text:
Emma Waterston is determined, headstrong, and comes from a lifestyle where class structure determines one's associations. Left destitute after the death of her mother, she takes a job at a textile factory. When a fire destroys her place of employment, leaving her penniless again, she makes a desperate decision and answers an ad for a mail order bride from a wealthy Kentucky horse breeder. Sam Hawley is content with his life as a horse trainer on an affluent Kentucky estate. His primary focus has always been on the horses. He views their owners as rich people with nothing to do but flaunt their money. Loyalty to his mentor is the only thing that keeps him rooted to one place. When he meets the bride-to-be of the man he detests the most, his life is about to change. Too late, Emma discovers the ad she answered was too good to be true. Her future husband is not what she was led to believe and a horrific experience leaves her no choice but to face the kind of life she's been trying to escape. Kentucky was supposed to promise a return to her life of wealth. What she finds instead will redefine her definition of being rich. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Cody Roberts. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/053092/bk_acx0_053092_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Victoria Lowell grew up in the privileged world of the Boston Brahmins. She had everything she could want...except love. After being jilted, the society miss travels a thousand miles to marry a man she's never met whose romantic letters won her heart. To her surprise, and dismay, the groom who meets her at the train station exhibits little interest in romance. David O'Brien, a divorced shopkeeper of Irish descent, wants nothing to do with matters of the heart. But his young daughter needs a mother and his meddling sister believes she's done him a favor by corresponding with a mail-order bride. Impressed by Victoria, he holds off on revealing the true author of the letters she received and sets a date for their marriage. Love isn't part of the bargain, as far as he's concerned. But love is what Victoria has come this far to find. When the truth finally comes out, it will take more than a miracle to deliver a happily-ever-after. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Liisa Ivary. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/065479/bk_acx0_065479_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Tabitha: Bride of Missouri is the 24th in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides series.An orphan since she was 10, Tabitha Phillips was raised by a cousin who resented her, and she went out on her own as soon as she could. When the factory where she was working burned down, she was forced to return to her childhood home under the scrutiny of her critical relatives.As an employee at the post office, Tabitha isn't supposed to become involved in the doings of her customers. But when one young man's heart could be broken by a thoughtless letter, she sees a chance to make a difference...for herself as well as for him. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Meghan Kelly. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/121271/bk_acx0_121271_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
A sweet, wholesome romance set in 1890. Lilly Lind was forced to emigrate from Sweden two years ago, due to circumstances beyond her control. She finds a job as a garment maker in the Brown Textile Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, finally feeling as though she is settling in her new country. Then a suspicious fire burns the mill, making Lilly seek another way to survive. She answers a mail-order bride ad in the Grooms' Gazette and sets off for Chicago, believing she will be a business owner's wife. Kansas rancher Seth Reagan travels to the Union Stockyards in Chicago to attend the 1890 American Fat Stock Show, the American Horse Show, and to purchase horseflesh to augment his herd. When arriving at the train station, he overhears a conversation between a young woman and a shady-looking man. Seth becomes concerned for the mail-order bride who is whisked away to a saloon, not to her new husband's home. When Seth goes to the saloon to check on the young woman, he finds her in trouble and offers to help her escape. While buying horses and arranging their return travel to Kansas, Seth realizes he would like to bring Lilly home with him, too, but she is still being hunted by the saloon owner's thugs. Lilly's good fortune in meeting Seth makes her want to start a life with this man, but he came to Illinois for horses, not a bride. Would he want her after he learns of her secrets? 1. Language: English. Narrator: Linda Velwest. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/057611/bk_acx0_057611_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Constance has always done everything by the book. Follow the rules, be good, and hide. Can this letter to a man she doesn't know break her out of the shadows? Drake has dreamed of going to sea, but Father's ultimatum has him sending for a mail-order bride. He'll take care of her, but she needs to know, he'll leave for the sea after they're married. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Jennifer Cadena. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/058207/bk_acx0_058207_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Samuel Morrison, a farmer from Iowa, is in need of a wife and a mother for Lizzie, his three-year old daughter. He reads an article from Massachusetts advertising mail order brides. He writes to the agency stating he's looking for a partner who will work by his side and, hopefully, come to care for him and be a loving mother to Lizzie. Hannah Brown responds to his letter. Though she doesn't say too much about herself, Samuel decides to take a chance and asks her to come to Iowa. This woman is everything he wants in a wife and more - or so he thinks. Hannah has a secret that, if revealed, could devastate their future. If Hannah tells Samuel, will he send her away? She could lose all she's come to cherish. Is Hannah willing to take that chance? 1. Language: English. Narrator: Emma Lysy. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/061346/bk_acx0_061346_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Laurel Weidner desires a life of her own away from Philadelphia society and a dull, boring marriage. She is sent to live with her aunt in Lawrence, Massachusetts. When her aunt dies in a tornado, she gets a job at the Brown Textile Mill to avoid going back home. Two months later the mill burns down, and her father threatens to bring her back to Philadelphia. When the mill and her livelihood perish with the fire, she has no other choice but to answer an ad in the Grooms' Gazette and become a Mail-Order Bride. Will she find peace and long lasting love in the arms of a stranger? Griffin Benning needs a mother for his children. When his wife died, he lost his two children to his in-laws who claimed to have a better environment for raising his children. He misses his family and is coerced into advertising in the Grooms' Gazette for a wife to raise his children and work the farm in order to get them back. Will his ad for a Mail-Order Bride provide what he needs? Can he find love and happiness with a stranger? Can these two strangers find a common ground to reach their goals along with a happy-ever-after? 1. Language: English. Narrator: Cindy Killavey. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/059637/bk_acx0_059637_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
Her sister gone, her roommates soon to follow, Leora Mitchell must now face the fact that she, along with the others, are mail-order brides. For years, her life revolved around Brown's Textile Mill, her sister Lottie, and their friends. Now, as mail-order brides, they'd be scattered across the country, ready to start a new life. The only problem was Leora had no idea what that life looked like, nor did she have any idea who she was without the familiar faces she loved so much. Pastor Theron Drake needed a wife, and the crazy folks in his congregation whole-heartedly agreed. So much so, they thought they should have as much access to the new Mrs. Drake as he did! They volunteered her for everything they could think of and made her the director of the annual Christmas Play. Throw in the town bully/busybody who'd rather have her own choice of a Mrs. Drake, and you have a mail-order bride that doesn't know if she's coming or going. Will Theron and Leora's new marriage survive the onslaught of his over-zealous parishioners? Or will she crack under the pressure, turn tail, and run? Find out in this hilarious romp, how two people are forced to discover their true strengths and weaknesses. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Michael Rahhal. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/065236/bk_acx0_065236_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.
A warehouse fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts has taken Genevieve "Genny" Copeland's livelihood, but opened a new opportunity for her. If she takes the chance, she could have the family she's always dreamed of but it would mean leaving everything she's always known. Believing that opportunity only knocks once, Genny gets on a train west to Elko, Nevada and a new life. She becomes a mail-order bride. Stuart MacDonnell lost his wife in child-birth six months ago. Now he's left to raise a two year-old and a six month-old baby alone. He needs a wife but doesn't want to court someone and pretend to be in love. He'll never love again, but he needs a wife now and orders a mail-order bride. Can Stuart and Genny come together and find happiness when they are at odds with each other? Will they find common ground and will love bloom amid the beautiful Ruby Mountains of Nevada? 1. Language: English. Narrator: Jill Smith. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/acx0/078661/bk_acx0_078661_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.


