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Podcasting has been growing steadily since its inception. Although according to Media Analyst Bridge Ratings, 48% of people aged 12 and over have no interest in listening to podcasts. That is down from 64% in 2015.
Even though the number of people who listen to podcasts has grown year-over-year, and the number of people who don't want to be bothered has decreased, there is still room for podcast growth.
Benefits of Podcast Listening
- Portable and on-demand – Podcasts are ideal entertainment while doing other tasks. Whether you are tackling chores or a commute, podcasting is the go anywhere, on-demand media that can supply you with hours of listening enjoyment.
- Learn, be entertained, and expand boundaries – Podcasts are wonderful for entertainment, but in this era of hypersensitive productivity and time frugality, podcasts will allow you to learn something new while accomplishing a more mundane and repetitive task. Maybe multitasking exists after all.
- Something for everyone – Podcasts have taken niches to the extreme. You can find a podcast about almost any topic imaginable. Whether your interests are MMA, geocaching, history, business, marketing, TV, or anything else there is a podcast that focuses on that topic.
- Low cost or free – Most podcasts are free. Most modern podcasts get their ad revenue from download impressions, so it benefits podcasters to make their shows easily available.
Current Barriers of Podcast Listening
- Difficult to find and download – This is probably the biggest stumbling block to podcast growth. There is still close to a 50% group of potential listeners who don't know how to find, download and listen to podcasts.
- Shows that are too long or boring – Almost a quarter of those surveyed said they stop listening to shows that are too long, rambling or just plain boring. The barriers to entry as a podcaster are low but show quality matters to listeners.
- Technical issues – Along with finding the shows and figuring out how to listen to them, technical issues can make listening to podcasts too much effort. The technology needs to be fast and easy.
Streaming Media Is the Answer for Easy Podcast Listening
Podcast streaming is already available on many devices, but it still takes a bit of technological know-how and access to a smart device to use it. New devices with easy built in functionality will remove the cumbersome burden of searching and downloading podcasts.
According to Dave Van Dyke of Bridge Ratings, 2017 will be a breakout year for podcasting, a platform that offers content for just about any taste or interest. This may be the year that the confluence of technology, advertising, and consumer interest meet.
Alexa, Play My Favorite Podcast
What was the world's largest online store's best seller over Christmas 2016? It was the Amazon Echo. Not only do millions of new homes have an Amazon Echo in them, Alexa the voice technology inside the Echo was featured in a number of new products in the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show CES.
Alexa can not only control lights and thermostats through integrations with the devices, but many devices have full featured Alexa voice built into them. Smart speakers that aren't Echo devices will have full Alexa functionality, as well as other smart appliances like the LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator.
You can even find Alexa inside this cute Lynx robot by Ubtech Robotics. Ford is even adding Alexa to it's SYNC 3 infotainment system. So your conversation with Alexa doesn't have to end when you leave the house.
How to Use Alexa to Play Podcasts
There are three ways to play podcasts using Alexa. Voice commands using the TuneIn service, streaming podcasts you have downloaded into Amazon cloud, or by using Bluetooth to connect to a phone or other device.
Alexa is an amazing alarm clock, and many Echos are in people's bedrooms. If you can't sleep and you want to hear a podcast, you can tell Alexa to play a podcast from TuneIn. This is the easiest hands-free way to stream podcasts with no prior planning.
The downside is that TuneIn may not feature lesser known podcasts and Alexa may not understand what podcast you are asking for if it is a less common one. If Alexa is giving you a hard time about playing your podcast of choice, you can always go into the Alexa app>Music & Books>TuneIn and select your podcast of choice.
If you have to use your phone anyway, you could just pair your phone with Bluetooth and pick a podcast from the podcast player on your phone. The TuneIn app is for hands free podcast listening. To have more control pair your phone and use the Echo as a speaker.
You can also download podcasts from your computer into Amazon's cloud service and then access and play them with Alexa. This method adds a layer of complexity and defeats the convenience of a streaming service.
Otto Radio Streaming App for News & Podcasts
Otto Radio is a website and a streaming app for Android and iOS. Otto radio curates news and podcasts according to your tastes and enables you to listen with the touch of a button. The Otto radio algorithm is kind of like a music genome project for podcasts combined with an easy streaming app.
This seems to solve two of the barriers to podcast listening. Making it easy to find and listen to podcast shows. They use machine learning and expert editorial insight in curating the podcast options. This may also tackle the third barrier which is too long, boring, or poor quality podcasts. Otto Radio was another star at CES 2017 and is another tool to make listening to podcasts easier and more mainstream.
2017 The Year of The Podcast
Podcast producing and listening has had steady growth. As technology makes finding and listening to podcasts easier, this trend should continue. New devices offering easy podcast streaming should help push the trend forward.
New devices and technology should also make keeping track of streaming shows and stats easier and more accurate leading to more advertising opportunities for podcasters. The one caveat is that more listeners and more advertising opportunities may also lead to higher quality standards.
Just like now niche topics will always have a market, but when it comes to extremely large mainstream shows, listeners may be more fickle and demand higher quality. Creating interesting content with great audio quality will always be in demand. The good news is that the future of podcasting is looking so bright we gotta wear shades.


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The last two weeks have witnessed serial kidnappings and murder in Nasarawa state, especially in Nasarawa local government, as one Kamilu Dalhatu of Bursery Department of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa was kidnapped alongside three of his friends on his wedding day.
They were kidnapped on Saturday, 16th March, 2019 on their way to Nasarawa from Udege-Mbeki having attended the wedding ceremony. They were later released after their families paid an undisclosed amount to the abductors as ransom.
In a related development, Alhaji Jibrin M. Usman, the Managing Director, Nasarawa Micro Finance Bank, also in Nasarawa local government was kidnapped at his Marmara residence on Sunday, 24th March, 2019. He, like others, was released after payment of an undisclosed amount to his abductors.
A newly wedded man by the name Shuaibu Owuna was reportedly murdered in cold blood by unknown gunmen on his way to Nasarawa from Onda. He was said to have wedded last Saturday, 23rd March, 2019 at Onda, his community.
Chairman of Correspondents' Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Nasarawa State, Suleiman Abubakar's wife, Yahanasu Abubakar, was among those kidnapped.
Suleiman told newsmen that the incident happened around 7:00 p.m. along Gudi-Garaku road in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
He further disclosed that negotiations for the release of the women was ongoing as the kidnappers have demanded for N5 million ransom.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mary Jerome's fight against ovarian cancer started three years ago when she sought care at a hospital outside her insurance network. She also had to take on her insurance company, reports CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston.
"It's hard enough to get the courage to fight the cancer and then to be thrown into despair of thinking your financial world has collapsed," Jerome said.
She was stuck paying $46,000 for treatment her insurance company wouldn't cover.
"I was aghast when I started getting the bills. And it took me a while to figure out what was going on," she said.
Here's what was going on: Insurance companies determine reimbursement for out-of-network care based of what's called "usual, customary and reasonable rates" or UCR.
Those rates are determined by a firm called Ingenix. It turns out, Ingenix is owned by United Health Group, one of America's biggest insurance providers.
On Tuesday, New York state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo called it a conflict of interest that lowballs a medical provider's average fee by as much as 28 percent.
"These companies that have been involved with Ingenix, there is a very strong case that they were perpetuating consumer frauds," Cuomo said.
In a decision with national implications, United Health agreed to pay $50 million to establish an independent rating agency and shut down Ingenix.
"We regret that conflicts of interest were inherent in these Ingenix database products," said United Health Group attorney Mitchell Zamoff.
"As for cheated consumers, will they ever get any of their money back from the insurance companies?" Pinkston asked Cuomo.
"Yes, yes," Cuomo said. "We said today is the first step. I believe consumers are entitled to hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursement."
While Mary Jerome doesn't expect to get any money back herself, she hopes her fight will make a difference for other patients.


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• Julian Assange, the 39-year-old man behind WikiLeaks, has surrendered to police in London to face a Swedish arrest warrant over allegations of rape and sexual molestation. As of Tuesday afternoon, in Britain, he was waiting to attend a hearing at Westminster Magistrate's Court. Per his lawyer, he would challenge extradition to Sweden. [Houston Chronicle][The Guardian, for live-blog]
• WikiLeaks will continue to operate, run by people in London and other locations, despite Assange's arrest. [Mashable]
• Elizabeth Edwards, 61, has been told by doctors that further treatment of her cancer would be unproductive and she may only have a few weeks left. She's "resting at home" in North Carolina with her family, including estranged husband John. [CBS]
• V.P. Joe Biden will meet with a potentially "surly" group of Democrats to talk about a deal the Obama administration has made with Republican leaders to keep Bush-era tax cuts for two more years. [CNN]
• A 12-pound dog on a US Airways flight bound from Newark to Phoenix got loose and went on a biting spree, forcing an emergency landing in PIttsburgh. The dog is named Mandy, which is probably why she's so mad. Her owner, an 89-year-old woman, is appropriately embarrassed. [NYP]
• A Long Island middle school is now teaching manners. [NBC NY]
• There may be more snow flurries today! Plus, cold, brisk, windy, colder. Yep, it's December… [AccuWeather]
• Except, somebody didn't get the memo. People, shorts in December? Even at a dive bar, that's ridiculous. [Bowery Boogie]
This article from the Village Voice Archive was posted on December 7, 2010


