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Tag Archives: Adobe
Adobe Creative Suite 6… Stand-alone upgrades vs. Creative Cloud
Today, Adobe announced the pre-release of Adobe Creative Suite 6, their newest version of their digital creative applications, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Dreamweaver (all products I use often). The new thing about this release, however, is Adobe's "Creative Cloud." For a monthly subscription price, you can get access to everything Adobe offers, plus some options not available in the stand-alone software packages.
If you are a Photoshop user, you'll want to weigh the pros and cons of upgrading (Adobe Buying Guide). I know many photographers who still use Photoshop CS3 and are happy. With every release, Adobe offers many new features that will appeal to some, but not others. For example, if you rely on Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) via Bridge or Photoshop, then you sometimes need to upgrade to get compatibility with current cameras (sigh). The Nikon D4 and D800, for example, are supported in ACR 6.7 (currently in release candidate beta), but if you want to use the new 2012 processing engine (available in Lightroom 4), you'll need ACR 7 in Photoshop CS6. Photoshop CS6 includes some new content-aware features (useful if you do heavy cloning and retouching), auto-saves, and new blur tools. Continue reading Adobe Creative Suite 6… Stand-alone upgrades vs. Creative Cloud
Workshops are underway!
I've been busy in my virtual classroom; the first two of my spring workshops are now complete. We had a great turnout, and the attendees all learned a lot about Capture NX2 and Photo Mechanic. There are still more workshops left on my schedule, so if you missed out, you can still get in on one of the upcoming dates. In even better news, participants who have headset mics for their computers can now bypass the telephone altogether and join the teleconference from their computers. This is sure to be great for international participants!
If you have a need for personal attention and support, I may be available for one on-one consulting. I'm happy to help you work on your own images, learn Capture NX2, or whatever other topic you might have about your Nikon workflow. Click here for mentoring rates and details.
It's also software update time. Today, Adobe formally announced Creative Suite 5, which includes updates to Photoshop, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and InDesign. I'm mostly looking forward to native 64-bit support for these applications in Mac OS; something that has been lacking for some time.


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Cost and efficiency are two forces that affect every facet of manufacturing -- not just in Australia, but globally.
It's a simple fact that the more efficient a manufacturer is, the higher their potential for profit. In this highly competitive business climate, the challenge for Australian manufacturing companies is to find creative ways of lowering costs without compromising high-quality products going out the door.
And, of course, this all has to happen while regulatory and compliance standards -- such as coding and labelling -- are maintained.
Investing in core business competencies and optimising management of non-core activities is a good way to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
Total cost of ownership
One non-core activity is the life-cycle management of the coding, marking and labelling equipment that support your business operations.
This is done by optimising their total cost of ownership, or TCO.
While plant managers may look at the TCO of the business' production capital assets -- because these are what generate the income -- giving the same attention to the coding and labelling equipment will also contribute to the business' overall sustainable competitive advantage.
TCO is a concept used to represent all costs (both direct and indirect) of owning capital assets. It goes through the equipment's whole life: starting with acquiring the asset, maximising its operation, maintaining its performance, and then determining when to properly upgrade it.
Direct costs are usually those you plan for in a budget and can see in invoices and receipts, so they're easy to identify and track. As an example, here are some direct costs to consider with coding and labelling equipment:
- Capital
- Consumables over the period (such as ink, ribbon, and so on -- although this is not a factor with laser coders)
- Routine maintenance
- Service contracts
- Corrective maintenance
- Spare parts
- Installation costs
Often, indirect costs aren't factored into the coding and labelling equipment's TCO either. And even if they are factored in at the start of a project, very rarely are they monitored over the equipment's life to ensure it meets original expectations.
Here are some indirect costs with coding equipment:
- Downtime if the equipment breaks down or requires maintenance
- Shipping if the servicing is return-to-base
- Replacement parts at time of service
- Operator training
- Financing costs if it's a lease/rental
- Cost of disposal
- Get proactive with TCO costs
You can save money, increase your coding equipment's performance and improve your workforce's productivity all by simply understanding the life-cycle costs associated with equipment ownership.
Try implementing some proactive strategies to optimise costs over your equipment's four-phase life cycle: acquisition, operation, maintenance and disposition.
Here are some strategies to minimise your TCO and maximise the ROI on your coding equipment:
- Regularly inspect and maintain the coder or labeller, with fixed-price service contracts
- Invest in proper operator training (training is part of our installation process, but as new staff come on-board down the track, investigate training options)
- Evaluate the mean time between failure, response times and same-day fix rates
- Look at the coder's capital cost versus its ongoing running cost (a low capital cost, but high running cost, is a hidden TCO)
Each business decision you make in each one of the coding equipment life-cycle phases will impact the other factors.
The companies looking at TCO holistically -- across both production and coding equipment -- are the ones who improve their profitability and sustain a competitive advantage over their competition.
Planned maintenance
Planned maintenance is also a very powerful weapon in having a sustainable competitive advantage.
Probably one of the best-known examples is Japanese carmaker Toyota, showing that Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) maximises profits in manufacturing.
In other words: take care of your equipment so you eliminate all unplanned downtime. This goes equally for your coding and labelling equipment.
But at what point does the benefit of preventative maintenance outweigh the expense of setting up TPM on-line? To explain, I'll look at two approaches to coding equipment management: the more traditional "reactive" ("it's broken now!") maintenance and preventative maintenance.
The traditional approach: reactive maintenance
Potential benefits - Hopefully, your equipment won't break down. If it does, an inexpensive solution may work. But you cross the bridge of downtime and idle labourers when you come to it.
The costs - Reacting when something breaks is "flexible" to a degree -- until you find yourself in a rut, unable to get parts or repair staff within a profitable timeframe.
The "putting out fires" approach usually occupies valuable resources, as key staff or technicians are forced to make crisis-management time in their day.
If products aren't going out merely because they don't have the right codes or labels on them, and you're unable to meet your commitments, reactive maintenance to a breakdown on the line could cost you more than is necessary in money, sales and customer relationships.
This is the first half of a two part series on more cost effective ways too approach your marking, labelling, and coding, to read part two click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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UNDP Climate Change Adaptation
What We Do
Climate change is real. With fluctuating weather patterns, sea-level rise, increases in droughts and floods, and uncertain climate outlooks, the world's most vulnerable populations are facing ever-increasing risks, food insecurity, limited opportunities and few chances to break through poverty traps and build better lives. For UNDP, adaptation to climate change means advancing more resilient, sustainable development outcomes that take into consideration ongoing and future climate-related impacts. Our community-driven approach includes supporting integrated climate change strategies, advancing climate-resilient agriculture, promoting ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives, fostering resilience for food security, supporting integrated water resource and coastal management, creating improved climate information and early warning systems, and building climate resilient energy and infrastructure platforms designed for the 21st century.
Working in concert with international development agencies, donors, civil society, national governments and local stakeholders this work is designed to build lasting resilience for at-risk communities and promote a global zero-carbon future. Our gender-responsive approaches work to empower women as agents of change and leaders in climate actions. The world faces an uncertain climate future. Without sustained support, hard-won gains in poverty reduction, food security, gender empowerment, access to quality education and other goals outlined by the sustainable development goals will be derailed. This means women and children will continue to go hungry, people will be forced to migrate to avoid the impacts of climate change or flee from rising seas, and global processes to build peace will face new and ever-more complex hurdles.
UNDP is a leader in climate change adaptation. These concrete activities are designed to inform climate-smart policy and strategy development, and support nations in building National Adaptation Plans and Programmes of Action that will protect vulnerable populations from the threats posed by a changing climate.
Our Goal
UNDP works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. Last year, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to continue the work of the Millennium Development Goals. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities for the next 15 years. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable. This is done through partnerships.
Climate Change Adaptation Signature Programmes
UNDP's climate change adaptation works across six signature programmes to support vulnerable communities in building resilience to climate change.
- Supporting Integrated Climate Change Strategies
- Advancing Cross-Sectoral Climate Resilient Livelihoods
- Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
- Fostering Resilience for Food Security
- Climate Resilient Integrated Water Resource and Coastal Management
- Promoting Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Energy
Main Focus Areas
Climate Change and Disaster Resilience
Our Website
The UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Portal is a knowledge-sharing platform that highlights UNDP-supported climate adaptation projects around the world. We share information on country-led programmes and projects financed by the Global Environment Facility Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund (AF), bi-lateral donors and through decentralized cooperation supported by UNDP's Down to Earth: Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) project.
Together with partners, UNDP supports climate change risk management in the context of agriculture and food security, water resources, coastal zone development, public health, and climate change-related disaster risk reduction. To finance this work at the national, sub-national and community levels, UNDP helps countries secure climate change adaptation finance that is available through vertical funds such as the Adaptation Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (both of which are managed by the Global Environment Facility, GEF), the Green Climate Fund, as well as other multilateral and bilateral sources. UNDP supports countries to optimize the use of these public funds by also leveraging and catalyzing private finance for adaptation.


