano scandal of 2011, there has been criticism of the pressure put on designers working in the luxury industry to meet the ever-increasing demands of a marketplace which has become exponentially wider in global reach while simultaneously faster in turnaround. Both PPR and Kane were keen to emphasise that the deal will not affect the character of the label. "We … have great ambitions for the brand and will enable it to benefit from our expertise and know-how, while providing the space for it to further develop its own creative identity," said François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of PPR.
In an email to the Guardian, Kane added: "The reason we entered into this partnership deal with PPR is because they champion our creative independence and want to grow the business organically. We have a clear vision of what we want the company to be and PPR will help us realise that." As to what changes the deal would bring in the short term, Kane specified "none at all. It is business as usual. Eventually, Tammy will help more on the creative side as we slowly phase in more management."
Kane, whose current womenswear collection draws on inspiration ranging from Frankenstein to the ornate ironwork found on the bridges in London's Victoria Park, stopped short of ruling out a move from showcasing at London fashion week to an alternative city in the future, but described the capital as "our home and the place we will build our business globally".
Historically, British designers in whom PPR have invested – including Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen – have moved their catwalk shows to Paris fashion week as part of the deal. Kane's ambitions in the fashion world began early. Aged 12, he saved up his pocket money to help his sister Tammy, five years his senior, buy a Versace dress for her school leaving party. At Central Saint Martins his talent was immediately noticed; on winning the Harrods Design award with his final collection, his stretch-lace dresses were given space in the windows of the Knightsbridge store. His fiercely glamorous aesthetic won him a powerful mentor in Donatella Versace, who hired him for a three-year stint designing her diffusion line, Versus.
market. More than a decade later, the no-leather policy remains in place.Kane's next show will take place during London fashion week on 18 February.


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A 'happy weight" and an "ideal weight" are two different things. You may be happy with your current weight which isn't ideal (in proportion to what you weight several years ago). But that shouldn't bother you.
You think you should ideally weigh what you did in college and yet you feel quite satisfied and healthy with the weight you've achieved after months of hard work. Those who are faced with such a perplexing predicament can take heart in experts' advising that your 'happy' weight does not necessarily have to coincide with your 'ideal' weight. In other words, if you're happy with how much you weigh and you feel healthy, then it shouldn't matter if you don't weigh what you did years ago in college.
Lose Only Ten Percent of your Body Weight and Feel Good
In case you are overweight then losing only ten percent of your body weight is enough to make a noticeable improvement in your health and standard of life. It should be enough to lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which will altogether reduce the risk of heart diseases. Moreover, pacing yourself to losing only ten percent of your body weight at once is a strategy that makes it easier to attain and maintain a certain weight.
Body Settles to a Weight Range Called "Set Point"
Just as our body temperature that hovers around 98.6 degrees; our body weight also adjusts itself to a range of 10-20%. So if you're overweight then the longer you stick to that particular weight, the more habituated your body will become to it. Your body will settle into a weight range called "set point." And because this "set point" is naturally attuned to fluctuating within a range of 10-20%, starting with short term goals such as losing 10% of your body weight at once is an effective strategy to adopt.
An intricately linked set of hormones, chemicals, and hunger signals work in tandem to settle your weight into the range of the "set point." You could see it as the natural band width of your body. Overeating and poor eating habits mess with your internal regulatory system and push your set point upwards. Once this happens, your body resets itself to uphold this new set point. And as it always happens, increasing your set point is much easier than lowering it.
Ways to Lower the Set Point of Your Weight
Adopting healthy eating habits and a regular exercise routine are the best ways to lower your set point. When you've been able to lose 10% of your body weight, then maintain that weight for a few months such that it becomes your new set point. Drastic weight changes never work in the long term and your body will be quick to bounce back to your previous weight because it will still be attuned to the old set point.
A Sudden Drop in Weight can be Dangerous
A sudden and considerable drop in your weight will upset your hormones and make you crave food as you try to keep away for it. This happens because your body has been used to a certain diet for a while and expects that much food, so while you may be trying to deny food your body will be demanding it.
