text:
Are you ready to run away to sea for a adult career break or a GAP year before university. It doesn't matter if you are having a mid life crisis, want to live life differently, save the planet, or just travel the world. You know when its time for a change.
Classic Sailing offers wanderlust with wind and water. You don't have to be a sailor, but you will soon become one. Occasionally we Circumnavigations around the whole world, but we have a huge variety of ocean sailing legs that get you to exciting land destinations too. We have Trans Atlantic voyages both North and South of the Equator, long passages to and from South America and the Caribbean, and sailing voyages that help others or save the planet.
A month or more on a tall ship or traditional boat gives a unique time to reflect and talk with people of all ages and nationalities, as well as the challenge of living as part of a close shipboard community sailing one of the last great wildernesses.
Latest voyages
|Start Date
|End Date
|Start Port
|End Port
Isafjordur, Iceland
Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
|Isafjordur, Iceland
|Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
|From € 3,200 EUR
Illulissat, West Greenland
Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
|Illulissat, West Greenland
|Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
|Fully booked
Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
Reykjavik, Iceland
|Nuuk - The Capital of Greenland
|Reykjavik, Iceland
|Fully booked
GAP Year or Change of Lifestyle
Taking the plunge and stepping off the treadmill is tempting to us all. Who hasn't looked jealously at school leavers going off travelling before university and wished they could take a GAP year – satisfy some wanderlust and follow a few dreams.
You are not alone in wanting a career break or a GAP year.....and it need not be as long as 12 months to rejuvenate you. About one in five of the 200 000 people surveyed who took a gap year were adult professionals. This makes your GAP year travelling very acceptable.
Please be aware .... this experience might change your life.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did." Mark Twain
GAP Years for Adults - It should be Compulsory!
The Prudential did a study into work/life patterns and discovered that 1.4 million of the working population have already taken steps to simplify their lives and a further one million or so 35-54 year olds are making serious plans to 'downshift'.
Our skippers have listened to many of our sailing customers expressing a wish to change their work – life balance.....but sometimes they need a decent break away from everyday pressures- meeting new people with different values to really believe they can make long term changes.
Typical Gap Year or Career Break Triggers
Do you recognise any of the following feelings: Burn out, guilt at excess and affluence, sensory overload, mid life crisis(es), freedom from responsibilities, retirement, needing new sense of purpose or fulfilment, children flown the nest, retirement, no need to work, shaking out the cobwebs, once in a lifetime goals, can now afford to travel.


text:
8:00am - Probiotics with glass of h20
8:30am - Fiber drink with Mango Strawberry Spark.
9:00am - 60 minute light mobility/stability workout
10:00am - meal replacement shake (on the run, and they taste good!)
12:00pm - skipped meal, not recommended but reality (3 catalyst + bottle of h20)
4:00pm - 45 minute strength training workout
4:45pm - post-workout recovery shake
6:00pm - whole wheat/Flax natural peanut butter and zero calorie jam. + H20
+ 6 omegaplex.
9:00pm - tuna w/ homemade relish & 6 triscuits (added crunch) 4 strawberries and
a clementine orange. + bottle of h20
Watch the video below for a short educational video on why supplementation:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The scuba dive crete package includes:
- 7 nights accommodation in a double room (next to the diving center)
- 10 guided dives
- Full equipment rental
- Transportation from and to the airport or the port of Chania.
Click here to contact us if you would have any questions, would like to have a quote for another travel date or would like to create a more custom package.
Dive Crete with Omega Divers and stay at The Niriides Hotel
The Niriides Hotel is a small complex of 12 comfortable apartments. Air-conditioned studio-apartments and two-room (one bedroom) apartments are situated inside a beautiful garden, each with its private bathroom, satellite TV, safe, telephone and fax facility, wireless internet and a fully equipped kitchen. There is wheelchair access and parking space.
The hotel is only 150m away from the two shallow, sandy beaches of Almyrida while it also has a large swimming pool (12,5m X 6,5m) with a special section for children. Almyrida's beaches have been awarded the blue flag, a symbol of quality based on strict criteria, and there is always a lifeguard on watch.
Room facilities at The Niriides Hotel
- Air-conditioning, Telephone and Fax, Safe, Satellite TV, Wireless Internet
- Kettle, Toaster, Cooker, Refrigerator with freezer
- Iron, Hair dryer, Clothes dryer
- 1 room, 1 separate bathroom with shower cabinet
- 2 Single beds, 1 Cot, Dining seating for 2 or 3, Lounge seating for 2 or 3
- Highchair and wheelchair available
- Free wi-fi internet
- Balcony / Terrace
- Shared outdoor pool (unheated) with children's pool attached
- The pool bar is open from 16 June to 11 September
- Shared garden
- Linen and towels provided (Linen 2 times a week, towels 3 times a week)
- The studios are cleaned 6 times per week (except Sundays)
- Washing machine is available.The price to use is 5€ for 4 kg clothes.
- The price includes the powder and fabric softener
Click here to contact us if you would have any questions, would like to have quote for another travel date or would like to create a more custom package.
Price is per person and based on double occupancy. Price is per person and based on double occupancy. Rates applies for high season: July, August, September. **Low season rates apply for May, June, October**
Dive crete: 10 dives + 7 nights at The Niriides Hotel - $924.-
Send a FREE no obligation request for information today by completing the form below. Not sure where to go yet? Sign up for our newsletter today and get inspired.


text:
Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing? With the click of a mouse, you can do just about anything: book a vacation to Malaysia, send an e-mail to someone in Antarctica, purchase all of your Christmas gifts, or even apply for an installment loan. From the comfort of your couch, simply fill out the application form for the loan and wait for a response. It's simple and stress free. Plus, if you choose a direct lender offering instant funding, the money will be deposited into your bank account without any fuss or frustration. For those seeking online installment loans in Wisconsin, scroll down for some helpful advice.
Online Installment Loans in Wisconsin
When you need money quickly, an installment loan could be the perfect solution. It doesn't require a credit check, it can be obtained from home using online resources, and the funds can be sent straight to your bank account. There are many lenders out there, however, and obviously some are better than others. When shopping for a lending company, look for the following advantages:
- Direct lending
- Instant funding
- Flexible payment schedules
- Low rates and fees
- Pro-rated fees
- No hidden fees or penalties
- Refunds available
- Easy application process
- No credit check requirement
- High level of customer satisfaction
In addition, of course, be sure the maximum loan amount satisfies your needs and that the money will be delivered within your time frame. After all, if a loan lacks these two crucial elements, what good is it?
Finally, just because you're applying for a loan online, that doesn't mean that Wisconsin's state laws and regulations regarding installment loans don't apply. They do. So before working with a lender, be sure that they have a license from Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions. This license confirms that the lending company has "complied with the requirements set forth under Section 138.09 of the Wisconsin Statutes" and is licensed to engage in the business of online installment loans in Wisconsin. It should be "conspicuously posted" in the public office (or on the website of the lender) as well.
If you're looking for online installment loans in Wisconsin, check out Advance Paycheck Online. We are a direct lending company offering short-term advances and installment loans online to the residents of three states, including Wisconsin. We offer installment loans of up to $1,500 to residents of the Badger State. The daily amount of interest will increase, of course, as the total loan amount increases:
- $100 loan = $1.64 daily interest
- $200 loan = $3.29 daily interest
- $300 loan = $4.93 daily interest
- $400 loan = $6.57 daily interest
- $500 loan = $8.21 daily interest
- $600 loan = $9.86 daily interest
- $700 loan = $11.50 daily interest
- $800 loan = $13.14 daily interest
- $900 loan = $14.79 daily interest
- $1,000 loan = $16.43 daily interest
- $1,100 loan = $18.07 daily interest
- $1,200 loan =$19.71 daily interest
- $1,300 loan = $21.36 daily interest
- $1,400 loan = $23.00 daily interest
- $1,500 loan = $24.64 daily interest
With our low-rate guarantee, you can rest assured that you are getting the lowest interest rates around (and if you find a lower rate, we'll match it!). Our flexible payment schedules will help you pay off your loan as soon as possible, and we prorate the fees involved so that if you pay off the loan early, you will have very few fees to pay. To get started, please contact us online or give us a call at 1-815-436-4242. We would be happy to help!