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Three Utah State University students are 2011 Goldwater Scholars and one Aggie received honorable mention in a prestigious national competition that recognizes outstanding undergraduate achievements in science and mathematics. USU leads the state in the number of 2011 awardees and this year's competition marks the most Utah State students to receive the honor in one year.
Linsey Johnson, Brooke Siler and Brian Tracy are recipients of the award, which is administered by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, and Karen Nielson received honorable mention. With this year's honorees, USU boasts 18 Goldwater Scholars and seven honorable mention recipients since 1998.
"This is a tremendous honor for these students and a tremendous honor for Utah State University," said USU President Stan Albrecht. "This award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of these individuals in academics, research and service, as well as the outstanding mentorship by our faculty members."
"The Goldwater Scholarship rewards students who have a strong record of undergraduate research," said Christie Fox, director of USU's Honors Program. "Our students' fantastic showing in this year's competition demonstrates the commitment of our faculty to give students exceptional opportunities to get involved in hands-on research very early in their academic careers."
Each year, USU may submit up to four nominations for the award; a process coordinated by the USU Honors program that begins in November. Scholarship award recipients receive up to $7,500 toward annual tuition and expenses.
USU's 2011 honorees, who represent the university's College of Science and College of Engineering, are members of the USU Honors Program and actively involved in undergraduate research. All also volunteer their time to community outreach in science education.
Linsey Johnson, physics
While still in high school, Johnson organized a series of hands-on science activities for more than 200 fifth grade students at four schools in Utah's Nebo School District. During summer, she organized week-long science camps in her parents' backyard, with rosters that quickly swelled with enthusiastic participants.
"We rolled up our sleeves and dived into activities that taught kids the scientific method in a fun way," said Johnson, who, in 2009, was named the first valedictorian of Utah County's recently established Salem Hills High School.
Johnson brought her enthusiasm for science outreach to USU's Science Unwrapped program, where she serves as student representative to the steering committee and founder of the Science Unwrapped Student Corps. With faculty mentor Shane Larson, Johnson develops educational kits that can be repeatedly deployed by student corps members to provide hands-on activities for Science Unwrapped's monthly public presentations and other community outreach events. An active member of USU's Society of Physics student chapter, Johnson estimates that community outreach activities she's organized at USU have reached more than 4,000 people of all ages.
"My family lived in Hungary for five years when I was growing up and I attended public school though I didn't know the language," said Johnson, a University Undergraduate Research Fellow who's earned multiple honors from USU's Department of Physics. "But language didn't matter in math class, where I could excel on my own."
Johnson mastered Hungarian and says she developed a "deep love for diverse cultures" as a result of the experience.
"My parents are unconventional thinkers and, similarly unconventional, I wish to pursue doctoral studies in physics and then use my knowledge to promote public scientific awareness," she said.
Brooke Siler, biochemistry and economics
While a child, Brooke Siler spied an article about renowned neurologist Ben Carson in Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine publication and read the entire magazine from cover to cover.
"I was intrigued by this person who overcame all odds to become one of the world's leading neurosurgeons and a Presidential Medal Freedom recipient," said the Cache Valley, Utah, native. "I also loved the articles about medical research and, for years, I read that magazine as soon as it arrived at our mailbox."
A 2009 graduate of Sky View High School, Siler entered USU as a Presidential Scholar, a Sterling Scholar and a Huntsman Scholar, as well as a recipient of other academic scholarships.
With faculty mentor Joanie Hevel, she pursues research in chemical and molecular signaling processes that take place at the neurological level.
"I want to understand and analyze interactions that are critical to human health," Siler said. "My goal is to pursue doctoral research in neuroscience and gain knowledge to identify patterns common in neurological disorders."
Beyond the chem lab, Siler studies economics and participated in USU's Go Global Study Abroad to Asia program. An active participant in campus service activities, Siler is a member of Rotaract, the Science Unwrapped Student Corps, the Society for International Business and Economic Development and USU's Women in Science and Medicine organization.
Brian Tracy, physics
"My mom made me a scientist," said Brian Tracy, a 2006 graduate of Utah's Lone Peak High School.
"When I was young, I asked why it was snowing in the backyard as well as the front," he said. "She laughed and told me to go find out. She cultivated my love of inquiry and taught me that surprising discoveries and understanding are the hallmarks of science."
Tracy entered USU after earning a scholarship at USU's 2006 Physics Day at Lagoon. With faculty mentor Bella Fejer, he's studying the Earth's equatorial ionosphere. The recipient of USU's 2009 Distinguished Undergraduate Research Award in Physics, Tracy presented his research at the 2010 meeting of the American Geophysical Union and will also present at the 2011 National Science Foundation-funded annual meeting of the Coupling, Energetics and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions and Geospace Environment Modeling workshop – CEDAR-GEM – in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
An Undergraduate Teaching Fellow for Honors Calculus II, Tracy serves as vice president for outreach of USU's Society of Physics Students chapter. The undergraduate has participated in more than 30 of the chapter's community outreach activities.
The Highland, Utah, native plans to pursue doctoral study in theoretical materials physics and a teaching and research career as a university professor.
"I'm attracted to materials physics because it is both fundamental and has potential for practical uses," Tracy said. "I'm interested in the properties of materials that affect magnetism and how we can use this knowledge to benefit people in such areas as transportation."
Karen Nielson, mechanical and aerospace engineering
Las Vegas native Karen Nielson remembers wielding a 15-lb. sledgehammer, at age 10, to help her father build a 100-meter tall weather tower.
"It was one of my first hands-on research experiences," she said. "Dad taught us binary code at the dinner table and these experiences sparked my desire to learn more about math and science."
A 2009 graduate of Nevada's Silverado High School, Nielson entered USU with multiple academic accolades, including the USU Presidential Scholarship, Nuclear Energy University Program Scholarship, AP Scholar with Distinction and Corbett Engineering Scholarship.
The University Undergraduate Research Fellow is currently conducting research with faculty mentor Heng Ban in his thermal-fluids laboratory and is working on a joint research project with faculty mentors Brent Stucker and Soonjo Kwon involving tissue engineering.
"My long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in mechanical engineering and pursue cutting-edge research in thermal sciences," Nielson said. "I want to explore one dilemma in particular: how heat is transferred between the grain boundaries of crystalline solids."
Nielson served as team lead for an Engineers Without Borders summer trip to Mexico in 2010 and serves on the outreach committee of USU's Society of Physics Students chapter and the service committee of the Student Alumni Association. Between study and service, she finds time to play on USU's women's rugby team.
"I'm grateful that I had strong support from my family and teachers to become an engineer," she said. "I hope that, in my career, I can encourage other young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields."
Previous USU Goldwater Scholars
Daniel Fenn, physics
Justin Koeln, mechanical and aerospace engineering
Robert Call, physics (Honorable Mention)
Taren McKenna, physics and mathematics
Cody Tramp, molecular biology and biochemistry
B.J. Myers, physics (Honorable Mention)
Jodie Barker-Tvedtnes, physics
Tamara Jeppson, geology and physics
Sydney Chamberlin, physics and mathematics (Honorable Mention)
Cody Tramp, molecular biology and biochemistry (Honorable Mention)
Jennifer Albretsen-Roth, physics
Arthur Mahoney, computer science and mathematics
Jodie Barker-Tvedtnes, physics (Honorable Mention)
Logan McKenna, electrical engineering
Heidi Wheelwright, physics
Keith Warnick, physics (Honorable Mention)
Stephanie Chambers, biology
David Hatch, physics
Jamie B. Jorgensen, physics
Lara B. Anderson, physics and mathematics
Jeff Jacobs, mechanical engineering
Related links:
- Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program
- USU Honors Program
- USU College of Science
- USU College of Engineering
Contact: Christie Fox, 435-797-2715, email@example.com
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Assessor's Manual, Volume 4, ExemptionAdministration
Exemption Administration Manual - Part 2
Industrial, Commercial, and Public Service
Section 4.06 - RPTL 489-bbbbb
Mixed-Use Properties in New York City
Exemption Code(s): 47680
Year Originally Enacted: 1995
Related Statutes: RPTL Title 2; § §489-ddd; 489-bbbb
Summary: Properties on which residential construction work or a combination of residential and commercial construction work is performed to create a building used for mixed residential and commercial purposes, which are located in a designated area of Manhattan, and which are certified by the NYC Department of Finance are partially exempt from taxation, but liable for special assessments. The amount and duration of the exemption depends on whether the project has been accorded landmark status. If the project is designated by local law as a landmark, 100% of the base amount is exempt during the first 9 years of the exemption, 80% is exempt in the 10th year, 60% is exempt in the 11th year, 40% is exempt in the 12th year and 20% is exempt in the 13th year. If the project is not so designated, 100% of the base amount is exempt during the first 8 years of the exemption, 80% is exempt in the 9th year, 60% is exempt in the 10th year, 40% is exempt in the 11th year and 20% is exempt in the 12th year. This exemption is not available for a new structure. Dwelling units in mixed-use buildings receiving benefits under this program are subject to rent stabilization during the benefit period. Application for a certificate of eligibility for this program must be made between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 1999, and all building permits must be issued by July 31, 1999. Benefits received under this program may not be combined with benefits received under other related statutes, as listed above, for the same tax lot.
- Eligibility requirements:
- Ownership Requirements: Facility must be owned or operated by a private or public individual or organization.
- Property Location Requirements: Property must be located in New York City within a mixed use construction exemption area" of Manhattan, as designated in RPTL §489-aaaaa (12). Any parcel which is partly located inside this designated area is considered to be entirely located inside this area.
- Property Use Requirements:
- Benefits under this exemption are reserved exclusively for: 1) residential construction work, other than dwelling units in a hotel, or 2) a combination of residential and commercial construction work which, after completion of the construction work, will qualify as mixed-use property. Projects that involve construction work exclusively for commercial purposes are not eligible for this exemption.
- Following completion of construction work on a mixed-use property, more than 25% of the aggregate floor area of the building or structure (sum of the gross areas of the floors of the building or structure) must be used or held out for use as commercial (including hotel services), community facility or accessory use space.
- No new buildings or structures are eligible for this exemption.
- The building or structure cannot be used in whole or in part for those entertainment activities that the NYC Department of Finance has determined not to be in the public interest.
- Construction work on any condominium unit is ineligible, unless such unit is in a building or structure which, if viewed as a whole and as if it were under single ownership, would qualify as a mixed-use property.
- If a local law exists providing for the stabilization of rents in multiple dwellings, the rents of the dwelling exempt under this program are subject to control under that local law for the entire period during which the eligible multiple dwelling receives benefits under this program, unless they are exempt from such control by reason of cooperative or condominium status. This period may be extended if rent-control provisions other than those contained in this program become applicable.
- Certification by State or Local Government: Project must be certified for eligibility by the NYC Department of Finance.
- Required Construction Start Date or Other Time Requirement: The minimum required expenditure is an amount equal to 20% of the "initial assessed value," defined as the lesser of (1) the taxable assessed value of the real property appearing on the assessment roll on the effective date of the recipient's certificate of eligibility or (2) the assessed value as reduced by the NYC Tax Commission or court order. The Department of Finance may establish by rule a higher percentage of initial assessed value, not to exceed 50% thereof, if it determines that a greater expenditure is required to encourage significant development of mixed-use property.
The minimum required expenditure for any recipient of a certificate of eligibility for construction work on a condominium unit is equal to the minimum required expenditure which would apply if a certificate of eligibility were issued for construction work on the entire property where the unit is located. (NOTE: Owners of condominium units on the same property may form an association to be a recipient of this exemption.) A recipient with a certificate of eligibility with an effective date of July 1, 1995 or after must make ½ of the minimum required expenditure within 18 months of the certificate's effective date, and must make the total minimum required expenditure within 36 months of the effective date. Application for a certificate of eligibility under this program may be made between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 1999, but no benefits under this program may be granted for construction work performed under a building permit issued after July 31, 1999.
- Local option: No.
- Limitation on exemption:
Limitation on exemption General
Ad Valorem
1. Amount Yes* Yes* NA No
2. Duration Yes* Yes* NA No
3. Taxing Jurisdiction
- a. City
Ex NA NA Tax
- b. School District
NA Ex NA NA Ex-Exempt Tax-Taxable NA-Not Applicable
*Limitation on amount and duration vary by type of project -- see Calculation of Exemption below.
- Payments in lieu of taxes: None required.
- Calculation of exemption:
- General Municipal and School District Taxes: The amount of exemption is calculated as a percentage of the exemption base," as indicated below:
Calculation of exemption Year following Issuance of
Certificate of Eligibility
Exemption Base 1 - 5 Assessed value of improvements made since the effective date of such certificate which are attributable exclusively to residential construction work or a combination of residential and commercial construction work described in approved plans All later years Assessed value of such improvements made before the 6th taxable status date following issuance of the certificate
The percentage and duration of the exemption vary by type of project, as follows:
- Mixed-Use Construction Project (except designated landmarks):
The percentage and duration mixed-use construction project Year following Issuance of
Certificate of Eligibility
of Exemption
1 - 8
- Mixed Use Construction Project Designated as a Landmark:
Year and Percentage of Exemption for mixed use construction project Year following Issuance of
Certificate of Eligibility
of Exemption
1 - 9
Note: Building or structure must be designated as a landmark before the date the recipient is required to complete the minimum required expenditure.
- Mixed-Use Construction Project (except designated landmarks):
- Special Ad Valorem Levies and Special Assessments: No exemption allowed.
- General Municipal and School District Taxes: The amount of exemption is calculated as a percentage of the exemption base," as indicated below:
- Coding of exemption on assessment roll:
Coding of exemption on assessment roll Code Description of Alternative Codes Possible 47680
Assessment Roll Section(s): Taxable.
Note: This code should not be used to identify property that is exempt. See the exemption profile for the statute that applies.
- Filing requirements (Owner or Occupant of Property): None.
- Reporting requirements (Assessor): None.
- Similar exemptions: See Charts IA and IB under Multiple Dwellings
Similar exemptions Subject Statute Branch banks in banking development districts RPTL §485-f Business investment property RPTL §485-b Commercial properties in designated areas of
Manhattan (New York City)
RPTL §499-b Commercial properties in New York City
except designated areas of Manhattan
RPTL §499-bb Industrial and commercial properties in
New York City (project certified by NYC Department
of Finance)
RPTL §489-bbbb Industrial and commercial properties in
New York City (project certified by
NYC Department of Finance after June 30, 2008)
RPTL §489-bbbbbb Mixed-use Property in certain municipalities RPTL §485-a Municipal industrial development agencies RPTL §412-a & Gen Muny L §874 NYS Urban Development Corporation
(industrial project)
McK U Con L §6272 Property improvements in empire zones RPTL §485-e
| Top of Page | | Table of Contents| | Next Page| | Assessors' Manuals |
Please send general questions or comments to ORPTS.


