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$222.7 Million In Property Tax/Rent Rebates Distributed To Older Adults, Residents With Disabilities
Deadline to Apply for Rebate Program Extended to Dec. 31
HARRISBURG, PA – July 1, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – More than 475,000 senior homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will be issued rebates today totaling $222.7 million through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The number is approximately 58,000 more rebates than were issued last year on July 1.
"Property taxes and rent rebate checks were mailed today and should arrive in mailboxes later this week," said Secretary of Revenue Stephen H. Stetler, who noted that, by law, rebates are distributed beginning July 1. "Homeowners and renters who opted to have the rebates directly deposited into bank accounts – about 88,200 people – will receive their money today."
As of June 26, the Revenue Department had received more than 550,000 rebate applications. About 578,000 seniors are expected to benefit from rebates this year, compared to 310,000 before the program's expansion in 2006.
An estimated 110,000 senior homeowners will have school property taxes completely eliminated when rebates combine with $613 million in slots gaming-funded general property tax relief that all homeowners will see itemized on school district property tax bills this summer.
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. A 2006 program expansion increased the income limit for homeowners from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) and raised the maximum standard rebate for homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The income limit for renters is $15,000.
The program expansion also provides for supplemental property tax rebates of up to $325 – on top of the standard rebates – to homeowners in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton; and to those in other parts of the state who pay more than 15 percent of income on property taxes. The Revenue Department automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
The deadline to apply for the rebate program was extended to Dec. 31; rebates will continue to be distributed as claims are approved through the rest of the year.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms (PA-1000) and additional information are available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com and by calling 1-888-222-9190. Forms and assistance also are available at Revenue district offices (listed in the blue pages of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program's 1971 inception, seniors and adults with disabilities have received $4.2 billion worth of property tax and rent rebates. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.


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Africa's largest desalination plant opens
Singapore-based desalination company, Hyflux, has officially opened its recently completed 500,000 m³/d desalination plant at Magtaa, Algeria. The facility is Africa's biggest and contains the largest ultrafiltration pre-treatment facility in the world according to Hyflux.Hyflux has a 25-year contract with local utility, L'Algérienne Des Eaux, and African oil and gas giant, Sonatrach, to operate and maintain the S$ 632 million (US$ 495 million) plant. It will supply drinking water to Algeria's second largest city, Oran and surrounding provinces.
The plant is equipped with Hyflux's Krystal ultrafiltration technology in pre- treatment along with Toray reverse osmosis membranes for the separation stage.
The Magtaa desalination plant "strengthens our presence in the region," said Hyflux executive chairman and group chief executive officer, Olivia Lum, speaking at the plant's opening ceremony. "It also demonstrates our technology as well as engineering and construction capabilities for municipalities in need of sustainable and cost-effective water solutions," she added.
Hyflux subsidiary MenaSpring Utility in 2008 won the bid to build Magtaa which was then to be the world's largest seawater desalination plant. Hyflux's has a 47% equity stake in the project with L'Algérienne Des Eaux holding the remainder.
The Magtaa plant is Hyflux's second project in Algeria. It followed the 200,000 m³/d Souk Tleta Desalination Plant, which began operating in 2011.
© Faversham House Group Ltd 2014. Water. desalination + reuse news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.

subset: commoncrawl


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Piotr J. Dudojć
Building an effective trading strategy on capital markets should start with finding a market inefficiency which is reflected in some price pattern or anomaly. There are two main approaches to identify and eventually exploit such inefficiencies. One of them is to apply some sophisticated data-mining tools and the other is based on creating a mathematical model of the phenomenon. This research is focused on the second approach which means that a model is created and used to develop a trading strategy.
One of such inefficiencies which can be observed in many markets is price oscillations caused by feedback from the price curve which occurs when it reaches some particular level or after a big change in quotations when it takes some time to stabilize the price curve. Such levels are called resistance or support levels in technical analysis. In control engineering such phenomenon when signal change exceeds its target level is called overshoot and may cause decreasing signal oscillations before it stabilizes on the target level.
Identifying and modeling market inefficiency does not lead directly to an effective trading strategy. In order to be useful it must be predictable and significant enough to provide profits which overcome costs. Validating trading strategy requires considering conditions close to real trading. In order to achieve that it is needed to take into account not only loses but also other costs like slippage or transaction costs. In this research I study the described phenomenon and the possibility of building an effective trading strategy based on its model and make the attempt to determine conditions which impacts the strategy performance.


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Apple removes Iranian apps from App Store, cites U.S. sanctions
Apple over the past few weeks has removed a number of popular Iranian apps from various international iOS App Stores, saying the move is in line with U.S. sanctions against the country.
Due to American sanctions on Iran, Apple does not sell hardware or distribute software in the Persian Gulf republic. However, the company has not actively inhibited Iranian app developers from creating and distributing apps through official App Stores operated in other countries.
That is changing, according to a report from The New York Times that claims Apple is "moving aggressively" to shut down Iranian apps. On Thursday, for example, Apple pulled popular ride-hailing app Snapp from its App Stores, a decision that follows the removal of apps for food delivery, shopping and other services, the report said.
Apple recently informed Iranian developers affected by the crackdown that, "Under the U.S. sanctions regulations, the App Store cannot host, distribute or do business with apps or developers connected to certain U.S. embargoed countries."
Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr confirmed the message as authentic, but declined to further elaborate on the issue.
Though Iranians do not have direct access to iPhones and iPads, many young and wealthy consumers purchase Apple products smuggled into the country. Indeed, black market iPhone trading became such a significant problem that Iran's government reportedly mulled options to allow import of the popular smartphone.
The takedown appears to be an expansion of efforts to restrict Iranian titles that offer in-app transactions. In January, Apple pulled a number of Iran-based iOS apps from the App Store, including online e-commerce service Digikala, citing noncompliance with Iranian Transactions Sanctions Regulations.
Since Apple takes a cut of all App Store purchases, sales from Iranian apps generate revenue and are thus in violation of U.S. law.
Apple first notified Iranian developers affected by the recent takedown in February, the report said. In response, many app makers, including Snapp, transitioned to Iranian online payments system Shaparak, cash or other forms of payment. The move could have prompted Apple's app exodus.
App makers impacted by Apple's decision, like Mahdi Taghizadeh, founder of online delivery service DelionFoods, protested Apple's decision on Twitter. Iran's telecommunications minister, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, also took to Twitter to voice his concern over the app removal.
"11 percent of the cellphone market in Iran belongs to Apple," Azari Jahromi said. "Respecting customer rights is a principle today that Apple hasn't abided by. We will legally pursue the omission of apps."
The minister's statements are of particular interest considering Twitter is a banned service in Iran.
Apple's recent Iranian app removal follows a crackdown on virtual private network (VPN) apps being marketed on the Chinese iOS App Store. In July, the Cupertino tech giant pulled a number of VPN apps from the App Store in observance of government regulations.
Responding to criticism, CEO Tim Cook explained that Chinese regulators recently renewed efforts to enforce existing policy dating back to 2015. The country requires VPN operators to obtain a license, suggesting a bulk of the apps culled from the App Store were likely marketed by developers lacking such credentials.
"We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business," Cook said during an investor conference call in August. "And we strongly believe that participating in markets and bringing benefits to customers is in the best interest of the folks there and in other countries as well. So we believe in engaging with governments even when we disagree."


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Oak Wainscot chair SOLD
Childs rush seated dales style chair SOLD
18th Century 30 hour longcase clock
by John Scott of Tamworth
10 inch Dial wal clock SOLD
Oak and Mahogany Longcase clock by Thomas Shaw of Lancaster SOLD
Georgian Oak Gate leg table with drawer SOLD
Victorian Cast Iron Pub table SOLD
Georgian Oak bobbin leg gate leg table SOLD
Small cherry wood table with drawer SOLD
Bobbin leg side table SOLD
Oak Refectory table SOLD
Tripod table SOLD
Rustic Elm cricket table SOLD
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3 out of 7 wells on Longmont Open Space are contaminated.
TOP Operating's Stamp 2 gas well is located on the western edge of Union Reservoir. It is 506 feet from the water. It is approximately a mile from TOP's contaminated Rider 1 well, near Trail Ridge Middle School.
The Stamp 2 gas well is contaminated by toxic petrochemicals above State regulatory standards.
Last year, in January 2011, the City of Longmont received a "Limited Site Investigation," completed by Terracon Consultants on the Bogott Property, where the Stamp 2 is located. The Bogott property is now owned by the City of Longmont. It is part of Longmont's Open Space at Union Reservoir.
Regulatory limits are placed on petrochemicals because of their strong toxicity.
The Stamp 2 site environmental investigation reported Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons at 1970 mg/kg in the soil, which is almost 4 times the Colorado Oil & Gas Commission regulatory standard for soil of 500 mg/kg.
Soil contamination at the Stamp 2 by benzene is .029 mg/kg, almost 6 times above the regulatory limit, 0.005 mg/kg.
Ethylbenzene levels are 10 times the statutory level; Xylenes are 340 times the "safe" limit; gasoline range hydrocarbons are 38 times allowable levels.
These readings were from samples taken near the wellhead.
Near the Stamp 2 tank battery, ethylbenzene levels were 20 times the statutory limit; xylenes almost 3 times; and gasoline range hydrocarbons almost 20 times statutory limit.
The Investigation found that the soil has "dark gray petroleum staining and odor" 3.5 feet deep, beside the wellhead,
From 4 to 8 feet deep, the soil is "dark gray-gray, weathering decreasing with depth, petroleum gray stain and odor, slightly moist."
There are no ground water monitoring wells at Stamp 2. Terracon pushed a 1-inch temporary PVC pipe 8 feet into the ground on December 17, 2010. No ground water was found, at that time of year. Nearby residents report that ground water is encountered at depths of 9-10 feet, 1600 feet from the water's edge.
Ground water at Stamp 2, so close to Union Reservoir, and now on City Open Space, needs to be monitored and tested more carefully. Engineered groundwater monitoring wells, are the best method for monitoring ground water at oil and gas wells. The COGCC and the City must require that TOP install, monitor and report to the COGCC and the City, accurate reports on the ground water between Stamp 2 and Union Reservoir.
During January 2012, activity was observed at Rider 1 and Stamp 2. Bulldozers, trucks, and pumps were seen at the sites.
At Stamp 2 in late January 2012, a truck with high pressure hoses was observed. The tank battery was being washed down. The wash water, detergents, petroleum wastes and contaminates were not contained, and now leach toward Union Reservoir, as the only protection around the tank battery is an unlined clay berm.
Terracon recommends that the City contact TOP Operating "to pursue remedial activities of the petroleum impacted soil and groundwater above regulatory standards." The Oil & Gas Commission should also be notified.
There are other TOP operated wells on the Boggot and Sherwood properties, now owned as open space by Longmont. Of the 7 wells where Terracon took soil and groundwater samples, three wells have contamination levels over COGCC limits.