text:
You would like to contact the manufacturer and apply for the agency offer? Then please verify now.
Cybersecurtity company from Barcelona, looking for an independent commercial, with experience and / or a portfolio of clients in the Technology field (computing and industry), to sell Cybersecurity services and training. The end costumer is any type of company, but we also seek distribution deals with computer companies in general, web pages, industrial consultancies, training academies for companies and individuals, etc ...
Conditions: High commission income, and long-term bonus plan.
Obligations: Sell directly or through distributors, all our products and services. We will provide training, but a broad technology base is needed.
Don´t panic about cybersecurity. We need someone with a technological base, and we will support them via training and technical-commercial will close deals.
Sortimente und ProdukteEngineering: Workplace safety, fire protection, security technology
Paper, Packaging, Office: Hardware, peripherals, Internet, IT, Software
Kundenkreise und ZielgruppenConsumer market, Wholesale
Sales Region
All Spain


text:
Community leaders and tech entrepreneurs suggested Minneapolis needs to do a better job of branding itself to emerge as a leading tech hub at a Monday night forum hosted by City Council Member Lisa Bender (Ward 10) at the Republic in Uptown.
Bender organized the panel — the second in her Ten Talk series — to bring entrepreneurs to the table and brainstorm ways to make Minneapolis the tech hub of the Midwest. Cathy Polasky, the city's director of Economic Policy and Development, Clockwork CEO Nancy Lyons and Kyle Coolbroth of CoCo were the featured speakers.
Coolbroth, co-founder of CoCo, which has three co-working spaces for freelancers and small businesses in the Twin Cities, said the local tech community needs to do a better job of sharing its stories. "We have all the raw resources right now. It's a timing issue," he said. "I think we're sitting in a really great place."
Lyons of Clockwork, an interactive agency based in Northeast, agreed with Coolbroth. "This market doesn't have a strong enough brand story," she said, adding that small tech firms need to find ways to connect to the region's many Fortune 500 companies to find ways to foster more innovation and growth in the high tech sector.
Polasky noted that Greater MSP is working on branding the region to attract new businesses. She also suggested that community leaders should be reaching out to Minnesota natives involved in tech companies who have relocated to try to lure them back to the city.
The panelists also raised the importance of selling the city's strengths compared to other high-tech regions like the Bay Area and Austin, Texas. Minneapolis can offer a higher quality of life, they suggested, because the cost of living is lower here and the city's lakes, parks and cultural scene are strong assets.
Moving forward, Bender said she'll be working with city staff, the panelists and other stakeholders to take action on some of the suggestions, including engaging with Fortune 500 companies to support local startups, creating more tools to share the benefits of living in Minneapolis, investing in education and training and sharing stories about the strength of the startup community.
(From left: Polasky, Coolbroth, Lyons and Bender.)


text:
Planned obsolescence obsolete with IOTA!
The planned wear and tear of products has been a dark chapter in the market economy for over 100 years. Which manufacturer of goods likes to admit that he creates products in such a way that they break within a certain period of time?
One of the best known cases is the "Phoebus cartel", which was founded about 100 years ago among light bulb manufacturers. The aim of this economic cartel was to limit the burning time of light bulbs to 1 000 hours. Before the cartel was founded, there were already light bulbs that shone for over 2,500 hours. At the same time, there were also patents that provided for light bulbs for over 10,000 hours and much more. Since the sales for the manufacturers sank however ever further and the competition with price wars was eroding the market, the largest manufacturers decided to unite in the secret and divide the market among themselves.
Today we have the phenomenon in many devices. Usually it is a point of contention between consumers and manufacturers whether something breaks intentionally or not. Therefore, the examples given are not accusations, but many more examples which have already been disseminated by users on the Internet. The labelling on the products themselves usually also gives a hint.
Printers: 20,000 pages guaranteed to print in top quality
Printers sometimes have a built-in chip which counts the printed pages and after the 20,000th page deteriorates the quality of the pages beyond it.
Television: guaranteed 10 000 hours lifetime
Televisions can have a chip that clocks the switched-on time.
Electric toothbrushes: guaranteed durability of at least 2 years
Charging cycles of electric toothbrushes can be counted
This could now be described as malicious and harmful, as most people and consumer organisations do. However, it is necessary to take a closer look at the production cycle. If, for example, a manufacturer manufactures printers and has development, marketing and production costs here, then he must sell a certain quantity at a certain price in order to generate income. Since machines used to be very expensive and only large manufacturers could afford them, a lot of human time was put into the production of a product. In the last 30 years, however, this has changed massively and today large quantities can be produced quickly with the help of a machine park.
Example 20 years ago (with high selling prices):
If, for example, the manufacturer used to have a total cost of $1 million for the production of 1,000 printers, it had to charge at least $1,000 per printer to cover its costs. The wholesaler and the local dealer also had to make their cut and so we come to an end customer price of about $ 1,600.
Customer view: $1,600 / 200,000 pages = $0.008 per printed page
The last 20 years (with low selling prices):
Due to the modern machinery it is possible to produce faster and cheaper. So now we can adjust the example a little bit. For example, if the manufacturer has a total cost of $1 million for the production of 10,000 printers, we get an end customer price of $160.
The big difference lies in the price in the difference and in the quality. If you bought a printer 30 years ago and it went right into the budget with $1,600, the consumer expected a product that would last forever. He usually got this, too.
Thus the manufacturer in our example guarantees today: Top quality at a low price up to a certain number of printed paper / viewed hours / certain duration!
The manufacturer naturally has an interest in the consumer always buying a new device, but remaining loyal to the brand or manufacturer. Here we have now reached the actually exciting point.
The manufacturer actually wants to sell a top product below the price of its competitors and at the same time hopes for successful customer loyalty!
But now the manufacturer can't openly say that if you spend $160 on my product, you can print 20,000 top-quality pages and then you need a new device. This would immediately cause bad publicity and customers would avoid it. That's why today it's made as subtle as possible.


text:
After the recent announcement Governor Eric Holcomb, the YMCA has made the decision to modify our reopening plan. Please click the link below to learn more about the changes with to the Y's Reopening Plan.
The reopening of facilities, programs, and activities is in accordance to the Governor's plan for businesses to reopen across the state of Indiana. COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation and we will continue to closely monitor the ever-changing dynamics of the pandemic and update you if our plans change. Thank you for continuing to support us during this difficult time.
Please click Updated YMCA Reopening Plan to read the latest YMCA update.
Afterschool Registration is open for children attending school in Clay, Putnam, and Vigo Counties.
Click Afterschool to register for before and/or afterschool in Clay, Putnam, and Vigo Counties.
If you child attends Farrington Grove, Fuqua, or Sugar Grove Elementary school, please click on CASY link to register for the before & afterschool program.
Please view additional information and fitness opportunities by visiting our social media accounts.
The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. That's because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighborhood.
Healthy Living
The YMCA helps individuals and families build and maintain healthy habits for spirit, mind and body in their everyday lives through group exercise, personal training, wellness programs and state-of-the-art facilities. By helping kids, adults, families and seniors from all walks of life improve their health and well-being, we build a stronger community.
Social Responsibility
With our doors open to all, we bring together people from all backgrounds, and support those who need us most. We take on the most urgent needs in our community and inspire a spirit of service in return. We all demonstrate the power of what we can achieve by giving back together. For information on our financial assistance program, or to make a donation today, contact your local branch.
Youth Development
All kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve, under the guidance of caring adults who believe in their potential. Through the YMCA child watch program, afterschool and summer camp programs, youth sports and more, we help our youth grow into successful adults.


text:
Insane Bodycam Footage Shows Officer Rescue Man Trapped in Burning Vehicle
News| | By Jason Owen
Harrowing bodycam footage is going viral after showing a police officer responding to a call of a man trapped in a burning SUV and rescuing him moments before the car exploded into flames.
According to a YouTube video uploaded by "PoliceActivity" on Aug. 19, senior police officer Dan Whitney responded to a 3 a.m. 911 call of an SUV "engulfed in flames against a large tree." The footage starts with the officer speeding toward the scene as the 911 dispatch is heard between the operator and the man who called in the accident.
"This car going to blow up, I believe, ma'am," said the man.
The scene when the officer arrived is described on the YouTube page:
"A man was yelling for help from a small rear driver-side window. Whitney retrieved his fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire, then began trying to extricate the person trapped in the car. The impact of the accident had bent the frame and all the doors were jammed shut, so Whitney bent the door frame back enough to pull the man through the small rear window. As he was doing this, an explosion from under the hood knocked off his hat and body-worn camera."
Whitney was able to save the man's life, but as the YouTube video reveals, the man was not the driver of the vehicle, who unfortunately Whitney could not save.
"The driver of the vehicle (who could not be seen until after the flames were extinguished) burned to death in the fire. Without Whitney's rescue, the passenger likely would have suffered the same tragic death as the driver, as the backseat was completely melted and gutted within minutes. Other officers on scene described the heat from the fire as unbearable from 50 feet away."