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Rowan Coleman: the attack on art
PUBLISHED: 16:02 08 May 2018 | UPDATED: 16:02 08 May 2018
Rowan wonders what our civilisation will look like if we continue to devalue cultural works
This month my latest novel The Summer of Impossible Things is published in paperback. Set in Brooklyn in 1977, it's a story about love, family and courage. And a little bit of disco. It's almost two years since I finished writing it, a book that itself was almost two years in the making. But I still remember how long I laboured over every word, and every paragraph, and every draft, and all the passion and love for storytelling that I poured into it.
I'm fortunate enough (so far!) to have made my living from writing novels but I wonder if soon that will be a distant memory for new and established writers alike. Over the past decade we've seen the monetary value of books consistently devalued – to the point where most e-books must be priced at 99p to hit the bestsellers list, or under £3 in paperback. It seems people don't want to pay more than the cost of a cup of coffee for a book anymore, even though a novel represents months of work and lasts much longer than your average beverage, not to mention that it could potentially change your life.
Even if a book is published, success is dependent on it being one of the handful of books selected to appear on supermarket shelves or Waterstones tables –much coveted positions that I've been lucky enough to see my books in more than once.
Readers are much less likely to browse than they used to, too. When was the last time you visited your local bookshop and ran your finger along the 'spine out' sections to see what new writer you might discover? Or do you go to the main tables and see what's in the three-for-two offers?
It's a dangerous game we play when we stop valuing art of any kind. Without literature – and works of art, music and theatre – what kind of civilisation are we? It would be one without beauty or joy – a corporate homogeneous mass.
If we make it impossible for people from ordinary backgrounds, like myself, to earn a living creating works of fiction, we are left with two scenarios only – everything we read, watch, or listen to will have been produced by a privileged few who don't need the money to survive, or all art will soon be made by bots and AI. A new kind of civilisation will be dawning – one without humans at its core.
Art is the best gauge to measure the state of humanity that there is, and as such we should value it. We should treasure it.
So please go to a bookshop, browse and buy a book, even if it costs more than a fiver. And if it happens to be mine, then my children and bank manager thank you.
Bestselling novelist and mum-of-four Rowan Coleman shares the chaos and comedy of her life in the county
Twitter: @rowancoleman


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Read the full article
This article was originally published in issue #46
To read the article in its entirety, view the digital magazine
The Pusher is exactly what it says it is – a clean boost pedal offering up to 15dB level boost
No compromise clean boosting
Solid construction
A thoroughbred Pro pedal
None at all
We checked out three of Danish maker LunaStone's pro-class effects in GI 44 but weren't able at that stage to get our hands on the fourth pedal in the company's line-up – the Pusher. Now Sam Bell completes the set.
In the world of guitar effects there seems to be a huge surge of micro-pedals at the moment, all designed take up a small foot print on our well thought-out pedal boards. There is a downside to this otherwise positive movement, however – or at least, there can be – as some I have encountered seem to suffer from their makers having compromised on component quality along the way. Here though, we are taking a look at a micro pedal that isn't compromised in any way at all and really has a lot to offer from its small package. It's The Pusher, a brand new boost pedal from the Danish maker, LunaStone.
The Pusher is exactly what it says it is – a clean boost pedal offering up to 15dB level boost. A boost pedal can be used to push your valve amp into more saturated stages of overdrive or if strategically placed in your pedal chain, as a volume boost for those knee sliding guitar solos that I've seen you do! You can also use the added boost from this pedal in front of the amp to emphasise the details and characteristics of your desired tone.
When the pedal is used at low boost levels in front of the amp, you get a nice bit of push where the pick attack gets slightly accented, the natural compression this brings to the signal chain in front of the amp creates a rewarding spongy feeling when playing and makes notes pop out the fretboard a bit more.
At higher levels of boost, with a light bit of overdrive on the amp, the LunaStone Pusher drives your amp into a fully saturated overdrive for screaming bends, pinch harmonics and shredding riffs. The pick attack is accented even more now due to the natural compression this presents to your signal chain - all the time however, the tone of the amp and guitar isn't sacrificed, it's actually beefing up the tone in the lower middle range by tightening up the lower spectrum of our sound. Which leads me onto an important point about this pedal. Whilst it's a clean boost to emphasise your tone and push the amp into further states of saturation, some clean boosts do this at the expense of some of the frequencies of your natural tone. The LunaStone Pusher pedal, on the other hand, keeps these frequencies intact and keeps your tone sounding nice and fat (if you want it that way, after all it's down to how you set your amp!). This pedal certainly adds to your tone but without any fake ingredients and certainly doesn't take anything away from your tone either.
Constructionally, this pedal is very well built. As a regularly gigging musician, my pedals get a beating! I do own a few micro pedal types and I normally have to place them strategically on the board so I can see them properly and not trip over them when stamping on one, so The Pusher appealed to me from the moment I took it out of the box, feeling reassuringly well made, with a reinforced footswitch, a large boost control knob that is made to last and a really cool large magnified blue LED so if you can't hear your tones being boosted (I don't think that will happen with this pedal!) you can definitely see it's being boosted from a mile away. The input and output sockets are also reinforced so what you have here is a thoroughly professional pedal made to be used hard and to be entirely reliable when it is. I would love to have this on my pedal board and I would recommend checking it out for some quality clean boost action!
This article was originally published in issue #46
To read the article in its entirety, view the digital magazine


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You are an expat who have gotten a job appointment in Hong Kong, so aside from packing up and getting your papers ready, another major task is to find appropriate housing.
The property market and how it works are different from country to country, so when it comes to renting a home in Hong Kong, expats who are not familiar with the city should pay extra attention to, not just the rental process and regulations, but also their selection of neighbourhood and type of housing based on practical and preferential considerations.
You might also like
>> Moving Abroad? How to Prepare for Your Move to Hong Kong
First, you got to decide on 2 things: your lifestyle and whether you wish to live like a local. If you are moving to Hong Kong with your family, then there is no doubt that your family life will be top priority. But if you are single, that's another story.
For single expats who want to enjoy nightlife in the city, the Island side would be the choice as you can easily find entertainment locales frequented by expats in Lan Kwai Fong, Wanchai and Stanley. Popular neighbourhoods that are within close or reasonable distance include Mid-Levels, Kennedy Town and Taikoo Shing.
Onto the next decision – Do you want to live life like a foreigner or try to experience the city like a local? If you want stay close to your fellow expats, there are neighbourhoods with a sizable expat population already mentioned above. Otherwise, you can choose from any neighbourhood with a living standard that ranges from economical, mid-range to premium.
You might also like
>> How to Live an Affordable and Comfortable Life in Hong Kong
>> Best International Schools in Hong Kong
Type of Housing
Most Hongkongers live in apartment buildings but there are other housing options available such as tong lau, village house, serviced apartment and mansion. For single expats, serviced apartment might suit them best, with some offering a comprehensive package of gym, leisure facilities, housekeeping, shuttle bus and concierge services etc. For couples and families, if convenience is your top priority, renting an apartment would be the logical choice. For other options like tong lau, village house and mansion, they have relatively larger living space but might pose some inconveniences in your daily commute as most of them are located in the suburbs. Read more about the different housing options in A Guide to Hong Kong Housing options for Expats.
You might also like
>> Why is Sai Kung the ultimate expat heaven?
>> Serviced Apartment in Hong Kong
Other than lifestyle, location is another main issue to consider, which also ties in with your choice of housing, especially village houses because they are mostly available in suburbs like Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay etc.
When deciding on a neighbourhood for your family, you should first think about your daily commute to work. Unlike the US, Australia or some European countries, it is not advisable to drive to work in Hong Kong because with buses, mini buses and other private vehicles on the road, traffic can get rather congested and hectic during rush hours, and sometimes, the most suitable family neighbourhoods might not have a comprehensive transport system and are not covered by the MTR, costing you a couple or more transfers before reaching the workplace. This will pose an even bigger problem for those living on islands like Cheung Chau and Lamma Island for the ferry doesn't run 24/7 and will suspend service early if there is a typhoon on the way.
Other considerations might include the selection of international or local schools for your children and convenience to daily amenities – the latter should not be of much concern as most neighbourhoods are equipped with the basics, it all comes down to the variety of choices.
Rental Agreement
How long will you be staying in Hong Kong? The usual tenancy period of a residential property is 2 years, with fix term tenancy for the first year and break clause for the second. If you are staying for more than 2 years and don't want to bother with the possibility of finding another place afterwards, try to negotiate for an option to renew in your agreement.
If you are staying in a serviced apartment, the minimum stay period is usually 30 days.
Since your stay in Hong Kong is not permanent, you might want to look for a property that comes with basic furniture and home appliances, so that you don't have to spend extra to purchase large items that you will need to get rid of when you depart. Though not widely practised, there are landlords out there who prefer to rent to expats and are willing to agree to such condition, so keep an eye out and you might get lucky!