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Wanchai, Hong Kong -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/10/2013 -- A survey by HKEnglish.com has recently revealed the difficulties of Hong Kong citizens in using English at work. It has shown that almost two thirds of the respondents had difficulty in speaking and understanding the English language in the workplace. Most of the respondents found difficulty in conveying their messages in English when giving business presentations. In addition, a majority also found difficulty in using English whilst socializing with foreign business partners during business dinners and other corporate events. When it came to written English, the survey revealed that the major difficultly for employees was with writing business reports.
The results of the survey suggest that many people in Hong Kong find it difficult to communicate in English at work. It follows that companies in Hong Kong should concentrate on running specialized English language training & development programs for their staff that could help alleviate the specific difficulties highlighted in the survey. Communicating in English is deemed important most especially for businesses that have foreign investors.
To address the issue, HKEnglish.com helps people in Hong Kong to learn English through their various English language services. The company provides corporate English language courses as well as business soft skills training programs such as presentation skills courses. Their programs aim to help business owners and Hong Kong individuals have effective English language communication skills.
"The results of this survey will help the focus of corporate English language and business soft skills training in Hong Kong and therefore help both companies and employees improve their business communication skills," Ian Nock, Director of Studies at HKEnglish.com said.
About HKEnglish.com
HKEnglish.com is a Hong Kong-based English service provider with internationally qualified and experienced native English tutors as well as business skills trainers. The company was established in 2001 with a mission to provide quality English Courses in HK, which are customized to match individual, business and corporate needs. Its varying programs focus on establishing proficiency in the English language as well as business skills among people and different organizations in Hong Kong.
For more information about the mobile optimized website, visit its official website at http://www.hkenglish.com/ or email firstname.lastname@example.com. For more information about the company's services contact (+852) 2916 8887.
Company: HKEnglish.com
Address: 601 On Hong Commercial Building
145 Hennessy Road Wanchai, Hong Kong
Website: http://www.hkenglish.com/
Email: email@example.com
Contact No.: +852 2916 8887


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Yahoo! India to roll out Search Direct within the year
Yahoo!, the search company which recently rolled out Search Direct, is all set to release the service in India by the second half of this calendar year, said a top official of Yahoo! today.
Yahoo Search Direct is a new feature similar to Google Instant that shows search results as you type. As soon as you click inside the query window, a drop-down box appears showing the latest search trends even before typing a single character. Yahoo Search Direct has been in public beta in the U.S. for a week now, and will expand to other Yahoo products and markets later this year, the company said.
Silicon India reports that Prabhakar Raghavan, Yahoo!'s senior vice-president and head of Yahoo! Labs, said that Search Direct follows "a theme that the company has been pursuing ever since it forged a search alliance with Microsoft." He mentions:
"The idea is to provide the user not with links but with answers. We expect Search Direct, a combination of completing what you were trying to type and fulfill your vertical-search intents including entertainment and shopping, which we launched in the US recently. We will be doing that in India in a few months from now."
Yahoo! India currently employs around 2,000 professionals at its Bangalore Lab and is growing at a steady rate. India is among the few countries where Yahoo is still prominent. Alexa suggests that the search website ranks 4th in the country, with a massive reach of 30 million unique users per month and reaches to 74 percent of the Indian Internet audience.
Read next: What happens when the iPhone killers meet?


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Born from the desire to reduce waste and our environmental impact, Nice Digs have created a range of printed accessories using fabric offcuts from their highly popular bedding range.
These bad boys are lucky enough to inherit the same traits as our beds, they're water repellant, stain repellant & washable! Finished with a gold side release buckle and our iconic Nice Digs dog charm.
Due to the nature of this product being made from remnant fabric, the print design and colour may vary so each item is completely unique.
Sizes XS - XL.
Complete the look with a matching Easy Tiger Dog Leash
Proudly designed and handcrafted in Australia.
- XS Neck Size 20 - 27cm, Width 2cm (8" - 10 1/2", Width 3/4")
- S Neck Size 27 - 35cm, Width 2cm (10 1/2" - 13 3/4", Width 3/4")
- M Neck Size 35 - 44cm, Width 2cm (13 3/4" - 17 1/4", Width 3/4")
- L Neck Size 44 - 53cm, Width 2cm (17 1/4" - 20 3/4", Width 3/4")
- XL Neck Size 53 - 63cm, Width 2cm (20 3/4" - 24 3/4", Width 3/4")
Measure your dog's neck where the collar will naturally sit (A). Measure with a tape measure allowing two fingers to snugly fit between the tape and your dog's neck. No measuring tape? No worries! Just use a piece of string, then measure the length with a ruler.
Returns Policy
You may return most items within 21 days of delivery for a full refund.
You may NOT return earrings due to hygiene, and items that are purchased on Sale or Clearance.
You should expect to receive your refund within a few days of us receiving your item.
We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.)
If you need to return an item, simply notify us via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com, and return to:
Portal 108
108 Main Rd
Hepburn Springs
Victoria 3461.
Domestic ShippingWe use Australia Post to ship all our orders both domestically and Internationally.
We charge you what Australia Post charges us, plus a 50c handling charge.
We do have a bulit in shipping calculator that loads at the bottom of the cart page, if you'd like to check your shipping costs.
You can choose from standard, registered, express post or large letter shipping options.
Most have tracking options, except for the large letter option, but you can add a registered post label and sign for your delivery when it arrives.
If you are located outside of Australia please visit our International Shipping page.


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Ag-Gag, Horse Soring, Animal Care Expo Converge in Tennessee
I am in Nashville today for the official opening of Animal Care Expo, which will host 2,000 people from all across the country and from 40 nations. It's the animal welfare movement's leading training, education and inspiration conference, and I am so pleased that The HSUS brings so many people together to learn about best practices, innovations in our field, and new strategies for helping dogs, cats, horses and other animals.
It's very timely that we've assembled in Tennessee, since Governor Bill Haslam will be deciding in the next few days on whether he will sign or veto an "ag-gag" law that just narrowly made it through the state legislature. Yesterday, he announced that he's waiting to see the analysis of the constitutionality of the proposed law by state Attorney General Robert Cooper, Jr. This is an overbroad, overreaching measure, and there's no reason for it to be enacted, and every reason it deserves a veto.
The HSUS
Ag-gag bills are part of a national effort by agribusiness groups to pass laws that make it difficult or impossible to expose inhumane and often illegal behavior at animal-use enterprises. But here in Tennessee, the only major investigation undertaken by The HSUS was an exposure of a corrupt, suspended Hall of Fame Tennessee walking horse trainer. His abusive, barbaric behavior, and that of his stable hands, was widely condemned and resulted in numerous criminal convictions. No sensible person has excused what he did.
So the effort to pass an ag-gag law strikes a particularly false note here in The Volunteer State, since that HSUS investigation provided such an important public service by exposing an abusive trainer in the walking horse industry.
It's also triggered a national effort to bolster the federal Horse Protection Act. The Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, HR 1518, would strengthen the federal law against soring and make it a crime to use stacks and chains on the feet of competition walking horses and horses of other related breeds that have been victims of soring abuse.
We'll be hosting a press conference tomorrow at the Opryland Hotel to announce the outcome of an analysis of last year's federal inspections of show horses. The results are deeply distressing, and that's why we not only need the PAST Act, but also a new attitude within the industry to obey the law.
We'll have an army of folks cheering on our efforts to treat animals with more kindness and decency.


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——-by Brian McCornack, Wendy Johnson, Jeff Whitworth, J.P. Michaud, Sarah Zukoff
Kansas State University is leading a Sugarcane Aphid Monitoring Network comprised of researchers across the Southern half of the US. This group effort results in a national reporting and mapping of aphid distribution in real-time during the growing season using the online Extension program, myFields.info.
In general, migrating populations of sugarcane aphid disperse north from Southern Texas and northern Mexico into Oklahoma and then Kansas depending on weather patterns, temperature, and potential factors limiting aphid population growth, including natural enemies and use of resistant sorghum hybrids. No overwintering in Oklahoma and Kansas has been reported due to a lack of host plants (i.e. grain sorghum and green Johnsongrass) during winter months. Real-time tracking of migrating populations of sugarcane aphid into Kansas results in early detection of this pest for local farmers, which is necessary for timely applications of insecticide, a primary practice for protecting sorghum crops. See our Scouting Card (see picture below) for more management information.
The first observation of sugarcane aphid occurring in production sorghum this season was in southern Texas on March 28, which is not unusual. Colleagues in Texas have indicated that overall aphid presence and population levels at this time are sparse in comparison to previous years. By April 19, SCA was detected only several counties (see picture below) north of the initial report, suggesting that northern movement could progress much slower than past seasons, even in regions where these aphids are known to overwinter on Johnsongrass. As we wait to see how northern migration of SCA plays out, you can plan your management strategy by reviewing current recommendations using the following link to myFields.info: https://www.myfields.info/pests/sugarcane-aphid. In addition, create a free account on myFields.info and be automatically signed up for state- and county-level email alerts when SCA is detected in your area. Furthermore, localized alerts will include contact information for Extension support in your area.
Future monitoring group efforts will include the release of a threshold-based sampling plan for help in making management decisions for SCA, improved mapping features for displaying the change in aphid distribution over time, and mapping the predicted movement of SCA before it happens to help inform farmers.