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Basement hotels 'flavour of the month' as Claridge's wins bid to dig five floors down
Warning that copycat applications will come from other hotels looking to dig down
12 December, 2016 — By Alina Polianskaya
Claridge's in Mayfair
CAMPAIGNERS have warned basement hotels are the new "flavour of the month" after Claridge's won permission to dig five floors down.
Planning chiefs on Tuesday waved through the Mayfair hotel's plans for an underground extension in Brook Street to make space to house a spa, bars and restaurants and function rooms. The decision comes just a week after a fully-underground hotel was allowed to open in an NCP car park in Bloomsbury.
The Bloomsbury Association, in a statement, said: "Mindful of the Planning Inspectorate having just overruled Camden's refusal of permission for an underground hotel proposed at the other end of the market and the other end of Oxford Street, the Bloomsbury Association considered it ironic that Westminster should follow suit.
"The pressure is on. Digging deep for residential floorspace may now be strictly controlled but are basement hotels going to be the development market's next flavour of the month? Copycats seem to have already started in the rush to be first in the overheated hospitality sector. Thankfully no troglodytic bedrooms yet in Claridge's bunker but remember what we said about precedent. Who will be next…?"
Westminster's basement policy restricts residential basements that go down more than one floor, but the policy does not apply to commercial developments in the core commercial area of Westminster.
Planning chief Cllr Robert Davis told the meeting: "We're proud of Westminster's reputation as the home of luxury, a reputation that attracts millions of visitors to our city every year."
The planning statement from the hotel said: "Claridge's position as a world class hotel needs to evolve and adjust with the requirements of today's and future clientele. Claridge's must, for its vital existence, provide the facilities which are expected from this class of hotel, and continues to service the requirements of Mayfair, London and England as an integral part of trade facilities to the nation."


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Baby by Choice, Not by Chance
Posted by
During my time in Liberia, we stayed in the house of a doctor that was rented out to the organization Africare. There were wonderful members of the Africare staff that were busy working at the house while we were there. We noticed one day that many of them had t-shirts that stated "Baby by Choice, Not by Chance" on the back. We found out that there was a county Contraceptive Day taking place on our last weekend there, and we were so excited to attend! There was even a Contraceptive Day Fair being held after the program, where women could get condoms, birth control pills, "the shot" (Depo-Provera) or a birth control implant that very same afternoon.
One of our projects in Liberia was using educational picture cards to teach about family planning to women in the villages and in the hospital's postpartum ward. We used a template from the American College of Nurse Midwives Department of Global Outreach for these lessons, called "Home Based Life-Saving Skills". We had picture cards, would tell a story and involve the women in our group with coming up with suggestions for the women in the story to improve their outcomes. One of the stories we talked about involved a picture card of a pregnant woman, looking tired, with many small children. We talked about how the woman was getting pregnant and having her babies very close together. The woman had a hard time taking care of all of her children. This story sounded a lot like Nora's story on this week's episode. We talked about all the options women had in Liberia for family planning, which surprisingly, are very much like what we have available in the United States! We discussed taboos or barriers to using contraception, and one concern was that the husbands often did not want their wife to use contraception. The nursing students at Phebe Hospital helped us with the language barrier, and the women in the postpartum unit became very vocal and involved! It was great to see them asking questions and offering up information that they already knew. We worked to empower those women to make them feel like they could really take control of their fertility if they chose to, and I'm very glad that there are safe, reliable methods of contraception available for many women. I wish we could add "affordable" to that list; while many contraceptive methods are covered by insurance under the Affordable Care Act, this does not always help the uninsured and underinsured.
This episode of Call the Midwife brought me to tears. It reminded me again and again that no matter what I believe, or what I think is the "right" thing to do, that I cannot make decisions for someone else. It can be very easy to say that we would make a certain decision if we were in that person's place, but truly, we don't know how it feels to be in that situation. The hypothetical is never the same as the reality. Even if it is our reality, that doesn't mean we feel the same or act the same as someone else with a similar situation. It was heartbreaking to watch Nora struggle with her pregnancy, and to see her desperation. I was amazed by the compassionate care provided by Sister Julienne. She modeled true midwifery care by pushing aside whatever beliefs she may have had (she is a nun, after all), and putting the patient's needs first. I will continually look to the example of Sister Julienne to remind myself to always be kind, compassionate and understanding in my practice as a midwife.
Andrea Stadnicar (MS, RN, CNM) is a nurse-midwife who graduated in 2012 from the University of Michigan Nurse Midwifery program. Before becoming a midwife, she worked as a nurse in the emergency department and also in labor and delivery. Andrea currently works as a full-scope midwife with the Providence Nurse Midwives part-time.
Read More About Andrea | Read All Posts by Andrea
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So 2016 didn't go according to plan for the blog. It's not that there wasn't anything to post about; I just didn't feel like posting anything. It's complicated. 2016 was an unique year. Now here we are almost in 2017. It's time to get things back on course, and what better way to start things off again than with a brand new PC.
For the record, my old PC still works fine and got some upgrades in the last five years. I got another Dell 24″ Ultrasharp monitor to run a dual monitor setup. The ATI video card died, so I replaced it with an nVidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti. I upgraded my old Logitech mouse to a RedDragon Nemeanlion gaming mouse. And I switched to a Crucial 256GB SSD for my main/OS drive. It's still a very capable PC and will still be used for things that don't require serious CPU and/or GPU power.
I ran into many frustrations in 2016. Two of them resulted in building this new PC. The inability to play Doom at 1080p on low settings at a playable framerate and the inability to do effective video editing at 1080p were extremely annoying. Rather than build something budget conscious to just get the job done, I went with a more extreme build. I decided to build it myself this time around rather than have it built for me. It gave me more control over components and saved quite a bit of money. So here is a rundown of the components.
- Intel i7-6700K 4.00ghz Skylake
- Gigabyte G1 Gaming GA-Z170X-Gaming 7
- G.Skill Trident Z Series DDR4 3200 8GB x 4
- Samsung 850 EVO 500GB
- Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition
- Cosair Hydro Series H100i v2 CPU cooler
- NZXT H440 mid tower case (matt black/red)
- EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2 power supply
- Acer Predator XB271HK 27″ 4K monitor
- Windows 10 Home Retail USB
As you can see, there are no middle of the road components. They are all high end components. They are also all not cheap. I bought most of the items around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so I got good prices for all of them, but it still cost over $2700 in total.
It has been about 11 years since I last built a PC, so I was a little nervous at first when I started putting it all together. The process is still pretty much the same even though the components are much more advanced.
Grab motherboard. The Gigabyte G1 Gaming 7 had everything I was looking for in a motherboard. It has the Intel Z170 chipset. It has great onboard audio. It has the latest and fastest connectors (M2, SATA Express, PCIe Gen3, and USB 3.1). I'm not using them all right now, but it is good to know I can later. It supports SLI. One day I will be running two GTX 1080's. And finally, it looks cool and lights up. ($180)
Add CPU. While no longer the newest Intel processor with the release of Kaby Lake, the i7-6700K Skylake is probably the best bang for your buck right now. Four cores is plenty for me and the hyper-threading will help with video editing. ($300)
Add heatsink. Getting a liquid CPU cooler was a new step for me. It looks daunting at first (the tubes, the huge radiator, water in your PC), but this is modern CPU cooling. This step takes more time now because of mounting the radiator and running the tubes. Much more laborious than applying thermal compound and clamping down a big chunk of metal. ($100)
Add RAM. 32GB's of DDR4 3200. G.Skill Trident Z are for extreme users. That's me. Maybe. They are fast and the metal heatsink design looks cool. Plus during Cyber Monday, they were the cheapest RAM around. ($180)
Add video card. The nVidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition is the video card to have. The only thing better than a GTX 1080 is two GTX 1080's. The Founders Edition has a bit more grunt and looks nice. And on Cyber Monday, it was the same price as standard GTX 1080's. ($650)
Put motherboard into the case. I really like the NZXT H440. My older PC also has an NZXT case. Their layout is good. There is plenty of space for extra fans and ample airflow. And the case comes with extra fans – good quality, quiet ones. I wasn't too keen on the window at first, but considering the components I choose were designed with aesthetics in mind, it is nice that I can see all that stuff. ($110)
Add drives. I went with a Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB SSD. I wasn't going to bother with traditional hard drives. I thought about an M.2 NVMe SSD, but felt it was too expensive despite the very tempting speed numbers. As for extra storage, I recently setup a 3 TB Synology NAS to handle all the household data storage needs. ($130)
Add power supply. Connect everything. Turn on and hope nothing blows up. 850 Watts seems like a lot of power, but that's one place you shouldn't skimp. Plus I need to be ready for future upgrades. ($110)
Install OS. Nothing special here. The latest Windows version. With no optical drive installed, I got the USB version. Installation was smooth, but there were many boxes I had to uncheck so Microsoft wouldn't capture and use all my data. That was very annoying. To improve the user experience they say. I'll pass, thank you. In general, I don't like Windows 10, but the best components are designed to run on the latest OS, so it's something I will have to get used to. ($110)
Setup display. While I am a big fan of Dell Ultrasharps, I wanted something that had better gaming performance this time around. The monitor was the last component I bought since I was still struggling with 1440p vs. 4k, G-Sync vs. no G-Sync, and 144hz vs. 60hz. In the end, I decided on the Acer Predator 27″ 4K monitor. I just had to go 4K. The setup I had dictated it. It has G-Sync, which will play well with the GTX 1080. ($850)
Now that it was all put together and working properly, I installed my must-have applications. Then after tweaking a few settings and creating a restore image, the new PC was ready for action.
What about Doom? The game looks beautiful, and it runs great. I am playing it at 4K on high settings, and it never dips below 60fps. I think I am going to have many happy experiences with 4K gaming.
What about video editing? Well, I haven't processed any video yet. I am shopping around for video editing software. While Adobe Premiere Elements was okay five years ago, I think it is time for something better. I am sure whatever software I pick, video editing will go much, much faster.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the new PC. Now it's up to me to use it to its fullest potential and start putting out more content.