text:
BCC-Approved Coach Certification
Currently we are offering three programs that result in coach certifications. All are BCC Approved.
Leadership & Resilience Coach Certification Training
Life-Mapping and Military Focused Training
Life-Mapping Foundation with focuses on: Individual and Family Dynamics, Mindfulness, Personal Branding
Jessi is an expert in the coaching field with seemingly unlimited resources of information and tools. She is thorough in her presentations and provides insight in the training cohort that is applicable and thought provoking. I appreciated her determination to help everyone get what they needed from the Lead and Thrive course. JN
Anyone pursuing a BCC credential with ONLY an undergraduate degree will want to consider this option. In our ever-changing world where adaptability, flexibility and ABILITY to cope with challenges and chaos a certification in Leadership and Resilience will prepare you to face the complexity for yourself and your clients.
Quick audio message below
You can read about more about by clicking here.
CLMC Program:
Listen below to a short clip about Track A of Life Mapping Coach Certification
Revised and Updates for Recent Application the Flagship program that trains virtually anyone to support Life and Career Mapping as well as transition support for military connected: service members, their spouses, family and veterans: Former Name = Hawk Eye will now be:
BlueRio's Certified Life Mapping Coach Training –Specializing in transition and development for service members, veterans and their families. This is a 60-hour training and is pending BCC Approval for both a 100% virtual delivery that takes place across 6 months and a hybrid delivery of on-site and virtual that can be completed in as little as 2 months.
About Track A Training (Full Coach Certification)
BlueRio Strategies trains individuals (civilians and military) using a high-caliber, robust curriculum. The core focus of the training is to inspire, educate and empower people to use coaching as vehicle to assist military-connected individuals as they design sustainable lives, effective career maps and master transitioning from a military-focused life to the civilian sector with dignity and purpose. The program is also designed to encourage the participants/students to engage in deep reflection, experiencing potentially profound changes in their own lives as they train to support changes in their clients' lives. BlueRio's innovative process is founded in relational neuroscience, positive and strength-based strategies and what the founder calls Life-Mapping that is relatable, realistic and motivating. While it focuses on veterans as the main clientele who a coach may work with, the program offers tools and strategies for collaborating and supporting virtually anyone who is in a major career transition or seeking career and life management assistance.
The 2016 ICF Global Coaching Study: Almost all coach practitioners (99%) reported receiving some form of coach-specific training, with a large majority (89%) receiving training that was accredited or approved by a professional coaching organization. The receipt of coach-specific training was also very high among managers/leaders using coaching skills, with 93% reporting that they have received training. Almost three in four (73%) reported receiving accredited or approved coach-specific training. …
What about those not in leadership positions yet working for them-selves or aspiring to have their own practices?
Becoming a Professional Coach Offers:
- Freedom and Flexibility
- Opportunities to use your talents
- Inspiring, challenging and transformative experiences
- No two days and no two clients are the same
- Unlike pure consulting you are NOT always the expert- yet you are a partner in a person or a team's quest for attaining a vision, an end-goal a plan or success
- A true Resume-builder – more companies seek coaching as a skill
- A very REAL sense of accomplishment and depth of contribution to making a difference in one person's life one team, one organization and often in the world
BlueRio Strategies is a CCE-approved coach training provider for the BCC credential for the following courses:
Hawk Eye Coach Training for Veteran Development, Specializing in Veteran Transition, Reintegration and Career Management (35 and 60 Hours)
Lead and Thrive: A Leadership and Resilience Certification (60 and 120 Hours)
Life-Mapping Foundation with focuses on: Individual and Family Dynamics, Mindfulness, Personal Branding (60 hours)


text:
The Arts
The arts programs at MIS are an integral part of the IB. Through visual and performing arts, students "develop through creating, performing and presenting arts in ways that engage and convey feelings, experiences and ideas." Materials, instruments and technology are combined in a variety of ways through art and music classes from Preschool through Middle School. Students learn about and through creative development, imaginative thinking, communication and sharing by studying and applying the arts.


text:
Each copy is Personally Signed by the Author!!
"007 Exotic Location, Key West" DVD/Book Companion shows you the Exotic Locations of 007 & also points out other filming sights to see along the way! Almost 2 hours of Video on DVD! More than 160 pages & 200 Pictures in Book! 20 - 007 Shooting Locations are examined! 60 Shooting Locations from other films! Extra Spy Fest 2003 Video Included! 200 - 007 Real Props & Collectables are Shown! Most of the collectables you can buy from us! "You'll Want To Go Tomorrow!!!" Full directions, addresses & phone numbers of locations are given. Licence To Kill trivia also included, In addition to Licence to Kill all 007 films exotic locations are given. In addition to the hard copy book a full color copy is provided on DVD in it's Rom section along with 4x6 pictures of all sights & collectables that are seen in book.
007 Exotic Location Key West truly is for the adventurer and Collector in all of us. You don't have to even be a James Bond die hard to love this book. There is something in it for everyone. It even lists points of interest where different films, not associated with 007, were shot all over the state. It has a Trivia section that answers questions like why is "Licence" spelled this way on the cover instead of "License." The Exotic shooting locations for the other 007 films are also listed. It is amazing how many types of collectables were made for the different 007 films. Everybody that looks at this book is amazed that there was actually a set of 007 Beer cans made and that they are among the most highly collectable Beer cans today whether you collect 007 or not, selling at over $600 each. The DVD takes you on the live tour that you can follow along with in the book. It takes you to the shooting locations and addresses are given in book along with map so you can easily find them on your own. There is a slideshow of all the collectables so you can see them in vibrant color. A SpyFest Convention Slideshow is also included on DVD. The DVD-ROM section of the disc Includes a Full color copy of the book, All pictures used in slideshows (over 200) and will also direct you to Reel Art's website where there is over 30 pages in just 007 collectables plus 50 more on various other subjects (Sci-Fi, Indiana Jones, etc). This book is a must for the Film Lover/ Adventurer in all of us.


text:
Somewhere behind me, a baby girl was crying a Ganges river.
Her parents, strongly resembling Lucy Liu and Ted Kaczynski, appeared unable to administer the appropriate gag. This was the 9 a.m. American Airlines flight out of JFK, heading for San Francisco. My eyes were as bleary as a bailout document, and my head throbbed from a mixture of lack of sleep and some bad, loud company the night before. Yes, Knicks fans.
Rummaging in my seat pocket, I suddenly discovered that this flight was equipped with Gogo, American Airlines' new Wi-Fi service. Intent on at least googling some institutions that might be happy to adopt loud children, I got out my MacBook.
Logging on to Gogo couldn't be simpler. It costs $12. Yes, it's cheaper than checking your golf clubs. The speed was impressive, even if I could find no trace of the World Decibel-Reducing Adoption Agency. In any case, the minute I got online, the baby girl suddenly entered a deep sleep. Or perhaps I had somehow frightened her into pretending.
However, after about 20 minutes, something odd occurred. Just as I was about to check Hotmail, the laptop screen went dark.
Please let me explain at this point that my heart is not technical. I represent the proles (and the Poles) who, when it comes to gadgets, just try to get by any way they know how. So try not to get mad, OK? But my MacBook was clearly dead. No lights, no sound, no picture.
Given its lack of life, I put it away, thinking that I would ask someone with a brain appropriately wired to solve the problem in the Bay Area.
When I got home, I opened the MacBook again. It began to stir, and I stepped back, thinking that some nefarious beings might have tampered with it.
The screen came to life again, and it busily resumed its attempt to load the Hotmail page I had been trying to access on the plane five hours previously. But, you see, I hadn't turned the MacBook on. I'd merely opened it.
Is it possible that it was the Gogo that had put a stopstop to my MacBook? Might the signal have suddenly bemused my configuration to a coma? Or should I take my MacBook to the nearest Genius Bar, where a 14-year-old will tell me I should not, under any circumstances, put money down for cryogenics?


text:
School Programmes (GCSE & BTEC)
In our dedicated schools workshop and computer facility we work with local schools to deliver BTEC 1st Certificate / Diploma and Dual Award GCSE in Engineering for year 10 / 11 students.
This is a dedicated facility, available to Schools throughout the region, designed to address the needs of the 14 -19 Agenda.
The workshop is fully equipped with a wide range of tools and equipment to enable the manufacture of engineering/electronic projects.
- Manual and CNC lathe
- Manual and CNC milling machine
- PCB Manufacture
- Guillotine
- Bender
- Pedestal drills
- Plastic Injection Moulding
- Vac Forming
- AutoCAD
BTEC 1st Certificate Units cover:
- Unit 1: Working Safely and Effectively in Engineering.
- Unit 2: Interpreting and Using Engineering Information.
- Unit 8: Selecting Engineering Materials.
- Unit 10: Using Computer Aided Drawing techniques in Engineering.
- Unit 18: Engineering Marking Out.
- Unit: 19 Electronic Circuit Construction.
All BTEC and GCSE coursework includes developing manual skills and practical projects.