text:
ef37a wrote:AFAIK they don't have their own ASIO drivers.
I just want to chime in and say the UMC204HD along with the other "higher" models of UMC have their own ASIO drivers.
Do not use ASIO4ALL drivers as they won't work as well.
I believe the drivers are on the Berry website and cover XP to W10!


text:
Staying motivated can be a real challenge… for all of us. You might be wondering what you can do to help you succeed and not get derailed from your goal of eating healthy.
So… you got fed up with diets. You've discovered that they don't really work. Yes, you lose weight, but then once you are done with your diet, you gain it all back and more. Diets are a temporary solution, anyway…
The fact is, you want to lose weight, but most importantly—you want to keep it off. You want to have more energy. You want to feel better…
Maybe you've been doing some research lately and you've learned that it's really about the lifestyle…
Finally, you decided to eat healthy. You started cooking!
But then you see a box of freshly baked doughnuts at work, and you feel soooo tempted to have a bite, and then another one….
And you know what it means—that deadly combination of refined sugar, white flour, and trans fats… Aside from being super unhealthy, it means—belly fat!
But before THAT happens, right after you eat your "treat," you feel the sugar crash, you feel sluggish, you can't focus, and you have to have a cup of coffee. Of course! You've got to be productive at work.
By the way, did you know that doughnuts are one of the worst foods that you can possibly eat? Check this article out!
And then the next day—a box of chocolate chip cookies is on your desk…
So what could possibly help motivate you to stay on track?
Here are the seven keys to staying motivated to eat healthy that work for me:
One of the best ways to find inner motivation is through inspiration. It's that inner desire, the "I want to…" that drives us for the new vision of the future self.
Notice when it happens—you read a magazine, or maybe you watched someone on TV and… you got inspired! Become more aware of what fires you up:
What was it that you were highly resonating with?
Was it a person, the message, the idea?
What gives you that feeling of "oh, I want to be like her…" or "I want to try that!"?
I feel inspired when I see healthy, vibrant women, especially if they're older than me but they look so good, so sexy, and attractive—they're radiating health. I get inspired when I go to women's wellness conferences, watch health documentaries, read holistic health blogs, or watch transformational stories—people turning their lives around.
* What inspires you?
So what exactly are you planning to do to eat healthier?
Does it mean you'll stop buying processed foods?
Or maybe you'll be eating out less and cooking more, so you can control what's in your food?
Does it mean you'll start buying more organic food?
Does it mean you'll be more mindful and relaxed when you have a meal, rather than eating when you're in a rush, stressed out, or distracted by watching TV or reading Facebook posts?
All these factors affect your metabolism, and your satiety, you know…
* What's your plan? Be specific.
3. Educate yourself
Knowledge is power…
For me, it's essential. I don't do things until I understand why I need to do them. My motivation fades unless I understand what following through will do for me.
I'm all about having more energy and feeling well. This is because when I feel good and function at my optimal level, I get to accomplish more and be more productive; I feel more inspired to create things, connect with people, go out and explore the world.
For example:
* I've learned that in order to have more energy I need to eat more greens—chlorophyll-rich plants.
* I've also learned that the best way of taking in more greens is making green smoothies. Eating salads is not enough!
* I've learned that juicing veggies or making smoothies makes them easier to digest, which means my body will use less energy digesting food and I'll have more energy for me!
Yes, I can be a little bit obsessed with my research—I have a curios mind—but it's such a great motivator. I love finding out all the secrets that could possibly help me live a better, higher quality, and more enjoyable life for many more years. And most importantly, I'm a health coach—I do research to be able to help my clients and support them on their journeys.
* What about you? What resources are you using to learn more about healthy eating?
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TAKAAB 2LPG - Dual Passive Low Pass Gate Eurorack Synthesizer Module
Two passive vactrol-based low-pass gates. Works like a rudimentary VCA with some level-dependant filtering on the output signal at varying amounts dependant on the 'Tone' setting. Creates 'organic' feeling sounds especially on short, plucky and percussive sounds. Or can be used to modulate another CV in the same way as a VCA, albeit less responsively and non-linear.
With the 'Tone' switch in top position, the sound has some filtering, but higher control voltages can open the filter near-completely. The bottom position is the dullest, with the most low-pass filtering. Leaving the switch in the centre position gives next-to no filtering although the signal is still somewhat coloured by the circuit.
One quirk of the module is the relatively sluggish response time, especially on the down-slope, this adds to the plucky sound and also gives a natural 'release' to the CV, meaning it works very nicely by simply feeding a gate signal into the CV input without the need for an envelope. This release is dependant again on the tone setting, so the darker setting has a shorter release compared to the bright setting which has a very long release.
Size: 1.5cm (3HP) x 128.5cm x 4.2cm.
Module depth: 2.7cm.
2x low pass gates.
Passive - does not require power.
Package contents: 1x module, 2x M3 screws.
Subotnic Sawasdeekrub
Having a few passive modules is a great way to save cost, space, ribbons and power slots. I pair it with their passive attenuator module, because the LPG response is different at different CV levels, (I do have some buffer modules available just in case they are needed.) I usually only use the mixed mode, with a quite bright input audio signal.
Having the dual LPG in such a small factor means there is no regret that it is taking up the space that some imaginary better module might take, too.
For Australia, buy from the Siam Modular store in Thailand, not their UK staging outlet, for best price. They came in a good cardboard box.
The price is right, especially when considering that you don't have any power infrastucture. I actually bought two (mainly because of the cost but partly because in case it gives more flexibility with the odd 3U size) and saved a little bit on the postage.
Best price/performance LPG on the market
One of the best sounding eurorack LPGs available, and probably the cheapest. Because the design is entirely passive it also saves power slots. I recommend combining it with a dual attenuate+offset module for the best control of the tone, a plain 8V gate into it sounds amazing, too.
The 2LPG has replaced my MN Optomix because it simply sounds better to my ears, and for 1/10 of the price.
Great sounding LPG and outstanding value for money
Honestly, for the price and build quality, this is the one of the best low pass gate eurorack modules out there. If you have a spare 3hp in your rack and want to add some West coast flavour, this is the LPG you've been looking for!
Really good sounding lpg for a very small price.
This is a nice addition to any eurorack system. Tone switch and the module being passive are two features that make it really useful. Only downside is that jack sockets are a bit too tight and you need to apply more pressure than usual while putting the patch cable in.
Excellent low cost low pass gate
For under £30 this is a little star of a module. A dual LPG with three different 'brightness' settings that all sound really nice. Perhaps the jack's are a tad awkward when inserting or removing patch cables but that is my only minor quibble and it doesn't detract from what is really a great little module. Highly recommended.