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Learn about Chardonnay — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While practically every country in the wine producing world grows it, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. As far as cellar potential, white Burgundy rivals the world's other age-worthy whites like Riesling or botrytized Semillon. California is Chardonnay's second most important home, where both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines enjoy great popularity. Oregon, Australia and South America are also significant producers of Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes for Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a dry, white wine. When Chardonnay grapes are planted on cool sites, the resulting wine's flavors tend towards grapefruit, lemon zest, green apple, celery leaf and wet flint, while warmer locations coax out richer, more tropical flavors of melon, peach and pineapple. Oak can add notes of vanilla, coconut and spice, while malolactic fermentation imparts a soft and creamy texture.
Perfect Food Pairings for Chardonnay
Chardonnay is as versatile at the table as it is in the vineyard. The crisp, clean, Chablis-like styles go well with flaky white fish with herbs, scallops, turkey breast and soft cheeses. Richer Chardonnays marry well with lobster, crab, salmon, roasted chicken and creamy sauces.
Sommelier Secrets for Chardonnay
Since the 1980s, big, oaky, buttery Chardonnays from California have enjoyed explosive popularity. More recently, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, towards a clean, crisp style that rarely utilizes new oak. The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a similar bright and acid-driven style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy this lighter style.
- Boutique400
- Collectible150
- Older Vintages7
Chanson Pere & Fils Beaune Bastion Premier Cru Blanc 2016Chardonnay from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
Monthelie Douhairet Porcheret Les Duresses Monthelie Blanc Premier Cru 2016Chardonnay from Monthelie, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
The Calling Jewell Vineyard Chardonnay 2016Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
Bruno Colin Chassagne Montrachet Maltroie Premier Cru 2016Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
Martinelli Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay 2016Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
Bruno Colin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot 2016Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
Louis Latour Meursault Goutte d'Or Premier Cru 2016Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France


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What if we tell you that we have found something better than your favourite messaging app? 'What's better than WhatsApp?'- you might be thinking. Well, then you should know about Telegram Messenger LLP! Here are a few reasons why we think Telegram has the potential to give WhatsApp a run for its money.
Telegram delivers messages faster than any other application. How? Well, it uses a unique decentralized network, with data centres spread all around the globe, to connect people to the closest possible server. In the comic world, you might say it's The Flash!
You can access messages from all your devices at once. Start typing on your phone and finish the message from your laptop or desktop or Mac or tablet. Data syncing has never felt more fun and less work, has it?
No more of those chat history dilemmas. Unlike WhatsApp, where your chat history and other media takes up space on your mobile, the Telegram cloud requires no disk space. That means unlimited storage!
WhatsApp recently introduced encryption to keep your messages safe and secure from third-party interventions. This 3-year-old app has been doing it since 2013. Everything on Telegram, including chats, groups, media, etc. is end-to-end encrypted. They take your privacy seriously!
With the new 4.2 update, Telegram has completely redesigned how media functions in today's world. You can share large videos, send cool stickers and GIFs to friends, and self-destruct media, irrespective of the file size or type (.doc, .mp3, .zip, you name it!) How cool is that?
Yes, you read that right. Got a big gang, here's your space!
Telegram also offers secret chats (it's exactly what it sounds like) where messages can be programmed to self-destruct automatically, from both the parties. Your childhood dream of living life like a secret agent is finally coming true!
The weakest connections, the remotest location, Telegram has got everyone's back! It's powerful, reliable, and simple to use.
No ads, no subscription, no costs, and a whole lot of fun. If you're done waiting for older messengers to catch up with Telegram, download it already!


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for Treatment (800) 429-7690
Centers Drug Rehab Treatment in Tallahassee, Florida
For substance abuse and addiction rehab to have the best chance of success, an individual needs to be able to relax and focus on their recovery. Every detail, ranging from the view outside the windows to the unique programming and counseling offered, can enhance one's experience in drug rehab. Tallahassee, Florida's capital, provides a calming atmosphere with a sharp departure from the more typical coastal influence in favor of sloping hills, cool breezes, and lush green spaces. If you or a loved one are looking for a cost-effective, comfortable rehab, Tallahassee might be the right locale.
Why Choose a Drug Rehab in Tallahassee?
Rehab centers in Tallahassee, Florida, are surrounded by the city's dedication to wellness and drug awareness. Several schools in Leon County are Red Ribbon Certified, providing valuable education to their students to help them make the best choices when drugs come into question. The city has deeply personal ties to the support of drug prevention, but daily life and culture has also had an impact on rehab. Tallahassee is well-known for its art scene, displayed in areas like Railroad Square Art Park, and the city's passion for creativity has provided inspiration for new methods of addiction treatment. Rehab programs in Tallahassee are innovative, staffed by highly trained and passionate individuals, and are dedicated to the full support of every new client.
Find the Right Tallahassee Rehabilitation Center for You
Our network's rehab centers in Tallahassee, Florida, offer a variety of rehabilitation opportunities for those seeking addiction treatment. Inpatient programs empower the individual to focus fully on their recovery by supplying everything from meals and housing to addiction counseling and medical care. The length of programs is flexible, to best accommodate a patient's needs and requirements. A thirty-day stay in a Tallahassee rehabilitation center can be a good way to get back on the right track quickly, whereas a ninety-day program offers the chance to develop and adopt new, healthy life habits with an intensity and dedication that can't be fit into the timeframe of its briefer counterpart.
With so many professional options at your disposal, the selection process can be time-intensive. BetterAddictionCare's individualized pre-screening assessment quickly identifies within our nationwide recovery network the best program match for you or a loved one. The facilities in our network have a policy of immediate admissions, and our Client Care Team can help further expedite the process with the coordination of any transportation or private insurance requirements. After admission to rehab in Tallahassee, a medically-assisted detox may be necessary and will keep you safe and comfortable as you transition to sobriety. All it takes to begin your journey to wellness is the decision to reach out.
Call today or fill out our contact form to start healing in your ideal drug rehab. Tallahassee facilities are ready to support your recovery.


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Excavator Final Drive Motors
I really appreciate all of you who visit my site on a daily basis, email me your questions and comments and give me thanks for the site and information I put here…thank you all.
I started a new website and wanted to tell my visitors about it and get your feedback and suggestions on how to make it better. I DO listen to all your comments and feedback, so thank you for taking the time to do so.
The new site is www.FinalDriveMotors.com and it sells excavator final drive motors. Now, I know that sounds pretty boring…and actually it's not just a barrel of fun and laughs I have to admit but it is a great niche where I can help people just like with this site.
A final drive motor is a hydraulic and planetary gear driven motor found on excavators which in turn operates the metal tracks. An excavator is very similar to a military tank, it has a track on either side and a motor on both tracks for propulsion.
These "final drive motors" or sometimes called travel motors or track drive motors are expensive to replace and since there are 2 of them on an excavator and they have a lifespan of about 5-7 years, you WILL have to replace at least one at some point.
Until now, these motors were usually bought at the local dealership where the customer paid an arm and a leg…if not 2 arms and 2 legs for them. My site has partnered with many quality replacement manufacturers which significantly reduced the purchase price to the customer.
We also set 2 industry standards…so far, a LIFETIME limited warranty, and wholesale prices to the public. When we started the website we asked ourselves, what would we expect if we were buying this motor for our machine?
So if you, or someone you know needs a travel motor for an excavator I would greatly appreciate if you would keep my website in mind first.
I am including a promotional video we made telling you more about the site and what we offer. Please watch or share with your friends.
I appreciate your visit, your comments and suggestions and just appreciate YOU today.
Austin Davis


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My new project.
I know people with balance issues have nowhere to turn. This is why the website was made, in sharing my continues story I hope it gives you motivation. Things are difficult but you are not alone in this.
Just my loving parents, many things I can do is because of them. You will come to realize that in reality, you are alone in this.
You can't count on family, well my family anyway. (they look good in a picture(s)including my ex-wife.)
Once I reach my goal that I'm happy with, the exercises page will go up. In the meantime, you can just email me. I will say an exercise I know works. Heck, I'm the proof.
I will and can say what works.
Who else is better in guiding you than a person who is going through it.
The exercises are the ones I used, you choose to try them. Please use your common sense and ask your physician before you attempt something. If they are doing something to you, STOP. What worked for me might not work for you.


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During these trying times we are taking every step possible for the safety of you and our staff. For example we are now offering online reservations, bill pay and rentals. If you need to come to the office be assured every step possible is being taken for everyone's safety including sanitizing any contact areas and allowing only one customer into the store at a time. Our office hours are 9am-5pm Monday - Saturday. Gate access hours remain unchanged. If you have any questions please give us a call. Thank You!
Most residential areas prohibit parking trailers. Many trailers won't fit in your home garage. We may have a solution that fits your budget. There are three options for trailer storage. We have indoor climate controlled storage, indoor non climate controlled storage and outside parking. There are many different types of trailers. They range from empty trailers such as boat trailers or utility trailers to commercial trailers that hold tools and supplies. Some are open and some are enclosed. Your type of trailer and your security needs will help you determine the best storage type. You always have access to your trailer. Your gate code and the key to your padlock let you access your trailer whenever you need it. All of our contracts are month to month. We have no administration fees or deposits. Ask about discounts for long term storage. There is controlled access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and restricted access from 10 p.m. to 6
a.m. Each customer has their own unique security code to operate the gate. All gate and door activities are computer recorded. Security cameras are recorded 24 hours per day.
Indoor climate controlled trailer storage is the best. Your trailer is inside a secure building, safe from the damaging sun, where the temperature and humidity are controlled. These are individual garages inside a concrete building with steel partitions. You lock the door and you keep the key. Many people often store other household goods in this type of garage. This is possible because the climate control keeps the temperature and humidity low enough to prevent mold and mildew. The buildings are inside a fenced, gated, access controlled property with pass code entry. Security cameras are recorded 24 hours per day. Each unit has its own security alarm. The buildings have sprinklers, smoke detectors and fire alarms.
Indoor non climate controlled trailer storage is also a good option. Your trailer is inside, safe from the damaging sun. This is similar to your garage at home. Your trailer is safe and secure inside a concrete building with steel partitions. You lock the door and you keep the key. Other items can
be stored in this unit with the trailer. Items that are not sensitive to temperature and humidity, such as patio furniture and tools are often good choices. The buildings are inside a fenced, gated, access controlled property with pass code entry. Security cameras are recorded 24 hours per day. Each unit has its own security alarm. The buildings have sprinklers, smoke detectors and fire alarms.
Outdoor trailer storage is also available. This option is the most economical. Many trailer owners use this option when home owners associations prohibit parking of non-automobiles. The trailers are stored inside a fenced, gated property with pass code entry, well lit, and access controlled. The property has security cameras that are recorded 24 hours per day. There is an onsite manager living at the outdoor storage area for added security.
General: Trailers require a little less preparation than vehicles with gasoline engines. Storing food in your trailer may attract insects or other pests. If you store your trailer indoors, the entire unit is enclosed and secure. If you store your trailer outdoors, you may want to take a few extra precautions. Open trailers allow other tenants potential access to your gear. Gear should be secured to the trailer to prevent temptation. Enclosed trailers should have their doors secured and locked.
Tires: Add about 10 pounds of pressure to each tire to help prevent flat spots. If flat spots do develop, they often go away once the trailer has been driven for about 25 miles.
Please let us know if you have any special trailer storing needs that we may be able to help you with.