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Call or Live Chat our Lighting Experts for the best price! 866-344-3875
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This Fan Light Kit Switch from the Signature collection by Craftmade will enhance your home with a perfect mix of form and function. The features include a finish applied by experts. This item qualifies for free shipping!
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Surfers Against Sewage give Exmouth beach a spring clean
PUBLISHED: 12:29 03 April 2014 | UPDATED: 12:30 03 April 2014
A DISCARDED metal bin, a Bristol City Football Club cigarette lighter and a 1980s Tesco plastic yoghurt pot were just some of the many items picked up during a huge spring clean of Exmouth beach last weekend.
Organised by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the clean-up was part of a national campaign tackling 150 beaches around the UK.
At Exmouth, 35 volunteers filled 34 bags of rubbish during a three-hour stint between 11am and 2pm on Sunday, March 30.
"There were some huge items, including a discarded metal bin, stuck in Maer Rocks," said SAS local organiser Ross Curwen.
"There were also a couple of bank anchors – the large metal stakes that boats use if there are no moorings – and fibreglass boat bits."
A Bristol City Football Club cigarette lighter gave an idea of how far some of the marine detritus may have travelled, while a 1980s Tesco yoghurt pot struck an historical note.
"It was a Tesco logo, when the company had the red lettering and the dot," said Ross. "It just shows how long these things hang around for. They do not degrade."
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Exmouth Journal. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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Confessions, of a Trolley Dolly – True Cabin Crew Confessions!
For those in the aviation industry, there is an age-old saying, a verbal pact between crew that is older than some American Airlines flight attendants.
'What happens onboard, stays onboard and what happens down-route, stays down-route'.
Here, some of my fellow cart tarts and I have broken this pact to reveal some of our deepest, darkest secrets with our very own Confessions, of a Trolley Dolly.
The following confessions, of trolley dollies, are all true…..
Each day, cabin crew come in to contact with many different people from all walks of life. Some are lovely, a joy to have onboard. Others can be a total nightmare. It's true when we say that passengers can make or break our day. Just remember ladies and gentleman you should never piss off your crew. Push us too far and we have subtle ways of getting our revenge.
"Whilst doing my security checks after a short-haul flight in Europe I discovered the passport of a particularly difficult (and that's being polite) passenger who had verbally abused my crew and I for the whole flight. His passport ended up in the bin"
"On our Lockheed L1011 Tristar's, business class was spread over 2 cabins. If it wasn't full before boarding we used to turn off all the lights in the smaller cabin and tell passengers that the lights were broken. They would then be moved in to the other cabin and we would have our luxurious crew rest area"
"I was using my tongs to place ice cubes in a cup and some flung out, landing on another passengers groin. He was fast asleep, until they started melting onto his beige coloured pants. Most embarrassing career moment ever"
"I didn't like a passenger very much. He'd been rude from the moment he boarded. So, I switched his inflight entertainment off every 10 minutes until we landed. And what a shame…it was a full flight with no spare seats"
"We us to play 'Hide the fruit' on our over-night flights. Place said piece of fruit onto the lap of an unsuspecting sleeping passenger. The crew member who discovered the lap fruit would then get out of the next service"
"I called a passenger a bitch as she walked down the aisle, after literally throwing her carry on bag at me, because I was offloading it for being way too big to fit in the overhead locker. She stopped in the aisle, turned and said 'I heard that' expecting me to apologise. Instead I simply replied 'GOOD' and continued to greet the next passengers with a big, over exaggerated smile on my face"
"I told a passenger 'I don't get paid enough to take this shit from you' Seemed to do the trick"
"One passenger couldn't figure out how to open the lav door. So I told him you have to swipe your passport in front of the handle to make it open. He stood there waving his passport in front of the door for a while until I eventually I told him they must have loaded the British passport toilets this time by accident. He was starting to look a little desperate at this point so I said that I would have to open it for him"
"I once told an obnoxious, hung over pig that he'd be able to handle his hangover better during the turbulence we were experiencing, if he went and sat at the back of the aircraft rather than remaining in his seat at the front! (Turbulence is more prominent the further back you sit). I explained that he would be closer to the lavatories. Needless to say he had plenty of sick bags and I had a great giggle watching him be thrown around and turn green while the seat belt sign was on"
"Ibiza flights from the UK are particularly difficult for cabin crew. As revenge I once told a stag party on a night Ibiza that we were not allowed to serve alcohol after midnight in French airspace due to licensing laws. With disappointed looks on their faces they immediately sat back down"
"I once had a VERY persistent guy who kept trying to get my phone number. Instead he ended up with one of the male crew members and had already text by the time we arrived at our hotel. Funniest conversation ever as we wound the unsuspecting and rather creepy gent up"
"I played 'Russian Roulette' with a group of verbally abusive w*nkers on a flight. 'Russian Roulette' is when you have say, 6 beer cans for a group like the one I had. I shook one of the cans violently in the galley, took them out to the group and waited to see who got 'shot' AKA covered in beer!"
"I once hid a banana in a passengers carry on while he was asleep, after he had been continuously vile to the crew all flight. The fruit dog at Dallas Fort Worth got him at customs, just as we all walked through. We gave him a polite wave as the confused gent tried in vain to say that he didn't know how the offending item had got into his hand luggage"
"Once told a group of rude intoxicated men, who continually refused my polite requests to remain seated to "Sit the fuck down and let me do my job"…..Needless to say they were so shocked they finally complied!"
"Another time a crew member came to the front and said they had seen two people head in to the toilet. We got the only male crew member to open the LAV door and saw one male passenger preforming oral sex on another male passenger. The crew member grabbed them and pulled the pair out of the toilet shouting "Not on my flight, and this doesn't mean you've joined the club either!"
Children. Those little angels, we love having them onboard. I'm kidding. They can be a nightmare. Try not let your child scream through the whole flight and the aisle is not a suitable place for your spawn of satan to play. I hate it when the parents say in that ridiculous baby voice 'Look the man/woman is going to shout at you now'. No I won't shout at your child, i'll shout at you. Your child, your problem.
"I had a painful kid in Premium. The parents refused to control him and told us "If you can make him sit go ahead". So we did. We lured him to the back galley and told him there was a naughty corner right next to the door and if he carried on misbehaving the big bad storm would suck him out of the aircraft. Needless to say he sat silently for the rest of the flight"
"I hit an annoying child on the head with a spoon wrapped up in a serviette from first he went back told his mum she came up an said "Have you just hit my son on the head with a spoon?". "No madam of course not", I replied "I hit him with this….." and showed her the empty serviette!"
"I was deadheading on a live flight. I was sitting on an aisle seat. This kid kept running up and down the aisle, so I just happened to stick out my foot at just the right moment and he went flying. He got up and went back to his seat and remained there for the rest of the flight much to the relief of those sat round"
When it comes to meal time just remember, 'never bite the hand that feeds you' especially onboard an aircraft. Piss us off and we might just pop a few eye drops in to your chicken or beef, meaning you spend the rest of your dream holiday on the hotel toilet.
"I lost about half a cart of meals on my training flight as I was so eager to get on with service. I opened the latch way to early during the climb and despite trying with all my strength to try to keep the door firmly shut, I couldn't. They flew out one after the other at such speed and landed in a huge heap on the floor. I just wanted to die. I quickly scooped it all back up in to the foil tins and popped them back in the oven. No one died, although there may have been a few dodgy tummies!"
"Due to a aggressive passenger, the inflight service was a little delayed. I made a PA to apologise for the delay and wanted to say "I'm sorry this flight is a little chaotic", but instead said, "I'm so sorry this flight is so EROTIC!" My colleagues make sure I never forget this. The passengers kept asking when the flight was going to get erotic"
"After a rather large passenger kept complaining about the amount of food we served and that it wouldn't feed a rabbit and moaning about practically everything…..I got 3 bread rolls out the bin & served them to him! I even got a personal thank you….if only he knew!!!"
"I frequently tell passengers on early morning flights that sadly due to catering issues we don't have any bacon rolls. We do of course. Six, just enough for the crew to have one each"
"Serving meals on a busy charter flight with minimum crew when a passenger asked 'what's the choice?' To which I promptly replied 'take it or leave it!"
"Turbulence hit just as I took the First Class roast beef fillet out of the oven. Hear that economy? An actual roast beef fillet! It all happened in slow motion, spinning round in the air and landed on the galley floor. As it was the only one we had, I rinsed it off and put it in the oven on high for 5 minutes. Best part was the Chief Flight attendant came back after meal service and told me everyone said it was the best beef they'd ever had"
"A very rude and demanding guy in premium had a few 'additions' to his meal. He didn't notice, but I took great pleasure in watching him eat it"
"I was verbally abused by a passenger on a Barcelona flight for doing the PA in Castilliano rather than Catalunyan. Unfortunately the pax's ham fell out of his roll onto the galley floor and got trodden on. Somehow his bread roll then ended up under my armpit, while my colleague in the galley unfortunately sneezed on to the ham"
"Whilst serving sandwiches!! A few strands of cress landed on the head of a poor bald passenger. Every time my fellow crew member passed the man we just cracked up!!!"
Our flights can be long and arduous and as crew, we all have our own coping mechanisms to make the time locked in that metal tube a little more bearable. For more of onboard confessions check out our 'What happens in the galley, stays in the galley'
"I once heard of a hostie that got fired for flicking a condom from the upper deck on a 747 which happened to hit the ceiling and land on a passengers lap by the stairs in cattle class"
"As a senior crew member, I was once plucking my eyebrows in the forward toilet cubicle. I didn't realise how low the aircraft was and i'd almost finished when we actually landed. I head butted the mirror on impact before subtly returning to my seat, all nonchalant, with bright red brow bones and a red forehead OUCH!"
"The airline I worked for encouraged the crew to face their passengers when making PAs rather than hide in the galley. So there I was, the senior cabin crew member, stood at the front of a full A321, busy delivering the 'welcome on board' PA when all of a sudden the loudest, dirtiest burp you've ever heard came out of my mouth! It just happened without warning. I wanted to die. I quickly apologised and managed to finish the announcement whilst dying of embarrassment. I hid for the remainder of the flight and made the other crew members deliver the rest of the PAs"
"I once fell out of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 while on the ground. I had to run around to the jetty to get back onboard. Thankfully no one noticed"
"Best memories – making cheese fondue from the brie in first class. And using up left over champagne to do lemon – sugar and champagne hand scrubs. Awesome!"
"In the days before digital cameras, if I ever found an old style film camera I would go into the toilet and take a picture of my…..(Insert body part here)"
"I accidentally threw away some scraps which were lying on the tray table, thinking it was rubbish. Suddenly the passenger ran into the galley screaming "My medicine, my medicine". Turns out he was the Whitesnake's lead singer!!"
"I get gas. I mean some stinky, smelly gas. When I feel it coming on, I stand next to a sleeping pax, let it go and walk away. The looks of revulsion on the other pax faces when they glare at the innocent sleeping pax. Or, if I don't like the pilots, I stand in front of the flight deck door during the flight and stink them out"
"I accidentally locked Princess Margaret in the toilet with my arse, trying to get the crash axe off the back of the flight deck door"
As cabin crew, we spend a lot of time with our cabin and flight deck colleagues, in confined spaces and for long periods away from home. You have to be a people person to do this job and your colleagues often become life long friends.
"We always raided the drinks trolley on a stop over and get extremely drunk in the process. To make the flight home the next day bearable we would use the portable oxygen to recover!"
"I was once working with a rather homophobic captain who refused to speak to me at all. Unless it was to demand a green tea with lemon. I'm not going to say I licked every piece of lemon that went into his cups of tea. But it sure tasted like sweet revenge. After all, what kind of hostie would I be if I didn't taste test before serving?"
"I loved sitting in the tail for a coffee and fag when the seatbelt signs were on"
"We once ate all the flight deck sandwiches and told them they had fallen on the floor!"
"A rather handsome pilot had recently transferred from another base. Little did I know that he too was gay and apparently fancied the pants off me. I went up to take the boys in a drink and the new first officer had to go to the toilet. Seconds after leaving the flight deck the captain had his c*ck out and was grabbing at my trousers. Needless to say I didn't need much persuasion and before long we were at it like rabbits. We didn't have long before the first officer came back and I left the cockpit looking rather flushed and pleased with myself. We finished off what we had started as soon as we arrived at the hotel"
"My fellow crew and I would make turns taking naps in the lav"
"A friend at a well-known long haul airline 'eye dropped' their Captain towards the end of the flight. He managed to operate the flight ok but upon arriving at the hotel for the night, he couldn't move from the toilet. He recovered enough to operate the flight back but the rest of the crew had a nice relaxing weekend away without him"
Our lovely ground crew often bear the brunt of passengers frustrations way before we get to endure them. They ensure that everything on the ground runs smoothly and have just as many ways as us of dealing with nightmare passengers.
"When I was a Check-in Service Agent (CSA) I would put 'SSS' on people's boarding passes if they were rude or nasty. The SSS meant extra security screening!"
"Loved giving rude passengers the seats at the very back of the plane or the dreaded middle seats and then put screaming kids in the seats around them. Used to make my day"
"Making obnoxious late passengers wait all day until the last flight out to get away on standby"
"Splitting up the seats of rude couples at check in so they were seated at opposite ends of the aircraft"
"I once let down a bag without a bag-tag or name-tag, as they were bitching at check-in about the airline. I wonder if they had a nice safari in South Africa with no clean clothes?"
"Giving arse holes the seat just in front of the emergency exit, with less leg room and doesn't recline, or giving them a window seat where there is not actually a window"
Do you have any of your own confessions to add? If so pop them in the comments section below.
Happy flying everyone.
© confessionsofatrolleydolly.com by Dan Air