Take the Weight Loss Program Slow and Steady
Hence, taking it slow and steady is a more foolproof method. Your body will get a chance to get accustomed to your new diet, its smaller portions, and regular exercise. In the mean time, you'll find that even a slight change has given you better sleep, more energy, lesser joint pains, an opportunity to reduce medication; all in all, an improved quality of life.
Disciplining oneself into a new and stricter way of life is a tough task, but there are a few methods that you can use to make it easier. For instance, by eating regular meals you will automatically be consuming fewer calories. Also, eating off a plate is a good way to keep in check the amount you are consuming, as opposed to when you eat out of containers. Make sure that your diet consists of food items that are high in fibre and rich in lean or low fat protein. Along with watching what you eat, getting at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity every day is a must.
Think Positive
Most importantly, you must think positive. Focus on living a healthier lifestyle rather than a number on your weighing machine. Seek to make behavioural changes that will hold you in good stead in your later years. Decide on how much you can realistically lose and stick to that. Overestimating your body's capacity will only lead to frustration and you will end up hurting your self esteem. Look over your adult life for a time when you were happy and healthy with how much you weighed. It should be something that you can comfortably maintain and comes naturally to your body, in stead of having to force your body to comply.
Ignore the unhealthy examples that popular culture holds up as ideal and find out what is ideal for you. Learning to appreciate who we are and how we look is one of the most difficult things. Yet, it is also an immensely rewarding experience.
Image Source: Getty
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For years, it's seemed as though the telecommuting revolution has been just around the corner. The truth is, many people are making telecommutes work today, and the technology for telecommuting's widespread adoption does exist. But there are some powerful social factors holding it back.
Probably the strongest hurdle telecommuting has to face is the micromanaging supervisor. Some in middle management feel it necessary to watch their subordinates like a hawk – and while there certainly are employees who need to be closely managed, micromanagement is rarely the best managerial strategy. Already, corporations are outsourcing business processes to cut costs; as outsourcing gains traction, resistance to telecommuting should get weaker and weaker.
Another reason for the slow adoption of telecommuting is the nearly universal assumption that good workers leave their homes every weekday morning to commute to work. For many people, the commute will remain a part of daily life. But as businesses look for ways to scale back costs, the obvious savings in building space, computer equipment and custodial services that come with telecommuting are impossible to ignore. And as the corporate world finally embraces telecommuting out of necessity, smaller businesses will likely follow suit. The Industrial Revolution transformed our habits and our assumptions about how "normal" people earned a living – but the ongoing Digital Revolution will almost certainly do the same.
Maintaining group cohesion and cooperation is a serious concern, but one that technology has gone a long way to overcoming. Wireless communications make it easy to work from anywhere. File-sharing sites like Google Docs can ensure that everyone is literally working off the same page. Firewalls are not just for servers these days and software from companies like Symantec and Webroot can keep home desktops and roving laptops safe. A virtual PBX with flexible but robust hunting rules allows a firm to route customers to the person they need to talk to, even if that person isn't in some central office. And when workers really need face-to-face time, teleconferencing software with webcams can put everyone at the conference table.
Even for those who enjoy the "water cooler culture," telecommuting is getting easier. In addition to the ubiquitous coffee shops and cafes that already cater to the lounge-chair business types, we've begun to see virtual office centers – locations where one can rent a single office or conference room by the hour. Not only do these allow you to get out of the house and keep business and family life separate, but they also give you far greater flexibility in choosing who you see every day. Can't get along with the guy in the next office over? Just rent a different office or move to a new building entirely.
The forces moving us toward telecommuting seem to grow stronger every day. For employees, it's the need for flexible schedules that better allow juggling work with family and worsening traffic which aggravates every commuter. For businesses, telecommuting promises greater control over expenses and happier employees who are more focused on delivering results. The technology is there and the will is growing. Telecommuting is a trend whose time has come.
Photo credits mccun934


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Editorials | Online Fashion Magazines- One Off
One Off: the online clothing boutique showcases the editorial side of fashion, ... Lots of editorials on the latest designer clothing and celebrities in their "couture".