text:
Setting Out Survey Previous Project at Orchard View, Broad Oaks, Kent
Read about our ongoing setting out survey works at Orchard View, Broad Oaks, Kent
Article By: Chris Horton
Last Update: August 2019
Client: Wedgewood Homes
Project Duration: March 2018
Location: Broad Oak, Kent
Surveyor: Chris Horton
Project Scope
Recently THS Concepts was commissioned by regular clients Wedgewood Homes to undertake the setting-out of kerb lines within the new Orchard View estate in Broad Oaks, Kent.
Having previously set out homes in a proposed mini-estate in Sevenoaks for the same company, this new development boasts high-quality dwellings in a range of configurations. Ranging from 3-bedroom bungalows to 5-bedroom detached houses, Wedgewood continues to market their properties to the high-end homeowners who appreciate beautiful neighbourhood planning and contemporary architecture.
Given the recent torrential rain, this site was tricky to work on due to ankle-deep mud throughout. Luckily Chris brought his wellies and managed to stay on 2 feet the entire day – one slip and the 2-hour drive home would have been very unpleasant! Having never visited Orchard View beforehand, the original site control provided was unattainable so it was up to Chris to set-up new control stations. This was achieved using timber stakes, placed in four strategic locations around the site, all visible from the initial set-up position. Knowing that the setting out co-ordinates were aligned to OSGB, each stake was surveyed using our Leica GS08 GPS device. By placing the equipment over each stake (of which a Mag Nail was hammered into the top), Chris could pinpoint their positions to within a couple of millimetres. Knowing the almost exact co-ordinates of each stake, our Leica TS15 Total Station could be re-sectioned to achieve the most accurate position possible.
One of the timber stakes located towards the north of the site. This is at the boundary with the orchard the site gets its name from.
From thereon each stake was re-surveyed precisely and a number of temporary retro targets were positioned around the site, thus allowing for quick and efficient movement as the job progressed. A prompt check of existing as-built wall positions ensured Chris was 100% confident with this station set-up and site control.
Using one of our robotic Leica Total Stations, a job like this is easily achievable in one visit by a lone surveyor. Our TS15 devices have controllers which allow the user to walk around the site undertaking the role of a chain person but without somebody at the helm of the Total Station. Motors within the main unit rotate the device so that it locks-on and follows the prism held by the user across long distances. Chris could, therefore, march around Orchard View to stake out the kerb positions, hammering road pins at each location before moving on to the next.
The Leica GS08 controller set-up and surveying the positon of stake SS01 towards the east-end of the site.
Chris set-out approximately 50 kerb positions on this particular visit which will keep the ground workers busy for several weeks. Along with new site control and familiarity of the project, setting out additional kerb positions in the future will be a quick and efficient task. THS Concepts ensure clear and continuous communication with our clients and their sub-contractors to ensure projects such as this advance proficiently. We are always happy to supply other site engineers and surveyors with our control data and appreciate some clients appreciate the opportunity to tender for each stage of the setting out works to a number of companies.
This was an enjoyable and challenging project for Chris – presenting difficult ground conditions within a sociable and well-organised construction site. Knowing the professionalism and quality of Wedgewood Homes' projects, THS Concepts hopes to work again with them on this site and future new estates in the Kent area for many years to come.
If you require setting out services in the South East of England and beyond, please don't hesitate to enquire with us to find out about our day and half-day rates. We are always keen to work with new clients on exciting projects like Orchard View.
This was by far the muddiest site Chris has ever worked on!
Render of the proposed estate, looking from the site entrance inwards – taken from wedgewoodhomes.co.uk


text:
19-06-2018 | Renal cell carcinoma | ASCO 2018 | News
IMmotion151 PROs add support for first-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in mRCC
medwireNews: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from the IMmotion151 study favor atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as a first-line regimen for the treatment of patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
Earlier findings from the phase III trial demonstrated improved progression-free survival for the combination versus sunitinib in the intention-to-treat population of 362 patients with PD-L1-positive mRCC.
Now PROs presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, show that atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was favorable over sunitinib in terms of "milder symptoms, less functional impairment, and the delay in meaningful deterioration of patients' daily functioning."
This was accompanied by "less bother with treatment side effects" and "better health-related quality of life" than with sunitinib, presenting author Bernard Escudier, from Gustave Roussy in Paris, France, told delegates.
He therefore concluded that "PROs further support the positive benefit–risk ratio of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus sunitinib as a first-line option in metastatic RCC."
medwireNews is an independent medical news service provided by Springer Healthcare. © 2018 Springer Healthcare part of the Springer Nature group
See also:


text:
« On PBS, Two 'Frontline' Reports and a 'TED Talks' Special on Education | Main | PBS Documentary Finds Students Around the World Seeking a Basic Education »
On PBS, 'NOVA' Foretells the 'School of the Future,' Hoverboards Not Included
When TV shows and movies envision the "future," they tend to hit viewers over the head with sleek designs, faster and creative forms of transportation, and improbable inventions.
In the episode of the PBS science show "NOVA" titled "School of the Future," which airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern time (check local listings), the documentary at one point has some fun with such expectations by interviewing a student who predicts that his future school will have kids "riding hoverboards in the hallways."
But the essential lesson of this two-hour film written and directed by Phil Bertelsen is that the "school of the future" is already here. Or, more accurately, the education of the future is being delivered today in many places and programs.
The documentary is probably the most significant and lasting offering of the spate of special programming about schools in PBS Spotlight Education week. LeVar Burton, a familiar presence on public television from his "Reading Rainbow" days, is the host of the film, which is mostly fast-moving but still seems a bit long.
"How can we transfer our one-size-fits-all education system for an unpredictable future?" Burton asks.
Remember, "NOVA" is a science show, and much of "School of the Future" searches for the answer to that question by exploring topics such as brain development (we hear from neuroscientist Joanna Christodoulou), growth mindset (psychologist Carol Dweck and education entrepreneur Sal Khan), grit (psychologist and author Angela Duckworth), and emotional engagement (researcher Mary Helen Immordino-Yang).
The film also explores the future of education in terms of equity, the gender gap, social identity, and racial and ethnic stereotypes. But it steers clear of issues such as school organization, governance, and accountability. And except for those student hoverboards, there's not a word about school transportation of the future.
Among the schools visited are East Palo Alto Academy, a charter school in East Palo Alto, Calif.; the private AltSchool in Palo Alto, Calif.; the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, a public school in Goleta, Calif.; the KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate charter school in Lynn, Mass.; and the Workshop School, an innovative site in the Philadelphia school district.
The enduring theme of the film is that the school of the future is going to be a more individualized, more innovative, more engaging learning experience tailored to the whole child. Of course, the future is already here in some of the featured schools and communities. But most of the nation's schools are stuck in the present.
Of all the documentaries and special programming about education on PBS this week, "School of the Future" is probably the one that will have legs, in terms of repeat showings and community screenings. And years from now, viewers will order up the film from the Netflix-Hulu-Apple TV chip embedded in their brains to see how well it predicted the future.


text:
Section - Banner
Infection and Immunity
Ciriaco Piccirillo, PhD
Marcel Behr, MD, MSc
The Infection and Immunity Axis is a large, multidisciplinary group that encompasses the rapidly expanding fields of immunology, host defence, autoimmunity and atopic disorders, such as asthma and eczema. These programs are representative of the complexity of our research effort spanning a broad range of microbial targets and human hosts as well as geographical areas.
Many factors make the research conducted by this axis ever more relevant in today's world; changes in Canadian and Quebec immigration policies, increases in international movement of livestock and consumables, significant expansion of overseas travel, commerce and studies, and global warming, have contributed to increased risk from infectious diseases which kill millions of people every year.
Axis investigators continue to focus on major emerging pathogens and international concerns, including malaria, salmonella, measles, tuberculosis, leishmania, mycobacteria and leprosy. Elucidation of the microbiological underpinnings of idiopathic and so-called immune conditions, are an increasing feature of this work. Advanced studies of the host response to HIV, and studies of HIV co-pathogens, logically fall into this axis. Axis researchers use advanced genomic, microarray and proteomic tools in both animal models and human disease to discover determinants of pathogenicity and host response.
Research within this theme will continue to expand through the detailed study of large clinical cohorts including inflammatory conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Such cohort building is a particular expertise of the Research Institute of the MUHC and is a cornerstone for high-impact studies.


text:
Given the amount of money Bill Gates has made, one would think he already understood how the private sector works. But his recent comments concerning green energy research and the public and private sector makes me think he has no idea what he's talking about:
Yes, the government will be somewhat inept… But the private sector is in general inept. How many companies do venture capitalists invest in that go poorly? By far most of them.
Yes. Precisely. It is absolutely necessary for companies to fail in order to find out which models, methods, programs, etc. are successful. The failure of a majority of companies invested in by venture capitalists is actually the strength, not the weakness of the private sector. It weeds out the duds.
Bill Gates is correct in that most of the companies invested in by the government do not fail. Why? They're not allowed to fail. This is not a good thing. No matter how bad a company or model is, the civil government can keep a dud alive indefinitely (I'm looking at you Chase, Bank of America, General Motors, the USPS, etc.). You would think that Bill Gates would understand that. Maybe he just feels guilty that Windows 8 sold so many units even though it was a befuddled piece of garbage, and he doesn't want to see other private companies have the same success with such poor products. Who knows?
Trending: Government Forces Churches To Perform Gay Marriage
But one thing is for sure. The only way we are going to have real gains in green energy is if companies that don't deliver are allowed to fail. Public sector investments don't guarantee that. They ensure the opposite, in fact. An article in the Daily Signal lists 34 green energy duds the civil government has supported, but that number is likely even higher. When the public sector supports innovation, the taxpayer pays multiple times. It's inefficient, corrupt, and inept. Somebody should tell Bill Gates.
The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by EagleRising.com


text:
Hey, guys. I know I've been away for a while, and again, I apologise for that as I've been very busy. I have an exciting news: I am now in England studying BA Hons in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Anyway, my family and I went to Central London about 2 weeks and below are some of the moments we captured. Hope you enjoy! :)
xoxo ♥


text:
Stephen has had the pleasure of writing several trade articles including the Colorado Meetings + Events Magazine. In their Winter 2017 issue Stephen talks about the "10 Insider A/V Tips Every Meeting Planner Should Know". Go HERE to see the write up (and choose page 24&25).
Category: UncategorizedBy Stephen O'Connor