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|Jim Gotto
Since being out of office, Gotto has stayed active in politics. He chaired last year's Davidson County Republican caucus and convention and he briefly served on the Davidson County Election Commission. He resigned that seat in protest of the firing of, and the despicable manner in which Commission Chairman Ron Buchanan treated, Administrator of Elections Albert Tieche.
Gotto also is very active in his community. He is an elder at his church, he volunteers with Meals On Wheels and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). He is active with the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber, Donelson-Hermitage Exchange Club; and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Pregnancy Center of Tennessee.
In making his announcement, Gotto said:
I am running because I believe the citizens of Donelson, Hermitage and Old Hickory need conservative leadership that will remain focused on creating an environment for economic growth and further maintain fiscal sanity in state government. I am eager to once again partner with Speaker Harwell and Governor Haslam on the progress that has already been made.
It was an honor to serve previously in the state legislature and metro council, but I know we still have a lot to accomplish. I appreciate the outpouring of support and encouragement to return to public service. I'm ready to get back to work; and to talk about how we can get our community working again as well.Republicans have a real chance to retake this seat and Gotto is a good candidate. He is solidly conservative and a man of integrity and principles. He is the type of man I would trust with my wife or my daughter or my wallet. Republicans need to rally around Jim Gotto and retake this seat!
There will be a fund raiser for Jim Gotto on Tuesday December 17th, 2013. Details are below:
Sponsors: Speaker of the House of Representatives Beth Harwell, Senator Steve Dickerson, Senator Ferrel Haile, Representative Gerald McCormick, and Representative Glen Casada.If $500 is a little steep, please send a contribution of any amount to "Friends of Jim Gotto,' (updated address pending. Jim will also need door knockers and poll workers and people to put up signs and make phone calls and stuff envelopes and help in numerous ways. Get involved and help Jim Gotto retake this seat!
When: Tuesday December 17th, 4PM to 6PM
Where: The Cumberland, 555 Church St., Nashville
Minimum Contribution: $500
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Cinematographer Nirav Shah is well known for his scintillating camera works in the films Arindhum Ariyamalum, Pattiyal, Billa, Hindi movie Dhoom, Dhoom-2, Pokkiri and Sarvam that is still under production. He has dreamt about a great establishment in film industry and now its his time of making them into realities. Nirav Shah will soon launch his new film city of 14acres across the Old Mahabalipuram Road inclusive of 14 air conditioned studios each measuring up to 27,000 sq.ft. Other attributes of this film city is that a premier cinema hall for hosting film festivals will be raised and another special theatre with 250 capacity seats will be installed with the facilities of multiplex.
A grand dining hall for junior artists and other film technicians will be inclusive of the best features that can accommodate around 500. For the actors and actresses to spend their break time and leisure hours, a well-facilitated gym with best equipments will also be constructed.
On the technical aspects, instruments and camera of high definition categories will be provided in the studios itself. Lighting arrangements are done with remote controls and that is more useful while shooting the film at different tones in the frame.
So, let's convey our heartily wishes for cinematographer Nirav Shah who is kick-starting with his new venture that costs around Rs.100Crores…


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How to Manage a Large Fleet of Cars
How to Manage a Large Fleet of CarsAugust 26, 2017 Comments Off on How to Manage a Large Fleet of Cars
Fleet management is a tough task for any business. It has many pitfalls for the inexperienced fleet manager and requires lot of attention to detail. If you need to begin managing a fleet of vehicles, here is a quick guide to begin:
- Store all details safely. You will need to know when MOTs are due, any maintenance issues that might need attending to, when services are due, total mileage etc. Keep a database with all of this information on it.
- Monitor driving. Make sure you know who is driving which vehicle and what they are doing with it. Consider installing telematics boxes.
- Make sure staff know what to do. Give them their fuel cards and emergency numbers and make sure they have received a full briefing in case of emergencies.
- Make fleet management a full time task. It's not something you can dip in and out of. It should be somebody's role.


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Evergreen Behavioral Services Recognized for Addressing Tobacco Use
August 03, 2018
Several Maine behavioral health organizations were recently celebrated through the 2018 Gold Star Standards of Excellence program, sponsored by the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence's Breathe Easy initiative. The Gold Star Standards of Excellence program celebrates the efforts of Maine behavioral health organizations addressing smoking and tobacco use on their campuses.
Evergreen Behavioral Services (EBS), based in Farmington and an affiliate of Franklin Community Health Network, was recognized for meeting the gold award level for efforts to implement policies, procedures, and treatment strategies to prohibit smoke and tobacco use on campus and address client tobacco use. EBS met all ten best-practice Gold Star standards.
Award levels are based on best practice criteria such as a smoke and tobacco-free campus policy, annual screening for tobacco use, referral to tobacco treatment and supporting employee education related to tobacco treatment.
"People living with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders are two to four times more likely to use tobacco; tobacco-free campus policies support a healthy, smoke-free social norm for clients and employees. We applaud the efforts of our Gold Star behavioral health organizations for proactively addressing tobacco use and exposure," said Sarah Mayberry of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence.
According to Ellen Thorne, program & planning coordinator at Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County, "In my grant-funded role as a tobacco prevention partner, I worked with EBS to review its tobacco policy, determine the Gold Star standards that were met, and submitted the application verifying that all ten standards were in accordance with guidelines."
Besides EBS, five additional organizations and one individual were recognized for their achievements in advancing campus smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles: Kennebec Behavioral Health, Alternative Services Northeast Inc., Mid Coast Hospital Addiction Resource Center, The Northern Lighthouse, Your Journey, and Cody Tompkins of The Northern Lighthouse.
For more information about the Tobacco-Free Behavioral Health initiative and Gold Star Standards of Excellence recognition program, please visit BreatheEasyMaine.org/BehavioralHealth.


