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Narcotics Cabinets and Medical Storage
Provide a safe and easy way to securely store medications and conceal valuables with these narcotics and medical storage cabinets. One size does not fit all when it comes to secure storage. That's why we offer a wide variety of narcotics boxes, medical storage cabinets, refrigerator locking boxes, narcotics lockers, and medication cabinets. We think we have covered all the bases but if you need something that you don't see listed give us a call. We are always happy to do the research to find you just what you need!
Narcotics cabinets typically have two locks. Medical or security storage cabinets can sometimes be used for narcotics storage if the lock to the pharmacy is considered lock number one and the lock on the cabinet is considered lock number two. Each municipality has their own rules. Please check with your local Board of Pharmacy to determine the requirements for your location.
Information about our new checkout system: You no longer have to enter your credit card when placing an order. Simply fill out your shipping & billing information. We will update the total with shipping and sales tax (if applicable) and send you payment request. When you get the request just hit the "pay now" or "pay with card" button to be taken to our secure payment page to complete the transaction.


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On Brand. On Budget. On Demand.
Getty Images photographers and videographers are among the world's best—and Custom Content puts them to work for you.
Whether you need images for social media or multi-platform campaigns, we'll create a library of custom visuals just for you, produced to your brand specifications. Backed by industry-leading legal protection, you can also use and repurpose images across campaigns—worry-free—without recurring license fees.
How it Works
Select the package that works best for you and get started with three easy steps:
You submit a
creative brief.
Outline your visual needs—from settings and mood to featured products and locations—on our easy-to-use platform.
Our visual experts
start creating.
Once your brief is accepted, we'll select the photographers or videographers that best fit your needs.
Your team selects the
final visuals.
Select your exclusive images and videos—curated by our creative experts—on our easy to use Custom Content platform.
Our Recent Work
From culturally-appropriate settings to product placement, we create authentic social and marketing imagery that you won't find anywhere else. Whatever your industry, we can help you create the content you need—check out some examples below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know Getty Images Custom Content is the best fit for my brand?
With Custom Content, you can tap into our global community of photographers and videographers to source visuals shot to your brand standards and project specifications. If you need fresh imagery you won't find anywhere else, and want to see how it works, request a demo today.
What is the benefit of teaming up with Getty Images for Custom Content versus hiring my own photographer or videographer?
When you team up with Getty Images for Custom Content, you're able to take advantage of the breadth of our community—200,000+ content creators around the world—who can create authentic content for your brand, based on geo-location and subject matter expertise. Plus, you're able to save time, money, and resources associated with hiring your own crew.
What if I want specific locations included?
We offer region-specific targeting, just make sure to include your desires and requirements under the "Region" category when submitting your brief.
Can I include my product or logo in a Custom Content brief?
Yes! Our creators will capture your product or logo in the settings and locations that best tell your story. You can share these details under the "product placement" field on our brief, and our creative team will coordinate with you from there.
How quickly can I receive the content?
Once your brief has been approved by our creative team, you can expect a quick turnaround time of approximately 4 weeks. These results can vary depending on brief requirements.
What is the process for receiving Custom Content-from brief to delivery?
The first step is working with your sales representative to choose a subscription that best fits your content requirements. From there, simply upload your brief into our system, making sure to add additional information to make your brief stronger.
Creative Brief Process:
- Choose what type of content you're looking for (images or video). If you need both images and video, simply upload two briefs in the system.
- Add specific requirements for the team (including region)
- Upload images and links to pieces of content that you like and/or want your custom visuals to resemble.
- Pro Tip: Share visual references! They help us understand your vision.
Creation and Selection Process:
Once the brief is received, our creative team will review it and notify the photographers/videographers who will work on your project.
Once shooting is complete, our contributors submit the requested images to our creative team, who then make the selection process even easier by marking "Editors Choice" on the best, on-brief material—giving you the benefit of our expert curation. Your content will then be available for you to review and select the ones you like.
NOTE: Throughout the process, our advanced Custom Content platform keeps you updated on each step, so you always know where your project stands.
Are there limits on where I can share my Custom Content images and videos? What about usage rights?
Rest easy with Getty Images' uncapped indemnification for commercial and editorial use. Where you need to use the content for commercial use, we ensure that your images/video are fully released and cleared for all types of distribution. That means you can use and reuse your downloaded assets in all marketing materials-including social media-in perpetuity.
Use the content as you would any royalty free asset with the added benefit that selected assets are exclusive to you.
Contact your sales representative or

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|Simple Machines Game Information
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Simple Machines
Recommended Grade Levels: 2-6 (ages 6-12)
Run Time: If students search for all 10 machines in all four rooms of the house and identify compound machines in the tool shed, it will take them approximately 35-45 minutes. However, if time is limited, students can search one room at a time, for about 10 minutes of class time.
Story Line: There's a robot living in a house on a hill. He's very personable and he has a house full of simple machines (and a shed of compound machines). Students have to actively search for, click on and identify 10 simple machines in each of the rooms of the Robot's house: the kitchen, the bed room, the garage and the bathroom. Spoiler alert! There are some really interesting things in this house! For each simple machine found, the user is asked to click on what the machine does and then what identify type of simple machine it is. Following each correct answer, there is a short animation of how the machine works.
Technical: This is a Flash game, so you will need the Puffin Academy Browser if you are going to play this game on a mobile device. We also recommend having ear buds to play the activity in class or in public areas. Speakers are fine for home use.
Screen Shots:
Educational Standards: (this will be updated to Common Core and NGSS soon)
While the new Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science no longer specifically mention Simple Machines, there are many standards, such as force and motion, that can be met by teaching Simple Machines or using them to illustrate the various concepts outlined below. The standards below could be met or expanded upon by the Simple Machines activities on the Edheads site.
Physical Science Standards
Grade 1:
1. Explain or predict the motion of an object.
2. Explore the effects of some objects on other objects, even when the two objects might not touch.
3. Investigate a variety of ways of making things move and what causes them to change speed, direction and/or stop.
Grade 2:
1. Tools and machines are used to apply pushes and pulls (forces) to make things move.
Grade 3:
1. Machines and living things convert stored energy to motion and heat.
2. Explain how objects are put into motion by pushes or pulls and the change in motion depends on the strength of the push or pull.
Science and Technology
Grade K:
1. Develop an understanding that the use of tools and machines can be helpful or harmful.
2. Know that each kind of tool has a special purpose.
Grade 1:
1. Know that when parts are put together they can do things that they could not do by themselves.
2. Investigate that tools are used to help make things and some things cannot be made without tools.
Grade 6:
1. Know that decisions about the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.
Scientific Inquiry
Grade 1:
1. Work in a small group, then share findings with others.
Scientific Ways of Knowing
Grade K:
1. Recognize that people are more likely to accept your ideas if you can give good reasons for them.


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For the 2nd year in a row, Walter P Moore has been recognized as the #1 Sports Sector Engineering Firm in the U.S., as ranked by Building Design+Construction's annual Giants 300 report (2019 and 2018).
Additionally, SIX Walter P Moore sports facilities have been awarded the prestigious Sports Business Journal Facility of the Year.
Today's sports facilities stand prominently in the public eye, demanding visionary design that energizes a fan base, maximizes revenue opportunities and embraces the character of a local community. Our sports design experts have collaborated with the world's leading designers on facilities that are considered some of the most innovative and iconic sports venues ever built, and boast structural solutions that have repeatedly established new industry standards for sports facility design.
Walter P Moore brings nearly 70 years of experience in the design of over 200 major sports facilities worldwide, including professional and collegiate stadiums, arenas and ballparks, and world-class practice and training facilities. Our portfolio includes the design of new facilities as well as extensive renovations, reconstructions, and repositioning existing venues. We've emerged as creative and reliable design partners for the nation's leading sports architects, developers, and builders, who know that Walter P Moore has never missed an opening day.
Known as the premier designer of retractable roofs and other long-span structures in the U.S., we leverage computational design and parametric modeling techniques to deliver state-of-the-art design solutions. Fueled by passionate sports fans who bring an intense, personal commitment to design, our sports practice has evolved to combine longstanding industry leadership in the structural design of sports venues with a renewed focus on Façades Engineering, Building Enclosure Consulting, Construction Services, Sustainability, Lightweight Materials Research, Assessments, and Rehabilitations to provide a holistic suite of services that is truly changing the game.
Our sporting facilities are consistently recognized for engineering innovation and honored with top awards. In addition to earning Building Design+Construction's 2019 #1 Sports Sector Engineering Firm, Walter P Moore was chosen as the Industry Partner Award winner at TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Awards Summit in 2018.


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The Heart of the North
The Middle of the North Island is the central volcanic region of the North Island where the city of Taupo and the lake Taupo are situated about halfway between Auckland and Wellington with the town of Taupo lying to the north end of the lake and Turangi at the southern end with only a 45 minute drive between the two towns. The region is renowned for its fresh air, ski fields, pure waters, fresh fish and fun adventures. Further to the north lies Rotorua with its geothermal wonderland.
To the south lie the magnificent volcanoes Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe standing guard in the Tongariro National Park. The Park is New Zealand's
Continue reading Taupo


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Learn about Emotional Freedom Techniques at Shelton presentation
Written Words Bookstore in Shelton has invited EFT practitioner Alison Held for an introductory talk on emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Held is a clinical nutritionist and owner of Healthful Direction, a nutritional counseling service in Westport.
She has had success incorporating EFT into her private practice and has used tapping to help address her client's pain issues, digestive complaints, emotional eating, weight management and more.
Tap into healing power
From overcoming psychological trauma to healing physical ailments, EFT practitioners use the technique to stimulate the body's energy flow and tap into its own healing power.
Written Words Bookstore is located at the Oakdale Shopping Plaza, 482 River Road (Route 110). The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact 203-944-0400.