text:
Mariam Sughayer
EA on Spore DRM debacle: There's been no change in basic policy
Speaking to Gamasutra, EA's said that Spore's DRM system is essentially the same as the disc-and-key method used in previous games."EA has not changed our basic DRM copy protection system," said EA's corporate communications boss, Mariam Sughayer."We simply changed the copy protection method from using the physical media, which requires authentication every time you play […]
Mariam Sughayer headlines
EA says working with Jack Thompson is "impossible"
EA would "strongly prefer" if Jack Thompson had nothing to do with its dealings with Take-Two. The anti-game lawyer had previously offered to lend a helping hand to the gaming giant in its efforts to take control of Take-Two, primarily as a way of taking out Jack's nemesis and GTA publisher, Strauss Zelnick. No thanks, […]


text:
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Airwolf Extended Themes officially released!
As of March 26th the limited edition 2CD album "Airwolf Extended Themes" is available for purchase on http://www.airwolfthemes.com. It was a long road: almost 8 years of development... and almost 20 years of conceiving. Thanks for your patience. Enjoy!
2 comments:
Hi Jan,ReplyDelete
I had a question about the Daddy's Gone Huntn Rare track. In the original there are stroke of keys that are played once the music takes off as the kid gets in Airwolf. They play at regular intervals. I'm wondering why aren't they present in your recording, was it a creative decision?
Hi Jaff,ReplyDelete
Yes, the omission is intended and it was a creative decision. While the xylophone/woodwind riffs were an interesting addition, I felt that they don't really fit the theme (and the show in general).
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
The AFP Ten Star Gold Award!
DATE: February 2017
FOR RELEASE: Immediate
CONTACT: Chandra Tracy, Chapter Administrator
(Arlington, Va.) – The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Suncoast Chapter has been named a 2017 Ten Star GOLD Chapter.
Every year, AFP, the largest association of professional fundraisers in the world, honors chapters for achieving goals that align with key objectives in its long-range strategic plan. Chapters receive the Ten Star GOLD Award for performing specific activities designed to increase professionalism within fundraising and public awareness of the importance of philanthropy.
Less than 20 percent of AFP's 243 chapters earn the Ten Star Gold Chapter recognition, making the Suncoast Chapter one of the association's leading chapters around the world.
# # #
Ten Star Gold Chapters are recognized at the AFP International Conference on Fundraising. Chapters also earn the privilege of displaying the Ten Star Gold logo on their website, newsletters and stationary.
"Our Ten Star Gold Chapters go above and beyond in terms of working with the community and educating people about fundraising and the importance of philanthropy and wise giving," said Jason Lee, AFP Interim President and CEO. "The Suncoast Chapter has done an extraordinary job, and I want to congratulate all of the chapter leaders and members for their dedication to ethical and effective fundraising and philanthropy. The Suncoast Chapter is an excellent resource for the local community, and I encourage those interested in fundraising and philanthropy to contact this Ten Star Gold Chapter."
Criteria for the award are determined by AFP International Headquarters. A list of several goals is published annually, and chapters must accomplish 16 of these goals during the year and submit a nomination form for verification to be honored.
For more information on the Ten Star Award process, please visit www.afpnet.org.
Since 1960, AFP has inspired global change and supported efforts that generated over $1 trillion. AFP's more than 33,000 individual and organizational members raise over $115 billion annually, equivalent to one-third of all charitable giving in North America and millions more around the world. For more information or to join the world's largest association of fundraising professionals, visit www.afpnet.org.
# # #


text:
Around 2030 hours, Thursday June 10, 1999, the Iranian regime attacked Camp Ashraf with Scud B missiles. The sound of the explosions was heard throughout the region.
Iran sought to attack the gathering of the NLA combatants in Pearl Cemetery in Camp Ashraf while attending the burial ceremony of their killed comrades. Tehran's terrorist teams had assassinated them a day earlier by a roadside bomb attack on the bus carrying PMOI/MeK members.