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Restricting the use of the terms "beef" and "meat" to only products from animals would have a "chilling" effect on innovation. That's what Memphis Meats tells USDA in an attempt to convince the government agency not to approve a petition submitted by the U.S. Cattlemen's Association.
Memphis Meats says their lab-grown meat alternatives "meet the statutory and regulatory definitions for 'meat' and 'beef' products, among other terms, and therefore can be labeled as such."
Memphis Meats made those comments to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) in response to the U.S. Cattlemen's Association petition in February asking FSIS to limit the use of beef to "product from cattle born, raised, and harvested in the traditional manner … rather than coming from alternative sources" such as plant-based or lab-grown methods.
"The only difference between clean/cultured meat products and conventional products is the process by which the animal parts are grown and harvested," the company says in their comments. "This difference does not mean that the finished product is not 'meat,' 'beef,' or 'poultry,' as demonstrated not only by the relevant statutory and regulatory definitions, but also by the evolution in meat and poultry production and longstanding USDA policy."
Restricting the use of the terms "beef" and "meat" would stifle innovation, Memphis Meats says, "at a time when the global need for protein-based foods is on an exponential rise."
Additional comments were issued by Josh Tetrick, cofounder and CEO of JUST, the company formerly called Hampton Creek. "These are complex issues that require careful consideration and engagement by a range of stakeholders, including companies like JUST, that are addressing the technical challenges of creating safe, scalable meat made from cells instead of live animals."
Toward that end, Tetrick proposes the two groups work together.
"The leaders of the national and global meat industry want to feed the world animal protein in a sustainable way," Tetrick says. "That's a shared interest that should be celebrated. And, to that end, rather than piling on with paperwork, I call upon USDA ad FDA to convene a series of sessions where we can meaningfully talk about the future of food production together."


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Our Mission:
The Highland Hose Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary, Inc. was organized on October 1, 1973 and is operated as a non-profit organization. The purpose of this organization is to provide service to the Highland Hose Co. No. 1 and to the community in general; to promote goodwill and friendship among its members and community, and to enlighten members through guest speakers on topics of interest.
The Highland Hose Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary, Inc. meet on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Highland Fire District Headquarters located at 25 Milton Ave., Highland NY.


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14 CFR § 241.1-5 - Sec. 1-5 Records.
(a) The general books of account and all books, records, and memoranda which support in any way the entries therein shall be kept in such manner as to provide at any time full information relating to any account. The entries in each account shall be supported by such detailed information as will render certain the identification of all facts essential to a verification of the nature and character of each entry and its proper classification under the prescribed Uniform System of Accounts. Registers, or other appropriate records, shall be maintained of the history and nature of each note receivable and each note payable.
(b) The books and records referred to herein include not only accounting records in a limited technical sense, but all other records such as organization tables and charts, internal accounting manuals and revisions thereto, minute books, stock books, reports, cost distributions and other accounting work sheets, correspondence, memoranda, etc., which may constitute necessary links in developing the history of, or facts regarding, any accounting or financial transaction.
(c) All books, records and memoranda shall be preserved and filed in such manner as to readily permit the audit and examination thereof by representatives of the DOT. All books, records, and memoranda shall be housed or stored in such manner as to afford protection from loss, theft, or damage by fire, flood or otherwise and no such books and records shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of, except in conformance with 14 CFR part 249 for the preservation of records.


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Possessing a raspy vocal delivery in the classic 1950s and 1960s R 'n' B tradition, and with impressive songwriting credentials, James Hunter is the consumate performer and it is surprising that he is not known and appreciated by a wider audience. His music is immediately accessible, yet rooted in the soul-blues tradition with the likes of Ray Charles and Bobby Bland formative influences. This latest releases follows on from the excellent preceding albums, 'People gonna talk' from 2006 and 'The hard way' from 2008. While both were fine all round albums, arguably this new recording is the strongest thus far with the arrangements and instrumentation tighter and expertly executed by a band that has undergone a few changes in personnel over the last decade, but in essence the sound is unchanged. Matters kick off with a punch on the raucous hammond organ and bassline of 'Chicken switch' which features some lovely piano vamps. Quite possibly this writer's favourite is the minor theme 'Heartbreaker' with an intoxicating rhythm guitar that ceases to disappear into the background and a soulful saxophone solo. Likewise the light ska-inflected drums and piano blues that permeate 'Let the monkey ride' are irresistable. Latin hues are in evidence on the number "The gyspy' with a underlying guitar riff that recalls 'Tequila' while the shuffling beat of 'Goldmine' typifies the professionalism of the musicianship on offer. James Hunter is probably best known for regularly opening as a live act for Van Morrison, but on this evidence he certainly merits a place in your multiple listening channels all on his own.
Tim Stenhouse