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Comedy Manga
Tales of Demons and GodsChapter 299.1
【Genuine Authorization】(If the chapter is blocked, please download the newest version of app at http://www.mangazoneapp.com/ ) In his past life, although too weak to protect his home when it counted, out of grave determination Nie Li became the strongest Demon Spiritist and stood at the pinnacle of the martial world. However, he lost his life during the battle with the Sage Emperor and six deity-ranked beasts. His soul was then brought back to when he was still 13 years old. Although he's the weakest in his class with the lowest talent, having only a red soul realm and a weak one at... Read more
Martial Peak OthersChapter 744
The journey to the martial peak is a lonely, solitary and long one.In the face of adversity,you must survive and remain unyielding.Only then can you break through and and continue on your journey to become the strongest. Sky Tower tests its disciples in the harshest ways to prepare them for this journey.One day the lowly sweeper Yang Kai managed to obtain a black book, setting him on the road to the peak of the martials world. Read more
A Returner's Magic Should Be SpecialChapter 120
"Now that I'm back, I won't allow my loved ones to die again!"The Shadow Labyrinth - the most catastrophic existence humanity has faced in history.Desir Arman is one of the six remaining survivors of mankind within it.The six attempt to clear the final level of the labyrinth but ultimately fail, and the world comes to an end.However - when Desir thought he would meet his demise, what is revealed before him is the world... thirteen years ago?!Desir is returned to the past, back to the time when he enrolled at the nation's finest magic academy - Havrion. He is reunited... Read more
My StepmomChapter 51
My stepmom's 10 years older than me, but she doesn't look like it... Is she... trying to tempt me? Read more
Sweet GuyChapter 75
Once upon a time there was a loser, but that one day he got the ability. Ask what? Well ... it's hard to explain, he knows how to instruct on "the right path" girls who strayed from it. Read more
Tomo-chan wa Onnanoko!Chapter 712
Tomo Aizawa was able to successfully confess to her crush Junichirou Kubota. There is only one problem: He just sees her as his buddy. He even thought that she was a boy until they went to middle school together, because her grade school was in a different school district. So, Tomo-chan's struggle for Jun's affection begins. Read more
Brawling GoChapter 75
The main character Jae-Jin has problems getting an erection, but he gets a lucky opportunity that changes his life. Except this time, his boner won't go away? What is he supposed to do? Read more
One PieceChapter 993
Gol D. Roger was known as the Pirate King, the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and death of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the location of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Piece (which promises an unlimited amount of riches and fame), and quite possibly the most coveted of titles for the person who found it, the title of... Read more
Haikyuu!!Chapter 402
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as the "Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has aimed to be the best volleyball player ever! He decides to join the team at the high school the Little Giant went to – and then surpass him. Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else? Read more
Beware of the Villainess!Chapter 48
A refreshing, unique villainess who's been dropped in the world of a novel, only to overthrow it all! The reason why? She couldn't just stand by and watch the female lead be manipulated by all four shitty male leads. The story of a villainess, who intends to throw out all the jackasses, and a wolf that only yearns for her! Read more
Neighbor CousinsChapter 47
Tae-Sup has always been close with his next door neighbors, the Min sisters. But what happens if they decide to get… even closer? Read more
Silver GravekeeperChapter 325
A story about a poor student who works as a part-time grave keeper. The boy is flung into a mysterious world, recovering old forgotten memories, and fighting to save a girl. Read more
Fights Breaking Through The HeavensChapter 311
In a land where there is no magic, a land where the strong make the rules and weak have to obey, a land filled with alluring treasures and beauty, yet also filled with unforeseen danger. Xiao Yan, who has shown talents none had seen in decades, suddenly lost everything three years ago - his powers, his reputation, and his promise to his mother. What sorcery has caused him to lose all of his powers? And why has his fiancée suddenly shown up? Read more
Suddenly Became A Princess One DayChapter 81
When I opened my eyes I had become a princess! But out of all characters in this romance novel, why is it the princess who has the fate of dying to her own blood-related dad, the emperor! Read more
Mousou TelepathyChapter 717.5
Nakano-san is a high school girl who can look into people's minds. Because of that, she finds out that the mind of the popular Toda-kun is full of wild fantasies about her! Read more
Solo Bug PlayerChapter 36
If I can succeed it's OK to use bugs or any possible way! A story of reincarnated ultra-high obesity young lord. [b]BRASIL:[/b] [spoiler]Se eu tiver sucesso, não há problema em usar bugs ou qualquer coisa possível! Uma história do jovem lorde da obesidade ultra-alta reencarnado.[/spoiler] Read more
Lady Long LegsChapter 48
Pathetic loser Ji Hyunwoo gets a chance to turn his life around after signing a slave contract with a rich and powerful woman! Read more
Boku no Hero AcademiaChapter 288
The story is set in the modern day, except people with special powers have become commonplace throughout the world. A boy named Izuku Midoriya has no powers, but he still dreams. Note: Nominated for the 8th Manga Taisho Award. Read more
Domestic na KanojoChapter 277
Tonight, Natsuo loses his virginity. His partner? Her name is Rui and he just met her today after school. She's the one that brought up this whole situation, stating that she wanted to simply gain the knowledge about sex. She does not want to start a relationship, nor does she care about Natsuo. Afterwards, Natsuo feels guilty for losing his virginity to a girl he doesn't even particularly like. Mostly, it makes him feel like he betrayed his crush to his high school teacher: Hina. A quirky love triangle story unfolds as Natsuo, Rui, and Hina all end up becoming part... Read more
Boruto: Naruto Next GenerationsChapter 51
Naruto was a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He achieved his dream to become the greatest ninja in the village and his face sits atop the Hokage monument. But this is not his story... A new generation of ninja are ready to take the stage, led by Naruto's own son, Boruto! Read more
Please Don't Bully Me, NagatoroChapter 68
Nagatoro is a freshman girl in high school who loves bullying her Senpai. But he puts up with it, even after being put through all kinds of embarrassing situations, because he's in love with her. Read more
Onepunch-ManChapter 179
In this new action-comedy, everything about a young man named Saitama screams "AVERAGE," from his lifeless expression, to his bald head, to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking fellow doesn't have your average problem... He's actually a superhero that's looking for tough opponents! The problem is, every time he finds a promising candidate he beats the snot out of them in one punch. Can Saitama finally find an evil villain strong enough to challenge him? Follow Saitama through his hilarious romps as he searches for new bad guys to challenge! Read more
TsugumomoChapter 132.1
Kazuya Kagami never goes anywhere without the precious Sakura Obi his mother gave him. One day a beautiful, kimono-clad girl named Kiriha appeared before him. Kiriha naturally began to live with Kazuya in his room. Then there's Chisato, Kazuya's childhood friend with glasses and a ponytail, who meddles in his affairs. Soon there's also an overprotective older sister who seems to want to take baths with him. Jumble in a huge-chested priestess, a good-looking sorceress named Kokuyoura, beautiful women, and hot girls, and Kazuya's happy, embarrassing, confusing life begins! Read more
Hajime no IppoChapter 1999
Throughout his childhood, Makunouchi Ippo has always been picked on by his fellow classmates. Long hours helping his mother run their family business, a fishing boat store, has left him without the time to make friends and so he remains an introverted loner, doomed to be beaten day in and day out. Although he hates being bullied, he hates himself even more for not being able to fight back against his tormentors. "What is it like to be strong?" he asks himself as he stares at his clenched fist. "I want to be strong." His encounter with Takamura Mamoru, a professional... Read more
A Returner's Magic Should Be SpecialChapter 124
"Now that I'm back, I won't allow my loved ones to die again!" The Shadow World - the most catastrophic existence humanity has faced in history. Desir Arman is one of the six remaining survivors of mankind within it. The six attempt to clear the final level of the labyrinth but ultimately fail, and the world comes to an end. However - when Desir thought he would meet his demise, what is revealed before him is the world... thirteen years ago?! Desir is returned to the past, back to the time when he enrolled at the nation's finest magic academy - Havrion. He is reunited... Read more
Hagure Idol Jigokuhen OthersChapter 25
This is the story of Misora Haebaru, an 18 year old karate expert from Okinawa who went to Tokyo to enter the entertainment industry in hopes of supporting her family. She gets tricked into being a gravure idol who wears lewd clothing and is forced eventually to enter the AV world, but she wont go down without a fight. Read more
Detective ConanChapter 1063
Shinichi Kudo is a high-school student who, by using observation and deduction, is good at solving mysteries. While investigating one, he is caught by the criminals that he was watching and forced to take an experimental drug. Leaving him for dead, the criminals disappear. Instead of killing him, however, the drug turns Shinichi into a little kid. To preserve the illusion of his 'disappearance,' Shinichi adopts a new name based on his favorite author (Arthur Conan Doyle) and becomes Conan Edogawa. Ran, his (actually Shinichi's) childhood friend takes this little boy under her wing and brings him to her home. Conan... Read more
Kengan AsuraChapter 236.5
Since the Edo periods of Japan, gladiator arenas exist in certain areas. In these arenas, wealthy business owners and merchants hire gladiators to fight in unarmed combat where winner takes all. Toki Taouma, nicknamed "Ashura", joins these arenas and devastates his opponents. His spectacular ability to crush his enemies catches the attention of the big business owners, including the Nogi Group chairman, Nogi Hideki. Read more
Tomo-chan wa Onna no ko!Chapter 954
Tomo Aizawa was able to successfully confess to her crush Junichirou Kubota. There is only one problem: He just sees her as his buddy. He even thought that she was a boy until they went to middle school together, because her grade school was in a different school district. So, Tomo-chan's struggle for Jun's affection begins. Read more
BJ AlexChapter 53
Every night at 10, Dong Gyun locks himself up in his room, grabs a box of tissues, and watches a live cam boy show hosted by Alex, a BJ (broadcast jockey). Timid Dong Gyun admires not only Alex's ripped body, but his candor in sharing his sexual experiences with viewers. One night, Dong Gyun downs too many drinks at a school networking event and passes out. When he wakes up, he's in bed staring up at a shirtless hunk. A hunk who looks an awful lot like... Alex. Read more
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Good results invariably arise from good collaboration. Exporabbit cares about its work and wishes for everything we spend our energy and brainpower on to result in an enjoyable outcome. Creativity is born from the contact of different subjects and experiences – from the symbiosis of comparison, analysis, curiosity, agile mind, and the ability to let go – always in the context of an open-minded atmosphere. We want to be a collaborating partner whom a customer believes and trusts, whose experience and broad horizon make Exporabbit an interesting partner.
Exporabbit is from Estonia. A country setting a global example with its IT-solutions for an e-state, where extraordinary music phenomena from Arvo Pärt to song festivals exist, and where people have a strong connection with nature. Estonia is one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe, with only 32 people living on one square kilometre but with 4,000 trees per each resident. Music, nature, and smart solutions – these are the essence of Exporabbit.
Exporabbit foretells strong development potential for traveling exhibitions. As creating an exhibition with a wow effect is very knowledge-intensive and presupposes proper execution, the budget is in correlation with the work load. Exhibitions also have to be economically viable and one way to guarantee that is to create an exhibition that can also be forwarded after its first presentation at the host museum. There are many subjects that are suitable for that and of interest to people around the world. Exporabbit thinks along – let us have a revolution on the expo landscape!
We also wish to establish contacts with theme museums and offer them what we have already created in Estonia. If we were to customize the existing expositions to the language(s) used in your country and add information about the destination country, would these exhibitions be of interest in your country?
- "In War and in Peace with Mosquitoes". State Forest Management Center, Sagadi Manor Forest Museum.
- "Wild piggy". Estonian Museum of Natural History.
- "Night Flyers". Estonian Museum of Natural History.
- "The Bold and the Beautiful. Starred by Lichen and Moss". Estonian Museum of Natural History.