text:
Finding the best gifts for bowhunters in 2019 might seem hard at first — after all, bowhunting fanatics have much of the gear they need. That's not game over, though: Bowhunters wear out their archery gear, which means your best bowhunting gift can be a replacement or even an outright archery gear upgrade.
Best Bowhunting Gift Ideas: Our Guide
We take pride in our gift guide for bowhunters and archery hunting enthusiasts because we not only recommend a particular can't-go-wrong bowhunting gift, we also tell you why our choices are cool gifts for bowhunters. Because there are several types of bowhunters, not all archery gifts are the right fit. Eastern bowhunters who hunt whitetail deer in dense woods need different kinds of bowhunting gear than hunters who go after elk or mule deer in the wide-open ranges of the West. But don't worry — if one of our best bowhunting gift picks is better suited to one kind of bowhunting over another, we'll point that out.
Tips for Choosing Bowhunting Gifts
Some types of archery gear are particularly hard to buy for bowhunters. Case in point? A new compound bow. It's really hard to find the right bow for a bowhunter because there are so many variables in draw length, draw weight, and type of bow. Plus, there are a lot of personal variables involved.
What about arrows? You need to know the spine of arrow your hunter needs, and that's tough to figure out without a direct question. Release aids are similarly personal. Consequently, our guide to the best bowhunting gifts focuses on archery accessories like quivers, rests and sights — especially accessories that are clearly upgrades.
An even safer bet, though, revolves around the kinds of hunting gear bowhunters need, like a great rangefinder or a binocular chest harness or camo rain gear. If you get really stuck, get a lightweight first-aid kit and then add-in a clotting sponge as a stocking stuffer. Why? Broadheads on arrows are incredibly sharp, and accidents do happen.
For more detail, let's dive into our best bowhunting gift recommendations for 2019 and beyond.
25 Best Bowhunting Gifts 2019
1. Bow Buddy Bow Sling
Like some of the best gifts, the Bow Buddy Bow Sling is a surprisingly simple product: It's basically an easily adjustable over-the-shoulder bow sling for compound bows. Better yet, it's ultralight, which makes it great for most any bowhunter. It's pretty simple in how it works — two small straps go over the cams of a compound bow, and straightforward physics ensures that it stays put. You can walk over rough ground with this bow sling and it will stay put. It's also great for 3D bow shoots or using when you're practicing and sighting in your bow. We're big fans. To learn more, read our full Bow Buddy Bow Sling review — or just nab one for your bowhunter this year.
2. Rinehart Woodland Boar 3D Target
Most archery hunters like to shoot at 3D targets to help prep them for the coming hunting season. A good 3D target helps a bowhunter visualize a hunting moment, which is critical when a real animal steps into shooting range. The Rinehart Woodland Boar has a core that's constructed of Rinehart's self-healing foam to help ensure a target that can hold up to many practice shots. Better yet, the vital area is a replaceable locking insert — if your bowhunter does wear it out, it's easily replaceable. One more thing: The Rinehart Woodland Boar 3D Target is 24″ by 39″ long, so you don't have to worry — it's not a full-size boar target that's hard to store or move around.
Would you rather have a deer, elk, bear, coyote or turkey target? You can get those, too: Shop '3D Targets' at Cabela's for more options.
3. Easton Accessory Pro Shop Kit
If your bowhunters want to work on their own compound bows, the 12-piece Easton Accessory Pro Shop Kit is a great starting point. It includes hex wrenches, d-loop pliers, a bow square, knock tool, arrow puller, bowstring wax, serving thread, d-loop material, and a broadhead wrench. It comes in a zippered case, which means it's easy to pack for a hunting trip. It's especially a good bowhunting gift for newer bowhunters.
Also, the Easton Archery Essentials Value Kit is a good start for a new archer, too — your hunter can always add extras, like d-loop pliers, later.
4. Last Chance Archery Handheld Bow Scale
The Last Chance Archery Handheld Bow Scale is a quick and easy way to check your bow's draw weight. All you have to do is nock an arrow (for safety) and use the handheld bow scale to draw back your bow — while pointing the arrow in a safe direction. The Last Chance Archery Handheld Bow Scale won't release the arrow, of course, but it does measure peak draw weight. This is important for tuning, and it's helpful for bowhunters to know — and keep track off — their draw weight as they change arrows or replace strings.
5. Cabela's Elite Stop Crossbow Target (for bows, too)
The great thing about the Cabela's Elite Stop Crossbow Target is that it's tough and it just works well. It's rated to over 400 fps, which means it's more than capable of stopping arrows from the fastest compound bows available . . . and, of course, crossbow bolts. We smacked it with broadhead after broadhead and the self-healing foam held up remarkably well. Of course, it does the job with field points, too. It makes a great bowhunting gift because it's versatile, easy to pack to the field or hunting camp, it's self-standing, and it has a whopping 48 different shooting spots on it. (And it doesn't hurt that Cabela's is offering fast and free 2-day shipping on most orders over $50 this holiday season.)
6. Primos Bloodhunter HD Blood Trailing Light
Some of the best archery hunting is in the late afternoon and evening, and a successful hunt often means trying to find an animal in the dark. A blood trailing light is critical for helping bowhunters locate downed animals, especially in rough country with thick cover. The Primos Bloodhunter HD Blood Trailing Light uses 600 lumen CREE XM LEDs with an optical filter that reduces select colors to help amplify the visibility of blood. Incidentally, this specialized flashlight is one of our top gifts for all hunters — not just bowhunters — because most hunters want any edge they can get when tracking in the dark.
*Note: Stock will probably get low on these — also try Cabela's.
7. Plano Parallel Limb Hard Bow Case
The Plano Parallel Limb Hard Bow Case is a can't-go-wrong bowhunting gift because it's easily adjustable to fit just about any compound hunting bow. Plus, it's deep enough that you can leave many quivers attached to the bow when stored in the case. That's very handy. So how is the Plano Parallel Limb Hard Bow Case adjustable? You can move the two support pillars around inside the case so that they will avoid the bow's limbs, string, quiver, sight and any cords connected to a fall-away release. Other cases that don't have adjustable pillars might not fit your bowhunter's bow. This case is super adjustable. It's strong enough to handle the back of a pickup or a UTV — but it's not strong enough for airline travel. If you need a case that can take the abuse of airline baggage handlers, try the SKB Rectangle Double Bow Case or the awesome Pelican Air Bow Case.
8. Nikon MONARCH 3000 Stabilized Laser Rangefinder
Knowing the exact distance to a deer, elk or turkey is critical to bowhunters because their arrow flight paths differ so much at different distances. Get it wrong, and your hunter will miss. Enter a good rangefinder. We like the Nikon MONARCH 3000 Stabilized Laser Rangefinder because it has Nikon's popular Incline/Decline (ID) ranging technology that gives your bowhunter an angle-compensated distance. What's this mean? The rangefinder helps your bowhunter compensate for differences in the effect of gravity when they are shooting from a tree stand down or if they're in steep country shooting up or down hills. In addition, it has a Vibration Reduction (VR) feature that helps aging bowhunters with less steady hands . . . or any bowhunter who is dealing with a massive surge of adrenaline. If your bowhunter is also clumsy, go with the also excellent Vortex Ranger 1300 Rangefinder. Why? If your hunter drops and breaks it, Vortex will fix or replace it via the company's unlimited lifetime warranty. Hard to beat that.
9. Crossroad Archery Crossover 1233 Telescopic Stabilizer
Short stabilizers help reduce some vibration in a compound bow. Longer stabilizers help reduce bow torque and increase pin stability, but they're long and ungainly when you're out hunting in the forest. The Crossroad Archery Crossover 1233 Telescopic Stabilizer brings the best of both worlds: You can reduce the length of the stabilizer for shooting from a blind or tree stand but you can extend it to help provide stability for long shots. If your bowhunter wants to practice launching arrows well past 60 yards, a longer stabilizer can help increase effectiveness — and confidence. The Crossroad Archery Crossover 1233 Telescopic Stabilizer blends a vibration-reducing carbon body with adjustable weights at the end. It has a universal thread, so it should fit most any compound bow that has a built-in threaded stabilizer hole (and most do). Other stabilizers are great, but this one is something special. In our mind, it's a can't-go-wrong bowhunting gift.
10. B-Stinger Quick Disconnect
There are a variety of quick stabilizer disconnect systems available, and most of then work pretty well. The B-Stinger Quick Disconnect lets your bowhunter quickly and easily attach and remove their stabilizer. The main body of the disconnect bolts onto your stabilizer attachment point on your bow. A cylinder then screws onto the end of your stabilizer. By fitting the end of the cylinder into the main body of disconnect system, you can tighten and loose the stabilizer with just a couple turns — instead of many many turns without the quick disconnect. For bowhunters who use stabilizers over 6 inches or so, this little luxury is awesome and makes putting a bow away into a case very fast. For a super upgrade, go with the B-Stinger Elite Side Bar Quick Disconnect — it has an additional side angle disconnect that will let a bowhunter add weight to the side opposite of an attached quiver. This would be for bow hunters looking to fine-tune their accuracy and push their distance shots farther out.
11. TightSpot Quiver
Our favorite quiver is undeniably the TightSpot 5-Arrow Quiver. It is astoundingly well engineered, and it's built in the USA. For starters, the TightSpot Quiver has an ingenious mounting system — you can mount the TightSpot quiver much closer to the side of your compound bow than you can with most other quivers. This gets more weight closer to the center of your bow, which reduces torque. In addition, you can fine-tune the position of the quiver to get better balance out of your particular bow. But wait, there's a lot more: The quiver uses carbon fiber rods, so it's lightweight and strong, plus the construction helps reduce vibration on the shot. The TightSpot grippers that hold each arrow are particularly special: Over the last few years, more and more bowhunters have started using smaller diameter arrows. In fact, there are multiple diameters of arrows that your bowhunter could be using — or could change to next year. Most standard quivers have arrow grippers that are one size and they can start to wear out and loosen. The TightSpot Quiver has individually adjustable arrow grippers, which let you tighten the grippers to fit your arrows. This means you're far less likely to lose an arrow with a very sharp broadhead out of your quiver as you're walking through brush in the woods — and yes, that's happened to us, but only before the TightSpot. Better yet, TightSpot offers an IronClad guarantee — if the TightSpot quiver breaks on the original owner for any reason, TightSpot will repair or replace it at no cost. TightSpot also makes a 7-arrow version and 3-arrow version — you can get all three versions at BlackOvis with free shipping — but the 5-arrow version is right for most bowhunters.
12. Alaska Guide Creations Binocular Chest Pack
Once a hunter starts hunting with a binocular chest pack, which is basically a bino harness with a built-in case, there's no going back. You might think that a chest pack could interfere with the drawing of a bow, but they do not. Even the large Alaska Guide Creations Classic HBS with M.A.X. pocket (pictured) doesn't get in the way of a shot. More to the point, it keeps your binoculars handy, and the more you use your binoculars, the more likely it is that you're going to spot an animal. For most bowhunters, a chest pack that includes a pocket for a rangefinder is the way to go. We also like side pockets for stowing wind checker and other odds and ends. The AGC Classic will hold up to 12×50 binos, but the slightly smaller AGC Kodiak C.U.B. with M.A.X. Pocket that holds 10×42 binos is the best all-around size for the vast majority of bow hunters. BlackOvis stocks the AGC line and offers free shipping.
13. Petzl Tactikka +RGB Headlamp