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BJP conclave: Modi arrives in Goa; Advani will not attend today's office-bearers meet
BJP leader LK Advani will skip the meeting of party office-bearers in Goa today due to ill health. However, The 85-year-old senior party leader will be attending the party's national executive on Saturday and Sunday in Goa.Modi 'best weapon' for BJP; Pawar calls him 'inflated balloon'delhi Updated: Jun 07, 2013, 17:55 IST
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who is being touted as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) possible prime ministerial candidate and the one who will lead the party's 2014 general election campaign, was given a rousing welcome by BJP supporters and leaders soon after his arrival in Goa on Friday.
He was received by Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar and other senior party leaders.
Soon after his arrival, Modi offered his condolences to finance minister P Chidambaram and his family on hearing the news of the death of the latter's mother in Chennai.
He prayed for the peace of the departed soul and for the almighty to give strength to the Chidambaram family in their hour of bereavement.
BJP veteran LK Advani and many senior leaders will be missing from the meeting of the office bearers of the party in Goa ahead of the two-day national executive meeting over the weekend.
The meeting is seen as significant as the matter of who will lead the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign committee for the 2014 general elections is likely to feature in it.
Sources from the party say Advani will not attend the office-bearers' meeting, seen as a preparatory one.
Advani, however, is expected to reach Goa Saturday morning, in time for the national executive conference.
The 85-year-old party veteran has cited health reasons for skipping the meeting.
Another senior party leader, 75-year-old Jaswant Singh, told reporters in New Delhi that he was "going to hospital" and may not be in Goa.
Some other faces missing are Uma Bharati, who wrote to party president Rajnath Singh expressing inability to attend, on grounds of poor health. Party general secretary Varun Gandhi is travelling abroad, and will remain absent too.
Deputy leader of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha Ravishankar Prasad, who is in Sri Lanka, will also miss the Goa session.
The office bearers' meeting Friday is scheduled to begin 3 pm. Members of the BJP's parliamentary board, the highest decision making body of the party, general secretaries, and state chiefs of the party are set to attend.
Modi's role in the next Lok Sabha elections is expected to be the dominant theme of the BJP meet, amid a strong demand from some sections of the party for declaring him the campaign committee head.
"There is expectation among the cadre that BJP president Rajnath Singh will give out a clear message to the party at the Goa conclave. He has been working on it and is in consultation with BJP top brass and members of Parliamentary Board prior to the conclave," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said when asked about the issue.
Asked if decks have been cleared for Modi to be announced as the campaign committee chief, Rudy said nothing has been firmed up yet. He refused to comment further on it.
However, sources said Singh is still in consultation with the top leadership on the issue.
There are apprehensions that some die-hard Modi supporters who are part of the BJP National Executive may publicly demand during the conclave that the Gujarat chief minister be made the head of the campaign committee.
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha has virtually ruled out the possibility of Modi's name being announced at the meet.
Asked if leadership issue is the focus of Goa conclave, Sinha told a news channel, "The National Executive of the BJP is too large as a body to discuss leadership issues. BJP has already made it very clear that these issues will be decided in the Parliamentary Board."
While Modi will hog the limelight whether an announcement about his role in the Lok Sabha elections is made or not, the party will discuss other aspects of the preparations for the next general elections.
The National Executive will pass two resolutions. There will be a resolution on the internal and external security situation in the country and the UPA government's failure to deal effectively with the challenges.
Though BJP usually passes a political and an economic resolution at its national executive meets, a change has been made in the forthcoming conclave.
Sources said this has been done due to the recent Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh on Congress leaders. The BJP government in the state has drawn flak for the incident.
The political resolution to be adopted at the Goa meet will incorporate the economic issues, party sources said. Issues like price rise, state of the economy, corruption and scams will figure in this resolution.
Discussions on other matters like strengthening the party at the booth level and issues to be taken to the people are also on the agenda.
Relations with NDA allies like JD(U) and the need for winning over more parties to the coalition will also figure.
(With inputs from PTI)


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You may have tried Pilates before, and you may be a regular at our daily classes in Huntington Beach, but how much do you know about the origin of Pilates? You know how beneficial it is for your body, but understanding its history can make you appreciate the exercise form even more. At SweatHB, we want to help people achieve their fitness goals, and that can be accomplished by building off what's been done before, as well as by studying those who have come before, like Joseph Pilates.
The Man Who Created Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born near Dusseldorf, Germany in 1883, and after battling sickness as a child, he took up bodybuilding and regular exercise to make himself stronger and healthier. He was very interested in the classical exercise routines of the Greeks and Romans, and along with Western practices, he studied Eastern disciplines such as tai chi and yoga.
When he was in his 30s, Pilates left Germany for Britain and became a skier, diver, and professional boxer. He also worked as an acrobat for a short time. Unfortunately, during World War I, he was interned in Britain, however he used this time to begin developing his own exercise program, combining what he already knew with what he learned while working as a nurse during his internment.
In 1923, Pilates set sail for America, and after meeting his wife Clara on the trip, he established his first exercise studio in New York City. Pilates called his innovative system "Contrology," but of course, today it is known by the name of the man who revolutionized how people work out and get in shape.
If you're interested in signing up for one of our Pilates classes in Huntington Beach, contact us today!


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A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand seeks to inspire, educate and enable communities to actively care for New Zealand's unique environment.
In Whaingaroa/Raglan, A Rocha leads a community conservation project managing 2,000 hectares on a forested coastal mountain. Focused around intensive predator control, the project seeks to provide a safe habitat where seabirds can breed, thus restoring biodiversity to the forest.
Committed volunteers in other regions are involved in wetland, native bush and stream restoration, a native tree nursery and planting projects.
A Rocha Aotearora New Zealand also runs a number of innovative advocacy, leadership and educational programs and events with communities, churches and educational organizations.


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More Wireless Data and Call Capacity Activated for Mission Viejo, California
Verizon Wireless adds capacity to cell sites to stay ahead of demand for calls, e-mail, text and web surfing
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 14, 2010 - Even moreOrange County residents, businesses and visitors can now enjoy high-speed wireless data and voice connections in the intersection of Trabuco Road and Marguerite Parkway as well as all residential and commercial buildings in the surrounding areas, thanks to recent Verizon Wireless network upgrades. Hundreds of upgrades since December 2009 have increased the company's 3G data and voice capacity by nearly thirty percent in Southern California. The increased capacity means more users are empowered to surf the web, download applications and content, and exchange e-mail and other messages.
"People expect their cell phones and wireless devices to work whenever and wherever they need them," said Bill D'Agostino, executive director of network for Verizon Wireless in Southern California. "That's why we continue to invest in our network. By meeting the growing demand for data services on our network, we empower each of our customers to Rule the Air in their own unique, individual way."
To learn more about how Verizon Wireless empowers its customers to Rule the Air, visit: http://tinyurl.com/2arpjjs
Businesses can tap into the power of Mobile Broadband
Mobile Broadband allows users to connect to the Internet wirelessly to download applications, business documents and music, as well as accessing e-mail and corporate data while on the go. Small business owners interested in Mobile Broadband can visit tinyurl.com/392334gwhere they can:
o Watch videos about how mobile technologies can improve business results
o Check out case studies and articles on business strategies to become
more productive
o Learn about the latest promotions and discounts for small businesses
o Read white papers about wireless security and connectivity options for
4G LTE services
Verizon Wireless launched its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. In the Los Angeles area, 4G LTE coverage extends north to Pasadena, east to Chino, south to San Clemente and west to Woodland Hills. In the San Diego area, 4G LTE coverage extends north to Del Mar and Poway, east to Lakeside and south to Imperial Beach.
The company's ongoing aggressive network build includes launch in 38 major metropolitan areas, including 60 airports, covering more than 110 million people. The company will cover virtually all its current nationwide 3G footprint with the 4G network by the end of 2013.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless
Ken Muche of Verizon Wireless,
Web Site: www.verizonwireless.com