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Aviva IQ, is a brilliant new free Airbnb messaging automation tool that launches today to coincide with Airbnb Open in LA. Here is a quick overview Aviva IQ and a walkthrough of how it works.
What Aviva IQ Does
Once connected to your Airbnb account, it allows the user to enter a number of emails that get sent to Airbnb guests according to a schedule.
Here is a short video of the process.
The messages that can be sent are
- Confirmation
- Check In
- Booking Extension
- Check Out
- Review request
For each message you can add dynamic tags that insert personalisation into the message. Here is an example
Hi <<GUEST_NAME>>
Thank you for choosing to stay with us.
Here is some more information on our apartment including directions.
If you can let us know your ETA and/or flight arrival information if not provided previously so we can make sure we are here to check you in that would be great.
If you have questions, please send a message to me through Airbnb and I will respond to you as soon as possible.
Look forward to meeting you.
Ross, Jo & Reggie
Where the tag <<GUEST_NAME>> is used it will insert the users name from their Airbnb account.
The service is free and opens in beta mode at Airbnb Open LA tomorrow.
Aviva IQ Walkthrough
Once you sign up for Aviva IQ and link your Airbnb account, your property details are automatically created for you. Then go ahead and create each message, schedule a time for them to be sent (or accept the default) and make them Active. Messages display as per normal in your Airbnb account, with a small footnote at the bottom of each message (Sent using Aviva IQ). It will even import your Airbnb saved messages templates.
Your property details are automatically created for you here
Enter your messages and schedule here
Probnb.com has been testing Aviva IQ for the last 2 weeks and it has worked flawlessly. It relieves me of remembering to send these emails to each guest and allows me to automate that process which, if you have multiple properties can take a long time each day.Best of all, it's completely free, so there is no reason not to use it.
Speaking with Co-Founder Deborah Yuster she said "With Aviva IQ, Airbnb Hosts can automate their messages and eliminate over 80% of their workload". Deb is a Superhost with more than 4 years Airbnb hosting experience and experienced similar growing pains to her peers and decided to develop a simple way to automate post-booking messages. Now she wants to give back and share it with the world so all Airbnb hosts can automate their messages too.Sign Up For Free


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This blog is 3 days late because it has been a crazy week! I haven't even had anyone around to take a picture of my she-bump. My husband was able to snap the pic on the right before we left for work this morning. I'm just going to go ahead and address it because I know I'm going to get questions. I would like to introduce you all to my Michael Jackson shoes. I wanted a pair of silver oxfords for about 2 years and I finally got some for Christmas from my parents. They are just as fabulous as I imagined.
How far along? 23 weeks (and errr... 3 days)
Total weight gain? 13 pounds (Yikes!)
Maternity clothes? Just maternity pants really. I am making regular tops work.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep? This has continued to be good for me. I have been having minor leg cramps at night but I am usually able to catch them before they become a full blown cramp.
Best moment this week? We had our inspection for our first home last week. It went really well and we are thankful the inspector thinks the house is in great condition. In other words, there wasn't anything incredibly alarming that would keep the deal from going through. I will share some pictures once we get all moved in and settled. We may not have any furniture yet, though. :)
Saturday, we went to Buy Buy Baby to register for a couple baby showers I have coming up in April and May. I was glad I had done most of the research and registering online earlier in the week because we were completely overwhelmed with just the 5/6 things we were unsure about. (i.e. bottles, car seats, strollers, baby carriers, breast pump accessories, etc.) We went ahead and purchased the mattress for bambino because we have the crib and want to start getting things set up upon moving in our new house. Side note: you better believe I had my husband take full advantage of one of the perks of being pregnant.
I snapped this picture of Tyler carrying his baby girl's mattress out of the store. He looked so cute and proud. Fatherhood is definitely going to suit him. :)
|#It'sFoam #He'sNotThatStrong
Miss anything? I miss not being able to wear all of my clothes. I have always loved fashion and style and I refuse to spend a bunch of money on maternity clothing when I am only going to be pregnant for 17 more weeks or less. I have had to get really creative.Food cravings? This week, my food cravings and hunger have kicked in. I was wondering when that would start because my appetite always seemed normal even though I have continued to gain weight at a normal rate. I just HAD to have Chick-Fil-A's chicken noodle soup Friday night and Saturday, I had to have a fruit and granola yogurt parfait. I didn't care where it was from just as long as I had it!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Public restrooms still. I had lunch with a friend of mine who is also pregnant (2-3 weeks ahead of me). We decided to use the restroom at Panera Bread before we left and I walked into the wrong stall at the wrong time. I almost lost my entire lunch. Why can't people clean up after themselves??? It's nasty and inconsiderate to the pregnant race! :)
Gender? Girl, and in fact…I am really starting to have fun putting together what outfits we have already. Baby Gap and Zara Kids are definitely becoming two of my favorites. And you can't have a baby and not purchase at least one pair of Freshly Picked moccasins.
|Onesie and sweater: Baby Gap
Moccasins: Freshly Picked
Labor signs? No
Movement? Yes. She is a lunatic. :P
Symptoms? My back got a little sore towards the end of last week so I went straight to the Chiropractor. I love going. I swear by them. Also, I feel huge. I know I'm not but I am not used to carrying around extra weight and fluid. I had a little breakdown about it on Saturday and had to have my husband, mother and sister-in-law talk me down. *Sigh*…it will all be worth it in the end.
Belly button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy except for Saturday morning. It was not a good morning. I couldn't get my pants on. 'Nuff said.
Looking forward to? Ordering all the remaining nursery furniture online! I am ordering on March 1st! I didn't want to order it and then it ship to my parents address because we haven't moved in yet. I think if I order it March 1st, we should be able to put the shipping address as our new home.
Also, we have our 24 week appointment on Monday, March 3rd. We will have another ultrasound so hopefully I will have another couple of pictures to share.
Until next week,


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Sorry for not being as up to date with the blogs recently, I have had 4 deadlines in the space of 2 weeks and it has been STRESSFUL to say the least. However, my final deadline is on Thursday and then I will be back to posting weekly.
Feeling under pressure recently has certainly made me notice how important the little things in life are. I think my best tip for University, College, School or even just Life is to look after Number 1. It's so easy to be bogged down in work and become a recluse.
(RECLUSE: a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people. aka. goodbye social life)
How I make sure I am not a biscuit-munching-essay-writing-ever-getting-larger-recluse:
- Retail therapy- hell yeah, Missguided had a sale on- 50%!!
- Shower every day- I have two days off a week, and oh the temptation to stay in my pyjamas- but NO.
- Go for a run. I'm really awful at running, but it gets me out. Also, with a degree like History you spend a fair amount of time on your bum.
- When I get stressed I get break-outs 😦 but I am a firm believer that if you feel in anyway rubbish about yourself, put that extra bit of effort in. If I have a random and ever-lasting break out- I curl my hair, or put some eyeliner on.
- Paint my nails.
- Go out for cake. But only if I walk the 20 minutes to the tea shop.
- Go out with friends, have fun, otherwise you WILL go crazy.
Quick Update on what I have been up to:
- I tried a new diet. It lasted one day and I feel horrendous about it. It claimed you could lose 10 lb in 1 week. However, it forgot to mention how awful you feel. I ate nothing but fruit all day and had to leave a lecture early after feeling I was going to pass out. Not only was this embarrassing but I feel so stupid for even trying it.
- As a result of this, I am just going to eat healthier, cleaner and do more exercise… hopefully!
- I have been ordering Christmas presents and am now feeling unbelievably festive.
- During my Reading Week, we got a new Coffee Machine and it is the new best thing for dairy free diets.
- I handed in an essay that I knew was bad.
- Spent too much money on makeup.
If you enjoy reading my blogs, please do like and follow!
Bee xoxo