Because bowhunters so often hike into tree stands and ground blinds before dawn — and don't leave until it's dark — a good headlamp is must-have archery hunting gear. The best headlamps for hunting have red, green, or blue light that can protect a hunter's night vision and not spook animals. The Black Diamond Storm might be the best overall and leads our guide to the best hunting headlamps, but we find ourselves reaching for the Petzl Tactikka +RGB Headlamp a little more often because it has a clean beam of light and it's easier to use. The sweet camo option doesn't hurt, too. If it's still sold out at Cabela's, try Moosejaw, which offers free 2-day shipping on most orders over $49.
14. Last Chance Archery PACK-N-GO Portable Bow Press
We are huge fans of the Last Chance Archery PACK-N-GO Portable Bow Press. To create the PACK-N-GO, Last Chance Archery modified the design of its popular EZ Green Press so it would break down into a rectangle just 3-inches thick. See those pins in the photo? They let the main bar fold over inline with the base. It's easy to stow in a car or pickup. The PACK-N-GO comes in a padded case that includes pockets for the patented finger system that provides pressure on the ends of a compound bow to safely press it. So why is the PACK-N-GO Portable Bow Press an awesome gift for bowhunters? The press will let bowhunters press their own bow to install peep sights and tune their compound bow. Better yet, a bowhunter could take the PACK-N-GO with them to hunting camp (we did) when they're far away from professional archery shops. If something goes wrong with their gear in the field, they'll have a chance to fix it without ruining their hunt. So cool.
15. HME Products Hard Surface Practice Hanger
The HME Products Hard Surface Practice Hanger works both inside and outdoors on the shooting range, making it a versatile archery gift. So why is it such a great gift for bowhunters? When your bowhunter is practicing outside, he or she has to put their bow down to pull their arrows from the target. You can set your bow on the ground, but you're introducing dirt, grass and debris to the bow. That's not terrible on it's own because we're talking about hunting bows, but bows on the ground are easily stepped on. That's very bad. A practice hanger lets your bowhunter safely hang the bow. An added bonus to the durable powder-coated HME Hard Surface Practice Hanger is the two Archer's Arrow Caddys that hold up to 6 arrows each.
16. Heads Up Cow Elk Decoy (and other big game decoys)
Because bowhunters must get very close in order to make ethical shots, they need every possible edge to help get an elk, deer, turkey or other big game animal in range. One way is with a big game decoy. While a bowhunter is mimicking the sound of say, a cow elk, a bull elk that is coming in to investigate the cow elk calls will be looking for a visual confirmation. An elk decoy helps provide that visual confirmation. Big game decoys aren't a slam dunk, but every little bit helps as your hunter tries to get into position for the one shot they'll get most seasons. This year, the Montana Decoy Elk Rump worked perfectly on a 5-point bull, holding his attention just long enough for a shot. Decoys won't solve everything hunting challenge, but we're believers and usually carry a packable decoy in our packs just in case. Oh, one more thing — big game decoys should not be used during rifle season when rifle hunters might be attempting long-range shots. They're best used for bowhunters only, who should never be fooled by a decoy themselves, especially within archery range.
Check out decoys for elk, deer, turkey, pronghorn, rabbit, goose and more at BlackOvis and get free shipping on most orders.
17. Pine Ridge Archery Archer's Allen Wrench Set
If you're looking for a great stocking stuffer for a bowhunter, a HEX wrench kit is a great archery gift. Technically, most bowhunters only need one of these, but hey, sometimes you lose one and it's always nice to keep one in the truck, archery go-bag, or in a hunting pack. The Pine Ridge Archery Archer's Allen Wrench Set is affordable but built with great quality — it's sized correctly and doesn't strip or round off the corners. The nine included sizes fit most bolts on most compound bows.
18. Primos Revolver Deer Grunt Call
One of our hunting buddies with teenage boys was able to grunt back and forth with several bucks last year — a cool experience, for sure. The Primos Revolver Deer Call is super simple to use and it lets you dial the nob to select the tone you're looking for, whether it's a territorial buck or doe or fawn bleat. Sometimes the grunt is the only thing that will turn a big buck your way — or stop him in his tracks to give you time to take a shot. Better yet, using a deer call is heckuva lot of fun, especially for bowhunters who need deer to come in close for a good, ethical shot.
19. Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls Wapiti Whacker Bugle Tube
The new for 2018 Rocky Mountain Wapiti Whacker Bugle Tube is the bugle we most want to try out next year. We've had great experiences with other bugle tubes from Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls, but the Wapiti Whacker is perhaps the most versatile and full-featured of all. The Wapiti Whacker includes RMHC's new V.E.T.T. mouthpiece design, which uses a spring inside the tube to enhance the volume and tone of various elk-calling notes. In addition, RMHC has included an additional, wider mouth piece option for hunters who prefer a wider tube opening when they call. Plus, the Wapiti Whacker has a new rubber coating around the end of the tube, which dampens the non-natural noise you get when you accidentally smack your tube against brush and branches while you're attempting to sneak through the forest. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a stocking stuffer for a bowhunting elk hunter, add a new elk diaphragm call or two. Most hunters are willing to try new ones to produce new tones, and if you're hunter is a newbie, they'll have a call to practice with all winter long.
20. Scent Crusher Ozone Gear Bag
A bunch of new scent-destroying ozone-producing products have hit the market lately, but not all of them are manufactured to particularly high standards. The bag we can vouch for is the Scent Crusher Ozone Gear Bag. It works. All you have to do is toss in your smelly hunting clothes, run a cycle of ozone through the bag, and boom, your hunting clothes are scent-free and pretty much sterilized, too. This means that only does the ozone break down molecules that smell, the ozone also kills odor-causing bacteria. This also means that you don't have to wash your expensive hunting camo gear nearly as often. Out at hunting camp, you can plug in the Scent Crusher Ozone Gear Bag into a charging port in your vehicle or any standard outlet. If your bowhunter is hunting elk, whitetail deer, or bear, reducing scent can help make the difference between success and failure. Turkey? Not so much. Of course, the Scent Crusher will still destroy bacteria, which is always handy on day four at hunting camp. If you need one more push in favor of the Scent Crusher Ozone Gear Bag, it refreshes stinky gym shoes, too.
20. Plano Archery Accessory Box
The Plano Archery Accessory Box is a super simple, affordable bowhunting gift under $25. It's not flashy, but wow, is it useful. Bowhunters have a lot of small miscellaneous pieces of specific gear they need to store . . . and then access without scrambling to find it. This handy box has a see-through lid, foam insert compartments and a lift-out accessory tray with 8-16 adjustable compartments. A bowhunter can store broadheads in it, field points, fletches, glue, tools, nocks, peep sights, serving thread, and more.
22. Muddy Rebel 2.5 Tree Stand Ladder Stand
Many deer hunters, including archery deer hunters, use tree stands to put them in a position to spot and shoot deer as they come through higher-traffic areas. Better yet, a tree stand hunter often has other trees and places they would like to set up a tree stand — but they don't want to move an existing tree stand that's already in a pretty good spot. So for bowhunters who hunt from tree stands, an extra stand is very often a great bowhunting gift idea. The Muddy Rebel 2.5 Tree Stand is a two-person ladder stand. Ladder stands tend to blend comfort with stability, and they're especially good for younger or older hunters. One nice feature of the Muddy Rebel 2.5 is the flip up seats that let one person stand while the other sits. If you truly only want a single-person stand, try the X-Stand Treestands The Duke.
23. Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness
One of the leading causes of severe and life-threatening accidents for bowhunters is falling from treestands. All tree stand hunters can fall on the way up and on the way down, but bowhunters are at particular risk because of the space and angles required to draw a bow and make a shot while maintaining their balance. The answer is to use a safety harness, but many hunters haven't made the investment in the nominal cost to use them — which makes a safety harness a very good gift for a bowhunter who uses treestands.
Why can't you just trust a rope? Once you fall and get entangled, it's extremely difficult to pull yourself back up — and many hunters, especially when they're in heavy layers and it's cold outside, can't do it. A good harness like the X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness safely spreads the weight over multiple body points.
24. Black Gold Ascent Verdict Archery Sight
If your bowhunter has aspirations of long-distance shooting, it's time for a movable "slider" sight that lets your bowhunter dial in the pins for distances ranging out to 100 yards and beyond. To do it, movable/slider sight manufacturers do some serious math for you so you can dial in your pins by moving them up or down so that your arrows will hit at the desired distance. No sight will turn you into a great shot, but starting with an awesome tool helps. The Black Gold Ascent Verdict is one of the best slider pin sights, especially for hunters. Why? Aside from being 100 percent built in the USA out of Belgrade, Montana, Black Gold sights are rugged and dependable. And if you do break one, for any reason, Black Gold will repair or replace it at no additional charge. Still, there is another super cool feature: Black Gold's patented PhotoChromatic shell, which covers the sight's fiber optic strands. This shell darkens in bright light (see the purple in the photo) and lightens in less light. The result is that you avoid getting overly bright pins that "starburst" in your vision — yet you also get bright pins in low-light hunting situations. It works surprisingly well. You can go with a single-pin version, but we like the multi-pin 5-pin option because it lets you always have five pins instantly ready at five distances if you have a deer or elk coming in fast.
25. Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind
There are lots of places where a bowhunter could use a ground blind — but probably doesn't. Most elk hunters don't use ground blinds simply because they usually have to travel great distances to find elk (but some do). Deer and turkey hunters, on the other hand, can usually find a place to hunt where a ground blind would be perfect. The Primos Double Bull Deluxe Ground Blind uses a hub design that creates sturdy walls and roof. It sets up fast, and the adjustable window opens wide enough to shoot arrows through. Inside, your hunter will have a 5′ x 5′ floor area to work with. Plus, the interior is also dark to help hide your hunter in the shadows.
Bonus: YETI Roadie 20 Cooler
We hunted hard for much of one particularly hot September, covering a lot of ground looking for elk. For most of our vehicle trips, we took the YETI Roadie 20 with us. Normally, we're big fans of packable soft-sided coolers, but the YETI 20 Roadie won us over for its superior durability and fantastic insulating abilities. We let it bounce around in the back of the pickup with miscellaneous (and sometimes poky) gear and tools. When we loaded it up with lunch and cold drinks, we used very little ice, which was often in short supply at hunting camp. The YETI Roadie 20 Cooler performed admirably through it all. Let's put it this way: If any bowhunter could not figure out how to use and appreciate this cooler, we wouldn't want to hunt with that bowhunter. Because it's a splurge sort of item when it comes to most bowhunter's budgets, it makes a fantastic, surprising gift.
Best Bowhunting Stocking Stuffer:
Pine Ridge Archery Kwik Stand Bow Support
The Pine Ridge Archery Kwik Stand Bow Support is a great portable bow stand for most any compound bow archer, but it's especially good for hunters because it's portable. Many archery hunters like to take a few practice shots at hunting camp or right before they head out on hunt, and rarely is there a good place to set down a compound bow. A good portable stand will hold the bow upright, keeping it easily seen (and not stepped on or kicked). Better yet, the stand can be used to hold a bow while a hunter makes in-the-field minor adjustments to a bow hunting setup.
Sill Looking for Gift Ideas?
No problem. Check out these gift guides, too:
- 55+ Camping Gifts for Campers & Outdoor Fanatics
- 45 Best Gifts for Hunters
- 20 Stocking Stuffers for Hunters
- 45 Best Gift Ideas for Fly Fishing Fanatics
- 35 Best Gifts for Backpackers