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ASEAN Youth Citizen Journalism Contest 2017
Deadline : October 13th, 2017 at 5:00pm Jakarta/Bangkok time
Location : Singapore
Duration : 6—11 November 2017
Type : Fully Funded
Description :
The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Youth (SOMY) is pleased to announce the 2017 ASEAN Youth Citizen Journalism contest. We are inviting "Citizen Journalists" to submit an essay describing a theme that is important to youth in the ASEAN Community, such as youth entrepreneurship, employment, awareness raising, volunteerism and leadership, and building resilient community. Based on their essay submissions, up to 20 youth will be competitively selected to participate in a workshop where they will develop and implement a social awareness activity in their respective countries.
This contest is supported by the ASEAN Foundation and the U.S. Government through ASEAN-U.S. PROGRESS, a joint project of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. State Department. Additional support is being provided by the Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund and Singapore Polytechnic.
- Any existing or aspiring citizen journalist that holds an ASEAN member country passport (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and resides in the country of citizenship. Note: professional journalists who are full-time employees of established media outlets are not eligible to compete.
- Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age on October 13th, 2017.
- Selected finalists must have a valid passport allowing them to travel to Singapore and must be able to communicate fluently in both spoken and written English.
- Selected finalists must have active Facebook and Gmail accounts for easy communication with the trainer and other participants.
Application Process:
- Write an essay on one of the selected themes described above, explaining the theme, why it is important for youth in ASEAN, how it is relevant in your own life. Essays must be written in English, contain a maximum of 600 words, use 12-point Times New Roman font and be double spaced.
- In a separate document, list any supporting references to existing publications or sources that support the information in the essay. Such references can be in any format, such as text, photos, infographics and audio/video. This document will be uploaded as part of the application package.
- Visit aseanyouthcjcontest.com, complete the application form and upload the two attachments: 1) essay and 2) supporting references.
Application process and evaluation criteria:
A selected panel of judges will evaluate your essay submission. The selection criteria are outlined below:
- Clarity of ideas: The essay clearly demonstrates understanding of the theme and why it is important to youth in ASEAN Community.
- Creativity: The essay is written in a creative and compelling way with a thoughtful approach from youth perspective.
- Potential reader impact: The essay conveys personal or aspirational thoughts that are inspiring to viewers.
- Originality: In spite of being supported by existing publications/references, the essay should show originality and has never been published by any other authors.
Following the evaluation process, the 20 finalists (two from each ASEAN Member State) will be selected to participate in a citizen journalism workshop in Singapore on 6—11 November 2017.
Applications need to submit online: here
Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding the ASEAN Youth Citizen Journalism Contest 2017, please contact: [email protected].


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12 Arrested in Vishing CaseOperation Netted Millions from Banks, Victims
Belgian and Dutch judicial and law enforcement authorities have disrupted a voice-phishing scheme that collected millions of euros from Belgian victims and banks.
See Also: Seeking Success by Adopting a SASE Architecture: en el idioma Español
The authorities, supported by the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol and Eurojust, arrested 12 members of the group, along with the seizure of €15,000 in cash and important digital evidence in the vishing case, according to a statement from Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency.
In the case, according to Europol, victims in Belgium first received an e-mail that purported to be from a Belgian bank asking for personal information. In the second phase of the scheme, the criminals, who were located in the Netherlands, made contact with the victims by telephone in order to gain access to private and personal information. The scheme enabled the criminals to access bank accounts in Belgium and transfer money out of them.
Investigations to identify potential criminal connections in other member states are continuing. Europol urges citizens to be cautious of receiving cold calls requesting personal information such as PINs, passwords or other details.
"This case is another example of organized cybercriminals setting up teams to act like legitimate representatives of established businesses, who then lure innocent victims into disclosing personal information," says Troels Oerting, head of EC3. "The criminals misuse this harvested information to steal the victims' identities or money."
Eurojust and EC3 facilitated cooperation between Belgian and Dutch judicial and law enforcement authorities by hosting coordination and operational meetings. EC3 also provided valuable analytical and forensic support to the joint investigation team.
Eurojust, an agency of the European Union that deals with investigations and prosecutions, did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.


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Montclair, CAMenu
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level.
For additional information contact HUD at:
U.S. Department of


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Beautiful!! They look very elegant!.
Nice, heavy weight brass tiebacks. Understated and elegant in appearance. One small problem, they were not advertised as a "pair", so I ordered two to be on the safe side. When they arrived, I had received two pair, not two each, so I sent one pair back. Otherwise, very satisfied with the product.
These holdbacks are absolutely beautiful. The one flaw that I would mention is that it didn't come with instructions as to how to put it together, so I had to use some intuition.
The photo does not give it justice. It is 3 & 3/4" in diameter, beautiful, and heavy bright brass. I initially thought the price was rather high. Once received and examined - I find it is well worth the price, and quality. A nice surprise/find. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for this product.