text: UIC BarcelonaDonationsGiving Tuesday Governing bodiesA welcome letter from the rector Board of Trustees Board of Governors University Advisory Committee University Ombudsman Departments Student Council Learn more about UIC BarcelonaUIC Barcelona in figuresDegree Programmes Important links Campus, Faculties and Institutes Research Students International activity People Facilities Employability Agreements Teaching InnovationTeaching Innovation ClassroomIntroduction Team Philosophy & values History Faculties, Schools and Institutes Work with us at UIC BarcelonaTeaching and Research Staff Administration and Service Staff Transparency PortalUniversity informationPhilosophy and values Our history Dependent organisations Strategic planGoal 1. Teaching Goal 2. Research Goal 3. International approach Goal 4. Knowledge transfer Goal 5. Resources Guidelines Academic staffStaff employed by the University University staff Board of GovernorsBoard of Governors Board of Trustees Faculties, schools and departments Rector Student Council The University Assessment Board Academic offer and demand Students Financial information Research Results Academic report Doctor Honoris Causa Language PolicyRegulations on Language B2 Certification Language Plan 2019-2023 More options... Philosophy and valuesWelcome to the project of your life. UIC Barcelona is the ideal place for carrying it out. Since 1997, we have been developing people based on academic rigour, university life and enriching life experiences. We are a prestigious university and home to over 7,000 students. Here you will find 16 degree programmes, dual degree international programmes and a wide range of master's and postgraduate degrees, in addition to continuing education courses in the field of your choice. We place each student at the centre and turn them into the key players at UIC Barcelona. That is our commitment to them. To you. We respond by providing individual attention, small class sizes, a close relationship with the teaching body, support services and everything you need to maximise your skills. Each university is different, and the way we do things is what sets us apart: personal attention, a comprehensive approach to each student, continuous links to the professional world and innovative teaching and research methods. We are connected to society and to companies. Our teaching is practical in nature. It is imparted by teachers who are also active professionals and is complemented by a work placement programme that will help give you your first work experience. As a result, UIC Barcelona has the best graduate employment rate in the Catalan university system year after year. Christian humanism inspires us to search for truth and to fully develop each individual project. We provide the opportunity to study in one of the world's most vibrant cities, which is part of our identity. In addition to knowledge, research and knowledge transfer, we invest time and effort in learning so that we might change the world. You will see this ambition in the people and activities at UIC Barcelona. It is part of our DNA. The UIC Barcelona in figuresMore information Faculties, Schools and InstitutesMore information Educational qualityAt your service. We strive for excellence. At UIC Barcelona, we uphold the European social model. More information Philosophy and valuesYou are unique. We provide a unique experience through personalised education and individual attention. More information


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Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away, so it's time to start planning how you will celebrate with that special someone. Whether you're in a long-term relationship or getting to know someone new, dating as a senior doesn't have to be boring. Here are some fun senior dating ideas that will make this year's holiday unforgettable.
Senior Dating for Life Partners
After being together for many years, it's easy to fall into the same routine when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day. Instead of going to a movie or your favorite restaurant, try surprising your partner with one of these romantic outings instead.
Go to a Spa
Every stage of life comes with its own set of stressors, so it's important to find time to relax. Planning a spa day with your significant other allows you to take a step back from everyday life and spend intimate time together. Most spas offer couple's programs as well as geriatric massages specifically designed to benefit seniors. A romantic day at the spa will leave you and your partner feeling rejuvenated and stress-free.
Enroll in a Class
It is never too late to learn a new skill or pursue another hobby. Enrolling in a class is a great way to learn and grow with your partner. Whether it's art, cooking, fitness, dance, or another activity of interest, taking a class is a unique and fun way to spend time with your loved one. Even if you don't continue to do the activity after the class is over, it's still a great way to relax and create shared memories.
Tour Your Town or a Neighboring City
Touring a familiar place is a great way to discover something new and exciting about your area. The experience can even vary based on your tour guide! On guided tours, you will learn more about what your town or city has to offer when it comes to restaurants, businesses, and other public spaces. Many tours also explore the rich history of your community. Not every tour has to include hours of walking either. Most companies offer bus, carriage, or even Segway tours to help you see more in a shorter amount of time.
Senior Dating for New Flames
Re-entering the dating scene as a senior can seem stressful, but it doesn't have to be. It's easy to forget that the other person may be a lot more nervous than you are. So, take a deep breath and consider taking your new date on one of these exciting adventures for Valentine's Day.
Go to a Local Museum or Gallery
Exploring a local museum or art gallery is a great way to get to know your date better. You may discover shared interests or even develop new ones together. These venues often have new exhibits every few weeks, so you'll never run out of things to see. Galleries and museums are often located in busier areas, so if things are going well you can suggest grabbing something to eat afterward. Dates like these are very casual, which relieves some of the pressure that comes with spending time with someone new.
Book a Wine or Cheese Tasting
Attending a wine or cheese tasting is a great way to shake things up. What better way to promote conversation than with a few glasses of wine? Jokes aside, tastings are great for new relationships because they shift your focus away from your nerves and to the experience that you're sharing with the other person. Even if you do not drink, there are many other tasting events that do not include alcohol. So do a little research and choose whatever interests you and your date most.
Picnicking is a classic option for a reason: it's an eccentric and inexpensive alternative to a traditional restaurant date. A picnic is a wonderful way to enjoy someone's company while also experiencing the beauty of nature. If you really want to do something special, consider picnicking at a nearby lake, river, or even a beach. The possibilities are endless, so don't forget to have fun with it! Preparing the food for a picnic with your date is also a wonderful way to bond because it teaches you a lot about the other person's preferences.
What is the most memorable senior dating experience you've had? Share it with us in the comments below!