text:
The 27-year-old midfielder helped steer his team to a 2-1 victory against his former club Portsmouth at the Reebok Stadium.
"Matt's set-piece delivery is second to none, he tucks in, does his bit defensively and gets forward," said Megson. "You do not like pushing people forward but if England are looking for someone in what is a problem area they could do worse than look at at Matt."
He added: "He works his socks off and it was a really good performance by him. He has really settled down and added goals to his game."
Gardner's goal was also explosive after he had been set up by the industrious Taylor following another quick counter-attack.
Crouch, however, took his tally for the Premier League season to eight when he headed in a delightful cross from Niko Krancjar.
Portsmouth manager Tony Adams decided to give a run-out in the second half to Lassana Diarra even though they have accepted a bid from Real Madrid for the midfielder.
Adams explained: "Lassana is still our player and he remains committed to the club.
"He is a great guy, a great professional, who wants to play and train. He wanted to be in the squad.
"He is negotiating personal terms with Real after we agreed a fee with them. But I still needed him on the pitch."


text:
6 South Florida Birthday Party Ideas for Boys or Girls for 2016
Need a place near Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Boca Raton that has plenty of indoor activities for children's activities? Call a team member at The Wow Factory for more information.
Now that 2015 is over and 2016 soon to be here it's time to start over. Last year's child party themes included Hello Kitty, Pirates, and Legos. This year with the release of the new Star Wars movie "The Force Awakens" this past December, this is sure to be a big hit. Here are a few party ideas to keep in mind that will be trending in 2016.
1. Sports Party: If your son or daughter plays sports or are athletic then this will be a no-brainer for you. Invite guests to come wearing their jersey's or a sports uniform. Parents can dress up in Ref outfits to set them apart. Bring cupcakes or bake a cake shaped like footballs or soccer balls. Decorate with their team colors and you've got a festive party made for their team spirit.
2. Princess for a Day: Princess for a day continues to carry out from the beginning of time. With this timeless theme, you can still give a fresh new approach. Why not make it a Fairy Princess theme and hand out the little ones a set of wings, a tiara, and, of course, a wand? Don't get stuck in a hole of pink and white here. Think pastel yellows, blues, and lavender as part of the color scheme for your child's special day. Lots of tissue flowers and brightly colored decorations add the final touch.
3. Star Wars: Star Wars will be all the craze for either a boy or girl this year with the continuing saga of the movie. For decorations drum up storm trooper balloons, from your local party supply. Use large black paper and white paint and create a backdrop using the Star Wars lettering. Don't forget to add a lot of stars. You can make Darth Vader gift bags and don't forget to pass out the light sabers. For parents wanting to go the extra mile hire an impersonator of a Luke Skywalker or Yoda.
4. Dora the Explorer: Dora continues to be a favorite among the kid party themes. To liven up the room, think hot pink and purple banners and streamers. Make an impression with tissue papered flowers or large colorful balloon arrangements. Pass out purple book bags filled with party supplies or guest gifts. Remember to include Dora's monkey and other friends as part of your décor.
5. Firefighter: Another continuing theme that's exciting for any children is the Fire Fighter Party. Big Red, yellow and orange balloons with varying sizes can simulate fire. You can pass out firefighter hats and decorate cupcakes with fire engines and Dalmatians. Use a faux brick wall backdrop and hang a firefighter costumes, fire hats.


text:
A Lesson in Ugly
A Lesson in Ugly
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be The Best You Can Be
A Lesson in Ugly
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
~Kahlil Gibran
One of my earliest memories is being all dressed up to have my picture taken. I remember Mother bathing me, putting lotion on my hair and curling it around her finger as she blew on it. I twisted and squirmed and she patiently told me a story as she worked on my hair.
"This will make you pretty," she explained. "You're going to have your picture taken and you want to look pretty, don't you?"
I was a child in the late 40s and early 50s, and that was the time when ladies wore hats and gloves and nylon hose. Men wore three-piece suits, hats, and carried handkerchiefs. Whether it was to church, shopping, or to a special event, everyone dressed their best. There was no jeans, sweatshirts, tennis shoes, or baggy anything.
We lived in an antebellum house in Palestine, Texas, on a large two-acre lot. For some reason, we attracted the discarded and homeless pets of the area. If it was a stray, it ended up in our yard. In the evening Grandpa would fill a half dozen tin pie plates with leftovers and some cheap cat food and take them out into the backyard. He would bang a couple of plates together, yell "kitty, kitty, kitty." After he went back into the house, a dozen feral cats would creep out from the bushes, the sheds, and the storage building and chow down. Sometimes there was even a stray dog or two. If they were tame, Grandpa would try and find homes for them.
It was 1950 and just after Christmas when I came in from school, changed clothes, and grabbed a sandwich before heading across the hall to see my grandparents. I was surprised to see my grandmother sitting alone sipping coffee.
"Where's Grandpa?" I asked.
"Oh, he's in the basement working on an old stray cat that snuck in the basement window. The cat is badly burned, but you know your grandpa, he's determined to doctor that old cat up."
I headed for the cellar. In the past we had sewn up an old hen that had been attacked in the hen house, bandaged dozens of cuts, scrapes, and injuries of assorted cats, dogs, pigs, horses, and even a cow or two. Grandpa could not stand by and let any creature suffer.
Grandpa's back was to me and I couldn't see the cat that Grandma had mentioned. I saw a bottle of salve and one of Grandma's aloe vera plants sitting on the table, along with two large rolls of gauze and some adhesive tape. I thought the cat had probably blistered a foot or maybe his tail and hurried over to see if I could help.
As I reached his side and got a good look at his patient, I felt all the air sucked from my lungs. My gasp was loud and my grandfather looked at me and smiled a sad smile.
"Not very pretty, is he?" he said softly.
I couldn't answer. I had never seen anything so horrible. One side of the cat's face was totally devoid of hair and skin, his right ear was completely burned off and one eye was seared shut. There were large burns along his side and back, and his tail was missing. His legs and feet were blistered and raw, and the cat just lay in my grandfather's arms trembling.
"Is he going to die?" I whispered.
"Not if I can help it," Grandpa said with tears in his eyes.
"How did this happen?" I asked.
"He must have gotten cold and tried to get into the cellar. I figured he slipped when he got through the window and fell behind the furnace. I kept hearing this faint cry so I came down and found him. He had managed to climb out from behind the furnace."
"But, he is one of the wild ones, isn't he? How come he's letting you hold him?"
"He knows, my dear. He knows I wouldn't hurt him. He needs help. His pain is stronger than his fear."
"Grandpa, even if he lives, he's going to be so ugly," I commented as I looked at the damage the furnace had done.
"So what?" my grandpa said harshly. "Would you love me less if I were burned and ugly?"
"Of c-course not," I stammered.
"Are you sure?" he stared at me. He was smearing the burn cream from the jar over the cat's face and stubble of an ear. "You know, I was always told not to judge a book by the cover. Do you know what that means?"
I nodded. "It means sometimes a book is really good even if the cover isn't."
"That's right," he smiled. "It's important to look good because most people are too quick to judge by appearances. Still, it's even more important to take the time to get to know people and find out if the person is a good person, a kind person, and a person who might enrich your life. You mustn't associate with people who are mean, have no respect, and disregard the law, but those people usually have a reputation that is well known."
"Mother always wants me to look pretty," I argued. "All the most popular people at school are pretty."
"That's for now," he explained. "Now is what young people think about, but now isn't all there is to life. Animals don't care who's popular and who's not. All animals care about is staying warm in the winter, cool in the summer, food to keep them from being hungry, and friends to share their lives with. They don't ask for a lot and they only judge by actions, not looks."
Grandpa doctored the poor cat, smearing ointment on his burns, bandaging his wounds, and all the while murmuring soft comforting sounds. We spent an hour in the basement that day. We bandaged and wrapped and squeezed out the cooling sap of the aloe vera plant and applied it to the places that were the most severe.
Every day for the next month, Grandpa and I changed bandages, reapplied medication and hand-fed the injured cat. He did recover, but his injuries had taken their toll on his appearance. He lost the use of his right eye and it grew shut and his ear was little more than a bald stub. His fur never grew back over the burn scars on his face or his body.
What I discovered, what my grandfather had tried to tell me, was that the sparkle in his good eye, the soft purr from his scarred chest, and the gentle rub of his mangled head against my leg gave me a feeling that I had never experienced before. When I gathered Lucky, his new name, into my arms, I didn't see an ugly cat. I saw a cat full of love and appreciation, and happy to be alive.
It may sound fake, unbelievable, and mushy, but that cat changed my outlook. That cat, my grandfather, and the advice he gave me opened doors I didn't know existed. I started looking at my classmates differently. The beautiful people didn't stand out so much anymore and I discovered lots of new friends who made my years in school the best. I never made the most popular list, but I didn't care. I wasn't the prettiest, but that didn't matter. My friends, like Lucky, knew how to be friends, how to love, laugh, and appreciate life. None of them were ugly, nor beautiful, but I discovered that there is a fine line between the two and that fine line is deep inside.
I still like to look my best, but now I look deeper, beneath, inside. After all, that's where real beauty lies. Ugly is a word that defines a person's action, feelings, and lifestyle. As far as I'm concerned it had nothing to do with looks.
~Bobbie Shafer
You are currently enjoying a preview of this book.
Sign up here to get a Chicken Soup for the Soul story emailed to you every day for free!
Please note: Our premium story access has been discontinued (see more info).
Title: Reprinted by permission of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC © 2015. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.


text:
Softworks Solutions will soon be available to Australian businesses following a new partnership with Time & Access Systems.
Australian based Time and Access Systems was founded in 2001 and is a solution provider and reseller of award winning, international workforce management solutions. They currently have offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, and support Australia-wide.
Softworks are delighted to be increasing their global presence with this new venture. With offices already in Ireland (HQ), UK, USA and Canada this was a natural progression for the company. Andrew Ferguson, Softworks CEO had this to say;
"We are very excited about this new venture. We already provide our solutions to businesses across Europe and North America and more recently, we have had our eyes on the Australian market. We were waiting for the right partner, who understands and shares our commitment to our customers. We are delighted to be working with Time & Access Systems who like us, have many years of experience in workforce management solutions, a proven track record and similar company values and beliefs".