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The Empowering Poor Communities and Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Georgia Tourism Sector is a World Bank project financed by the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) and implemented by Elkana NGO. The project area covers the regions of Kakheti and Imereti and more specifically the municipalities of Telavi, Kvareli and Tusheti; and Tskaltubo and Vani respectively.
The objective of the project is to foster the cultural tourism sector through support to MSMEs with a focus on providing benefits to the most vulnerable social groups including but not limited to: the poor, IDPs, women and the unemployed. The program intends to harness the cultural assets of the selected sites to promote economic growth and reduce the gender gap through targeted activities that will encompass support to the development of both cultural industries [1] and the associated tourism services industry.
The project capitalizes on two WB projects notably the RDP-I and the RDP-II. In this context product and service offerings for potential further development were identified in the tourism value chain analysis conducted in Kakheti, [2] and in the Imereti Tourism Development Strategy. [3] Potential offerings included cultural heritage activities, wine heritage, and nature and adventure activities. These analyses were used to inform the improvement of basic infrastructure, the development of a more skilled workforce at the institutional level, product improvements, and more effective marketing and promotion of the region.
There is a need however for further analysis of the role of MSMEs in the provision of products and services, and their potential markets. Knowledge of current and potential markets for tourism-related MSMEs in Kakheti and Imereti, and the desired products and services from these enterprises is crucial to the proper design of the Technical Assistance and Capacity Building activities. Thus while the overall framework of the program is well defined and some data has already been gathered; it nevertheless relies on a number of assumptions that need to be validated through an in-depth analysis that will both legitimize and inform interventions. Data on the dynamics governing the cultural industries sector (demand and supply) is critical and observations attest to the presence of a significant domestic market. This being said, the absence of data ascertaining the flow and profile of consumers is an important obstacle to better target MSMEs supplying of cultural goods and services for the sustained diversification and growth of MSMEs in the culture and tourism sectors.
Consisting of 5 components that integrally address the objective, the project includes a matching grants program aimed at supporting the production of goods and services related to cultural heritage for micro-entrepreneurs. Grant will be available to eligible applicants and be awarded based on the fulfillment of a number of selection criteria and an application process. Technical Assistance and Capacity building activities (component 2) in related areas such as: business development and planning, market linkages, PPPs, marketing and promotion, facilitation of credit access, etc., will complement the matching grants program to ensure that investments will have a successful outcome in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Activities eligible for financing by the matching grants will include, inter alia: agro-processing, guiding services, handicrafts, performing arts, hospitality venues and services (cafes, restaurants, B&B, etc.), promotion and marketing of products, services and destinations, other cultural industries. The grant will cover expenditures for goods and works including: equipment, services, product promotion, and the acquisition of technical and market information.
The grant facility will be accessible on a repeat basis for scaling-up the initial enterprise based on the performance of the first grant (including number of people employed by the enterprise). Beneficiaries receiving funds to expand their operations will be required to hire at least one person who will benefit from their business and thus provide employment opportunities (it is expected that on average, the supported micro-enterprises will contain 3-4 employees). Selected beneficiaries can get support (maximum 50% of the estimated costs of their planned productive investment) for upgrade or purchase of technical equipment (e.g. pasteurization device, wine bottling equipment, fat measuring device, sewing machines, etc.) or building material. The beneficiaries' contribution will cover rehabilitation of properties/work space and be at least 50% of the needed sum.
The objectives of the assignment are to: (i) understand the involvement of poor and vulnerable individuals [4] in value chains related to tourism and cultural heritage in selected areas; (ii) understand the overall market for tourism and cultural heritage products and services and identify opportunities for enterprise growth within these sectors in the selected project areas; (iii) based on (i) and (ii), develop recommendations for the project that ensure maximum benefit of poor and vulnerable groups; and (iv) based on (i-iii) develop baseline indicators for the project.
Task 1: Inception Workshop
The methodology of the study will be presented during the inception workshop. Together with the Project Management Team, representatives of World Bank, Project Steering Committee members and relevant stakeholders from the project sites will be invited to participate. During the workshop the consultants will fine-tune the methodology, based on the feedback of participants.
Task 2: Role of poor and vulnerable individuals in tourism value chains
Task 2.1: Analyze the poverty context in project target areas. Develop a profile of poverty and vulnerability in project areas. Describe the different social groups in the area, their economic conditions, and the nature of inequality in these areas. The analysis shall look into the poverty levels of target groups and the causes of poverty. The analysis shall include, but is not limited to:
· What is the average annual income per annum among target group during last three years?
· What are the sources of income and how did this evolve over last three years?
· Who is the breadwinner in the household?
· How the decisions on expenses are taken at the household?
· What is the expenditure structure?
Task 2.2: Describe the overall economic activities of poor and vulnerable individuals in the selected project areas. Describe their experience working in specific sectors, their level of education and their skills. Please provide (i) an analysis of economic activities by social group, (ii) an analysis of economic activities by project area; (iii) an analysis of skills and experience by social group; and (iv) an analysis of skills and experience by sub-sector for identifying possibilities of involving vulnerable groups in MSMEs, related to the cultural heritage.
Task 2.3: Provide a detailed analysis of the specific economic activities of poor and vulnerable individuals working along the tourism and cultural heritage value chain. Discuss the income generated by different types of economic activities, the skills required for participation in these activities, the size of these businesses, and the obstacles for growth faced by individuals in these activities.
Task 3: the tourism and cultural heritage value chain [5]
Task 3.1: Undertake stakeholder mapping for the tourism and cultural heritage. Include relevant institutions at the national and local levels, key businesses, chambers of commerce, associations of producers, credit institutions, etc.
Task 3.2: Describe the market (demand and supply) for tourism and cultural heritage products and services in the selected project areas.
Task 3.3 Describe the value chain for tourism and cultural heritage products and services.
Task 3.4 Assess current role and capacities of MSMEs involved in tourism related businesses and conduct a SWOT analysis focused on opportunities to increase participation of poor and vulnerable individuals in these businesses.
Task 4: Develop Recommendations
Task 4.1: Propose recommendations for possible products & services, including recommendations on standards and quality criteria appropriate for the targeted vulnerable groups.
Task 4.2: Elaborate business models appropriate to the project beneficiaries and make references to best known practices, including possibility of establishing cooperatives. Specific recommendations should be made about business models appropriate for women-led businesses.
Task 4.3: Propose recommendations for addressing constraints for the growth micro-enterprises or the growth of businesses owned or employing poor and vulnerable individuals.
Task 4.4: Develop transparent eligibility criteria and selection processes for the MSMEs grants.
Task 4.5: Develop recommendations for inclusion of poor and vulnerable individuals in the project. Place a specific emphasis on the inclusion of women. Identify possible capacity building and Knowledge management activities for those groups for grant matching.
Task 5: Set the baseline data and develop monitoring indicators.
Task 6: Presentation Workshop. The findings of the assignment will be presented to and discussed with the project stakeholders at a dedicated workshop before the final report is prepared.
This activity is expected to be carried out by a team consisting of:
· A cultural industries specialist with experience in pro-poor tourism, with no less than 5-year experience in CI, and being in a similar project would be an advantage.
· An economist specializing in SME development and Local Economic Development (LED) with no less than 5-year experience in SME and LED; and being in similar project would be an advantage.
The firm is expected to have demonstrated surveying capabilities. Experience in the region is preferable.
The following studies: (i) Solimar International, Inc. (2012), "Kakheti Tourism Development Part I: Value Chain Analysis" and (ii) Georgia National Tourism Agency (2012). Additionally, and to the extent possible, the client will assist the consultant in obtaining available statistical data (data on MSMEs and gender is largely available from official national data records) and other relevant studies as far as possible.
Deliverables Schedule and Reporting
The Consultant will report to Elkana. The expected deliverables are as follows:
DELIVERABLE 1: Inception Report. The Inception report will be submitted within one month after the inception workshop. It is expected to describe the methodology that will be used to carry out tasks 2-5. It will also include a lists of data available and any existing analysis on this topic. It will also provide a summary of the data and analysis.
Within a period of 2 weeks of reception, the client shall comment on the Inception Report, and any needed amendments shall be incorporated.
DELIVERABLE 2: Draft Report. The draft report shall be submitted within 2 months of the beginning of the assignment and will contain all information and results obtained from the execution of tasks.
Namely, the report is expected to contain the analysis carried out in tasks 2-5. Supporting documentation is expected to verify the assertions made by the consultants and should be attached to the report (e.g., primary and secondary sources) as annexes. Furthermore explanatory notes and descriptions of the tools and processes utilized to obtain the data should be included. Lastly, additional validation of the arguments put forth is expected to be integrated using a SWOT analysis format (tables) for each sub-sector reviewed. In effect the report should meet the objectives of this assignment.
Within two weeks of reception, the client shall comment on the draft report. Questions, clarifications and outstanding issues are expected to be addressed by the consultants prior to the delivery of the final report.
Final Report. The final report is expected to be delivered within two weeks of reception of the client's comments and shall incorporate any necessary modifications.
The total duration of the assignment, including time for revision and clarifications, is approximately three months.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume/ organization profile, a proposal (a comprehensive plan of the activities as related to the terms of reference. A proposal should indicate sound implementation methodology, anticipated levels of efforts, staffing/ consultancy requirements, timeframe and output format, no longer than three pages) and expected remuneration to the following address: email@example.com by 17th March, 2015.
Please, indicate the position title in the subject line.
No phone calls please. Only selected candidates will be contacted.
ANNEX 1: Market Assessment
In the context of the market assessment, the consultants is expected to analyze the demand and supply aspects of existing goods and services in the culture and tourism sector in the concerned regions in general and at the project sites in particular from both the quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Data pertaining to the demand side should include, but not be limited, to the following:
· Profiles of consumers including: provenance (international visitors, regional visitors, domestic consumers of goods and services), demographic segments, disposable income, etc.
· Types, quantity and quality of goods and services currently consumed at the selected sites e.g., crafts, food and beverages, performing arts, fine arts, etc.
· Consumption patterns, preferences and expenditure patterns (who spends more and on which products).
· Types of goods and services demanded by consumers but currently not available at the selected sites.
Data pertaining to the supply side should include, but not be limited, to the following:
· Types, quantity and quality of cultural goods and services currently offered at the selected sites e.g., crafts, food and beverages, performing arts, fine arts, accommodations, etc.
· Mapping of organizations involved in the value chain that may include, but is not limited to:
o Transportation services;
o Tour and travel agencies;
o Hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses;
o Restaurants, cafes, bars;
o Leisure, including cultural and traditional sightseeing;
o Excursions and guides;
o Art and design, including souvenirs, national dresses.
· Mapping of the value chain support services. The analysis will focus on the available services, as well as identify consumer preferences. The data that may include, but is not limited to:
o Access to finances;
o Access to trainings/ capacity building;
o Information provision;
o Advertisement and marketing.
· Upstream and downstream linkages in the supply chains of no less than 10 selected products;
· Vertical linkages, with specific focus on existing cooperatives (gender segregated data on membership);
· Nature and size of the enterprises (gender segregated data on employment levels);
· Institutional aspects and organizational structure of the organizations involved in value chains. The data should be gender-segregated and focus on gender roles within organizations;
· Gender-segregated data on human capital and skills available, as well as capacity building needs of potential beneficiaries for the MSMEs matching grant program;
· Competitiveness with producers of similar products and services at the regional and local levels;
· Challenges of building women's inclusion and gender equity in MSMEs;
· General regulatory framework. The analysis will include gender-specific data, if applicable and focus on:
o Business registration;
o Property registration;
o Taxation, etc.
· Sector-specific regulations, e.g. food safety, consumer protection, etc.;
· MSMEs growth constraints and leakages.
Annex 2: Target Areas
· Cholokashvili;
· Nadikvari;
· Anton Katalikosi;
· Leonidze;
· Rustaveli;
· Erekle II avenue and square.
· Chavchavadze;
· Kudigora.
Circle Road of Tskaltubo town.
All Dartlo village
Cultural heritage sites:
· Akhali Shuamta Monastery;
· Dzveli Shuamta Monastery;
· Ikalto Monastery;
· Alaverdi Monastery;
· Bodbe Monastery;
· Ujarma Castle;
· David Gareja Monastery;
· Ninotsminda Monastery;
· Gurjaani Kovladtsminda Monastery;
· Khirsa Monastery;
· Batonis Tsikhe Castle;
· Akhtala Mud site.
· Gelati Monastery;
· Ubisa Monastery;
· Motsameta Monastery;
· Katskhi Monastery;
· Katskhi Column, Vani.
[1] For the purposes of this assignment cultural industries are defined as the sector that brings together the creation, production, and marketing of goods and services based on cultural values, traditions, and expressions. Thus they include the entire range of creative industries (see annex 1) as well as cultural tourism.
[2] Solimar International, Inc. (2012), "Kakheti Tourism Development Part I: Value Chain Analysis"
[3] Georgia National Tourism Agency. (2012). "Imereti Tourism Development Strategy"
[4] The poor is defined as those who are under the poverty line. Vulnerable individuals include women under the poverty line, female pensioners, female heads of household, refugees and IDPs, and the disabled.
[5] See Annex 1 for more guidance on conducting this task


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Honoring Shelby and Gale Davis
On September 29, Lewis & Clark hosted a dessert and champagne reception in honor of Shelby and Gale Davis, benefactors of the Davis United World College Scholars Program. The college awarded Shelby Davis an honorary doctorate at the event.
Every year, nearly 2,000 graduates from the UWC international network of schools receive scholarships to attend select U.S. colleges. For the 2010–11 academic year, Lewis & Clark is home to 37 Davis UWC Scholars, representing 27 countries.