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Willis SJ, Cocoros NM, Randall LM, Ochoa AM, Haney G, Hsu KK, DeMaria A, Klompas M. Electronic Health Record Use in Public Health Infectious Disease Surveillance, USA, 2018–2019. Current Infectious Disease Reports. 2019;21(10):32. PubMed.
Cocoros NM, Ochoa A, Eberhardt K, Zambarano B, Klompas M. Denominators Matter: Understanding Medical Encounter Frequency and Its Impact on Surveillance Estimates Using EHR Data. eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes). 2019; 7(1): 31, pp. 1–6. Article.
Dee EC, Hsu KK, Kruskal BA, Menchaca JT, Zambarano B, Cocoros N, Herrick B, Weiss MDP, Hafer E, Erani D, Josephson M, Young J, Torrone EA, Flagg EW, Klompas M. Temporal Patterns in Chlamydia Repeat Testing in Massachusetts. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2019;56(3):458-463. PubMed.
Klompas M, Cocoros N, Menchaca JT, Erani D, Hafer E, Herrick B, Josephson M, Lee M, Weiss M, Zambarano B, Eberhardt K, Malenfant J, Nasuti L, Land T. State and local chronic disease surveillance using electronic health record systems. American Journal of Public Health 107, no. 9 (September 1, 2017): pp. 1406-1412. Abstract.
Baker MA, Kaelber DC, Bar-Shain DS, Moro PL, Zambarano B, Mazza M, Garcia C, Henry A, Platt R, Klompas M. Advanced Clinical Decision Support for Vaccine Adverse Event Detection and Reporting. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2015;61(6):864-870. PubMed.
Birkhead GS, Klompas M, Shah NR. Uses of electronic health records for public health surveillance to advance public health. Annual Review of Public Health. 2015 Mar 18;36:345-59. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031914-122747. Epub 2015 Jan 2. PubMed.
Vogel J, Brown JS, Land T, Platt R, Klompas M. MDPHnet: Secure, distributed sharing of electronic health record data for public health surveillance, evaluation, and planning. American Journal of Public Health 2014;104(12):2265-70. PubMed.
Yih WK, Cocoros NM, Crockett M, Klompas M, Kruskal BA, Kulldorff M, Lazarus R, Madoff LC, Morrison MJ, Smole S, Platt R. Automated influenza-like illness reporting, an efficient adjunct to traditional sentinel surveillance. Public Health Reports 2014;129:55-63. PubMed.
Klompas M, Eggleston E, McVetta J, Lazarus R, Li L, Platt R. Automated detection and classification of type 1 versus type 2 diabetes using electronic health record data. Diabetes Care 2013;36:914-921. PubMed.
Klompas M, Lazarus R, McVetta J, Eggleston M, Haney G, Kruskal B, Yih WK, Daly P, Oppedisano P, Beagan B, Lee M, Kirby C, Heisey-Grove D, DeMaria A, Platt R. Integrating clinical practice and public health surveillance using electronic medical record systems. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2012;42:S154-162 and American Journal of Public Health 2012;102:S325-S332 (joint publication). PubMed.
Allen-Dicker J, Klompas M. Comparison of electronic laboratory reports, administrative claims, and electronic health record data for acute viral hepatitis surveillance. Journal of Public Health Practice and Management 2012;18:209-214. PubMed.
Calderwood MS, Platt R, Hou X, Malenfant J, Haney G, Kruskal B, Lazarus R, Klompas M. Real-time surveillance for tuberculosis using electronic health record data from an ambulatory practice in eastern Massachusetts. Public Health Reports 2010; 125:843-850. PubMed.
Lazarus R, Klompas M, Campion FX, McNabb SN, Hou X, Daniel J, Haney G, DeMaria A, Lenert L, Platt R. Electronic Support for Public Health: Validated case finding and reporting for notifiable diseases using electronic medical data. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 2009;16:18-24. PubMed.
Klompas M, Haney G, Church D, Lazarus R, Hou X, Platt R. Automated identification of acute hepatitis B using electronic medical record data to facilitate public health surveillance. PLoS One. 2008 Jul 9;3(7):e2626. PMC.
Klompas M, Lazarus R, Platt R, Hou X, Campion FX, Kruskal B, Haney G, Dumas W, Daniel J, DeMaria A, McNabb SJN. Automated Detection and Reporting of Notifiable Diseases Using Electronic Medical Records Versus Passive Surveillance — Massachusetts, June 2006—July 2007. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2008;57:373-6. Report link.
Recent Presentations
Impact of an electronic medical record best practice alert on expedited partner therapy for chlamydia infection and reinfection.
Sarah J. Willis, PhD, MPH
Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC. June 2019.
Gonorrhea Testing Patterns Among Males in Three Large Clinical Practices in Massachusetts, 2010-2017
Elizabeth C. Dee, MPH; Sarah Willis, PhD, MPH; Katherine K. Hsu, MD, MPH; Heather Elder, PhD, MPH; Noelle M. Cocoros, DSc, MPH; Jessica Young, PhD; Julia Marcus, PhD, MPH; Elizabeth A. Torrone, PhD, MSPH; Eloisa Llata, MD, MPH; Elaine W. Flagg, PhD, MS; Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
National STD Prevention Conference, Washington, DC. August 2018.
Denominators matter: Understanding medical encounter frequency and its impact on surveillance estimates using EMR data
Noelle M. Cocoros, DSc, MPH; Aileen Ochoa, MPH; Karen Eberhardt, BS; Bob Zambarano, PhD; Michael Klompas, MD
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference, West Palm Beach, FL. June 2018.
Temporal Patterns in Chlamydia Repeat Testing and Positivity Rates in Massachusetts
Elizabeth C. Dee, MPH; Katherine K. Hsu, MD, MPH; Benjamin A.Kruskal MD, PhD; John T. Menchaca, BA; Bob Zambarano, PhD; Noelle Cocoro, DSc, MPH, Brian Herrick, MD; Michelle D. Payne Weiss, MPH; Ellen Hafer, MTS, MBA; Diana Erani, MBA; Mark Josephson, Jessica Young, PhD; Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
International Society for Disease Surveillance Annual Conference, Orlando, FL. January 2018.
Automated Public Health Surveillance Using Electronic Health Record Data
Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
National Institutes of Health Collaboratory Grand Rounds. October 20, 2017
Implementing an EHR-based Distributed Data Network for Public Health Surveillance of Notifiable Diseases and Chronic Conditions: A How-To Guide with Lessons Learned from Massachusetts.
Noelle M. Cocoros, DSc, MPH; Bob Zambarano, PhD; Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference, Boise, ID. June 2017.
A framework for automated continuum of care reporting of selected notifiable diseases using electronic medical record data: Preliminary data for HIV in Massachusetts.
Elizabeth C. Dee, MPH; Noelle Cocoros, DSc MPH; Liisa M. Randall, PhD; Hannah Rettler, MPH; Mark Josephson; Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference, Boise, ID. June 2017.
Electronic Health Records, STD Surveillance, and Rapid Action
Michael Klompas, MD, MPH
2017 Clinical Trials Group Technical Consultation. May 2017.


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BCMA Magazine 2017 'Changemaker' in the Cultural Field
I (Kate) am very honoured to have been counted among an inspiring group of museum professionals and advocates as a 2017 "Changemaker" by the BC Museums Association's magazine Roundup. Thank you also to SFU News for the article about this recognition.
I have been so fortunate to be invited to join incredible teams with members of Indigenous communities and organizations in BC and the Northwest Territories, and curators, anthropologists, archaeologists, and designers. I am grateful to be trusted with this work and want to acknowledge that I am being honoured in this way only because of the hard work and dedication that those I have been fortunate to work with have committed to these same projects. There are so many people who are pushing the boundaries of what new technologies can do to shift and even begin to decolonize relationships between museums and Indigenous communities and I am grateful to be a part of this movement.
My gratitude related to people I have been so lucky to work with on these projects to (and not limited to!): Natasha Lyons, Dave Schaepe, Chief Colin Pennier, Sonny McHalsie, John Welch, Mike Blake, Dana Lepofsky, Kyle McIntosh, Sue Rowley, Jordan Wilson, Alissa Antle, Aynur Kadir, Reese Muntean, Charles Arnold, Stephen Loring, Mervin Joe, Albert Elias, Aaron Glass, Amber Ridington, Robin and Jillian Ridington, Garry Oker, Billy Attachie, Gerry Attachie, Shirley Reiter, Madeline Oker, Norman Davis, Sam Acko, Pat Moore, Kim Christen, and Jane Anderson… and many more. Gratitude.


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Mango & Coconut Smoothie Float!
I find smoothies are an easy way for me to make sure I get some good vitamins and nutrients into me each day. There's some evidence to suggest that blending fruits and vegetables means you're not getting the full benefit and they can sometimes be high in sugar, but I've decided I'm going to risk it because they taste so good!
The only problem I find with smoothies is that you really need to add lots of frozen fruit or ice, because the thick, warm ones can be sort of disconcerting. Smoothie bowls have been popular for a while now and I can see why. Eating smoothies with a spoon means you can go for a slightly thicker texture, plus it gives you loads more room for toppings – always a plus.
Magic Mango
This smoothie is made using a whole mango (skin included) as the skin contains 400 times the mangiferin than the fruit itself. Mangiferin is a natural polyphenol that is thought to help control blood sugar and help weight loss. Mangos are also rich in fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C.
WARNING – a very small amount of people are allergic to a compound called urushiol that is found in the resin of mango trees and can be on the peel. It's chemically similar to poison ivy or oak. If you have experienced reactions to these or mangos before, you will want to avoid eating the peel. I did a quick test before eating by rubbing the mango on mine and my husband's arms (much to his confusion) and all seemed fine!
I decided to make this one into a sort of smoothie-float by adding a big scoop of vegan coconut ice cream. The contrast of the warmer, mango smoothie and the cold ice cream really worked – like ice cream and fruit syrup 🙂 It also means this fruit bowl passes as a legit sweet treat for pudding as well as breakfast.
I finished this mango smoothie bowl with blueberries, coconut flakes and some cherry sauce I made by blending a small amount of the smoothie with cherry powder.
A refreshing breakfast or night time treat when you're feeling in need of something sweet, healthy and cooling – great for summer days or when you're feeling under the weather. Freeze any leftovers into ice cubes for smaller treats or into moulds for healthy ice lollies.
For another breakfast drink try this Honey Nut Breakfast Oat Smoothie.
Let me know if you give this one a try. It's totally tropical, healthy and chilled 🙂 #preggieveggie
- Smoothie Bowl
- 1 mango
- 1 banana
- Zest and juice of half a lime
- Ice cubes (optional)
- 2 scoops vegan coconut ice cream
- Optional Toppings
- Blueberries
- Cherry sauce - made by rehydrating freeze dried cherry powder
- Flaked coconut
- Fresh mango slices
- Blend the mango (including skin if you aren't allergic) and banana (these fruits can be fresh or frozen)
- If you want to chill down the mixture a bit add a scoop of the coconut ice cream or some ice cubes and blend
- Add cold water to achieve the desired consistency
- Add the zest and juice of the lime to taste
- Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with a scoop of your favourite ice cream, plus the toppings of your choice
*Freeze the leftover mixture in ice cube trays or lolly moulds
*Add nuts or granola for a little extra crunch
*Nutritional info is for half the smoothie bowl. It includes 1 scoop of ice cream and excludes additional toppings.