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Eli Manning's time as the starting quarterback of the New York Giants has ended. It spanned parts of 16 seasons -- a franchise record -- and included two Super Bowl victories. Not a bad run.
His Super Bowl MVPs and postseason performances are the stuff of legend. So are his pranks and his "aw-shucks" personality.
It has been quite a ride -- 234 starts spanning parts of three U.S. presidencies. Along the way, Manning has been one of a kind in the way he has handled such situations as forcing his way out of San Diego, being criticized by his teammates and landing on the front page of the New York Post in a dunce cap.
The memories are indelible. These are a sample of the go-to stories he has left with some of the people he has worked with over the years.
'When it rains, it pours!'
Zak DeOssie (Giants long-snapper, 2007-present): "I snapped the ball over the punter's head in Philly. Remember that a few years ago? [Punter] Steve Weatherford tried to corral it. He didn't get it. They scored a touchdown.
"We were pitching a shutout in the fourth quarter. It was their only touchdown. So I felt this big [fingers only inches apart] that day. I go in the locker room. I answer the media and everything that day. I go to grab my bag and leave and cry in the back of the bus, and I grab my bag off the stool. It's unzipped and everything falls everywhere.
"Eli looks at me and laughs, just the two of us, and goes, 'When it rains it pours, buddy. See you on the bus!'"
'Eli don't give a damn'
Ernie Accorsi (Giants general manager, 2004-07): "This just describes [Eli] and the difference between him and Peyton [Manning].
"When you work out a player prior to the draft, you're allowed to work him out in one of two places -- his hometown or his college campus. So Eli's pro day was going to be at the New Orleans practice facility. There were some players, some Tulane receivers, some players from LSU who happened to live there. It was indoors. I was there.
"Tom Condon is the agent, and we're sitting there. J.P. Losman shows up. He was a quarterback who was also picked in the first round. He shows up unannounced. It would have been fine, but he didn't tell anyone. He just shows up. He's out there throwing the ball around. So I walked up, and Peyton was there. Archie was there, but he was so nervous driving around in circles in the parking lot.
"Condon said, 'Losman showed up!' I said, 'Yeah, I see.' He said, 'Peyton is not very happy.' I said, 'Well, he plays for the Colts. What about Eli?' He said, 'Oh, Eli don't give a damn!' (laughs)
"He just went about his business and had a brilliant workout. That's Eli. ... I liked that calmness."
The Super Bowl speech
Antrel Rolle (Giants safety, 2010-14): "Eli is not a guy of many words. Before we left and went out to Indianapolis to prepare [for Super Bowl XLVI], he stood in front of the whole team. And I can't tell you that I ever really saw that in the two years prior to myself being there. That he stood in front of the whole team! He got everyone's attention -- and obviously he's Eli, and everyone is going to listen to what he's going to say -- and his approach was very simple and very direct. It was very, very powerful.
"He assured everyone that we were going to Indianapolis to take care of business. That this wasn't a fun trip, a trip to let our hair down, enjoy the festivities. This was a trip to go out there and take care of business. And for a person like myself who had gone to a Super Bowl and lost in the final minutes, I understood it and, more important, I gravitated toward it because it hit home to me. That's not Eli's specialty right there. I'm not sure what he does in the offensive room, but as far as the whole team, that was never really his thing.
"For me, my eyes brightened up wide open, and I really took into account what he was saying. I went out there and studied, studied, studied. Our practices were the best I've ever seen in my entire career that week. And just going out there and putting everything on the line to the point that after the Super Bowl all I did was go to my room and relax because I had nothing left in my tank. He 200 percent helped everyone get straight."
Prince Amukamara (Giants cornerback, 2011-15): "My rookie year, I had never heard Eli talk, give a speech. And then we went to the Super Bowl. It was probably a day before we traveled, and Eli stood up before everybody and gave a leadership speech, like, 'Hey, this is still a business trip! Of course we want to enjoy ourselves, but curfew is set at this time.'
"I was like, 'Eli, you haven't spoke all year. You're talking about curfew!'
"It was great to see that in him and see him do that. I thought that was special. I didn't really look at everybody else [how they reacted]. I'm sure it was talked about by our leadership council.
"But I was just like, 'Whoa, Eli.' He never really said anything, and all of a sudden he's laying down the law with curfew."
The pranks
Chase Blackburn (Giants linebacker, 2005-12):
"[Former quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer] used to ride a bike over to Albany from the dorms. So he got him one day. [Eli] took his bike off the bike rack, tied it to a rope, hung it from the rafters in the middle of the gym. Tied it up so Chris couldn't ride the bike!
"Lawrence Tynes would take the air out of all the tires [in cars]. Not to where they are done or popped or ruin the car. And [Eli] tapes a bike pump, a hand pump to the car so they can pump up their tires. And [Eli's] driving by so they can videotape him.
"Shaun O'Hara had a Hummer at that point. And [Eli] would take his EZPass off when we'd leave camp. So when [O'Hara] would get back to [New Jersey], he would get tickets at every point. And then [Eli] would give it to him at his locker when he gets back and laugh. So, it's good stuff."
Amukamara: "So I went back to my locker, and I saw my phone is in Chinese or whatever. I'm freaking out, like, 'How do I get this out?' I can't Google it because everything is in Chinese. I look to the right a couple lockers down, and you see a dude smirking, and it's Eli.
"I guess that is Eli's prank. If you mess with him, he puts your phone in Chinese. I had to Google on someone else's phone."
Friend and teammate
Michael Thomas (Giants safety, 2018-present): "It's cool to see how personable he is. He'll sit and talk with anybody, especially in the lunch room. It could be very easy to say, 'Oh, he's Eli Manning. He's very busy. He's working. He doesn't have time.' But no. He's cool. He's just one of the guys. That is pretty cool.
"He came and introduced himself [to me]. It doesn't matter [if it's a teammate or ball boy], he's just one of the guys. I like that. I respect it. Notice it the first day. It says he's a great teammate, great personality. He's real. Not somebody who is fake. You can tell real quick who is fake and who is not."
The work ethic
Justin Tuck (Giants defensive end, 2005-13): "Me and Coach [Tom] Coughlin used to have these indirect competitions of who could be in the office first. But Eli was always a guy who was No. 1 or 2 in the building. And one or two of the last to leave the building.
"For a two-time Super Bowl champion, multiple Pro Bowler, if you want to count how many dollars he's made in contracts and marketing, for him to still be that guy that the franchise points to as doing things the right way, I think that is remarkable.
"I tried to beat him 100 percent. He won some. I won some. It didn't matter if it was offseason, in-season. It didn't matter if Eli was in a contract year or off a Super Bowl. He never changed. He never wavered on his preparation."
Justin Pugh (Giants guard, 2013-17): "The one thing that always sticks out to me about Eli is his work ethic. He is the benchmark that I compare every pro to. He was the first one in, last one out of the practice facility daily.
"He never blamed anyone else when things got tough, when he easily could have. I'm honored that I got to come into the league and learn from a man like that.
"He had his big-kid moments, like when he had the restaurant bring out a $10,000 check for the annual rookie dinner or when he had the equipment guys put dye in my gloves, which had my hands stained blue for a week.
"All joking aside, it takes a certain kind of person to be successful in New York, and Eli Manning showed everyone the blueprint for success. Whatever is next for Eli, he'll be just fine -- unless it's golf. Then he doesn't stand a chance!"


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fitscape offers an exceptional 7 night ski, fitness and yoga holiday to the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy at our 5 star hotel for winter skiing and, for the rest of the year, we tailor make fitness holidays for clients at a selection of hotels (on dates to suit you) in Europe, Morocco, the Caribbean, and Thailand.
Depending on your individual requirements and preferred dates for travel, our highly knowledgeable travel specialists can create challenging and entertaining programmes for each trip, packed full of outdoor pursuits to deliver a significant increase in your fitness levels and leave you feeling energised, recharged and motivated. Everyone will notice improvements in cardio fitness, stamina and strength – plus the additional benefit, if desired, of weight-loss. Detox options are also available.
Fitscape is owned and operated by The Healthy Holiday Company which specialises in tailor-making fitness holidays (amongst many other healthy holiday types) and can advise where would best suit you. Of course, this depends on your dates, budget, individual goals and the time of year. But our travel specialists will quote and organise the best option for you.
Find out more about fitscape destinations and our dates and prices.
fitscape is part of the healthy holiday company


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A Chicago woman attempting to row around the perimeter of Lake Michigan to raise money for breast cancer survivors is vowing to continue her trip after she was sexually assaulted in the Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan State Police post in St. Ignace is investigating the attack, which occurred early Sunday near the lakeshore in Schoolcraft County.
The 27-year-old woman, Jennifer Gibbons, chose to publicly identify herself as a sexual assault victim on a website chronicling her fund-raising effort, partly to inspire others facing difficulties.
In a blog post this morning on row4row.org, Gibbons also said she chose to describe her experience online in hopes readers would help find her attacker, who remains on the loose.
"I still believe that there are more good people in the world than bad," she wrote. "I still believe that life is a gift, even when it's scary and unfair. I still believe that life offers us the privilege, the opportunity, and the responsibility, to give something back, even when people try to take things away from us."
Gibbons said she will continue down the Michigan coast on bicycle until she reaches Muskegon, where she plans to return to the water. She will not be alone the remainder of the trip.
Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled a significant distance to commit the assault, and they are seeking information that can lead to his arrest.
He is described as a white male in his 30s, between 5'8" and 6" tall with a facial stubble but not a beard. He has light eyes, an average athletic build and short hair.
The suspect was last seen wearing a gray/green T-shirt, jean shorts and tennis shoes. A bright yellow Jeep Wrangler with a smiley-face spare tire also was seen in the area.
Gibbons, a Battle Creek native, attended Michigan State University, where she reportedly worked with and was inspired by a small group of breast cancer survivors who rowed together in East Lansing.
After moving to Chicago, Gibbons started a similar group, Recovery on Water, which connects survivors through teamwork and exercise.
She began her fundraising trip on June 15, traveling about 20 miles a day, eating dehydrated food and sleeping in her boat.
Anyone with information about her assailant is asked to call the Michigan State Police at 1-866-411-0018.
Update: Police release sketch of suspect who sexually assaulted woman rowing Lake Michigan for charity
Update: Woman rowing Lake Michigan for charity returns to water after sexual assault: 'I've got this'