Drapers is a business-to-business magazine and website covering the fashion retail sector. It was founded on 6 August 1887 to cover the women's clothing retail trade, but today spans the whole fashion retail sector, including wider retail issues such as digital transformation, technological advances and the management of supply chains.Drapers also hosts a series of conferences, events and awards ceremonies throughout the year to recognize the best-performing businesses and to share learnings. The publication is owned by Metropolis.
Elle (stylized ELLE) is a worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin that focuses on fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. It was founded in 1945 by Helene Gordon Lazareff and her husband, the writer Pierre Lazareff Elle, in Paris the immediate aftermath of World War and first sold as a supplement to France- Soir, edited at the time by Pierre Lazareff. Hélène Gordon-Lazareff, Elle's pioneering founder, returned to Paris from New York City to create a unique publication that grappled with the many forces shaping the lives of women in France in 1945. Women won the right to vote in 1944, and Elle dived immediately into long-form "newspaper-like" features on women's role in national politics and the growing feminist movement.
The title means "she" or "her," in French.
Harper's Bazaar is an American women's fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper's Bazaar is published by Hearts and considers itself to be the style resource for "women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture". Aimed at what it calls "discerning ladies", Bazaar is published monthly. Since its debut in 1867 as America's first fashion magazine, its pages have been home to talent such as the founding editor, author and translator Mary Louise Booth, as well as numerous fashion editors, photographers, illustrators and writers. Glenda Bailey is the editor-in-chief of U.S. edition of Harper's Bazaar.
InStyle is a monthly women's fashion magazine founded in 1994. It is published in the US by Meredith Corporation and by Pacific Magazines in Australia. Along with advertising, the magazine offers articles about content such as beauty, fashion, home, entertaining, philanthropy and celebrity lifestyles. The currenteditor in chief is Laura Brown, and the publisher is Laura Frerer-Schmidt.
Style was a South African consumer magazine that was founded in 1981 and published by Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Limited. The magazine's founding editor was Marilyn Hattingh, who based the publication on American "city magazines", aimed at an upmarket readership of conspicuous consumers. The magazine was a chronicle of Johannesburg high society, and its tone was acerbic and often satirical. Its content was entirely South African in origin, and the writing staff included Hilary Prendini-Toffoli, Patrick Lee, Gus Silber, Adam Levin, Chris Marais, Linda Shaw and Lin Sampson.
Fashionbeans is a complete fashion, style, fitness & grooming guide for the modern gent. Our team of industry experts and enthusiastic writers provide the everyday male with the latest advice, inspiration and guides to looking their best daily. ... It can never be said that fashion is ever a sitting duck.
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine covering many topics including fashion, beauty, culture, living, and runway. Vogue began as a weekly newspaper in 1892 in the United States, before becoming a monthly publication years later.
The British Vogue was the first international edition launched in 1916, while the Italian version Vogue Italia has been called the top fashion magazine in the world. As of today, there are 23 international editions.
Allure is an American women's magazine focused on beauty, published monthly by Conde Nast in New York City. It was founded in 1991 by Linda Wells. Michelle Lee replaced Wells in 2015. A signature of the magazine is its annual Best of Beauty awards—accolades given in the October issue to beauty products deemed the best by Allure's staff.
The magazine's prototype was shredded shortly before the scheduled launch date and, after overhauling everything (including the logo), Allure made its debut in March 1991 designed by Lucy Sisman. The magazine's original format was oversize, but this prevented it from fitting into slots at grocery-store checkouts and required advertisers to resize their ads or create new ones. After four issues, Allure changed to a standard-size glossy format.
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. First published in 1970, it is one of the few American magazines that focus on reaching an audience of black women, revolves around the black woman experience, and has remained for a long period of time. The magazine covers Fashion, Lifestyle and Beauty, with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone, and its slogan "Fierce, Fun, and Fabulous" suggests the magazine's goal of empowering African-American women. The topics the magazine discusses range from celebrities, to fashion, to point-of-view pieces addressing current issues in the African-American community. A number of its readers engage closely and personally with the publication, and it claims to be the magazine "for and about Black women".