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- Day-to-day banking
Day-to-day banking
Our day-to-day banking services cover everything you need to run your company finances, from accepting credit card payments to paying your bills.
- Finance
At Santander, we understand that to expand your operation you need access to finance. Here you'll find a range of options suited to short and long-term needs.
- International trade
We're focused on bringing a fresh perspective to businesses with ambitions to grow beyond traditional markets.
Our extensive local networks and knowledge around the world means we're ideally placed to support your international trade plans. Let us help you uncover the path to international success.
- Sectors expertise
Sector expertise
Our sector specialists are here to help you prosper.
We understand the complexity and evolving needs of businesses in a wide range of industries. Our experts will work with you to help turn your aspirations into reality.
- Insights & events
Insight & events
Read the latest Santander news, market developments and insights, as well as register your interest to attend our events held across the UK.
Software Pioneer Conquers New Markets With Finance Package
ProofHQ spotted a gap in the software market and Santander's backing has helped the company sell its solution globally
In brief
- Sector: Software Services
- Launched in 2008, ProofHQ offer an innovative software package enabling marketing departments and creative agencies to collaboratively review and approve documents online with robust workflow controls.
- By 2012, the company had a proven product with customers in 50 countries. It was poised for further expansion but lacked personnel in sales, marketing and business development.
- Santander helped by funding a mezzanine Growth Capital loan plus current account, internet banking and multi currency accounts.
- Although a mezzanine product, Santander's Growth Capital Loan did not require the founder to surrender equity and was backed by comprehensive banking.
- There will be up to 26 new hires across product development, sales and marketing, plus a new FD.
With a customer base that includes supermarket chain Tesco, US telecoms giant AT&T, and UK car insurance company Admiral, ProofHQ is a British software company that has carved out a global niche. Launched in 2008 by CEO Mat Atkinson, ProofHQ's software is an efficient way to review, edit and collaborate on documents. In the last year alone, the business has seen revenues grow by 140%. Demand for the product is now proven and with funding from Santander, the company is positioning itself for further expansion.
The software concept
The idea for ProofHQ came about in 2006, when Mat was running a software company he set up to provide printing workflow services to marketing departments and creative agencies. While working with clients, he saw the delays and frustrations associated with getting marketing collateral reviewed and approved. Typically, designs would be passed round as PDFs via email attachments – an imperfect method at best. Mat set about developing software that would streamline the process, enabling marketers to review documents (with text and visuals) online while also managing workflow.
Two key developments in the software/IT marketplace smoothed ProofHQ's path from drawing board to market. "We began work at a time when software development costs had begun to plummet, so we were able to get a product to market without external funding," says Mat. Equally important was the arrival of software as a service – with IT functions delivered from remote servers, often on a pay-as-you-go basis – which created new opportunities. "That meant marketing departments were able to experiment with new products. They could test-drive software without making a big upfront commitment."
The next level
There was immediate interest in the product. Mat says, "By 2012, we had achieved product/market fit, meaning that we could sell our products without significant customisation for each customer. We were also getting feedback from customers who were getting great ROI. At the same time, companies in our target market were actively looking for a proofing product. The market was crystallising." These factors meant ProofHQ was well positioned for rapid growth and greater profitability – but funding was required.
An alternative to private equity
Mat was reluctant to raise money through private equity at this stage in ProofHQ's development. Having heard about Santander's Breakthrough programme and the Growth Capital Fund available to fast-growing SMEs, he contacted the bank. Initially, the inquiry was handled by Ramon Juraboev, Investment Director in the Growth Capital team. Juraboev was impressed by what the company had achieved.
"They had a blue-chip customer base and an established product," he says. "They also had a very strong management team led by Mat and Chief Technology Officer Anthony Welgemoed."
ProofHQ's initial requirement was for Growth Capital but once the introductions had been made, Ramon and Santander Relationship Director Simon Ambrose worked with the company to look at the possibility of a more comprehensive package.
Mat was impressed by Santander's ability to fully comprehend the business model. "I felt Santander understood us and in particular the importance of recurring revenue in our business model. They didn't try to impose their own agenda on the business. When you raise cash through private equity it can create a significant overhead for management, and I wanted to avoid losing focus on customers and product."
Following the negotiations and due diligence, Santander provided Growth Capital plus a current account and online banking for their day-to-day needs. There was also an international dimension: ProofHQ has employees in Europe and the US, and clients in 50 countries, so Santander provided multi currency accounts. In addition, ProofHQ is looking at opening an account with Santander's US arm, Sovereign Bank.
Going forward
Santander's funding is enabling ProofHQ to hire the staff that will drive future growth. "Before the deal we had 35 employees but only one sales person," says Mat. "Now we have the resources to grow the team and hire people to manage direct sales, partners and channels." In total, the funding will underpin up to 26 hires across product development, business development, lead generation, finance and administration. Key appointments have already been made, including a Finance Director, Vice President of Sales, Senior Marketer, and Head of Customer Success.
"In 2012, Proof HQ had more than 700 customers in 50 countries," says Simon Ambrose. "The growth so far has been astronomical and we expect that to continue."
The relationship extends beyond lending. Santander is also planning to help the company take on an intern under the Breakthrough Programme and the team has also provided advice on areas such as cashflow planning. It's an ongoing partnership.
What is Breakthrough?
Breakthrough is a programme of funding, business support, events and consultancy to help high-performing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leap to the next level of sustainable growth. Taking part in Breakthrough does not guarantee access to all elements, as each programme is tailored to meet the individual requirements of the business. To find out more, register your interest, and to see if you are eligible, visit the Breakthrough website.