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Consumer Goods Product Innovation
Barcelona, September 2009
This document was prepared by Advisium Group staff. The distribution / quotation of this document is allowed but always referring to Advisium Group as the source of it.
Introduction and Summary
Consumer Goods Product Development Trends for 2010
How can Advisium Group help you innovating?
© Advisium Group. 2009.
This document was prepared by Francisco Pestana at Advisium Group
p. 2
FMCG Innovation Trends: New Product Development trends for 2010
Scope and reach of this document
This document was prepared to share a point of view of what we at Advisium Group think will be the NPD (New Product Development) trends for 2010 in West Europe and the USA. Other aspects in consumer goods innovation related to insights intelligence, marketing communications and sales promotions will be analyzed in other documents to be released very soon.
Insights Gathering and Analysis
New Product Development
Sales promotion
Product categories: Foods, Beverages, Household & Personal Care. Countries covered: UK, USA, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Sweden. Time period: Launches from April 2008 to September 2009.
Analyzed in this document NOT included in this document
© Advisium Group. 2009.
This document was prepared by Francisco Pestana at Advisium Group
p. 3
FMCG Innovation Trends: New Product Development trends for 2010
Shoppers' and consumers' interests as innovation triggers An ideal start point for innovation is to target at least one of its target market / public's general needs, interests and / or concerns.
General Needs / Interests / Concerns • Health • Convenience • Hedonism • Value savviness
My social circle
• Real vs. Aspirational image: - Fit, exotic, trendy, smart, winning, funny, centered, relax, charisma, values, connected, authentic, hard working…
My world
• Social responsibility • Eco-friendship • Solidarity / sharing
• Products which are less • Health and Wellness Consumption / Shopping Drivers products products
• Products which reinforce /
help to project a real / aspirational self-image shared
• Value-for-Money • Convenient products • Products that mean special Rewards
damaging / intrusive with the world's natural resources charity effect
• Products that can be
• Purchases that have a • Purchases that later on
help to build a sense of justice (i.e. sharing music)
© Advisium Group. 2009.
This document was prepared by Francisco Pestana at Advisium Group
p. 4
FMCG Innovation Trends: New Product Development trends for 2010
Consumer Goods New Product Development Trends
Description Product Development Trend 2009 Growth Perspectives
• Interest for keeping a healthy and
1 Wellness
Health and
balanced lifestyle, most of the times limited of excesses and complemented with exercising and 100%natural reliefs
• • • •
Bio / 100% Natural Fitness / Calorie Control Functional / Natural Benefits Less added stuff is Better!
• • • •
Medium Medium Medium High
Consumption / Shopping Drivers
• Practical orientation to save self's
2 Savviness
Value / Time
valuable resources such as time, money, effort, space, …
• Convenience • Value for Money
• High • High
Special 3 Rewards Seek
• Behavior that makes an individual to look
for a reward or a way to disconnect from the daily stress (self-indulgency)
• Hedonism • Collector's edition • Limited edition
• Medium • Low • High • High • Medium • Low
Self-image 4 Projection / Aspirational Reinforcement
• Tendency to conscious or unconsciously
own and use objects that reinforce one's aspirational self-image
• Exotic / Stylish • Young Attitude • Retrostyle / Nostalgia
• Sensibility for topics that impact the world's
5 Awareness
society and its environmental...
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Online branding is a brand management technique that uses the internet as a medium for positioning your unique brand in the marketplace. Website creation and optimization, social media, blogs, online press releases, and video marketing are all methods used for online branding purposes. One of the best ways to improve your online brand is by being active online – specifically in ways that focus on your professional arena. You can start by using search engines to explore and find news in your field. You can also dig deeper and find niche communities of your peers to connect to on social media sites like LinkedIn, Google+, and Facebook.
Once you have some professional places to hang out on the web it's a good idea to start interacting with others on those sites on a regular basis. Make intelligent comments on blog posts, have discussions that are courteous, and always have a link back to your own blog under your name. Be the opposite of a troll. This gives you a wide audience of people who view you favorably and probably will be interested in visiting your blog to see if there is more good stuff to be found.
When they come to your blog, have some good stuff there. This isn't as difficult as it sounds:
- link to content that you found helpful and make some comments then ask for opinions
- write a short (250-500 word) post every few days about something in your field
- have a mix of news items and evergreen content that is always useful
If you do a little bit every day, it slowly builds up into an impressive, authoritative presence that gives weight to your online brand. When potential employers look you up online, you look good and they feel impressed. Many people actually are hired based on internet activity that created a relationship and developed respect for the knowledge displayed. The job offer came as a result of the added authority of their online presence.
If you decide you need professional help for your online brand, we offer online branding/profile development coaching that just might be what you are looking for.


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Brumley Halloween was more than just going out and getting a bag full of candy for my brothers and me. It didn't mean going to Wal-Mart and getting a ready-made costume. My mother, Nancy Gertrude Brumley Weik wanted her children to be the best-dressed spooks on the block.
We were back in school now and Halloween was the first big event. My mother started the conversation usually at the dinner table about what we would like to be for Halloween. My brothers and I always had several ideas but we had to narrow it down to one or two favorites. Then give her a final answer about a month ahead of time. You ask why so far in advance?
My mother made every costume we wore when we were kids. She would go downtown and first buy a costume pattern and then shop for the material. Over the years she became an expert at it. She would have us try on the costumes during the process for the right fit. This is why she had to plan things out so far because she had three of us. One particular year it was a clown, a pirate, and a gypsy. I can remember that not as many moms went to as much trouble as our mom did on making the perfect costume, but we didn't know any different.
In my small town in Illinois back in the late 1950's and early 1960's Halloween was not just a one night of fun. We went out Trick or Treating for three nights in a row. It was not because we were greedy for more candy, it just was the tradition in the town. So on the first night, we would get dressed up and stand in a lineup so my mother could check to see if our costumes were just right. Once we passed the inspection we put on our masks and grabbed our bags and out the door, we went.
We would split the neighborhood up so we would not go to their house more than once. My father, Merle Otto Weik usually was the one who went with us to see that we were safe and mom stayed home to give candy out to others. The older people always asked us to come in and sing a song for them. I didn't mind doing that but my brothers sure didn't want to do it. Once we finished the song they would hand out their candy to us and it usually was the homemade candies that were so good. Homemade popcorn balls, caramel apples, and homemade cookies of all kinds.
Then there were the school Halloween parties that we looked forward too. My mother was always a room mother for one of us each year. She would help out with the parties and make wonderful treats that everyone loved. We dressed up in our costumes for the party that was in the latter part of the school day.
I think the reason she went all out for Halloween with the making of the costumes and homemade goodies was that as a child growing up her family was poor. Her mother could not do for her as she did for us. So part of the fun of Halloween for her was watching her children enjoy Halloween and knowing that she played a part in making it happen. We always got compliments on our costumes from several people. I remember how hot those masks were and going between houses we would take them off so we could breathe fresh air.
We would bring our candy bag home each night and pour it all out on the table to see if there was anything that could hurt us, just for safety sake. We never had to really worry about things like that while Trick or Treating back in those days. Oh sure, the stories that were told were scary but we never really believed any of them, usually, the older kids would start the rumors. It was so different when my own child went Trick or Treating. I am glad to have experienced the kind of fun we had back in those days without the worry of something happening to us.
I have started my blog again with updates on my favorites posts. Please share these posts with family and friends. If you like Brumley Family Branches, please sign up to receive future posts.
Thank you.