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|Property region:
|Property location:
|St. Thomas Residence Complex, 45 km south from Burgas
|Property type:
|1-bedroom apartments
|ready to move in
|Number of bedrooms:
|Size of the building:
|62 sq m
|Size of the land:
|Near town, Near historic place, Near mountain, On the Sea, Near beach resort, In fishing area, In hunting area, Near main road
A stunniung fully furnished one-bed apartment located on the top floor of the exclusive St Thomas Residence Complex. Located just 10 km south of Sozopol and 60 km from Burgas International Airport. The apartment includes 2 balconies both with sea views. One balcony overlooking Duni Beach and the other the complex itself. The residence is built on a small peninsular and is surrounded by a nature reserve which ensures its uniquiness and tranquility. On site are 5 swimming pools (2 infinity pools), bars, shopping, spa hotel and 24 hour security. No cars are allowed on site but parking is provided next to the complex. The offer comprises in total 72 m2 (including common areas and basement), a fully fitted kitchen with all mod-cons including a washing machine, cable TV and air-conditioning. Access to the beach is just 2 minutes walk (at night the sound of the sea can be heard from the bedroom). The residence has attracted considerable praise and attention and offer an excellent rental scheme for all those wishing to secure additional returns from their investment.


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From a Mothers Perspective A "Good Parenting" Handbook
According to Laurence Stienberg, PhD, distinguished professor of psychology at Temple University, "parenting is one of the most researched areas in the entire field of social science" – and with good reason! Good parenting helps foster qualities like honesty, motivation, intellectual curiosity, and empathy. It helps to protect children from developing abusive behaviors, as well as depression and anxiety. The relationship between a parent and a child is reflected in the child's actions – both good and bad aspects. Additionally, parents oftentimes base their parenting actions on gut reactions, or on the same tactics and belief systems their own parents used. Sometimes this type of instinctual parenting may serve both the child and the parent well; however, some parents naturally have better instincts than others and some may have had a harsher upbringing than they'd like to give to their own children.
In the WebMD article "10 Commandments of Good Parenting", author Jeanie Lerche Davis refers to Dr. Steinberg's book entitled "The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting" Dr. Steinberg stresses that these 10 rules are not just for parents, but for any adult who interacts with children. The 10 principles are as follows, and are further explained in the article:
- What you do matters
- You cannot be too loving
- Be involved in your child's life
- Adapt your parenting to fit your child
- Establish and set rules
- Foster your child's independence
- Be consistent
- Avoid harsh discipline
- Explain your rules and decisions
- Treat your child with respect
The above principles can be applied to children of all ages. Dr. Steinberg also lists some "rules" specific to parenting teenagers. In the article "5 Easy Ways to Show Your Teen You Care" on www.parentfurther.com,, author Jolene Roehlkepartain cites the following tips recommended by Dr. Steinberg:
- Don't live in the past
- Spend time with your child
- Take your child's problems seriously
- Help your child get to know you
- Keep interactions warm and light
This article finishes with a strong reminder from Dr. Steinberg: "Your child will not be harmed by being told every single day that you love him. Your child will not be harmed by being reminded that she is a source of endless happiness for you. Your child will not be hurt by being showered with physical affection, with care, and with praise when it's heartfelt and well deserved. Don't hold back your affection or act aloof because you think your child will become spoiled by all the attention."
Dr. Steinberg certainly provides a wonderful framework for parents, with many books and resources that can help parents raise a healthy, well-adapted child. Kidtelligent is also another amazing resource that can help! If you are having difficulty figuring out how to adapt your parenting to fit your child, or how to foster your child's independence, the Kidtelligent assessment can give you insight into your child's personality and offer suggestions based on their unique type. Find out more at www.kidtelligent.com, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Kidtelligent.
Sarah is a guest mom writer for Kidtelligent. If you are interested in submitting an article to be shared on the Kidtelligent Blog and Facebook please email us at email@example.com


text: Every week in class, we explore a new SPHE theme, to help us develop good personal and social skills. Our first theme was that of gratefulness. We all have so much to be thankful for and it's important to recognise that. Research has shown that people who consciously count their blessings tend to feel much happier and fulfilled in their lives! This something we will try to do on a daily basis throughout the year and beyond.


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(Reuters) – Designer Tracy Reese, enjoying the spotlight after Michelle Obama wore one of her dresses at the Democratic National Convention, on Sunday showed her latest collection that she said is made for women who share the first lady's confident sense of style.
Reese, one of hundreds of designers unveiling their spring lines during New York Fashion Week, showed easy-to-wear shift dresses, sleeveless tunics and softly draped cropped pants.
Her colors were bright — tangerine, periwinkle blue and beach-glass green.
Reese said she felt "blessed" when the first lady wore her dress of raw silk jacquard in a luminescent mix of hot pink, rust and copper with an accent hemline of silver and blue.
Obama wore the dress when she delivered her speech at the Democratic convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
Reese's clothes are aimed at women with a similar sense of strength and femininity as the first lady, the designer said backstage before her show.
"She's got a clear vision of how she wants to look, so we're just hoping that we're hitting the mark," she said.
Reese added that she and the first lady have similar body types, which she described as "curvy, small waists, more hips."
"I think it's easy for me to understand what might look good on her and what she might be comfortable in," she said.
The dress Obama wore is not yet available for retail consumers, but Reese said she plans to rush it into production.
The first lady has worn Reese's designs about 15 times publicly, said the New York-based designer, who launched her collection in 1998.
Backstage before Reese's show, Australian model Ajak Deng said she was excited to be wearing a line of clothing that Obama likes.
"Everybody always wants to know what the first lady is wearing, and if she's wearing Tracy Reese, hey, everybody's going to want it," Deng said. "That's how you sell yourself."
Also showing on Sunday was U.S.-based fashion veteran Diane von Furstenberg, whose models sported collarless jackets with cut-away fronts, loose cropped pants and long tunics in vibrant blues and oranges.
Spain's Custo Barcelona on Sunday showed a collection of his trademark looks — dynamic prints, vivid electric blues and pinks, and a raucous mix of textures including embroidery, lace, rhinestone buttons and fringe.
Fashion Week in New York continues through Thursday with shows from such design powerhouses as Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren.
(Editing by Stacey Joyce)
[photosmash id=7]
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Over the last few months, we have been airing an interview series on Equal Time for Freethought unofficially called the "Economics of Humanism." The purpose of these programs is to address what I personally think ought to be the center of focus for 21st Century humanism; that is, humanism ought to redirect its primary focus away from atheism, secularism and religious critique and toward the sociopolitical and economic aspects of human culture.
Humanism, as promoted and defended in the Humanist Manifestos (which serve as modern humanism's defining documents), is a philosophy or world-view about an ethical, moral system of thought, derived from scientific method, naturalism and reason, and must be applied to the real world. If we want – as is argued in these documents and elsewhere in myriad humanist literature – a cooperative, tolerant, peaceful society where everyone has equal opportunity to live "the good life," where people are not held back by racism, class-ism, sexism and nationalism, and where we can control or even eliminate the more dangerous sides of human nature such as violence, crime and the actions born from religious fundamentalism, we have to be serious, focused, and even strident about our mission.
The crux of our humanity can be found in our relationships with one another in what we have come to call societies or cultures. The way in which we interact on the large scale as we need to with 6 billion of us on the planet and growing, falls within those areas of study sociologists are interested in – which of course, includes how we govern ourselves (politics) and how we share human made and natural resources (economics). And, If we want to apply humanist ethics and morals to creating a very real planetary humanism, the means must be equal – ethically and morally – to the ends.
The means modern humankind has endeavored at over the last 200 years or so – capitalism, hierarchal democracy, state socialism and Party Communism – have all failed to bring us close enough to the ethical and moral sensibilities of humanism. In fact, too often, they have taken us further away. Therefore, we interviewed for the "Economics of Humanism" series Annalee Newitz on how capitalism's evils have been represented in horror films in March, Joel Kovel on ecosocialism in April, and Noam Chomsky and Michael Perelman on, in part, the problem of capitalism and old forms of socialism, and what do to about it, in June and July respectively.
And now, for this week and next, we will explore one possible alternative to both capitalism and our current form of democracy.
Continue reading "Show 216: Michael Albert – "Introduction to ParEcon""


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Four Troops get Hockey Canada invites
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Adam McMaster headlines four North Bay Battalion-affiliated skaters invited to Hockey Canada's national teams' summer showcase at Calgary next month, it was announced Tuesday.
Centre McMaster is one of 20 Ontario Hockey League players invited to the selection camp for the Canadian under-18 team that will compete in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in August.
Prospective members of the Canadian under-17 team include right winger Brandon Coe, centre Kurtis Evans and defenceman Payton Vescio, all of whom were chosen by the Battalion in the OHL Priority Selection on April 8. Coe was the Troops' first-round pick, while Evans was tabbed in the third round and Vescio in the fourth.
McMaster, a resident of Beamsville, Ont., who was the Battalion's first-round selection in 2016, scored five goals and added 19 assists for 24 points in 61 games as a rookie. He won a silver medal with Canada Black at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at Sault Ste. Marie.
Coe, selected third overall in April, is an Ajax, Ont., resident who played last season with the Toronto Nationals minor midgets. Evans, from Uxbridge, Ont., skated with the Central Ontario Wolves minor midgets, and Vescio, a North Bay native, played with the North Bay Trappers midgets.
A total of 44 OHLers were invited to the under-17 camp, which opens July 22 and is followed by the under-18 session.
No Battalion members were among 20 OHL players invited to the Canadian national junior team's summer development camp, to be held at Plymouth, Mich.
Ryan Jankowski, director of player personnel for Hockey Canada, was responsible for player selections, with help from five regional scouts, Canadian Hockey League general managers and branch representatives for the under-17 roster, and with input from CHL coaches and GMs for the under-18 and under-20 rosters.
The 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is to be played at Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., and the 2018 World Junior Championship at Buffalo.