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As a major benefit for operators, the new system uses an Apple iPad® or iPad Mini for its display monitor (sold separately). It is wirelessly connected via Bluetooth and serves as a bright, colorful, vivid, interactive display.
The 300 System provides safe and efficient baling of hay up to 30% moisture, and accurately reads moisture up to 60% for baleage storage. Baling at higher moisture produces a heavier, denser bale, adding more tonnage per cutting. The 300 Series preservative applicator is designed and manufactured by Harvest Tec, and available from main line dealers.
Harvest Tec also manufactures hay preservative, uniquely formulated to have a neutral pH of 6.0 — the same as rainwater. It is absolutely safe for animals and harvesting equipment. It preserves hay color, prevents nutrient loss and avoids accidental feeding of hay that otherwise would have spoiled inside the bale. Hay preservative is considered to be low cost insurance to protect the quality of this valuable livestock feed. Preservative treated hay is perfectly safe to feed to all animals, while avoiding mold-related issues.
Economically, baling hay at peak quality and applying hay preservative provides a positive return. Recent hay pricing gathered from hay producing states shows that premium quality hay averages about twice the selling price of fair quality hay.
Maintain the high quality and value of your hay. Ask your local dealer about the new 300 Series preservative applicator specifically for round balers.
Harvest Tec leads the industry in pioneering innovation for harvesting high quality hay. For more information, visit www.harvesttec.com or call (800) 635-7468.


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With a capacity of 929 passengers, Braemar fits neatly into the midsize ship category. Originally the Crown Dynasty, the ship later sailed under the Cunard flag and has been in Britain-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' fleet since 2001. The five-deck atrium gives the ship's interior a light and airy feel, and its outdoor space provides ample opportunity for sunbathing by two pools and alfresco dining at three casual venues.
What We Love
The Wraparound Promenade: Stroll or take a fitness walk on the Promenade Deck, where five laps equal 1 mile.
Dining Options: Try the inventive international fare in the Thistle and Grampian restaurants, or opt for fish and chips or burgers and salads at the casual Marquee Pool Bar. The Palms Café offers an eat-when-you-please alternative to the set times in the two main dining rooms, where formality is the rule.
Cabins for Disabled Passengers: Four cabins are specially equipped to accommodate passengers who use wheelchairs. The ship also has a medical center with a doctor and nurses.
Best Known For
British Ambience: You'll find it displayed most prominently in the traditional English-style Morning Light Pub, during the afternoon teas served in the Coral Club, and at the Neptune Lounge, where lectures may include discourses on notorious British criminals. Most passengers are also British.
Find a Cruise
Who It's Best For
Traditionally Minded Cruisers: Braemar doesn't come equipped with all the bells and whistles of newer, larger ships, but it does provide most of the basics: both elegant and casual dining, a number of bars and lounges, a casino, nightly cabaret entertainment, a fitness center and spa, a swimming pool and Jacuzzis, and a children's playroom.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
Beware of Small Cabins: Inside cabins are just 130 square feet — cramped and claustrophobic for two people. The snuggest Oceanview cabins are also 130 square feet (the roomiest are 175 square feet), while the smallest Balcony cabins measure 140 square feet (the largest are 225 square feet).
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Videos
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Find a Cruise
Braemar at a Glance
- Line: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Number of Passengers: 929
- Ship Size: Medium
- Launch Date: 1993
- Refurbish Date: 2008


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Branding your presentation
When most people think about branding a presentation, they think about their slide deck and getting a consistent look and their logo on every slide.
And they stop there.
But branding for a speaker is so much more than what your slide deck looks like. Its the confidence you exude. The words you use. The ideas you share and the way you share them. The belief that drives your message. The stories you tell. All of it. And how important is your logo to that? It isn't, really. Make them remember YOU, not some logo that's in the corner of the slide template.


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Fathom Events and The Met: Live in HD present a broadcast of Verdi's Luisa Miller, live in select cinemas nationwide on Saturday, April 14. James Levine and Plácido Domingo add yet another chapter to their legendary Met collaboration with this rarely performed Verdi gem, a heart-wrenching tragedy of fatherly love. Sonya Yoncheva sings the title role opposite Piotr Becza?a in the first Met performances of the opera in more than ten years.
Writer: Giuseppe Verdi
Cast: Sonya Yoncheva, Olesya Petrova, Piotr Beczala, Plácido Domingo, Luca Salsi, Alexander Vinogradov and Dmitry Belosselskiy
Sorry there are no upcoming showtimes for The Metropolitan Opera: Luisa Miller


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Conveniently located to serve New York City
We love the VBeam for so many issues such as redness, rosacea, facial flushing, broken capillaries, post-injection or post-surgical bruising, acne scars and even acne break outs.
What can you treat with Vbeam Perfecta?
- Acne Scars
- Facial Veins and Blood Vessels
- Alar nose vessels
- Leg Veins
- Broken Capillaries
- Rosacea
- Scars
- Stretch Marks
- Vascular Lesions
- Post-injection bruising
Before and After Patient Photos
Dark Circle Treatment: Replace Volume
"For dark circles, I recommend a multi-modality treatment," says Dr. David Shafer, MD, FACS, a NYC-based plastic surgeon. "From the inside, you want to replace the volume that you lose with aging," Dr. Shafer explains. If you notice a hollow-looking "trough" underneath your eyes, you've probably had some volume loss, and that's what's causing a dark, sunken appearance.
The solution? "We can use fillers for that," Dr. Shafer says. A hyaluronic acid filler, such as Juvéderm or Restylane, will be able to fill in the area so that it becomes even with the surrounding areas of skin again.
Click here to read the full article…
"Really a great job, your technical skill knowing the location and volume provided a very smooth and balanced result"
Check out our blog to learn more about this procedure:
13 Brides Share the Prewedding Skin Treatments That Got Them Glowing
by shaferplasticsurgery.com
Our very own Graceanne Svendson making wedding day dreams come true Sara Gogolak, former executive recruiter and current stay-at-home Frenchie mom Treatments: VBeam laser and dermaplaning "I decided to focus on my skin and face, since it's most photographed throughout Read More…


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[Originally posted on 09/20/17.]
It's been seven years since the last Quake game and id Software is back in a big way with Quake Champions. Paying homage to the original Quake games, Quake Champions is a fast-paced arena style FPS that keep you on your toes at all times.
The game has a current roster of eleven unique champions and it continues to grow. Each champion has a unique ability and characteristics for competitors of all playstyles. If you prefer agility in the arena, try out Slash or Nyx. If you prefer a beefy enforcer, Scalebearer or Clutch may be the champion for you.
Performance looks great on the Radeon™ RX Series products. I was able to push above 100 FPS at various resolutions and quality settings with all of our gaming graphics cards paired with my AMD Ryzen 7 1700X system.
Recommended System Requirements:
- CPU: AMD A10-7870K or Intel i5-2400
- OS: Windows 7 and later
- Video Card: Radeon™ R9 390X or higher
I tested the game in live team Deathmatch battles as Nyx with our exclusive Radeon Ruby skin.
One thing to note are the minimum framerates I saw when testing each of the cards. Even in the chaotic arena with eight people, minimum framerates stayed above 60 fps. I didn't run into any stuttering or graphical hitches. Quake Champions is the fastest and most responsive shooter I've played. It is a true test of your FPS ability and there is no room for error or graphical glitches. A fraction of a second determines if you frag your opponent or get fragged.
For serious gamers, I highly recommend a 144Hz display with Radeon™ FreeSync technology to help ensure you have a competitive edge over your opponents by having a smoother and responsive experience.
Settings below are what I used to achieve 100+ fps on my AMD Ryzen 7 1700X based system. Auto Detect Settings changes the resolution scaling which has a significant impact to fps. If you're looking to tweak performance be sure to experiment with both the resolution scale and graphics quality.
Adam Kozak, Sr. Product Marketing Manager for AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD's positions, strategies, or opinions. Links to third party sites and references to third party trademarks are provided for convenience and illustrative purposes only. Unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links, and no third party endorsement of AMD or any of its products is implied.


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North Carolina Police Using Fake 911 Calls
Indy Week's John Tucker has uncovered an amazing story of Durham Police claiming fake 911 calls in order to gain entry into people's homes to conduct illegal searches, seizures, and ultimately arrests.
The story has been picked up by the Washington Post.
So far I haven't seen any other local reporting about this practice, which is plainly illegal.
The fact that Durham Police had to release a policy memo saying that the practice is prohibited should be indication enough that it was not a one-off type of incident, but rather something of a standard practice in Durham.
UPDATE: Ed Crump notes that ABC11 reported on this as well along with John Tucker last week.


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Maverick Enterprises has a rich experience in branding exercises for corporate and businesses of all sizes. It doesn't matter what you're into and what your budget is for branding exercises, we have a solution ready for you! Our outdoor branding products that include Canopies and Standees are among the best options available to you for improving your company's brand image and attract more clientele towards it.
Our branding products easily meet global standards and can fit right into your budget. So if you've been looking for a way to give your company or business some recognition or publicity then look no further than our branding options. They're made available to you in different sizes, colors, and designs to fit into your requirements comfortably. Whether you choose Canopies or Standees; you can be rest assured of finding them with incredible features like exceptional surface finish, ergonomic design, and strong build.