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The opinion articles below were originally published in my column "Diversity in the Workplace" in Anthropology News between 2017-2018.
Diversity in the Workplace
2/11/19 What Does Diversity and Inclusion Mean?
In the spirit of creating alternatives to capitalism that also recognize the importance of advocating for institutionally marginalized students, I suggest that we ask, taking an emic approach in anthropology seriously: What does diversity and inclusion mean to our departments and to our schools?
10/11/18 Starbucks, Racism, and the Anthropological Imagination
After a series of discrimination allegations, Starbucks announced in April that it would close to eight thousand stores on May 29 to conduct racial bias training. Many applauded the multinational corporation for taking a stance against racism, while others scoffed. Anthropologists have long kept a pulse on how corporations pollute environments, depress wages, control workers, create war, and, as a mentor recently reminded me, how they "just kill people." Corporations were at the forefront of theoretical musings on evil infrastructure in Cultural Anthropology's 2017 Theorizing the Contemporary series. So, what sense can we make of a historical moment such as this, wherein one of the largest multinational corporations hired leading experts on American racism purportedly to transform their business culture?
3/21/18 The Spirit of Affirmative Action in Hollywood and Academia
Frances McDormand finished her acceptance speech for best actress with the phrase, "I have two words to tell you all tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion rider." Within hours the mainstream media clarified the inclusion rider as a contractual clause that actors can use to require diversity standards for the film's cast and crew. Wide adoption of the inclusion rider would effectively institutionalize the guiding principle that women and people of color have used for decades: pull each other up. In the aftermath of affirmative action, the A-list member can employ their status to pull others up to grow both diversity and business. This begs the question, What can the inclusion rider reveal about academia's own limitations and possibilities for diversity?
2/6/18 Diversity Audited (A Short How-To Guide)
Since the 1980s, audits have almost become mundane. They have provided means by which employers can increase efficiency and productivity, as well by which the most disenfranchised can exercise agency. With regards to the latter, documents, numbers, and benchmarks make rights visible and achievable, even if these tools for measurement end up obscuring and simplifying complex issues. Despite limitations, I ask us to turn to diversity audits for inspiration to create better and more inclusive academic departments. Below I present five methods for organizational change: reviewing diversity demographics, creating resource awareness, identifying diversity targets, increasing retention, and creating accountability structures.
11/21/17 Advocating Professionalism or Muting Mental Health Problems?
A study conducted by the University of California Berkeley in 2014 found that 47 percent of graduate students showed signs of depression. Around the same time, a study published in Academic Psychiatry found this to be the case for up to one-third of graduate students at Emory and that 7.3 percent of those surveyed had contemplated—and 2.3 percent actually had plans of—committing suicide. Both of these studies found that these students had perpetual anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness. Although mental health challenges are commonly known, they continue to be stigmatized and dismissed as part of the disciplinary process of becoming an academic. Insofar mental health needs not medical, but social and structural interventions, academic departments need to adapt to their student needs, including creating professional competencies for scarce and highly competitive academic and non-academic job markets.
10/26/17 Beyond the Criminal Discourse in Title IX Procedures
On September 22, 2017, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos rolled back the Title IX guidelines implemented under the Obama presidency. The shocking implications of this are too numerous for this short article, however, I want bring to the fore one key concern: changes to what constitutes as the standard of proof for a violation in sexual harassment policies. Whereas Obama-era guidelines lowered the standard of sexual harassment to include the creation of a hostile work environment, DeVos Devos raised them. Her changes arguably provide due process only for those accused of the most egregious crimes. However, both of these approaches employ punitive measures to address sexual harassment on campus, and they are both insufficient and harmful.
9/25/17 The Disastrous End for DACA Students and Workers
Early morning on September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order, issued to protect over 800,000 undocumented persons who arrived to the United States as minors from deportation and provide them with temporary work-permits. Sessions claimed that DACA had been "an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive branch," and hence, needed to be repealed. Despite all efforts to portray DACA recipients as the perfect immigrant, Sessions still characterized them as having "denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans, by allowing those same illegal aliens to take those jobs." As early as March 5th, almost one-thousand people will be subject to deportation every day. Certainly, we are all hoping that Congress will find a permanent solution. Yet, given that DACA students and workers are not a legally protected class in the United States, it would be a serious mistake to not anticipate and plan for the worst possible outcome.
8/29/17 Deconstructing the Millennial Classroom
Millennials are often thought of as selfish, lazy, and entitled. Yet, this narrative ignores much of the systemic issues that this generational group faces, including stagnant wages and hyper-inflated postsecondary degrees. We have also underestimated their power in bringing about political and social change.
7/31/17 The Zero-Sum Game of White Supremacy
The struggle for civil rights is often interpreted as a challenge to white heteronormative ideals. These take the shape of zero-sum logics in which minorities are seen as threats. Such rhetorics are, hence, enactments of exclusions, Othering, and violence.
6/26/17 Racial Projects
Race is often discussed as question of identity or biology. Yet, Omi and Winant (1984) have argued that it is a project. In a time when diversity and inclusion has been institutionalized, such projects align bodies, documents, logics, and affects.
5/30/17 Managing Hope After Affirmative Action
While affirmative action policies have been all but eliminated, management consultants, human resource professionals, and other professionals invest in professional development program. These place much of the responsibility for upward mobility of minorities and women on the person, rather than the organization.
4/28/17 Disentangling Antiracism from Capitalism
Since the 1960s, antiracism politics have tended to align with capitalism to advocate for social and economic mobility of minorities by framing them in terms of upward mobility. In a Post-Trump political environment, what is needed more than ever is a project that imagines antiracism outside of the projects of capitalism.
3/27/17 Six Ways Anthropologists Can Challenge White Supremacy
A Boasian tradition has positioned anthropologists to advocate for most marginalized. Today's political environment suggests that we turn to the discipline's genesis to re-imagine public anthropology, teaching, activism, and antiracist practice.


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Happy Monday!
So Thankful to everyone that "hopped" with us this weekend on the Autism Blog Hop! Not sure what the total dollar amount raised was, but we are thankful for everyone who donated! If you still want to donate to The Learning Spectrum Scholarship program, please click here to donate.
My card today features The Sheltering Tree stamp set again - love this set! This card today is seasonless - could be for any time of year I guess! Colors used are crumb cake, bermuda bay and crushed curry. Tip: I have tried many different ways to attach individual sequins to my cards and I find the best way is with our mono liquid glue - #110755 - and all you need is a little "dab"
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text: 'Far Away Xilingol': Shanghai Review 3:31 AM PDT 6/23/2015 by THR Staff FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Courtesy of Shanghai International Film Festival Far Away Xilingol Still - H 2015 Irritatingly conventional but with spectacular vistas and some moving moments. TWITTER The romance-adventure offers a nostalgic look back at the Cultural Revolution. If director Gao Feng's prize-winning TV film Camel Caravan was hailed as a Western with camels, Far Away Xilingol echoes the homespun frontier values one would expect to see in a little house on the prairie. Only here the grasslands are the infinite steppes of China's Inner Mongolia, and the settlers are ethnic Mongols who still are following their ancestors' way of life in 1973. Their happy co-existence with nature and the animal kingdom is underlined. With several shocker scenes of wolves attacking penned sheep (animal rights alert), comparisons to Jean-Jacques Annaud's $40 million Wolf Totem spring to mind, but Gao's film is more of a modestly budgeted romance-adventure. Its nostalgic glossing-over of the Cultural Revolution and the purges that hit the area hard in the 1960s and 1970s contribute to its old-fashioned look and feel, earmarking it primarily for local consumption. The wistful, way-we-were screenplay by Wang Xiping and Ran Jianan hinges on the cultural and social differences between a group of educated kids mobilized to work on the steppes and their local Mongol hosts. The six city slickers have been sent far from home and school to work shoulder to shoulder with locals, theoretically to defend China's northern border. A more likely story is that they've been sent to the hinterlands for reeducation (though the script never uses the word). From the looks of them, one would say they were on holiday. The girls joyously learn to gallop horses across the steppes, while the boys humorously struggle to adapt to local cuisine. The hero of the tale is Guo (the convincing Shi Feida), a student and part-time poet who wears glasses and retches when he is forced to eat meat, the dietary staple. He attracts the sympathy of sweet local girl Jiva, though his heart is elsewhere. To help him out, she kindly demonstrates how to shear a living sheepskin with a knife, in another scene that raises animal rights questions. Setting aside his vegetarian and intellectual tendencies at last, Guo throws himself into farm work. But, in another nod to Annaud, he creates havoc when he secretly shelters a wolf cub. Later he takes part in a wolf patrol that illustrates the Mongolian philosophy of killing just the right number of animals to survive, but no more, so as "not to offend the Sky Father." In a parallel love story, the young alpha male of the Mongol community entertains some hidden feelings for the prettiest Chinese girl. All the inter-ethnic relationships are idealistic rather than believable, though the delicate direction hits the tear ducts in the last act, when decisions have to be made. A coda set in the present day, when big jeeps rove the plains and Guo's memories resurface, is genuinely moving. Ge Ritu's cinematography emphasizes the glorious summer panoramas, obscured in winter by raging ice storms. Local music is sparingly used, until a Mongol chorus entertains Beijing theater patrons in the closing scenes. Production company: Inner Mongolia Film Group Co. Cast: Shi Feida, Jin Kena, Bao Qinghai, Liu Han Director-producer: Gao Feng Screenwriters: Wang Xiping, Ran Jianan Director of photography: Ge Ritu Editor: Leng Fengwen No rating, 100 minutes FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME THR Staff firstname.lastname@example.com THR


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Dubai: Roger Federer hopes the "enormous potential" for tennis to grow in Asia can be harnessed through the International Tennis Premier League (ITPL), which will be launched later this year.
Speaking exclusively to Gulf News, Federer said he is keen to see the sport's equivalent of cricket's Indian Premier League "take off and be very successful" — despite having no plans to play in it.
Five franchises will take part in the event — Mumbai, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and another, yet-to-be-named, Middle East city — and will play each other on a home-and-away basis from November 28 to December 20.
Each team will be made up of between six and 10 players, with former world number one, Australia's Lleyton Hewitt, the first big name up to sign up to the ambitious project co-founded by Indian doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi and the coach of Novak Djokovic, the German tennis legend Boris Becker.
"What do I feel about it?" Federer said. "Firstly, I want to see whether it takes off or not. I know a lot of people have invested in it or are part of it. Anywhere where tennis grows is a good thing, so I hope it takes off and becomes very successful. In Asia, there is enormous potential [for tennis to grow], in places like China and India due to the amount of people that live there and the excitement they have for tennis."
Given his affinity with Dubai — he is the record five-time Dubai Duty Free Men's Open champion and has property in the emirate, where he trains regularly — has Federer thought about helping the game grow in the UAE in some shape or form?
"I haven't thought about it any way," he said. "I haven't thought about opening any academies or anything. But any new tennis centres or academies created would be unbelievably helpful, and clearly I could be an inspiring person for those kinds of things in terms of talks.
"I hope that this tournament alone can inspire people with five of the world's top 10 players."