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To have a story read:
Send your story to mail *att* magnus-sinding *dott* com. Ideally, it would be a one-off or a serial, and each "chapter" would be around 500-2000 words long.
Some considerations:
- Proof-read it! I have to assume what's on the page is what you want me to say.
- Include your full name or pseudonym along with a website link if you have one. (If people generally have difficulty pronouncing your name correctly, let me know how to pronounce it. I want to get your name right.)
- If you have specific ideas on tone or style of reading, let me know. Also, if it's not explicitly stated but important, let me know the genders of the characters and where they're from.
Once your story has been submitted, I will do my best to remember to confirm that I've received it. If it is chosen to be read, I will let you know a little later.
I should say that I won't be choosing based on what's the BEST story, as that is way too subjective a marker. I choose what stories to read based on what I think will sound good coming out of my noise-hole and – sometimes – what will be an interesting challenge for myself to read. Often, a story just really speaks to me and makes me want to read it out loud.
So if you don't get your story read, it's not because I think it's BAD, just that I didn't feel right reading it aloud.
If you want to be a reader:
This site is not just a chance for authors to gain an audience, but also for voice actors to gain experience and audience. If you want to be part of the reading team (Usually, there is no "I" in "Team" but for now, there is only I in this particular one) please follow these steps:
Send an e-mail to mail *att* magnus-sinding *dott* com including a sample file of yourself reading a short piece (1-3 minutes). This is to gauge both your acting and your equipment, so it has to be recorded using equipment you'll have at least weekly access to, preferably equipment you own yourself. I don't expect full, professional studio quality, but I want to avoid the ten-quid headset mic. I use a Røde NT3 with a pop filter and a cupboard lined with sound isolating foam.
Let me also know how long you hope to be able to do readings for. I don't expect anyone to say "for all eternity", so be realistic and give me an idea of how long. A month? Two months? A year? If you are only available for a short time, we could arrange a "guest reader" situation.
Once I get and read your e-mail, I will confirm that I have received it and that the file works, and then I will get back to you once I have made a decision.


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Obama Campaign Launches Poll-Watching App
Barack Obama and Democratic campaigns announced on Monday it will be using a mobile app for poll watchers and Get Out the Vote across the country. The news comes just days after details of a similar Romney campaign app were made known.
Called Mobile Pollwatcher, the app will let Democratic poll watchers check in voters at polling places on Election Day. That data will be transmitted to campaign headquarters, which then knows not to call that particular voter later in the day as part of Get Out the Vote efforts.
The major difference between the Obama app and the Romney version is the president's app is tied to NGP/VAN, a suite of digital organizing tools used by left-leaning campaigns up and down the ballot. Data collected by poll watchers using the app will be accessible by all campaigns that have access to NGP/VAN, from the Obama campaign down to local-level candidates.
"It helps candidates in not just the presidential campaign but also Senate campaigns, House campaigns, state legislative campaigns up and down the ticket," Stu Trevelyan, CEO and President of NGP/VAN, told Mashable. "Nevada is an example. President Obama is putting a lot of resources into Nevada, there's poll watching going on there. The Senate candidate Shelley Berkley will benefit from that... as will lots of other candidates.
"That collaborative piece is not something the Republicans are doing," he added. "Romney has his own voter files and system, the other Republicans have their own voter file and system, and so the fact that this is collaborative is helpful."
Trevelyan noted that access is democratized in both directions.
"It helps the other way, too," he said. "Say, for example, the Republicans are trying to put Pennsylvania into play. Preisdent Obama might not have as many resources in poll-watching in Pennsylvania, but the Senate campaign, Bob Casey's campaign is doing poll watching, then the Obama campaign can use the information that's coming in from the Casey campaign to make sure they're targeting their [Get Out the Vote] resources effectively."
The NGP/VAN app also lets poll watchers check-in voters by a 5-digit identification code instead of by name, simplifying the process.
Historically, poll watchers would have to deliver results manually, by phone or by fax to campaign headquarters. These mobile apps greatly speed up the process, helping the campaigns to better target their Get Out the Vote efforts through Election Day.
Using mobile technology for Get Out the Vote isn't a brand new concept this election cycle. However, given how mainstream smartphones and mobile apps have become, they will likely be used this year in the greatest numbers seen yet.
What other new technologies have you spotted in action this election season? Share in the comments.
Mashable explores the trends changing politics in 2012 and beyond in Politics Transformed: The High Tech Battle for Your Vote, an in-depth look at how digital media is reshaping democracy.
Read a few of the top posts from the series:
Take it with you, buy Politics Transformed: The High Tech Battle for Your Vote on e-book and get access to four exclusive interviews!
Image Credit: Flickr, Barack Obama


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Is Microsoft 'Cool' Now, or Was This Just a Big Stunt?
A couple of weeks ago we poked fun at Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for his brilliant plan to make the tech dinosaur "cool" despite the fact that price has been its main selling point for some time. Yet today marked the official release of the Surface tablet and the Windows 8 platform and, based on the public reaction, we feel like Ballmer may have succeeded in spite of himself.
OK, we love our Xbox, but when was the last time anyone got excited about a new Microsoft product?
Apparently that would be yesterday. Microsoft aimed to make a spectacle out of its new product rollout, and the crowds at its Times Square preview event were surprisingly dense.
The craziest thing about the scene was the fact that none of the people who waited in line for a Surface last night actually got one. They paid for the tablet, and then they were told that they could either return at midnight to pick it up or "have it delivered to their homes or hotel rooms by noon tomorrow."
Wow. That's iPhone-level insanity.
Has Microsoft really become a contender for techie supremacy again?
The company is certainly making progress: Its principals seem to have accepted the fact that we now live in a "post-desktop" world, and the new OS is much more compatible with tablets and phones than previous versions. Another telling detail: TechCrunch asked attendees why they were excited about the Surface, and one of the most common answers was "It's not Apple". Some also noted the appeal of recent television spots. Guess people do still watch live TV, huh?
This still doesn't quite explain what looked like a public freakout.
We're a little confused. Help us out: Do we see genuine excitement here, or is this release event some kind of well-orchestrated PR stunt? We're leaning toward the latter. For example, the fact that Microsoft gave out $100 Xbox vouchers to the first 100 people in line at Microsoft stores around the country this morning certainly had the desired effect. And screaming throngs don't really tell us all that much, do they?
Either way, we have to give Microsoft a PR win on this one.


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What Is Low-Fat Lemon Cake?
Lemon cake normally consists of flour, eggs, butter, sugar, and lemon flavoring. It is generally topped with a cream cheese frosting. A low-fat lemon cake recipe replaces some of the butter and one egg with a low-fat ingredient to create a version of the traditional lemon cake with less fat content. The cream cheese frosting can be eliminated, or replaced with a sugar glaze or fresh fruit.
To create a low-fat version of lemon cake, half of the butter in a recipe for regular lemon cake can be substituted with nonfat sour cream, plain yogurt, or applesauce. A mashed banana can also do the trick. The butter in the recipe is used to add creamy texture and taste. Replacing half of the allotted fat with an acceptable alternative will produce a delicious cake with no discernible difference in taste.
The eggs that are part of a traditional lemon cake recipe also contain fat. One egg contains 4.8 grams of fat. Replacing one egg in a lemon cake recipe with a fat-free egg substitute can eliminate some of the unwanted fat. Egg whites can also be used in place of a whole egg without affecting the texture or taste in a low-fat lemon cake. Egg whites are an almost fat-free food item with only 0.06 grams of fat per egg.
Anyone considering replacing all the eggs with an egg substitute or egg whites should be cautioned. Some yolk is necessary to the composition of the lemon cake. An egg is a necessary ingredient in the chemistry of baking because it acts as an emulsifier. The lecithin found in the egg yolks is necessary to bind the ingredients in the cake together. This is why only one egg in a low-fat lemon cake recipe can be replaced with an egg substitute.
As part of a low-fat diet, a small piece of low-fat lemon cake can be used as an occasional treat for a snack or dessert. A low-fat diet is generally used as part of a program prescribed by doctors to lower the amount of cholesterol found in the blood. A fatty diet can contribute to heart disease.
Lowering the fat content in lemon cake also serves to lower the overall calorie content. One gram of fat contains nine calories. Replacing some of the butter and egg in a cake recipe can significantly reduce the calories in a low-fat lemon cake.