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There IS a Difference
Obviously the higher the quality of the coconut oil, the more effective it is. Selecting the highest quality oil will ensure that you and your pet will receive the maximum health benefits from coconut oil. There are two main factors to consider when looking for the high quality coconut oil:
Coconut oil should have the highest Lauric Acid content possible, using organic, non-GMO and non-hybrid coconuts.
Coconut oil should have the lowest possible moisture content. The method used to extract the coconut oil determines how low the moisture content is in the oil.
Read this
PDF article to learn more about how we're different.
Quality Begins with the Coconuts
There are many brands of coconut oil out there, but do you know where they get their coconuts? At CocoTherapy, we do. Not only do we manufacture our own coconut oil and chips, we also grow and harvest our own coconuts in our own coconut plantation.
A majority of coconut oil manufacturers (other brands) do not own coconut farms. They purchase their coconuts from a number of small independent farmers, often buying from multiple farmers who may or may not be USDA organic inspected farms. These farmers may have their own cultivating practices and harvesting schedules, which affect the quality of the coconuts.
CocoTherapy coconuts come from one farm, which is also owned by our manufacturer. Why is this important?
Quality starts with the coconuts. From the careful selection of the coconuts used, to the methods used in creating the final product, we know that CocoTherapy coconut oil is the purest, freshest, premium quality human-grade oil available.
Coconut trees grow everywhere in the Philippines.
This beautiful coconut tree is growing right outside
the CocoTherapy office.
CocoTherapy© Coconut Oil has a minimum of 53.28% Lauric Acid content. Any other brand that claims to have a Lauric Acid content higher than 55% is either exaggerating, or using hybrid or genetically-modified (GMO) coconuts.
In addition to this CocoTherapy Coconut Oil has a high percentage of beneficial Medium Chain Fatty Acids (lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid), containing at least 64%.
Not All Coconut Oil is Created Equal
CocoTherapy organic coconut oil is superior to other coconut oils in the market.
Philippine Government Standards state that the moisture content of coconut oil cannot exceed 0.2% max. Usually, coconut oil that is considered "excellent" has a moisture content between 0.04% - 0.11%. Higher moisture content not only lessens the oil's shelf life, but also makes the oils more susceptible to oxidation, bacteria, and the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acid and glycerol. Since a lower moisture content results in a more stable oil, it is also more able to withstand heat-induced damage when used in cooking, either for yourself of when home-cooking your pet's food. CocoTherapy Coconut Oil has a moisture content that ranges between 0.02% - 0.06%.
In addition to this, other coconut oil brands typically contain Lauric Acid levels of less than 40%. The Lauric Acid content in virgin coconut oil is highly dependent on the variety of the coconut and not on the process used for producing it. CocoTherapy Coconut Oil has a 53.28% Lauric Acid content. Any other brand that claims to have a Lauric Acid content higher than 54% is either exaggerating, or using hybrid or genetically-modified (GMO) coconuts. In addition to this CocoTherapy Coconut Oil has a high percentage of beneficial Medium Chain Fatty Acids (lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid), containing at least 64%.
We know that there are other coconut oils available in the market. But since there are many different varieties of coconuts and different ways to produce coconut oil, we put a lot of time and effort to make sure that we were getting the best oil possible, manufactured in the absolute highest standard in the industry. CocoTherapy is human-grade and can be shared and used by the whole family, both human and animal alike.
CocoTherapy Coconut Oil is human-grade, 100% pure and natural:
Most commercial grade coconut oils are made from copra. Copra is coconut meat that has been dried by smoke-drying, sun-drying, or kiln-drying, or a combination of any of these three methods. If coconut oil is extracted from copra, the unrefined oil is not suitable for consumption and must be purified, or refined. Coconut oil extracted from copra is considered RBD coconut oil, which means it has been Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized. Impurities from RBD coconut oil must be removed by filtering the oil through bleaching clays, and high heat is needed to deodorize the oil. Sodium hydroxide is typically used to remove free fatty acids and prolong shelf life. Extracting coconut oil from copra is the most common way to mass-produce coconut oil because it produces more oil. However, this is not the purest way to manufacture virgin coconut oil. Coconut Oil extracted from copra usually has a bland, oily taste.
|How CocoTherapy Coconut Chips are Different from Other Dehyrdated Coconut Chips
Dehydrated coconut meat is rich in nutrients and fiber; however it can be difficult to digest for most animals.
The digestive system of some animals can not tolerate the typical raw dehydrated coconut chips found in grocery stores. Feeding your pets typical dehydrated coconut chips may stress their digestive system and often times the undigested coconut chips are passed either in the animal's stool or vomit. However, our CocoTherapy Coconut Chips were uniquely developed to be easily digestible for animals.
To see how quickly CocoTherapy coconut chips break down, we took a leading dehydrated organic coconut chips brand (purchased from a popular health food store) and CocoTherapy Coconut Chips and placed them in a saucer of water.
CocoTherapy Coconut Chips provides highly digestible fiber to support and maintain gastrointestinal health, while providing all the nutritional benefits of coconut oil. It is easily digested by dogs, cats, and other small mammals.
Our Coconut Oil Production
Our premium grade coconut oil is manufactured in the highest standards, combining generations-old traditional methods with state-of-the-art processes. Our organic coconut oil comes from coconuts that are grown without the use of any chemical fertilizers and pesticides, harvested fresh from USDA Organic coconut plantations. Our coconuts come from the traditional coconut palm tree, and unlike some other brands, we never use hybrid or genetically modified (GMO) varieties of coconuts. In fact, our entire process of manufacturing does not involve the use of any chemicals whatsoever. Our processing plant is also inspected and uses only stainless steel food grade equipment. CocoTherapy© is certified organic every year by Global Organic Alliance, Inc, a USDA Accredited Certifying Agent, and bears the USDA Organic seal on its labels.
The coconuts are harvested fresh and are opened between four to eight hours of harvesting. The fresh coconut meat is immediately stored in a cold dry environment, and cold-pressed to express the healthy and pure coconut milk. The coconut milk is stored in a cold dry environment for several hours, until the oil naturally separates from the liquid. The oil is then separated and filtered from the liquid and moisture is removed in a process called vacuum drying, with low processing temperatures that are approximately 100 degrees F. No chemicals or high temperatures are ever used. Mild, low temperature heat is necessary to insure that the film of water on the surface of the oil is completely removed. Water or excess moisture will cause the oil to get rancid. It is possible to produce virgin coconut oil without any heat whatsoever, however, it will contain a higher moisture content, which is not desirable in coconut oil. If purchasing a brand that does not use any heat during processing, the oil will be more susceptible to oxidation, bacteria, and the triglycerides will break down into free fatty acid and glycerol.
CocoTherapy Coconut Oil is bottled in glass jars, never plastic. The chemicals which comprise PVC, have been known to leach into water and food products. There is concern with the plastic chemicals leaching into the oil. Oils can swell polyethylene, and therefore some of this substance may leach into the oil. It is always safest to store coconut oil in glass jars. In addition to this, you will always be able to see our oil - pure white in color when solid, or crystal clear when melted.
The purest, virgin coconut oil should be water clear when completely melted, or pure white in color when solid. It contains natural Vitamin E and has a mild fresh coconut aroma. The intensity of the scent depends on the process used for producing the oil. It should taste fresh, light, and not "greasy". Any coconut oil that is considered "odorless" has been refined, bleached, or deodorized. It will be odorless and tasteless. It will be slightly yellow or "off-white" in color and will not contain natural Vitamin E as it would have been removed during processing. Other causes of the "yellowish" or off-white color in some coconut oils are bacterial contamination of the coconut meat before oil extraction, or high-heat temperature used during processing. High temperatures used in processing will remove the natural Vitamin E or tocopherol content in the coconut oil.
CocoTherapy Coconut Oil is guaranteed to be one of the highest quality coconut oil available on the market today. From the careful selection of the coconuts used, to the methods used in creating the final product, it is the purest, freshest, premium quality human-grade oil available. It is raw, cold-pressed, hexane-free, unrefined, non-bleached, and contains no trans fat or hydrogenated fat.
Our Coconut Chips Production
Like our coconut oil, our coconut chips are processed to ensure that they have a lower moisture content and higher Lauric acid content than any of the dehydrated coconut flakes available in health food stores.
CocoTherapy© Coconut Chips are made from USDA-certified organic coconuts and dehydrated in low temperatures. The organic coconut meat is removed from the shells and washed in pure, filtered un-chlorinated water. To ensure that the nutrients are kept intact, the shredded coconut is slowly dehydrated at temperatures no higher than 98.6° F (37° C), creating great tasting coconut chips that is considered "raw". Dehydrating slowly at low temperatures ensures that our shredded, raw coconut tastes fresh, has a wonderful texture, and contains all the rich nutrients found in fresh coconuts.
Other dried or desiccated coconut flakes available online and in health food stores may use conventional, less-expensive methods of producing dried coconuts flakes, which typically includes extracting some of the coconut milk moisture from the coconut meat and drying it in large ovens at higher temperatures between 170°-180° F (76°-82° C). We do not recommend giving your pets dried coconut flakes from grocery stores if you are not sure of the product's manufacturing methods.
And because our coconut chips are raw, it is vacuum-sealed immediately after processing to maintain freshness and reduce oxidation and the breakdown of triglycerides. It is then repacked in a re-sealable foil pouch to further reduce environmental damage. Our air-tight, double-packaged process helps to ensure that all the nutrients are preserved. There is no other brand available that is processed and double-packaged in this way.
We take the time to produce and package our coconut chips by following the highest quality standards set in the industry, because we want to make sure that our coconut chips contain the most flavor and nutritional value possible for our pets and ourselves.
Our process enables vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and nutritional benefits to be preserved, resulting in a raw coconut meat and oil that tastes fresh, has wonderful texture and smell, and contains all the health benefits of fresh raw coconuts. We encourage you to compare CocoTherapy Coconut Oil and Coconut Chips to other brands. You can see, smell and taste the difference!
Certified USDA Organic
CocoTherapy© products are certified organic by the Global Organic Alliance, Inc, a USDA accredited certifying agent. Look for the USDA Organic seal on our package.
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Imagine the excitement of the student body when we found out that for the first time in three years, Northwestern would be going to a bowl game. Now, imagine that excitement magnified for all of Northwestern's seniors, who remembered our trip to a bowl game our freshman year, and who were now going to get the chance to bleed purple once again in our final year at the university. And, as if that much excitement wasn't enough, add on to it the overwhelming thrill felt when the chair of the Theatre department, Rives Collins, and of the Musical Theatre program, Dominic Missimi, approached me and five other current students about performing at the bowl celebrations. Victor Mazzone (MUS09), Ben Hoffman (C11), Kaitlin Fine (C09), Sally Eidman (MUS10), Julia Beck (C09), and I didn't waste one second before we gave our enthusiastic "yes" replies.
A sea of purple at the
Alamo Bowl in San Antonio
San Antonio's River Walk
In the midst of all this elation, both because our great university had the chance to show off our athletic prowess AND because suddenly six of us were going to have the chance to have a direct hand in cheering on the university (and maybe show off our own talents a bit in the process), rehearsals began. Winter break was less than a week away, and four of the six students were leaving the state for vacations, so we only had a few days to put the show together. Under the musical direction of Dr. Ryan Nelson and the direction of Dominic Missimi, we met, sang, staged, memorized, and perfected our musical revue celebrating all aspects of Northwestern. We planned an order, discussed costumes, and tried our best to think of everything we'd need to know before our performance, which was still weeks away! Winter break arrived, and we all went our separate ways with promises to rehearse before San Antonio.
Finally, two days before the bowl game, it was time for all of us to arrive in San Antonio. Ben Hoffman and I both arrived without a hitch in San Antonio, as did Rives Collins and the Northwestern marching band. We had the whole day to ourselves, as preparations and final rehearsals for the event wouldn't happen until the following morning. Ben and I took a walk around the San Antonio Riverwalk, a really stunningly beautiful (albeit a little touristy) section of the city and had our first of many Tex-Mex meals. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for the other four performers, derailing them with flight delays and lost suitcases. Luckily everyone finally made it, luggage and all.
In back from left to right: Ben Hoffman (C11), Victor Mazzone (MUS09), Eugenio Vargas (C09), and Adam Kantor (C08), front center
Top row from left to right: Kaitlin Fine (C09), Sally Eidman (MUS10), Julia Beck (C09). Front Row: Eugenio Vargas (C09), Ben Hoffman (C11), Victor Mazzone (MUS09)
The day of our performance (the day before the bowl game), we spent the morning running through the show musically with our musical director and our wonderful percussionist, Ian Weinberger (MUS09). Halfway into this rehearsal, we were joined by Northwestern alumni and stars of Broadway Adam Kantor (C08) and Kate Shindle (C98). All of us knew Adam, as he had been in school with us just the year before, but we were meeting Kate for the first time. What an awesome experience to get to perform with two powerhouse voices like theirs. When we first heard Kate sing her set, all six of us were stunned into silence with our jaws hanging open and our eyes wide. She is INCREDIBLE! After our morning music rehearsal, we all ran out for a quick lunch (of Tex-Mex, obviously), and then came back to do a run through of the show with staging, transitions, and microphones. Everything went relatively easily and smoothly, and we were dismissed to do as we pleased until our call time before the show.
That evening, we arrived in the ballroom for our call time, men in their tuxedos and women in their beautiful peach gowns, eagerly awaiting show time. There was a brief moment of panic -when we were informed the room that had been set aside as our greenroom/dressing room was actually not available to us – but being the seasoned thespians that we were, we rolled with the punches.
The show was amazing. The audience loved every minute of it, and we were having a blast performing with each other. Our tribute to President Bienen (a parody version of "Here's to You, Henry Higgins" from My Fair Lady entitled "Thanks to You, Henry Bienen") was one of the highlights of the show, as was a number from Waa-Mu 2008: Skylines titled "Purple Coast" by Daniel Green that, at one point, listed a plethora of famous Northwestern alumni. Adam and Kate both brought the house down in turn with their songs, and in the end, the entire gigantic ballroom of people was brought to their feet by Dr. Mallory Thompson conducting the marching band (who had burst into the room moments earlier, much to the audience's surprise) on the Northwestern Alma Mater – and then again when the marching band played our fight song for one last burst of Purple Pride before we left for the evening.
The entire group enjoys a moment at the Alamo Bowl despite the football team's loss
The eight performers left the hotel for the evening to celebrate. We were treated to dinner by some lovely, loyal fans and Rives (yes, once again, we had Tex-Mex), and then it was off for some time with just the performers. We found our way to a karaoke joint and spent the night singing some more. The six of us reprised our performance of Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time" that we had just done at the show, complete with four-part harmonies. Kate Shindle once again prompted a standing ovation when she sang "Natural Woman," only this time, no one had any idea that she was a Broadway star and former Miss America 1998. With our voices thoroughly exhausted, it was time to head back to the hotel for a good night's rest.
The next day started off quite relaxing. We had the whole day to ourselves until it was time for the NAA Tailgate. The Tailgate was great fun. We got a chance to mingle with a lot of the people who had been at the performance the night before, all of whom were extremely kind and complimentary. We milled about there for a while, and then it was time to head over to the Alamodome for the game.
Alums Kate Shindle (C98) and Adam Kantor (C08) at the Alamo Bowl
In all honesty, recounting the game is still a little painful. I'll just say that the Wildcats played their hearts out, and, for the record, we were ahead for the VAST majority of the game.
The next day we all left on our separate flights to wherever it was we were headed to spend the rest of our Winter Breaks. As I headed to the airport (trying very hard to not think about the end of the game, but rather everything else that had happened in those few days), I knew it was an experience I wouldn't soon forget. I'd made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and had the chance to represent my university in an incredibly unique and memorable way. I hope Northwestern gets to attend many more bowl games, and that maybe I get the chance to be invited to celebrate with them again.