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Ross County Court of Common Pleas
2 N. Paint St, Suite A
Phone (740) 774-1177 & 774-1179 Fax (740) 774-3711
Hours of Operation
Effective March 20, 2015, Ohio has a new Adoption Records Release Law. It allows an adopted person, biological parent, biological sibling and lineal descendants (defined as children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the adoptee) of an adopted person to request the release of certain records and information from the Ohio Department of Health. Those records are not available from the Probate Court.
A person seeking the release of such information must go the website of the Ohio Department of Health for further information and the required forms. The Ohio Department of Health website is www.odh.ohio.gov. Thereafter, click the link on the tab that says: "Information about Ohio's New Adoption Law". A short film was created from staff at Capital ODH to explain the process. You may view that film at https:\\youtu.be\84OVyrw4jUc.
Pursuant to RC 3107.66 certain people can request non-identifying information from the Probate Court that finalized an adoption. Those so authorized may submit a written request to the Court and the Court may charge a reasonable fee for providing the information. The Court will review the written request and determine whether it is authorized under the statute. If the request is granted all identifying information about any person contained in the record shall be deleted.
Revised Code Section 3107.41 has been repealed effective March 20, 2015. That statute previously permitted the Probate Court, in certain limited situations, to release adoption records. Since the statute has been repealed that procedure is no longer available and all request for identifying information/records must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health.


text:
Best of
the Twin Cities
We'll admit it, we're suckers for cocktails with clever names. And boy howdy, does the Back Bar at Young Joni have a bunch of them: On the current classifieds-themed menu, there's Birk's Tanning Salon Liquidation Sale, Nice Chat at the Y, Sousaphone Player Wanted, I Love New York T-Shirt. Of course, these monikers belong to boozy bevvies with flavor profiles to back 'em up: "Fresh Fruit Caipirinha" and "Seasonal Negroni" might not get you grinning as you peruse the drink list, but order one to go with your wood-fired pizza, and you'll be smiling by the first sip.
Readers' Choice: Tattersall Distilling


text: Cool Tree House Ideas to Take Your Project to the Next Level. … The goal of an awe-inspiring tree house is to make it unforgettable and a place where kids can grow and play for many years. However, setting out to build the ultimate tree house is no easy task.


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BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 16, 2015–The Guatemalan government, through a diplomatic note, has informed the Belize government that it objects to the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) on Sarstoon Island, which lies at the mouth of the Sarstoon River, in Belizean territory, deemed necessary by Belize law enforcement authorities to curb not just illegal fishing in the area, but also illegal logging by Guatemalans who encroach on Belize's mainland to extract timber, such as the prized rosewood.
Sarstoon Island is not in the Adjacency Zone, which is an area spanning 1 kilometer on either side of the western border between Belize and Guatemala, administered by the Organization of American States (OAS), which acts as a broker between the two countries in respect of a territorial claim by Guatemala against Belize, which Belize insists is unfounded.
The Belize government had informed the Guatemalan government of its intention to construct a temporary FOB, but the Guatemalan government has reportedly said that Belize should not construct the FOB until the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has adjudicated its claim against Belize.
In late May, the Belize Coast Guard was deployed on a reconnaissance mission in preparation for the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) on Sarstoon Island, but the mission was aborted and the Coast Guard was ordered to withdraw from the island before completing its mission.
The withdrawal was reportedly ordered by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who has refused to brief the nation about the stand-off between the Belize Coast Guard and the Guatemalan Navy.
Since then, there has been no further mention of the plans to construct the FOB on Sarstoon Island until yesterday, when the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, Col. George Lovell, (Ret'd), told News 5 that Guatemala has objected to Belize building the FOB before the territorial dispute is adjudicated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Today, reporters caught up with Foreign Minister Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington just before he boarded an international flight at the Philip Goldson International Airport.
When he was asked to comment on Guatemala's response to the FOB, Elrington said, "First of all, you would all agree that when it comes to matters relating to Belize, the views of the Belizeans are very different from the views of the Guatemalans, so that we have no responsibility for their views."
Elrington said that the practice is generally that whenever we want to carry out any type of activity or project in sensitive areas along the border, we communicate with the Guatemalans and we get their views on it.
"Depending on the views that they express and how strongly we feel about it, we take those actions which we deem are in our best interest. That is always what we do," Elrington stated.
Elrington added, "We don't take any decision that is not in the best interest of the country, both at the National Security Council and at the Cabinet level. We make that determination that we think are in the best interest of Belize, security and integrity and sovereignty."
Elrington said that when the Guatemalans were informed that Belize had intentions of building an FOB on Sarstoon Island, they (the Guatemalans) suggested that the matter be discussed at the Organization of American States (OAS) before the territorial differendum case goes to the ICJ.
"They seem to be suggesting that we discuss it at the OAS before we take any further action, given the fact that we are on our way to the ICJ," he remarked.
Asked why the Guatemalans would take such a view when we are not doing anything that contravenes their laws, and this is our sovereign territory, Elrington answered a question with a question, replying, "Why would they want to claim our country, when in fact we are not claiming theirs?"
"I can't explain the attitude and the position taken by the Guatemalans. I know very forcefully and clearly what is our position. We must do what is in our best interest," Elrington went on to comment.
Asked if Belize will go ahead with the construction of a temporary base on Sarstoon Island, Elrington replied: "My understanding of the situation is that we are waiting to have a meeting at the OAS. After we have completed that meeting, then we will determine the way forward."
Why is it necessary to consult the OAS on the construction of an FOB in Belize territory, we asked Elrington.
Elrington replied, "Because the Guatemalans are making an issue with respect to it, because they are claiming the entire territory. So this is not abnormal. This is completely normal. What they are doing now is basically the pattern that they have been pursuing since 1937 when they decided not to recognize our border. In 2000 and odd they actually came across and took away some of our policemen and soldiers. This is not unusual and it is not unusual in relation to border matters. It's a kind of push and pull whenever there is a border dispute."
"The decision to do the FOB was decided long before we got into power. That decision was made by the old PUP government," Elrington explained.
"Then when we got into power, we took a decision that we would like to continue with it, and then it lay dormant until very recently when the issue reared its head," he added.
Elrington explained that for the time being, Belize will not proceed with the FOB until it is discussed with Guatemala at the OAS. That discussion is expected to take place near the end of this month.
"Nothing has changed. The plan was conceived 20 years ago. The Guatemalans are not doing nothing new. What they are doing now they have done last year and the year before," said Elrington.
Elrington said that there was no decision by the Belize Government to act on the plan to build the FOB this year. "People were investigating possible sites, but a decision to build a FOB was made by our government maybe six years ago. And it was supposed to be built by the Belize Defence Force," he said.
Elrington said that the Coast Guard is doing what they have always been doing. When he was asked, however, if the Coast Guard is still on Sarstoon Island, he said no.
The Government of Belize allowed a Guatemalan Navy boat that ran onto Glovers Reef last month to leave without taking the normal course of action that would have been taken with any other vessel that has damaged our reef.
Government officials at the time had said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have communicated with Guatemala after the necessary damage assessment was done. There has been no official response from the Guatemalans on compensating Belize for the damage that their gunboat has caused. Elrington said that these things "take time."
It is our understanding, however, that the Guatemalans have not even acknowledged receipt of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' communication on the matter.