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Hi everyone, join us tomorrow for church! We'll be joining to pray together, sing together, and mentally take a stand for the nature of life (ours and others) as continuous, unstoppable, free — part of the one Life, God.
Featuring: our only pastor, the Holy Bible + Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Together, these books tell us what we need to know.
Location: It's looking like we'll be in our usual summer locale, Johnson Park (right across the street from the Green St. T stop on the Orange line — click for map). However, if rain looks inevitable, we'll default to the community room at Eastern Bank, a few blocks up (687 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130).


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*By clicking these links, you will leave publix.com and enter the Instacart site that they operate and control. Item prices vary from in-store prices. Service fees may apply. Available in select zip codes or locations.
These days, it can feel next to impossible to prepare a meal at home. But thanks to Publix Aprons, you can provide what your family needs to enjoy dinner tonight, in the kitchen and at the table.
Developed by our own chefs, specifically for our customers, our recipes feature products readily available at Publix. All of our recipes are thoroughly tested by pros and regular cooks, so you know they're accurate, easy to follow, and taste delicious.
And these are complete meals. Each recipe includes a color photo of the finished meal, a shopping list, step-by-step instructions, plus advice that includes recipe shortcuts or suggestions for desserts or other sides.
We're cooking up something at your local Publix Aprons Simple Meals center every week. At select times, our meal expert will be preparing and sharing samples of this week's featured meal. Get your free recipe card, plus all the ingredients and tools you need in one easy stop. No time? No problem. Grab your free card and ingredients, then watch a Simple Meals video.
Browse Simple Meals Browse All Recipes
See a recipe you want to save for later? Log in or sign up for My Recipes now.
Our Aprons Simple Meals videos walk you through many of our recipes step-by-step.
All the on-the-go solutions you need, right in the palm of your hand.


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Increasing use of social networking sites and growth in the travel and tourism business is propelling the global market for selfie accessories
The concept of celebrating every occasion of life has increased the demand for capturing every moment on camera. Now-a-days, people click selfies on all the occasions such as weddings, birthday parties, vacations, get-togethers, and almost every other occasion. At all major events, there are selfie booths, where people can take pictures using different kinds of props. Such occasions prompt people to purchase accessories that can easily assist them in taking selfies. The selfie accessories market is growing rapidly across the globe given the increasing number of events that necessitate the taking of selfies, and it is expected to grow at a significant pace during the period of forecast. Further, the growth in the tourism and travel business has also largely supported the growth of the global selfie accessories market. The tourism industry is growing rapidly due to rising disposable income and relatively low travel fares, thereby encouraging people to travel. A vacation is incomplete without the mandatory selfie and this factor is boosting revenue generation in the global selfie accessories market.
Increasing use of social networking sites is another significant factor that is fueling the growth of the global selfie accessories market. The younger generation is highly tech savvy and likes to be updated with new gadgets with advanced features. With an increasing usage of social media platforms, the craze for selfies is also increasing as social media provides a good platform to share happy life moments by clicking selfies. Selfie accessories make the entire process easier as these accessories assist people to click perfect pictures from their smartphones at various angles easily.
Decreasing prices of selfie sticks is rapidly boosting the market growth of selfie accessories. Due to high proliferation of Chinese manufactured selfie sticks in the market, the price of selfie accessories has come down rapidly. Also, an increasing number of manufacturers of selfie accessories and high competition among e-Commerce vendors who offer great discounts are other factors supporting revenue growth of the selfie accessories market worldwide.
The evolution of technology and an increasing craze of selfies are key factors leading to the growth of the global selfie accessories market. With the development of advanced technology, selfie applications are increasing rapidly in various fields such as biometrics and life insurance. Such applications drive an increasing demand for selfie accessories to ensure better selfies and thus support the growth of the global selfie accessories market. Innovation in selfie products is also boosting revenue generation in the selfie accessories market. The Asia Pacific selfie accessories market is anticipated to grow rapidly due to recent innovations in selfie products and accessories. For instance, in June 2016, Popy, which is an umbrella manufacturing company in Kerala, India manufactured a selfie stick umbrella that was compact in size.
Selfie sticks is the fastest growing among the product type segments in the global selfie accessories market
Revenue from the selfie sticks segment in the global selfie accessories market is expected to increase from more than US$ 750 Mn in 2017 to a little more than US$ 2,500 Mn by the end of 2025, representing a CAGR of 16.0% from 2017 to 2025. The selfie sticks segment is expected to create incremental opportunity of more than US$ 1,700 Mn between 2017 and 2025. The adoption of wireless selfie sticks can be considered as one of the reasons for the increased share of the selfie sticks segment in the global market, as new innovations in selfie sticks are increasing by the day, leading to more demand in the global market. With the evolution of new technologies, the number of applications of these technologies is also increasing, thereby boosting the growth in adoption of selfie sticks.
Report Introduction
The global selfie accessories market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. In this report, the global selfie accessories market is segmented on the basis of product type, compatibility, sales channel and region. This market offers several opportunities to selfie accessories providers. While focusing on the overall market approach our analysts have observed that Asia Pacific is expected to remain as the key market in the global selfie accessories market due to the presence of a large number of selfie accessories manufacturers in countries such as India, China, Japan and Korea. China is estimated to be the dominant market in 2017 in terms of revenue sales for selfie accessories. In the coming years, U.S. is expected to be the key market for sustainable revenue generation from selfie accessories products. Our research further indicates that product launches and continuous product up-gradation helps increase business revenue and new innovation that enables selfie accessories providers to reach new potential customers in emerging markets. In a new report titled "Selfie Accessories Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast (2017 – 2025)," we have highlighted our findings on the global selfie accessories market over an eight year forecast period. The market forecast has been done on the basis of the current market scenario. However, in future, the market is expected to witness the entry of new startups, which can change overall market dynamics.
Report Structure
We have profiled the top market players across the globe to get a clear picture of the current scenario of mergers and acquisitions in the global selfie accessories market. While studying these top vendors in the market we have analyzed their recent developments, various financial strategies, SWOT analysis, key business information and overview of their performance in the last few years. Important metrics such as Year-on-Year growth and absolute $ opportunity have been evaluated for every segment along with market attractiveness analysis. In another important section, we have covered the dynamics of the global selfie accessories market for the period of eight years. These dynamics include supply and demand side drivers, macro-economic drivers, restraints, opportunities and trends. Apart from this, the report also comprises in brief the introduction, key market definitions and market taxonomy of the global selfie accessories market.
The global selfie accessories market is segmented into the following categories:
By Region
By Compatibility
By Sales Channel
By Product Type
Research Methodology
Persistence Market Research methodology comprises in-depth secondary research to ascertain the overall market size, top industry players and products. Our reports_bk_01_01_2020 deliver key industry insights and information in an easy-to-understand format. Before drafting this report, our expert team of analysts have conducted interviews with industry players, experts, retailers and distributors in the global selfie accessories market to acquire pertinent inputs pertaining to selfie accessories in the global market. We have considered market indicators such as R&D expenditure and research funding from government and non-profit organizations to arrive at the indicated market numbers. Further, historical consumption trend has been analyzed to track market data. Economic fluctuations have been considered while forecasting the market numbers. Finally, bottom-up approach has been used to assess market numbers for each product category, while top-down approach has been used to counter validate the reached market estimations.
Company Profiles
Selfie Accessories Market


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Idiot Box
Must...think...about...sensible haircuts!
— The Soldier attempting to rebel the box's idiotic ideas
The Idiot Box is a cosmetic item for the Soldier. It is a crude robot mask made from a cardboard box with team-colored plastic cups taped on for eyes, and a coat hanger stuck to the top. The Soldier looks out of the hole cut for the mouth. It is the same mask that Soldier wears in the Bombinomicon comic.
This item can only be worn around Halloween or during a Full Moon; at other times of the year, it does not appear in gameplay, unless the server has Halloween mode enabled. However, it can be equipped at any time and can still be viewed on the loadout screen even when it is not visible during games.
Item set
Main article: Item sets
|The Tin Soldier
Enables additional voice responses
Update history
October 27, 2011 Patch (Very Scary Halloween Special)
- The Idiot Box was added to the game.
- "Idiot box" is a slang term for a TV set.
- The Idiot Box was used as camouflage by the Soldier, the Heavy and Miss Pauling in the robot factory, in the Shadow Boxers comic.


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Ben's Video Tip of the Week: Last Slide
Published: 10-17-2018
Asking event speakers to have a these two things on their last slide can help add value for attendees.
Ben's Video Tip of the Week: How to Dismiss an Employee
Published: 10-03-2018
"If you ever feel good about firing somebody, you're in the wrong line of work," -Jim.
Ben's Video Tip of the Week: Quality Control
Published: 08-01-2018
Having a quality control plan in place is important for any business looking to deliver products that exceed the expectations of their customers.
Ben's Video Tip of the Week: Code of the Old West
Published: 07-18-2018
When making decisions, a leader should consider all of the possible consequences – especially the potential, unintended ones.