text:
To accommodate growth and to improve capacity, reliability,
and efficiency at the airport, the GTAA is embarking upon an ambitious upgrade
to Toronto Pearson's baggage-handling operations, with a state-of-the-art,
automated system.
The master agreement includes several design-build work
packages that together will revolutionize the way the airport operates,
enhancing the passenger experience and ultimately moving Toronto Pearson closer
toward the vision of being the best airport in the world.
"With over a century of helping our partners succeed, our
company takes pride in partnering with the best," said Dave Filipchuk, PCL
president and CEO. "Having successfully delivered a number of projects at Toronto
Pearson, PCL is excited to continue building our relationship by partnering
with Beumer to deliver a best-in-class solution that supports the GTAA in
growing Toronto Pearson's status as an international gateway."
The modern and fully automated approach that the Beumer-PCL
team will deliver is relatively new in North America but has been more broadly
implemented in Europe and Asia.
Group values long-term partnerships, and with this contract we are set for a
journey that will last for many years with a clear aim to transform Toronto
Airport's baggage handling into a leading airport hub operation," said Dr.
Christoph Beumer, chairman and CEO, BEUMER Group. "We have listened to the
GTAA's plans and applied our open mind and creativity to lay out the best
solution for developing the airport's baggage-handling process for the benefit
of their passengers and their staff."
Toronto Pearson's passenger traffic continues to see significant growth, the
GTAA recognizes the importance of planning to meet the demands of a future
airport that could grow to welcome over 80 million annual passengers in the
next twenty years," said Howard Eng, president and chief executive officer,
GTAA. "With the innovative solutions designed by our partners at BEUMER Group
and PCL Construction, the airport will be well equipped to provide efficient,
resilient baggage service and ready the system for an estimated 80 million
pieces of luggage per year by the mid-2030s."
As part of the master service agreement, the GTAA will
implement Beumer's automated tote-based baggage transport and sortation system,
at Toronto Pearson. With this solution, each item of baggage remains in the
same individually controlled tote and is 100% tracked and traceable at every
stage of the baggage-handling process, which is key to complying with the
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) requirements for US
transborder clearance.
Beumer and PCL look forward to working with the GTAA and
partners that include Brock Solutions,
B+H Architects, Peter Sheffield
& Associates, The Mitchell Partnership,
and Mulvey & Banani International.
Construction on the first four work packages is set to begin at the end of
January, with completion scheduled for 2021.
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that
carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and in
Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy
industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31
major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of
$9 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one
of the largest in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com.
BEUMER Group is an international leader in the manufacture
of intralogistics systems for conveying, loading, palletising, packaging,
sortation, and distribution. With 4,200 employees worldwide, the BEUMER Group
has annual sales of about EUR 770 million. The BEUMER Group and its group
companies and sales agencies provide their customers with high-quality system
solutions and an extensive customer support network around the globe and across
a wide range of industries, including bulk materials and piece goods,
food/non-food, construction, mail order, post, and airport baggage
handling. For more information, please visit: www.beumergroup.com.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator
of Toronto Pearson International Airport. The GTAA's vision is to make Toronto
Pearson the best airport in the world. Towards this objective, the GTAA focuses
on ensuring the safety and security of passengers and airport employees,
enhancing the passenger experience and supporting the success of its airline
partners. Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest airport and the second-busiest
North American international airport.
Liisa MorleySenior Communications SpecialistPCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto)firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright © 2020 PCL Constructors Inc. All rights reserved
Read the latest issue of Horizons, PCL's quarterly publication.
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Thank you to the 70+ people who made it out August 22nd for our second MassChallenge Mondays Fun Run & Social Event!
A little after 7PM, we assembled on the grass field outside the building as Nikki Higgins from Niketown led us through a series of stretches. We then split up into groups and started on our way!
It was a gorgeous night along the waterfront for runners & walkers alike. We've seen rain or threatening weather for almost every Monday since we began these runs, but Mother Nature was in our corner Monday night.
The evening air was cool, the sky was perfect; I think since we're not used to this lack of humidity, most people were stunned that we'd already made it 5K by the time we got back.
We returned to the 14th floor for food, drinks and 60-second pitches from some of Boston's most innovative startup entrepreneurs, who took some great questions from the crowd as well. Quick review of who took part…
Dave from Vsnap:
Makes it ultra-easy for people to use short, rich video messages to feel closer and more connected.
Jon from Splitwise:
Helps you keep track of shared expenses, so that bills & housemates get paid on time.
Amy from Abazyme:
Provides recombinant antibodies which are engineered to the highest performance standards.
Dave from Osmopure:
Bottle top filtration device screws into used soda bottles filled with dirty water and turns them into simple and effective water filtration systems.
Betsy from Swellr:
Online marketplace that empowers citizens to fund education projects they care about by shopping locally.
Krishna from UberSense:
Enables athletes & coaches to improve using video analysis & social collaboration on mobile/web apps.
Max & David from Roof for Two:
Provides an innovation in two-wheeler travel that keeps the rider comfortable in any weather.
Florence from UrVideoResume:
Showcase your skills, competencies, and qualifications beyond the capabilities of a paper resume.
and of course, Alain from RaceMenu:
Events are more fun with friends; RaceMenu makes events more friendly.
We'd love to thank the great sponsors that helped us make it a success:
- Magners Hard Cider – you gotta check out their new pear flavor. I didn't think I liked cider…but I was sorely mistaken!
- Peak Organic Brewing Company – have you tried their India Pale Ale? Now we all have. WOW.
- popchips – I tell myself it is perfectly fine to eat one bag of every flavor at these events since they're healthy snacks.
- mix1 – all-natural protein shakes – the new chocolate flavor is highly addictive.
- vitaminwater – coming through again to help keep us hydrated.
- Boloco – despite a hiccup on pickup, we still can't get enough of their burritos. No, really, we can't get enough. More, please!
- Hubway – they're the new bike sharing program in Boston that's expanding rapidly and is a great option to the T or your car. You've seen the bikes all over town, check 'em out!
Feel free to come out every Monday night and run with us at 6:30PM, but be sure to join us on September 19th at 7PM for our final FREE run/walk & social event – Run, Eat, Drink & Pitch! MassChallenge Mondays #3.
Note: if you have orange & blue on, Alain WILL take lots of pictures of you.
All the best,


text: Watch Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers live in action on Sat, 21 Nov at the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR. Football ticket prices may change as per demand but as of right now you can get them for a minimum price of approximately $189. Book your tickets before the stocks run out.


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Every year, more workers are injured in falls from ladders than from any other elevated surface, including roofs, scaffolds, balconies, and even stairs.
So far this year, falls from ladders have seriously injured eight Oregon workers, but all of the injuries could have been prevented.
Most falls from ladders happen because workers select the wrong type of ladder for their job or they improperly set up the ladder. Oregon OSHA requires employers to ensure that a competent person trains workers who use ladders, but too often the training is overlooked because of the time-worn assumption that no one will get hurt.
Do you know how to select, set up, and climb a portable ladder?
Test your knowledge with our new portable ladder app – click here to begin.
When you're done, let us know what you think.
Send comments or suggestions to firstname.lastname@example.com or use this form.
This might also be a good time to list seven typical ways workers are injured on portable ladders:
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