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Justice Society of America #1-4
Geoff John's new Justice Society series foregrounds new heroes taking up the historic lineage of the JSA, emphasizing the familial bounds, both figurative and literal, of the team.
Justice Society of America #1-4Publisher: DC Comics
Contributors: Pencils: Dale Eaglesham, Inks: Art Thibert and Ruy José, Covers: Alex Ross
Price: $3.99
Writer: Geoff Johns
Length: 24
Formats: Single Issue
Issues: 4
First date: 2007-02
Last date: 2007-05
As is frequently mentioned, DC Comics started the superhero craze way back in 1935 with Superman. The comic house's other two megastars, Batman and Wonder Woman, appeared soon thereafter. It is not surprising then that DC, with its core characters approaching or surpassing their seventieth anniversary, has long been concerned with its history and legacy. Yet on the other hand, there is a type of stasis that occurs in a comic universe where characters do not age. We're given the impression that Batman has had a vast career (including more Robins than many people have children), yet he seems to have aged no more than ten years in his many years of published superhero service. The economic and even cultural reasons for this age freeze are obvious (Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns not withstanding, people generally don't want to see an old Batman), but it does pose problems for comic creators who wish to show evolution in a comic universe. How do you show the passing of time and the development of a new generation when characters essentially never age?
One team that has had a tradition of dealing with the passing of time and generations is the Justice Society of America. As the very first team of the superheroes, originally appearing in the 1940s, the JSA has a long (and convoluted) history, both within the DC universe and as a published title. After the Silver Age versions of the Flash (Barry Allen) and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) were developed, it was explained that the original Flash (Jay Garrick) and Green Lantern (Alan Scott) were heroes on a parallel dimension planet called Earth-2 (until all of the Earths were essentially combined in 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths). Placing the JSA on Earth-2 allowed DC to keep both versions of the heroes going and there eventually developed an annual inter-title, inter-dimensional crossover between Earth-1's Justice League of America and Earth-2's Justice Society of America. That older versions of the Flash and Green Lantern existed emphasized that there was some chronology within the DC universe. We are rarely given superheroes' year of birth, but there is an acknowledgement that Alan Scott is older than Hal Jordan. Through the Silver and Modern Ages, the Justice Society has seen members die and be replaced much more frequently than most super-teams. There has also been a history within the JSA of heroes having children, and to some degree, those children (or other relations) carrying on the legacy of the original hero.
It is this last point that Geoff Johns chooses as his emphasis in his first arc on the new Justice Society of America title from DC. He uses the opportunity of a new series to slightly recontextualize the Justice Society. Whereas the JSA had once been considered the old-school, "Greatest Generation" version of the Justice League, Johns emphasizes that the JSA is now about carrying on the legacy of the old JSA with a new generation of heroes. The word legacy is important to consider here primarily because much of the first arc, called "The Next Age", deals with the notion of picking up the mantle of the previous generation, either enthusiastically or reluctantly. Johns even goes so far as to use the word within his short under-title explanation of the JSA: "Now, fighting alongside the surviving original members, a new generation of heroes has been born, promising to uphold the legacy their predecessors created and inspire other heroes across the world." The three original surviving members of the JSA -- the Garrick-Flash, the Scott-Lantern, and former boxer Wildcat -- have taken on the duty of re-starting the JSA to train a new generation of heroes, many of whom are new versions of heroes of the same or similar name.
Johns, who was a writer on the previous incarnation of the JSA (matter-of-factly titled JSA), juggles a whole roster of heroes and characters, some of whom receive focus, some do not. This necessitates juggling storylines, which Johns orchestrates rather well over the first arc. So we jump between Damage, the son of old JSAer Atom (the wrestler with the shorts and cape, not the Ray Palmer shrinking Atom); Cyclone, the granddaughter of Ma Hunkel (the original non-robot Red Tornado); Tom Grant, the unknown son of Wildcat who possesses superhuman cat powers even though his father does not (which, yes, makes absolutely no sense); and Nathan Heywood, the amputee grandson of the original Commander Steel. Each struggles with a different element of being superhero progeny.
At the same time, Johns employs the flipside of the JSA legacy as his central conflict of the first arc, as someone is trying to off the descendents of JSAers before they become heroes (i.e. when they're children). It's an interesting conceit that has probably not been utilized more often in comics because, as mentioned earlier, the JSA is one of the few series that emphasizes hero generations, and, as such, is one of the few teams where many members have families. This conspiracy against the JSA family results in the death of lesser-known Mr. America (himself a grandson of a hero) as well as some nameless people at a Heywood picnic. The conflict is ultimately less impressive than the setup and its result -- that it forces the JSA to unite quickly as a "family".
There are other compelling elements that Johns et al play with in the first arc, most notably the appearance of an insanse Starman. Is he Star Boy from the future Legion of Superheroes, or is he a character from the non-continuity "Elseworlds" classic Kingdom Come? Or, somehow, both? Justice Society is so successful out of the gate because it indulges the hardcore fans with tidbits like this (or the way the series begins with a flashback to "World War III", which has since been revealed by DC to be the conclusion of 52). Yet there is enough deft exposition and character work that most intelligent readers can enjoy the books even without a PhDC.
It remains to be seen if Johns' reach exceeds his grasp regarding the size of the JSA. The first issue features a typically stunning Alex Ross cover (all of the first four issues feature Ross covers) with all the members of the JSA seated around the meeting table – all seventeen members! Johns seems to have a feel for these characters and is doing his best to cultivate a compelling identity for the JSA other than "DC's other team of superheroes". The role of family, whether blood relatives or not, and the importance of passing on tradition is now the foundation of the new Justice Society. In comic universes where characters hardly age and rarely retire, it's an interesting to see a super-team that features new generations of familiar (and familial) heroes.


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Romelu Lukaku's hop was, to me, the most beautiful moment in the World Cup so far.
It was 2–2, Belgium and Japan even, the game about to go into overtime. The play had been so beautiful that, even though I was rooting intently for a Belgium win, I also didn't want the game to end. I wanted to see more.
When it comes to the soccer played on the field, this World Cup tournament has been a study in contrasts. From the beginning, there were some riveting, flowing, engrossing games—Spain versus Portugal, Mexico's defeat of Germany, Senegal's defeat of Poland, the recent game between France and Argentina—alongside some of the most tedious and at times absurdist soccer I've seen on the international stage in a long time.
Belgium and Japan play similar styles of soccer, rooted in national youth-development programs that emphasize technical skill, quick passing in small spaces, and constant circulation of the ball. This is my favorite kind of playing, and both teams exude talent and determination. The Senegalese referee managed the game perfectly (unlike the refereeing in some of the other games), and much of it was played out through intricate work in the midfield. Japan's two early goals were both beautiful, little miracles bursting out of open play.
Even after they went down two goals, though, Belgium seemed relatively unruffled, and kept playing their way. Jan Vertonghen scored with a cheeky, arcing heading from the left side. But it was two substitutions by the manager Roberto Martínez—Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, both children of Moroccan immigrants—that made the crucial difference. Fellaini was put in to do what he does best: overpower defenders in the box and make a header. And, as if on cue, he did just that.
It was still 2–2 and into extra time when Japan took a corner kick that was collected by Thibaut Courtois. When I watch what happened next, it now seems choreographed, destined to play out as it did, but in real time it unfolded as a series of escalating surprises. As I watched, I was thinking, "Is this really happening? Could this really happen?" Courtois rapidly rolled the ball to an already running Kevin De Bruyne. Lukaku was ahead of him, Chadli running in toward the center as well, with Eden Hazard behind him. De Bruyne passed the ball to Thomas Meunier on the right, and everything seemed set up for Lukaku, the No. 9 who is consistently on the point of the team's attack, to power the ball into the net.
Lukaku is the team's star striker, the greatest scorer in Belgian history. He recently told his story, one of seeking out soccer as a way out of the grinding poverty of his Congolese migrant family in Antwerp, of once being asked to show his ID at a youth game by a parent who thought he didn't belong there, of having made it so now everyone in Belgium knows his name. In fact, many there and around the world now wear his name on the backs of their Manchester United or Belgium jerseys, both bright red.
Lukaku knew the script, but his brilliance was to understand that in soccer the script unfolding in your mind often doesn't work out on the pitch. He knew, too, that the Japanese defenders, who had stymied him brilliantly throughout the game, also understood that the script called for him to score.
The decision he made next was what won Belgium the game. As he ran forward, he had seen that Chadli was not far behind, and positioned perfectly behind him was Hazard. So, just in front of the goal, he moved as if to receive the ball, as if readying to score, and drew the lone Japanese defender who was close enough, Makoto Hasebe, with him. The other Japanese players closing in followed him like magnet. But as the ball reached him, he took a tiny hop, lifting his right leg and letting the ball roll past. Chadli was totally unmarked and did exactly what was needed, swishing the ball past the goalkeeper.
I'm not sure I've ever cheered a goal so intensely, disbelieving. In the midst of it, I hadn't fully seen or understood Lukaku's gesture. That took going back and rereading, studying the moment. But it is such a move—like a gesture by Paul Pogba during the France–Germany game in the 2016 European Cup—that I describe when I try to explain what enraptures me about the sport.
There was both an intelligence and a generosity to the choice, for even with one defender on him, Lukaku could likely have scored what is now perhaps the most famous goal in Belgian history because of its timing and pure improbability. There has been, during this World Cup, a sense of unity and family, some of it attributed to the guiding presence of Thierry Henry, and the mentoring and maturity of Lukaku toward some younger players. Belgium has played, as they sometimes haven't before, as a joyful unit, opening up spaces for one another.
With his hop, Lukaku made something more perfect than a goal of his own, producing a flow of connection and reciprocity, a glimpse of that which, every once in a while, makes the game true beauty.
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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SCCM-Windows Update 6.2.x on Windows 10?
Hi All,
I have been reviewing a report I did for a customer where all Windows 10 machines were reporting Windows Update Agent 6.2.x. what caused my customer to send few people on few windows 10 machines and try to troubleshoot windows update issues where it did not exist. of course, after couple of hours/day, they realise this was a data issue instead of their environment issue.
When I started to review, I looked at my lab and I had the same. Executing a query on fn_rbac_UpdateScanStatus, I saw all my windows 10 machines also reporting Windows Update Agent 6.2.x
So something was wrong. but why? 1st step was to check if the files on the client where the correct version. if you want to know where I discovered which file to look, click here.
As you can see, the file was with the windows 10 version…so I checked Powershell
and again, Windows Update Agent is version 10.x..
started speaking with Microsoft about this and got the confirmation that this is a bug, basically, Windows 10 introduced a breaking change for the version API's.
This is easy to identify, if you have Visual Studio, create an console application to print the System.Environment.OSVersion.VersionString. on a Windows 10 machine it things it is Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0…
The ConfigMgr team tried their best to fix it before releasing the code to support windows 10, but they have missed this one.
Anyway, they are aware of the issue and I hope it will get fixed on the next hotfix/cumulative update for SCCM 2012/2012 R2.