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NASHVILLE-Regardless of how the debt-ceiling fight is resolved, there's a consensus that the upshot of this year's budget wars is less spending by Uncle Sam.
That's likely to have a major impact on states such as Tennessee, where federal spending is often derided even as state government, U.S. installations and residents themselves profit from it.
"I really do think that regardless of how this gets resolved, the federal government is going to be sending out less money," Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said last week. "And as a state where about 40 percent of our revenue roughly comes from the federal government, we'll feel it."
Though Haslam expects what he calls a "big impact" on Tennessee, he still supports curbing federal spending.
"The reality is that as a country we're spending more than we're bringing in. And that can't keep going," he said.
Make no mistake, though: Tennessee and Tennesseans benefit from Washington spending in any number of ways.
"Complaints in Tennessee about the federal government's spending are like cutting your nose off to spite your face," observed Dick Williams, chairman of Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, which advocates for state tax reform.
For example, Tennessee's $8.9 billion TennCare health care program for the poor is propped up with $5.8 billion in federal funds, according to TennCare Bureau figures.
In fact, Uncle Sam is shouldering about 39.2 percent -- or $12.1 billion -- of the current $30.8 billion state budget, according to the General Assembly's Office of Legislative Budget Analysis website.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, has pegged the percentage even higher, at 44 percent.
Getting back
Some of that is the last of federal stimulus funds, part of President Obama's effort to jump-start the nation's economy during the Great Recession. The federal stimulus was approved in February 2009.
About $3.1 billion a year goes to the federal complex in Oak Ridge -- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex and related sites, U.S. Energy Department officials say.
Tennessee-based federal contractors were paid $10.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Consolidated Federal Funds Report for fiscal 2009.
And don't forget $20.38 billion Tennesseans collected in fiscal 2009 for Social Security and other retirement and disability programs, according to the Federal Funds Report.
All in all, Uncle Sam coughed up $68.54 billion in Tennessee during fiscal 2009, according to the report.
That was $10,886.77 for each man, woman and child that year, ranking Tennessee high in terms of federal per capita spending.
Over the years, Tennessee has been among 30 or more "beneficiary states" that get back more money from the federal government than they send in taxes.
In fiscal 2005, Tennesseans got $1.27 back from Washington for every dollar sent in by residents or Tennessee-based companies and groups, according to a study by the Washington-based Tax Foundation. All told, Tennessee sent in $35.87 billion that year and got back $48.28 billion in return, the study says.
University of Tennessee economist Matt Murray said that's because Tennessee is a relatively poor state with a large federal presence.
"Because we're low in an income sense, we pay relatively less in taxes, and because of our relatively lower average income we tend to get back more from the federal government for programs like TennCare and Families First," Murray said.
So shrinking U.S. spending could hurt Tennessee proportionately more than most states, Murray said, depending on what programs are cut.
Red and blue
Tad DeHaven, a budget analyst with the Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank advocating limited government and free markets, said the public should get one thing straight: The hotly debated "cuts" are not actual reductions in spending.
"I would say what they [Washington officials] are talking about is reducing the growth in spending," he said. "Spending is going to increase, just not as fast as projected."
DeHaven said few specific programs have been identified for cuts, although entitlements are likely targets because programs like Medicare and Social Security are such a large share of spending.
The analyst is amused by the Tax Foundation's 2005 findings.
"I've always thought it was kind of funny that a lot of the states benefiting have been red [Republican] states, mainly [Democrats] from blue states subsidizing red states," he quipped.
Nicholas Johnson, with the liberal-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, doesn't agree often with the Cato Institute. But he, too, finds it funny that conservative states, often in the South, do so well from a federal government that their politicians often denounce.
"The ironies abound," he observed.
Local exceptions?
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., is in the thick of the debt-ceiling fight and efforts to slash federal spending
The former Chattanooga mayor points out no decisions have been made about what will be cut, so it's hard to judge the adverse impact on Tennesseans.
"There's no question that Washington has been involved in far too many things it has no business being involved in, and spending too much on too many things," Corker said. " That's beyond debate."
Federal spending as a share of the economy is at its highest level since World War II, Corker said, adding, "everyone knows that has to change."
Freshman U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., predicted "long overdue" cuts ahead.
He disagrees with President Obama and Democrats who say tax increases need to be part of the budget fix.
"We have a spending problem and not a revenue problem and that has become so abundantly clear," Fleischmann said. "The reality is we're going broke."
Still, neither Fleischmann nor Corker is excited about the prospect of cutting spending in areas such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
"Actually, Oak Ridge is one of the great labs in our country. It's the best lab east of the Mississippi," Corker said.
He said there is a lot of "overlap" among the national labs, adding, "If you let us compete fairly we know we're going to do so."
Fleischmann wasn't ready to drop federal funding to replace the lock at TVA's Chickamauga Dam, but he called for reform of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, a user-fee fund which helps pay for specified projects.
Health at risk
Corker acknowledged that Medicaid, the federal/state health-care program for the poor, is likely to see cuts. But the former state finance commissioner said he also expects Tennessee and other states to be granted more flexibility in how they manages their programs.
Tennessee health care providers and advocacy groups last week took out newspaper ads asking the state's congressional delegation and state officials to exercise care in making cuts in health spending.
State Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes said he has been warning state legislators and virtually everyone else "every chance I get" about what is coming.
"If they [federal officials] get their act together and they cut state spending, it will not be a trickle-down for the states. It will be a smackdown," Emkes said.
"That's why I preach every moment we need to increase the Rainy Day [emergency fund]. We need to increase the TennCare reserve fund because ... if they cut spending, we're going to feel it there."
As legislators wrestled over the state budget this year, Emkes said, some lawmakers urged him to dip further into the state's reserve funds.
"With all due respect," Emkes said, "that's what's gotten the United States government in this issue -- that spend, spend, spend. Spend stuff you don't have."
Staff Writer Dave Flessner contributed to this report.
Hamilton County, Tennessee schools falling behind
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The AIMS team is pleased to announce the webinar "AKstem service: supporting AGRIS data providers in publishing their content to AGRIS".
The webinar will present the AKstem service, developed by Agro-Know. While this webinar especially addresses both new and old AGRIS data providers, it is also open for information management specialists, librarians, software developers and other interested people.
The aim of the webinar is to present the new online service desk powered by AKstem service that facilitates the submission of AGRIS data provider's collections to AGRIS, providing an improved interaction with AGRIS data processing unit. Additionally, in this webinar we are presenting the ways and methods that AGRIS data providers can contribute their bibliographic information (metadata) to AGRIS. The webinar is addressing to both new and old AGRIS data providers, as it will be an opportunity to gain a better understanding on the new service and its functionalities.
18 September 2015 - 11:00 Rome Time (Use Time Converter to calculate the time difference between your location and Rome, Italy)
Effie Tsiflidou is a librarian – archivist and has graduated from the Department of Archive and Library Science, Faculty of the Ionian University, Greece, where is also obtained a Master's degree in Information Science. In the past, she worked in academic libraries (European University Institute of Florence, University of Ioannina). Since January 2011 she has been working for Agro-know. Currently, she serves the position of Data Curation Manager, being in charge of the Data Curation team and its activities. She is also responsible for designing data models for different data types in the agri-food domain, for designing new approaches to data management and metadata curation workflows as well as for designing and developing data management open access policies. Since, June 2015 she is part of the AGRIS Data Processing Unit, supporting the AGRIS data ingestion workflows and the AGRIS Content providers online service through AKstem. Find Effie on LinkedIn or email her at: effie at agroknow dot gr.
How to join
The session is open to anyone but places are limited. If you are interested to attend the webinar, send an e-mail to [email protected], containing the following information:
- your name
- your affiliation
- your role
- your country
System requirements
Once you have requested to attend the webinar, you will receive an e-mail confirming your place with an URL access. Make sure that:
- you have good internet connection
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, 10; Mozilla Firefox; Google Chrome
- Adobe® Flash® Player 10.3. If in doubt, go to Checking system requirements of the web conferencing programme Adobe Connect.
This webinar is co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations , CIARD and Agro-Know


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When Samsung revealed its new Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone, it literally did a lot of song and dance about its own unique software features, with nary a peep on the built-in Google Android improvements and features brought by the use Jelly Bean 4.2 on board. I argued that it could be a signal that Samsung is looking to move towards an Amazon-style approach to building its own version of Android, but a new investor note from Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu suggests Samsung's platform bluster might be more useful to the South Korean company as a bargaining chip.
Wu praises Samsung's move into a more "vertically integrated platform play" in his note, which puts it in a better place to compete with similar efforts by companies including Apple, Microsoft, Google and Amazon who are all trying similar combined approaches to software and hardware. But he also notes that Tizen, the smartphone OS that Samsung is co-developing, has massive challenges ahead in terms of taking away platform share from Android and iOS, especially with BlackBerry and Windows Phone slugging it out for a third spot in the mobile market.
Samsung's biggest strength, according to the investor note, is that it has a lot of leverage in terms of negotiating a better split of mobile advertising revenues from partners including Google thanks to its dominant market position. Treating their platform ambitions as a sort of backpocket option in case the lucrative deal they have worked out with Google starts to become not so lucrative does seem to be more of a hedge than a realistic option at this stage of the game, given how entrenched the top two platforms are, and the challenges we've seen even manufacturers with a wide reach like Nokia and BlackBerry have with populating the software ecosystem for a brand new mobile operating system.
Google has been reported to be somewhat ill at ease with Samsung's growing dominance over the Android hardware market, but for now the two companies are much stronger together than they are apart, which means we're unlikely to see either side do anything to initiate a rift. Meanwhile, we'll likely see both also work on their own hedges, which means Google building out its Motorola division with new, Google-directed initiatives after major restructuring, and Samsung continuing to feint with Tizen and build its own pseudo-platform on top of Android.