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A quick look at federal science funding in the United States
*Disclaimer: Views expressed in this post belong to the author and are not part of an official position of the ADN
The cherry blossoms were in full bloom when I arrived in Washington DC earlier this month to participate in a Congressional Visit Day hosted by the American Institute for Biological Sciences (AIBS). The purpose of this trip was to learn more about how federal science funding is allocated by the US Congress, and then to spend a day meeting with Florida representatives on Capitol Hill to oppose cuts to science funding across agencies, and, specifically, to advocate for an increase to next year's National Science Foundation budget. Since the ADN is supported by an NSF Research Coordination Network grant and many of our members rely on NSF support in their individual research programs, I feel it is increasingly important to our success as scientists to be vocal advocates for good science policy. To this end, I wanted to share some of what I learned about the federal budgeting process and the budgets for 2018 and 2019.
Each year, the federal government is required to produce a budget to direct federal spending for the fiscal year (FY) via an extremely complicated, months-long process. The President initiates this process by submitting a proposed budget to Congress in early February. After consultations and proposals from federal agencies, the budget request is an opportunity for the administration to highlight its spending priorities in detail. Congress is not required to follow the President's plan, but the plan may be influential, depending on the political climate and the support for the administration in Congress. After receiving the President's budget request, the House and Senate Budget Committees develop their own Budget Resolution, which is then voted on by each House. The Budget Resolution, which may cover multiple years, is typically not very detailed and is not a law; instead, it serves to create a threshold level for spending to guide further budgeting decisions. After agreeing on the spending framework in the Budget Resolution, the provisioning of money is left to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, which are each subdivided into 12 subcommittees with jurisdictions over different sectors (e.g. energy, defense, etc.). These subcommittees each create an Appropriations Bill to dictate how much money to give to the programs under their jurisdictions. Each of these 12 bills must be reconciled between the House and Senate versions, passed by both Houses, and finally signed into law by the President. This process is supposed be complete before the start of the fiscal year in October, but has taken far longer in the past years, occasionally forcing Congress to pass temporary spending bills in the interim. If Congress is unable to pass all 12 bills, they may resort to one bill, called an Omnibus bill, which covers all 12 jurisdictions.
Federal spending is broken up into two major categories: mandatory and discretionary spending. Laws outside this process govern mandatory spending, which accounts for about 60% of federal spending and covers major programs like Medicare and Social Security. The remaining ~40% is discretionary spending, which is governed by the appropriations process. This includes defense spending, as well as research, National Parks, and federal environmental agencies. In February, Congress approved an agreement to raise discretionary spending by $300 billion over the next two years. This led to an extra $63 billion in non-defense spending in 2018, and the option of another $68 billion for 2019, should Congress chose to spend it. One month later, Congress, unable to complete the appropriations process, passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY2018 (this was passed 6 moths into FY2018). Unexpectedly, this included a 4% increase to NSF funding, contrary to the President's requests for a cut, setting the NSF budget at $7.8 billion.
Around the time the Omnibus Act was passed for FY2018, the President sent his FY2019 budget request to Congress. This budget again pushes for major cuts to science funding and environmental agencies. The Trump administration recommends an 11.3% decrease in Research and Development funding across the board compared to FY 2018. For NSF, this means a 0.4% cut below the 2017 level, or an overall funding rate of $7.47 billion. Funding specifically for the NSF BIO directorate would decrease by 0.5% compared to 2017. The BIO directorate currently funds 69% of federal grant support for non-medical basic research and already has a rejection rate of 77%. Additionally, President Trump's proposal calls for a 15% cut to the Graduate Research Fellowship program and a 10.9% cut to Support for Faculty early career development programs compared to 2017.
Members of our network at federal agencies may also be impacted by the proposed budget, especially the group at the US Geological Survey, which may face a 20.7% decrease in funding, should Congress follow President Trump's recommendations. The President has also called for cuts to other environmental agencies compared to 2017 levels, including the USDA Forest Service (-15.3%), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (-19.6%), the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (-34%), the Environmental Protection Agency (-24%), the Bureau of Land Management (-17.6%), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (-19%).
On the bright side, the President's budget request is not the final word. For now, we are waiting to hear Congress's response. Given that the FY2018 bill rejected major cuts to science funding, it is not clear whether Congress will support cuts this year. Also, since the Omnibus Bill was not passed until March of 2018, it is possible that next year's budget will be considered after the midterm Congressional elections, which may result in changes to the political composition of one or both Houses. Either way, Congress is currently deliberating over discretionary funding for FY 2019, and now is the time to contact your representatives, should you disagree with this proposal. Many science groups are advocating for $8.45 billion for NSF, and this is what I asked for when I went to Capitol Hill. This process occurs every year, so I'll be back again next year when the cherry trees bloom, and I hope to see some fellow ADN members in the crowd.
Heniff, B., Lynch, M. S., & Tollestrup, J. (2012). Introduction to the Federal Budget Process. Washington DC. Retrieved from https://democrats-budget.house.gov/sites/democrats.budget.house.gov/files/documents/Introduction to the Federal Budget Process.pdf
Pandey, J., Manager, P. P., & Gropp, R. (2018). Analysis of the President ' s Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Biological Sciences Research and Education. Washington DC. Retrieved from https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/resources/AIBS_Budget_Report_FY_2019.pdf
Capitol Building photo credit: Babu595 WikiCommons


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Book now
23 Casson Street E.1 E1 5LA London United Kingdom
Area: --
View map
Book online or call +39 041 8624040
view info & map
Property Location
With a stay at Brick Lane Comfy Apartments in London (Shoreditch), you'll be within a 10-minute drive of The Gherkin and Tower Bridge. This apartment is 1.3 mi (2.2 km) from Tower of London and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Sky Garden.
Make yourself at home in one of the 6 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access.


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New land maps available in time for spring
ESA is making land data maps of Europe and Africa available to the public online in near-real time. The maps target land activities that are of particular interest to the agriculture and food-security user communities.
The Culture-MERIS service demonstration – based on data from Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) at a resolution of 300 m – is updated every Wednesday with data acquired Monday to Sunday of the previous week.
Users are able to download maps for selected countries or regions at no cost here: ftp://culturemeris:firstname.lastname@example.com
(User and Password are both 'culturemeris').


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Welcome to VTransparency, the Vermont Agency of Transportation information portal. VTransparency exists to give the public access to data-driven answers and analytics of our performance. Included are maps, performance reports, dashboards, query tools, and data sets each accompanied by narrative to describe what the data means and what our goals are. The data we track is organized into "cards" for easy reference. To see what the card contains, click the Learn More button.
The simplest way to find data is to search for the topic - like "crashes" or "pavement". Use the search box and any cards not about your search will disappear. Click the Learn More button to see more information, more detailed reports, and maps. To clear your search, use the red Clear Search button.
Another way to find relevant cards is to use the tags at the bottom of each card. Click the tags to see other cards on the same topic.
Each card has a series of icons at the bottom to show what type of data or visualization it contains. You can search for a particular kind using the Within dropdown - for example, see all the maps we\'ve published as a part of VTransparency. Use the Clear Search button to return to the full view.


text: renamed Mini 3 called the Aero for AT&T. There's some serious Android UI skinning going on here -- it looks like a riff on what we've seen on the Streak / Mini 5 -- but that's all we know specs-wise at the moment. To be honest, we're somewhat concerned that this custom UI skin will be built on top of Android 1.5 or 1.6 instead of 2.1, and that AT&T will mandate a Backflip-style app lockdown -- until we get some hard details all we have is this pic and our usual hope for the future.


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2012 East Sparta Homecoming Schedule of EventsJuly 5, 2012Steve No Comments »
The East Sparta Homecoming is underway. The dates for the event are July 5, 2012 through July 7, 2012. The Schedule of events is listed below.
Thursday July 6, 2012
7:00 Bingo opens in the pavilion.
7:30 The New Townes Cloggers
8:00-10:00 PM Mike Handy Elvis impersonator.
10:00PM Midway and Eats Stand close
10:00 PM Fire Department Raffle
Friday, July 6, 2012
4:00 PM Eats Stand opens
5:45 PM Parade Lineup begins (enter from Westbrook St)
6:00 PM Inflatables and Concessions open
7:00 PM Parade steps off
8:00 PM Bingo opens
8:00 PM parade awards at bandstand
8:00 PM Person of the year award
12:00 AM Bingo, Eats Stand and midway close
12:00 AM Fire Department Raffle
Saturday, July 7, 2012
6:00 PM Eats Stand opens
6:00 PM Midway inflatables and concessions open
7:00 PM Bingo opens in the pavilion
8-11:00 PM Murphy's Law Band
10:00 PM Fireworks
12:00 AM midway, Eats Stand and Bingo close
12:00 AM Fire Department Raffle (including raffles from other organizations)
New this year!
We will have hayrides for parking and town rides.