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Radio Art is a European, internet radio station. It plays many types of music, but emphasizes acoustic instruments and natural sounds that are specially selected for stress-relief and anxiety reduction.
The music is carefully selected, aiming to create a special environment that will bring an oasis of peace to the listener, as well as aid relaxation, reduce mental fatigue, and help cope with stress. The reduction of stress and anxiety improves mental and physical health, with the result of improved control over thoughts and feelings, stronger endurance during work, and the achievement of a calm and relaxing sleep at night.
The journey of Radio Art on the internet is based on the cooperation of sensitive and insightful programmers, musicians and musicologists from all over the world, the Radio Art program has continued to improved and develop.
Currently RadioArt broadcasts many music channels and nature sounds. It enjoys support and connectedness with listeners from over 100 countries.
Following great effords of development, Radio Art released a unique system for its listeners, where the listener is able to exploit a broad range of options to combine music with natural sounds. For instance, the listener can add bird songs to piano music creating an envelope of sound that is perfectly conductive to relaxation and rest. Furthermore the listener can make a rotation playlist with any of the music channels, adjust the order and time of rotation and create a beautiful music atmosphere. The list can be saved and opened again at any time.
The main intent of Radio Art, is to enhance foreground dreaming, inner peace, stress relief, and soul cultivation through music.
Radio Art is managed by a team who is grounded in science and a love for Music and Art, and who draw from expertise in Art, Medicine, Management and Information Technology.


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I use psoc4 the bootloader and bootloable components, to upgrade a device when it is successful, but to upgrade a number of equipment, then it is not possible.I use the communication is 485 communications.
It is not possible to upgrade 10 devices simultaneously. Even if you are sharing the UART channel between devices to do it one by one, then address detection may be required which is not implemented on the host side. So it won't be possible unless you write your own code for all these.
Best Regards,


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Downtown Havana resident Margarita Marquez says she received a special Christmas gift this year: web access at home, a rarity in Cuba, a country with one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world.
Ms Marquez, a 67-year-old retired university professor, was among those selected by the government two weeks ago to participate in a pilot project bringing the web into the homes of 2,000 inhabitants of the historic centre of the island's capital.
Most of Communist-ruled Cuba's 11.2 million inhabitants only have access to internet at wi-fi hotspots, and only then if they can afford the 80p hourly tariff that represents around five per cent of the average monthly state salary.
Only five per cent of Cubans are estimated to enjoy internet at home, which requires government permission. This is usually granted mainly to academics, doctors and intellectuals.
"It's like a dream come true," said Ms Marquez, who lives with her sister in a second-story flat in a colonial-era building. "To be in touch with the outside world is important."
Her 80-year-old sister, Leonor Franco, said the news they had been selected came as a surprise and she was excited to be surfing the web for the first time.
"I had never had any experience of internet," she said, seated in front of a laptop she has owned for two years without web access, searching for videos of her favourite singers on YouTube.
She said she wanted to learn how to surf the web properly so she could make the most of the experiment, and for as long as the government provided free internet access.
"From March we will have to start paying and we don't know if we will be able to continue. So at least we are going to enjoy January and February," she said.
While the cost of internet has dropped in recent years, it is still prohibitive for most Cubans.


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Zimra Beiner is based in Ohio where he teaches ceramics at Bowling Green State University. His work is included in the Gardiner Museum's 4th Annual "RBC Emerging Artist People's Choice Award." Here is a great article on Beiner's work on C File.
"Looking, translating and making are continuously mixed together in a loop in which the boundary between art and life become tangled…I consider myself primarily an object maker, however I've become increasingly interested in scale, composition, and the relationship between objects to space. Therefore the way objects sit on objects, rest on the floor, and are supported in space requires careful consideration. Some of the most recent work uses wet clay, wooden boxes or books to support ceramic objects in place. The resulting still lives are a reflection on knowledge, imagination and the precarious confliction resulting from one supporting the other." – Zimbra Beiner


text: A Bridge Too Far is a 1977 epic film based on the 1974 book of the same name by Cornelius Ryan, adapted by William Goldman. It was produced by Joseph E. Levine and Richard P. Levine and directed by Richard Attenborough. The film tells the story of the failure of Operation Market Garden during WWII, the Allied attempt to break through German lines and seize several bridges in the occupied Netherlands, including one at Arnhem, with the main objective of outflanking German defences in order ... more on Wikipedia


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Welcome to Rat Control Hay On Wye:
Rat Control Hay On Wye can offer you a complete Rat Removal Service in Hay On Wye and surrounding areas. We deal in all aspects of Rat Eradication and Prevention for both domestic and commercial properties.
Our customer service is paramount, we have built our business not through spending thousands on advertising but from customer referrals and repeat customer business, you will find that all our Pest Controllers will talk you through each step of the way and offer advice on how to deter Rats from your home or garden in the future.
You will also find our prices very reasonable as we are not a large national company and our advertising costs are kept to a minimum, as well as this we can also offer a Same Day Service to any Rat problems you may have.
We are all fully qualified here at Pest Control Hay On Wye and we use the latest chemicals and equipment, so if you find that you have any unwelcomed pests, or even if it's just advice you require, just pick up the phone and give our helpful team a call today.
Call Our Rat Control Team Today On: 01981 590 534.
About Rats:
As an adult the average Rat can weigh between 12 -16 oz, with a body length of 6-8 inches long. The nose is blunt with small ears, and small eyes. The fur is shaggy and coarse with variation in colors. The tail is shorter than the head and body combined, and is quite scaly.
Rats Inspection The droppings are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length and are of a capsule shape, with blunt ends. They are usually a shiny black, but may vary according to their diets.
Rats will leave a hind foot track of about 3/4-1 inch where a mouse's track measure's 3/8 of an inch or less. Rats will also drag their tails, leaving a mark between their feet tracks. Unscented baby powder or flour, lightly sprinkled can help you determine tracks and their runways as they cross suspected areas.
Gnawing holes from rats are about 2 inches or more in diameter. They have rough edges and they prefer to gnaw on wood, but can also damage electrical wiring. Rat burrows can be found along foundations, or beneath rubbish and shrubbery. If the burrow is active it usually clear of vegetation. Rat runways are smooth and well packed. Indoors, these runways are free of dust and dirt.


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Get Into Shape for Skiing
Before hitting the slopes on your next ski trip, spend some time at the gym to prevent injury and improve your performance.
If you want to be a serious skier, or just want to have a good day on the slopes, hit the gym or head outdoors with a workout routine designed to build stamina, endurance, and physical strength.
Best Exercises for Skiers
"Choose activities that require you to move in different directions," suggests Robin Barnes, a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America's National Alpine Team and owner of Tahoe Outdoor Fitness in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. "Trail running is one example, since you typically have to jump over logs and rocks and frequently deviate from a straight line." Playing sports like soccer, tennis, and basketball, can create a similar effect. "Running or jogging forwards, backwards, left and right in a field or in the gym are other great ways to prep for skiing," she adds.
Barnes recommends this exercise to help strengthen your body for skiing: "Place an [exercise] rubber band around your ankles or knees for a slightly easier version. With the band in position, place your feet and knees so that they are about shoulder's distance apart, feet parallel and knees aligned over the feet. From that position, you can do squats, or you can walk forward and backwards and left and right. Maintain spacing between your feet the entire time and move from your thighs versus from your feet so that your knees do not get pulled together."
Strengthening exercises like wall sits (which work your glutes and thighs) are a great way to get your legs in skiing shape, says Barnes. To perform a wall sit, stand with your back against a wall and lower your body down into a sitting position. Hold for up to 20 seconds, then raise, relax, and repeat for 10 repetitions.
Leg curls and calf raises performed on weight machines are also beneficial, as are exercises that work your middle. "Exercises to strengthen the core are abdominal crunches, sit-ups if your back tolerates them, traditional planks as well as planks lying on your side to use all of the muscles that wrap around your core for stabilization," says Barnes.
And don't forget to add stretching to your workouts: Good, long stretches of your core, calves, and quads will increase flexibility.
Stay Safe on the Slopes
To get the most out of ski season, it's important to take safety precautions to prevent injuries. Be smart on the days you put on your skis and hop on the lifts with these tips:
- Get plenty of rest the night before. The more tired you are, the more likely you'll be to fall or hurt yourself on the slopes.
- Rest if you need to. It's normal to feel a little sore after a few hours of skiing, but be smart and listen to your body. That doesn't mean you have to stop; just take a short break.
- Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
Start conditioning with a variety of cardiovascular activities at least several weeks before you go skiing, and add strength-training exercises to strengthen your legs and your core. Don't forget to stretch and build up your stamina. Once your body is ready, you'll be skiing as much as you want to when you get on those hills and mountains.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Fitness Center.