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The Premier Health and Racquet Sports Facility in the Tri-Cities
Locally owned and operated, Columbia Basin Racquet Club is the Tri-Cities' premier health and racquet sports facility.
The Club is comprised of a 125,000 square foot facility, state-of-the-art equipment, and a full menu of athletic, group exercise and personal fitness training programs make Columbia Basin Racquet Club a great club. But it's the things you might not notice on a quick tour of our website that make us the best club in town.
Like certified personal trainers who never stop honing their skills, or front desk staff who greet you by name and an environment that's welcoming to all. It's pick-up hoops on your lunch hour and no one to tell you that you can't have another towel.
Please enjoy our site, and check out the links below to contact us if you have any questions!
Our Mission
Inspire Community. Create a Sense of Family. Enhance a Life Worth Living.
We are here for you as you travel along your fitness path. Fitness is a lifelong journey, not a destination. As a member, you are part of our CBRC community and family. We hope that you feel comfortable at the Club; your 'home away from home'. We enjoy meeting our members and hearing your stories. If you have something to share, feel free to stop any staff, as we love to listen.


text: Apr 18 Cowboy Church & Gospel Concert, April 29 Written by Diana. Posted in Events Trackback from your site. Diana Diana is Media Specialist at MPA by day, then a multi-faceted performer and music teacher by night. She sings, acts, plays flute and a little piano. Diana doesn't know the meaning of the word "bored", and hasn't figured out how to do anything half-way. Leave a comment Current ye@r * Leave this field empty


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News Story
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UMD Researchers Awarded $3.4M DARPA Grant to Develop Automated Software-Analysis Tools
A multi-institutional team led by the University of Maryland was awarded a $3.4 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop automated software-analysis tools able to detect unusual anomalies in critical operating systems.
When completed, the technology will help analysts quickly identify software vulnerabilities in large-scale systems that are used by the U.S. government or military, or that are directly tied to critical infrastructure.
Michael Hicks, a professor of computer science with appointments in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Science (UMIACS) and the Maryland Cybersecurity Center (MC2), is principal investigator of the grant.
Hicks is joined on the project by assistant professors David Van Horn and Elaine Shi—also in computer science, UMIACS, and MC2—as well as researchers from Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley.
The research team is tasked with examining two unique types of software vulnerabilities, and developing tools that can identify such vulnerabilities quickly and accurately.
The first vulnerability involves "side channels" in software, which potentially allow hackers to learn secret information by measuring the behavior of running software, e.g., how long the program runs or how much memory it uses.
The second problem involves attacks that can occur when cybercriminals send a maliciously crafted message to software, causing it to perform poorly.
"It turns out these two problems are related, because both depend on how inputs to the program can influence the program's subsequent execution behavior," says Hicks. "We want to develop analysis tools that when handed a piece of software, can look for whether that particular software might be vulnerable to either of these problems."
Hicks says that the UMD-led team plans to create an infrastructure that combines different styles of automated analysis, while including input from human analysts as part of the process.
"Right now, developers test their code, they look at their code, they explain it to a colleague—so all of that would continue, but we would develop a way in which knowledge gained from that normal process would be treated as input into our tool suite," he says.
All the research will be conducted under DARPA's Space/Time Analysis for Cybersecurity (STAC) program, which has provided funding to almost a dozen other universities and organizations in addition to the UMD-led team.
DARPA is the federal agency charged with developing emerging technology for the U.S. military. It is perhaps best known for developing technology that later evolved into the commercial Internet.
A kick-off event for the STAC program was recently held in Dulles, Virginia.
"DARPA has this set up almost as a competition," Hicks says, with some of the participating teams tasked with creating challenge problems—software that exhibits the problems the teams are trying to find—while the rest are working on developing the analysis tools to find them.
"The overall goal is that during the course of the grant period, these engagements will push each team's technology to steadily improve, hopefully greatly outdistancing the state of the art," he says. "Indirectly, the teams compete against each other, but there are no losers. The program will be viewed as successful if new techniques are developed that work—for reasons we understand—regardless of which team's approach ends up 'winning' a particular engagement."
May 13, 2015
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Brides – How to buy the right Wedding Dress
Buying the right Wedding Dress is obviously incredibly important. So here's my simple to follow guide on buying the most important dress you'll ever buy
Aside from it fitting you, tailored to some extent with a nip & tuck here & there, it has to last a whole day and make you look good. So here's the best way to buy your Wedding Dress in a nutshell…
- 'Google' Wedding Dress XYZ (where XYZ is where you live)
- ignore the replies Google shows you that are paid adverts, they are too desperate for your business
- of the other 10 or so suppliers shown, click on them each in turn to visit their websites
- find the Pricing tab for anything that's your size
- buy the CHEAPEST that's your size
- job done
Hang on a minute though – is cheapest Wedding Dress really the best?
Well I know you have a budget, and if you're like most Brides you'll want something that's just outside of your budget, so you'll either spend less somewhere else, tap Dad for a bit more or just blow more of your savings or credit card's limit to get what you really want
So how important is price?
Well obviously if your budget is £1,000 and the dress you like is £5,000 you have a problem, so lets assume the price is (even if only just) within your budget, what else matters?
How about quality, but what does that mean exactly?
Does it mean the material it's made from? The way its sewn together? How fancy the beading is? The style being appropriate to your body shape? How comfortable it'll be on the day and can you take a pee with it on even? Can you move in it and can you sit in it, and if its low cut will your paps stay in it all day long !!!
How important is it to have a well known Brand or Designer name?
Most Brides will have heard of some of the top designers and brands, but how much are you paying for that name? The reason most well known names are known, and expensive, is that they've worked hard & long to get there. They are experts in their field, they fully understand the materials they work with, what 'design' actually means and how to best flatter the female form in a range of shapes & sizes. You are paying for their experience & knowledge, for the thousands of hours they've put into learning their craft and of course you're paying for their individual style too
And what about your Wedding Dress supplier?
From your Wedding Dress supplier you're also looking for service:
- that they truly want you to look your best and that they'll guide you to not buying inappropriately for your shape
- that they won't embarrass you with showing you dresses & accessories you can't afford
- you're paying for them being available early morning or late at night, and obviously on a Saturday & Sunday when you're free
- you're paying for their skill in altering the dress to make sure it fits perfectly, and those last minute alterations too if your Wedding Diet actually worked, or that unexpected pregnancy bump is showing
- you're paying for the fact that to be good they've worked hard & long to get there. They are experts in their field, they fully understand the materials they work with, what 'design' actually means and how to best flatter the female form in a range of shapes & sizes
- you are paying for their experience & knowledge, for the thousands of hours they've put into learning their craft and of course you're paying for their attention to detail and service to you
So how good an indicator of all of the above is price?
Well yes, you can justifiably expect that a top boutique Wedding Dress supplier selling a £10,000 dress will meet all of the above criteria easily, but what if your budget is just £1,000 or even half of that, how good is price alone as an indicator? In short – not very good at all
The cheapest dress & supplier could be an awesome up & coming designer & shop that's just opened and is trying to make a name for themselves, or it could be a shop selling out of fashion, unwanted tat, with lousy service where so long as you buy something, anything, that's fine by them. Conversely, the expensive shop could be resting on its laurels of former glories, they may be passing off tat by bluff alone, and worse still they may not value you at all unless you can afford their premium brands; snobbishness really is rife in some designer boutiques
Buying the right Wedding Dress is about much more than price, its about the whole package each shop has to offer. It demands research by you, and ideally recommendation too, and a face-to-face to see if you actually like the people in the shop. Remember you'll be spending maybe £500, £1,000 or even much more with them, they really ought to be nice with you and lovely to deal with
After all, you wouldn't want to blow so much money on your Wedding Dress and not look good in the photos for the rest of your life would you !!!
And funnily enough – on the subject of photos – if skill, expertise, knowledge & service are all needed and all demand high fees for your Wedding Dress, why do so many Brides seem to think its not the same for their Wedding Photographer?
The Press love stories of terrible experiences at the hands of so-called Wedding Photographer who haven't a clue what they're doing really, and generally speaking, they are the cheap ones. There's a clue in that – you get what you pay for !!!
As a Lake District Wedding Photographer and a Wedding Photographer Barnsley I too have worked hard & long to get here. I have professional qualifications to say I'm expert in my field, I understand what 'design' actually means and how to best flatter the female form in a range of shapes & sizes. You are paying for my experience & knowledge, for the thousands of hours I've put into learning my craft and of course you're paying for individual style too
There's a good reason a cheap Wedding Dress isn't going to make you look great,
its because its not very good !!!
The same applies to cheap Wedding Photographers too – AVOID THEM
If you invest at least as much in your Wedding Photography as you do your Wedding Dress chances are you'll have you'll not only look FAB on your Wedding Day, but in hundreds of FAB photos too to remember it all by 🙂


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Amoeba Music, the country's biggest and best independent Record Store, is inviting San Diego residents to bring their unwanted LPs, CDs and music collections to our Record Round Up at the King's Inn the weekend of Oct. 23-25.
We're bringing buyers down from our stores in San Francisco and Los Angeles to meet folks in San Diego and create a convenient way for area residents to get top dollar in cash for all resellable items. Sellers may also opt to get even MORE in credit for our stores or shopping on Amoeba.com.
Sellers may bring in any amount of CDs or VINYL formats (including LP, 12", 45s and 78s), and buyers will inspect and evaluate each item, add them all up and make a cash offer! Only items in playable condition will be considered for purchase. Prices offered vary widely based on title and condition and the retail value; see below for a list of most sought after genres**. Valid government-issued I.D. is required for all cash transactions.
Sellers can bring us their stuff anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the first two days of the event and up until 4 p.m. Sunday, and we will happily help you unload and bring in your used vinyl and CDs. We are also open to buying any original music and concert posters. Our buyers are friendly, fast, efficient and will work hard to keep your experience fun and as quick as possible.
It's EASY to sell your collection. Whether it's those "hard copies" that are taking space on your shelves, a collection or estate of a family member, or your own personal collection, we can pay you cash on the spot and bring those records back into the world for another generation to enjoy! Skip the three-hour drive to L.A. and liquidate your unwanted records and CDs without leaving town.