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It's the last European Tour event of the calendar year this week. Justin Rose is defending champion in the UBS Hong Kong Open and a strong field has assembled.
Justin Rose withdrew from last week's Hero World Challenge with recurring back problems but he is scheduled to play this week in Hong Kong. The Olympic champion is joined on the start sheet by Masters champion Danny Willett, Ryder Cup stars Patrick Reed and Rafa Cabrera-Bello, former winner Ian Poulter and four-time winner Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Miguel Angel Jimenez – how to warm up:
This will be the 58th edition of the Hong Kong Open and it's been part of the European Tour schedule since 2002. Having said that, the event didn't technically appear on the 2016 calendar as it was last held in October 2015, as the final regular event of the 2015 season and now, in December 2016 as an early event on the 2017 season.
Since the tournament was first contested in 1959 there have been a number of notable winners including Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and, more recently, Colin Montgomerie, Rory McIlroy and Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard has won the event on four occasions. Last year Justin Rose took the title by a stroke from Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark.
The Hong Kong Golf Club was founded in 1889. The club has been host to this tournament since 1959 – one of the few professional events to have remained at the same venue for such a long period of time.
The tournament will mark the end of this year's Asian Tour. Scott Hend of Australia leads the standings and he'll take the Order of Merit so long as Marcus Fraser doesn't win at Fanling and Hend fails to finish inside the top-13. Hend is a former winner of the Hong Kong Open.
The weather forecast looks good at this stage. No rain expected.
Venue: Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong
Date: Dec 8-11
Course stats: par 70, 6,710 yards
Purse: €1,850,000
Defending Champion: Justin Rose (-17)
TV Coverage:
Thursday 8 – Sky Sports 4 from 6am
Friday 9 – Sky Sports 4 from 6am
Saturday 10 – Sky Sports 4 from 4.30am
Sunday 11 – Sky Sports 4 from 4am
Player watch:
Three Spanish players who might succeed this week:
Rafa Cabrera Bello – He's enjoyed a superb year on the European Tour and has achieved a great deal without securing a victory. This event provides a good chance for him to do just that.
Nacho Elvira – A strong finish to the 2016 season showed that Elvira has the talent to mix it with the top players. He recorded three top-10s in the last two months of the schedule. He'll look to get his 2017 campaign off to a good start.
Carlos Pigem – An outside chance, but he produced some excellent golf last week in South Africa to finish in tied fourth. He'll look to build on that this week.
Key hole: 18th. At 410 yards, it might not look overly imposing on the card but, with water, trees, heavy bunkering plus a famously elusive green, par here is an excellent score.
Skills required: Course management. This is a layout that demands accuracy and a strategic approach. It's an old-school track where the ability to hit the long-ball is not a prerequisite. It's a course that requires good shot-making and a tidy short game.


text:
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Bullo River is the Australian luxury vacation experience for the experienced traveler with varied interests. Days are always different at Bullo — nothing is ever the same twice.
From the start of your Australian luxury vacation, you will get to see what the real Australian experience is. You have the choice to be picked up in Darwin by plane with Bullo Air or you can chose to drive yourself to Bullo River and take advantage of the local landscape. You will realize luxury travel at its best here.
Bullo River is located in the northwestern corner of Northern territory; this provides you with a spectacular glimpse of the Australian outback — one that you can't see anywhere else. You can lounge at the beach or rustle up some cattle if you're looking for a distinctly outback experience. Here are just a few of the exciting things you can expect to do at Bullo:
- Horseback riding along the rugged landscape while enjoying the scenery;
- Fishing for some of the region's most famous species;
- Cruising the Gorge on foot and helicopter;
- Take a full-on helicopter tour that shows you key aspects of Bullo River that you can't see any other way; and
- Take a Bungle Bungle National Park tour.
This is the perfect tour for those travelers that want to take advantage of the best luxury travel in the world. This authentic Australian luxury vacation is one that is jam-packed with rural activities to suit the guests that want to bear witness to the beauty that locals get to see every day while still feeling all of the relaxation and tranquility of home. This is the perfect all-around vacation spot for the outdoorsy traveler.


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One of a kind 577 +/- acres in iconic Hill Country. .25 miles of Cow Creek running through the front of the property. A 2 story 4,271 sq ft home was recently completed with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, a large pantry, utility room, granite counters, & top of the line appliances. Also a beautiful 1 bedroom, 2 bath cabin with a fenced yard and water in front. 12,000 sq. ft recently built building with a 3-ton winch & air-conditioned feed room sits nearby. 10 varieties of exotics included. 3 wells.Guest Accommodations: Yes Restrictions: Yes
Built-In Oven, Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave, Stainless Steel Appliance(s)
Property Listed by: Superior Town & Country Realty
The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Based on information from the Austin Board of REALTORS® (alternatively, from ACTRIS) from October 27th, 2020 at 12:46am CDT. Neither the Board nor ACTRIS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. The Austin Board of REALTORS®, ACTRIS and their affiliates provide the MLS and all content therein "AS IS" and without any warranty, express or implied. Data maintained by the Board or ACTRIS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.


text:
Stephen M. Walt
Hearts, minds, and gunships: What are we really doing in Afghanistan?
It goes without saying that the accidental killing of nine Afghan boys by an American helicopter gunship was yet another public relations setback for the U.S. war effort. But more than that, I think it may also tell us a lot about how we are really waging that war, which is somewhat at odds with ...
It goes without saying that the accidental killing of nine Afghan boys by an American helicopter gunship was yet another public relations setback for the U.S. war effort. But more than that, I think it may also tell us a lot about how we are really waging that war, which is somewhat at odds with the rhetorical emphasis that it tends to get back home. The incident also underscores the inherent contradictions in U.S. strategy and does not augur well for our long-term prospects.
Ever since the publication of Field Manual 3-24, much of the rhetorical emphasis in U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine has been on "population protection," along with the necessity of building local institutions. As noted at the very beginning of FM 3-24: "A successful COIN operation meets the contested population's needs to the extent needed to win popular support while protecting the population from the insurgents." To win "hearts and minds," in short, a counterinsurgency force is supposed to provide security for the local population so that the enemy cannot win local support via intimidation or by exploiting local rivalries. Protecting the population is also supposed to earn their gratitude and convince them that the central government and its NATO allies are winning, so that local populations will tilt in our direction and provide us with additional intelligence, thereby allowing us to go after insurgents effectively.
This approach sounds great on paper, and it helps make the war more palatable to Americans back home. We all like to think that our armed forces are performing noble deeds, and protecting Afghan civilians from the likes of the Taliban certainly qualifies on that score. The problem, however, is that this is a misleading picture of what our forces are actually doing in Afghanistan. (It's also an oversimplification of what the Field Manual actually says because it also devotes plenty of space to the military operations that are also part of any serious counterinsurgency effort.)
The deaths of these nine Afghan boys remind us that this is a real war and that we're actually devoting a lot (most?) of our effort not to population protection but to killing suspected insurgents. U.S. reliance on airpower has increased dramatically, and USAF airstrikes are reportedly up by some 172 percent since General David Petraeus replaced Stanley McChrystal last year. The approach is also consistent with greater U.S. reliance on drone strikes in Pakistan and should be seen as part of an intensifying effort to kill as many insurgents as possible and especially to target key insurgent leaders.
Furthermore, "population protection" itself is not always a purely benign or politically neutral act. Protecting a local population often requires interfering with their daily lives in sometimes onerous and bothersome ways, whether through the construction of massive concrete barriers (as in Baghdad), or "strategic hamlets" (as in Vietnam), or through intrusive search missions in local villages. Even when we are in fact improving the security of the local population, that may not be how the people we are supposedly protecting perceive it. In the Pech Valley, at least, the local population mostly wanted us to get out and leave them alone.
Put all these elements together, and the central conundrum of our position becomes clearer. Heavier reliance on airpower and more aggressive military operations on the ground are bound to lead to more accidental civilian deaths, because military force is a crude weapon, humans are imperfect, and errors are bound to happen no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Yet the more we emphasize that our objective is "hearts and minds" and protecting the population, the more damage the inevitable mistakes do in the eyes of Afghans, the world at large, and to popular support here at home.
Ironically, Section E-6 of FM 3-24 makes this same point quite clearly (my emphasis):
The proper and well-executed use of aerial attack can conserve resources, increase effectiveness, and reduce risk to U.S. forces. Given timely, accurate intelligence, precisely delivered weapons with a demonstrated low failure rate, appropriate yield, and proper fuse can achieve desired effects while mitigating adverse effects. However, inappropriate or indiscriminate use of air strikes can erode popular support and fuel insurgent propaganda. For these reasons, commanders should consider the use of air strikes carefully during COIN operations, neither disregarding them outright nor employing them excessively."
But in their zeal to find some way to turn the war around (or to at least appear to have done so), have our commanders forgotten their own advice? And given all the internal contradictions in U.S. strategy, doesn't it suggest that the war simply isn't winnable (in any meaningful sense), at anything like a reasonable cost?
For more on these important issues, see BCSIA fellow Jacqueline Hazelton's paper, "Compellence in Counterinsurgency Warfare," and Amy Goodman's interview with journalist Rick Rowley here.


text: As world powers gathered in Kazakhstan for the latest round of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Avigdor Liberman said he wished the P5+1 luck, but chose to remain skeptical over the outcome. "We have no illusions about Iran's intentions to drag out the process and waste time," said Liberman, as he called for the six powers - the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany - to take "more practical steps" to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."The international community must rely on its experience with North Korea and understand that sanctions alone are not enough," Liberman said.On the subject of the "Prisoner X" affair, the former foreign minister said that the Israeli authorities had done nothing wrong. Citing an investigation by a Foreign Affairs and Defense subcommittee on Intelligence and Secret Services, which began last week, into the suicide in prison of the alleged Mossad agent and Australian national Ben Zygier, Liberman said that "no fault was found with those involved.""Whether it was the rights given to the prisoner by law, before he committed suicide or anything else connected to the arrest of Ben Zygier - in every step of the way all of the relevant parts of the legal system at the most senior level were involved," Liberman stated at the start of a committee meeting Tuesday. "I can say unequivocally that people do not disappear in Israel. No one has his own form of justice."Liberman also congratulated the IDF on successfully testing the Arrow 3 missile defense system."We proved once again that we have the ability to use our great human resources and our technological superiority," he said, adding that the successful test will significantly improve Israel's "active defense capabilities" and freedom to act in times of war."