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It's a fact; a healthier, happier workforce is more productive, more loyal to their employers and generally 'better value' to their company. If your employees are tired, grouchy and maybe even a little out of shape and run down, it's not a good thing. It's bad for them, for you, or for your company as a whole. And while everyone will need to make some changes it is up to you to get the ball rolling.
Here are ten simple ways you can start working on today to help create wellbeing at work for everyone:
Make Sure Your Company has a Clear Vision and Values and That Employees Know What They Are
Making the effort to create a more collaborative company culture, one that has empathy and even philanthropy at its core and is easily understood by all is a must. Gone are the days when it was acceptable to merely hand down commandments from a lofty boardroom. Today's business climate calls for a company vision statement that everyone had a hand in creating and everyone understands.
Before you create your formal statement take the time to talk to your employees – all your employees – about it. You may gain insights – both good and bad – that had not even occurred to you before. in addition, the fact that they were respected enough to be asked their opinion on such an important topic is a great morale booster for any employee. And having had a hand in creating the company's mission they are less likely to be resistant to any changes that need to be made to achieve it.
Review all of your workspaces
Take the time to review all of the workspaces you provide to your employees. Then, seek ways to make them more efficient, more comfortable and most importantly, places that are as pleasant as possible for your employees to spend 8+ hours in five days a week.
To achieve this, you may have to do some reorganization, buy some new furniture and/or do some general redecorating and retooling. While this will obviously involve a financial outlay, the ROI in terms of a happier, more productive workforce is likely to be quite high.
Let There Be Light
According to the World Green Building Council, exposure to natural light during their working day can boost an individual's productivity by 18% and better indoor lighting in general increases overall work rates by up to 23%. This means that if your offices and workspaces are pretty dim it's time for that to change.
Although it's probably not practical to knock holes in walls to add windows to windowless offices, it is possible to buy lighting – and light bulbs – that are designed to mimic natural light. It's also possible to repaint walls and ceilings in a lighter, more reflective colour. Battleship grey paint might be cheap and easier to clean, but boy does it make for a miserable workplace.
Care More About the Air
The World Green Building Council also has a lot to say about office air quality. They estimate that improved ventilation and air quality boosts productivity by 11%. Thermal comfort – making sure it's not too cold or too hot – will up that by another 3%. Perhaps most importantly though absences for illness can fall by up to 20%.
Therefore, if you haven't recently, it's time to call in the professionals and have your HVAC systems accessed for their effectiveness and, if necessary, adjusted and upgraded so that they do the best possible job.
Encourage a Quieter Space
Phones ringing, people babbling, keyboards clanking, and simple general background noise can make it hard for your employees to concentrate and do the best possible job they can.
While imposing library like conditions is a little hard – and harsh – encouraging, and helping create, a quieter, calmer workplace can be a serious boost for both employee well-being and productivity.
Try not to place general use phones in the centre of an open plan office and offer employees headsets for their own phones so they can concentrate on their conversations when needed instead of being distracted by others. If you don't have one already create an employee lounge space where people can gather to discuss ideas etc. away from the main work areas so that they can communicate effectively without distracting everyone else.
Try a Little Color Psychology
Did you know that psychology has been able to prove that the colors in their environment really do change people's moods? Yellow is great for getting creative juices going. Blue is fabulous for promoting focus and calm. Green reduces stress. Red can get people excited.
While you don't have to create a rainbow office, you should try incorporating the right colors for the right spaces into your office's overall decor plans. Blue for boardrooms perhaps – but a light blue, not a stuffy navy – and yellow for co-working spaces etc. You don't even have to repaint everything either. Pieces of art, furniture, even colored desks and chairs can all do the job just as well.
Encourage a Healthier Commute
In a recent survey, 45% of US employees reported that they found their commute to work stressful. If at all possible, why not encourage your employees to walk or bike to work instead? It's usually far less stressful than being stuck in traffic and obviously far better for their health as well. To make walking/biking to work more enjoyable offer cycle racks, showers, and lockers to those who do choose to do so.
If walking or biking isn't possible – and we get that it often is not – then making the investment in offering staff discounted gym memberships is an excellent idea to boost their wellbeing as well.
Help Your Employees Get Their Five a Day
Eating healthy isn't always easy when you are busy. And running out for fast food at lunchtime is often very quick and easy and therefore a tempting habit to fall into. help your employees avoid that unhealthy temptation by offering free fruit in break rooms, special eat and learn office meal sessions to discuss healthier eating or upgrade office kitchens so it is easier for employees to prepare healthy food at work.
Get People Moving
A number of studies were in the headlines last year as they had found that sitting at a desk for eight hours a day could essentially be as bad for a person's health and wellbeing as smoking. Therefore, it's crucial that your employees are encouraged to get up every hour and move. Even if they only walk to the kitchen to get a drink it's better than nothing and being encouraged to take proper breaks is a must as well.
Offer a Change of Scenery
Working at the same desk day in and day out can be more than boring, it can literally be depressing. And with all of Wi-Fi enabled tech available today there are actually very few reasons to do so.
To help create happier, healthier employees look into creating outdoor workspaces. They don't have to be fancy. A simple set of benches and tables where employees can take their laptops and work or sit and brainstorm ideas from colleagues can make a huge difference to employee morale and well-being.


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Historic Cemeteries Call to Action
- Last Updated: June 01, 2017
Nevada Assembly Bill 203
Update #6: AB203 was signed by the Governor and has become law! Congratulations to all who worked so hard on this. You have our heart-felt thanks for helping to preserve our heritage.
Update #5: AB203 passed the Senate with 20 (out of 21) yes votes! It's all up to Governor Sandoval now.
Update #4: The bill (AB203) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 7-0! Next stop the full Senate and then to Governor Sandoval's desk.
Update #3: CALL TO ACTION FOR AB203 — Senate Committee this Wednesday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.
We continue to need your immediate action to help pass Assembly Bill 203. AB203 has made it through the Assembly and is now on to a Senate Committee this Wednesday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m. We have come this far and we need to keep up the support and momentum to see AB203 through the Senate. The hearing will be in room 2134 at the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St. Carson City, NV. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Please email the members below. Tell them you are concerned about Nevada's historic cemeteries and that it's important to preserve them.
|Tick Segerblom — Chair
|Nicole Cannizzaro — Vice Chair
|Becky Harris
|Michael Roberson
|Aaron D. Ford
|Don Gustavson
|Moises Denis
Update #2: The bill (AB203) passed the Assembly 38-4! Next stop the Senate.
Update: The bill passed out of committee with a 7-5 vote on April 14! Now on to the Assembly floor.
If you care about the future of Nevada's historic cemeteries, we need your immediate action to help pass Assembly Bill 203. If this bill does not pass out of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Assembly by April 14, it will die. There are only two more opportunities for this bill to be voted in committee, Wednesday April 12 and Friday April 14. Please email the committee members below, or, if you have the time, call (or text) or try to meet with them in person and ask them to vote yes on AB203.
Assembly Bill 203 will help protect all of Nevada's historic cemeteries, but Hillside Cemetery is the most critically endangered at the present time and may be lost forever if this bill does not pass. Sierra Memorial Gardens, who owns the common areas and pathways in Hillside Cemetery, is currently attempting to disinter over 1100 sets of human remains from this 1875 cemetery that lies just west of the UNR campus. They are claiming the cemetery is blighted and the bodies must be dug up and moved. Hillside Cemetery is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers. Sierra Memorial Gardens does not own the individual burial plots which are deeded real estate owned by the families (fee simple), but this has not stopped them. They have called upon their attorneys and lobbyists to try to kill AB203. They plan to sell and develop the large parcel of cemetery land while the entire community loses an important piece of its history. Their plan is to relocate all of these remains into a mass grave on the north end of the cemetery and call it a "cemetery restoration" project. Hillside Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable Nevada pioneers including the Peckham, Plumb, Mayberry, Marsh, Gould and Brown families, as well as a former Congressman and a Paiute Chief. Many descendants of those buried at Hillside are opposed to disinterment.
AB203 provides the following protections for Nevada cemeteries: it will prevent a cemetery authority from disinterring remains from burial plots owned in fee simple by another party. It will require a third party other than the cemetery authority to proclaim a cemetery so blighted that human remains must be disinterred, and will require proof that the cemetery cannot be restored before any disinterment can occur. In the event of disinterment, it will require a suitable burial receptacle that would prevent mass grave reinternment. AB203 also contains a provision that would allow the district attorney to transfer a neglected cemetery to a local government, if they consent to the transfer.
Your immediate action is needed to help save Nevada's endangered historic cemeteries.


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Artiste del Rate performs at a few locations in the mall throughout the day from around noon 'til 6 p.m. You can catch more shows around St. Mark's Square than anywhere else though. This is a professional troupe of singers, actors and entertainers that offer a variety of unique and exciting entertainment.
If you're not big on buffets, another option may be to shop at the local grocery store to buy simple breakfast items such as cereal, pastries, and milk to store in your room's mini fridge. You can also buy sandwich deli items for a simple lunch in. Eating breakfast or lunch in your hotel room can easily replace a hefty sit-down meal or buffet tab.
The most significant way you can enjoy Las Vegas women's clothing, though, is to hit up the fashion show mall where you will not only find a great collection of designer shops but more importantly discount and outlet retailers. Celebrate the world's most exciting city with the world's greatest designers all at discount prices.
You will not have to worry about going hungry in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Strip, and its surrounding area, offers an array of restaurants to choose from. Most casinos also offer full buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best news is that Las Vegas is a twenty-four-hour city. Many casino restaurants are open around the clock, perfect for a meal after a night of gambling or nightclub hopping.
BOULDER CITY -This place provides a great atmosphere with a beautiful historic charm. You can take a stroll down Main Street and visit numerous unique boutiques. There is also a Majestic Golf Course and the Hoover Dam is only minutes away.
A little detour into Caesars Palace, and over to the Augustus Tower, will find you at the Neil Leifer Gallery. Gallery admission is free, and this just may be the bribe you need to keep the interest of the sport enthusiast in your family. Neil is an award-winning photographer who focuses on sports history. His pictures have been used in magazines like Time, People, and Sports Illustrated. The opportunity to see larger than life pictures, like Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston, Secretariat winning the Kentucky Derby, and even the classic of President John F Kennedy throwing out the first pitch in 1961, may be just the thing to win the day.
I recently took my first trip to Las Vegas and learned quite a bit about how to make my vacation better. I hope these tips will help you plan your Las Vegas vacation and have a wonderful time.


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Is Preachability at the Gates of Auschwitz a Proper Measure for Good Theology?
On several occasions, I have seen Arminians make the following objection to Calvinism: if you can't preach this to those who […]arminianism, Auschwitz, Calvinism, open theism, pastoral theology, providence
Why I'm grateful for open theism (even though I'm not an open theist)
A few years ago I heard a lady speak on the devastating experience of losing her son. As the extraordinarily […]open theism, problem of evil, problem of suffering, theology
Why John Sanders won the Unbelievable Debate on Open Theism and Heresy
The most recent episode of "Unbelievable" featured a debate between open theist John Sanders and Calvinist James White. All in […]Calvinism, doctrine, heresy, James White, John Sanders, Justin Brierley, open theism, orthodoxy, providence, Unbelievable
Meticulous Providence, Open Theism, and Twittery: A response to Greg Boyd
The other day I came across this tweet by Greg Boyd (courtesy of a Justin Brierley retweet). The tweet consists […]Greg Boyd, meticulous providence, open theism, twitter, twittery
62. Paul Helm on God, Time, and Eternity
Augustine famously commented on the nature of time, "What, then, is time? If no one ask of me, I know; […]God, interview, open theism, Paul Helm, podcast, providence, theism, theology, time
"Heresy" and Christian Publishing
This week I heard from a very intelligent and respected senior member of the evangelical community in North America. Let's […]Christian publishing, evangelicalism, heresy, open theism, orthodoxy, universalism
Is God impotent in open theism?
davidstarlingm explains further why he believes open theism is heretical: it replaces the omniscience of God with a deity whose […]heresy, open theism, orthodoxy
What do we mean when we call something "heresy"?
Yesterday Davidstarlingm made the following statement concerning open theism: Open Theism is dangerous because it is very attractive and yet […]heresy, heterodoxy, open theism, orthodoxy
Inerrancy faces anti-trinitarians, open theists and holocaust deniers
Ever since its founding the Evangelical Theological Society has required a core confession of its members: the inerrancy of scripture […]anti-semitism, Bruce Ware, Clark Pinnock, ETS, inerrancy, Michael Shermer, open theism, Raul Hilberg, Trinitarianism


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Snowmen, drama and playtime at Plumb this week
Here are events happening at Plumb Memorial Library this week. Plumb is at 65 Wooster Street. For more information, call 203-924-9461. For even more library events, click here.
I Spy — Wednesday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. Kids 1-12 are challenged to name all the characters in the new children's department mural.
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead — Wednesdays, Jan. 14 and 21, 1:30 p.m. Science, technology, engineering and math plus art provide focus for preschool kids in a weekly hands-on activity with Ms. Maura. Drop in.
Kids in the Kitchen — Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. The trip around the world with cooking treats continues for kids 5 and older with caregivers; simple skills but adult help needed so parents expect to stay. Dress for mess, be aware of allergies. Register early.
AlphaBits — Thursdays, Jan. 15 and 22, 10 a.m. Preschoolers and caregivers work on learning skills to make them Kindergarten ready; drop in session, siblings welcome.
Snowman Contest — Thursday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Ages 3 to 18 and adults can construct a snowman, then kids' snowmen go on display for the public to vote for Best Looking Library Snowman 2015. (Spoiler Alert: there is no snow involved, just socks.) Materials provided.
Stay & Play — Fridays, Jan 16 and 23, 10:30 a.m. Adults chat while children play in a safe secure environment; light refreshments provided. Suitable for babies and young children.
Teen Saturday — Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:30 p.m. Teens 13-18 meet for an activity and book discussion then watch a film they select. Snacks served. Drop in.
Fun for Little Ones — Tuesdays, Jan. 20 and 27, 10 a.m. Children ages 1-5 are invited to join Mrs. Fritsch for stories, songs, activities and a special theme related craft, siblings welcome.
knit! — Tuesdays, Jan 20 and 27, 6 p.m. Adult fiber fans meet to knit, crochet and chat, lots of support and fellowship in this drop in group, stop in and bring a friend.
Book Buzz — Tuesdays, Jan. 20 and 27, 2 p.m. Drop-in with Miss Maura for weekly book and book based craft plus a healthy snack. This program for preschool children and their caregivers welcomes audience participation.
TAB — Friday, Jan. 23, 3 p.m. Teen Advisory Board meets to develop and design programs, collection and activities for teens 13-18. Snacks; new members welcome to drop in.
Repeat Reads — Friday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m. Adults re-read (or read for the first time) classic favorites from youth, this month a locally flavored tale of Connecticut Colonial history in Elizabeth Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Share tea and snacks, drop in for a reader's Happy Hour.
Drama at PML — Saturdays, Jan. 24 and 31, 12:30 p.m. Teens and tweens explore drama and acting with Plumb's Mr. Adam and local author/director Amanda Marrone. First session will focus on sketches.
Budding Bookworms — Monday, Jan. 26, 10:30 a.m. A themed drop in story and craft time for kids 1-5 years old and their caregivers.
Home Delivery — Shelton residents who cannot get to the library due to temporary or permanent disability are welcome to apply for home delivery of library materials. Contact the branch library, 203-926-0111). A project underwritten with support from the Friends of the Library and the Valley Community Foundation.
On Monday, Jan. 19 both libraries are closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; they will re-open for regular schedules Tuesday, Jan. 20.


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Nigeria's Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who responded to questions from Journalists in Minna, Niger state on Sunday as part of his presidential campaign, stated that he can never step down as Senate President as being demanded by the APC pointing out that succumbing to such calls will only amount to sacrificing the national interest of the country for personal interest.
Bukola Saraki insisted that the APC is currently the minority in the senate, and therefore don't have the powers to carry out the impeachment threat. According to him, succumbing to calls of stepping down will only amount to sacrificing the national interest of the country for personal interest.
"The APC members know that we are in the majority and whatever they want to do they know that they don't have the number".
"The other kite they are trying to fly is asking me to step down from my seat, but I can tell you that this cannot be possible as I will not step down."
"One thing is very clear and that is to say that I will not sacrifice the interest of the country for my personal interest and in the last three years as a Senate president, I have demonstrated that my interest is second to that of national interest," he remarked.
The Senate President also shut down calls from various quaters, on the Senate to suspend its recess and resume. He maintained that it was a collective decision by all members to adjourn, and that their recess is under the ambit of law and has therefore not contravened any section of the procedures. Bukola Saraki disclosed that they will reconvene when it is time for them to resume from the break.